GrocerySmarts info

I've had a few people ask me about GrocerySmarts.com. It's a website that matches the weekly store ads with the coupons online and in the Sunday paper. I use it to stock up on items for my short term supply. Here's the information sheet and the instructions that were provided to us from Wendy when she did our training last year.

Menu Planning!

It's 5 o'clock, do you know what you're having for dinner? Hopefully, you've known for at least a week! Menu planning is a great way to save money and build your 3 month supply. First, make a list of all the meals that your family enjoys eating (sounds like a good FHE activity). Then, make a list of all the ingredients needed for each of those meals. Finally, make a calendar of when you're going to eat those meals. When you're at the store, buy what you need, but when you see a sale or have a coupon (or BOTH!) buy extra of the items you use regularly. By adding to your 3 month supply, when it's time to make dinner, you can just "go shopping" in your pantry.

Here's a sample menu in calendar form:
https://docs.google.com/fileview?id=0B66nw2sfgICoMDk5NjUwZDQtOGE4ZS00Y2M1LTk2ZWUtNTBjYTgxOWQyNDll&hl=en

Here's a link to Food Storage Made Easy's tools to keep track of what ingredients you have and what you still need.
http://foodstoragemadeeasy.net/2009/02/21/3monthfoodsupply/

Get a jump start on your food storage!

This week 1/6-1/12 is the Smith's case lot sale. They usually have a small one now and then one before each general conference (approx. Mar & Sept). If you're running low on can goods or peanut butter, you may want to stop in and grab a few things to restock. They are usually in the front of the store. Don't be afraid to ask about an item that you want. It may be hiding and they will help you find it. You can usually mix and match the cake mixes if you don't want an entire box of chocolate cake mix.

Menu Planning!

It's a new year and we all want to stay within our budget. One great way to stay within your budget is to plan your meals. By knowing what you're going to be making, you'll know what foods to store in your 3 month food supply and you'll make less trips to the store which means less impulse buying! So, here's a great post from Food Storage Made Easy with some great tools to plan your meals and keep a 3 month inventory: http://foodstoragemadeeasy.net/2009/02/21/3monthfoodsupply/