money saving tips?

[jeantm]

Hey everyone !!! i am new to this (week 1). i am at college doing research for the summer and went food shopping and ended up with a $100 bill!!! i only bought to packages of the shakes and the rest meat veggies etc. the food has lasted a week but won't get through 2. i did lose 4lbs ,but my budget can't do this every week or so. anyone have any tips on saving money??????
thanx
jean

[queenbeear]

:daizy: Hi Jean. I agree it can get a little expensive at times, but hopefully others on this forum will have tips we can all benefit from. One idea is to use more chicken than beef. Usually its cheaper when purchased in bulk and can be easily frozen and thawed for use. I try to look for specials at the grocery, and just so happened at my local Winn Dixie this week, buy a package of chicken breasts and get one free. Of course I went shopping. There are a number of recipes here on the forum, but I often like to stick to basic chicken salad, but also like to eat naked buffalo wings. Eggs are fairly cheap and make for tasty egg salad or omlets. Good luck. Queen Bee

[Noni C]

I've been low-carbing for 3 years and this is a subject very close to my heart!

Budget Heros :angel:
:thup: A dozen eggs will give you 6 breakfasts for less than $3.
:thup: Canned tuna is great in salads and costs about $4 for 6 serves.
:thup: Buy your meat and veggies from a local outdoor market instead of the supermarket. The market near me has lots of deals on Sunday afternoon, so I stock up. Last Sunday, I bought two huge lamb roasts for $10! It's not only cheap, it's fun - maybe go with someone else, like a housemate, and you can compete to see who can find the best deal.
:thup: If you buy chicken, save the bones and make chicken stock for your soups (I put bones in the freezer and make the stock on the weekend).
:thup: The freezer is your new best friend. Buy and cook in bulk and freeze what you don't eat. I love to come home from work/the gym and be able to tuck into a LC pre-cooked meal.
:thup: Invest in an electric slow cooker (abotu $69-90) and you can buy cheaper cuts of meat that will end up tasting divine. The cookers usually include recipes, such as cassaroles and whole chicken with tarragon. Set everything up in the morning before work, and by the time you get home the first thing that greets you at the end of the day is the smell of dinner!

Budget Villians
:thdown: all pre-prepared LC products are way too expensive in Australia - a tin of Atkins milkshake is $50 (Australian). It's probably not as bad where you are, but still....
:thdown: Buying veggies at the normal supermarket. I only get my veggies from there if I'm absolutely out of what I need, and can't get a substitute.
:thdown: Buying out of season produce - some of them can double or triple in price. Keep your eye on the prices and buy when it's cheap.
:thdown: Not knowing how to cook - anything pre-preprepared is not only less nutritrious than the fresh equivilant, it's way more expensive too.

That's all I can think of right now - I will post again if I have any other brainstorms.

Noni C

[jeantm]

hey thanx for the replies...i m going to see if there are any local markets (i'm in a small town but it is worth a shot). i think this is going to be worth the extra expenses

[Battousai]

I usually spend a little under 40 dollars per week. 10 dollars for 2 bags of skinless chicken breast- 40 beef patties (20$) and veggies and eggs(usually 10$)
Luckily I dont drink sodas and arent addicted to tea and coffee. once a month I will stock up on tuna. there is usually a sale that allows me to buy 3 cans for a dollar and I buy 15$ worth. As for the expensive foods -sausages,bacon, or any other veggie I have the luxary of having my brother and parents near by so I will pop up for dinner ;).

Battousai

p.s. Remember I am on a very strict diet and can't eat what most people choose too

beef-lasts 10 days
chicken-2 weeks
tuna-a month
eggs-a week