How to Find Pantry Storage Space

In a recent post, I talked about all of the frugal benefits of having a small home. A small home can save you quite a bit of money, especially in the long run. But one thing a small home usually doesn’t have is extra storage space. And when you combine lack of storage space with stockpiling and cooking from scratch (two practices that can also save you a lot of money) you may wonder if you are going to be in trouble. Finding pantry storage space isn’t always as hard as you might think. Here are some tips on how … Continue reading

When Stockpiling Doesn’t Make Sense

Stockpiling is a good way to save money. Having things on hand that you bought on sale gives you the insurance that you won’t have to buy something at full price out of obligation because you’ve run out of the item. Stockpiling food in a pantry can also ensure that there is always something that you can cook at home, eliminating the need to run out and buy and expensive restaurant or take out meal. But, there are some times when stockpiling just doesn’t make sense. Here is a guide that you can compare against your own stockpiling habits to … Continue reading

Things in Your Pantry that Cost You Money

Did you know that there might be things in your pantry that will cost you money? I’m not kidding. Put your pantry on a frugal diet by eliminating certain things that could be making you spend more. Take a few minutes out of your day to look over your pantry. If you spot the following items, get rid of them quickly, before they cost you more money. Items that require expensive purchases Get rid of food that needs other expensive items or ingredients. Can everything in your pantry be turned into a meal with inexpensive ingredients? Or do they need … Continue reading

Shop at Home to Save: The Sources 2

If you were wondering where I get many of my products frugally, read on. This is a continuation of Shop at Home to Save: The Sources. Shower gel, body wash and soap Things to get people clean seem to be a main staple of holiday gifts. My main source of these products is from gifts (hmm, are people trying to tell me something)? Also, holiday gift baskets and packages abound at up to 90 percent off after Christmas. Free samples are also another source of these products. With the body wash, I was able to stock up on Dove and … Continue reading

Shop at Home to Save: The Sources

So, now that we are done talking about shopping from home, you may be wondering how on earth I had enough toothpaste to last for years or where I got all of that laundry detergent. Whether you are interested out of curiosity or are looking to get some tips on having free or nearly free products, it should be an interesting read. Here are my sources for all of the shop at home products we have around the house. Toothpaste Toothpaste manufacturers have started to place expiration dates on the tubes, although this is a relatively recent practice. A very … Continue reading

Shop at Home to Save: The Steps

If you missed the first post in this series, catch up here. Shop at Home to Save Picture yourself on a deserted island where only your home exists. If you had to survive in the manner to which you are currently accustomed and could not go out to buy anything else, would you use up the stuff you already have? For example, you could wash with that bar soap even if it isn’t your favorite type or brand? Have you been eyeing a new perfume lately when you already have three unopened bottles of other scents that you haven’t around … Continue reading

Shop at Home to Save

In the last five years or so, I have yet to buy one tube of toothpaste, a bottle of shower gel or body wash. My shopping list seldom includes body lotion or shampoo. I never buy magazines, cotton swabs, baby oil, or baby powder, and yet we are always supplied with these things. How? This past month, I have been using fabric softener and detergent and yet the last time it was on my shopping list was at least a year ago. Now, you might think this is because of stockpiling. Some of it is. But, some of it was … Continue reading

Managing Your Stockpile 2

Do you have a well-organized stockpile? It doesn’t take too much effort to maintain a stockpile if you know a few tips. Yesterday, I started talking about how to manage your stockpile and avoid waste. Now, let us continue with the tips, including some recipe secrets. When you have a stockpile, it is important to be flexible enough to adapt when there are dietary or taste changes. For example, my husband used to take lunch meat as his lunch to work almost every day. Now he prefers soup. So, I have a couple of jars of mayo and salad dressing … Continue reading

Managing Your Stockpile

Having a stockpile of food and household goods that you purchase on sale makes good sense, especially now when the prices on things keep going up and up. For example, I purchased an extra bulk box of laundry detergent for $20. The price today is $30 for the same box. That is a 50% increase! The bulk organic flour I purchased cost me $25 for 25 pounds. Today the price is $50, a 100 percent increase! I purchased cans of pizza sauce on sale for 59 cents. The price today is 99 cents. You see what I mean. But one … Continue reading

Meals to Make from Bread

Stretch out your food budget by not letting anything go to waste. When you are faced with dinner time and there is “nothing” to prepare, take a look into your pantry. There are so many things you can make with what may be available. Today let’s take a look at bread. You can usually find bread in most people’s kitchens, and it is great for turning into meals and side dishes. This post is part of the Ideas for Cooking from Your Stockpile series. Main Meals: Try these ideas to make bread, fresh or stale, into a main meal. The … Continue reading