Yummy focaccia bread! Credit: jspatchwork/Flickr
James has a specific question about saving money on bread in the San Fernando Valley.
Hi: I don’t know if you already have covered this, but the Entenmann’s/Oroweat/Bimbo Bakeries outlet store on Strathern in Canoga Park has closed permanently. We used to go there all the time to find cheap Boboli pizza crusts and discounted bread. Do you know of any other bakery outlet stores in the West Valley now? Thanks.
James, have you checked out the almost-stale bread rack at your local grocer? I know most grocery stores have a bread rack with bagels, muffins, and other bread products that are about to expire. I’ve snapped up delicious loaves of focaccia bread for $.99 this way!
Anyone else got advice for James? Leave a comment so everyone can benefit.
Got a hot savings tip or question? Email us!
By Bobbi Burger Brunoehler of BobbisBargains.
istolethetv/flickr
I remember my grandmother telling me how when she was a little girl she used every part of the chicken. She raised them and ate their eggs. When it was time for that chicken to pass onto the big chicken coop in the sky, the feathers went into pillows.
She cooked and ate the meat. Chicken fat (schmaltz) was rendered and kept for frying. The liver was made into pate. The bones helped make healthy chicken broth.
I thought that was the end of the chicken, but apparently I was wrong.
Kim.Wood / Flickr
This is a post by BargainBabe.com writer Yazmin Cruz.
In the past, I’ve written about sustainable methods of weeding. Though the techniques I’ve shared are affordable, they can be a pain. A story in Organic Gardening recently caught my eye because it suggests eating weeds as a way to control them. Chomping on free food sounds good to me!
By Bobbi Burger Brunoehler of BobbisBargains.
serenejournal/flickr
In my post on snagging free and deeply discounted food, I listed a meal swap (or meal sharing) as a way to save money on food. Here’s how to set one up.
The idea behind a meal swap is that each person makes a big batch of what they are cooking and then divides it into smaller servings, packing the food so it is freezer ready. Everyone in the meal swap meets once a week or once a month (whatever is decided upon) and swaps what they have made.
By Bobbi Burger Brunoehler of BobbisBargains.
Craft service menu on a TV shoot. AverageJane/flickr
A friend of mine recently asked me, “So, where can I get free food?” Of course, this was just too good of a challenge for me to just let go.
The fact is that there are lots of ways to get free or deeply discounted food. I will start with deep discounts and work my way down to free.
- Grocery store clearance. Fresh & Easy grocery stores discount food on the day of expiration. They discount up to 75% off and place them in a clearance section of the store. More ways to save on groceries.
- Vendors at Farmer’s Markets offer deeply discounted fresh fruits and veggies in the last 15-30 minutes of the market.
I-5 Design & Manufacture / Flickr
This is a post by BargainBabe.com writer Yazmin Cruz.
I travel 4.39 miles to grocery shop every week at Trader Joe’s. Although there are several grocery stores in my neighborhood, I have major gripes with each one of them. I’m not alone. Consumer Reports surveyed more than 2,200 of its subscribers and found that one-third have said so long to shopping nearby stores.
heyitsjulia / Flickr
This is a post by BargainBabe.com writer Yazmin Cruz.
It’s an ongoing debate in my household. Moldy cheese: to eat or not to eat? I eat it. I just shave off the mold. Hey, dairy products are expensive and they can take a bite out of your budget. My sister on the other hand thinks it’s gross and my father is reluctant. You don’t have to eat moldy cheese to save money, below I share tips.
Our friends at Savings.com whipped up a detailed infographic about how grocery prices have increased, decade by decade, since 1900. Grocery prices are expected to increase btween 2.5 percent and 3.5 percent this year. Our Coupon tab has tons of resources (coupons, etc) to keep your grocery tab as low as possible.
This is a post by BargainBabe.com writer Yazmin Cruz.
Stop wasting money and food! The folks over at All You shared a handy inforgraphic that compares the shelf life of food kept in the freezer and the pantry so you know how long items keep. Taking advantage of sales and stocking up is a good way to save money on groceries, but throwing food away is wasteful.
This weekend I’m taking inventory of everything that’s in our pantry. I want to cut down on my grocery bill even more and this is the first step to lowering my food budget. The fridge also needs a good scrub down. I’m using baking soda to leave it smelling fresh. Check out these other secret uses for baking soda.
najjie / Flickr
This is a post by BargainBabe.com writer Yazmin Cruz.
I was walking down the produce isle at Trader Joe’s when I spotted fresh asparagus for $1. I made a beeline for them and bought two bunches. Just a few weeks ago I had seen the pencil thin vegetable for almost $4. This time the asparagus where bright green, firm, and plump.
Love in season produce – you just can’t beat the taste and low price! Asparagus is best cooked the day it’s purchased, though you can keep it in the fridge for up to five days. If there’s room in the fridge, I’ll store the bundled stalks in a bowl with about an inch of water. If there’s no room, in they go into the crisper with a damp paper towel wrapped around the bottom of the stalks.
Tobyotter / Flickr
This is a post by BargainBabe.com writer Yazmin Cruz.
Ladies, if you’re sending your man to the grocery store you may be spending more on groceries. I recently saw a feature on the Today Show about men taking over shopping duties. And, guess what? The grocery stores are taking notice!
davidsilver / Flickr
This is a post by BargainBabe.com writer Yazmin Cruz.
This past weekend I went looking for an inexpensive pizza stone, but luck was not on my side. The cheapest stone was $40. Ouch! Luckily, a thrifty friend told me I could make my own pizza stone for much less. Here’s how.
After doing some research, I learned the stone sold in fancy stores is similar to ones found at home improvement stores, but for about $5. Woot, woot! I’m all over this do it yourself project.
Get Sunday coupon inserts through a super cheap subscription!
I’m part of a program to get valuable Sunday coupon inserts by subscribing to one of 20 papers in California or Utah. Many of these deals are valid for renewals, too. One perk is that you can buy additional Sunday papers to get tons of extra coupon inserts!
The Orange County Register is a particularly good deal.
Steve Rhodes / Flickr
This is a post by BargainBabe.com writer Yazmin Cruz.
I must confess I have no clue what teams are playing on Super Bowl Sunday (Feb. 5), but what I do know is how to throw a party on a budget! Below I share suggestions to lower the costs of drinks, food, and decorations.
Food
- Prepare your food from scratch. It will take you longer, but it will taste better and save you money! Buying pre-made food from the grocery store is always more expensive. Make foods that can be prepped ahead of time or come in large batches so you can enjoy the game or commercials. Try this turkey chilli recipe. Make your own dips and salsas as well. (more…)
Learn to save money at Starbucks! kktryj / Flickr
This is a post by BargainBabe.com writer Yazmin Cruz.
It’s no secret that I love coffee. A while ago, I even revealed my coffee addiction was costing me major moolah because I was charging my purchase. I’ve reformed my ways since then. If you can’t give up the trips to Starbucks, I share five tips to saving money while still getting your fix.
