Below I have copied/pasted the Frugal Cooking chat from Tuesday, so those who missed it could see what was discussed and discuss it here. I edited some things out, so if I missed something important I hope the mods will let me know!

<ryans_mom10> M2M any tips on freezing food to keep it more fresh?
<ryans_mom10> I have the seal and saver but the aspargus still comes out soggy

<mommy2mercedes> Maybe try blanching the asparagus first..Ive never tried it but have heard from some people that it works great when freezing tougher veggies

<ryans_mom10> I tired it and it came out watery after thawing it out

<mommy2mercedes> Maleesa is the queen of menus!!

<ryans_mom10> Thanks Trudy saves me lots of money doing it that way.I am so organized with the kitchen my husband thinks I am a freak.Actually the kids say don't mess up Mom's kitchen lol

<mommy2mercedes> anyone stocking up on things whiloe the prices are still somewhat low?

<ryans_mom10> I am on hamburger since I have seen the price jumping high and canned and boxed goods.I figure if I can not afford alot of meat I can make alot of casseroles with the boxed stuff and veggies

<mommy2mercedes> Ive definately been doing more "bargain shopping"

<mommy2mercedes> I'm hoping out butcher shop will have meat on sale this week so I can freeze some meatballs and meatloaves etc

<ryans_mom10> Has anyone noticed how much paper plates,paper towels and toilet paper have went up in the last two months?Toilet paper went up over 2 dollars here in two months

<mommy2mercedes> Its really gone up here also!

<Bonniebelle38> wow, i didn't notice, i usually buy the 'white cloud' brand at walmart, I'll havce to doubel check the price onit though, yikes

<ryans_mom10> Anyone making less trips out of the house shopping weekly?

<mommy2mercedes> I try to go once a week

<ryans_mom10> I have been trying to do one day for shopping and I even make a map of what store and to what store.

<mommy2mercedes> occasionally I'll have to make a run for bread or sometihng I forgot but I try to only go once

<ryans_mom10> You can get burger at Aldi's for 80 cents a roll.I took a milk crate and am filling it up with the rolls of it.

<Bonniebelle38> I get my groc. every 2 weeks, then just a quick trip for milk/bread/etc. on the off week

<mommy2mercedes> even our toilet paper sales went up...use to be 2 /12.00 now its 2/13.00

<Kim> Since the FTJ spending freeze I've been careful to plan grocery trips only once a week. I think it really helps cut down on impulse purchases.

<ryans_mom10> I get the 24 rolls of angel soft at walmart

<mommy2mercedes> is aldis hamburger any good??/

<ryans_mom10> I buy 3-4 loafs at a time and toss them in the freezer.Every time I go to walmart I grab a few just to make sure.

<ryans_mom10> The impulse shopping is what I am bad at.But getting better.

<Kim> I've tried Aldi burger and didn't notice much difference.

<mommy2mercedes> I loved the spending freeze!!Gave me a great chance to use up what needed to be used in my stockpile!

<ryans_mom10> I have only bought the burger patties alread made the fresh ones and they were good.I get my burger at sams 90% in 10# rolls for 20 dollars and package it into 1# packs and only use it for hamburgers and use ground turkey for casseroles,soups,pasta stuff like that

<mommy2mercedes> I'll have to try it then...it's not "stringy"like walmarts is it?

<ryans_mom10> I need to get into the spending freeze.I think about it and never go check it out.I hear peoples stories on it and love reading about it.

<ryans_mom10> The patties were great that I got.Very juicy

<Kim> The spending freeze is a GREAT way to get back on track, and not just with saving money. You should really try it, Maleesa.

<ryans_mom10> Anyone make homemade cleaners instead of buying them?

<mommy2mercedes> You can use the vinegar for almost everything!

<mommy2mercedes> The spending freeze does really force you to see alot of diff option of things you REALLY can live without

<ryans_mom10> I use vinegar in the dishwasher for rinse and fabric softner.What else?

<ryans_mom10> Has anyone changed anything around there house to save on money?I am not using the dishwasher anymore to see a difference.Started it yesterday.I was running it twice a day.We also picked up one of the old push mowers instead of using the electric mower.Dh loves it and really getting into.I am just going with it and not grumbling about it

<mommy2mercedes> the vinegar n water solution is also great for cleaning your blinds and electronics

<mommy2mercedes> Pour a half a cup of baking soda and then one cup of vinegar down the drain through a funnel. The mixture will foam up considerably and will unclog your drain.

<mommy2mercedes> I cut my grass less often for sure

<ryans_mom10> I take the blinds down put them in the tub and fill it up with dishsoap water and let them soak two hours and wipe with a rag,hang to dry and clean.how does everyone else do it?

<mommy2mercedes> I've done that too...now I just take em down and use a pair of those bath bloves(w/fingers)dip in vin solution and wipe

<swishina> We are new to the lawn thing and we just got a push mower also! We haven't had a change to use it much yet, but we love it

<ryans_mom10> What is everyone paying for a can of veggies?I pay .39 cents at save a lot

<swishina> I get veggies for .42 at Walmart, or on sale at Smith's for .33 or .39 sometimes

<mommy2mercedes> we like Libbys so I loaded up when it was .50 a can but in 1 week it went up .07

<swishina> I was going to ask how everyonegets meat to go farther in meals

<mommy2mercedes> My Aunt works at Wal Mart and they are suppose to phase out the wal marts cheap brand and only sell the name brands to make more money!!

<ryans_mom10> I wonder if there will be a good sale on walmart veggies then?I will have to watch walmart and see

<swishina> I was going to ask how everyonegets meat to go farther in meals

<ryans_mom10> I cut the meat down to 1/2 pound for some things and add in more pasta or veggies to stretch them'

<mommy2mercedes> I do that also

<mommy2mercedes> I'll also add rice or pastas to stuff as well

<swishina> I never use 1 lb of meat in things either. It is too meaty for me anyway

<mommy2mercedes> I know Ive also been buying cheaper cts of meats and cooking them in the crok pot

<Kim> Does anyone use ground turkey to save money? I used to, but something about the rubbery texture turns me off.

<mommy2mercedes> I dont find ground turkey to be all that much cheaper here...and I agree the text is slightly off(yet enough to be noticeable)

<ryans_mom10> The turkey is so much different.It took us awhile to get used to it.Now I prefer it in casseroles and things.It is some thing you like or don't for sure

<swishina> I like turkey bacon and turkey pepperoni. It isn't cheaper, but I think you get more for your money because less fat.

<ryans_mom10> Dh think he should have meat with every meal and a large amount.I had to let him know that isn't going to be happening anymore.Way to expensive

<mommy2mercedes> oh Maleesa...my husband is the SAME way...thank God he's a truck driver and gone most of the time!

<mommy2mercedes> I guess I can understand the prices going up...its the SPEED that their going up thats scary

<swishina> I am lucky that I don't have to feed DH a piece of chicken, or a piece of meat. I can just use it "in" something and use less

<ryans_mom10> I was using 3 pounds of hamburger to make 7 patties.So now I buy the box of premade at Meijers for 5 dollars and there is 20 patties and only make 5 patties per meal and the kids have one and I and dh has his two

<ryans_mom10> I think it is going to get worse too.They keep acting like the prices are no big deal yet.

<Kim> The "good" thing about recession is I think it gets families back on track financially because they're forced to be frugal.

<ryans_mom10> I agree Kim.

<mommy2mercedes> I agree also Kim...weve turned into a greedy country

<Kim> I know, I hate that American are so materialistic. I think frugality gets people's priorities back in line. For that, I'm thankful for the recession!

<mommy2mercedes> its all convenience things -people dont just enjoy life as much anymore

<Noahsmommy> How much does everyone pay for milk?

<swishina> Milk at walmart is still $2.28 for me!

<araefinn> Hope I can jump in. Milk prices here-2% $3.59 per gallon.

<mommy2mercedes> I havent seen milk under 3 at our wal mart in ages

<Noahsmommy> What! its 4.50 at the grocery store and 5.50 i think at walmart!

<Kim> Yes, milk is outrageous. It almost mirrors the price of gas, have you noticed?

<Noahsmommy> I was just thinking about that kim lol

<ryans_mom10> Wow that is alot.Where are you from noahsmommy?Here we are paying 3.37 gallon

<Noahsmommy> Im inbetween ft lauderdale and miami they cost of living is outrageous!

<araefinn> My safeway's and walmart usually have milk 2/$6, but than add in 30 minutes of driving with gas $3.36.

<ryans_mom10> Has anyone considered mixing half milk and half powder milk?

<ryans_mom10> I don't know if the kids would like it but maybe for cooking it would be fine?

<mommy2mercedes> The price of even powdered milk is so outrageous now I dont even know that that would pay

<araefinn> I mix our milk with powdered. When it gets down to about a cup, I will mix up one quart of powdered and add it in. My kids cant tell the difference. But now I will not drink it.

<mommy2mercedes> its like $15 for a med sized box at my store

<ryans_mom10> I paid 7.00 for a big box of it at save a lot

<Kim> I used powdered milk for cooking. It does help save $$ and when it's in something I don't notice a difference in taste.

<swishina> I paid $7 for a box that makes 10 q

<ryans_mom10> Do you think powdered milk would be ok for instant pudding mixes?

<swishina> I think powdered milk would make yummy pudding

<ryans_mom10> I am gonna try and see.Only out 30 cents for the box of pudding if it did not work

<mommy2mercedes> I cant imagine why it wouldnt

<swishina> oh, I thought you meant MAKING pudding mix using powdered milk lol

<araefinn> You bet! I got a box 4.4 lb box at sams for like $8. pudding, depends. If you eat it all right away than yes, but if not, it will start to seperate. At least that was my experience.

<mommy2mercedes> I can't wait for the outside markets to get stocked up I know I wanna can alot this year!

<ryans_mom10> I love the farmers markets too.

<ryans_mom10> I only can jam/jelly/saurkraut the rest I freeze it like bell peppers.Not to much though.

<swishina> I can't wait for the farmer's market either, but it is all the way in downtown SLC. I hope I can find a closer one, or we'll have to make a big trip out of it

<mommy2mercedes> We have a HUGE farmers market that draws in a bunch of the amish...I love going!

<mommy2mercedes> I will see if I can bump some of the canning threads from last year cause we had some great recipes in there