Fresh fish.

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~Jeweled

I have always bought htings on sale so I guess I haven't changed much.

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No we haven't given up anything. LIke others I just plan better and actually started taking my lunch instead of going across the street to the gas station. Can you believe I actually lost a little weight not eating that greasy food!?!?! We also don't by alot of meat and if we do it's always always on sale. Dh is a big hunter so I have learned to cook with that and not make it taste so gamey!

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OMG..d oyou love it?! We just got a Trader Joe's here and my aunt bought me a bottle of it (I like cheap wine) and I love it

I haven't given anything up....I just keep doing what I have been doing for the past few years...buying on sale and keeping my eye out for good deals.

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I have not given up anything because of the cost. I have given up things because of the health factor. I am buying more generic brands. Oh, I am also making a spreadsheet of what things cost at the two big grocery stores here, Walmart & Target...I was a tad surprised. A gallon of skim milk at one of the grocery stores was $3.06 and a gallon of skim milk at Walmart was $3.67. If I didn't pay attention and start the spreadsheet, I would have thought that Walmart was cheaper. Both were generic brands, so I am not comparing Kemps to a generic brand etc.

I have not given up a lot, but have been more savvy about buying. I do not buy a lot convenience items, but make them up myself. I cut apples for the kids lunches, buy large boxes of crackers and snacks and bag them into snack size for snacks and lunches.

I am doing a lot more couponing and really stocking up on items when I can combine a sale and coupon. I have 9 months worth of dish washer detergent from a sale back in the summer.

I am trying to buy meat in bulk more and break into smaller sizes for freezing. I always buy a lot of chicken when Perdue does a big sale. I can get those bag roasters for $5 a few times a year. I buy 4+ and keep them frozen.

Our family has changed DRAMATICALLY due to the rise in costs.

• Homemade Sauces
• Homemade Dinner Breads
• Homemade Cleaners
• Cloth Napkins
• Cloth Diapers
• Homemade Gifts
• Homemade Desserts
• Homemade Snacks
• Homemade Treats & Candies
• OAMC - Once A Month Cooking
• Homemade Laundry Detergent
• Refill Our Own Ink Cartridges
• Use Both Sides of Papers

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Happily married to my geek
Proud homeschooling, cloth diaperin, attached parenting, slinging, simplier, breastfeedin, sewing mama mades, christian and funky mama to my precious daughters and a little BOY

This is what I am doing.

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Check out my blog for freebies and money saving tips.http://barbainbabymomma.blogspot.com

I used to shop at WalMart for everything, simply because I could get everything I needed without dragging my kids in multiple stores. I now compare prices, and it is not uncommon for me to shop at all 3 stores in town. I buy the bulk of my groceries at Aldi. By doing that I am buying less premade product and saving a lot. We rarely eat out anymore. Last week we wanted Chinese, so I bought it on my lunch hour at lunch special prices, rewarmed it for dinner. I fed my family of 4 (with leftovers) for less than the cost on 1 Weekend buffet.

I have not given up anything, just shop smarter. I have always been a sale and coupon user but now that I no longer work can spend more time finding great deals. I bought a Ribeye rack from the store and cut it myself for more than 50% off what the precut packs were per pound and I cut to the correct portion size. Same with Pork Loin. I cut the meats in different size portions for varied meals. The ends get cubed for kabobs. I get Tilapia that is frozen in individual pks. (All fish is frozen during transport anyway). I buy the large bag when on sale & w/coupon and only thaw what I need for the meal.

I will NEVER give up chocolate!! I wait for after season sales and freeze it. I especially like Hawaiian Host Chocolate covered Macadamian Nuts but can only get it here on certain Holidays.

I also refuse to buy canned veggies, prefer frozen. In the winter I get my fruit frozen as well.

I do not shop the membership stores. I am retired military and the base store has better deals as well as scheduled case lot sales. I seldom make anything completely from scratch. I am not brand loyal except for Soda (Mtn Dew addict) which I purchase in 2 ltr bottles, not cans and my Herbal Essence Shampoo/Conditioner Which I usually get on sale and/or w/coupon. I stock up during sales and can go several months not having to buy a particular item again. I set up shelves in the garage for my canned and bulk goods.

We grew our own tomatoes this year saving tons of money as we use them in a lot of meals including making Fried Green Tomatoes. We have Fruit and nut trees as well. Speaking of which tomorrow if weather is good need to go out and gather all those pecans...Some I will share and some I will shell & freeze to add into recipies thru the winter. Can't wait for the spring Berry season as we have Rasberries, Blackberries, and Summer Blueberries.