Save $100 bucks on groceries with the cupboard plan
Earlier this month a combination of factors kept us from our regular weekend trip to the grocery store. Rather than cramming it in after work when we were already hungry, we skipped buying groceries for the week, saving close to $100 bucks. Normally skipping on groceries leads to bad habits such as frequent fast food stops but this week we were able to avoid the temptation. Instead we chose to feed ourselves using the cupboard plan. The cupboard plan is surprisingly simple and pretty much anyone can use it to save money on groceries several times a year. The only two requirements are that your cupboards aren't bare and that you have enough willpower to avoid eating out. I think you'll be surprised by just how many meals are hidden behind your cupboard doors!
After exploring the recesses of our cupboard, we found plenty of pasta, peanut butter, soups and even Jell-O. When we looked in the freezer, we discovered garlic bread, fries, pierogies and more, all waiting to be eaten before freezer burn set in. While we didn't eat fancy during the week, we still had lots of delicious meals.
This experiment reminded me that while our cash emergency fund isn't as big as I would like it to be, our emergency food fund is well stocked. This is a reminder that even if you are a meal-planning pro, you're sure to stumble every now and then, leading to a surplus of food that ends up in the freezer. This plan isn't for everyone, but if you are looking for a quick way to save $100 bucks and have a little willpower then this is an easy way to do it!
Reader Comments (Page 1 of 1)
10-29-2008 @ 8:04AM
imee said...
good idea. I do the same thing when i don't feel like going to the grocery store. you'll be surprised how much food you have stashed in your freezer and cupboard!
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10-29-2008 @ 8:04AM
Lady with a plan .. said...
We do this often .........
I have adult son and daughter
we've them buy there own
groceries since they don't have
to pay rent , anything like that .
between hubby and myself we spend
$70.00 a week , that include paper towels
and other things .
We eat at home , that's the secret .
Many restuarants and even grocery stores
charge more and give you less food .
There's been 2 articles on this ....
less food , charge more.
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10-29-2008 @ 4:18PM
Freshmurj said...
Ya, that works if your goal is to clean out the cupboard, but it also reduces your food security. If there is a significant weather event, and you can't get to the grocery store, or worse the store shelves are bare because the trucks can't get through, you starve. I do the opposite; I make sure my family always has at least 3 weeks worth of food in the house, preferably non-perishables. That way, if a job loss or work slow down reduces my budget drastically, I at least know my kids will eat, even if I don't.
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10-31-2008 @ 8:59AM
tdwigg47 said...
could'ny help but notice 3 cases of bottle water plus probably sodas. we save a lot by filtering our own water and putting it in previously used bottles
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11-02-2008 @ 12:17PM
Maryann Fishler said...
And what makes you think there is anything left in the cabinets? Cut-backs and lay-offs started a long time ago. Who are you addressing?
A better plan would be to shop with friends and neighbors at discount places and sharing the savings.
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11-02-2008 @ 7:24PM
patrice mascaro said...
cleaning all our cabinets and freeer kept me from shopping for 3 weeks of course we bought milk, eggs, fruits and few items used in conjunction with our 'stash' but we haven't done big shopping in weeks. this takes a little more planning. our kids would say "we have nothing good to eat". but i knew dinner was frozen ravioli, a jar of pasta sauce and garlic bread made from day old rolls.
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12-06-2008 @ 8:09PM
April McCall said...
One of the biggest ways of saving money on your food is to not buy the prepackaged dinners. My neighbor asked me how I could feed my family for so little....when her food bills were around 350.00 every two weeks not to mention going to the store inbetween times to get odds and ends. I told her I cook our meals and don't buy the "chicken Nuggets", hot pockets, premade peanut butter and jelly sandwhiches. I don't buy things that I know I can make so much cheaper. The premade foods are so over priced that is where a lot of people run up the food bill. Also use stores like the Dollar Store to buy your paper products, detergents, cleaners and things like that. I never spend over 400.00 a month on all my food and paper products and I have a family of 4. We need to cook more meals than buy the prepaired ones to really same the money.
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12-07-2008 @ 5:12PM
mary w said...
yep..that is the way to do it just live out of your freezer and cupboards,until you really have to go to the grocery store.I even go to the web site: recipematcher.com Try it ,it is pretty neat
I know I will have to go major grocery shopping,which am not looking forward to! I love to cook.
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