I'm looking for ways to cut my spending. I like to shop for groceries at Aldi and I've recently started Angel Food Ministries. These two sources have greatly helped but I was wondering if ya'll have some ideas. I'm very open to suggestions!

Other things I do:
make a "loose list"
a flexible menu
only carry cash
only visit Wal-mart every two weeks. (I'm not so good at this one since I live in Walmart country!)

http://aldi.com
http://angelfoodministries.org

I heard of someone that didn't use any paper products, (except toilet paper). So no paper towels, paper napkins, paper plates, or cups. They used cloth napkins and real plates. This would save me money, I think I just like the disposablity(is that even a word?) of paper plates and paper towels. If I use paper plates for lunch then I only have to run my dishwasher once a day.
What a great chore idea for my oldest, he can wash the lunch dishes!
We too, only use cash. It has saved us a lot of money. I no longer buy those impulse purchases at Walmart, because I only have so much cash with me. Great money saver!
Julie

Has anyone had experience with Costco or Sam's? A friend got me a Sam's membership and I went a few times and spent a ton of money. I might not be a good candidate for those places.
What experiences have you had?
Also want to refer you to Living on a Dime newsletter. It's full of ideas and recipes. When I get the next copy, I'll post the contact info for this FREE newsletter.
Blessings,
Christine

Christine,
I use Sam's and what I have found is to check out sales at other stores first and bring a list of what I need. I make sure I only buy what is on my list. If I know I can get it somewhere else cheaper I don't buy it.

I have a Sam's within walking distance but I don't go very often. Sam's website has a feature called "click n pull" You can actually order limited things online and they will gather them for you, all you do is drive to the store, load up the items and pay! It's supposed to be close to the normal Sam's price, too! this might be useful to someone really pressed for time!

http://www.samsclub.com

Quiver,
O man, I'm gonna get click-happy!
Chris

I'd love to contribute to this thread here is a start! www.bulkfoods.com

we have enjoyed buying this way since last winter, I always have rice and grains for baking and side dishes.
We go reg to health food store and get the food items they markdown ea month We've been able to increase our wholefoods intake with out a huge jump in costs. I also find that I cook healthier b/c I have invested in the stuff already!
*** it dos take an upfront investment ***

btw buffalo meat with veg protein stretcher makes an awesome meat loaf very lean meat!!!

I'll try to put up some recipe ideas
I'm thinking about doing a menu for a whole year so I can plan my purchases and garden around the best nutrition and cost.

we also try to get breads from walmart on their day old cart as well as marked down canned goods and special deli stuff our local grocer makes available but doesn't sell real quick so is always marking down hummus and cheeses, deli chips ..... stuff we wouldn't normally afford.

Where do you get buffalo meat???
I really like venison, is it similar?

Well one of the local chain groceries carry it and the local health food store It is frozen.

I'm sorry I've only had venison once a long time ago. So I don't know how to compare I see it as a very lean ground burger. More close to beef than ground turkey for sure. I like it better than ground turkey.

I've requested at the Wal mart meat dept and was told I wasn't the only one asking but so far they have not been aallowed to offer it. I feel especially keen to it because it is grass fed.I'd really like to get some on our next shopping trip. I'll let you know if it says it's dfree of hormones/ antibiotics. I'll give you the price too.

About bison meat it's 4.99 a pound as a ground meat and 5.99 a pound as stew/ roast.

It is sold as a 1 pound package ground or in four patties probably because of it's cost.

The whole potions were like a pound and a half. Enough that one package could be fine to flavor the stew obviously majoring on the veggies. Which is probably healthier

I used ours up again as sloppy joes really tasty that way! Wanted to make a meatloaf but was too busy.

Yesterday, I made a meat loaf with ground turkey came out nice.

BTW we just bought a new slow cooker and l o v e it.

Hey ladies!! Merry Christmas!! I am excited to see ya'll talking about this topic. I am ALWAYS looking for a way to save a buck or two. I SAY: STAY OUT OF WALMART!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! Sorry Sam-no disrespect intended, but they are so busy marketing for MY money that I have a hard time getting in there for the things I need and NOT spending on items that I don't. SO I stay out as much as possible. I have shopped at "dented can stores" where items are offered for much much less because the packaging was damaged-but this didn't help with meats and fresh items. BUT I am learning to plan and to limit our meat consumption to a lesser degree than in the past. I buy fresh fruits and veggies and cook-PLAN them into the menu to avoid waste--also look at the price per #. It makes sense to shop this way. I have really limited our paper product usuage. I haven't gone to cloth napkins-but use them VERY sparkingly--also though, don't buy paper towels, but use cloth---AND I TRY to use UP everything we use...I even rinse my condaments when empty into my soups and stews---it adds lots of flavor and while I don't use onion skins-I do use EVERY bit usable. Let's face it-time is money-AND I have the time to invest as a stay at home mom.

I have NEVER found Sam's to save me anything really but to have me store alot more and save little. My best bet was to shop the sales-REALLY KNOW my prices and captilize on good deals by buying extra at those times. REMEMBER just because the grocier has a sale sign or cents off on it-DOES NOT mean it's a better price that week. Keep a notebook of prices per store-usually the prices are different by different stores. While one is cheeper on one item it may be higher on others.
I also do something else cooky: I hand wash my dishes in sink of hot soapy h2o then no rinse but put into dishwasher for wash and sanitizing with VERY hot water-without dishwasher soap. WORKS very well-I save on the soap-and de-germ everything well. ALSO instead of a paper plate for sandwhiches or fruit or whatever that isn't messy-what about a napkin??? LOTS more frugal. Anyone else making a GAME out of this besides ME???