Southern Savers did this great post on whether it was better to make things that were homemade verse using coupons to get things. I really liked it so I thought that I would share it with you. A big thanks to Southern Savers.
Do you buy convenience items to save time? To save money? Or just because you never learned to cook from scratch? The real question is, does it really make a difference in your budget? By couponing, you can can often find killer deals on pricey convenience items, but would you still be better off making them yourself? As with homemade household cleaners, you may be the only one who can make that decision for your family based on the following considerations.
Considerations:
- Honestly evaluate whether or not you have the time to cook from scratch. It doesn’t take as much time as you might think, but it does take more planning. How much time can you afford to spend cooking? Are there ways to save time (i.e. cooking ahead, once a month cooking, etc.)?
- Evaluate the “hidden costs” of convenience items, for example preservatives and additives that should be avoided for health reasons.
- Evaluate the time you spend deal hunting. Could you have just as easily made the item from scratch in that amount of time?
- As always, if you can get an item free, the comparison is easy! Take advantage of those freebies, even if you just end up giving them away to someone else who needs them.
Definitely a Deal
- Deli Pre-made Tea 1 gallon $1
Homemade: $.04 per gallon
Tetley Tea Bags, 24 ct., 40¢
Lipton Family Tea Bags, 24 ct, 24¢
24 ct package will make at least 6 gallons of tea
Considerations - you can add sugar to taste, no high fructose corn syrup, no preservatives, you can add your own flavors like lemon or mint, definitely tastes better! (in my opinion)
- Store-bought Bread, 20 oz loaf, $1-$2 on sale
Homemade: $3.27, 41¢ per loaf
From Artisan Bread in Five Minutes a Day
6 cups water
3 tbs./3 packets granulated yeast ($1.79 for 3 packets, cheaper if purchased in bulk)
3 tbs. kosher or other coarse salt (5¢)
13 c. all purpose white flour ($1.43 at 44¢/lb.)
Yields 8 one pound loaves
Considerations - no high fructose corn syrup, preservatives, or soy products; great flavor and smell, very easy (you make the dough ahead of time and keep it in the refrigerator until you’re ready to bake); you might need to buy a few kitchen tools (baking stone, container for the dough, etc.) but they are a good investment and you’ll definitely make back what you spent
- Idahoan Mashed Potatoes, 4-4.1 oz., 37¢
Homemade: $1.66-$1.94, 27¢ -32¢ per serving
5 lbs. Russet Potatoes, $1.50 at 30¢/lb. (based on Bi-Lo’s price this week)
1 cup milk, 16¢ (based on $2.50/gallon)
1/4 cup butter or margarine, FREE-28¢ (margarine is often free with coupons)
makes mashed potatoes for 6 (at least!)
Considerations - taste is unsurpassed, much healthier (just do a little research), I have never seen one of those little packages yield enough for more than one person and they aren’t as filling as homemade potatoes
You Make the Call
- Ragu Pasta Sauce, 26-26.3 oz., 28¢
Homemade: $8.50, $1.70 per 24 oz. container
Prices may vary based on store or local sales and coupon deals. For example, many of these canned items are frequently found B1G1 and there are often coupons.
3 cans crushed tomato, $3
1 can diced tomato, 50¢
1 can tomato paste, 50¢
1 lb. ground beef, $2.50
spices - less than $1
onion and garlic - $1
Yields aprroximately five 24 oz. containers.
Considerations - no preservatives, can use fresh ingredients from a garden to bring down the price, can leave out meat, you can freeze or can your own
- Nabisco Chips Ahoy! Cookies, 9.5 to 15.25 oz. pk., 89¢
Homemade: $3.89-$5.01, 8¢-10¢ per cookie
recipe from the Betty Crocker Cookbook
3/4 c. sugar (21¢)
3/4 c. brown sugar (36¢)
1 c. butter or margarine, softened ($1.12 for butter, margarine FREE-$.50 with coupons)
1 tsp. vanilla (25¢)
1 large egg (8¢)
2 1/4 c. flour (25¢)
1 tsp. baking soda (less than 1¢)
1/2 tsp. salt (less than 1¢)
1 bag (12 oz. or 2 cups) semisweet chocolate chips (approximately $2 regular price, but can be found on sale)
makes about 4 dozen
Considerations - no preservatives or additives, you can beat the taste and smell of a warm homemade cookie
- Lawry’s 30 Minute Marinade, 12 oz., 44¢
Homemade: $4.31, $1.61 for a 12 oz. serving
Chicken Marinade
1 1/2 cups vegetable/olive oil (99¢ based on sale on Pompeian at Bi-Lo this week)
3/4 cup soy sauce ($1.20)
1/2 cup Worcestershire sauce (FREE at Bi-Lo last week, $1.50 per bottle regular price)
1/2 cup red wine vinegar (68¢)
1/3 cup lemon juice (24¢)
2 tablespoons dry mustard ($1)
1 teaspoon salt (less than 1¢)
1 tablespoon black pepper (less than 1¢)
1 1/2 teaspoons finely minced fresh parsley (20¢)
Yields 4 cups of marinade
Considerations - no preservatives or additives, made with pantry staples
In the end, most “from scratch meals” are healthier and you can save on the ingredients by working common cooking items into your stockpiling deals. Stay stocked on these regularly called for items just as others would stay stocked on the convenience versions and you will have low cost meals.
No comments:
Post a Comment