FRUGAL FRIDAY: CUTTING COSTS ON CEREAL AND BAKED GOODS
1. One reason people avoid buying cheaper bagged cold cereals is because they’re hard to store and pour. Store them in a plastic pitcher with a pour spout.
2. Consider how much you can save by cooking whole grains such as oatmeal or cracked whole wheat for breakfast instead of cold breakfast cereal. (Just run a cup of whole wheat through your blender for about 30 seconds to get cracked wheat.)
3. Buy whole-grain cereals and breads. They’re more filling, so you are satisfied with less. And they’re better for you.
4. If you have buckets of wheat in your food storage, pull out a bucket and start using it. Grind it into flour and use it, half-and-half, with regular flour when you make baked goods such as brownies and cookies.
5. Go ’90s retro and pull out your old bread machine. Besides bread, it can be used for rolls and pizza dough.
6. Make croutons or bread crumbs from day-old bread or hotdog buns. The crumbs can be seasoned and used as a “shake-and-bake” chicken coating.
7. Seek out day-old bread “thrift” stores. But be wary of the temptation to overbuy empty calorie items such as cupcakes, potato chips and doughnuts.
8. Bake a batch of muffins from scratch for on-the-go breakfasts. Even if you use a mix, you’ll still save over the cost of bakery prices.
9. Don’t ever pay full price for cold cereal It’s one of the most common types of discount coupons found in Sunday newspaper inserts, mailers, online, or in the store. And cold cereal goes on sale frequently. So wait until it’s one sale, use your coupons and stock up.
What are your favorite money-saving tips?