Search Results for: blog containers in the pantry

Organize the Pantry for Savings

I try to do a couple of money-saving projects each week around the house. Today, my project is to clean out and organize the pantry. Having a well-organized pantry reduces the amount of food waste, plus it sets me up to take advantage of any good sales and coupons, so I know what I should stock and how much of it to stock. Our store just had an amazing deal on pasta, which is why you can see so much of it on the bottom shelf. Yes, this is an actual photo of one of my two pantries, after it has … Continue reading →

The Laundry Pantry

What do you do when the basement is the coolest place in the house during hot and humid afternoons? Clean up the laundry pantry of course! Our house is about 81 and very humid right now. We don’t have central air conditioning, and the window air conditioners have not yet been installed. Actually, I’ve never lived anywhere for more than a few months with central air conditioning, so I tell myself that I don’t know what I am missing. Still, no one wants to be hot, so my four-year-old and I headed down to the finished basement to stay cool. … Continue reading →

Creating a Pantry

When we moved into our current home five years ago, I was thrilled by the size of the kitchen. I’d cooked in a thin, counter-less galley kitchen for five years, and before that I’d cooked in a teeny tiny space-less basement suite. Yuck! So a kitchen that had counter space, cabinet space, and even a place to put a table…this was my dream. Over the last few years, I’ve finally gotten around to creating a working pantry in said kitchen. Here are a few things that I’ve learned about how to create and maintain a successful pantry: Create a rotation … Continue reading →

Things in Your Pantry that Cost You Money

Did you know that there might be things in your pantry that will cost you money? I’m not kidding. Put your pantry on a frugal diet by eliminating certain things that could be making you spend more. Take a few minutes out of your day to look over your pantry. If you spot the following items, get rid of them quickly, before they cost you more money. Items that require expensive purchases Get rid of food that needs other expensive items or ingredients. Can everything in your pantry be turned into a meal with inexpensive ingredients? Or do they need … Continue reading →

Containers in the Pantry

It is no secret that I usually keep a well-stocked food pantry. In fact, I have more than one. Having a stocked pantry makes it easy for me to plan meals and to fix meals economically, stocking up on groceries when the deals are good. We’ve written a few different pantry articles here on Families.com (I’ll give you the links to them at the end of this article), but I have some more tips to share, namely, using containers and reducing dead space. Using Containers Just because something arrived to your home in a certain package, doesn’t mean that it … Continue reading →

Wash Tubs , Play Dough Containers & Shoe Hangers – a Few Clever Craft Storage Tools

I have always been an avid crafter. I love to paint, create with clay, draw and build. Needless to say, I have a pretty chaotic craft room, or as my husband not-so-politely calls it…a “crap” room. My craft room became even more cluttered when my daughter turned three. She definitely got my crafty…(and slightly disorganized) genes. Suddenly my already crazy craft room was also filled with preschooler essentials like coloring books, crayons, beads, buttons, tissue paper, and left over toilet paper rolls. In an attempt to regain order, I came up with a few creative ways to store all of … Continue reading →

Homemade Frugal Pantry Items

Stocking your pantry and refrigerator with all types of foods is essentially a great way to both save money and be more organized. These are two things that everyone strives to work at. Over time I have compiled a great list of substitutions and items you can use in place of others, or make yourself. I’d like to share them so that you can utilize these time and money savers in your own kitchen. Soup If you need chicken broth, try using the drippings and broth from a boiled chicken. You will not only have your chicken broth, but you … Continue reading →

Homemade Cleaning Recipes: Wipes

Make your own laundry detergent; prepare some homemade cleaners; make your own baking mixes.  Whatever it is that you currently buy at the store to keep your home running, from baby wipes to toilet cleaner, chances are that there is a homemade version that will save your money, be gentle on your cleaning surfaces and your family. Non-toxic cleaners are healthier and easily made. Plus, who doesn’t like saving money in the household budget? I’ve gather some of the best and complete homemade cleaning recipes and make your own blog posts on Families.com. Bookmark these posts, so you can come … Continue reading →

Cooking for a Family in Need

This week we are faced with the desire to do some cooking for a family in need. I did a quick meal plan for a few meals plus snacks and quick items. When I added it all up and included disposable packaging, the total cost was more than $125, which is higher than our weekly grocery bill. That would be a blow to our budget, so I made a few changes to allow us to provide hearty, nutritious meals that could be prepared and delivered the same day. I got up very early this morning and got to work putting … Continue reading →

How to Make a Weekly Frugal Food Plan

Food is quickly becoming one of the biggest expenses in the average family’s budget. Attack your food budget with a weekly money-saving plan. Each day pick a task that will help you save money on your food bill. Developing a weekly frugal food plan can reduce the cost of feeding your family. Below, you can see an example of my own weekly frugal food plan. You can use it as a guideline and customize it to make it your own, so it makes sense for you and your family. Sunday Go grocery shopping with a list and coupons. Distribute bulk … Continue reading →