c/frugal-foodies

Found a way to make a full pot of soup for under $5 that actually tastes good

I keep seeing people buy those expensive pre-chopped soup kits, but a whole cabbage, a couple of carrots, and a bag of dried lentils from my local market costs less and makes twice as much. Anyone have other cheap, hearty soup recipes to share?

2 comments

torres.kelly•1d ago

I just threw away $15 worth of wilted herbs from the grocery store

I bought a big plastic clamshell of fresh basil and cilantro last Friday, planning to make a big batch of pesto and some salsa. I stuck it in the fridge and totally forgot about it. Went to grab it yesterday and it was all slimy and brown. That was a full $15 down the drain. I should have just bought a small amount from the bulk bins, or even better, stuck the stems in a glass of water on the counter. Has anyone found a good way to keep fresh herbs from going bad so fast?

2 comments

amyh21•2d ago

Spent a whole afternoon trying to make my own oat milk

Thought it would be simple and save cash. Took me four tries to get it from slimy to drinkable. What's your best trick for making it not separate?

2 comments

hayes.casey•4d ago

My switch to generic spices cut my grocery budget big time

I started buying only store-brand spices three months back. The savings add up fast, and my food still tastes amazing. Why does everyone act like fancy brands are worth the extra cash?

2 comments

verap52•4d ago

I thought bulk buying was always cheaper, but my store proved me wrong

I mean, I always heard buying from bulk bins saves money, so I grabbed some lentils last week. Idk, maybe it's just me, but when I checked the price per ounce, it was higher than the bagged ones right next to it. Like, the bulk lentils were $1.50 per pound, but the packaged ones were $1.20 per pound on a deal. It feels like the store is tricking you into thinking you're saving when you're not. Now I make sure to compare every time, even if it takes a minute. Has anyone else run into this? What do you do to spot these hidden costs?

3 comments

barbara218•5d ago

Just realized my scrap broth habit has paid off over time

I used to buy broth every week for soups and stews. Now I save all my vegetable ends and chicken bones in the freezer. Once a month, I boil them down into homemade broth. It costs nothing and adds so much flavor. Looking back, it's a simple change that has saved me a lot of money.

3 comments

umaw69•5d ago

Family debate: Catering to picky eaters vs. one meal for all on a tight budget

My husband says we should always make extra dishes so the kids eat their veggies, but I see our food costs going up. I started doing meal prep where everything has the same base, like a big pot of chili, and letting people add their own toppings. Some relatives call this mean, but I feel it's smart saving. What do you all do?

3 comments

jennifera82•6d ago

My dried bean disaster turned into a frugal cooking wake-up call

I saw that dried beans are way cheaper than canned at my local store, so I grabbed a big bag. Last night, I tried to cook them without reading the instructions properly. I thought I could just boil them fast, but they take forever to soften. I got impatient and turned up the heat, which led to a pot boiling over. Beans and water spilled everywhere, making a huge mess on my stove. It took me an hour to clean up, and dinner was delayed. On the bright side, I now know to soak beans overnight for easier cooking. This silly mistake reminded me that saving money sometimes means taking extra time in the kitchen.

3 comments