Don't despair over the high price of food during these warm days. You can easily have good food at a good value. The trick is use your brain as opposed to your stomach . You'll find that you'll not only eat cheaply but also eat wisely.
Grow Vegetable
Yes there will be an initial investment but it will pay off. After all those ten tomato plants will probably yield at least one hundred tomatoes. What to buy? Start off with easy to care stuff like carrots, tomatoes squash, spinach and pepper. If you don't have a green thumb then become chummy with a friend, family member, or neighbor who does. Barter for veggies . Walk the dog or baby sit for some free produce. Better yet invite them over for a vegetarian meal. Chances are they'll be proud of their garden and offer to bring you the ingredients. Order Just Appetizers
This makes sense of you're on a diet or don't have a big appetite. Most chain restaurants and even diners offer main courses that are just too large to eat in one sitting. An appetizer is less food but just as filling. It's also cheaper. Also consider soup and salad specials . These are considerably lower in price than lunch or dinners but just as satisfying. Remember not to order any special iced teas and drinks. Stick with the refillable stuff like regular soda or plain iced tea. Get a Frequent Buyer Card
Many places such as Rita's Ice and Ranch Chicken have these cards where you can receive a free treat or meal. For Rita's Ice you get a free cold treat after ten visits. Ranch Chicken gives you a free meal after purchasing six meals. Smaller restaurants or ice cream parlors may have something similar. Also some places may have what's known as birthday clubs. This is where you' ve been mailed or e mailed a gift certificate for a free dinner including cake. Definitely take advantage of these. Don't Dismiss Fast Food Restaurants
McDonald's and Wendy's have excellent value menus. You can still enjoy your favorite fast foods without breaking the bank. Also most fast food places have coupons in the Sunday papers. Use these for an even cheaper meal. Remember to Coupon Clip Like Crazy
Some supermarkets , like the A&P have triple off days when the coupons triple in value. This comes in handy for staples such as pasta and cereal. Also look for two for the price of one bonuses, especially with soups, frozen foods, and cookies. Always have your supermarket club card with you because you'll be able to take advantage of special promotions exclusive only to club members. Don't Dismiss Dollar Stores
They're an excellent source of cheap crackers, cookies and snacks. Don't buy anything that's canned though. There have been incidents where canned veggies and meats from these discount chains have been tainted with salmonella. Stick with the “dry” foods and you'll be safer.Forage
Yup, that's right. Be acquainted with what's out in your woodlands. There are plenty of ripe berries all set for picking suck as mulberry and wild black berries. You can also forage for fiddlehead ferns , cardoons (a type of wild celery) and dandelions. Hunt wild mushrooms if you're brave enough. The best bet is to look up how to forage on the Internet and know what you can or cannot eat.
This summer, don't despair over the high price of food. You can eat cheaply if you just use your head instead of your stomach.
