Waste Not, Want Not

By:  Stephanie Benney

We are all feeling it – the crunch.  I am single and am not in the grocery stores as much as I would be if I had a husband and children eating me out of house and home.  However, when I walk through the doors of the market, I can’t help but notice the increase in price for product and the decrease in my pocket book.  Then there is that ongoing problem – fifty bucks blown and nothing in the pantry to show for it.

I have a friend with two young and growing boys – one in the throws of puberty and one on the cusp.  To many parents, this can mean one thing for certain – keeping the refrigerator and cabinets stocked full of food.  This obviously means spending lots of money and time in the grocery store.

My friend is a “Motocross Mom”, which means that not only does she have to make sure the house is stocked with food, she also has to make sure that every week the motor home is supplied with an ample amount of food for the boys’ racing excursions.  It is nothing for her to walk in to Giant Eagle and drop $300.00.

The bottom line for any of us, regardless of demographics is saving money where ever we can.  There are many tricks and tips to alleviate the pain your wallet is feeling.  I touched on this point in last week’s article, but will stress it again, as it is one of the keys factors to living a sustainable lifestyle – resort back to basic essentials.  You will be surprised by how an extra box of flavored tea or an extra box of cereal adds up.  You don’t need it.

We all have the staple items in our lives that we know we are going to need repeatedly in the future.  These items include toothpaste, feminine care products, soap, shampoo, etc.  When these items are on special, buy them in bulk and put away until needed.  Make sure you are a smart shopper and know your pricing.   Sometimes companies try to fool us by altering packaging, sizing or quantities to make us think we are getting a deal when we are really not.

Try to plan out a monthly meal menu by taking advantage of relevant coupons and market specials.  This way, you can purchase foods that produce more than one meal option.  For example, if ham is on sale, you can use the meat for sandwiches and dinners, then use the bone to make soup, which can be frozen and thawed out in portions.  Creating a meal menu also creates less stress for you.  No one wants to come home from work and be faced with what to make for dinner in between changing clothes and attitudes to get “Little Suzie” off to her ballet classes.

My favorite tip to having a more sustainable grocery experience is growing your own vegetables, herbs and fruits.  Nothing is better than a Caprese Salad made with fresh, homegrown basil and tomatoes.  Of course you can’t grow your own cheese, but it can be purchased from local farms or markets to stimulate and support your local neighborhood economy.  Along with the fact that growing your own vegetables, herbs and fruit costs a fraction of what you pay in the grocery store, you gain a sense of pride, knowing that you are sustaining a healthy nutrition for you and your family.

I hope these little tips will help you see more “green” in your wallet!

Stephanie Benney is a “Sustainable Visionary” and also the new Pittsburgh Representative for Fuzed Marketing, where she helps companies increase their brand presence. stephaniebenney@yahoo.com