Last week I made pizza at home and had half a batch of dough left over. Usually I'd just toss it or try to use it up that night and end up with a weird calzone or something. But then my neighbor saw me staring at the bowl and said, 'Just freeze it, man, it lasts months.' So I balled it up, wrapped it tight, and popped it in the freezer. Anyone else have a super obvious cheap food trick that took them way too long to figure out?
I was cleaning out my car this morning and stumbled on a stack of fast food coupons from like 3 months ago. Taco Bell had a buy one get one for $1 that still worked, so I got two burritos for under $3. Anyone else ever find old deals that actually paid off?
I was waiting for my order last Tuesday and this dude told the cashier he's been getting the same three bean burritos for years because they're the only thing that hasn't gone up in price. I did the math and that's $5.67 for a full meal with rice and beans basically. Has anyone else found a menu item that's stayed super affordable while everything else jumped?
I used to grab those preseasoned chicken thighs or pork chops because they looked convenient and were usually on sale. But last month I did the math. The store brand seasoning pack costs about $1.50 more per pound than plain meat. I figured I could buy a bottle of basic seasoning for $3 and it lasts for like 20 meals. Plus the pre-seasoned stuff always has way too much salt. I tested it on a plain pork loin I had sitting in the freezer. Threw on some cheap garlic powder and paprika I already owned. Tasted better than the store pack and I saved $4. Has anyone else noticed the price markup on those things?
I finally added up my lunch receipts from last week and realized I spent $28 on just taquitos and Gatorade when I could have bought a whole bag of frozen ones and a case of Gatorade for that much.
Picked up my usual chicken at the Fred Meyer on Broadway and found it was nearly a pound lighter and $1.50 more expensive, so now I'm hunting for a new budget protein hack around here has anyone else noticed this swap?
Been buying the store brand shredded cheese for a few months now instead of the big name stuff. Last week I added up all my receipts and it came to $52 saved over 4 months. That's not nothing for just grabbing a different bag off the shelf. Has anyone else tracked a swap like this and been surprised by the total?
Honestly I never bothered with those grocery store loyalty apps until my sister showed me her balance last month. She had like $80 saved up from just scanning her phone at checkout. I started using three different store apps here in Portland and after 4 weeks I hit $50 in rewards. That's basically a whole week of meals for free if I plan it right. I just clip the digital coupons before I shop and scan my barcode every time. The key is checking the app before you go instead of buying whatever looks good. Has anyone else had an app just randomly give you a bigger reward than expected?
I remember back in 2015 grabbing a McDouble for a buck and walking out with change, so when did $5 become the baseline for a basic fast food lunch where you at?
Went to the Arby's on 71st street last Tuesday. $5 for two regular roast beefs used to be the deal. Now they jacked it up to $7.50 and shrunk the sandwich size. Anybody else notice their local Arby's pulling this crap?
Last Tuesday I was about to hit the drive thru for the $7 box like I always do. My friend Kyle goes "dude you're paying 7 bucks for like 3 bites of real food, just go to the grocery store." I laughed it off but then I actually checked what I get vs what 7 bucks buys at Aldi. I got a whole pack of chicken thighs and rice that lasted me 3 meals for the same price. Anyone else have a friend call out your fast food habit and make you rethink it?
I always grabbed the 10lb jasmine bags at Costco for $9.99, thought that was the deal. Saw a guy at 99 Ranch in San Jose filling a 25lb sack from the bin for $8.50 and felt like an idiot. Now I'm going through 3lbs a week and saving over $20 a month. Anyone else make the switch to bulk bins at Asian markets?
I started using that app that shows clearance items at my local ShopRite in Newark. Last month I added up all my receipts and realized I saved exactly $527 compared to what I would have paid full price. That's basically a car payment for me. What got me was that I didn't even feel like I was clipping coupons or being cheap. I just bought what was marked down and planned my meals around it. The trick was going Tuesday mornings when they put out the new yellow stickers. Has anyone else tracked their actual savings for a full month? I'm curious if other stores around here do similar markdowns on different days.
Last week I found a grocery store near me doing manager's specials on produce every morning at 7am. Scored a giant bag of bell peppers for $1.50 and a whole flat of strawberries for $2.00. Made stir fry every night and froze the rest. Anyone else got a secret time their store marks stuff down?
Last Tuesday I grabbed some salad stuff at the regular grocery and spent like $8 on a bag of spinach that went bad in 2 days. I was always that person who said Aldi produce is gross or whatever cause I tried their strawberries once 3 years ago and they were mushy. But my coworker kept telling me their store gets fresh deliveries on Wednesday mornings so I gave it another shot this week. Picked up a full bag of spinach for $1.89 plus some avocados and bell peppers and everything is still good 5 days later. The avocados were actually perfectly ripe too not rock hard or bruised like I expected. Has anyone else had better luck with Aldi since they changed their supply chain or whatever?
Used to grab a sausage biscuit from McDonald's every morning on my way to show houses... cost me about $4.50 each time. After my car needed a new battery last March, I added up what I spent just on breakfast for 3 months and it was over $400. Now I make a batch of egg muffins with cheddar and bacon on Sunday for like $12 for the whole week. Anyone else realize a daily breakfast habit was eating up way more cash than they thought?
I grabbed that 4 for $4 deal at Wendy's near my office in downtown Tulsa. Got the spicy chicken sandwich, nuggets, fries, and a drink. Somehow the sandwich slid right out of the wrapper and landed face down in my lap while I was driving. So now I have ranch dressing all over my khakis but at least I still ate the soggy nuggets. Has anyone else had a fast food disaster that was still worth the money?
Was spending $9.50 on a burger, fries, and drink at a chain near 5th and Main every day, then realized I could hit the grocery deli a block over for a $4.50 pre-made sandwich and a bottled water. Has anyone else ditched the combo meals for something cheaper nearby?
I was in a rush last Tuesday in Phoenix and grabbed one of those roller grill burritos at the Circle K by my office. Spent the next 48 hours glued to my bathroom floor so I guess the savings wasn't worth it. Anybody else had bad luck with gas station hot food lately?
I always ignored the value menu because I figured the portions would be tiny. Then last Tuesday I was dead broke between paychecks and had to make it work. Ordered a cheesy bean and rice burrito and a side of nachos from the cravings menu. Total came to $3.42 after tax and I was stuffed. The burrito was bigger than I expected and actually had decent flavor. Now I'm kicking myself for all those years of buying combo meals for no reason. Has anyone else found a hidden cheap item at a fast food place that changed how you order?
Looked up the nutrition facts on the store brand website out of boredom (and shame) and turns out the 99 cent one beats the health food place by 6 grams, so am I just paying for what looks good on Instagram or what?
I see folks online stacking coupon apps and ordering through 3 different websites to save like 50 cents. But here in Austin, the dollar menu has a Cheesy Bean and Rice Burrito for $1.49 and it FILLS me up plus no extra fees. Why are yall so afraid to just order two of those and call it a day? Anyone else found a simple item that beats all the complicated hacks?
My coworker Mike told me to try the $4.99 sushi rolls at the Shell station down the street. Said he eats them for lunch twice a week and never got sick. I figured for five bucks I'd give it a shot last Thursday. Honestly, the tuna roll was pretty decent, not slimy or anything. Has anyone else found hidden gems at weird places like gas stations or dollar stores?
My buddy Mike swore Sam's Club had the better $4.99 chicken, so I bought both from the Bangor stores last Tuesday. Sam's was dry and salty, Costco was juicier and had more meat for the same price. I don't get the hype. Anyone else find Sam's chicken overrated?