In addition to managing our budget, I manage the elements of basic survivial: food, clothing and shelter.
On the food angle, I buy at limited supply stores (Aldi, Sav A Lot), discount grocery, and some lose leader items. I also garden, can, and go to the food pantry. A lot of friends tell me they can see going to the food pantry FP. I guess they haven't been that desperate before. I on the other hand have. When I go I get ( 2 boxes of cereal, 2 cans of soup, crackers, 2 pasta products, 2 fruit, 2 cans of tuna, misc household items, frozen meat and bread) and sometimes we get extras like eggs, bacon, TP. I have always found a way to use everything. I don't turn anything down. Yes I have seen others do this. I find it gooch. I am not to proud to go. In fact the majority of the people I see there are just like me, working 2-3 jobs and still need help. We could get Food Stamps if we tried.
And the same people drive over to the discount grocery with me every month. There we are able to suppliment our FP food. We find mayo, ketchup. salad dressing, canned veggies, etc in good condition still in date, sometimes in an outdated container. My favorite finds are promo items. These are containers that are being moved because the contest priced on the side is over. This is the only way my kids get regular cereal and Poptarts.
Finally, Sav A Lot is my stre of choice. I take 40 dollars in there every week and hope I have enough for dog food, and everything on my list not gotten from the discount store or FP. It has a slightly better selection then Aldi. It is also closer to my house. And it helps me cut from my budget if I have a need.
Groceries are an area where I can always find room to save.
