tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-16517408.post115403627133748754..comments2024-03-27T03:58:05.389-04:00Comments on The Cookbook Junkie: A quick, healthy, somewhat ho-hum stir-fryThe Cookbook Junkiehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04800004451856078252noreply@blogger.comBlogger7125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-16517408.post-60109816441105854892015-08-13T17:51:51.529-04:002015-08-13T17:51:51.529-04:00It is not just you. I did couponing and entered s...It is not just you. I did couponing and entered sweepstakes and made a huge effort to be frugal by shopping sales and not wasting food, for years (not all those things at once, necessarily). I realized that these frugal steps can be incredibly time consuming. People who do extreme couponing often spend more than 20 hours a week. My friend and I realized that we were "making" $2/hour entering contests. I realized that my time also has a lot of value. I don't mean any of this as a blanket statement, as everyone can figure out what works best for their own unique situation. For me, especially being such a perfectionist which was then applied to my frugality, I learned to step WAY back and get some perspective. It was really hard at first to be less frugal and to even waste a little more (gasp)! But soon it felt like freedom. Now, I save money by mostly buying produce that is on sale when I get to the store (I rarely look it up and menu plan ahead anymore). I just go to the store that already tends to have good deals on produce, and stock up on other stuff at Walmart. I splurge for foods that taste better to me. I rarely use coupons. This is not what is best for everyone, but I wanted to share it because I think that a lot of us can be hard on oursleves ("I should menu plan around sales", "I should waste less food", whatever, but the reality is that it can be very time consuming for most people. By all means if it works for you, keep doing it! But it is a choice with pros and cons just like everything else. Some of us make enough at work where it is more efficient to save time than money, while others love extreme couponing because they can stay at home, whatever works is great, but I for one have tossed the expectations on myself :)Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-16517408.post-1154353185947981562006-07-31T09:39:00.000-04:002006-07-31T09:39:00.000-04:00I'm glad to see it's not just me noticing this. I...I'm glad to see it's not just me noticing this. I discussed this a bit more in my next post.The Cookbook Junkiehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/04800004451856078252noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-16517408.post-1154136893437868712006-07-28T21:34:00.000-04:002006-07-28T21:34:00.000-04:00I did, so that is why when Stop and Shop opened he...I did, so that is why when Stop and Shop opened here a few months ago, I got a card and started going there to look for better deals on things like water and such. It all adds up so fast!ThursdayNexthttps://www.blogger.com/profile/07838415125991375824noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-16517408.post-1154124950860362192006-07-28T18:15:00.000-04:002006-07-28T18:15:00.000-04:00Well, considering that over the past 3 years I've ...Well, considering that over the past 3 years I've gone from being at a college and eating in the cafeteria to someone living in an apartment...Yes! It will go up more this year because I won't have leftovers from my parents' anymore! I know that wasn't why you asked, but I thought I'd join in the fun.Anonymoushttps://www.blogger.com/profile/00454178191447024827noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-16517408.post-1154122328167975412006-07-28T17:32:00.000-04:002006-07-28T17:32:00.000-04:00My boyfriend is a master coupon-er. I am in awe! I...My boyfriend is a master coupon-er. I am in awe! It's not a quick process, but saving a ton of money with coupons can be done. You can check out his exploits at http://www.nuvo.net/blog/wayneb/archives/008326.htmlKimhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/13456394181601374129noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-16517408.post-1154118490459695552006-07-28T16:28:00.000-04:002006-07-28T16:28:00.000-04:00Im curious, what city do you live in? What are th...Im curious, what city do you live in? What are the costs of some of your items? Can you plan your menu according to whats on sale each week?Randihttps://www.blogger.com/profile/06706134539834283798noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-16517408.post-1154093945631921892006-07-28T09:39:00.000-04:002006-07-28T09:39:00.000-04:00Absolutely. Last night I went to the market to pic...Absolutely. Last night I went to the market to pick up just a few things. Of course, I did'nt make a list, but I knew what I needed to buy...Milk, bread, sausage, cheese, olive oil and mushrooms. I did buy a few more things, one small package of pork chops and some canned artichoke hearts, the bill was close to $60 bucks. I intended on spending around $25. What's going on?????Anniehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/11259640913845569431noreply@blogger.com