If there is a store-brand instead of a name-brand, we buy that instead.
My hubby has to have beef (chicken occasionally, fish never) but I am trying to cut back on portion size. A beef portion size is the size of a deck of cards believe it or not.
I would love to cut out meat at most meals, but I don't think I could get away with that.
We shop sale items as much as possible, and don't shop by brand name. We don't care what brand something is, just that it is on sale.
BTW: I couldn't find a web site for D&K salvage. I wanted to find out their locations. Do they have one?

Great tips! D&K Surplus is at 757 Delta Road, Red Lion, PA. 717-244-9398. No Web site, no advertising --- this independent store operates under the radar. It would be a great place to stop before a cookout, because they carry frozen meats such as chicken breasts that were originally made for restaurants but didn't meet size specifications, as well as direct-from-the-manufacturer sausages, etc. --- lfk

I only buy meat on sale. Typically, the family packs of ground beef and chicken are cheaper so I purchase those and break them down to 1 pound portions and freezer in zip lock freezer bags.

When grocers run 10 for $10 sales, and it's an item you will use frequently, but 10. For example, if rice a roni usually retails for $2.49 and you just got 10 for $10, it will save you from having to buy them off sale and spending too much. Also, many of the items they put in such sales have manufactuer's coupons available. Often, they are "save $1 on purchasing 3". I get coupons from The Sun, The Aegis and my parents so a lot of times, I have 3, $1 off coupons. Now my 10 boxes of rice a roni are $7.

Good call, Holly ... I read somewhere (lifehacker actually) that you could use chopsticks through a freezer bag to mold ground meat, etc. into manageable chunks that will defrost faster. And if you have a favorite marinade recipe for chicken, you could add it to the freezer bag before tossing in the freezer so it will absorb the flavors while defrosting and save yourself some prep time down the road. --- lfk.

My best trick to save money at the grocery store is... avoiding grocery stores. I get all my produce (except bananas) at the farmer's market and I grow herbs and cherry tomatoes on my apartment's patio. For everything else, I hit up the miniature grocery store on my block. It's just big enough that I can get multi-grain bread and all-natural peanut butter, but small enough that there are few glitzy new products to tempt me to overspend.

i mainly do all my shopping at places like bjs or sams club. when you buy in bulk and store it its saves alot

COSTCO WHOLESALE Your membership is refundable at any time !

I plan the meals for the week and shop with a list. In this way less food gets spoiled and goes to waste. Also our fridge is not overstuffed, which is more energy-efficient (opposite is true for the freezer though). In Glen Burnie we are fortunate to have ALDI, Target and Giant in a small "triangle", so I can visit all 3 in one trip. Target usually has great everyday prices on groceries and I always buy canned vegetables and fish at ALDI.

We don't eat at the restaurants - instead I buy ready to use sauces and frozen items at ethnic stores to add to our pantry staples and spice up the menu.

Growing your own herbs is also an excellent tip - fresh herbs add a lot of flavor to any food and they are good for you.

I have been making my own yogurt. I used to buy cases of 24 Activia at BJ's, but now I just get a half-gallon of milk and a box of store brand powdered milk, and make my own. I use glass babyfood jars that I had saved for my craft projects. There are recipes on the Internet. All you need to do is put the correct amount of ingredients in and heat the milk correctly, add the starter yogurt and put it all in a warm place overnight.

Grace, you are a frugal all-star! That's a fantastic way to use highly inexpensive powdered milk. I'm told you can use it for baking without tasting a difference, but using it to make yogurt ... that's a whole 'nother level. --- lfk.

Denver, PA 17517
Phone: 717-336-1966
Fax: 717-336-1967
Mobile: 717-829-3067
E-mail: rdavido@denverfoods.net
Website: www.denverfoods.net

Denver Wholesale Foods is a large wholesale distributor in beautiful Lancaster County, Pennsylvania. Our team of dedicated employees work hard to make your closeout connections happen. We purchase and distribute manufacturer’s closeouts, factory seconds, overruns, insurance claims, liquidations, warehouse damage, close-coded products, out-of-code products, and distressed products.

Frozen - We purchase many frozen retail and foodservice items including meats, deli, seafood, ice cream, vegetables, entrees and all other frozen foods.

Refrigerated - We purchase refrigerated items such as dairy, drinks, yogurts, and desserts.

Dry – We purchase dry products including snacks, cereal, bread, canned, and any shelf stable items as well as HBA and household items.

We run an order picking operation and service many of our customers on a weekly or biweekly basis. We distribute to a seven state area –Pennsylvania and all surrounding states.

We take our products strictly to the secondary market which includes discount grocery stores, independent dollar stores, prisons, food banks, church camps, restaurants, commissaries, and small manufacturers. We can honor any geographical and product restrictions.

We buy small and large quantities and typically purchase at deep discounts and pass the saving onto the customer. Also call us regarding our Banana boxes we have.

Thank you,
Robert Davido
Cell:717-829-3067
Outside Sales Rep.
To access Website: Please call Robert Davido

Website for D&K:

http://dandksurplusgrocery.com/default.aspx

They don't post items or prices on the site.