Comments on: Thrifty Thursday: Make vs Buy

By: Ceci

Ceci — Mon, 27 Apr 2009 12:56:14 +0000

i buy, bagged salads, rotisserie chickens, condensed soups, lots of frozen meals. When someone makes a decent ‘cooking for 1′ cookbook, I’ll stop buying pre-made food. But to me it is more wasteful (both food & cost wise) to make a meal that serves 6, when i know i will only eat 2 or 3 portions (dinner, lunch, lunch usually). I do buy bottled tomato sauce and powdered gravy, and every time i use one i have to look up and say ‘please forgive me grandpa’.

By: Jenny

Jenny — Mon, 27 Apr 2009 07:06:18 +0000

Jenni – If you drink coffee, try the flavored milk as coffee creamer. The vanilla flavor is great, and it’s way healthier than coffeemate type stuff. Has anyone looked at the label on it? It’s not as creamy as regular cream, so I just use a little more, and I really like the extra bit of flavor.

By: Carol

Carol — Mon, 27 Apr 2009 02:03:38 +0000

I have crohn’s disease, and the moistened flushable wipes are a godsend to me. I’ve tried using witchhazel on regular tp but its not good enough during a flare.

Frozen waffles, I don’t buy, paper towels, paper napkins, paper sanitary napkins.

By: Mom4nell

Mom4nell — Sat, 25 Apr 2009 15:46:54 +0000

I used to think so many of the convenience foods were for wimps and a rip-off. However, we have a mentally and physically challenged daughter. I can see where she will need the ease of chopped onions or else take 10 minutes to chop one, besides the safety issues.

On a side note, what about the gadgets we can’t do without like hand-held rotary can openers. We could use the old wiggle and push type, but we’re so accustomed to the rotary ones we don’t think that they were a convenience item at one time. Ditto washing machines, electric knives, packaging for food, etc.

It’s all in what we grew up with and what we need/prioritize in life.

By: Judy Hamby

Judy Hamby — Sat, 25 Apr 2009 03:06:31 +0000

I know it is bad, but I do buy the mashed potatoes. It is odd that when ever I am really ill that is what I crave. Just too sick to make my own from scratch. Also I buy frozen raspberries, no so much for the convenience but they are always cheaper that way. I am like the rest of you, I take alot of the convenience foods (bread, cookies, peanut butter, etc.) for granted.

By: Tink

Tink — Sat, 25 Apr 2009 00:38:47 +0000

Window cleaners…3+ dollars for a qt size spray bottle when a gallon of vinegar costs less than a buck and will make dozens of bottles of “window cleaner”.

Or if you don’t like the vinegar smell, you can do the bottle of alcohol ,1/2 cup of ammonia and teaspoon of dish soap version for 89 cents a gallon.

By: Judith

Judith — Fri, 24 Apr 2009 21:51:23 +0000

Bextoronto made me think about how much I take for granted in the food aisles …. canned broths, pasta sauce, canned tomatoes, sliced bread, packaged cookies and crackers, ice cream and sherbert, canned and frozen veggies and fruit, frozen pizza shells. Somehow they don’t seem like conveniences because I’m used to buying them and not making them from scratch.
I laugh at premade pb&j sandwiches and at packaged, microwaveable hot dogs in buns ….. but I am used to buying jars of peanut butter and of jelly and packaged bread ….. I guess I just take it one step back from what I laugh at!
I do realize that these convenience foods are what allow me (and alot of other women) to go out to work; without them I would spend many more hours feeding my family.
I make my own waffles, some o my own bread, bread crumbs, etc. I rarely use pre-washed lettuces (though I will buy spring mix). I buy few frozen meals (some ravioli or tortellini, once in a while). I buy juices and broths, but not condensed soups.
So I guess it’s kind of hit and miss. But reflecting on it, I am very grateful for the conveniences I can choose when I want!

By: Becki

Becki — Fri, 24 Apr 2009 19:07:37 +0000

I find myself laughing at an increasing number of convenience products. At this point, we make our own “Pop Tarts”, bread of all kinds and shapes, piecrusts, yogurt, lemonade, cookies, crackers, salad dressing…the list goes on. We save a ton of money (only spend about $100/month on groceries for two people), and about 98% of my health problems have cleared up. I’m never going back!

By: Nancy

Nancy — Fri, 24 Apr 2009 17:20:50 +0000

CanadianCarrie – congratulations on the breadmaker. I use mine mostly to make dough, for rolls, hamburger buns and pizza. Hamburger buns are especially overpriced in the store for what you are getting. The King Arthur Flour website had an especially good recipe for these entitled “Moomie’s Beautiful burger Buns”. Very simple, no weird ingredients, excellent results. They freeze good, too. You can also make small buns for the kids’ burgers ( if your kids are small).
http://www.recipezaar.com/Moomies-Beautiful-Burger-Buns-219357

By: Nancy

Nancy — Fri, 24 Apr 2009 17:06:20 +0000

Premade mashed potatoes always make me giggle (usually sold next to the steaks in the meat case). So do frozen waffles and pancakes.
My favorite convenience item is tomato paste. I also really like the small jars of already peeled and minced garlic. I don’t use much garlic, so buying a whole garlic is very wasteful for me – used to regularly toss most of it. Also, I don’t need to clean a garlic press with the jar stuff, and it keeps just about forever in the fridge.