How to do a pantry challenge SAVE MONEY - REDUCE WASTE !

[@marialeg2367]

Dear Jane, I live in and come from Argentina. I teach English as a second language, just like you. We're currently undergoing an economic crisis and our inflation rates can go from 10 to 20% on a monthly basis. You don't know how helpful I find your videos and tips to be! Thank you very much for your content.

[@FrugalQueeninFrance]

Thank you so much for your feedback and we wish you luck

[@suebee1540]

Thank you for another great video. I used to shop weekly and spend about $400 CAD a month. I live on an island so food is expensive. Now I shop once every 2 or 3 weeks. In March I spent $167. That was my best month ever!

[@FrugalQueeninFrance]

That is awesome!

[@katherinerichardson1767]

Congratulations!

[@katherinerichardson1767]

I love the idea of MAKING a point of using up those items that are already opened to work in the menus. Thank you to everyone who has given an idea on the pantry challenge. Sharing in a community like this makes it easier to see what works and what I can use in my family. THANK YOU!

[@FrugalQueeninFrance]

Our pleasure!

[@veghead5121]

My grandfather always said food waste was a sin. I'd always laugh when he would say that, but now I live by that old adage. It pains me to throw away something that has gone bad!

[@FrugalQueeninFrance]

He was right

[@CherylAnderson0]

I’m with your grandpa!

[@juliethompson5301]

My dad would agree😊 any leftovers here we freeze in labelled zip lock bags . currently have Scouse,Curry and Chilli for further meals x

[@paulacostello6912]

@@juliethompson5301 What is Scouse?

[@juliethompson5301]

@@paulacostello6912 it's a stew from liverpool.very tasty .you can use beef or lamb.i do mine in the slow cooker.theres loads of recipes for it online x

[@tinkerbell9399]

Hi Jane and Mike. Just finishing my coffee, and off to empty two freezers, and meal plan from them. Thanks for motivating me❤️

[@FrugalQueeninFrance]

You got this!

[@patmartin9727]

I do a mini pantry challenge on the last week of every month as I don’t shop in the last week of the month. This allowed me to sort out my money and budget for the coming month. It also alllows me to save money and clear out all the odds and ends.

[@FrugalQueeninFrance]

That’s twelve weeks a year or 3 months. That’s an achievement.

[@patmartin9727]

I filled your lead and started do this at the beginning of last year after hearing you mention it in one of your videos. I also put anything left of the supermarket budget into my sales purse. This purse has extra money that I allow my self to spend on really bargains on things I use all the time.

[@FrugalQueeninFrance]

@@patmartin9727 fantastic!

[@gloriaincalifornia1911]

Great idea!! Thanks for the tip--I'm going to try that.

[@patmartin9727]

@@gloriaincalifornia1911 it has been a game changer for me it gives me an extra weeks grocery budget to save to spend on the bargins I come across without going over budget.

[@Vinnie16920]

The last two spag bols I have made have left one portion in each as leftovers. I’ve just defrosted, combined and it’s tonight’s dinner. Feeling quite pleased with myself tbh.

[@tutuluvsminnie7129]

Jane, Your idea to focus/start with everything that has been already opened is brilliant. It makes it manageable and i can feel success quickly. Thank you for your videos!

[@FrugalQueeninFrance]

Thanks for your reply

[@juliemoore6957]

I'm also using up my instant mashed potatoes. I keep a stock of them ever since Covid, because we couldn't get any potatoes then.

[@Helen-xv7ot]

Summer option for Chickpeas... Hummus Dip...or combine them with other beans for a "three bean salad"...or add a few to a simple green salad. You can also make them into bread, pancakes or even pasta. 😊

[@FrugalQueeninFrance]

Sounds great!

[@muttersmenu2422]

Great talk on using up the contents of an overstocked freezer😊 In Australia 🇦🇺 meat and fresh vegetables are increasing in price. I no longer purchase overpriced breakfast cereals, waste of money. I always remind myself that wasting food is throwing away money I worked for 👍 Thank you Jane and Mike for another good talk.

[@FrugalQueeninFrance]

Thanks for your reply

[@colleencusack7942]

I write the contents and expirey date on the top of the tins and packages. Written on my freezer door 'no shopping eat the freezer'.

[@FrugalQueeninFrance]

Brilliant!

[@tbee2653]

Once a week I clear out my refrigerator and make “refrigerator” soup. That saves me a lot of time and money since I then freeze it in portions for those I can’t cook.

[@FrugalQueeninFrance]

Good idea

[@victoriaclause6152]

My mother used to call this a CORE meal-day...Clean Out the Refrigerator Entirely....sometimes an interesting soup for everyone (perhaps with some fresh corn muffins}, sometimes everyone got a different sort of leftover "TV dinner" that day...excellent frugal idea.

[@patmartin9727]

I regularly make bottom of the fridge soup. 😋

[@lenisewhitley611]

One cup of sugar mixed with 1 teaspoon of molasses (12 ounces for under $3) is one cup of light brown sugar. Two teaspoons of molasses mixed with one cup of sugar is dark brown sugar. Powdered sugar is sugar blended into a powder. I use my blender. Self-rising flour can be made by mixing 1 cup flour,1.5 teaspoons of baking powder, and 1/4 teaspoon salt. Pulse or mix completely. By buying sugar and flour and using ingredients I usually keep in stock, I save money. I batch cook and do a pantry challenge every three months. Love your channel. Cheers from Brooklyn NY USA.

[@SilverSixpence888]

I have copy pasted this into my recipe folder, thanks!

[@elizabethbertsch3066]

I do this too! It really saves time and money not to buy all the different sugars or flour! 👌🏻

[@rena4220]

Thank you. I also saved this information.

[@donnaclinton5578]

I just learned something about meats on sale. I never thought about how the prices go up for months after the sale before it hits a sale again. I’m going to remember this and will purchase more than a pack or two. My area doesn’t have sales too often anymore and I’ve never seen a clearance sale on meats. Thanks for pointing this out.

[@katielee9354]

That's a good point about the meat sales. Plus iv noticed now this year most food products have very small discounts here in Uk. They will only say reduce the product by say 10p which is not much of a saving. They do it to entice the consumer to buy the product.

[@GillianWilliams-m2r]

I've been picking granny Smith apples and rhubarb from my garden. Stewiing and freezing in crumble size portions. This takes care of sweets for guests this winter. Love your videos 😊😊😊

[@FrugalQueeninFrance]

Wonderful!

[@rosemarynicholson8685]

I haven’t bought detergent for over a year. I use the Nancy Birtwhistle recipe using old soap slivers, washing soda, eco washing up liquid and water. Yesterday for about .75c I made up 7 litres. I make my own cleaning products too which save a fortune and they’re all eco friendly. As detergent is mostly water it’s an expensive thing to buy when the ingredients are all in my cupboards.

[@tinkerbell9399]

I’ve written this down. Very useful. Thanks❤️

[@ksewald91]

We have a local meat market that always has good markdown that they put in a small freezer. Hit this morning and was going to splurge on full price ribeye steak for our anniversary. $20 a pound. Hit the sale freezer and found lots of steaks that they had just put in. Put the full price back and got a good stock up of beef plus steaks for $40.

[@bradlafferty]

Excellent point about changing tastes and metabolism over time! This was a very useful video as we here at home consider a more gut-healthy diet as we mature. Thanks for your presentation!

[@FrugalQueeninFrance]

Glad it was helpful!

[@debbiegnagey2095]

We are right now in the process of eating down all the food we have squirreled away! Enjoyed your video!

[@FrugalQueeninFrance]

That is awesome!

[@lynnhensley4326]

Yes, I buy meats and seafood on sale. No large freezer so just enough for 2 to 3 weeks only. I watch for canned, boxed and jar food on sale. I donate some to local food banks. I watch for the BOGO deals, too. I mostly buy store brands. Earned $10 this week on my grocery bill week by buying house brands.😍

[@JennyGunston-uh5og]

I’m doing this now as I’m moving house in three weeks!

[@FrugalQueeninFrance]

Good luck with your relocation

[@michiemca]

in november when the sales hit for our thanksgiving i buy all the tinned veggies and stuffing boxes and stuff for the year and i pull in a turkey a month because i can eat it. then at christmas i pull in a couple of other meats for our special ocassions. it really helps for the rest of the year. by summer almost all the cans of stuff are gone and the meats are gone and then november we start over again. lol i hope that makes sense. it saves a lot of money.

[@FrugalQueeninFrance]

Love that!

[@marciaclark7619]

One thing that we always buy on sale is butter. We have over 10 pounds of butter in the freezer. It keeps very well. My husband was able to get a few pounds yesterday by using digital coupons, for $1.59 per pound. We're in the US, in Michigan.

[@marilynclarke6571]

Just in case you get major power cuts you could turn some of the butter into ghee, which is shelf stable for up to a year. There are lots of KZbin videos about how to make it.

[@marciaclark7619]

@@marilynclarke6571 Thanks for the nice idea, but we have a backup generator, so I don't anticipate an issue, other than if the freezer breaks down.

[@kathym660]

Hi Jane….I have a recipe for you! You mentioned your surplus of potato flakes. I use mine to make gnocchi pasta. No special tools needed. You can search on google for potato flake gnocchi. Best part is you make them and then freeze them. Great for a quick meal with some tomato sauce and meatballs or some pesto. Ooo, making my self hungry.

[@FrugalQueeninFrance]

Sounds great!

[@kathym660]

And fairly easy to make!@@FrugalQueeninFrance

[@helgaschulteiss]

I don't eat meat, but cooking a larger batch of chickpeas and putting them into a freezer is such a great idea🎉 I have never thought about that😅 Dankeschön 🍀 🪷

[@FrugalQueeninFrance]

You're welcome

[@mimi1o8]

We stop eating meat in 1982. We were not a family then ,we are 4 now. I guess we saved a lot of money without even thinking about then .

[@peterharrison9937]

what a good idea about cooking and freezing pulses how long will small amounts save for please love your homelychats

[@FrugalQueeninFrance]

Glad you like them!

[@cathyallshouse2981]

Thanks Jane, this was a good video for me to watch today since I have a full pantry and full freezer. I live in an apartment so they're both small-ish but I'm only one person. I want to replace my laptop in a month or so and am trying to set aside bits of money for that.

[@FrugalQueeninFrance]

Sounds great!

[@rena4220]

Oh my gosh, I have the same situation with food. And I'm getting ready to buy a new computer.

[@s.ga21]

From May onwards my partner and I move to our house closer to the coast due to our Jobs, and stay there till mid october. In this time period we "shop" our pantry and freezer we have in the appartment we live in during winter/autumn. During these period we only buy fresh produce and the rest comes from food we already have. So we eat up all older items and in Nov we begin to stock up again little by little. Thanks for the interesting video! Have a lovely weekend!

[@carolined3058]

When there was no money at the end of the month, My dad would bake pancakes. We thought we were the luckiest kids in the world ; not knowing then that there was no money to buy meat .

[@FrugalQueeninFrance]

What a treat

[@rebacarmack8335]

Your organization and scratch cooking reminds me of one of my sisters. She and her husband came and brought our dinner tonight. ( 2- breast cancer and one massive heart attack surgery) 2- in the last two weeks. Oven baked chicken, broccoli cheddar soup- and from scratch cinnamon rolls. ( yes even on a cardio diet I did test those.) Those are tooooo- tempting. She tries not to waste and is a very good cook. Yummy

[@FrugalQueeninFrance]

Thanks

[@suebee1540]

Feel better soon

[@gladyschandler6724]

I'm working on my pantry and refrigerator since I'm going on vacation next Wednesday.

[@FrugalQueeninFrance]

Have a great trip

[@seekingtheminimumlevel1830]

Yes, we do pantry/freezer challenges several times each year. April is one of those times as we have stocked up when things have been at good prices, and our pantry and freezer are full. Years ago I read in the Tightwad Gazette newsletter a clever way to use up your canned goods by the next growing season or their expiration time without running out of one early and having to eat more than you want of another at the end of the season. On a sheet of paper, make a grid of the months across the top and the items down the left side. Divide the number of cans of each product you have such as tomatoes, green beans, etc. by the number of months you list across the top. Then put an "X" for each can in each month. When you use a can, circle it. For example, if you have 6 months and 24 cans of tomatoes, you will put 4 X's in each month and circle an X each time you use one. That way you don't get to the end of the season and have no tomatoes but need to use 28 cans of green beans. Hope that makes sense and is helpful for some. I have adapted this methodology for all types of things including when I used to shop second hand sources for children's clothes. I had an index card for boy and girl clothing items and sizes and put an X for how many of each item I needed to buy so I did not over buy or pass up a good item thinking I already had it.

[@tinkerbell9399]

Wow, you’re very organised, puts me to shame! Great idea about clothes shopping. Will pass this on to my lovely DILs. All the grandchildren have far too many clothes❤️

[@LadyLocksley]

Yes! My husband and I do pantry challenges where we stock up on items on sale, and then we typically eat through our pantry items because we both travel for work. Sometimes we’re gone at the same time and so we will eat from the pantry only prior to us going out on trips at the same time…we eat all our meals at home except when we’re traveling for work of course.

[@FrugalQueeninFrance]

Love that!

[@nancykaufman1645]

Thank you for sharing! I always love to hear your insights on living a frugal lifestyle ❤

[@FrugalQueeninFrance]

You are so welcome!

[@petracurtis9947]

I cook dry kidney beans in my pressure pot (cheaper version of Instant pot) and freeze them in portions to add to chilli or other meals. Good luck with your pantry challenge 🙂

[@FrugalQueeninFrance]

Great tip!

[@farmerwife8412]

Me too! Except I use black beans.

[@MoniqueMacdonald-m3z]

Here in Australia....I have stocked up my pantry since August.I have started bath cooking and using my stores just this week!!Finding your tips useful.....will definitely go through my pantry today and actually work out what I actually have and put nearest use by dates at the front.Thankyou

[@FrugalQueeninFrance]

Wonderful!

[@sandrawhitacre]

Trying to do pantry challenge. Love the 1meat, next, 1 no meat, will use this. Thank you Jane Mike and Puppies.

[@FrugalQueeninFrance]

Hope you enjoy

[@lindalomax5448]

Stopping this video at 9 minutes: I’ve lapsed on meal plans - up till a couple of months ago, I used to take meals from my spreadsheet and make a one week spreadsheet for our meals that week, and I’ve started doing freezer dump bags for the slow cooker and I’ve found that I can easily have a no-cook day doing this (rather like you do a no cook with leftover Sunday roast). I used to regularly sort the freezer and make a list of contents, which I’m going to do again so I don’t overbuy. Spring has started (it’s been sunny here in Gloucester today) so I’m going to get organised again. And then there’s the fridge - it’s not bad as we’re good at using leftovers for lunch. Love your videos (will certainly finish this one) and recipes. Thank you.

[@FrugalQueeninFrance]

Thanks for watching

[@simonefeaster5131]

We just had an unexpected car repair (and we are still building our sinking fund for this), so we will use our pantry and freezer clean out to help absorb this expense. Also, always good to rotate for less waste. Loved seeing the pup!

[@FrugalQueeninFrance]

It's great you'd built a pantry so it became part of your emergency fund

[@simonefeaster5131]

@@FrugalQueeninFrance Never thought of it that way! Thank you to you and Mike for your skills and encouragement!

[@karencobley1862]

my Mum born in 1912 = always had a tin of ham and salmon, fruit salad. tinned cream " just in case " in her pantry - I do as you do - there is the basics - then the bargains - my problem is i fail to use what i have got - need to do a challenge and learn to discipline myself

[@FrugalQueeninFrance]

She was right

[@patmartin9727]

Because I live alone and freeze in small portions as well as cooking dried beans in bulk and portioning them up I also make some portions of mixed beans for recipes that require mixed beans or to use as a side with salads. This means they are more versatile portions. I also do this when freezing other things like vegetables and berries.

[@FrugalQueeninFrance]

That's a great idea!

[@LibAlcock]

pantry challenge is a great idea. For starters I have a ham in the freezer and plenty of split peas and pasta. So it’s definitely time for split pea and ham soup, and macaroni & cheese with ham. I’ve also got brownies in the freezer. Time to stop shopping and start cooking and eating what we already have! ❤ 🇨🇦

[@FrugalQueeninFrance]

Sounds great!

[@jillchapman286]

I haven't done a pantry challenge until the last few years. But since a move cross country to a more expensive area of living, I have fewer choices of "discounted" grocery stores to shop at. I really only have 2 choices and one is quite a drive from my house. So I have been making use of the grocery store closest to me"s app and stocking up when things are on sale. Now I'm doing as you, Jane, and using up those "winter time" foods that I enjoy more when the weather is colder. Then I can make room for those meats to grill or refreshing summer foods.

[@FrugalQueeninFrance]

Thanks

[@sheila1013]

Yes, always a good idea to keep a check on things. I now shop twice weekly and try to use as I go through the month, piecing up along the way. At the end of the month any bits of leftover food gets carried over into the next month and I start the process again. I do stock up when things are on offer, but avoid getting carried away and buying too much of what I may not end up using, which defeats the object. Thanks again to you both for sharing this video. It's always good to know that there are like minded people out there. 🤗

[@FrugalQueeninFrance]

Thanks

[@BrittanyLucy]

We've been largely doing this the last three months, and I've put a bit of money aside as a result. Now I've got family coming next week at quite short notice, I know I've got some extra cash in my purse which we can spend on a few outings, museum entries, a crepe or two while we're out, without worrying. Also, I've got lots of room on the cans and jars shelf, which is rather good, though the next one up is groaning with jars of marmalade from a batch of Seville oranges that were going cheap at the bio shop in February!

[@FrugalQueeninFrance]

Nice!

[@rachmc34]

I am always on a mission to use up bits in the fridge and pantry , especially jars of pickles, sauces etc. I batch cook rice and freeze it into portions so we can quickly get some out for a meal.

[@FrugalQueeninFrance]

That's a great idea!

[@janetstonerook4552]

I'm doing the "pantry challenge" this month on personal and tioletry items. I have dozens of containers with just an application or two of the product in the bottom that needs used up before I buy more. Little containers of hand/skin care lotion lying all about. I'm now emptying them into a couple of big tubs and using them on my feet, arms and legs after my shower! I've done this already in my food pantry and in my household cleanering supplies. But i dislike the waste of misplacing an expensive cream or lotion and finding that it has dried up or gone rancid by the time i get ready to use it!😮

[@FrugalQueeninFrance]

Great minds think alike

[@akhiker2495]

I’ve never done one, but I will now. I’m going to look up “Cottage pie” because I’ve never heard of it.

[@emaric9942]

In US its commonly called shepherds pie. Its very common & has the mashed potatoes on top as a faux crust or topping. Ground beef & veg underneath the topping. But correct name is cottage pie as in shepherds pie they use lamb if I’m not mistaken.

[@lindajacquot5391]

I am being very careful about how much meat I buy and what the price is. With the exception of bacon, which I rarely buy, I pass it by if it isn't on sale or reduced. You are great at reminding me to do this!

[@renestern1821]

I have a little bit of this and that in my pantry and I don't know how to approach this. I am overwelmed by this challenge. I would be very nice if you could show how you plan your weekly menu. Thank you for your help!!

[@FrugalQueeninFrance]

When you bought it, what did you plan to do? Do that to start.

[@katherinerichardson1767]

To find recipes for food items you have on hand, search on the internet recipes with the items you have and it will direct you to various dishes that use the foods you have listed. It is a game changer for me.

[@emaric9942]

Make a list of the items you need to use up & write down what you normally use them for or what recipe you can use the item in. Then see what other items you already have that you can add to the “need to use up” items to make that recipe or another recipe with. Brainstorm what recipes you can make eith the items & start there. You may need to buy a couple of small items like an onion, etc. look for simple recipes with fewer list of ingredients. I would say, if you are still stumped on what to make with your items, listen them here in the comments & I’m sure you will get great ideas from everyone.

[@cindiblazer8621]

There has been very little on sale of food we eat. Thank goodness my freezer and pantry are stocked. I've been buying very little the last month. Thank you for your video's.

[@victoriart95]

I am eating down my freezers and cupboards because I head to the UK in May for 6 weeks. I have one freezer almost empty and when I come back I am going to just buy for my weekly menus rather than buying in bulk. Its just me and buying in bulk means I end up having enough of something for 2 months, which sounds great but ends up getting lost in the freezer

[@FrugalQueeninFrance]

Have a good trip

[@carole7627]

Im doing a pantry/freezer challenge to use up what I am finding my young adult children use different ingredients than i do. If i want them to cook either for the family or for themselves we need different staples

[@Shantelle6253]

Hello from California. Serendipitous timing. I've got to pay for dentures. So I'm beginning 90 days of pantry challenge. I hadn't added butter to my list of allowed expenses so thanks for that. I had already added wine 😅 Guess we know where my priorities are 😅

[@mariondunn6580]

Hi Jane I do more of a freezer challenge when the freezer needs defrosting. I’m always surprised by the food treasures I’d forgotten about. It’s a once yearly affair in May before the bounty from the veg garden needs the freezer space Many thanks for your videos ❤

[@FrugalQueeninFrance]

Thanks so much

[@gladyschandler6724]

I need to redo my pantry inventory

[@FrugalQueeninFrance]

Good luck

[@katielee9354]

Great reminder, thank you. l have loads of drinking choc from sales left in pantry that we bought for winter hot drinks. l found loads of cheesecake etc recipes to use it up on supermarket websites. Really useful as they also work out the costs per serving + if freezer friendly. l dont ( cant ) want to increase our food budget , so we are drastically changing our meal plans this yr to cut down on meat & dairy. It's getting so expensive. There are no signs prices will ever go down. We plan on making vegan meals every other day + growing as much as we can on freezer friendly superfoods vegetables ie kale,, spinach etc in every available space in the garden. Im searching now for recipes before our busy gardening starts in May. edit.* one of yr subscribers noted how there isnt many sale on meat where she lives. iv noticed how here in uk food products have extremely small discounts now, mostly only 10p off, which is not much of a help for housewifes. They do it to entice us to buy the products..l getting more & more wise to their ways lol.

[@FrugalQueeninFrance]

That’s a shame,

[@cattledogk8072]

We are eating down the meat in our freezer so we can make room for the quarter cow we will get in a couple of months.

[@chrisnutter6933]

Good morning can’t wait 🎉

[@FrugalQueeninFrance]

Hope you enjoy

[@luckyCat118]

Thank you for another great video. I do pantry challenges too! I also go through my fridge, I purposely got a small fridge as I used to waste so much food in the past.

[@FrugalQueeninFrance]

It’s great isn’t it. I’m using up frozen mushrooms and peppers today and rice from my pantry.

[@BudgetsWithELMA]

Wonderful video and thank you for sharing this ❤

[@FrugalQueeninFrance]

You are so welcome

[@roenadykin689]

Thank you. as I was watching the video I kept saying I do that for many of the things you mentioned. I am stocked up so will not have to buy very much again this week(milk Bread and maybe a veg),Thanks for a few more ideas.

[@FrugalQueeninFrance]

Wonderful!

[@brendavilane6183]

Hello Jane please help me here do you use your sinking fund to stock up when things are on sale and you have to stick to your budget. How do you do it for the extra money to stock up when you have to stick to certain amount you have budgeted. Please I need a clarification Because I get things on sale and stock up but I find myself used more than i budget for because of stocking up

[@FrugalQueeninFrance]

We have 300€ a month budget Jan/Feb/March and 400€ for the next few months if our income stays a little higher. When I bought a year’s worth of laundry products for for 36€.when I stock up, I do so at sale prices. So, we never go over our monthly budget.

[@brendavilane6183]

@@FrugalQueeninFrance thank you so much Jane

[@emaric9942]

You can always make a sinking fund for stocking up. Thats a great idea. Sinking fund categories are whatever you want or need them to be. We have one for the monthly dinners meetings we attend as they happens every month, so why “not” plan for them? Same as your “stocking up” fund. Msy as well plan for it & then the money will be set aside & there when you need it. That ways, theres no need to rob peter to pay paul. The money has already been set aside & its there & waiting to be used at your discretion

[@missjones8123]

I tried this last month and saved a ton!! P.S Your hair looks pretty!

[@FrugalQueeninFrance]

Thanks

[@karencobley1862]

knowing how to store food is essential - especially frozen and fresh - so heartbreaking to defrost a " bargain " buy then to find out it is freezer burnt - lucky we have dogs ! _ but any tips ?

[@FrugalQueeninFrance]

Double bag

[@PenniestoDollars]

I have thought something appeared freezer burned before, rinsed off the ice and cooked and it was perfect. Looks can be deceiving.

[@kmac2482]

A vacuum sealer machine keeps things from freezer burn in the freezer.

[@AnnetteCulley]

I have an extremely well stocked pantry and freezer at the moment, built up as I knew that all the essential bills were going to rocket this month. We are a debt free couple on pensions so the annual increases will not bridge the gap in the bills. Examples here in the UK - car insurance up 35%, house insurance up 12%, council tax up 10%, water up 8%, phone and broadband up cost of living plus 3,9%,. Luckily we are debt and mortgage free, but still like to save. So like you and Mike we have to budget carefully each month. Plus as we both have significant birthdays this year and next, swiftly followed in 2026 by a Golden Wedding celebration we are determined to mark those occasions with some memory making experiences, as we have jolly well earned them. However, the funds for these will be saved up, not going back to the stage of pay now, worry later - been there, got the T shirt, didn't like it. So just like you we are on a pantry challenge to see how much of the food budget left at the end of month will go to Long term saving. Will declare at end of month.

[@FrugalQueeninFrance]

I wish you well. We ate equally saving for our 60th birthdays and want to do something special.

[@bettylpower]

I have frequently seen roast beef under 2 kg. at $80.00. I certainly am not spending anywhere near that on a roast. I look for the sales. The other thing that restricts my purchases is room. When the freezer is full, I couldn't buy anymore if I wanted to, on sale or not. Then because I don't have a large family, it isn't always economical to buy everything in bulk. I could wind up having an item around for a very long time without using it up. That's not always good. I take all of this into account when stocking the pantry and using up what's stocked. 🙂

[@FrugalQueeninFrance]

Thanks

[@sophiawolthof1238]

👍👍👍

[@charlynehill5999]

Hello Jane/Mike hope your Eclipse day is going well. Question what are Pulses??? Thank you from Arizona/USA

[@FrugalQueeninFrance]

No eclipse here. It didn't cast its shadow on this country. Pulses are legumes/peas

[@michellestanding1410]

Hi Good video 🇬🇧

[@FrugalQueeninFrance]

Hey, thanks

[@carolgraham6669]

❤❤❤❤

[@MarkRaybould-mo2tl]

my nan always said food stock was as good as money in the bank. when she died she had over 200 tins of food, bags and bags of salt and pepper. 300 soap bars. she raised 4 kids in the war years and none of them went with out a good meal. all our family on my nans side were market traders selling veg all the left over veg was used or given to people who did not have much. i always look back to the 80s when my grandad was ill and the vicar came to visit on a Christmas to see how grand was . the vicar said that due to working hard at Christmas he had no turkey, she sent him back to his home with there cooked bird. she was such a good lady but has hard as nails. when she died the money she had saved from her pension was vast. how i miss my grand parent's. but i am sure they would not like how the world has changed.

[@FrugalQueeninFrance]

Thanks for sharing your story

[@juliemoore6957]

I only buy meat when it's on sale as well.

[@almacarter7968]

I"ve done this recently and cleaned out my deep freezer and put that meat in my regular freezer and ate all that meat. then I can see what we have to use. same with the pantry.

[@kimpatterson8741]

❤

[@elainetaylor233]

Hi The cost of L ving sure bites in Rural 🌏 a .I have been doing a pantry/fridge/freezer challenge since end of December other than fresh vegetables as the frozen vegetables went quite quickly. I am only buying essentials that I have used up &ask the same questions do we use it, is there a substitute that I have or have my tastes changed. I consider I will be doing this for a while as I have just had a very unexpected expense well above

[@FrugalQueeninFrance]

Great 👍

[@sueprice8190]

Do you have an upper limit for buying protein (Euros per kg)? E.g. some meat might be on offer, but it's still more expensive than I would like to pay ... OR I could get more protein if buying more of a cheaper meat How do you work out if an offer is worth it for you to buy for more expensive items? Thx for v interesting videos!

[@FrugalQueeninFrance]

I watch the prices weekly and know when it's a genuine deal

[@virginiastewart1523]

P

[@doloreswilson6698]

Your hair is so pretty😊 I eat less meat. Eat veggies

[@FrugalQueeninFrance]

Thank you 😋

[@paulacostello6912]

Hi Jane, lots of great tips as always. I did want to say, though, that I love your sweater. Was it thrifted? (I hope that isn't an offensive question -- 99% of my non-food purchases are thrifted.)

[@FrugalQueeninFrance]

Sainsburys UK

[@paulacostello6912]

@@FrugalQueeninFrance Thank you!

[@GroceryNinja]

What are pulses (sp)?

[@FrugalQueeninFrance]

What foods are considered pulses? Pulses include beans, lentils, and peas. For example, a pea pod is a legume, but the pea inside the pod is the pulse. The entire legume plant is often used in agricultural applications (as cover crops or in livestock feed or fertilizers), while the seeds or pulses are what typically end up on our dinner plates. www.hsph.harvard.edu › le... Legumes and Pulses | The Nutrition Source - Harvard T.H. Chan School of Public Health

[@CherylAnderson0]

Same as first time I heard the word “brassica.” I looked it up and then was like, oh, ok learned a new word! 😂

[@bessieoriotis5104]

17:14

[@lisadawson2652]

Ok friends I’m going to share something that I know you guys may laugh but when I say I’ve been horrible about picking up things because I want it and never checking the sales price that was me but TODAY my friends I went to gas up my van and I had to go into the store do you know this gas station has a discount shelf of food items located in the back of the store with items that will be expiring with in 3-5 days let me tell you I got a bag of honey mustard pretzels for 50 cent 🤯this bag is normally $3 so tip of the day check every shopping store/gas station ect… you can find sale items Now next QUESTION can you freeze snacks like pretzels 🥨 I’m try to plan some things my friends ❤❤❤❤

[@FrugalQueeninFrance]

Thanks for sharing

[@ShangriLadj]

I noticed that where I shop, most of the meat and fish when it is on offer, is defrosted 😢 I can’t freeze it again. Wonder if they are doing that on purpose 🤨