How to SAVE 50% on Groceries in 2024 [Pantry Restock on a Budget]

Today I am going to share how to save 50 percent on groceries in 2024. I recently found out the national average (thrifty meal plan) for a family the size on mine is TWICE what we spend per month to purchase the bulk of our food that are organic and/or very high quality. To say that I was shocked that my family was able to pull this off buying organic cheese, organic chocolate chips, and grass-fed, grain-finished American Wagyu is an understatement.
The question is, HOW am I able to make it work, and how can YOU do the same thing at home? Today I am here to show you exactly that, so come along with me as I unpack my latest Azure Standard haul and restock my pantry with high-quality ingredients.
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[@thisnthatcormak]

I never thought in my early 40s that I'd learn how to can beans, bone broth, meat and veggies, bake breads and other things from scratch , make my own mixes and cook almost everything from scratch. We now don't eat dyes, and i watch for no gmo's and no bioengineered. Very hard to eat clean but getting there. I've also started buying way less each week and I'm buying bulk when we can. We are also very fortunate to get beef from a customer that buys our hay. We trade for beef. Just put 300 lbs of beef into our freezers. Thanks for the great tip about vacuum sealing smaller portions of the cheese. Just bought my first 5.5 lb block and I didn't want to shred it all at once

[@thehometownhomestead]

That’s awesome!! I do usually do shred 5 lbs at once, just so I don’t have to get the food processor dirty again. That said, we like the flexibility that it offers to seal them this way. It’s the best of both worlds! I’m the same. Had you told me at 35 that I’d be here in my early 40’s, I would have laughed for hours. 😆

[@00justsayin00]

Same! Started learning gardening in my 30s which has escalated into me learning canning, etc. in my 40s. Not just due to the spiraling costs in grocery stores, but the ever-present threat of questionable additives in US foods.

[@joyfulhomemaker8053]

I’m in my early 40s and doing all of these things as well. To be fair, I’ve always loved making as much from scratch as possible but my “portfolio” continues expanding. I was talking w a friend the other day and told her how I make sourdough and she said, “next you’ll tell me you make your own butter” and I said, “oh! I’ve been doing that for YEARS!” And then I paused and looked at her, “I don’t sound real” lol Before sourdough, I’ve made bread from scratch forever but thought sourdough would be difficult… it’s sooooo much easier! I’ve tried to make kombucha but my house is too cold so I was just making weird vinegar (tasted pretty good in salads tho).

[@thehometownhomestead]

@@joyfulhomemaker8053 isn’t it funny how many things we do that others consider outlandish? 😆

[@southwesthomestead1234]

Your kitchen is just the warmest cozy space ! This message is so important for young families to learn. We have to get back to basics and move away from the consumer driven junk food we have been brainwashed into thinking is okay. We really enjoy a rice and means meal at least once or twice a week a month. Especially on a cold day.

[@thehometownhomestead]

I agree. My generation was brought up on boxed foods, so we really come by it honestly. In today’s economy, things have to change. We can still eat very well, without breaking the bank. I hope more people start to come back around to the older ways of doing things. Thank you for the kind words about our kitchen! It was a labor of love. We held off on it when we did the initial renovations because I wasn’t set on location (this is actually the 3rd room in our home to be the kitchen.) I’m grateful that we waited until something felt right. Thank you for watching, and I hope to see you back soon! 🙌🏻

[@kcnelsonmueller]

I had my aha moment over mushrooms. I used to buy them in 4oz cans at Sam’s. The price got so crazy I was complaining to my husband about possibly not eating mushrooms. He wasn’t happy about that. lol. So he mentioned buying and canning my own. I’d never canned anything before. But I thought why not try. My husband went and got his mom’s old canner (she passed away 15 years ago). I bought mushrooms in bulk from Sam’s, cut them then blanched them in vegetable broth then canned them in 4oz jars. When I finished I not only had mushrooms but I also canned the broth. When we did the math we realized we had saved $162. I fell out. That led me down the path of no return. I already bought in bulk, but now I buy dry beans, wheat berries, etc. I can all my own cream of soups, diced tomatoes, refried beans, cranberry sauce, you name it. I don’t buy anything canned any more. And not only is the savings insane, but over the last 2 years of going down this path, our health improved 10 fold. And I continue to preserve more and cook more from Whole Foods. I wish I had done this years ago!! And I wish I had purchased my digital canner sooner. It is one of my favorite tools for the kitchen.

[@Agoodwifeparvati]

That's an amazing story! I stopped eating canned foods years ago after my husband taught me about the health risks associated with it. After reading your comment I think I'll try out making own preserved veggies in glass jars.

[@thehometownhomestead]

Similar story here. When I did the math and realized I could increase the quality and have a huge impact on the budget and our health? It was over! We do still buy a very few items, but the savings from the other items that I preserve and grow at home has made that doable. On top of that, the food just tastes better! This is my 2nd year canning, and I wish I had done it sooner. Thank you for taking the time to comment. I think others will appreciate it also as they begin to rethink what we’ve been conditioned to do in this time. Also, thanks for watching, and I hope to see you back soon!

[@Agoodwifeparvati]

@@thehometownhomestead yes I totally agree! I just found your channel last night and definitely subscribed 🤗

[@YeshuaKingMessiah]

U shop Whole Wallet? Wow I do buy outstanding butter there but that’s about it lol It’s 100% pastured dairy line. $12/lb as of last fall. I do carni so it’s a good portion of my diet.

[@KDBee-ri5hi]

​@@YeshuaKingMessiahWe used to call it while paycheck! We often spend $$$$ and only came out with 1 or 2 bags. We are at that place at the conventional grocery store now and that's a sobering thought since we haven't shopped WF in close to 15 yrs!

[@marlysmithsonian5746]

I am more than thrilled to have found YT channels like yours!! I'm 58 and never had time or energy to worry about having any food except what I could go to the grocery store for. Last year, this was a huge learning experience for me. I bought an electric canner and started buying cheap meat and canning it. I live in a well known coastal tourist town and our prices anywhere near here are outrageous. I found 49ct/lb chicken drums and bought bags and bags full. They were horrible in the oven and even in the crock pot. Out of the canner, oh my gosh!! Then, I started growing seeds for plants and, after a horrible yield last year, I've already had amazing tasting tomatoes and peppers. Yep, I'll can the leftovers. You are so wonderful and I think I'll make my way to Wal Mart to get those black beans. I really appreciate your guidance!

[@thehometownhomestead]

The beauty of being alive is we’re never too old to learn, to change direction, and to start something new! You’ve got this! 🙌🏻

[@turntohome7426]

Hi! I’m new to your channel, but now I’ll be visiting often! May I first address that the rude comments are appalling. I’m so sorry that people come here to criticize you, acuse you of being misleading, or not “getting ready” for the day. It has to be said that some are definitely missing out on the joy of being an encouragement, or just saying nothing at all. Nobody has a right to shame you for the things you own, purchase, or feed your family. I love feeding my family as healthy as possible, and we order from Azure Standard. Typically it’s not our largest purchase in our food budget yet, but once we get our bulk grains stocked well, we plan to move on to the raw dairy, because they make my mouth water, just dreaming of it!🤣🤣That being said, I am in a transition period, and am working my way to clean eating for the health of my family. What I wish people would understand is that typically these “things” weren’t just handed to you, and they aren’t all purchased or acquired overnight. It’s one day at a time (sometimes it takes years😅), one step at a time, and one change at a time. I am happy I found your channel! Thanks for sharing what you have learned!💜

[@thehometownhomestead]

The interesting thing is that when a piece of content is successful, it gets pushed out beyond your normal “audience,” which is great, but it comes with a few interesting comments. 😉 This is definitely not an overnight change. It’s taken us 4 years to switch our way of purchasing, growing, and preparing food. The fact is, some aren’t interested in change, so it’s easier to make assumptions in passing that to consider a new way. It’s not for everyone, and that’s okay. As for you, welcome! I’m glad you found my corner of YT, and I appreciate your kindness and the time it took to type out such a thoughtful comment. Hope to see you back soon! 💕

[@meggo6673]

Our family of 7 eats this way too. I love watching how other people do things for ideas. An idea on cheese that works for us...every few months, I buy 20-25 lbs of different types of cheese from Azure and grate it, then freeze. I make bags of pizza blend for our Friday night pizza nights. It makes it so I have one clean up. Blessings.

[@thehometownhomestead]

I actually do this too! We get cheddar and mozzarella from Azure and run it through the food processor. One of my recent scores was using the food processor for grated fresh parmesan. I had to use the chopped blade on the bottom instead of the shredding blade, but it worked beautifully! Thanks for watching! Hope to see you back soon!

[@patriciacerwin6266]

Your children are truly blessed to have a momma that is concerned about what they eat. You are giving them such a healthy foundation to live life to their fullest potential. Im in my 70s. Not sure i have the energy to can or space to store the canner or the canned jars. Admire you and your lifestyle. Good job momma.

[@thehometownhomestead]

Thank you for the kind words, and thank you for watching! I hope to see you back soon!

[@Jackie_W82]

I do the same thing! I pressure can beans, pull rotisserie chicken and vacuum seal to freeze. The bones get processed into chicken broth with my frozen veggie scrap. I also run the dehydrator all at the same time on my prep days. Less trips to the store means less impulse buys, less gas and more time

[@bestlifeever4548]

This is how I have always done it, in buying bulk and having many pantries and freezers stocked full. This week I canned about 100lbs of chicken and still have more to do and did beef last week. I have done many jars of veggies too and only 1 can not seal out of all of them and new to canning. I have 4 sons(16 to 23), but now all but one is out of house on own and I homeschool him . I have a farm so we have way more eggs always than need but water glass as many as I can. I still shop and continue the same now with 3 people in home as I did with 6 and that just ensures we always have extra and backups. I spend about 1200 on big stock up trip a month and about 250 to 300 a week on extra needs throughout month like milk and such. (Till cow is milking) I did a major kitchen reno like yours and have a long narrow room (dining) that we have been building/turning into more of extra pantry but have also turned a lg bedroom into long term food storage. Sometimes hardest part is finding where everything is located when need it. We have our gardens and orchard growing now and hope to be able to store much of that later on. My husband is amazing cook so he does a lot of the cooking and has mastered homemade pizza but really has bunch of things including steaks and now going out to eat on weekends has been not as exciting as their quality of food and service goes down and food at home taste better than going out to nice dinner. Im 41 and husband few years older and I retired few years ago and we live on my income (house payment, bills, food, etc) and his is for whatever else we want like trips, house projects, fun, so this is just how we do it and save so when emergencies and life happens we arent in a bind(this isnt to brag but hopefully helps someone, I learned early on not to depend on 2 incomes or max out payments based on 2 never know when illness or job loss or somethingcan happen). I have always budget and been able to live well on less and wait till can pay cash for things we want or need and food is probably our biggest expense and we like to eat good food and well. Thank goodness we are active people lol. Stocking up on food I think has been great investment (goes up more than stocks) and is peace of mind and living further out it saves me trips to store and less on random things to pick up. Keeping spices and stuff for every kind of cuisine also means can make whatever in mood for when want to. We do Indian, mexican , middle eastern and oriental and more nights. So it doesn't get boring eating same thing on repeat. Great tips and sweet to see your daughter helping out and good to start early.

[@thehometownhomestead]

I agree that food is a great investment, as long as you know how to care for it! Sounds like you’re rocking it!! Thanks for watching!

[@colleenpakkianathan3151]

We have a well stocked/bulk driven pantry! AND we sometimes eat chips! 😂 I will stock up when large bags are 5 for $10 or 3 for $5 - especially during ski season when we’re taking sandwiches to the slopes. In that case, six of us sharing a bag of chips that cost $2 or less alongside our fruit/veg and sandwiches on homemade bread is a significant savings over buying lunch in the lodge! Kids still get a special treat AND we don’t break the bank.

[@thehometownhomestead]

That’s a great plan!

[@mamadoom9724]

The other day I made a huge pot of bean soup for about $2. It fed my family of four dinner two days in a row. So that’s 25 cents a person for dinner. It’s the cheapest of all my budget meals and it’s so filling and delicious. It was perfect for the rainy days we’ve been having in WA state. I’m like you-I refuse to pay insane prices for food so I just learn how to make what I want from scratch. Btw your kitchen is beautiful. It makes me want to declutter my counters.

[@thehometownhomestead]

Thank you! I have went through a few rounds of decluttering over the last few years and I find that the less I have, the easier it is to work in and clean. As did the bean soup, that sounds fabulous! We’re deep in a rainy pattern currently and I might have to pull that out this week. Thanks for watching! Hope to see you back soon.

[@BriBayly]

Hi! Could you share your soup recipe by chance? 😄

[@mamadoom9724]

@@BriBayly I did one bag of dried beans. You can use pinto beans, kidney beans, really any kind you want. Sometimes I do a mixture of different kinds. Then I soaked them overnight in a bowl of water on the counter. First thing in the morning I put them in a crockpot with some water (or you can cook in a pot on the stove). I add a bunch of chicken bouillon and whatever seasonings you want to taste. Some good seasonings for it are garlic powder and pepper. I added two chopped carrots and cooked in the crockpot on high for several hours until the beans are soft, then I roughly mash the beans with a potato masher and put some in a blender with some of the liquid til smooth and add back into the crockpot. Some variations you can do is add chunks of cooked ham and/or a can of tomatoes. I don’t usually add ham but I like to shake in some bacon bits because it gives it a kind of ham flavor. I like to add enough water to make it soupy but the next day this soup will be super thick so you can add some more water and reheat or you can roll some up in a tortilla for bean burritos. I did that the other day and drizzled in some Taco Bell mild sauce and cheese and my family said it tasted just like Taco Bell burritos.

[@jerryduty901]

These are things I did when we had 8-10 foster kids at a time. Now that we are no longer fostering it is not practical. I still enjoy cooking, but is so much simpler. I know it saves an extreme amount of money. Proud of you for making this video to help others.

[@thehometownhomestead]

Thank you for taking in kiddos who needed a refuge. 💕

[@ibislife]

What a gorgeous kitchen! 🤩

[@thehometownhomestead]

Thank you!! 😊 It was a labor of love and the 3rd room it’s lived in our old him. We spend months with the floor plan taped out on the floor to make sure we’d like it, and it’s exactly what I had in mind. It knew, but feels aged. I just couldn’t handle the idea of a kitchen with a new construction build in our old home. Hope to see you back soon. Another upload live at 2 pm today!

[@ibislife]

@@thehometownhomestead well done, I am sure I will pop in later 😘

[@joyfulhomemaker8053]

Freezing food flat in a ziplock bag is such a saver. Space and time saver! I always make about double what we need for meals and freeze individual servings for quick thawing on busy days when I won’t have time to make a wholesome meal

[@potato6658]

Great video, I don’t buy bulk foods, but I always shop for sales, because we’ve always bought extras to keep a pantry of foods we eat. Having those extra items allows you to wait for the sales. I love canning foods, it is extra work when you do it, but you save the time when you actually eat the meal. I will can anything, marinated meats, lasagna, chilli. I will can anything we eat, I love it especially on days you’re under the weather or don’t have time to cook. Great video!!

[@thehometownhomestead]

Thank you for sharing your tips with us! I did some big batch cooking the week and froze it instead of canning, but that’s a case by case basis. Thanks for watching, and I hope to see you back soon!

[@lesliemckinley9615]

Thanks for sharing. I picked up a hint: to put a stainless steel colondar in my crockpot and add my ingredients to it . Easy to strain my broth.

[@thehometownhomestead]

That’s a great plan! Thanks for sharing!

[@bbrhody831]

I was so upset to see that better than bouillon has started using bio engineered ingredients 😢 after years of buying it, no more!

[@thehometownhomestead]

Yes, when I buy an organic product, I expect better. It isn’t cheap, so it should be good!

[@southwesthomestead1234]

That’s disappointing, I love that stuff.

[@bbrhody831]

@thehometownhomestead I was trying out their new line. 3 maybe 4 different flavors. Sadly I didn't catch it till I got home as I trusted them. Now I read every label trusted or not. Took every one back for tefund.

[@thehometownhomestead]

@@bbrhody831 I was getting ready to buy another, even though I had the scraps in the freezer. My brain often says convenience wins, but not when ingredients are involved that I don’t want in my home.

[@bbrhody831]

@thehometownhomestead jeni gough has a how to u tube video making/canning chicken salad. I've made it several times now and it's become my go to for quick sandwiches for lunch. Have canned it with turkey and ham too. Yum!!

[@MariahBaker17]

Love all this! My husband and I are working on getting to a place to buy more in bulk! Especially organic/grass fed! Our family of 5 spends around $525-$550 per month currently, definitely below the average.. cooking from scratch makes it possible:)

[@thehometownhomestead]

We could spend around that without the random smaller items we pickup in town, or by skipping the organic cheeses and chocolate chips. 😆 But what fun is that??

[@MariahBaker17]

@@thehometownhomestead I agree! Variety is awesome!

[@anitastamm7350]

I love this! I am very inspired!

[@amyschultz8058]

Great video. Thanks for sharing solid information.

[@thehometownhomestead]

Thank you for the kind words! I definitely think this needs to be talked about more. It was a friend of mine who snapped a pic of $7 Doritos, and I was shocked! We don’t have to do this!!! Thanks for watching! Hope to see you back soon.

[@constantlyabiding24]

I loved this video! So informative and motivating!

[@thehometownhomestead]

Thank you for the kind words! I hope others gain a small bit of inspiration to see where they can save. Thanks for watching!

[@nicolewatters4062]

I just went in there and got my beans soaking for canning beans tomorrow. I get inspired like that. Lol❤

[@thehometownhomestead]

That’s awesome!! They taste better when canned at home. 💕

[@LarisaC.]

That’s a Sunday habit in my home. Soaked chickpeas are very versatile and taste better than canned ones

[@ms.g1709]

If you cook chickpeas, make sure to save the liquid!! It's (aquafaba) the best egg replacement I've found. When we already have it, why not use it?

[@MaliaRussell]

Wonderful video! Very inspired to get busy!

[@thehometownhomestead]

Thanks so much!

[@user-iv7ex2fo4b]

My husband and I both veterans were homeless 2 months in winter, I can bake and cook anything. Real world experience.

[@thehometownhomestead]

Thank you both for your service. I’m sorry to hear you were without a home for a time, but I appreciate your “can do” attitude. May God bless you both.

[@lifestylehomestead]

Great content momma! And lovely home. ❤

[@thehometownhomestead]

Thank you! 💕

[@brendarobertson2145]

Great inspirational video.

[@thehometownhomestead]

Thank you, and thanks for watching!

[@Kababy13]

Wow! Just came across this video on my feed! I am always buying in bulk but you afford some great tips - thank you! Never heard of Azure before- I will be checking that out today!

[@thehometownhomestead]

Oh if you live bulk organic, you’ll LOVE Azure! Link in the description, and thanks for watching!

[@AdarableKitten]

I use to spend $200 for me and my husband, learned how to make freezer meals and cut our monthly spending down to almost $100

[@alindalt2897]

Oh my word! I had one of your bread machines a few years back. It was given to us by an elderly friend. It was 50 years old then. It died a while back. Never have I ever had such a great bread machine!! Much better than any bosch... which I am having to use now! Bulk buying is the only way to go! Great video. First time I have seen your channel.

[@thehometownhomestead]

I’ve heard of many of the old machines running for many decades! If you’re looking to get back into one down the road, watch for the open box/refurbs to snag a deal or watch FB marketplace. I’ve seen them pop up a few times.

[@Buff19]

We tend to eat mostly homemade, from scratch, but I definitely appreciate the lunch meat sandwich once/wk. I’m always looking for new lunch ideas. I enjoyed this video.

[@alifewithluna4134]

This looks wonderful! I have never done anything like this because I assumed it was so labor intensive and just daunting; but you made it look so doable. I plan on doing this soon! Thank you for the inspiration!

[@thehometownhomestead]

I’m planning a follow up on how to get started and what mistakes to avoid! I should have it out in about 10 days. Keep your eyes out, and thanks for watching!

[@chiarad4080]

It's inspired me, thank you ! 😊

[@thehometownhomestead]

So glad to hear it!! Let me know if you have any questions!

[@smack6030]

Great job! I keep all my leftover onion peels, celery heads, turkey (beef, chicken, or other) bone, etc. and drop them in a GIANT pot that has a strainer inside then cook it down for about 2-3 days adding water as needed. When finished, I just remove the strainer then pour my broth into containers that go in the freezer. I bought 16 oz plastic takeout type containers from Amazon that will keep in the freezer for a long time. It makes a huge amount of bone broth that I can use for multiple different soups/stews. Cooking it down for several days really pulls the flavor out of the bones. And yes, I do turn off my pot at night and just start it again in the morning. I also use my leftover bones to make a broth to prepare dog food for my dogs too! Great content.

[@Abeautifulmundanelife]

Awesome! I’m going to look into a canner as I run out of freezer space when we buy a whole or half a side of beef. Thanks for showing us the beans process, too. I’ll look for that recipe

[@thehometownhomestead]

We have our share of freezers too, and I’d always take another, but we currently do not have a generator. The safety of shelf stable meats is a great addition to the stocked freezers. We usually buy 1/2 beef at a time. I’d need another freezer for a whole. I’m considering another anyway, bec we have plans for meat chickens this fall.

[@NicesArtsHome]

Hi there! New friend here from Portugal, Europe! 🙋🏼‍♀️🇵🇹 Just found your channel and fell in love with your videos! ❤ Can't wait to see more from you!👍😍 Thanks for sharing your budget secrets, all advices are welcomed these days!👍🙏🏻

[@thehometownhomestead]

Hey there! Thanks for watching, and I hope to see you back soon!

[@marishapeters1647]

I think people spend so much on groceries because of packaged and pre-made food. Don’t get me wrong, I love my conveniences but they are the first to go when I’m on a budget Also learning to make do with what’s in the house is so hard but worth it.

[@thehometownhomestead]

I agree. I had someone tell me that giving up potato chips was not an options for their family. 😳 It’s a shift in thinking, but it’s totally doable. You just have to accept the mindset shift.

[@rustichoney]

Loved this video! 👏 I’m so inspired and definitely need to try canning beans! I’ve never actually done that… and now I really want a digital pressure canner too 😂 Thanks for sharing all of your ideas and money saving tips! I’m gonna need it this summer with a house full of hungry kids! 😅

[@thehometownhomestead]

Yay! Glad you liked it! This was already done when I saw that you were out of beans. That’s an easy fix. What are the ages of your littles?

[@NurseChrissy17]

I just found your channel and I love it! It’s really motivating. My daughter is allergic to soybean oil so I’m trying to figure out new ways to cook/prep etc for a new way of eating. Thank you for sharing your skill!

[@thehometownhomestead]

Glad you found my corner of YT! Removing soybean oil is tough when eating anything but scratch made means, but you can do this!

[@letssummondinner]

1600??????? That's insane lol. I have a family of 6 adults and I spend about 700 a month and we eat GOOD lol. Where do they get these numbers from? I'm with you, I would rather do a little more work now and save some money later.

[@thehometownhomestead]

And that’s the THRIFTY average!! We could spend much less skipping organic, and fancy cheeses and chocolate chips, but we love to add some to make life fun!

[@soniab.estacio3008]

Beautiful kitchen ❤ watching in chicago . I subscribed pretty lady

[@thehometownhomestead]

Thank you so much! Glad to have you here!

[@PlowAndPantryHomestead]

Great idea throwing those freezer vegetables into stock. I was just looking at two bags the other day that I had bought on sale and intended to use but was never really inspired to do so. I'm actually making and canning. more bone broth today so now I know what I'll do with them. 🤣

[@thehometownhomestead]

Perfect timing!! I was super happy to have them GONE. I hope you have a great day in the kitchen, and hope to see you back soon!

[@shake_shells11]

As a family of 3, we spend about 300-400ish a month on groceries in Maryland, we look for opportunities to buy in bulk when meats are on sale. A few weeks ago, I even scored $5 per piece for lobster tails! I stocked up and froze them, treat ourselves on special occasions. We grow 90% of our fruits and vegetables. It’s actually not too bad.

[@elizabethloper1870]

I can my own beans and it makes it so easy!

[@dianamilburn1743]

Lots of good ideas to save time and money while serving good food. Thanks for inviting us into your kitchen!!

[@thehometownhomestead]

Thanks for coming over to my corner of YT! See you back next time!

[@gwenfehr9156]

I buy in bulk, but also cook in bulk. If I’m making chili, I will do a double batch, then vacuum seal the extra and freeze. Today was a day to make noodles. I made about 15 pounds. They are drying on my spare bed. Once dry, I will store in bags weighing 2 pounds each. Some are for my daughter and her family, some are to sell to a friend.

[@thehometownhomestead]

I did some batch cooking this week too. We have a big busy season ahead, and I’m trying to get prepared. Thanks for watching!

[@mariegriffin5516]

I’ve got to know where you got your cutting board/strainer. I love it

[@thehometownhomestead]

It came with my sink, and I love it too! Such an easy way to wash produce and strain out foods. Here is a similar concept that works for any sink. amzn.to/3xTorss Here is a link to my sink. It’s really a workhorse. directsinks.com/products/kraus-kore-workstation-45-inch-undermount-kitchen-sink?variant=29496066572330&currency=USD&gad_source=1&gclid=Cj0KCQjw8pKxBhD_ARIsAPrG45mIcGc2NQi7EJv0qrcSkC27ZPcZEYrVxYn-d-thTsNoZ3L-okjkF-oaAjSzEALw_wcB

[@mariegriffin5516]

@@thehometownhomestead thank you so much for the information on the sink. I think I’ll show this to my husband and tell him that this is what I want in my kitchen when we build our house.

[@brookegraham3823]

This was so helpful! Your aha moment of the chips and sandwich was life changing for me 😂 Also..did that strainer bowl on your sink come with your sink? I’d love to have one

[@thehometownhomestead]

It seems so odd to think that chips and sandwiches are the “splurge” over a fabulous meal. 🥴 Yes. Came with the sink, sadly! I’ve had many people ask.

[@chrishingson3064]

I've been wanting to do this and as asure standard for a long time I need to learn how to can😁 I'm hoping I can do this in the future❤

[@thehometownhomestead]

You can totally do it! The hardest part is getting started.

[@17HannaMae]

I love this lifestyle so much! This is my goal. I have a 6 month old and he is my first baby and we are working toward getting back into my old routine I was doing a lot of cooking from scratch and interested in canning and bulk buying. Once little guy is a little more independent I think we can accomplish all this food prep 😊

[@thehometownhomestead]

Every time we got close to independence, I had a new one on the way. 😉 Just do what you can with him at every stage. He will soon be a great “help” and enjoy it also. One tip, if you don’t already, is to baby wear. A good woven wrap saved my life! Thanks for watching!

[@17HannaMae]

@thehometownhomestead thank you! I have a moby wrap but havent had him in it since he was about 3 months old. We have another carrier that is more structured like a backpack and he likes it I just feel like he is in my way! Hes a large boy!!

[@thehometownhomestead]

@@17HannaMae the Moby is really stretchy and doesn’t support much past newborn. I have a Lillebaby Complete that is awesome and similar to what you have. My husband wears the babes in it often. Once you can comfortably get him on your back, you’ll have a bit more freedom of movement.

[@user-bw2cr9qo9b]

I love wheat berries. Also, I'll say definitely worth the extra work to prepare meals feom acratch.

[@thehometownhomestead]

I do too! We love the flavor or freshly ground wheat. I spent an entire day this week prepping some big batch meals. Be on the lookout tomorrow at 2 for my latest kitchen adventure, and thank you for watching!

[@nachis3]

Great video. I have A Monogram gas stove top in the middle of my kitchen. Wished I had gotten the full stove like yours instead. When my grids get super greasy I put them in my self cleaning oven I just take out the rubber stoppers on the bottom and they come out so clean.

[@thehometownhomestead]

When I was planning the kitchen, I marked our space for a 48 inch stove, and it basically took up the majority of the counter space I would have had. The 36 was a great solution. I LOVE my stove. It’s my right hand in the kitchen, and even better because I got a smoking deal on it. Thanks for watching! Hope to see you back soon. 🙌🏻

[@nachis3]

@@thehometownhomestead Yes it’s a great stove. I cook a lot of stir fry’s and love how the grids accommodate a wok on the bottom side. My home was flooded with hurricane Harvey so I was blessed with an amazing renovated kitchen. 😁

[@nature.nurture.nirvana]

Seriously could not be happier that the KZbin algorithm aligned your stars with mine😂Lisa at Farmhouse on Boone has long been my go-to homemaking gal but now that I’ve discovered you, I could jump for joy haha. Already loving your content so much, as a fellow SAHM, two under two, future homeschool, current homesteading gal myself. ❤

[@thehometownhomestead]

Lisa is a big part of my journey. Love her stuff. Someday I’m going to be on her podcast, even if she doesn’t know it yet. 🤷‍♀️😆 Thank you for watching, and thank you for the kind words! I’m so glad to have you here!

[@nature.nurture.nirvana]

@@thehometownhomestead 🤭I don’t doubt one bit that she’ll have you on one day!💜

[@YoungMomLife2005]

These are wonderful tips for someone with the space! I have an 800 square foot apartment, hoping I can do this for my family one day but we don’t have the space right now.

[@thehometownhomestead]

Tight space is definitely a challenge. You can steal any extra space you can find in the top of closets and under beds, but I can imagine you might already be doing that for other things. Hopefully your time will come soon!

[@mommamoore]

Thanks for sharing! This is the first time i have watched you. I was wondering where you got the white mesh type bag for your rings. I have mine on a stringer but they take up a lot of space. Thanks!

[@thehometownhomestead]

I have a couple of these bags and they’re so useful! amzn.to/3xU4PEN Thanks for watching, and hope to see you back soon!

[@kenziemayrae3568]

Love this so much, I think I'm gonna take the plunge and start canning, I been to scared! We have a billion tomatoes in the summer and used 15lbs to make ketchup- so fun! Probably made 4 bottles but better then them going bad! 😹🙌

[@thehometownhomestead]

This is our 3rd year gardening. Last year was my first time making tomato sauce, and it was WAY easier than I had imagined. I think we make it all out to be more than it is, so I hope you have a similar feeling when it’s all on your shelves! Happy Canning?

[@hotmessblonde]

Hi, would it be possible to do a video of all the small appliances you have? I saw a few in this video I would like to know more about! Thank you for sharing such informative videos. 😊

[@thehometownhomestead]

This is an interesting idea. The only think I can think of that hasn’t been shown lately is the electric potato/apple peeler. It’s a bit of a novelty, but really helps when you’re canning. Check out this link. Almost everything is here with the exception of my grain mill and perhaps my mixer, but that link is in the comments. www.amazon.com/shop/thehometownhomestead/list/1LFP7HAPAUOQL?ref_=aipsflist_aipsfthehometownhomestead

[@Pursuit_Of_A_Homestead]

Ok, the seasonings magnets is the coolest thing I’ve seen in a long time 😂 I was so bummed about the Better Than Bouillon, too! 😭 Loved this video and getting ideas on how to be a little more savvy with our grocery/food budget 🙌🏽🥂

[@thehometownhomestead]

I got the magnets around 6 years ago when we were short on cabinet space, in a tiny kitchen. They were a lifesaver, but they have taken a pretty major price jump since I bought them. amzn.to/3xS1QN3 Thanks for watching, and good luck with your food budget!

[@savinaa5208]

Where do you get those screw on lids for the 5 gallon pail? That's awesome!

[@thehometownhomestead]

I get them from Azure Standard. They had the best price at the time I was shopping. Thats also where I get my plain white buckets. The kids are SUPER helpful! Thanks for watching! www.azurestandard.com/shop/product/household-family/storage/buckets-pails-lids/lids/gamma-seal-lid-for-5-gallon-plastic-pail/8135?package=NF855&a_aid=2c8dc8a1b0

[@melissanash6801]

One of the most unfun parts of dealing with a big loaf of cheese is cutting it! I have found that if I use a hot pad on top of the end opposite the handle, it really saves my hand while cutting the loaf into smaller chunks. You can also shred all that cheese and freeze it for later use:)

[@thehometownhomestead]

I agree! It’s a pain, and thank you for the tip. As for shredding, I definitely agree. It’s one of my favorite ways to use bulk cheese, but this specific loaf is for fresh eating with deer sausages and such. I like to keep mozzarella and cheddar shreds on the ready because we use them often. Thank you for watching! Hope to see you back soon!

[@beep-beepwatermelon4203]

I do as much as I can in bulk! Food costs more in Canada, and it’s insane! When it takes me work to divide up bulk things, j remember that I’m “ paying” myself to do it. Great ideas!

[@thehometownhomestead]

Yes! I agree. I scored a deal on 40 lbs of chicken wings once, and definitely felt that way as I was vac sealing them all up. It was definitely worth it though, always is. Thanks for watching!

[@carolds7595]

Just found your channel and love it! Such a cozy home you've built for your family :) I love both dresses but wondered how tall you are? As a 5'1" lady, its so hard to find cute dresses that don't drag on the floor but I don't see lengths given on Amazon!

[@thehometownhomestead]

I’m 5’8, so your prob need to have the longer one altered at least. I should add that to my description because that is definitely important info. Typically mine get short really fast! And thank you for the kind words!

[@carolds7595]

@@thehometownhomestead Thank you!

[@thehometownhomestead]

@@carolds7595 welcome!

[@carolds7595]

@@thehometownhomestead sorry! One more thing, I dont see the bowl with strainer in your Amazon store, can you tell me where you bought that? I make bone broth almost weekly and that would be amazingly helpful.

[@AggieBayret]

I love your dress! Wher did you get it? Also, just starting with Azure and love them!

[@thehometownhomestead]

Thank you! Here’s the link. I always put links in the description IF they aren’t thrifted. Thanks for watching! amzn.to/3WJ3yLc (Disclaimer: I do receive commission from Amazon.)

[@lucindawilliams6838]

Don't unwrap the cheese. Just cut through the wrapper. No fingers on the blocks as you shrink wrap them. I love Azure Standard!

[@thehometownhomestead]

This is a fabulous idea. Thanks for sharing!

[@Askcyeda]

Hey! First timer - this has probably already been said: do you bungee and wall-strap your pantry shelf? As a mom of five a shelf of glass jars with no weight on the bottom shelf🫣 Beautiful kitchen & love your house dress❣️

[@thehometownhomestead]

Welcome! The shelf is secured, and the canners on the bottom are also massively heavy. Thanks for watching! Hope to see you back soon! 💕

[@Neverknewitall]

Can you do a video on the digital canner? I have never seen them and that would be an amazing addition!

[@thehometownhomestead]

I talked about it in the 2 I’ll link below, but it you have any additional questions, let me know! Canuary 2024- Carnivore Edition with Pork Butt kzbin.info/www/bejne/mKrcgYl_f6yGd8k Finding the RIGHT Pressure Canner [Comparing the Presto Digital to the All-American] kzbin.info/www/bejne/qGqmp6aCbJmWl8k Also, make sure to check out my affiliate link if you decide to purchase!

[@hugg724]

There are 2 well known brands of digital canners. Nesco/Carey is one. Presto (like is in the video) is the other. The Nesco is actually a slow cooker, pressure cooker and canner. It is more popular because it is only $100-$150. It is also the smallest. It holds 4 qt jars. It is great for small batch canning and cooking. The Presto is a pressure/water bath canner only. It is a little bigger than the Nesco and holds 5 qt jars or 7-8 pints. It is around $250 (I paid $180 last year). It is the easiest canner to use and great for beginner canners. I started with the Nesco and couldn't resist the Presto lol. I have an instant pot so I only use the Nesco for over flow canning now. I had a ceramic top stop in my last house and it was horrible for canning. I now have a gas stove and canner for big batches but I love the Presto for small batches!

[@Neverknewitall]

@@thehometownhomestead Thank you! I will certainly check those out.

[@Neverknewitall]

@@hugg724 How neat?! I have a regular ole pressure canner, but this seems so handy to have as well! I guess I know what I’m asking for on Monther’s Day.

[@thehometownhomestead]

@@Neverknewitall definitely a GREAT gift!!

[@unkolawdio]

I did save this morning,,I bought 5 instead of 6

[@84AnnieK]

Do you love your Ankarsrum mixer? I'm thinking of getting one when our KitchenAid eventually burns out. I bake almost daily, lots of sourdough as well (although I typically handmix that one).

[@thehometownhomestead]

Yes. Absolutely love. The dough is absolutely beautiful. I have an upload at 2 pm CST where I use it for pizza crusts. Check it out. On occasion, you can find a deal, but I also have a link in the comments if you can’t find one. It’s a rare person who doesn’t love it, although the order you add ingredients does change.

[@olesyakonovalova592]

My family of seven is carnivore and keto for the health reasons, so obviously our food budget is way higher. We do buy meat in bulk though and defrost as we go through it.

[@thehometownhomestead]

I love keto/carnivore! I did it for a while and am considering going back. I will say that I found that I ate WAY less when eating carnivore/keto. I couldn’t get a 3rd meal in and rarely wanted a snack. Sometimes even one meal per day was all I could handle. Do you buy 1/2 beef or a full hog at a time? That’s one way that we cut the cost on meat. We also are a family of hunters, so that also helps. We have often made jerky from both the beef and the venison, which works for a great snack. We also have a lot of our annual deer harvest processed into summer sausage for snacking, and breakfast sausage. That works well with eggs in the morning.

[@paulamcnabb7940]

I’ve been doing this now for 4 years. In the beginning some people laughed at me but no longer.

[@thehometownhomestead]

Lots of changes in the past 4 years have made this feel like a necessity. Thanks for watching, and I hope to see you back soon. 🙌🏻

[@jordanalbrecht959]

This is one of the best restock pantry videos I’ve seen!!! Love all your tips. Quick question: how do you “budget” for your bulk purchases? In other words, it would obviously be very expensive if you purchased all of these things at once. How do you manage spreading out the payments? As a beginner, I’m wondering where to start ❤

[@thehometownhomestead]

I simply started with what I was OUT OF at the time, and kept going, little by little. I’d say it took about 6 months to start adding in the “extras” like fancy cheeses and chocolate chips because we had a major drop in “needs” and could move on to “wants.” If you spend an extra $100 a month, you’ll have 50 lbs of flour, rice, and beans really fast. Also, getting the free buckets at a bakery vs nicer ones is also a great way to start. The biggest deciding factor in HOW FAST is quality. Initially my stuff wasn’t organic, bec it was 2020, and we needed FOOD. Thank you for the kind words! You can totally do this!

[@jordanalbrecht959]

@@thehometownhomestead SO helpful, thank you for sharing!!!

[@thehometownhomestead]

@@jordanalbrecht959 you’re welcome! If you come up with more questions, feel free to ask!

[@natashacolthirst2112]

You still have to invest in the equipment. You can just boil on the stove top, and beans also need to be soaked before consuming.

[@thehometownhomestead]

Equipment is necessary IF you want to can, but the investment is not always what you think. I was given the majority of my jars, and found a free canner that I gave to a friend since I already had 2. They’re often very cheap on the FB Marketplace, which is where I got my digital for half off. Additionally, canning can be completely removed from this method of purchasing, and it still works with a freezer. As for the beans, I’ve seen them done several ways, and I think it’s up to each person to do what they think is best for their own kitchen. I think many see barriers, and sure there are some, but there are also many opportunities for people to do this without breaking the bank, specifically when you’re saving so much monthly. Thanks for watching and sharing your thoughts!

[@melissajackson4173]

What the USDA factors in which you don’t is a LOT of people don’t have the luxury or don’t understand homegrown. I’m absolutely fortunate that I have food storage up to 6 months.

[@thehometownhomestead]

I think my generation specifically was raised on Hamburger Helper and potato chips. Many haven’t ever considered another way, and I’m hoping to start a shift toward a healthier, cheaper option. Congrats on your 6 months! Good security is a blessing. Thanks for watching, and hope to see you back soon.

[@melissajackson4173]

@@thehometownhomestead I hope so. I always want to learn to be self sufficient

[@melissajackson4173]

One thing I want to be confident and trust myself is canning. I’m petrified of it. I don’t want to kill anyone. Botulism…you can’t see it.

[@Kababy13]

Also, any recommendations for purchasing beef? Didn’t see any links with this video. Thank you!

[@thehometownhomestead]

2 Creek Butchery is my go to. They do have customers that travel from states away, but it will depend on your location. They’re in SW Missouri. The beef is amazing, grown on the ranch, so stays on his property, and he sells the same American Wagyu into many really amazing restaurants. If you do give them a call, tell them I sent you. I don’t get a thing out of it, but I love the crew that works the phones. 🙌🏻

[@Kababy13]

Thank you!

[@YeshuaKingMessiah]

No more freezing or canning broth! Get on a rotation making broth It keeps 10 days easy, in fridge if u don’t skim fat. Fat makes a fat cap that seals that broth and it’s fresh n sweet smelling when u take it out on day 10 (or 15!). Start it so it’s ready to be put thru mesh colander in morning at brk. I don’t strain as clear broth is meaningless. My broths can be spooned out of the jar. It’s all about using vinegar & gelatinous parts. I use backs, necks, wings, drums and ofc, FEET! I usually start in morning and cook till next morning. 24 hrs is my bare minimum. I decant into mason jars with plastic lids. Super easy to access over & over n wash. I make about 8qts weekly to biweeky.

[@thehometownhomestead]

I have a friend who’s about to butcher some chickens and I’m hoping to score some feet this spring. We are running meat chickens this fall so I will definitely be keeping a bunch for broth. Thanks for watching!

[@hugg724]

Where did you get your sink strainer? I really like that style.

[@thehometownhomestead]

It came with my sink, unfortunately. I looked for one similar online, and found 2 options but they’re not the same. amzn.to/4d7BOWg amzn.to/3Qgk5C9

[@lifeatthenutthouse]

I can beans like that all the time! ❤lifeatthenutthouse

[@thehometownhomestead]

I’m definitely happy with the process! Thanks for watching!

[@amy6843]

@@thehometownhomestead I have a digital canner but I don't know how to can beans the way you did-can you point me in the direction of a how-to? I think how I did mine in the past was to pre-cook them? Whatever I did, it was so time consuming I decided it wasn't worth it. But I would love to know how to do it your way! That was awesome!

[@thehometownhomestead]

@@amy6843 check out the 1870’s Homestead no soak beans. I saw her do it, and decided it was worth a shot!

[@nicolesobol936]

I have a friends that butchers and sells chickens. She makes bone broth from all the leftovers, and puts them in jars. She hates canning, so I do the pressure canning part. We split the product 50/50. It’s such a blessing to help each other!!! I think 2020 changed a lot of people kitchens, and cooking!

[@thehometownhomestead]

That’s a fabulous deal! We just put together our meat chicken coop today. We will be running our first batch this fall, but we’re using it this spring to keep our babies safe from our older layers until they can all run together. I’m excited for our meat birds!

[@earlglassco9702]

@@thehometownhomestead Out of curiosity, which breed of meat birds did you pick?

[@brendahowell5946]

Thanks great ideas! How many kids do you have?

[@thehometownhomestead]

We have 5, ages 10-2! 💕

[@bbrhody831]

I haven't looked since I took those back. 😢

[@user-vd3lv9fw3c]

We grew up with a giant pantry. A freezer of meats. Deli meats were bought whole and we sliced it at home. Mother worked at a deli and knew how to save money. As a working woman- it was important for me that my son never had soda. As a single woman- it’s easier to make food at home. Eat good quality versus the crap that gets served today in places.

[@thehometownhomestead]

My kids also have not had soda, but for my oldest having a taste of a cherry limeade about 6 months ago. He said it was disgusting! 😆 They stick to 98% water when we finish nursing, and I’m grateful to have made that decision. Sounds like you have lucky kiddos. 💕

[@lmagas-om9dp]

I want to do more of this. My challenge is lack of space for food storage.

[@thehometownhomestead]

This is a common issue. Many people turn a closet into a food storage space, while others add shelving to their dining room or kitchen. I’ve also seen people store things under beds. It is definitely a stretch to find the space, depending on the circumstance.

[@hermonorossco7988]

Where did you get your dresses. I love them

[@thehometownhomestead]

Thank you! I’ve been on the hunt for linen lately, and I’m so glad I found them both. The floral has amazing pockets, and the blue one doesn’t, but it is so cute and comfy that I’m giving it a pass without the pockets! They’re both from Amazon, and the links are in my vid description. Let me know if you can’t easily find them there, and I’ll relink them here. I’m not sure why, but shortly after I purchased the blue this spring, they took the dress picture off the site. It’s still the same dress, but the picture not available. Thanks for watching!

[@saltinlight8267]

Wr have a family of four and also spend about $800 a month on groceries using something similar to this method. We go to Costco though about twice a month. However they don't carry all I need like the big bags of sugar or wheat berries. So I'd really like to try azure since I have heard so much about them for a few years now. I know it would be worth it in the end but I have a feeling there will be a more up front cost to get started. How would you advise fitting an azure pantry stock into the budget while getting our veggies, milk, meat at the same? It's the only thing stopping me!

[@thehometownhomestead]

There is no membership or minimum purchase with Azure. You could just do a bag of wheat berries a month if you want, and that’s going to be less than $50. We also LOVE the Azure veggies. The longer we’ve used them, the more I’ve transitioned. I’m sure this seems crazy to many families, but we rarely buy milk. I probably have not purchased 10 gallons in the last 15 years. In the last month a neighbor has traded raw milk for eggs, but it’s just not something we ever transitioned the kids to, which is also a great budget help. They have always just filled up in food once we quit nursing. Feel free to let me know if you have any more questions, and thanks for watching!

[@tamicay925]

What kind of sink contraption is that? 19:53 ! I’ve never seen that before.

[@thehometownhomestead]

This was an accessory pack that came with our sink. I have actually looked online for something similar after many have asked, and there isn’t really anything similar out there. The sink is a KRAUS Workstation 45 inch, and we absolutely love it, along with the accessories that come with it. Thanks for watching!

[@kristadavis2825]

Try an instant pot for bone broth.

[@thehometownhomestead]

My problem is that I had more bones than space. I want to try this, but I think I need a bigger pot, or to work it up a bit more often. 🤷‍♀️

[@rachaelschuck9081]

You mentioned it the video that you took a look at what each of your meals cost, was there a certain cost per a person you were shooting for or a dollar amount per a meal that helped you decide if a meal was too expensive to keep in your rotation?

[@thehometownhomestead]

There wasn’t a specific number. It was more of just looking at what meals were most costly, and deciding if they were worth it. Too expensive will depend on each individual budget. For me it wasn’t that we couldn’t afford it as much as that it was offensive for that junky meals cost more, or even come close to, a steak and potato meal for my crew. It gave me a great overall picture of which meals were the actual “splurge” and if I felt those meals dictated that price. Most of the time they did not. I hope that helps.

[@4theFaith]

Canning seems so time consuming. And the start up cost for something I’m not likely to continue seems like a bad buy for me. BUT, maybe I can buy bulk and just cook from dry. I’ll need a video for that as well lol

[@thehometownhomestead]

Often you can find great deals on canning supplies on FB marketplace, or simply by asking friends and family if they have any. I got about half of my jars for free, and found a free canner for a friend just like this. That said, it does take time so if you aren’t typically at home, that’s definitely a consideration. If you’re there, the bulk of the time is hands off. Thanks for watching, and happy bulk buying!

[@cats6111]

This is misleading. If you have a garden and chickens, and a family member who owns a butcher shop….well then yes, your grocery bill is cheaper. While bulk buying is smarter, and a great “tip”…this is not how you have a lower grocery bill. Gardening is, without a doubt, contributing to that. Otherwise, you might just be spending 1600-2k a month (that’s my bill :( for a family of 5, but no garden or coop here [we live on a steep hill ]. Lovely vlog, but come on, be fair-

[@thehometownhomestead]

I pay retail from my brother’s shop, just like any other customer, and added the cost of my chicken feed into my budget. It also includes many of our body products, and even some clothes, because I included everything we purchase at Walmart for the sake of not digging through receipts. Gardening can be done on a balcony in the right planters, but I do stick to basic crops and keep enough tomato products to last the year, including salsa. My garden is basically tomatoes, cucumbers and peppers. Back to the chickens, they are NOT a savings. I spend more on high quality feed than we spent in eggs before getting them, but we love them, and we love the egg quality from the better food, so we pay the price. I think many people assume it’s not doable in their current circumstance, but I know people in the city who have a similar method and budget.

[@cats6111]

Depending on how many chickens you have, right? If you spent 150-200 bucks on organic chicken feed, and you receive an “abundance” or “overflow” of eggs, well, that still doesn’t equate to grocery store prices (organic eggs are about 100 bucks a month for a family of 5, as that is my metric). IMO, still clickbait/misleading. I am not really trying to knock you, but I just don’t buy it:)

[@thehometownhomestead]

@@cats6111 so you’re saying that spending $150-$200 a month of need instead of $100 at the store on eggs for your family is still saving me money? Interesting take.

[@cats6111]

Well, simple math either proves or disproves my point. My family consumes about 12 dozen eggs (144 eggs), probably more, but that’s a clean average, spending $100 per month. If you spend $100 per month on organic chicken feed (50 lbs), that will feed about 12 chickens, which could net you 360 eggs per month, or 30 dozen eggs. So, on average, you are saving money, and have an “abundance”. Again, I think that is lovely, but, you are not being forthright.

[@thehometownhomestead]

@@cats6111 I’m taking in what you’re saying, but as long as I’m spending more to have my own chickens than you’re spending at the grocery store, you’re still spending less monthly on eggs than me. Do we have extra? Yes. We often give them to our parents who also feed our kids for us. Thanks for watching, and have a great day.

[@MB-rf9lb]

Curious why u take the rings off the beans when they are done?

[@thehometownhomestead]

Jars should be stored without the bands, per the canning safety experts. This prevents any false seal situation. If the flat has a problem on the shelf, it will be loose, and you will notice. If the ring is on, this might not be the case, as food can even impact the seal.

[@lynahowells8413]

Where did you find that cutting board/strainer set?

[@thehometownhomestead]

It came with my sink, unfortunately. I’ve scoured the internet for something similar after multiple comments like this, and I can’t find anything wooden, although here is a similar idea from Amazon. amzn.to/3xViRpL

[@lynahowells8413]

@@thehometownhomestead Thank you

[@ChristineSpringerElaine]

I learned how to pressure can meat and everyone in the house eats it, even my cats and dog :) As expensive as meat is, it's still cheaper than buying expensive treats and junk cat food.

[@thehometownhomestead]

Very true on the animal food thoughts! Thanks for sharing.

[@mariannebergen4904]

I live in a small apartment not a lot of space for food storage so buying in bulk doesn’t work well

[@thehometownhomestead]

Space definitely complicates things, but often there are smaller spaces that could be maximized, like under the beds, in a tiny closet, etc. That said, you know your home. If you don’t have the space, you don’t have the space.

[@crystaljordan7318]

Did you mention where you buy your bulk spices?

[@thehometownhomestead]

I usually buy them at Azure Standard, but I’m still using up some that I’ve purchased from Sam’s previously. Azure is definitely my fav. Here’s the link to the last one I ordered. www.azurestandard.com/shop/product/food/spices-seasonings/spices/cumin-seed/ground-powder/cumin-seed-ground-organic/7566?package=HS608&a_aid=2c8dc8a1b0

[@crystaljordan7318]

@@thehometownhomestead thanks! We have shopped Azure before. I get my bread flour from them. Still using a bread maker since I have killed 2 sour dough starters. Yikes! Maybe this will be the year I figure it out! 😂

[@kaylavillalobos1779]

Interesting. Nothing here I don’t already do except we don’t buy that azure cheese as it’s out of the budget yet we just had to bump the grocery budget a bit .. $1k / wasn’t cutting it for fam if 6 oldest being 11 though. They are growing and good eaters. No eating out cooking all from scratch. Eating from the garden and eggs from our chickens…😌

[@thehometownhomestead]

There could be several variables. One is that my meat cost is excellent, even at retail. Another would be the area of the country. I know prices vary even from one Walmart to the next on occasion. I also find that the price of my scratch meals vary greatly. Have you priced out your menu to see where the bulk of the cost is going? Perhaps it’s a couple of meals that you could skip or tweak? That said, if it’s in the budget and you’re cooking quality food for your crew, that’s all that matters. 💕 Thanks for watching, and I hope to see you back soon!

[@AdarableKitten]

You can make home made potato chips made healthy

[@thehometownhomestead]

Absolutely! They’re also much cheaper. That said, they take a bit of time. I think we we all started making our own “junk food,” things would improve drastically.

[@punjabseth260]

👍

[@mardwella]

💜💜💜💜💜

[@jenerisman]

Hmmm…do I need to consider a digital canner??

[@thehometownhomestead]

I definitely do recommend for anyone who’s wanting to dip into some preservation! It’s really awesome. Make sure to snag my link. 😉

[@ritahamm1893]

So I see others canning dried beans without cooking partially and hot packing. But I’m afraid to bc it doesn’t meet standards for pressuring canning appropriately. Please convince me bc this looks so much easier.

[@thehometownhomestead]

I have stuck to the book before this round myself, for this reason. That said, I don’t trust the government to tell me what’s safe or isn’t in most facets of my life, and people have been canning beans this way successfully for generations. There are no added ingredients, processing times are the same. It’s not the equivalent to adding dairy, or something similar, which I wouldn’t do. This is one reason that I didn’t discuss technique though. Any time I’ve canned on my channel in the past has been by the book, so I didn’t want to give instructions here. I have found that my beans previously were a BIT overdone in the past and mushy. These are not, so I’ll probably keep doing it this way. My goal here is definitely not to convince you. I’m just sharing my logic on how I felt comfortable moving in this direction. Hope that helps, and thanks for watching!

[@ritahamm1893]

@@thehometownhomestead I truly want to can this way. I know Jessica does. I’m 63 and my mom was an avid canner bc my dad and she grew all our vegetables. But my mom always followed ball canning book directions. I have 9 grandchildren and I believe in being prepared. I have a year worth of black beans canned and now I want to do pintos. I had a smart moment back in 2020 and was able to can lots and lots of ground beef at $1.99 lb. And chicken breast at .99 lb. That blessed our family for the last several years. Every time there was sickness or one of my kids had a huge repair bill I would pull out the canned meat and take several jars. Used my last canned beef and chicken back in Feb when torrential downpour flooded my daughter’s basement. She has 7 children, homeschools and runs her own nutrition business. She is a CedRD. Anyway the world went crazy and I filled my empty jars with anything I could get my hands on. I admire you younger moms for your resourcefulness. You are a survivor.

[@mrsupchurch2987]

Whoa wait!!!! You can can dry beans? And they’re completely cooked when done?? Where have I been?????

[@thehometownhomestead]

Many people do this, including a good friend of mine, but it was my first time trying it. They turned out great, but I’m not “recommending” people do anything that they’re not comfortable with in their own kitchen. Thanks for watching!