LIVE! $17 Weekly Grocery Haul for 2 Adults And Meal Ideas | Grocery Budget Audit

[@sandraortega898]

In the 60’s and 70’s everyone entertained at home. Friends would come over for coffee during the week. Friday night was penny, nickle poker night. We all had a coffee can with change. I miss the old days. I hardly know my neighbors living here 10 years.

[@kerrynwright]

Another great grocery audit! Nancy's doing an amaaaaazing job! Congrats! After I've done the grocery shopping & bought as much as I can on half price or reduced price, then I decide what goes onto the menu plan from what I've bought. I usually write up about 3 weeks of menu plans just for the main meals. It's written on a whiteboard on the side of our fridge. Sometimes we just swap a meal around if we want to change it, but it means that we don't have to think about what to cook for dinner, which is half of the battle! It also means that we rarely throw out food as about once every 10 days we cook soup to use up leftover veggies & also have a leftover night to use up leftover frozen meals. 🥰Blessings from South Australia💕🐨

[@rebacarmack8335]

Friends of ours can well afford anything they want when going out to eat but almost always they split a meal and drink water. They spend their money on adventures- marvelous trips.

[@emikosan8712]

I ACCEPT FREE. Husband ate a large free potato. Our son gave us large nine potatoes. WE HAD POTATOES THAT GREW WITHOUT HELP too. Free harvest.

[@davisholman8149]

Tastes better when it is free😜.

[@CookingwithCatLover0330]

I love her freezer. I label and freeze everything. I make a meal that we don't eat all of, I freeze it for a later meal. I do make freezer meals but I freeze leftovers too. I have the top shelf in my freezer for lunches or single portion meals. We both take lunch to work. I love these videos. Jill, I love that sweater. Don't get me wrong but I call it the Elmo Sweater. :) I love that quilt, Jill. I'm learning to quilt. Teaching myself to sew and quilt. Beautiful!

[@blanchefful]

My grandma was a very good cook, and she used very simple recipes. When I was older I was amazed to learn she never used spices in her pies. You'd never guess! Her apple and pumpkin pies were awesome! She also made fabulous lemon meringue and in California she used lemons from her tree! Yum! I belong to my local senior center and they have a food bank every week and I've gotten all kinds of things. Blueberries, apples, bell peppers, onions, fresh herbs, potatoes, pears, bread, eggs, cheese, cookies...it saves me lots of money!

[@AnnaJones-r7i]

Yes a stock pile in my closet. I also have some under the bed and even behind doors😊. Milk in a bag is in some places in the US too. The first place I saw it was in Minnesota.

[@marjoriebouwens6000]

My parents always saved their coffee in an insulated pot on their counter each day. They also brought their insulated pot to church with them and took the coffee that would have otherwise been dumped down the drain. They did like to see anything go to waste.

[@crystalh450]

Love these kinds of videos. A lot of people dont know what to look for to save money at the store and with everything constantly becoming more expensive, it is becoming more and more important to be able to save money for essential things like being able to feed your family.

[@roseannbradley3724]

LOVE, LOVE, LOVE the quilt and table runner!! 🥰💖 And thanks Jill for the tip about the Dollar Tree rotary cutter blades! 👏😁

[@Myfavorites877]

My mom used her leftover coffee in a chocolate cake mix instead of the water. Yum!

[@jillcooper172]

Yes that is a really good idea and I forgot to mention last night too I use in poured over my roast when I make to to make the gravy richer and darker.

[@Myfavorites877]

@@jillcooper172 yum!

[@caitlinross8601]

Sweet potato with fried or scrambled eggs on them and a little butter or even a sprinkle of brown sugar is my favorite fall breakfast.

[@jackiec9285]

Good show tonight!! I like using cloth shopping bags in my little freezer. I have bread, rolls, cookies in one. Cooked meats in one and raw meat in one. Frozen vegetables and other miscellaneous items in the top basket or on the shelf. When I have to look for something, it’s easier to take out the bag and rummage thru that instead of the whole freezer 👋

[@blanchefful]

Thank you, great idea! I'm going to do that!

[@kciv22]

Love the Quilt!!!! Have never made one but that is BEAUTIFUL!!!!!!!!

[@eamer6029]

At Walmart if you see prices ending in .00 such as$ 2.00 that item is being deleted...lots of the spaghetti sauces and soups have been deleted ..if you see your favorites with a .00 price get as many as you can😢..it's even true with electronics and cleaning supplies

[@BootsandBountyHomestead]

I do buy lots of fruits because we just purchased a freeze dryer and it is making life so much easier saving money on food for long term storage. We are loving all the tips, saving money, ideas, and sales for our pantry!

[@lynncostello7007]

Love the grocery audits and love it when you have Mom on there too!! You guys are awesome and we love all of you!

[@vbo9872]

I too really enjoy her Mom

[@FMYR]

We use the reusable coffee pods. By using the reusable pods and making 1 cup of coffee at a time we don’t make coffee that we don’t need.

[@mollygardens6646]

My grandmother was a healthy frugal farmer’s wife. She used a wide variety of spices like curry powder and cardamom that were unheard of by her contemporaries.

[@carolbrownell950]

Love these audits!! So glad to have you two back this fall. Glad you took a break but glad to have you all back!!

[@DuchessOfQuilt]

I always accept any kind of free food! I got a kick out of the pronunciation of Becel because that’s how my mother used to say it. It’s actually pronounced bay-cell. ☺️ I save leftover coffee too.

[@mycupoverflows7811]

We freeze our leftover coffee in ice cube trays and either reheat or use for iced coffee. My husband LOVES coffee. I got him a grind-and-brew coffee pot for his birthday a few years back, so we buy mostly whole bean. Soooo delicious.

[@lois6635]

Jill, your quilting projects are beautiful.

[@BootsandBountyHomestead]

Yes, I can and preserve food as ingredients, not meals. I have an ingredient kitchen so I can mix and match and it's not "stuck" to one thing. I do can specific sauces, but they are also interchangable with dishes. They go so much farther!

[@christinewallace9251]

I have freezer/fridge and pantry envy! Hers are so organized and minimized and looks so neat and clean.

[@pamelafreeman4548]

Jills quilts are so so pretty! Thanks for the tips on the blades! I am going to see if our Dollar tree has them!

[@SusieLeam-pe5uh]

I have bought 4 or 5 sets of 1 & 2 & given the away, Everyone loves them!!!

[@waterbuckethomestead]

Great idea on how to cook & freeze sweet potatoes. I will definitely try this technique when they go on sale.

[@jillcooper172]

We didn't mention it but after I mash them I will put them in my dehydrator and dehydrate them. They take up less room to store, just add hot water and a little butter if you want and they are ready to go.

[@waterbuckethomestead]

@@jillcooper172 good to know

[@jenfrizzell8030]

My sister gives me food pretty often, opened, all good to me! I love it!

[@elaine-65]

I do my potatoes in a 7 quart airfryer (Costco $49). Takes less time to preheat and airfryer than my oven. I like to cut up and mix white potatoes with sweet potatoes , olive oil, salt and pepper. They come out so crispy . Airfryer easy to clean.

[@juliephelps7616]

Free produce, etc is awesome. As far as storage for pantry, I have something in almost every room. Canned stuff under the bed, spare room is a mini store, pantry full, husband's office has some stuff stored in it like batteries, etc. Daughter's room has extra personal care products for herself including toilet tissue. Hall closet has extra canned goods and boxed goods. Any space that can be used is used to hold storage of extra goods. I wish you would do a video on making bulk spice mixes for gifts. I see the recipes in your books and want to make them for gift giving in baskets, like tex-mex or Italian pasta baskets, ir soup mixes with mug baskets. Seriously loving the new series.

[@reginasipes4248]

Another KZbin lady I watch is from Canada. She saves the milk bags for freezing other items. Apparently, the bag is thicker and holds up well.

[@Myfavorites877]

Bev?

[@reginasipes4248]

Yes!!!

[@PamelaBellisario]

We eat the same that Americans for Thanksgiving!!! 😊 I’m An American living in Canada and get to celebrate twice!!! Lucky me!!!! 🎉🎉🎉

[@jillcooper172]

Lucky you is sooo right Pamela. Yum!!!

[@melinaz3385]

1 O yes, free produce and anything because free can be processed just as easy as any other foods, like Tomato Salsa, Tomato sauce.! On Sweet potatoes, in the microwave, 6 to 10 minutes pierced wrapped in damp paper towel. The average cost of grapes this fall season is 4.50 a pound fyi or 5 a pound depending on the type. Freeze fruits in small bite size pieces, and have them as treats throughout the month, last at least 6 months.

[@melinaz3385]

no, don't mix ground beef and pork, we don't use pork or shell fish

[@dawnmorandin541]

My neighbor goes to Tim Hortons ( coffee shop ) twice a day for two large coffee's for himself and his wife, timbits every time ( small doughnuts ) cost $16 ca a day !!! that's $480 a month !! he is drinking his future away, of course he rents the house because he can't afford the down payment.....my mortgage is only $333 a month

[@bonniebrown1305]

I live in Canada as well and it always shocks me every morning to see the huge 0:24 lineups at Tim Hortons!

[@cascadinglocks]

Enjoy your new format . 20+ years ago changed how I shopped and ate. Only purchase foods on sale. Took about a year to be stocked to the point of shopping my own stockroom. Major, major difference. Shop only sales.

[@atdepaulis]

Oh my gosh can you teach a quilt class!!! Online, I really want to do it again and cannot remember all the steps and I want to do more for family ❤

[@emikosan8712]

An extra little fridge makes me happy too.

[@wisemammabear]

And coffee grounds to for plants

[@sheilathomas4654]

I've been buying food items from Dollar & Half Store for many years. I've tried everything. The bread snacks are not as good as the name brands, but kicks that sweet snack❣️ Everything else has been Really good. God Bless🙏🦋

[@deedeesmith3073]

I bought a keurig at a garage sale quite a few years back but then saw how expensive the pods were and redonated the thing🤪 I’m back to using a Mr Coffee 🥰

[@KerryJames-l6z]

We need to go back to basics living on disability that all we can afford it tastes better makes you feel better

[@laurakunkle3267]

I am totally enjoying these grocery audits. I find myself explaining my pantry when putting food away. And while going shopping. Of course, people look at me funny because I keep forgetting to turn on my inner monolog instead of talking out loud. Lol

[@jillcooper172]

LOL Laura. Too funny.

[@deborahcaudill7306]

Yes I have my closet w/two chrome carts. I need to use cardboard pieces to make shelves more level. Thanks.

[@lenaw2098]

I mix up my own "all purpose" seasoning and keep it in a decorative jar next to the stove top. It's literally just salt, pepper, onion powder and garlic powder in the ratios we like. I use it on 95% of what I cook and it's such an easy, quick and inexpensive way to make everything taste great.

[@normamason3185]

Yes, I accept anything I am given also. I am a conduit in my community. (I think of this as a ministry when I am given all kinds of things I can't use, but accept anyway, and re-distribute). In New Jersey, we have a lot of Italians near where I used to live, and in all their stores, they sell a combination of ground beef, pork and veal. That is supposed to be the ideal combination for meatloaf. I am making chili today with a combination of ground beef, ground hot sausage and ground turkey. no stockpile in the closet, but I have 2 6' tall wire shelving units, like you have in your basement, one in my dining room and one in my living room. I cook with salt, pepper, granulated garlic, onion powder, paprika, chili powder, cumin mostly. I have rotisserie chicken seasoning, and Montreal steak seasoning (put it on oven roasted potatoes, it will change your life!). I so agree with Jill that the plainer the vegetables and meats, you get to taste the meat, or the potatoes themselves. I agree with your mother about meal planning. I have lists, one for just things to make with chicken, another of just meatless meals, and there are no weird ingredients or weird spices in them. Jill was talking about eating out and how people order so many items etc. My family owns and runs several booths at one of the flea markets here in the city. My sister-in-law told me that she, my brother, her grown son, and his son were working, and decided to order from Subway. It was over $50 for the four of them for lunch. She was so flabbergasted that she bought a small microwave and a small drink refrigerator for the flea market and they will be bringing lunches from now on. I had tried to convey this to them before, but it fell on deaf ears. The cost of lunches will go down, but there will be convenience and/or homemade items for lunches to take the place of ordering out. There must be a youtube channel of just the leaves changing. Bet you could find one!

[@amandamason4034]

Watching from Scotland :)

[@kciv22]

Finally breaking down and ordering your books I've wanted so long! You all do such a Great Job!!!! Thank You with sharing all the help you give!!! 71 and living on SS is hard. I pray God blesses me with good health to keep my part-time job. KC(Vicki0

[@alekxa90]

I only buy bottle water for Hurricane Season in Florida. We drink after the season

[@kathylovejoy2569]

One day I am going to figure out HOW to buy your cookbooks, In Canada. Kathy in Alberta Canada

[@LivingOnADime]

Hum...well looks like I need to make a trip to Canada. Do you think customs would stop me with 300 books hidden in the back? LOL

[@deniselucy58]

Looking good

[@sherrithompson9157]

I always accept them

[@carolbrownell950]

We.take any and all free items!

[@joyfoster4292]

That's a beautiful quilt Jill!! ❤

[@janeulness2119]

When I had an apartment , I had an ottoman that had storage in it I used fir canned goods.

[@KerryJames-l6z]

I have Oates for breakfast but my daughter brings raisin bread so it's one peace raisin bread and coffee for breakfast toasted sandwich lunch with salad afternoon tea a biscuit or small yoghurt dinner leftovers from batch cooking

[@9jlg]

Yes on free produce!

[@hollynelson3336]

1 accept free produce, this fall I've gotten loads of tomatoes, rhubarb, apples.

[@oliviafox6745]

1 for the coffee. Actually learned from a new englander to brew coffee for a couple days and heat it up as needed.

[@carolsmith2969]

Yes

[@anetteholm6384]

Your quilts are so beautiful, Jill! ❤

[@valerielyle5721]

Like ice coffee. Compost coffee grounds. I make a pot of soup with vegetables then separate into individual meals in the freezer. I can take 1 and make rice or noodles or kale or spinach to add. Add grated cheese or green onions or seasoned croutons to change the flavor. Making a basic beef vegetable or chicken vegetables soup you can barly, roast vegetables, quinoa using my imagination.

[@rgrays2380]

I save my coffee .1. I also save the grounds for compost. There have been times I've been given grounds from the food pantry to use as compose!

[@lynhead52]

I save coffee. You can use it recipes or make ice coffee. If i have boxes of cereal i use the wax paper bags it comes in to store left overs.

[@barbeskilson6132]

Not every part of Canada has bagged milk. We don’t have it in Manitoba. Our Thanksgiving meal is: Turkey, ham, meatballs, stuffing, mashed potatoes, cabbage rolls, perogies, salad, gravy, cranberry sauce, pumpkin pie, and possibly butter tarts, and other dessert. Same meal at Christmas and Easter. Best meals of the year!

[@rosannasauereisen2827]

I thought Ontario was one of the only provinces that has bagged milk?

[@barbeskilson6132]

@@rosannasauereisen2827 not sure about all the provinces. I just know Manitoba doesn’t have bagged milk.

[@lindafisher8353]

I buy milk in a nearby dairy, lots of cream, I can take off for butter or coffee creamer, then I pour it into plastic water bottles and freeze, then just pull out what you need, doesn't spoil. Shake well when thawed.

[@Verycelticlady1]

At the supermarket, they usually have a tray of ground beef, ground pork and ground veal (all separate but on one tray) for meatballs and meatloaf.

[@lisaclairemont9579]

We save our leftover coffee. My husband likes to make iced coffee with it.

[@nadineabbott]

We have a Keurig , my husband is the only one drinking coffee maybe 2 or 3 a day. BUT a few months ago I switched to buying the refillable pods. Usually the Walmart Great Value brand is the cheapest.

[@kellybarrington9057]

We buy the ground beef and sausage mix from the store that way. It's called Boston Burger around here and it is great for meatloaf, hamburgers and such. Much cheaper also.

[@shannidm]

Yes. But years ago in Oregon and just 3 weeks ago again, at Kroger I bought it mixed, hamburger and pork. I have mixed chorizo and ground beef for tacos at one time.

[@kristy1799]

We bought a coffee pot that does both a regular pot of coffee and also the K-Cups...we use the regular coffee pot side 95 percent of the time...I keep some decaf k-cups that we use if we have guest that need decaf and a couple specialty k-cups that I like for a treat especially around the holidays but my husband hates flavored coffee and he drinks way more than me so having a few of them let me enjoy one once and awhile as a treat while he still has his pot of regular coffee.

[@seamisty1917]

I've mixed hamburger and chorizo together. YUM!

[@seekingjoynow1722]

Italion spaghetti sauce commonly mixes sausage and ground beef. I have never seen it premixed in California stores.

[@rebacarmack8335]

Nancy is killin it!

[@marycherek1927]

We can buy milk in bags here in Wisconsin. Kwik Trip a chain of gas stations/ mini mart. Cheaper then buying in plastic jugs.

[@cynsim]

Yes in my guest room closet

[@debbiegilbert1961]

Great show ladies👍👏 I always accept free produce🙂

[@lindawarren171]

Thank you ladies, loving the show. I have to ask what beauty regime do you both use? You both have such good complexions. God bless you both

[@RainieandPatches]

Beautiful quilt and runner, Jill. It takes a lot of love and patience to hand quilt. 🥰

[@jillcooper172]

Thank you. I love hand sewing so hand quilting fits the bill.

[@Grannysgarden22]

I like the plastic reusable cups

[@lindafisher8353]

We have Boston Grind in our meat counters, half ground beef half ground pork, its very good and cheaper.

[@margiemurphy3336]

I live in St. Louis we have a Meat mixture for meatloaf Hamburger pork & veal

[@helencantimagine]

No, I don't save coffee; I drink all of mine! I use a percolator; no filters are required. I drink black coffee, no need for creamer or sugar. Our power goes out sometimes. I make coffee ahead and put it in the frig. If the power goes out, I take a metal pie or cake pan and set 3 to 4 tea candles in the pan. Cover with a baking rack. I pour my coffee into a small pan, and the tea candles are enough to heat up the coffee. I bought the tea candles years ago; heating my coffee is their only use. If the power doesn't go out, I do drink that coffee.

[@Lexi-po1ur]

Free is good #1

[@teresawalker2543]

I love free!

[@nancyelizabeth8364]

We eat the same for thanksgiving Turkey and stuffing gravy veggies mashed potatoes and yes cranberry sauce and pies for dessert like apple or pumpkin pie

[@amandamason4034]

we use sausage and mince or steak for casorals or in slow cooker

[@sherifox6551]

1, yes, I mix my ground beef and sausage sometimes.

[@Martipenny]

1. Yep I accept anything free. If I can’t use them I’ll give to someone else

[@michellejaggard9657]

I love sweet potatoes, I had never heard of anyone eating the outside until 2 weeks ago and a channel I watch the family eat the peel of the sweet potatoes? Have you ever tried this, I just can't imagine myself. I mix ground pork and ground beef together. I love the French Vanilla Cappichino from A Quick Stop. I found the same bags they use in their machines (4 of them in a case) from Amazon and I make my own at home and add some whipping cream. Delicious and get it for pennies a cup. The 4 bags I keep in the freezer, using only 1 at a time have lasted me over a year.

[@lindamiller7059]

Ground bead and pork at Walmart. It’s not sausage cause it isn’t seasoned

[@ginapiano5593]

Our carrots here are on for 1.99 for 3 lbs tomorrow!! 🇨🇦 amazing deal!

[@salonsavy6476]

No frills has 15lb for $10

[@auroranight3779]

Oh my, only 4-6 spices?!!? Heavens NO, I have spices from around the world and I use them, regularly! I must have at minimum: salt, pepper, garlic , onion; cinnamon, cloves, nutmeg, ginger... I DO make all of my own spice blends, sauce mixes and gravy mixes.

[@wendyw4023]

I save my leftover coffee from the small pot I use to make coffee. I'm only allowed one cup of coffee per day, because of tachycardia issues. I save the leftover coffee for the next day at room temperature. Only takes 1 1/2 minutes to heat it in the microwave. For the Keurig people, they can buy a plastic gadget that they can reuse to make coffee. I have one that I used at work and took my own coffee grounds to make coffee in the Keurig at work, back before I retired.

[@jamio3708]

I’m a coffee snob! I hate the Keurig! Coffee does not taste nearly as good as brewed, french pressed, or cold brewed coffee. I buy special coffee beans too! Sorry no Folgers in my household 🤪Still astronomically cheaper than buying the cheapest priced Keurig pods.

[@Crashcourse3806-v2n]

I have a keurig and use the refillable pods and fill those with clearance coffee :)

[@bet3lyn3G3]

Turkey spiral applewood ham pumkin pie, yams smashed potatoes,mushroom gravy, cilantro salad 🇨🇦

[@bet3lyn3G3]

Stuffing cranberries

[@davidechandler3830]

Do you have a cookbook for cooking for 2?

[@ksewald91]

We built a new house with a big canning pantry. Also use a small closet and a bedroom closet for bulk grain and rice.