by Carolyn Paradis

Created on: April 05, 2009   Last Updated: April 06, 2009

Times are tough. For many of us it has become a challenge to feed the family nourishing meals and still make ends meet. There's plenty of good advice available on how to do that; our local TV station recently ran a week long series on how to save at the grocery store, and it was full of good ideas. You all know the basics:

1. Always write a list before you shop.

2. Don't shop when hungry, or with children along. (if possible)

3. Check the weekly flyers for the best prices, sales, and coupons.

4. Take advantage of such specials as 2-for-1 offers, day-old bakery items, clearance sales, or the latest innovation, grocery auctions.

5. Buy in bulk - a 10 lb. package of hamburger meat can be separated into small freezer bags to provide a great many meals; burger patties, meat loaves, meat balls, casseroles, etc.

6. Buy locally..in summer great bargains can be found at farmer's markets, flea markets, roadside stands, and gifts from your gardening family members and friends.

7. Plant a vegetable garden. Get the kids to help with weeding and watering, and they'll feel involved. When it's time to harvest the vegetables, they will also share in the joy of having helped provide delicious fresh food for the family. And you don't have to worry about added chemicals, insecticides, and the ozone layer. (no transportation involved)

8. Think soup. A package of inexpensive beef bones, some fresh veggies, a handful of barley, herbs and spices and a big pot. Nutricious and delicious. A stewing fowl will make a huge pot of chicken noodle soup. Leftovers can be frozen in plastic containers for lunches later on.

9/10. And my favorite money savers: crock pots/slow cookers and bread machines.

I hadn't used a crock pot in decades, but saw a nice one at a garage sale for $5, and my memories of savoury stews and soups prompted me to bring it home. I Googled crock pot recipes and found so many I'll never get around to trying even a fraction of them all. A cheap cut of meat can become tender and mouth watering when slow cooked, and with your fresh vegetables, potatoes, and savory gravy - a dish that will tempt the pickiest eaters. They are great for soups as well. Before leaving for work, put 2 cups of dried green peas, 2 large potatoes, cubed, a diced carrot and onion, and a ham bone into the crock pot, add 8 cups of water, salt, pepper, a couple of bay leaves and a dash of Worcestershire sauce. Set the dial to medium. When you get home, dinner is ready! And it cost under $1 per serving.

Bread machines

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