Ask a Food Blogger: What Are Free Range Meats?

Question: I keep seeing in my grocery store certain meats being advertised as ‘free range.’ They are much more expensive than ‘regular’ meat. Can you tell me why this meat is called ‘free range’, why it’s so much more expensive, and if it’s better for my health? This is an excellent question! Since you’ve really asked three questions. . .I’ll have to give you three answers. What Is Free Range Meat? Free range meat is a cut of meat from an animal that is allowed to roam in unrestricted pastures. Sort of. The USDA defines the term ‘free range’ such … Continue reading

The Gluten-Free Diet

The Gluten-Free diet is an excellent choice for people who have certain health conditions. It is not ideal for everyone. Before you begin a new diet, it is a good idea to speak with your doctor about it. What is the Gluten-Free diet? A gluten-free diet is one that excludes foods that contain gluten. Gluten is the general name for the proteins that are found in wheat (durum, emmer, spelt, farina, farro, KAMUT, khorasan wheat, and einkorn) rye, barley, and triticale. Gluten acts as a glue that holds foods together. People who go on a gluten-free diet stop eating foods … Continue reading

Breakfast Items that Freeze Well

One of the ways to save money is by avoiding the expensive cost of breakfast. You may be overspending on this important meal if you rely on convenience items, such as dry cereal, individual oatmeal packets, and store-bought frozen breakfast items, from sandwiches to pancakes. To reduce your spending in this area, consider preparing your own breakfast items and freezing them for later use. This way, you will always have a ready breakfast at hand, no matter how hectic the morning turns out to be. You can approach preparing freezer breakfast items in at least two different ways. You can … Continue reading

The Coupon Policy at Food 4 Less

One way to lower your grocery bill is to use a lot of coupons. Unfortunately, those coupons will do you no good if they don’t adhere to the store’s coupon policy. It is always wise to review the coupon policy before you visit the store. Here are some important things to know about the coupon policy at Food 4 Less. Manufacturers Coupons * Food 4 Less accepts free product coupons (but not the ones that were printed from the internet). * They accept “Buy 1, Get 1 Free” (BOGO) coupons. * Coupons must have the phrase “Manufacturers Coupon” printed on … Continue reading

Food: The Discretionary Necessity

When it comes to expenses, food is a tricky one. On the one hand, food is a necessity. We need to eat to live. On the other hand, it is also a discretionary expense. The amount of food we purchase, the type of food and the amount we spend on food are all at our discretion. We can make positive changes that will affect how much we spend each week or month on food. Two families, made up of the same number of people could have vastly different grocery expenses, depending on a number of factors, such as where they … Continue reading

Spring Into Summer for Free

This weekend marks the unofficial start of summer; a time when most families hit the road in search of sun and fun.  Whether you are heading to the Jersey Shore, making tracks to Florida’s coastal communities or cruising to California, you can experience sun, sand, and surf without sacrificing your entire summer travel budget. The trick is to take advantage of the free activities and amenities offered at your vacation destination. For example, if you are planning to travel to San Diego this summer, there are a slew of family-friendly options that won’t cost you a dime to enjoy, including: … Continue reading

How to Make a Weekly Frugal Food Plan

Food is quickly becoming one of the biggest expenses in the average family’s budget. Attack your food budget with a weekly money-saving plan. Each day pick a task that will help you save money on your food bill. Developing a weekly frugal food plan can reduce the cost of feeding your family. Below, you can see an example of my own weekly frugal food plan. You can use it as a guideline and customize it to make it your own, so it makes sense for you and your family. Sunday Go grocery shopping with a list and coupons. Distribute bulk … Continue reading

4 Frugal and Free Easter Goodies for the Kids

Celebrate Easter and thrill your little ones all while still staying frugal. Like so many frugal practices, it not about doing without but in how you go about getting what you need. Even the Easter Bunny is tightening its belt these days, it seems. Here is some advice that will keep the Easter bunny on track no matter how many little ones he has to deliver to. Baskets If you don’t already have the baskets you need around your home, just get creative. An inexpensive sand bucket usually costs less than an Easter Basket and is a bonus toy that … Continue reading

20 Ways to Get Free Entertainment

Free Entertainment is all around us. We just have to reach out for it. 1. Free movie rentals from Redbox. Search for “Redbox codes” online. You’ll get at least one free movie rental a week when using the Redbox video machines. 2. Free Lego Build Event. Each month Lego stores sponsor free building events for ages 6 through 14. Kids can build a new Lego model each month (this month it is a log cabin) and then take it home. 3. Free video games from the library. Chances are that your library is stocked with video games for current systems. … Continue reading

Valentine’s Day Sales, Coupons, and Freebies

Valentine’s Day isn’t too far away. Do you have everything you need? If not, then you may want to check out these special Valentine’s Day sales, deals, coupons, and freebies. If Valentine’s Day is your very favorite holiday, then this is the blog for you! Quizno’s has a coupon for a free cookie. There is no purchase necessary. Just visit Quizno’s on Valentine’s Day, February 14, 2013, and use the coupon. Yankee Candle has a limited edition Valentine’s Day candle. Get a True Rose Jar Candle or True Rose Tumbler Candler (and Hearts Jar Candle Holder) for $34.99. These are … Continue reading