Save More Money - Make It Yourself!

I know after the last post you were all thinking, "Great!  I can [node:690,title="save money cooking from scratch"]!  Now what?"   Cooking in any way can be a daunting task, so here are some expanded suggestions to help.

As a young wife, I bought Bisquick regularly.  We were both in college and working, so it was a very fast "go to" for breakfast or dinner.   Then the cost of the stuff started gnawing away at my budget brain.  Ounce for ounce, it was one of the higher priced items on my receipt.  So I looked up "make your own Bisquick" online, and found some easy recipes for about 1/4 of the cost.  The best part was that I could even make it with some whole wheat flour.  But it required shortening, and that gnawed away at my healthy brain.  After making a couple of batches, I had a realization:  "Is this really worth it?"   

What was I making with Bisquick?  Pancakes, bisquits....  That's about it.  Do you realize how incredibly easy it is to make pancake batter from scratch?  I've got it down to about 3 minutes!  And biscuits are a cinch, too.  I've got a super easy drop bisquit recipe, and a more labor intensive one for when I have more time. So I quit buying Bisquick, and have never gone back.

I kept finding the same scenario in many items I bought.  Why couldn't I just make these things myself and save a bundel?  I'd find the most expensive (per ounce) items I was buying pre-made, and looked online for alternatives.  Cream of Something soup is made cheaper (and way more healthy) using milk, butter, flour, and bullion or a few simple spices.  And it takes only seconds to whip up - with no preservatives, artificial ingredients or colors.  That box of Hamburger Helper is about thirty cents per ounce.  What are you paying for?  Noodles and some artificial ingredients that constitute a "sauce".  You can buy a bag of pasta, a can of crushed tomatoes, and some spices for about ten cents an ounce.  Plus, you'll have leftovers for lunch! 

Most people don't realize the value of powdered milk.  In any recipe that calls for milk, use powdered milk and save yourself 60% more money.  Instant powdered milk takes seconds to mix up, and is indistinguishable from regular milk in recipes.  I just got a gallon of powder for about $9.  it will make 50 gallons of milk!   I just mix up a cup or two as my recipe calls for.  No more spoiled milk.

Even things like window cleaner can be made for much MUCH cheaper.  Windex is about twenty cents per ounce, but with a few basic ingredients, you can make it for 5 cents an ounce.  I've even started making my own laundry detergent!  Instead of spending fifty cents a load, I now spend ONE PENNY!  And it only takes about 45 minutes to make enough to do 100 loads!

Start simple, do a few substitutions or from scratch recipes a week, and gradually work up to cooking most of your meals yourself.   A person going from mostly premade, boxed foods to mostly from scratch food can easily save 25% on their grocery bill.    That savings can really add up, and your wallet will thank you!

Pancakes

2 eggs, well beaten

1/2 c. milk

2 T. oil

3/4 c. flour

2 t. baking powder

1/2 t. salt

1/2 t. sugar

Mix everything together and pour onto medium high griddle or pan, about 1-2 minutes on each side.

Easy Drop Biscuits

2 c. flour

3/4 t. baking soda

1/2 t. salt

1/2 c. butter or margarine

1/4 c. vinegar

1/2 c. milk

Sift together flour, baking soda, and salt.  Use a hand mixer to cut in butter.  Mix together vinegar and milk, then pour into dry ingredients.  Dough will be sticky.  Drop by spoonfulls onto a greased cookie sheet.  Bake at 450 for 12-15 minutes

Biscuits

2 c. flour

1 t. salt

1 1/2 t. baking powder

1/2 c. butter or margarine

2 T. sugar

3/4 c. milk

Mix flour, salt, baking powder, and sugar.  Use a hand mixer to cut in butter until the mixture resembles corn meal.  Gently stir in milk.  Roll out to about 3/4 inch, and cut into circles.  Bake at 450 on greased cookie sheet for 10-12 minutes.

Window & Multisurface Cleaner

1/2 c. rubbing alcohol

1 1/2 t. ammonia

1 1/2 t. liquid dish soap

Pour all ingredients into a quart size spray bottle.  Fill within an inch of the top with water.  Shake vigorously.  Use on windows, counters, floors, and more!

Laundry Soap

1/3 bar of Fels Naptha Laundry soap, or a full bar of Ivory or other mild soap FINELY GRATED

1/2 c. washing soda (not baking soda)

1/2 c. borax powder

These items can be found in the laundry aisle, or online. 

2 gallon bucket, large soup pot

Melt grated soap in 6 cups boiling water.  Add soda and borax and stir until dissolved.  Pour into bucket and add 1 gallon plus 10 cups of water and stir well.  Let stand over night.  Use 1/2 c. per load.