pantry Frugal Pantry Staples Save You Time and Money

In our never ending quest to save money and be healthy, my husband and I have delved into stocking our pantry and freezer with staples that can be purchased in large quantities for a fraction of the regular price. Many of the items are very versatile and can be combined in numerous fashions. Some of the staples we stock are:

  • flour (white, whole wheat, multigrain, pastry)
  • yeast (instant, bread)
  • dry milk
  • chicken broth
  • beef broth
  • vegetable broth
  • diced tomatoes
  • tomato paste
  • tomato sauce
  • canned veggies- mini corns, mushrooms, pumpkin, 
  • various spices & seasonings (the basics: garlic powder, oregano, basil, red pepper flakes, thyme, salt, pepper, etc)
  • dried veggies (peppers, etc)
  • various condiments (worcestershire, soy sauce, etc)
  • vinegar
  • rice (brown, jasmine, long grain, wild, white, sticky)
  • oats
  • sugar (brown, white, palm)
  • honey
  • maple syrup
  • pasta
  • peanut butter
  • canned tuna
  • dried beans (garbonzo, black, kidney, white)
  • lentils (red, green)
  • nuts (almonds, cashews, pecans, pine, etc)



That's just the basics. In the freezer I keep chicken thighs, chicken breasts, ground meats, fish, seafood, etc. and these are bought in bulk and when on sale. We always make sure to package them, label them, and freeze them right away. We also log them on our inventory.

You might wonder, why keep all that food in your pantry/freezer if you aren't going to use it? Oh, but we do use it! Just not right away. I would much rather buy something on sale and put it away for another day, then to have to pay full price later on! Another reason, it keeps me from having to make multiple trips to the store. More trips to the store, even with a list, usually ends up with extra items not needed and adds up to extra money spent that wouldn't have been spent had the pantry been stocked. We try to go to the store only twice a month, and that is usually to stock up on fresh produce. It also helps us meal plan and make sure that each week we are eating healthy yet tasty meals. Lastly, it keeps us from eating out on the spur of the moment just because there's nothing 'on the menu' or we're too busy. In my pantry, I can make a super quick meal for less than even fast food would be.

Another trick that we use is to shop around. Always look at your local flyers or go online and compare prices. That way you can be certain you are paying the best price. Also, make a list and stick to it. This will ensure that you aren't spending extra money on food that you don't need.

Some people swear by coupons but we don't use them a lot. Coupons have disadvantages. One, they are usually for convenience or prepacked foods loaded w/ junk that we don't eat. Two, they are not always a good deal. Just because there is a coupon for an item, doesn't mean you are paying a low price; it just means you are paying less than that specific store normally charges. If you are going to use coupons, use them only if you would normally buy that item anyway or if the item with the coupon is less than the cost of the cheapest brand.

So next time you go shopping, pick up an extra box of pasta or that bag of beans to stay in your pantry. Slowly you can watch your pantry grow, your diet improve, and your grocery bill shrink. 

Frugal Pantry Staples Save You Time and Money Miss T has written 579 articles on this blog.

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