Grandma's Frugal Recipes
From LoveToKnow Save
Many of today’s busy families use their grandma’s frugal recipes they remember from childhood in order to save money and still put good meals on the table. If you need to tighten the purse strings but don’t want to compromise on nutrition or flavor, the resources below may help.
Review Grandma’s Frugal Recipes
Sometimes the best recipes come from within the family. Get in touch with a family member who may know of some of grandma's frugal recipes and other family favorites you haven’t tried before. You may be surprised at what you uncover. From casseroles to chocolate cake, most families have a recipe or two that has been handed down for generations.
Don’t have a cooking lineage or hand-me-down recipe box in your clan? Consider starting your own tradition by creating your own frugal recipes using your family’s favorite base ingredients. You might end up creating something your future grandchildren will love.
Miserly Moms
Many stay-at-home moms and budget-conscious families have started money-saving blogs to help others. A great example of this is Miserly Moms, run by author and spokeswoman Jonni McCoy. From goulash to pizza burgers, she has family-friendly recipes on her site that won’t break the bank. Many even list the total cost and cost per serving, so you can tangibly grasp how much money you are spending and/or saving.
Frugal Dad
Sometimes grandma’s frugal recipes don’t have to come from a grandmother at all – sometimes they can come from a dad eager to help out his family and share discoveries with others. That’s the story behind Frugal Dad, a website that contains all sorts of money-saving tips, and includes recipes. He also hosts a recipe swap forum for when you need a quick idea. Looking for a cheap and quick dessert idea? Try Frugal Dad’s chocolate chip parfait.
Cooking with Clara
Sometimes the best money-saving advice comes from the kitchen of a woman who has seen hard times before. Meet Clara, a great-grandmother in her 90s who has been filmed for a series of YouTube videos called Great Depression Cooking. Her simple yet flavorful recipes have become a hit on the Internet, thanks to Clara’s bright demeanor and nostalgic tales of growing up during the Great Depression. Her website features her video clips, a blog, and information about her upcoming cookbook. You’ll love Clara’s simple charm as she cooks and recounts her life for her adoring virtual audience.
Frugal Living Tips
Frugal Living Tips provides inexpensive meal options for you in a fun and friendly way, assuring you always have something to make for dinner. One big draw to this site is its Frugal School Lunches section, so kids can eat healthily yet inexpensively.
Tips for Frugal Feasting
No matter what recipe you use, you will need to be a wise shopper to truly save your pennies. Many families have found that making a grocery shopping list before you go to the grocery store (and sticking to it!) can prevent them from buying unnecessary items. It can also cut down on the amount of sweets and treats you consume, as many are an impulse buy.
Discount grocery stores are abundant across the nation, and are a reasonable alternative to your favorite local market. Many carry a large selection and can be just as fulfilling as mainstream store options with their name brands.
Buy basic staples in bulk. Flour, sugar, bread, meat and beverages can all be purchased in large quantities by discount warehouses. Invest in a deep freezer to store large quantities of food you know you’ll use in time, and try to find recipes that use your bulk item as a main ingredient.
If you have a backyard or an area in your home that can be converted into a miniature greenhouse, you may consider growing your own fruits and vegetables. Young children especially love learning about nature, and it is a good opportunity to teach them a valuable skill while encouraging them to eat their greens at the same time.
Taking advantage of grandma’s frugal recipes while applying modern shopping smarts will help you get your footing in this tough economy. Don’t be surprised when the dinner table looks better than ever before.
Learn More
This page has been accessed 1,641 times. This page was last modified 20:26, 27 October 2009.
© 2006-2009 LoveToKnow Corp.

Visit us on facebook