Comments on: Cheerful Frugality Considers Convenience

By: Charlie

Charlie — Tue, 15 Sep 2009 01:38:05 +0000

Did you know that you can freeze waffles that you make and they will go in the toaster just like the premade ones? Next time you make waffles, make extra and freeze them. Benefits of homemade and convenience rolled into one.

By: Michelle

Michelle — Sun, 12 Oct 2008 20:59:58 +0000

For me convenience foods make a nice alternative to eating out. I would rather spend $4 on a frozen pizza on the nights I don’t feel like cooking than hit the fast food places or an even pricier restaurant for $20+.

By: LTrice

LTrice — Sun, 12 Oct 2008 18:27:59 +0000

I like to ‘harmonize’ the scratch with pre-made at times – As a working mom, I find that veggies from the stalk are more perfect for my small children, because they PACK nutrients – When it somes to frozen veggies, I’ve learned they pack the same nutrients, than those from the can…
Not against store bought canned veggies, just don’t prefer ‘em when making them ‘naked’ and not in a soup or something… blame my grandma for that one…

When it comes to waffles/pancakes premade – I can’t praise the generic makers enough for thinking of it – I always buy the ‘store’ brand as opposed to the names – same thing I believe -
I love to cook from scratch – I make over so that I can freeze half – much healthier – because I get to control the sodium and fat in the meals – When you buy a boxed lasagna to freeze, mama’s can’t control the bad stuff … Plus, just enjoy mine better…
Prepackaged salad is okay and cheap where I get it – but the liberty in adding your own carrots, cheese, brocolli? and raisins is always great-

Diabetes runs heavily in my hubbies fam, and over the last few years, he’s lost 30 pounds – Want to keep the blood pressure and sugar at bay -
Thank God for Meredith, who inspires us to be smart, efficient and frugal mom’s…

latrice, ‘wminw’

By: Jora

Jora — Tue, 07 Oct 2008 15:43:07 +0000

Hmmmm. Both.

I remember one day when we went Orienteering with the girl scouts. I packed a lunch, but, when we drove off, the lunch stayed home, sitting on the kitchen table.

When we finally made it back home … tired and hungry, I was sure glad to have Marie Calendar’s frozen entrees stockpiled in the freezer.

OTOH, I have a wonderful recipe for chocolate chip cookies. I make up a large batch and freeze the dough. That gives me convenience plus make-it-myself.

So, I guess it depends on your daily situation.

By: Monique

Monique — Tue, 07 Oct 2008 14:50:24 +0000

I think there is a balance–I make a lot of things from scratch but when I choose convenience foods, it’s exactly for that reason–convenience.

By: Sallie @ a quiet simple life

Sallie @ a quiet simple life — Tue, 07 Oct 2008 12:57:20 +0000

Meredith – Thanks for the link!

By: Steph

Steph — Tue, 07 Oct 2008 00:30:24 +0000

For me, it’s a mix. On the one hand, cooking is more frugal, plus I have food allergies that mean that even convenience food is more expensive for me. But I also have to be realistic. If it’s a busy week at work, I know that I’m not going to cook, and if I don’t have convenience food around I’ll wind up going out which is even more expensive.

I also factor in the amount I’d need to make. As a single person, a whole batch of pancake batter will just go to waste before I can use it. I’d much rather buy frozen and not waste food.

By: Ewokgirl

Ewokgirl — Mon, 06 Oct 2008 22:46:25 +0000

I’m all for cooking from scratch, but sometimes it’s just not feasible. There are times when the convenience is worth the cost.

As I’m typing this, I have a can of refrigerated biscuits waiting to be heated to go with our dinner. I worked today, and I have a dance class tonight. I don’t have time to make biscuits from scratch today. Another day, though? Sure. But for tonight’s dinner, the convenience of pre-made was worth the cost.

By: Amphritrite

Amphritrite — Mon, 06 Oct 2008 16:40:38 +0000

For six years, I didn’t own a microwave. I know, crazy, right?

Well, I just moved into an apartment that had one built in, and you know…I still don’t use it. You know why?

Because it seems like everything that I would put in there are freezer foods – boxed crapola that is full of salt and preservatives. Things that aren’t good for me or my family or those I choose to entertain.

Thus, I make a LOT of things by hand. I have a rice cooker which has become the best appliance I EVER bought – it cooks things quickly without having to go through the fuss and waste of using the range top.

I’d rather eat healthily and spend a little time on making my own food than using my microwave and settling for ‘convenience’.

By: Shannon M

Shannon M — Mon, 06 Oct 2008 16:32:21 +0000

I was all about doing everything myself until the kids started piling up:) During pregnancy and the newborn phase I’m constantly reminding myslef that having a baby is more valuable to our family than baking bread or or even making dinner from scratch every night. WIth small children and homeschooling, time is a priority – but I make time when I can for doing the things that save the most money.