McClellan: Strategies for stretching food dollars

A bargain? A bargain, you say? Let性视界传媒檚 look at several options for spending our food dollars wisely.

First, I realize we are talking about different situations, age groups, family sizes and a vast difference in economic needs when discussing food dollars. I am not sure of the demographics of you readers, whom I consider friends, but I sort of think that many of you are not in the early stages of building your families.

Those are/were the days when three meals a day were required to keep all nourished. The age group 60-plus, still, of course, must have nourishment, but it does not have to be provided and prepared in such volume or at such cost.

Not many of you can identify with this statement, probably, but I love to go to the grocery store. Of course I don性视界传媒檛 like spending money, but I like to look at new products, bargains and for ideas to pass on to you.

You may remember that I have told you about stores that mark down produce two days before its suggested 性视界传媒渆nd date.性视界传媒� One store makes them half price, another only 25%. Others do not mark down at all which distresses me greatly.

In some of the grocery markets, if you notice the date published on the package, and it has not been reduced, ask the person working in the produce area about it. Almost every store will reduce meat products that are still good and will place in a particular area of the meat market.

Now let me confess here: A bargain is not a bargain if it is not used, then spoils and must be tossed. I am trying very hard to use every bit of any food item I purchase. Don性视界传媒檛 be too proud to use coupons, and if something is on sale, if it is limited, you can probably be assured that it is a good buy.

Stores have 性视界传媒渓oss leaders性视界传媒� to get you in the store where you will not only buy the bargains, but other items 性视界传媒� needed or just wanted.

Many people shop at the warehouse stores, Sam性视界传媒檚 and Costco. There is a fee to have membership. Some people share this fee, and though we don性视界传媒檛 buy large quantities, I have found that the reward or 性视界传媒渒ickback性视界传媒� pays the membership fee.

I buy several items there to use in bulk, but the consistent item that I buy, which I consider is the best buy for the money of all, is the rotisserie chicken at Sam性视界传媒檚. The price for a 3-plus-pound chicken has not changed in at least 10 years. I can get three meals at least from one chicken. This cooked chicken is almost half the price of a raw chicken.

I got a recipe last week from my friend, Tammie Bell, who is the business office manager at the Hawkins Creek Assisted Living facility where my husband lives. I have mentioned before that he is suffering with the dreaded disease of Alzheimer性视界传媒檚.

This is a new recipe for me to use rotisserie chicken other than for soups, salads, a main dish and countless other ways.