I hate reading posts like this.  The ones where someone tells you the great deals they found–that you can’t get. I hope you will humor me a little and not throw tomatoes.  There’s a purpose (besides shameless bragging…)

Dirty Don’s is a salvage store.  I’m not sure where they get their stuff, but it looks like restaurant supply and mis-delivered or damaged train cargo. There are stores like these in major cities spread across the United States and most people have access to some sort of deal if they know to look.  Some days I go into a store like Dirty Don’s and leave empty handed–not every day is a haul.  In fact, I’d had so many bad days that I stopped going for awhile.

But a friend called and bragged about her awesome purchases, and I ran right over to see if there was anything left.

Here’s what I got: 4 boxes of Larabar’s with 16 count each at $2 a box.

4 bottles of KC Masterpiece BBQ sauce $.50 each

2 containers of Feta cheese: $.50 each

9 lbs of Fajita Chicken Sausage: $6

9 lbs of Spinach Asiago chicken sausage: $6

24 lbs of shredded rotisserie chicken breast: $15

lunch box size individual organic Strawberry applesauce:  $.25 for 4 servings

Cottage Cheese:  $.50 a 24 oz carton

Cereal (off-brand of Special K with freeze dried strawberries.) $1 a box

3 pkg of Burrito Size Tortillas: $.50 a bag of 8

Individual lunch box hummus containers:  $1.50 for 12

And organic white blueberry tea: $1.50 a box

Everything that could be frozen went straight to the freezer.  Then I started planning my meals based on the food I just got.  I didn’t decide what I was going to cook, then make a list and go buy it.  I looked at what I have and said, “Now what are you going to do with this stuff?”  I love the creativity that comes with this way of thinking.  Sometimes amazing new dishes are born.  On the first night we had feta chicken wraps on tortillas (imagine that :).) And all that cottage cheese will become protein pancake batter.

So anyhow, the point is–look for deals.  Know your prices!  Just because it’s at Dirty Don’s doesn’t mean it’s a good price. Use a portion of your grocery money each month to buy those amazing deals (and if there aren’t any deals–save the deal money for when you find the mother-load.)  Then fill your freezer and pantry (watch for expiration dates.) And use what you find.  I still spend a portion of my budget each month on fresh produce, dairy etc.  and to fill in some gaps–but this is the main way we feed our family for so little.