Tips on Tuesday: Buy Now, Save Later

Would you like to save some on your grocery bill this fall and winter? Now is the time to buy ahead and save. Want some quick (and fairly easy) ways to save money in the future?

While fruits and vegetables are in season, buy ahead and freeze (or can) for winter. I will be the first to admit that I know absolutely nothing about canning so I obviously don't go that route. If you do know how to can or are willing to learn, you can put up a lot more fresh fruits/veggies to serve in the long winter months. For the rest of us, I try to steam veggies and use a food sealer and freezer bags to save veggies for later. You can flash freeze berries by putting them on a cookie sheet in your freezer until they are frozen. Transfer into sealer bag or freezer plastic bag. This works for berries (strawberry, raspberry, blueberry) as well as grapes.

One tip I have is to cut corn off the cob before sealing. You'll have the fresh on the cob taste in winter, but it's easier to freeze when the kernels are off the ear.

Another great way to save is to purchase winter meats in the summer months. Right now during grill season, stew meats are at their annual low prices. Buy purchasing the meats off season, you can freeze and save a lot of money for winter. I have been known to cook up some stew meat and freeze it precooked, but I also keep a lot of it raw. Then when the weather turns cold and I want soups or stews, I have the meat that was purchased at a bargain price.

Enjoy the bounty of the harvest now, but make sure you save some for later.