Here are the best ways to save money in the kitchen. Eating for less does not always mean lower quality or less, it just means that you buy the stuff that is cheaper, plan ahead and buy bulk food instead of TV dinners.

Here is a list from GoneFrugal.com:


Stop Eating Out
Too many people spend a fortune on fast food diets that are slowly killing them and murdering their wallets. It doesn’t matter if you are single or not, preparing your own food at home is less expensive and healthier.

Plan Your Meals
It is easy to save money if you will sit down for a few minutes each week and plan your weekly menu out ahead of time. This way you can easily see what you have one hand and what you will need to purchase, create your grocery list and even check the coupon circulars and web sites for sales on the food you are going to eat anyway.

Use Leftovers Creatively
Stop thinking of leftovers as a drudgery and instead try to envision what you can turn them into.

The next time you have chicken, don’t toss the leftovers, turn it into a small chicken salad that will be just enough for a good sandwich that you can take with you to work the next day. A leftover hamburger can be crumbled and mixed with some macaroni, cheese and tomato sauce for a delicious and low cost alternative to prepackaged options like Hamburger Helper®

At The Supermarket
Instead of buying convenience foods, start by stocking your pantry and refrigerator with the basics that can be turned into all sorts of meals that you probably already love.

Amongst the best ways to save money in the kitchen is of course also coupon shopping

There are many strategies to save money on gifts and in a year where the economy and our personal budget is not great it's even more important.

Here are some tips presented by mlive.com:

THINK OUTSIDE THE GIFT BOX -- ``I like giving my kids an experience as a gift,'' Swager said. ``Last year, my mom gave my daughter, Lydia, quilting lessons and her sister, Harriett, crocheting lessons. ... The wonderful part is that they get to spend time with the gift-giver and create memories.''

CONSIDER THE PRACTICALITY OF THE GIFT -- Take the recipient's budget into account when you buy a gift. If your brother is strapped for cash right now, five car washes for $30 might be much more appreciated than that obligatory $40 sweater you might grab at the last minute. You both win.

THINK OUTSIDE THE MALL -- While many shoppers don't usually think of convenience stores or a local pharmacy when it comes to holiday purchases, they can be cost-savers. ``I found out that my pharmacy gives a $25 gift card when you transfer a prescription,'' Swager said. ``So when I used my $25 gift card with the $5-off-a-$20-purchase coupon, I bought a $30 gift for the $5.47 cost of the transferred prescription.''

WATCH FOR ``PIGGYBACK'' OFFERS -- If you plan to give a restaurant gift certificate, watch your mailbox for coupons or call around for ``piggyback'' gift certificates. For instance, Kumo Hibachi & Sushi in Portage is giving away a $10 gift certificate with every $50 certificate that is purchased. TGI Friday's in Kalamazoo offers the same deal.

GIVE A GIFT THAT WILL SAVE YOU MONEY LATER -- For teenagers, especially those of driving age, consider stocking them up with the stuff they need cash for all year long. Gas cards and oil changes are handy, along with gift certificates for fast-food, movies, bowling, arcades and laser tag. Those gifts will keep them happy and socializing -- on their own dime -- long after Christmas.

for more strategies to save money on gifts

Dog food coupons can take a big load off your monthly budget, especially if you have a few dogs to take care of.

There are websites that are offering printable coupons online. When you go there, make sure that you dog food supplier or supermarket actually accepts printable coupons.

Call them up, tell them about the coupon and if they accept it, print the coupon out and bring it with you next time you go to buy dog food.

Make sure that you don't go past an expiry date, if there is one on the coupon.

Start your search for Dog food coupons on websites like Doggiecoupon.com

How to save money on your pets is great, especially if you have 4 like us. You vet bills can run up really high if you are not taking care of your furry and feathered friends.

Here is what the Olympian featured in regards to saving money on cat and dog care:

• Schedule your dog in for his annual checkup. Many canines don't exhibit symptoms of illness until it's too late. Early diagnosis can prevent your pet's symptoms from becoming life threatening and keep your dog from picking up additional illnesses due to a compromised immune system.

• Don't skimp on quality food. Contrary to popular belief, the best way to save on dog food is to buy quality items in bulk rather than purchasing cheaper items. Skimping on quality typically means missing out on many nutrients your dog needs.

• Don't overfeed your dog or give him human-food handouts. If you insist on sharing your food with your dog then consider small portions of carrot, broccoli, or apple chunks. These are all healthy low-calorie treats most canines love. You can also ask your vet for dietary recommendations.

• Make sure Fido gets the proper amount of exercise for his breed. Activities such as taking your dog for walks, visiting your local dog run, or throwing a ball around will keep your pooch in shape and prevent obesity, which can lead to many health problems such as diabetes, arthritis, torn ligaments and heart problems.

• Brush your dog's teeth. You should brush your pet's teeth a few times a week and get regular cleanings at the vet. This will prevent the build-up of tartar and gum disease, which can lead to kidney disease, liver disease and infection.

• Look for discounts. While you should never skimp on visits to the vet, you may be able to reduce costs. According to Consumer Reports, more than 60 percent of veterinarians will discount services if you bring in three or more pets during one visit, while 50 percent will give discounts to senor citizens who own pets.
• Invest in your pet. With healthcare being one of the most important aspects of responsible dog ownership, pet insurance allows owners to care for their pet's health in the same way they do for themselves and other family members. And, for the many dog owners who are put in difficult situations emotionally and financially when their dog becomes sick or is injured, it can help alleviate the heart wrenching decisions over whether they can afford treatment. A small, monthly fee covers the cost of preventive medicine and the treatment of illness and injury. Higher deductibles reduce premiums and make insurance a more viable option for many budgets.

Tips on Saving Money are not just related to obvious things like dollars you spend on gas, electricity or groceries, but of course on all aspects of life.

You can save money in so many ways, and even though you might only save little on a specific thing, all savings will add up in the end.

Just a few months ago our water bill went up quite a bit, so we called the water company and they told us that because there is more load on the sewer price, the water bill went up. Great.

Well I put my garden plants on rations and started to look for ways on how to save water in the household.

Then I came across this Tips on Saving Money video in regards to toilets.

Water is very valuable, and using less water does not just conserve water, but also means less load on the environment.

Don't flush your money down the toilet.

Never heard of LED Christmas lights?

LED stands for light-emitting-diode

Wiki says:

LEDs are widely used as indicator lights on electronic devices and increasingly in higher power applications such as flashlights and area lighting. An LED is usually a small area (less than 1 mm2) light source, often with optics added to the chip to shape its radiation pattern and assist in reflection.[2][3] The color of the emitted light depends on the composition and condition of the semiconducting material used, and can be infrared, visible, or ultraviolet. Besides lighting, interesting applications include using UV-LEDs for sterilization of water and disinfection of devices,[4] and as a grow light to enhance photosynthesis in plants.

Have a "green" holiday: save money and the environment says:

Many local hardware stores carry LED Christmas lights, which are up to 90% more efficient than traditional incandescent Christmas light sets. They cost more up front-- but they'll save you money in the long run.

The U.S. Department of Energy says if all conventional incandescent Christmas lights in the country were switched with LEDs, we could save enough energy to power 200,000 homes for a year.

"They last a lot longer so you don't need to get rid of them as soon. And they're a lot smaller so there's no mercury in them like fluorescent light bulbs would have in them," said Jim Wicke from Ace Hardware Store.

LED lights are also safer than conventional Christmas lights because they produce much less heat.

"You don't have to worry about it leaning against something that's combustible or anything like that," Wicke said.

Check your local hardware store for some great holiday sales for LED Christmas Lights (for both indoor and outdoor).

I know Cheap Christmas Gifts doesn't sound that great - and it's probably better to say how to save money on gifts.

The economy is down and we need to make sure that we still manage to get gifts for all our family. Planning is probably the most important factor in saving money. Those who choose last-minute gifts always pay a lot more than those who plan in advance or even buy all their gifts much earlier in the year.

WMTW promotes the clever idea to Buy Gifts At Craft Fairs. Check it out:

Paula Giguere is like a lot of people this time of year, gift-shopping for that special someone. Giguere decided to hit up an Augusta craft fair to get some good deals.

"I think $12, for what we're getting here today, is pretty good," said Giguere.
Click here to find out more!

She’s right too. News 8 found a sample personalized children’s book online for $14.95, even without the extra shipping costs; that’s a savings of $2.95.

Sarah Johnson, of Saco, just snagged a new bracelet, her second piece of jewelry bought at a craft fair in less than two weeks.

"I think the prices here are excellent. I mean, probably half the price if you went into a store or the mall. Prices are much better and I think the quality is much better as well," said Johnson.

Craft fairs also offer unique items that you won’t find in a store, like children’s placemats made with chalkboard fabric. The cost: $15.

And then there are fresh, homemade sweet treats.

Fred Merrill said selling his fudge at craft fairs means his customers will get a fresher product.

"Basically, I want to produce a good product and have it fresh, and to have to deliver it to a store and stuff, there's time in between. This is all made within two or three days of a show,” said Merrill.

Craft fairs also give you the chance to talk directly to the artist, something Clever Covers owner Ariana Barron appreciates.

"When I sell at craft shows I'm talking directly to the customer. So I know what they're looking for, so I can meet their needs better as far as color and pattern," said Barron.

For some customers, the savings is more about supporting local crafters, something Lamarr Clannon, of Litchfield, calls recycling money.

"When it comes to the holidays, I think shopping local is very important. It's about keeping the money in the community," said Clannon.

Cheap Christmas Gifts don't have to be of low quality - just be creative