Destined for Deals, Parsippany Mom Offers Tips on Running a 'Frugal Family'

My husband and I live with our two daughters, Siberian Husky and two cats here in Parsippany. Our major financial goals are to remain debt free, except for our mortgage (which we would like to pay off early), and college savings for our two daughters. To meet these goals, we save where we can and live a fun, but relatively frugal existence. 

First, I must offer my credentials. I come from frugal folk. My paternal grandmother once took apart a leather jacket, got out her sewing machine and created two cute leather coats for her miniature schnauzers.

She also opened up a broken table fan and created a nice-looking hanging plant basket from its face. My maternal grandparents have not bought a roll of plastic wrap, since the mid-60s when a roll that was as fat as a mid-sized industrial pipe came into the house. 

And, if you need to stop by my parents’ house in the summer, you’ll spot the tomato garden alongside, but will be beckoned by my mother’s pantyhose, which neatly affix the tomato vines to their posts. 

One of my favorite ways to save money is through eating at home. It saves money, it saves calories, and it can even save time with a little planning. My goal is to cook dinner six nights per week, give or take a day depending on our schedules.  I grocery shop once a week and look to get the highest-priced item (meat) at the lowest price, so dinners are based off of that.

The best tool I have is a great cookbook. I love “The America's Test Kitchen Family Cookbook Revised Edition” in hardcover. It is durable and it has simple tabs like “poultry,” “vegetables,” “fish” and “meat,” so once I know what is on sale, I find a recipe to go with it. There are more than 1,200 recipes in the book and many 30-minute meal options.

We generally have meat, a starch and a vegetable at each meal. Starches can be pantry items like brown rice or a side of pasta, or something like a fresh, hot baked potato. In terms of vegetables, I generally buy what is in-season and on-sale, and also use frozen vegetables at times. I always have a lazy day option in reserve, such as frozen tortellini, jarred sauce and bagged salad.

April 22:  Celebrate Earth Day at Starbucks; bring in a reuseable travel mug and get it filled with coffee or tea for free
April 22:  Get a free reusable shopping tote from The Disney Store when you bring and recycle five plastic shopping bags.
April 23: Free tree at Lowe’s to celebrate Earth Day
April 24: Dine-in at Applebee's and get up to two kids (under 12) meals for free per adult