We live around the block from a C-Town where we do most of our food shopping. A Food Emporium and a D’Agostino are also nearby but are overpriced. Shopping, food preparation, cooking, washing dishes eats time and things spoil before it gets used up. Too much food – not enough mouths to eat it all. But Manhattan has great take-out. Mexicans and Chinese on bikes get the stuff to you quickly in rain or snow. Peruvian, Japanese, Indian, whatever, its only minutes away and cheaper in the long run. Tastes better too.

I could never make that stuff myself.So we do take out very often. Our schedules are unpredictable. I eat like a bird but have to refuel often. Big sit-down meals are a rarity. We have thought of Costco but have given up.

During my childhood in the Philippines I remember when food shopping was done every day in the morning from roving vendors for all meals for that day for an extended family of 20. No refrigerator then. During typhoon season firewood was too wet to make a fire. We ate Del Monte sardines in tomato sauce out of an oblong can during the week or so that the typhoon could last. We thought canned food was a treat. To vary the menu we also had corned beef out of a can. An even better treat. Go figure that.

My thought is, if you have a grocery store that you like, chances are they have a savings card. Sales are usually more then 50% off. Add a manufacturer’s coupon, and get get some items for free (especially if your store still offers double coupons). Been there, done that. It works. The best part is, a gallon of milk doesn’t take two hours to get, and doesn’t cost $150.00.