Post Punk Kitchen Forum

I spent $33 on spices the other day. Most of it was on replacements for ones I had used up over the course of the last 6-12 months, so if you average it out it's not really that expensive, but it stings to spend that much at once!

i've been buying a whole lot of fresh fruits lately, and surprisingly, this is the first month in 5 that i've not gone over budget. it's fascinating. (the local ACME has a 5 lb bag of gala apples for $5. (and last week it was on sale for $4, so that was really nice)

Spices add up so fast. Even if I am out of a few I try not to buy more than one on a weekly shopping trip. I've been out of oregano for months because its not as important as cumin or ginger or something else. And because I keep forgetting to put it on our shopping list.

I waited until I was almost out of several different kinds of spices then placed a Penzey's catalog order. But they came today! So I guess it seems sort of worthwhile! Smoked paprika on everything!

I find the cheapest way to buy spices is in bulk at Bulk Barn. But I don't get there very often, so I end up buying the much more expensive ones at the grocery store.

I eat a lot, eat lots of veggies vs. grains since becoming vegan, and use lots of spices. But I do my best, and it's much better than when I was a lazy omni! I will be happy if I can get it to $80-100, and I'm close if not there.

My small but perfectly formed attack is to buy bulk (cashew butter, grains) when I can, farmer's markets when I can, on sale when I can, and cut out the processed stuff to the greatest possible degree.

$100 is fantastic!! i'm betting the italian market is helping you be that low.

I always end up at Shoprite, but I've vowed to expand my horizons and I do so much walking I'm a fool to not use the IM more. Cheers for prompting me!