You are right about buying in quantity. I keep the freezer full. I hate couponing but it is easier at the Commisary where I shop. They encourage it and offer a lot of instant coupons.

Beans can be very good and I love chili...you are right, we don't go to town often.

Walk, eat from nature, unplug, shower cold, sweat it out, don't tithe. I'm serious.

We eat a lot of dried beans in soups and chili and don't go to the store very often, but I think you already don't go to the store very often.

I buy large portions of meat at BJ's, separate, re-wrap
and freeze. I really don't enjoy rewrapping but it's
worth it. I finally learned how to defrost stuff and
wind up with something that hasn't been cooked in the
microwave, like steamed steak. I am biologically unable to deal with coupons. It's a missing gene. Congratulations on your success.

Try SKYPE for phone calls. it only works off your pc, but is free long distance to any phone- any pc. It is the price of a head set. You can get unlimited calling by paying the 10.00 or so fee per month (?). I use the free service, but the ones that use the Fee service can make more calls to more phone numbers. That might cut long distance service.

One of the problems with coupons is that you wind up buying food you don't want/need/use--also most store's generic brands are a lot cheaperr (and just as good)with the more expensive brand names.

wow - congrats on such a significant cut in your grocery bill!!!
I haven't heard of a magic jack - good luck!

I have begun to by things in "family size" packs. Especially meats, poultry, fish etc. then breaking them up into single serving portions and freezing. For example, I get the big packs of ground round, divide half of it into those little Tupperware patty thingys then the other half I divide into blocks for chili, meat loaf etc. I buy a pound of bacon, cut it into four equal parts, wrap each in Saran wrap and freeze. Each part is the perfect serving size for me. I buy large packs of frozen fish, chicken filets in recloseable bags. I take out one or two, reclose and put the rest back into the freezer. My freezer secton atop my fridge is good size so I can safely store extra food there. Store brands are also a good way to go as Fredo suggested. The Wal-Mart store brand of spaghetti sauce is every bit as good as Ragu, for example.

reguards
yer thrifty by necessity pal
bugg

when shopping buy the market brand.
On most of the things there.
Shop at the Farmers Mkt.
Stay away from top brand and buy generic.
They all work the same.
Don't breathe
A little yoke.
You can do it.