Stop throwing away food! How To Keep Food Fresher, Longer: DIY air vacuum machine.

 How To Keep Food Fresh Longer -- DIY Air Vacuum Machine

The enemy of Mr Frugal Life is "waste", and especially wasted food. In America, we waste 1/3 of all food that is grown. Food can go bad, or be thrown away for many reasons:

• Don't like taste or flavor of food.
• Food is beyond its expiration date, or has grown mold.
• Food is in some way no longer edible.

By throwing away less food, we are able to save money, conserve resources, and is just general good practice. One of the best ways to throw away less food is to prevent freezer burn when storing frozen foods (such as meat, poultry) for long periods of time. Air, or more specifically the bacteria in the air, is the reason for food spoilage and freezer burn. By reducing the amount of air in the containers that our food is stored in, we will throw away less food and reduce our food expenses by the simple fact that we are not throwing away as much food because the food we bought lasts longer.

How to DIY Air Vacuum Machine

An air vacuum machine is excellent for keeping food fresh for long periods of time, and meats and vegetables last almost indefinitely when frozen. An air vacuum machine can range from $10 (used) to $40 (new), and reusable bags are available directly from Amazon rather than the manufacturer. A cheap, quick way to DIY an air vacuum machine is to use the pressure of water to eliminate as much as air possible from a Ziploc bag:

Fill a sink with water and place ziploc bag with air opening up.

The finished, air vacuumed food will last much longer when frozen.

Air Vacuuming food to freeze is a great practice when purchasing large amounts of food at a discount (Such as chicken drumsticks, steak, etc) when it goes on sale at the super market. Buying large amounts of food when a store has a clearance or discount is a common practice of Mr Frugal Life, but this practice can easily cost more money if the food is not eaten, goes bad, or eventually gets thrown away for whatever reason. By using this one, simple easy trick you will be able to reduce your waste and spend less on your food expenses!

Other uses for DIY air vacuum machine

Some of the other uses for the DIY air vacuum machine include:

• Marinating Meats, Poultry, Fish and other animal-proteins prior to cooking.
• Extending the life of fresh fruit, fresh vegetables by removing air before placing in refrigerator.
• Packaging and Freezing pre-cooked meals, which can be later eaten as a meal on the go.

Read more about DIY air vacuum machine.

Other Tips to Stop Wasting and Throwing Away Less Food

• Have 1 week per month when you spend "No Money On Food" by eating leftovers, eating what you have in freezer and pantry.
• Do not be tempted to purchase junk food or other processed foods that are "on sale". These products are much more expensive, and if you don't like it, you are paying a lot of money for nothing.
• Create a "food menu" so you know what you will be having for each meal and how much to prepare which will reduce in waste. Creating a food menu can also help you save money on your budget in many ways.

How To Prepare Freezer Meals

 

Preparing Freezer meals is a healthy, frugal and time-saving way to cook. Freezer Meals are created when cooking a large batch of food that freezes well (such as spaghetti, soup, rice dishes) and many more. You freeze individual servings of cooked food so that during the busy week, you can heat a meal and have a great healthy meal available anytime!

A great website for Freezer Meal Recipe Ideas.

How To Save Money February 2014, Inexpensive Valentine's Day Ideas

How To Save Money -- February 2014

Saving money is important whether your budget is $200 or $2,000 per month. More money means more freedom to pursue the hobbies and activities you desire, and invest more for future purchases such as retirement or paying for higher education. Many times we are living paycheck to paycheck simply because we do not know how much the small expenses (starbucks coffee, premium channels on TV) add up to monthly. 

Top 10 Ways to Save Money February 2014

1. Create a budget. By creating a budget, you know where your money goes each month and how much you can potentially save by reducing your monthly groceries budget, or reducing your utilities bill. 
2. 97 Ways to Save Money around the house. How often do you stock up when you find a deal?
3. Shop for a cheaper cell phone. Even if you are using Verizon, prepaid plans are offered that are 1/2 the cost of contracts. Wait out your contract and switch to prepaid or switch to T-mobile and have your contract termination fee paid by T-Mobile.
4. Create your own gifts for Valentine's Day. What is your special talent that you can share with your significant other? Check Out Pinterest.com for free Valentine's Day ideas:
   

   

   Cheap Valentine's Day Idea: Spell out Your Love in Scrabble Letters with Frame from Thrift Store.

5. 40+ Valentine's Day Ideas for Him. Many of these can be applied for the female in your life, and guaranteed that the person receiving your gift will cherish it much more than flowers or a card.
6. File your Income Taxes (And Receive your Refund) Early.
7. Reduce your heating, natural gas, and electricity bills by 30%. 
8. Reduce your Food Expenses/Monthly Grocery Bill. Buying Healthy, Nutritious and Inexpensive food is a great way to feel better while improving your financial and physical health.
9. Save Money on AT & T Family Plan $27/month including 10 GB Data. 
10. Save $300 when purchasing a brand new mattress. Your mattress will last 10 years. Do your homework when purchasing a new mattress.
11. BONUS: 11 Best How To Save Money Articles February 2014.

Inexpensive Food to Stretch Food Budget and Reduce Food Expenses, Healthy Inexpensive Food, Save Money on Groceries

 Ultimate How To Save Money on Food Guide, Cook great food inexpensively 

After housing, food is the most expensive item on your monthly and yearly budget. The average person can expect to spend between 4,000 - 8,000 per year on food, depending on your diet, location, and how often you cook. The best resources for healthy, nutritious, inexpensive meals are below:

http://www.reddit.com/r/Cheap_Meals

http://www.reddit.com/r/Frugal/comments/u13qa/we_rfrugal_week_1_frugal_food/

http://www.reddit.com/r/Frugal/

http://www.reddit.com/r/Frugal/comments/1fmepp/official_i_have_x_for_x_days_advice_thread_tips/

http://erinonabudget.wordpress.com/2014/01/09/my-6-sweet-and-spicy-chili/

 My Top 5 Favorite inexpensive foods are:

1. Potatoes : Very versatile (Mashed Potatoes, Baked Potatoes) Healthy, and I have purchased for as low as $ .20 in my area.
2. Eggs - Full of protein, can be cooked many different ways. Great food all around.
3. Milk - around $2.50 in my area, Milk is a very inexpensive source of calories and a staple food. Requirement for many different recipes.
4. Chicken Thighs/Whole Chickens - as low as $ .99 per lb , can be roasted and turned into chicken soup, roasted chicken, many different ways for a very low price.
5. Beans - my personal favorite is pinto beans but many types are great cooked in the crock pot.

More Inexpensive, Frugal Foods: http://wegotreal.com/inexpensive-food-help-stretch-food-dollars/