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Hi Reader,

Things are definitely looking like fall around here with all the leaves changing colors everywhere we look. We still haven't gotten much rain - I think this is the longest I've gone with my vegetable watering timers on! We might finally be getting measurable rain next week, so I think I might risk it and turn the timers off this weekend. 😃

When thinking about what to write this week, saving money came to mind since the price of food (and everything...) has risen so much in the last few years. Back when I first started An Oregon Cottage in 2009, we were in the middle of the recession and saving money and frugality were a big part of what I wrote about. I did a lot of couponing back then (like everyone), but did find that coupons caused me to bring a lot more *crap* into my house than I ever would have.

I actually found that finding simple recipes for staples I could make easily saved a lot, not only because it's cheaper than what's in the store but also because it kept me out of the store more. Because it's usually the case that more trips to the store = more money spent. (And this isn't even addressing the health part, usually being able to lower the sugar that's often in excess in store bought items.)

Now when I run out of mayonnaise, I take 5 minutes to whip up a new jar. Same with salad dressings and ketchup, though I do need 10 minutes for the ketchup (though it's often when the fries are cooking, so we have fresh, warm ketchup for them, which doesn't cool them down like refrigerated!). I found that once I did it, it was so easy that I couldn't imagine buying that staple again and it just became second nature.

Maybe you could find a recipe or two to make and save? Here's a list to get you started!

The Foods I Never Buy Anymore

Note: I really am listing the foods that I literally haven't bought in years, the staples that I find easier and better tasting than store bought. That means you won't see bread here, though I only buy it probably 3-4 times a year when needed, but I do buy it sometimes. I'm also not including spaghetti sauce or salsa because while I haven't bought them in years, it's because I have a garden and spent time making and canning them.

So these are the pantry items anyone can make in minutes whenever you need them that will save you money, time, and be a lot healthier than from the store:

• Granola: Granola Recipe with Maple, Honey, and Big Clusters (though I mostly make the high protein granola version of this now)
• Ketchup: Quick Honey Sweetened Homemade Ketchup​
• Mayo: Homemade Mayonnaise – Two Easy Methods​
• Salad Dressing: I make a vinaigrette most of the time, but I literally have 18 salad dressing recipes that all take about 5 minutes to make. (This category is the biggest to me in both savings and health benefits, so if you can only do one thing, I'd encourage you to find one or two dressings you can make regularly.)
• Sauces: Easy 5-Minute Peanut Sauce, Easy Homemade Teriyaki Sauce, and Honey Sweetened Thai Sweet Chili Sauce, plus my famous Homemade Chocolate Sauce/Syrup of course.

Is there a staple you make all the time that isn't on my list?

WHAT'S NEW

​Healthy Dinner Ideas for Fall & Winter​ I've included 20 full menu ideas for the colder months here with flavorful and comforting foods. RECIPES HERE

​Black Bean Soup with Sausage​ A long-time family favorite recipe that I've updated for you with clearer instructions to make with either a slow cooker or Instant Pot. RECIPE HERE

Please let me know if you regularly make one of these - or if there's a recipe you'd like to see me create for a store-bought item you love!

I hope you have a great week ahead!

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Remember it's easy to save recipes on An Oregon Cottage! Just click the heart when browsing to save your personal favorites! TIP: when you click on the link, it will take you to my site - click the heart like you see here to the left - it will be on the bottom right on the site. A pop up form will come up for you to create an account (or sign in if you already have). You need to create a password for this account (no info is kept besides your email) and then you can save all recipes and articles to this account and access it anytime to remember what you want and choose what to make!

*You can read An Oregon Cottage's full disclosure policy here.

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