Monday, November 19, 2012

Saving Money on Spices



Herbs and spices can make or break your meals and baked goods. A bland meal can be a great one with the addition of the correct seasonings. It can become expensive though when you use spices purchased in the spice section of your grocery store. 

This time of the year, we all tend to buy a seasoning or spice that we only need a small amount of. Then the rest sits in the back of the pantry until it is thrown out.




Buying herbs and spices at stores like Whole Foods or Sprouts is my favorite way to buy seasonings; at a better price than the spice section of typical grocery stores and they have a huge selection of quality herbs and spices. Locate the spice or herbs you need sold in bins or jars, and fill a little bag with the amount you want. This is great if you just need a small amount for a recipe you only make a couple of times a year, or one you are trying for the first time. 

Its fun to try new spices! I get a little silly in the spice section, because I want to have a sample of them all! Last week I purchased Cardamon, Ground Cloves, Nutmeg and Star Anise in small amounts as that's all I needed, and it all came to under $2.50....yes you read that right! Why would I ever want to buy a bottle of spice for $6 that I'll only use a couple of times before it needs to be thrown out? 




Skip the spice section at your grocery store and look for packets of herbs and spices in the ethnic foods section, or Hispanic foods section. You will find many different seasonings sold in little cellophane packets at low prices. I have used spices and herbs sold this way for years.

There are also the warehouse clubs that sell large quantities at a fraction of the cost of super markets. I buy certain seasonings like granulated garlic, Italian blend seasonings, and seasoned salt there; also real vanilla extract. Some things like cinnamon for example I will purchase too because the price is so great, but there is no way I will use it all before its flavor starts to fade. So I share it with my family, passing out little containers of it when ever I buy a new bottle. An even better plan would be to find someone to split the cost and contents of these large containers with.
You will need to have containers to put your spices in at home unless you don't mind having them in little plastic bags; I use baby food jars, very small mason jars, and jars I bought at IKEA. 



Thrift stores often have really nice and nearly new spice racks with spice containers (sometimes with the contents still in them! Don’t use it though, throw it out!)  Wash and dry them thoroughly and enjoy!

 


*This is a re post with a few changes from last year.*
I link at these parties.



I have had a lot of content theft lately. If you are reading this post anywhere else but at Family Home and Life then it was used without permission! Copyright© Family Home and Life 2012 All Rights Reserved

36 comments:

  1. My dilemma is never knowing when my spices have lost their oomph! And if you don't keep them in the original containers, you don't have dates to refer to. Any hints, Connie?

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  2. Great idea! I hate spending a lot of money on spices too. Hobby Lobby sells all sizes of jars too.

    Thanks for sharing.

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  3. Great tips, we grow a lot of herbs, but the spices I'm always buying.

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  4. Susan, I just write on top of the baby food jar the date I bought the spice. You could easily affix a sticker to any jar with that information.

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  5. I love hitting this spice section of the store! You seriously find the best spice deals.

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  6. Thanks for the tips, spices are so expensive! Would love it if you linked up on my blog hop www.w-t-fab.com/search/label/bloghop. Also let me know if you'd like to follow each other!

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  7. Great ideas and tips! Thanks for sharing at Church Supper. Have a blessed week & come back soon ~EMM

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  8. Great tips! I just mixed my own pumpkin pie spice because I didn't want to buy it for just the little bit I needed.

    Thank you so much for linking up to Raising Imperfection!
    Leslie
    www.violetimperfection.com

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  9. Good idea ~ I can definitely tell if my spices have begun to lose their flavor. I do buy them in bulk at Costco so I will have to implement these tips to keep them fresh longer!

    Thank you for linking your favorite post to Raising Imperfection. Please come back Friday to see if you were featured.

    Lanaya
    www.raising-reagan.com

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  10. I love this tip and will actually look for it right tomorrow, when I do my weekly shopping!
    Thank you so much for sharing this at Wednesday Extravaganza! Come by today to vore and sign up for the Giveaway :)
    http://www.hungrylittlegirl.com/1/post/2012/11/wednesday-extravaganza-5-giveaway.html

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  11. We have an organic grocery store here where I buy all of my spices out of the bulk section. They are so much better than the prepackaged stuff! They even have glass spice jars you can buy for around $1 if you need one. I bought organic cinnamon and cinnamon sticks there yesterday-I spent $1.50 and had quite a bit! I don't think a lot of people realize how much they can save doing it that way. Thanks for sharing this!

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  12. These are great tips! I make my own taco seasoning, and we like it just as well as the store bought kind. Thanks for sharing at Must Try Monday!

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  13. I totally agree with you on shopping for spices in the ethnic section!! Great tips :) Thanks for sharing at All my Bloggy Friends. I'm looking forward to seeing what you share this week! :)

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  14. This is a great idea! I have been buying all of my spices lately at our health food store in the bulk bin section. It is so much cheaper! And I love how I can get just a little bit for a certain recipe and don't have to buy a whole jar full.

    Visiting from sunny simple sunday :)

    Tammy
    ourneckofthewoods.net

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  15. Great tips. I like trying new flavors too!

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  16. Very good tips and yes, I amways end up buying a whole container for just a smidge of spice. So true!
    Thanks for linking up this week!
    Stacey of Embracing Change

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  17. I can't even tell you how many jars of spices I've thrown out or used past their best dates. Thank you for the great tips!

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  18. Wow, thanks so much for the awesome tip! I am so happy to know this. I always waste so many spices, and what a fun way to sample so many. You've hooked me. :)
    Thanks so much for sharing at A Bouquet of Talent. I pinned it, too!
    Have a great week.

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  19. Awesome tips, I'm now following you. I would love if you stopped by, feel free to follow back
    http://iheartpears.blogspot.com

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  20. Great tips! I need to get myself some more containers...I have a few too many bags floating around my spice cabinet. :D

    Thanks for sharing at our Sunday Show and Tell Linky Party!

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  21. I tell people this all the time! The spices in bulk at Whole Foods are sooooo cheap! I fill up the equivalent of a jar of Thyme, Rosemary, etc for under $1 - usually less than $0.50! I recently needed cinnamon sticks. I bought about 10 good quality ones for $0.99 Easily $5 in any grocery store. I like the way you think. I'll be back. :)

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  22. I've been buying herbs and spices in bulk for years but you have a few ideas I hadn't thought of.
    Estate sales and flea markets are also great places to score spice jars and spice racks.
    I'll be linking to this when I finish my post along the same lines.
    So glad I found you to follow!
    Jan

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  23. I love buying herbs and spices in bags like this. Great tip about looking at the thrift store for spice jars!
    Cynthia at http://FeedingBig.com

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  24. I love Sprouts. Their bulk section is excellent and is a perfect way to try new things.

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  25. Thanks for these tips, and for linking up to Think Tank Thursday last week!

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  26. Great tips! Spices are so expensive. I too try to buy them at discount places. I go to a damaged good and discount store and they always have spices like the ones that you showed. I have to check the dates but usually find some that are still good. Thanks for sharing with Share Your Cup.
    Hugs,
    Jann

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  27. Great tips! Thanks for sharing at Keep Calm and Link Up! See you again Thursday night!
    Barbara at Chase the Star

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  28. Love these tips and they are so true! Thanks for the reminder :) Thanks for linking up at Mom On Timeout - hope to see you back tonight!

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  29. Great tip, and of course the spices sold in bulk are usually much fresher.......a world of difference too! thanks for sharing on craft schooling sunday and hope to see you back on the first Sunday in January. Have a joyful holiday season!

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  30. Great tips! I love buying my spices in bulk then just refilling the jars at home. I love using lots of spices in my cooking :) Thanks so much for linking up to Creative Thursday. Can’t wait to see what you share this week! Have a wonderful rest of the week :)
    Michelle

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  31. Great ideas!! Thank you for sharing at Sharing Saturday!

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  32. I just went through a purge with my spices. I like the idea of bulk buying and sharing with a friend.

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  33. Awesome tips -- didn't know you could buy in bulk at Whole Foods! Guess where I'm stopping soon! Thanks so much for linking on Busy Monday!

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  34. Great ideas. I don't have a whole foods in my area. Wish I did. Thank you for sharing your saving ideas.

    We may have met by chance...but we become friends by choice.
    http://simpleesue.com/soup-kitchen-recipes-italian-wedding-soup

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