It’s a kitchen staple

Basic pantry staples are assumed and included in our recipes. Staples include the following:

• Flour

• Eggs

• Butter

• Milk

• Onions

• Garlic

• Potatoes

• Olive oil

They are less expensive at the grocer

Sometimes the dollar store doesn’t always provide the best value for certain items. In such cases, we make decisions to purchase elsewhere for identical (or nearly identical, same product different brand) products at lower prices to keep our meal cost low. These outside purchases will be carefully selected to fit our $1.00(+tax) or less budget per item.

In my area, Dollar Tree and Dollarama are the two main dollar stores, and both often carry items, including food, that exceed the $1.00 price point. We will continue to shop at these stores as long as the items offer good value. For purchases made outside of these stores, we will stick to a strict budget of $1.00(+tax) or less.

Also included in these purchases are items found exclusively at grocers in their fresh fruit and vegetable departments. They will also be carefully selected to maintain its $1.00(+tax) or less budget.