The Un-Shopping List

Years ago, in the Frugal Community, there was a concept floating around called the Un-Grocercy List. Basically the Un-Grocery List was a list of all the products that you would no longer buy because you were making it yourself or because you've decided to do without that product.

I've taken it a step further in including things besides groceries. For example, we've talked about how to make some homemade cleaners. So if you used to buy Lysol, Windex, 409, toilet bowl cleaner etc., but now you make your own, those would go on your Un-Shopping List. If you used to buy paper napkins but now use cloth, paper napkins would go on your Un-Shopping list. If you've decided to use The Keeper or make your own sanitary pads (many people do) then Kotex or whatever would go on your Un-Shopping list. Maybe you used to buy little pots to start your seeds in and now you've discovered how to make newspaper pots. Well, seed starting pots would go on your list!

Probably the biggest category would still be convenience grocery items. For example, I no longer buy Rice-A-Roni, I make my own seasoned rice or most times we just have plain brown rice cooked in a bit of chicken broth. Maybe you make a great salsa and stopped buying the store made ones. Perhaps you bake bread now, make your own noodles, your own popsicles, cakes, puddings, ketchup, you name it you can make it!

Now it does take more time to make things from scratch. Especially your first time around. But generally it's less expensive than buying convenice AND you know what's in it! Besides, I've got more time than money (especially if I use my time wisely)! But just like when you're trying to integrate anything new into your life, start slowly! Don't just decide that all of a sudden you're going to make everything from scratch. You'll just overwhelm and discourage yourself.

I keep my Un-Shopping List in my Household Journal. It's a great motivator to see your Un-Shopping List get longer and longer! To know that you can manage without running to the store for every little thing is great!

Here's a recipe to get you started with your Un-Shopping List:

Cream of ______ Soup
2 cups dry milk
3/4 cup cornstarch
1/4 cup chicken bouillon granules
2 tablespoons dried onion flakes, optional
1 teaspoon dried leaf thyme
1/2 teaspoon dried leaf basil, optional
1/2 teaspoon dried leaf oregano, optional
1/2 teaspoon ground marjoram, optional
1/2 teaspoon pepper
2 to 3 teaspoons butter

Mix all ingredients except together except the butter and store in airtight container. To use, mix 1/2 cup dry soup mix with 1 1/4 cups water and cook until thick; add butter. This is equal to one can cream soup. The mix makes enough to equal 9 to 10 cans. For cream of mushroom or celery soup, add chopped sauteé mushrooms or celery along with the butter while cooking.

Here are a few a great sites for more recipes

Hillbilly Housewife

Busy Cooks Convenience Food Mixes