Good Taste with Tanji - Wine, food and fun with Tanji Patton.

Good advice rarely goes unappreciated. That’s exactly what I received from Erin Chase, the ‘$5 Dinner Mom’ and founder of 5dollardinners.com. Erin has been an honorary guest on programs like Rachel Ray and The View, so I think she knows a thing or two!

Her goal is to share some easy ways to make the most out of your hard-earned money the next time you visit the grocery store. My first lesson from Erin came in what she calls “coupon stacking.” Don’t only look out for those manufactured coupons that come in your newspaper; also be aware of those in-store too. Often times using both at once can lead to double the amount of savings on any one item!

It’s important to never ignore sales on produce – items like mangoes can be used for both snacking and baking…so you’ll really get the most for your dollar! Also be sure to stock up on protein when that goes on-sale as well. You can always buy multiple packages to freeze for later use. You never know when an impromptu dinner party might be calling your name…(Try Erin’s Mango Chicken recipe)!

Perhaps Erin’s best advice was this: Those who fail to plan, plan to fail. Make a note of on-sale items BEFORE you make your weekly trip…you’re grocery list will still be full, but your pocket book will thank you later!

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