Feeding the Family for Less - Oswego County

03/12/2026

I'm deeming today slow cooker Thursday!

Today is Slow Cooker Korean Beef day for me; prepped and ready to go. What are you having for dinner tonight?! Need any help figuring it out? Comment below!

02/18/2026

02/07/2026

Week of food...family of 3...under $50. Challenge accepted. I made the plan. Now I need to try it out!!!

Budget-Friendly 7-Day Meal Plan for a Family of 3

Breakfast: Overnight Oatmeal with banana or peanut butter, scrambled eggs on toast, or plain yogurt with honey.
Lunch: Peanut butter & jelly sandwiches with carrot sticks, egg salad sandwiches/wraps, or leftovers.
Dinner:
• Day 1: Baked chicken thighs, rice, frozen mixed veggies
• Day 2: Spaghetti with tomato sauce, shredded carrots
• Day 3: Rice & beans with onions & mixed veggies
• Day 4: Leftover chicken, mashed potatoes, mixed veggies
• Day 5: Tuna pasta salad
• Day 6: Vegetable stir-fry with rice
• Day 7: Egg fried rice with veggies

Grocery List (~$50 at Walmart) (link to list: https://www.walmart.com/lists/shared/WL/78be09ef-08ea-4a9d-b56a-168a5b064c4d)

• Chicken thighs ~3 lb ($4.50)
• Eggs, 1 dozen ($2)
• Canned tuna, 2 cans ($2)
• Peanut butter 16 oz ($2)
• Bread 1 loaf ($1.50)
• Pasta 1 lb ($1)
• Rice 2 lb ($3)
• Frozen mixed veggies, 2 bags ($4)
• Carrots 1 lb ($1)
• Onions 2 lb ($2)
• Potatoes 5 lb ($4)
• Bananas 6 ($1.50)
• Oats ($4)
• Apples 3 ($3)
• Milk 1 gallon ($3)
• Plain yogurt ($3)
• Tomato sauce, 2 jars ($3)
• Honey/sugar ($4)
• Black Beans ($1)
• Grape jelly ($2)

Tips: Buy store brands, use frozen veggies, stretch chicken with rice/veggies, and use leftovers for lunch. Use sauce/salt packets from restaurants or gas stations. Prices vary based on location and type purchased. The linked list I included is everything for $48.82 in upstate New York at Walmart.

12/07/2025

Big Savings Alert!
Budget-Friendly Dinners for the Week

Hey friends! I just saw the latest flyer at Save A Lot in Fulton, NY and I couldn’t resist — they’ve got some great deals this week. 12/7-12/13

Thought I’d share a little 5-day dinner plan that’s healthy, delicious, and super budget-friendly (perfect if you’re trying to save but still eat well 👇). This isnt a freezer meal plan but put "Freezer" in the comments if you want me to create one

Check out the full flyer here: https://savealot.com/stores/45143/flyers?flyerId=fa09b124-f302-3a22-939e-b64c3677105f

5-Day Dinner Plan from the Sale (4 servings per dinner)
• Day 1: Baked chicken drumsticks + sautéed cabbage
• Day 2: Ham & hearty vegetable soup (with smoked ham + cabbage + tomato + assumed pantry broth)
• Day 3: Pork loin roast + fresh mandarin-orange coleslaw
• Day 4: Avocado-tomato salad with whole-grain toast (or PB toast)
• Day 5: Creamy mac & cheese with a bit of bacon + steamed cabbage

Grocery list:
Chicken Drumsticks (4 lb @ $1.09/lb)-$4.36
Pork Loin Roast (3 lb @ $1.79/lb)-$5.37
Smoked Portion Ham (3 lb @ $1.59/lb)-$4.77
Cabbage (1 head ~2.5 lb @ $.59/lb)-$1.48
Mandarin Oranges (3 lb bag)-$4.49
Beefsteak Tomatoes (2 @ $1.29 ea)-$2.58
Hass Avocados (2 @$0.50 ea)-$1.00
Nature’s Grain Bread (2 for $1)-$1.00
So Cheezy Mac Boxes (2 @ $0.99)-$1.98
Jimmy Dean Bacon (12 oz)-$3.99

Assumed Pantry items:
- oil
- seasonings
- broth

All meals estimated to stay in the ~350–500 calorie range (per portion), and use only items that are on sale this week.

Total for 5 dinners (serving 4 each) comes to about $31. If you try it out let me know!

This plan was created with the assistance of AI, but reviewed by human eyes.

12/06/2025

Local resources in Oswego County

Community Food & Resources Giveaway – December 18th
As prices continue to rise, Oswego County Opportunities (OCO), in partnership with , Fulton Price Chopper, , and the , are helping families stretch the family food budget. Anyone who needs help with food or basic items is welcome to attend.
Event Details:
📅 Thursday, Dec. 18
🕐 1:00 PM – 3:00 PM
📍 Fulton War Memorial, 609 W Broadway, Fulton, NY

Available while supplies last:
• Free food box (one per household)
• Toilet paper & a can opener
• Information on local services

Check-in starts at 1:00 PM for food box tickets; distribution begins at 2:00 PM. No income paperwork required.
For details, flyer, and questions visit: https://www.oco.org/oco-news/oco-to-host-community-food-and-resources-giveaway-on-december-18/

11/30/2025

Chicken Breast on sale at Big M in Oswego, $1.99 - 11/30/2025 thru 12/6

This weeks Meal ideas with chicken:

1. Lemon Garlic Chicken with Roasted Vegetables

Chicken breasts + carrots + garlic + lemon + oil + seasoning.
Cook: Sheet-pan, 400°F for 35–45 minutes.

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2. Chicken Fajita Skillet

Chicken breasts + peppers + onions + fajita seasoning + oil.
Cook: Skillet 10–15 minutes.

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3. Chicken & White Bean Stew

Chicken breasts + white beans + green chillis + carrots + lime juice + onion + garlic + seasoning.
Cook: Crockpot 6–7 hrs low OR stovetop 25 minutes (add 4 cups broth).

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4. Tomato Basil Chicken Over Pasta

Chicken breasts + crushed tomatoes (or diced beefsteak tomatoes which are also on sale!) + garlic + basil/Italian seasoning.
Cook: Stovetop 20 min or Crockpot 4–5 hrs low; serve over pasta.

Link to add: https://www.bigmsupermarkets.com/weekly-ad/?circularstoreidentifier=OGQC5UYBPETLBE30R3N3RXLLB1XY9MU1O9466A

If you want to see recipies with the pork chops, shout "Pork Yes!" in the comments.

11/29/2025

Don’t Pick Your Meals… Let the SALES Do It For You!

Want to save BIG on groceries? Here’s how to shop the sales and turn them into actual meals — not random ingredients that sit in your fridge.

Many people shop first… THEN try to figure out meals.
But the frugal families do the opposite:

They plan meals around what’s on sale.
Here’s how to do it in under 5 minutes:

⸻

1️⃣ Check the weekly ads (or app) FIRST

Look for:
• meat markdowns (in store) or deals
• buy-one-get-one deals
• produce sales (in store)
• “manager specials”
• bakery clearance (in store)

These are your anchors, and stores use sales to get you through the door

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2️⃣ Pick 1 protein that’s on sale → build 2–3 meals around it

Examples:

Chicken on sale?
• Salsa chicken (crock pot)
• Chicken Alfredo
• Chicken quesadillas

Ground turkey on sale?
• Tacos
• Chili
• Turkey skillet bake

Pork on sale?
• Pulled pork sandwiches
• Pork fried rice
• Sheet pan pork + veggies

You’re building meals around the cheapest part of your cart.

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3️⃣ Fill in with cheap veggies + pantry staples

Think:
• rice
• pasta
• canned tomatoes
• frozen veggies
• tortillas

Cheap + flexible = budget gold.

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4️⃣ Freeze anything you don’t use this week

Grab extra of what’s on sale and freeze it:
• chicken
• cheese
• bread
• veggies
• leftovers
• herbs
• cooked rice

Future you will THANK YOU.

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5️⃣ Make a quick “Sale Meal Plan” right on your phone

Example:

This week’s sale items:
🍗 Chicken – 1.99/lb
🌽 Frozen veggies – 0.99
🍅 Pasta sauce – 1.50

Meals:
• Chicken Alfredo
• Chicken & veggie stir fry
• Chicken pasta primavera

DONE.

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💬 Want me to post a “$20 Sale Meal Plan”?
Comment YES if that would help you save money!

🧡 Feeding the Family for Less — Oswego County No

11/28/2025

Estimated .50 per serving using leftover turkey!

Leftover Turkey Salad Recipe (2 servings)

▢ 2 cups chopped leftover turkey
▢ 2 TBSP mayonnaise (or ~ 3 mayo packets)
▢ 1 teaspoons Dijon mustard
▢ 1/2 lemon juiced
▢ 1 teaspoon sugar
▢ 1 stalk finely diced celery
▢ 1/2 TBSP sliced scallions
▢ 1/2 tsp dried dill or 2 tsp fresh dill
▢ Salt and pepper to taste

(About .50 per serving if using leftovers, bonus savings if you had mayo packets)

Thank you Just a Taste for the recipe!!! It's delicious!

Original recipe: https://www.justataste.com/the-best-leftover-turkey-salad-recipe/comment-page-14/?unapproved=2081464&moderation-hash=9b5dd0511d257b43fd61ebab96d3e9fd -2081464v g

Nutrition info per 1 cup serving: 8g carbs, 42g protein, 12g fat, 1g fiber, 3g monounsaturated fat, 5g polyunsaturated fat, 3g saturated fat, 4g sugar, 110mg cholesterol, 331mg sodium, calcium 4% iron 15%, vitamin C 7%, vitamin A 1%g

11/28/2025

Before You Grocery Shop… Do THIS First

Want to save money and stop food waste this week?
Before you head to the store (or put in that online order), take three minutes and do these four things — they make a HUGE difference:

⸻

1️⃣ Check your freezer

You probably have meal starters hiding in there:
• cooked rice
• leftover turkey/chicken
• frozen veggies
• shredded cheese
• bread
• broth cubes
• freezer meals you forgot you prepped 👀

Use what you already have — it saves SO much money.
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2️⃣ Build a mini meal plan around what you already own

Ask yourself (or ChatGPT):
“What can I make with what’s already in my freezer + fridge + pantry?”
This alone can cut your grocery bill in half.

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3️⃣ Freeze anything that’s about to go bad

Don’t toss it — FREEZE it.
Veggies, fruit, herbs, broth, bread, meat, cheese, cooked rice, leftovers…
If you won’t use it in the next 48 hours, freeze it!

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4️⃣ Make a ‘USE FIRST’ bin/spot

Put items that need to be eaten ASAP in one spot:
• produce
• leftovers
• half-used ingredients
• dairy close to expiration

It helps your family see what to grab first — and it saves so much waste.

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💬 What’s ONE thing you always forget you have until after you shop?
(For me, it’s frozen chicken. Every. Single. time. 🍗 )

🧡 Feeding the Family for Less — Oswego County

11/27/2025

5 Things You Can Freeze That You Probably Didn’t Know You Could!

Let’s save some MONEY, TIME, and STRESS today.

Here are 5 everyday foods that freeze welll — they might surprise you!

Save this for later! 👇

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1. Cooked Rice

Freeze flat in a bag.
Reheats fluffy in 2 minutes in the microwave with a tablespoon of water.
Perfect for quick stir-fries or chili nights.

2. Leftover Turkey (or Chicken!)

Yes, even the dry pieces.
Cube it, shred it, or mix with sauce + freeze.
Squeeze air out of bag or vaccum seal. Crock pot ready!

3. Milk

Freeze in ice cube trays for smoothies, sauces, or baking.
(Tip: Leave a little space — it expands!)

4. Cheese

Shredded or sliced is best. Squeeze out all the air or vaccum seal.
Use for casseroles, eggs, quesadillas, ALL the things.

5. Leftover Mashed Potatoes

Scoop into muffin tins, freeze, pop out into a bag.
Warm and top with gravy later. PERFECTION.

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💬 What’s the weirdest thing YOU freeze?
Your answer might help someone else save $$$ or stretch a meal!

🧡 Feeding the Family for Less — Oswego County
Helping families stretch food, money, leftovers, and sanity!!!