I scream, you scream, we all scream for ice cream! I knew that we were firmly into spring when my children asked if they could stop and buy ice cream one afternoon. The sight of daffodils in bloom seem to trigger a craving for vanilla, chocolate or strawberry topped on a real sugar cone.
Ice cream habits are hard to break. I should know. I lived in New England for a while, an area that has the highest rate of ice cream consumption in the country. I’m not sure why a climate that gets it far share of snow and cool nights even in summer inspires such a love of ice cream, but it is true.
These days, I am sort of shocked by ice cream prices. My family could easily spend $25 on ice cream at the popular ice cream stand if we aren’t careful. And at $5 or more for a half gallon of my husband’s favorite, our budget could be taken down one scoop at a time.
Store Brands
If you love your ice cream and it is a regular part of your weekly diet then I suggest that you start with store brands. They will consistently save you money when you just need ice cream and you need it now. Try a different store brand each week to find the one that you like the best.
Coupons and Sales
Know the cycle of when ice cream goes on sale and which brands are mostly likely to be discounted. Save up those coupons and combine them with the sales to save as much as you can. Once you know the sales cycle, you’ll know how many gallons to get you through until the next sale.
Make Your Own
At home, try making your own ice cream. This may or may not be the cheapest way to go, depending on the cost of cream and your favorite ingredients. You will also need an initial investment in an ice cream maker of some form.
Local Knowledge
When going out for ice cream, check with the locals. I like to rave about the small restaurant that offers large hand scooped ice cream cones for only a dollar a piece. Ask around and you may find a create treasure in your area that sells premium ice cream without the premium price.
Make Your Own Groceries and Save