Milk, eggs and yogurt are all what I consider staples in my house. Unfortunately, they are also food items that have seen huge price increases in the last two years. So, how can we save on dairy items without doing without? Here is a round up on some ideas.
Milk
Keep a close eye on milk prices at your local stores. You may find a big difference in price. Our local Trader Joes sells organic milk for the cheapest price around, plus it tends to have a much longer shelf life than the milk at the other grocery stores.
Consider using powdered milk and/or shelf stable milk for baking, cooking and drinking. Shelf stable milk is real milk that does not need refrigeration and can sit on the shelf (unopened) for a long period of time.
Buy local. Many times, farms that sell raw milk will be less expensive than the stores. Raw doesn’t always mean organic, so if that is what you are after, check first.
Eggs
Buy eggs in bulk. Our local warehouse store sells flats of eggs, and I have found that this is the least expensive way to buy them most of the time. The flats are packaged carefully, and I have never found a broken egg. We tend to use them up before the expiration date, but if you don’t, consider freezing the eggs, out of the shell.
Ask your dairy manager what they do with all of the eggs left over after they remove broken eggs from the carton. Some stores discount the cartons, or repackage the eggs and then discount them.
Raise chickens. Why this might sound like a far-fetched idea, it is very cost effective. Chickens can be raised in all sorts of settings, including urban. Extra eggs can be sold to neighbors.
Yogurt
Buying in bulk pays with yogurt. A large container will yield a better value than several smaller cups. Repackage the yogurt yourself if need be. And by all means, avoid those yogurt tubes, unless you have good value coupons that can be tripled.
Make your own yogurt. It can be done quite easily using your discounted milk. You’ll need a bit of plain yogurt with active cultures to get started, but then you can make as much fresh yogurt as you like.
Click here for more articles by Mary Ann Romans.
A Quick Guide to Using Powdered Milk
Getting Creative with Almost-Expired Food
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