Weekly Penny Pincher
I recently came up with this money-saving idea that’s healthy, too. I make tuna sandwiches by emptying an undrained 6-ounce can of water-packed tuna into a bowl, then stir in about 1/4 cup of quick-cooking oats. I wait about 15 minutes to let the oatmeal soak into the water before adding relish and mayonnaise. This helps stretch the tuna mixture to make more sandwiches, and the oats add extra nutrition. —Karen L., Arlington, Wisconsin
When I have leftover raw vegetables from salad or veggie platters, I cut the larger ones into bite-size pieces and put them all in one heavy-duty plastic bag in the freezer. The next time I make soup or stew, I have already chopped veggies to add. This saves time and money. —Loni M., Chippewa Falls, Wisconsin
I keep a plastic cereal container handy. When boxes of cereal get low, I empty whatever is left into the container. The combinations of cereals create variety and eliminate storing a lot of partially filled boxes. You could also use the container to combine sweetened and unsweetened cereal to help cut down on the amount of sugar you eat…or mix a brand name cereal with its generic counterpart to stretch your cereal dollars. —Harriett C., Nanticoke, Maryland
