Just about everyone is trying to spend less and save more money. Consider these recent survey results regarding consumer spending:
- According to BIGresearch’s May 2011 survey, 45% of consumers say they have become "more practical and realistic in purchases." This is up from 43% in May 2010 and up from 37% five years ago.
- According to Nielsen, more people are using coupons to save money. Before the recession, 22% of households reported using coupons. During the recession, this increased to 35%. Today, even with the recession officially over, but economic sluggishness continuing, 37% of consumers say they use coupons. Goupon’s success is a testament to the consumer demand for coupons.
A food dehydrator can be a valuable tool in cutting food costs, extending food supplies and eliminating food waste, over ripening and spoilage. Use a food dehydrator to save money by following these ideas.
Extend food shelf life and reduce waste and spoilage.
A food dehydrator is designed to remove a significant amount of water from food. The water content of food is generally very high, typically between 80% to 95% for various fruits and vegetables and 50% to 75% for different meats. Removing moisture from food inhibits various bacteria, yeasts and molds from growing and spoiling it. This makes dehydrated fruits, vegetables and jerky perfect for longer term storage.
Buy foods on sale or in bulk.
Buy extra fruits and vegetables while they are in abundance, in season and relatively less expensive. Dehydrate what you don’t consume and avoid over ripening or spoilage.
Make your own beef jerky.
Store bought beef jerky is very expensive on a per ounce basis. A 3.5 ounce package of jerky can cost about $4.00 or $1.14 per ounce. Instead, make home made beef jerky by buying flank steak or sirloin tip, adding marinade or spices and drying. The food dehydrator calculator shows that a 1 pound piece of meat would make about 8 ounces or a half pound of jerky. If the meat cost $3.78 per pound the jerky cost would be about 47 cents per ounce.
Make your own fruit leather.
Likewise, store bought fruit leather or fruit roll ups are very expensive on a per ounce basis. A 5 ounce package of fruit leather can cost about $2.56 or 51 cents per ounce. Instead, make home made fruit leather by pureeing fruit and drying it. One pound of peaches would make about 3.8 ounces of fruit leather. If the peaches cost $1.27 per pound the cost would be about 33 cents per ounce.
Published 6/11/2011 12:00:00 AM
Tags: Food Dehydrator Tips