Cold As Ice: Warming Up To Your Freezer

by 102 Comments  •  
Download

UPDATED: Congratulations to the following winners of a copy of Saving Savvy! Winners are listed by comment number:
13) Missy
87) Kimberlee

Winners will be contacted by email on how to claim their prize. Thanks to all who entered!

Did you know that one of your biggest money savers is right in your kitchen?

It’s your freezer! In Saving Savvy, I share numerous ways to cut your grocery budget down when you learn to “warm up to your freezer.” One of the easiest ways to save money is to buy meats and produce on sale and stock up, then store it in the freezer.

Take a Freezer Inventory. While for many people the freezer is home to UFO’s (Unidentified Frozen Objects), did you know that by simply keeping an inventory of what you have on hand, you’ll start saving money? I offer you a simple way to do this with a  free download of my Freezer Inventory List. Knowing what you have on hand is the key to meal planning, so take some time to see what is in your freezer and get it organized. (I show you how to organize your freezer in this video.)

Flash Freezing. Have you ever tried to freeze produce that you purchased on sale, only to have it all freeze together in an unappetizing blob? My flash-freezing method of freezing berries, peppers, and other fruits and veggies, shown in the video at the top of this post, will keep this from happening. You can purchase produce when it is in-season and at its lowest price, knowing that it will be kept at its peak of freshness in your freezer.

Ready to serve. When you are cooking for your family, you can easily double recipes and freeze another meal. Pull it out of the freezer, pop it into the oven, and soon it is ready to serve. But what about those opportunities you have, in your church or in your community, when a family needs a meal? Are you ready to serve? Often a hot meal during a neighbor’s health crisis, or even a happy event like a new baby, is just the thing to minister to someone. It’s nice to know you have a meal already prepared that you can take to those families.

Four Easy Freezer Tips. When I speak on saving money by using your freezer, I will often hear someone say that they don’t think food tastes as good after it has been frozen. If your food doesn’t taste good, then perhaps you aren’t freezing it properly. Here are some easy tips.

  1. Keep it airtight. Be sure to wrap the food as airtight as possible. The worst thing you can do is leave the food in a dish with a lot of dead space between the top of the food and the wrapping.
  2. Double wrap. There are a few ways to do this, but I always use plastic freezer bags for the freezer, and I double bag everything.
  3. Keep the Freezer Full. Keeping your freezer full helps your items stay very frozen and saves energy.
  4. Label Everything. When you put it in, you think you will remember what it is; but once it is frozen it will look different.

Saving-Savvy-Book

This is just the “tip of the iceberg” when it comes to learning how to use your freezer. You’ll find tons more practical tips and strategies in my book Saving Savvy, which is available in paperback, eBook, or audio book format. (HINT: The audio book version is me reading, so it is like being in one of my workshops!)

Prayer for today: Thank You for being my El Rohi, my Shepherd. You truly do lead me, and it is up to me to follow. Forgive me when I drag my feet. I want to follow You, step by step, into a place of wise stewardship. I know You will shepherd me as I surrender this area of my life to You (Psalm 23). In Jesus’ name, Amen.

Check out Kelly’s money-saving blog, Faithful Provisions, and follow her on Facebook and Twitter for great tips and tools that will save you even more money.

ENTER TO WIN TODAY’S GIVEAWAY: Finish this sentence in a comment below, and you’ll be entered to win one of two copies of Kelly’s book, Saving Savvy: “My favorite meal to make as an offering of ministry to a family or a new mom is  ________.”

Leave a Comment
Download
Subscribe to daily words
of courage & hope.
Kelly Hancock
About the Author

Kelly Hancock is a wife and mommy...full time. Foodie, coffee addict, amateur photographer...part time. Savvy saver...big time. Kelly left her job as a successful sales rep for a Fortune 500 company when her daughter was born. Because her family (and her mortgage) had depended on two incomes, this exile from...

(in)side DaySpring: things we love
& you will too!
Find more at DaySpring.com
(in)side DaySpring:
things we love
& you will too!
Find more at
DaySpring.com
Recent Posts

Reader Interactions

Comments

  1. My favorite meal to make as an offering of ministry to a family or a new mom is Chili Verde.

  3. My favorite meal to make as an offering of ministry to a family or a new mom is baked Ziti. I make a double batch every time I make it for my family and put one batch in a disposable foil pan,label/ date, and freeze. That way there is always one available when needed and I haven’t created any extra mess. When I need it, I just set it out to thaw, and pick up a bagged salad and garlic bread. This also keeps me from getting so busy serving others that I forget to serve my family!

  6. My favorite meal to make as a ministry to someone is roast beef with potatoes and carrots in the crock pot.

  7. My favorite meal to make as an offering of ministry to a family or a new mom is taco soup. So delicious! It’s super-easy to prepare in a crock pot, and it freezes wonderfully!

  9. My favorite meal to make as a ministry to someone is salsa chicken and cheesy rice. Its our family favorite and so I figure it will be goo for others too. Very easy to make and easy to make double of when making dinner for our family and theirs at the same time!!

  11. My favotire meal to make ans an offering of ministry to a family or a new mom is Chicken Noodle Casserole! Comfort food goodness!

  12. My sweet “Santa” got me an upright freezer for Christmas! I was so excited! My side by side fridge/freezer is very narrow, so stockpiling meats just wasn’t an option. I only had room for the essentials.
    This week, I put 8 chickens in my upright freezer (bought at the rock bottom price of .79/lb this week).
    I made Roast Sticky Chicken for my neighbor who just had back surgery. She loved it, and had leftovers to freeze herself.

  13. (Ooops…forgot to sign in above…need more coffee:-)
    My sweet “Santa” got me an upright freezer for Christmas! I was so excited! My side by side fridge/freezer is very narrow, so stockpiling meats just wasn’t an option. I only had room for the essentials.
    This week, I put 8 chickens in my upright freezer (bought at the rock bottom price of .79/lb this week).
    I made Roast Sticky Chicken for my neighbor who just had back surgery. She loved it, and had leftovers to freeze herself.

  14. My favorite meal to make as an offering of ministry to a family or a new mom is Chicken Chili lasagna

  16. I love to make chili for friends and family who need a helping hand! I am so enjoying this series Kelly~it is really helping me be mindful of how I can continue to take control of and manage my finances.

  17. My favorite meal to make as an offering of ministry to a family or a new mom is Chicken Pot Pie. I always make them 4 at a time and freeze 3 so I can take a hot one and a frozen one to bless someone (and bake the 3rd for dinner that night for us again!)

  18. “My favorite meal to make as an offering of ministry to a family or a new mom is Lasagna.

  21. My favorite meal to make for others is usually whatever I am feeding my family. Just make a double portion and voila! The last time I made a roast with baked potatoes for someone’s anniversary!

  25. Great series! Either my chicken caesar lasagna or chicken spectacular have been good meals to share with others. Thanks for the giveaway opportunity!

  28. My favorite meal to make a beef roast with potatoes and carrots, it transports and keeps well if the family is not ready to eat right away and makes great sandwiches for lunch the next day.

  29. I like to bring breakfast for dinner with breakfast casserole, fruit, cinnamon rolls and orange juice or milk.

  30. My favorite meal to make as an offering of ministry to a family or a new mom is big fresh salad with grilled chicken!

  31. Loved and printed out the Freezer Inventory sheet as I never know what is in my freezer. Suggestion: put the sheet in a plastic sleeve or cover with plastic and use a dry erase marker to update as you use the freezer item.

  32. My favorite meal to make as an offering of ministry to a family or a new mom is … a half-gallon jar of home-made cider, a quart of home canned green beans, one frozen meatloaf (I freeze about 6 at a time) and a bag of frozen unbaked biscuits (super easy to make!). I include a card in the basket with instructions on baking times, and the dessert option varies – although a popular choice for me is vanilla pound cake, easy to bake in a foil pan that doesn’t need to be returned, and stable enough to stand some jostling in the car!

  33. My favorite Meal to make as an offering to anyone in need…happy occasions or illness or times of “take care” of yourself and you need to rest not cook is….
    MOCK LASAGNE CASSEROLE.- all ingredients of lasagne except noodles are macaroni, and dish is layered in a round casserole dish. I usually make a double batch. Yummy!

  34. People love our Hamburger Casserole. Butter the Casserole dish. One layer of browned hamburger. A layer of sliced potatoes. Salt it. A layer of frozen peas. Pour over it, one can of tomato soup diluted with one/half can of water. Repeat the layers and soup. Dot with butter. Cover and bake at 350 degrees for two hours. Yum!!! I have found only one mother who would not eat anything with tomato in it while nursing. Best to check first. What an enjoyed ministry this has been! 🙂

  35. My favorite meal to make as an offering of ministry to a family or a new mom is Lasagne or cauliflower casserole

  36. speaking of the freezer….As often as I can organize it, I think a frozen entree shower is SUCH a blessing for new moms. They are easy for dads and older kids to handle, and once the parade of interested and attentive people has passed (& everyone assumes she is back in the saddle) she can keep meal prep pretty low on the list of priorities. Thaw in morning. Heat before supper. Voila. Days and Days of relieved responsibility:)

  37. My favorite meal to make as an offering of ministry to a family or a new mom is chicken noodle casserole. It is also my family’s favorite meal.

  38. My favorite meal to make as an offering of ministry to a family or new mom is Lazy Day Lasagna! It’s so easy and so good!

  39. My favorite meal to make as an offering of ministry to a family or new mom is not a meal: I send a bag of paper products, like plates, cups, napkins, plasticware, toilet paper, paper towels, cleaning wipes, etc.

  41. My favorite meal to make as an offering of ministry to a family or a new mom is lasagna. I usually take a large pan of lasagna, a salad, garlic bread, and tea. They can eat on the meal several days. It is always a hit!

  42. My favorite meal to make as an offering of ministry to a family or a new mom is  cheesy chicken enchiladas and chocolate chess pie.

  43. My favorite meal to make as an offering of ministry to a family or a new mom is crock pot shredded BBQ chicken with buns and sides – and cookies for dessert! Easy for me to prepare and simple for others to clean and usually a kid pleaser too.

  44. My favorite meal to make as an offering of ministry to a family or a new mom is Chicken Taco Soup, sour cream and shredded cheese. It is a tasty filing soup.
    We make a huge batch and unfortunately eat it all before it can it can freeze in the deep freezer.

    Thank you-

  46. My favorite meal to make as an offering of ministry to a family or a new mom is my lasagna or anything in the crockpot!

  47. My favorite meal is hearty chicken noodle or steak soup, made from scratch w/fresh veggies. Add corn bread, crackers or biscuits and cookies. Good to go! Take in a ‘non return container’ so that folks don’t have to wander who to return it to and maybe will fill it and pass it on!

  48. My favorite meal to make as an offering of ministry to a family or a new mom is Ham and Broccoli Pasta Toss. Fast and easy, and *super* delicious.

  50. My favorite meal to make as an offering of ministry to a family or a new mom is chicken enchiladas.

  51. My favorite meal to make as an offering of ministry to a family or a new mom is chicken casserole, salad & rolls.

  52. My favorite meal to make as an offering of ministry to a family or a new mom is lasagna – either with hamburger and marinara sauce or chicken with a garlic cream sauce.

  53. My favorite meal to make as an offering of ministry to a family or a new mom is chicken and rice casserole and a pound cake.

  54. My favorite meal to make for anyone who could use a nice hot meal is baked spaghetti. Most everyone loves spaghetti and it can rewarmed with no problem.

  55. My favorite meal to make as an offering of ministry to a family or a new mom is corn chowder.

  59. My favorite meal to make as an offering of ministry to a family or a new mom is Lasagna, salad, and garlic bread.

  61. Spaghetti casserole. It’s easy to do, cheap, and I can make up to three at once to freeze or feed my family too

  62. My favorite meal to make as an offering of ministry to a family or a new mom is “a gift card to a local restaurant”. That way they can use it whenever it is most convenient for them and can always get something their family likes.

  63. My favorite meal to serve for a family is homemade spaghetti. When I make a batch of spaghetti, I freeze it in ziplock bags that lay flat and squeeze the air out. I then purchase the noodles, bread and a bag of salad. I make up the spaghetti in a crock pot ahead of time (I put an address label on the bottom so they know who to return the pot too) and then deliver in person with hugs!

  64. My favorite meal to make as an offering of ministry to a family or a new mom is twice baked spaghetti. This was my favotie meal we received when we had our 1st child 9.5 months ago.

  65. My favorite meal to make as an offering of ministry to a family or a new mom is spaghetti. I am surprised by how many spaghetti responses there are. I thought I was being different. 🙂

  66. I had no idea what flash freezing was. I just watched your video and found it very helpful. Thank you so much. I will definately be saving more money on freezing now that I won’t have just the frozen blobs of stuff.
    Thankful that God has brought your website into my life.
    Have a blessed day,

    Barbara

  67. Thank you for the tips! My favorite meal to make as an offering ministry to a family or new mom is poppy seed chicken with rice, rolls, and salad!

  68. My favorite meal to make as an offering of ministry to a family or a new mom is  lasagna. It’s an easy recipe to double and I try and have one in my freezer for quick meals for us an to share!

  70. “My favorite meal to make as an offering of ministry to a family or a new mom is cooked pasta, red sauce with carrots, celery, peppers (any veggie that is on sale), meatballs, two loaves of bread and a nice jar of homemade jam, and a bag of frozen cookie dough balls. With these items a Mom can accomodate all types of eaters. She can freeze the leftovers for another meal. She can make as many fresh baked cookies as she needs, she can have bread and jam as a nice snack or breakfast. I like to give options and not just a meal.

    I love the idea of flash freezing–I belong to an organic CSA and this will help manage the abundance.

  71. My favorite meal to take as an offering of ministry to a family or a new mom is pot roast, potatoes, carrots, green beans, salad, rolls, and frosted brownies.

  72. May favorite meal to make as an offering of ministry to a family or new mom is chicken casserole, green beans, cheesy garlic rolls, and brownies.

  73. You have inspired me to start flash freezing! I had not thought about freezing things when they were in season to save a bunch of money. Thanks for your advice! I love your blog!

  74. My favorite meal to make as an offering of ministry to a family or a new mom is Chicken Spaghetti.

  78. My favorite meal to make as an offering of ministry to a family or a new mom is my chicken noodle soup

  79. My favorite meal to make as an offering of ministry to a family or a new mom are my “white-washed” chicken enchiladas. My husband is Hispanic (he named them), and there is not much Mexican flavor to these. They are delicious though with sunflower seeds for added crunch! YUM!

  81. “My favorite meal to make as an offering of ministry to a family or a new mom is Pork Chops w/Apples & Stuffing/one dish meal…throw in combinations of veggies”.

  82. I like to make beef stew and homemade applesauce for those that have just returned from teh hospital.

  85. “My favorite meal to make as an offering of ministry to a family or a new mom is a hearty chicken pot pie.” It’s my go-to for new Moms. It’s also good because it doesn’t contain ingredients that could cause an issue with a breast feeding Mom. I even make a non-dairy version for Mom’s who forgo milk and cheese while nursing. It’s so important to ask the Mother if there are any ingredients that she can’t eat. Spicy foods, dairy, or items with a lot of tomato and onion can make for a very fussy baby.

  86. I like making Pot Pie because it’s an all in one meal and tastes so good. I also like to add some frozen cookie dough for a treat.

  88. I like to make chicken enchilada casserole. It is warm, tasty and healthy, plus it keeps well and microwaves well if not all of it can be eaten at once. I use only mild sauces and spices so it won’t be too hot for little ones or those who don’t like spicy foods.

  90. I have used the flash freezing method for cookie dough balls, strawberries, green beans, and corn, but I love the idea of expanding that to all other forms of fruits and vegetables. I love to stock up on foods on sale, but I could never use up all of the fresh produce, Great tips!

  92. My favorite meal to make as an offering of ministry to a family or a new mom is white chicken chili! I love making this for others, it is easy to make and very tasty!

  93. My favorite meal to take is mac & cheese with sausage. It is kid friendly, but the addition of the sausage makes it appetizing for adults as well. Of course the meal isn’t complete without yummy brownies!

  95. My favorite meal to make as an offering of ministry to a family or a new mom is a pasta dish, usually lasagna or some sort of casserole.

  96. “My favorite meal to make as an offering of ministry to a family or a new mom is chicken noodle soup with biscuits. Dessert is usually brownies.