Interview with Lisa Leete, Owner of Thrifty Kitchen

By San Diego Bargain Mama

What is your background and what prompted you to start Thrifty Kitchen?

My family moved to San Diego about 9 years ago.  We had a 3-year old daughter and I was pregnant with our second daughter.  My husband was starting a position as a ”post-doctoral fellow“ at UCSD which is just one step up from being a student.  Basically, we were going to need to get by that year on under $30,000.  Suddenly things like coupons and sales became much more interesting.  I learned so much that year!   After the baby was a few months old, I returned to work and some of the pressure was off, but once you learn to pay less for items, it quickly becomes a habit and it’s really unappealing to pay full price!

I have continued to shop using the methods of buying what’s on sale and in season, using coupons, and really stocking up on items when the price is right.  I was prompted to start Thrifty Kitchen by one of those middle-of-the-night bolts of inspiration – I think all the news stories about the rising cost of groceries convinced me that others might be interested in some of what I’ve learned.

What sets you apart from other coupon sites or moms trying to help folks save at the grocery store?

I think the difference with Thrifty Kitchen is that it is a full system.  We don’t stop at just pointing out the sale items or the coupons.  In fact, that’s just the starting point!  I put together a list of grocery bargains each week for my subscribers, then I take that list and find recipes using the sale items.  TK subscribers get a full weekly menu and recipe plan with 6 main dishes, 12 simple side dishes, and a fresh salad dressing, all based on what is on sale and in season that week.  Each meal averages about $2.50 per serving for a family of 4.

What do you want to accomplish with your new business?

Mostly, I want to have fun.  I really love food and cooking, as well as saving money, so this is just the perfect pairing of the two.  It’s been really fun when some of my subscribers share their how much they saved, or tell me that they are running out for takeout a lot less, or that their family loved a certain dish.

What do you say to people who are leery about the potential savings they can get by cutting coupons, or that it just isn’t worth the hassle?

It does take time and effort – there’s no getting around that.  However, when I tell people that I spend about $400 per month on groceries, including most cleaning and personal care items, that tends to get their attention.  The national average for a family of 4 is between $800-$900, so that’s pretty substantial.  Some people just don’t want to clip coupons though, and I respect that.  The beauty of Thrifty Kitchen is that you can still save a ton of money just by having your meals planned in advance, buying only what you need at the grocery store, and eating meals based on the meats and produce on sale that week.

To what extent do you recommend big box stores, and what items do you always purchase there?

I am a huge fan of Costco.  We buy our electronics and appliances there, we bought a garage door from them, and refinanced our home loan through them.  They rock!  However, I don’t actually buy a lot of groceries there.  Their food prices are on the low side of average, and the portions are just too big for us to use and store in the cupboard.  But there are a few exceptions.  Here are the groceries that are wonderful bargains there:

            Milk

            Butter

            Eggs

            Canned diced tomatoes

            Canned tomato paste

            Canned chicken broth

            Olive oil

            Bottled minced garlic

            Pet food

            Cat litter

Of course, you have to buy a large portion of these items as well, but we seem to be able to get through these easily before they go bad, and these are items that are not frequently on sale at the grocery store.

What are the number one ways you suggest to folks to save money on food?

The grocery stores want you to go to their store each week, and they’re  going to offer some great items at great prices each week to encourage you.   If you know what those items are in advance, and plan your week’s meals around them, you’re way ahead already.  Throw in a few coupons and stock up on staples when they’re on sale, and you win!

Tell us a couple of your biggest secrets to saving between 40% and 60% at each grocery store visit.

There’s really no overall secret to it.  It’s just a combination of reading the grocery circulars, planning the meals, and matching the coupons to the sale items.  If you do those three things, or let Thrifty Kitchen do them for you each week, you will soon be seeing those kinds of percentages as well!

What can potential members to your site expect?  If visitors to your site are not members, what do you offer them while they consider joining?

Members to my site receive access to a weekly list of grocery bargains & freebies, information on current coupons and where to find them, and a weekly menu plan with recipes based on grocery sale items and seasonal produce.  The cost is $10 per month.  Non-members who visit the site can read about coupon strategies as well as ways to save money on all their spending, not just groceries.  Visitors may also sign up for a free weekly Thrifty Kitchen newsletter that has savings tips, freebies, and other fun information.

Learn more at www.ThriftyKitchen.com