Another way I save money in my frugal kitchen is by purchasing food in number ten cans, which usually range in size from 102 to 110 ounces. Several types of food can be bought in these bigger quantities for less money than smaller canned goods.
Back in 2012 when I wrote this article, the prices I paid were cheaper than they are today, but I have updated these prices to reflect the cost in 2024.
Black Olives - (105 ounces) - was $6.25, now $15.99
Carrots - (105 ounces) - $6.99
Cheddar Cheese Sauce - (106 ounces) - $9.99
Corn - (106 ounces) - $6.99
Fruit Cocktail - (106 ounces) - $4.35, now $13.99
Green Beans - (105 ounces) - $6.99
Tomato Sauce (105 ounces) - was $2.98, now $5.99
Whole Tomatoes (105 ounces) - was $2.88, now $8.99
Diced Tomatoes - (102 ounces) - was $2.98, now $6.99
Crushed Tomatoes - (102 ounces) - was $3.22, now $6.99
Pizza Sauce - (105 ounces) - was 2.98, now $8.49
Pineapple Tidbits - (106 ounces) - was $3.78, now $9.99
Spaghetti Sauce - (105 ounces) - was $2.98, now $8.49
Groceries cost more these days, but there are still some good deals to be had. Like this number ten can of peaches I bought at Kroger last week for $8.99.
What I would do with these large portions is to open up the can, take out the portion I need and then freeze the remainder of the food into meal size portions.
Black olives have risen a lot in price in the last few years and now cost around $1.99 for a six ounce can. But I can get this 110 ounce can of black olives from Gordon Food for $15.99. This works out to 15 cents per ounce. Walmart's price is 34 cents per ounce and up, which is more than double the price.
We love black olives here and include them in many dishes, so this is a good money saver for us as well. I simply transfer the olives to a container and store them in our refrigerator for a couple of weeks and we've never had any problems using them up in that time frame. Of course, it helps that I plan meals that I know call for black olives like tacos, pizza, pasta salad, etc.
Now, I know that not everyone has access to these types of canned foods, but for those who do they can be a money saver. Sometimes Walmart and some grocery stores have a small section devoted to the number ten size canned goods, so it is worth your time to check into this.
However, it is important to note that sometimes you may run upon a good sale on a similar product in the 14.5 ounce canned good size. I know I have found canned tomatoes in that size priced at 3 for $1.00 at Big Lots before, although that kind of price has been hard to find since the Great Recession.
Also, some number ten canned goods are not a good value. So, as always, be sure to know and check your prices to make sure you are getting the best deal for your family.
