Save money on Spices: It’s great to save money on big expenses, but sometimes you can save just as much money by combining several “smaller” strategies. One way that I save money on groceries is to buy cheaper spices.
Buy Generic Brands
Basic spices like chili powder, black pepper, garlic powder and cinnamon can be found at Walmart for $.50 each. I have noticed no difference in the quality, but the difference in the price is amazing: the jar of McCormick cinnamon is $2.18 for about the same amount!
Check the Ethnic Food Section
Spices like cumin and adobo can be much cheaper in the Hispanic food section. The 1.25 ounce packet of ground cumin in the Hispanic food aisle at Walmart is $.98 ($.78 per ounce). The two ounce jar of McCormick cumin in the regular spice section is $3.12, or $1.56 per ounce. That’s twice as much!
Buy In Bulk
You can often find bulk spices at your local farmer’s market or health food store. Make sure you know your local prices to make sure you are getting a good deal. You can reuse jars or bottles from spices you previously bought so you don’t have to purchase special containers.
Order Online
Amazon.com often has good deals on spices. Again, you need to know your local prices to make sure you are getting a good deal, but I found (2) 16 oz. bags of Frontier Ground Cinnamon Certified Organic for $13.41 with Subscribe and Save, which is just $.44 an ounce.
You can share the cinnamon with friends and neighbors, or use it in one of these gift ideas:
For more gift ideas using cinnamon, check out my Gifts With Cinnamon Pin Board here.
I work in food manufacturing and have found a significant taste and quality difference between name brand spices and the generics. I personally do not use 5th season brand products because of that.
Thanks for your input Callie!
I work in food manufacturing and have found a significant taste and quality difference between name brand spices and the generics. I personally do not use 5th season brand products because of that.
Thanks for your input Callie!
I live in Summerville,SC where Wal Mart no longer stocks the 5th seasons brand. I was told by their management they will not have it in stock. Infact, I find that Wal Mart has stoped carrying many less expensive items that I was able to purchase there for years.
I noticed that recently as well, but I was able to find spices at the dollar store and at Aldi’s for a lower price. I did read recently that some of the cheaper spices come from countries where they don’t have strict food regulations, so it’s probably a good idea to know where the spices originate from.
I haven’t seen $.50 spices at Walmart in a long time. I do get mine at Dollar General quite often $1 regular/sometimes a sale.
Also, I am trying to grow some herbs as well. My black thumb has not been successful yet. Any green thumbs with suggestions. I’d like to grow in pots so I can bring them in on freezing days. I am in SC.
TY
My Walmart still has the $.50 cent spices, but I just purchased some chili powder at Dollar General for $1 because we needed it and I didn’t feel like driving to Walmart. Still a good deal, right?
I have had success with basil in a pot, but not much else. I read that if you plant the basil and tomatoes together it helps to keep pests away, but I don’t remember why at this moment.
Don’t forget you can do an online search for close substitutes (especially herbs like basil, thyme, etc.), so you don’t have to buy a spice if you’re only going to use 1/2 TBSP of it. I calculate cost per unit, but sometimes forget cost per unit used if 3/4 of the bottle goes unused.
I find spices @ Dollar Tree for a buck.
Thanks for the gift ideas using cinnamon. I’ve been saving glass jars to make Spanish Hot Cocoa + Spiced Tea mixes for Christmas gifts this year. I might add the cinnamon rolls to it!
Thanks for the tip Shela. What size are the Dollar Store spices? The Fifth Season spices at Walmart are 2 oz. for $.50, but I haven’t checked the sizes on the ones at the Dollar Store.
By the way, the cinnamon rolls with the Hot Cocoa sounds like a great gift!
I never thought to check the “Hispanic Foods” section at Walmart for cheaper spices, thanks for that tip! And we love making cinnamon almonds for Christmas every year 🙂
You are so welcome! I had never heard of cinnamon almonds until I found that post, but I think I’ll have to try them now.
Another way to save on spice is to buy them at the dollar store.
Thanks Betsy!