How do you save money economically cooking in Romania?

Public Comments

1. While I have no answers specifically for Romania, I would recommend you do like most....look for as many "deals" or "sales" as possible in the stores, shop small farmers markets when you can, look for stores that sell for smallest amount for everything (in the US, it's call a 99 Cent Only store, or Dollar Store); also, it pays off in the end to find a store that you feel you can trust, and make it "your" store. You can often find that the products you buy will pay off in the end by not traveling to several shops for the things that can be bought in one place. Knowing the store management/owner can be helpful when looking for quality food. Also, remember to be seasonally minded - that is, if it isn't the season for strawberries, don't buy them for loads of money...wait until it's strawberry season! Then stock up and freeze if you can!
2. Is there any way not to save money economically?
3. Romania? Isn't everything 99 cents there :) Just eat sausages and rabbit food.
4. Go to the local produce market (open air) and not the grocery stores. The food is fresher and better priced and you can buy all of your staples like malai (cornmeal) which you can make and serve so many ways in romania, like with a fresh vegetable stew over it. Meat is expensive, so use it sparingly and enjoy lots of fresh local produce. Also, go visit some people in the country, see what they cook and eat and talk to them about selling you some of their eggs and fresh produce when you go to the country to bring home with you. You can get an even better deal on real, organic food that way.