Have I ever mentioned I’m a bit fruity? No? Well, let’s go back in time and take a trip down memory lane. To last weekend.
I mentioned my budget lockdown on Monday–So what’s this week’s money-saving advice? Eat other people’s fruit! Fruit is expensive. Not-your-food is free! So when I visited my parents last weekend, I made sure to raid their fridge for fresh, juicy goodness.
Like freshly picked berries.
Perfect plain or on big bowls of cereal.
Like entire cantaloupes.
Eaten in one sitting (or, rather, one standing-next-to-the-fridge). I wish I was exaggerating. No I don’t. I’m still not entirely sure how I fit it all in me, but, oh, it was delicious.
Like fresh watermelon.
Fresh watermelon with cracked pepper and mint. Yes, totally stole this idea after going to Heather and the Man-Friend’s BBQ last week.
Like leftover watermelon.
Blended with plenty of lime, tequila and triple sec. People are much more willing to share their fruit if you ply them with liquor.
Like bargain bananas.
If you simply must buy your own fruit, go bananas!
Closeout organic bananas for $0.38/lb! That equals 8 bananas for $0.85, or $0.11 each! Perfect for bowls of crunchy and peanut-buttery goodness.
Have any frugal fruit tips?
ForgottenBeast 
Pass me a margarita. That looks amazing!!!
Ohh, it WAS!
Parent’s houses are usually great places to scavenge! I agree with Laura, the margarita looks wonderful. Never thought of pepper on watermelon, but I’m the pepper queen so what the heck! Have a great day!
I wouldn’t have, but after having it once? I’m hooked! Such a good combo–and I’m with ya, I’d put pepper on anything/everything to begin with anyway š
this is such the season of fruit. I could eat it day in and day out if I could! Luckily I have found some great sales lately.
Now that I’m back home, I’m going to have to look out for some of those fruit sales myself, I don’t think I can go cold turkey!
THAT DRINK LOOKS AMAZING. oh my gosh oh my gosh oh my gosh.
I think my only tip would be to check out the freezer section, especially at TJs. During the winter, I bought lots frozen berries and frozen mangoes there š
Mmm, it was amazing. I may or may not have whipped it up two days in a row. And YES, frozen fruit is the way to go! I refuse to buy fresh berries any time of year, the price is too ridiculous, but frozen I can do. Plus frozen fruit & berries make for perfect hot summer day snacks–like reconstructed sorbet, haha.
ugh. I wish my supermarket had closeout prices on things. I’d be all over that. I consider myself the master of not spending any money ever. Go to the farmer’s market and offer to take the ones they might throw away and go home, wash them up good, and stew or cut and freeze!
Keep an eye out, especially for bananas. Some grocery stores sort of hide the bargain ones around corners, but most chains stick ’em somewhere. Great tips about the farmer’s markets, I had never thought to do that before (I like to show up just when they open, haha), but it makes so much sense!
Those blueberries look beautiful and the watermelon drink looks so refreshing.
The watermelon margarita was perfect–alcoholic, but yes, still refreshing. Perfect for a hot sunny day!
Well, we have a plum tree, so that’s certainly a great source of free fruit! And it’s always fun to see what kind of fruit is growing wild at the park. Mulberries, perhaps? I also second the farmer’s market, especially if you make a round in the last fifteen minutes they’re open. Free samples plus super reduced prices!
I’m still jealous of that plum tree! And I seriously had no idea farmers did that at farmer’s market until I read the above comment. Live and learn! And then go stock up on cheap veggies š
Free food is the best food! Every time I go to Santa Barbara, I always go to the avocado tree in my boyfriend’s grandma’s backyard and bring home a dozen.
Oh my gosh, FREE fresh avocados?? I want!
I am still envious every single time you post your bargain bananas. This time is no different.
All you have to do is move to the crappy end of town where no one buys produce ;D Bargain fruits and veggies galore! Bought a bag of ELEVEN limes for $1 earlier this week. 11 limes!!! I have no idea what to do with them. Lime bars?
Margaritas?
Fruit is expensive! I like getting a bag of clementines because they seem to last a while. Grapes are one of my favorite fruits and also very costly so I only buy them on sale.
Citrus definitely seems to have a longer shelf-life than other fruits! And oh, I’m a sucker for grapes, but I can and will eat an entire bag in a day if I buy them, and that turns out to not be that cost-effective š
I’d like to try a sip of that watermelon margarita!! Sounds delicious!
Mmm, it was! So refreshing!
Mmmm, love all the fresh fruit. And the margarita…especially the margarita!
Who doesn’t love a good margarita? Especially when it comes WITH fresh fruit? The best of both worlds! Both worlds being alcohol + good food.
I want a margarita!
The only “bargain” fruit I get is the dried variety (which is really hard to find without oil/sugar) at my local bulk foods store. Everything else is expensive so I plan on it taking up most of the budget.
I wish I could find well-priced dried fruit! Other than raisins, those tend to be cheap but aren’t really my favorite. I’d much rather have grapes, but those tend to be a little pricier…
Those freshly picked berries look amazing!
Oh man I’m LAPPING up fruit lately like it’s my job..I blame it on the heat and having access to a whole new selection (just got to London)- cherries, strawberries, blueberries- I want it all! As for frugal fruit tips: justify it by telling yourself that you’re “investing in yourself” š
Mmm, cherries–now THOSE I want! And haha, I like your advice!
Mmmm fruit. I froze, I wish they were Michigan, blueberries today and thought of you. I usually eat half a cantaloupe for an afternoon snack and while I don’t eat it standing next to the fridge, it’s literally me, half a cantaloupe still in tact and a spoon. Who needs nicely cut up fruit? Not this girl. Although your nicely cut up watermelon looks fantastic. Your blended watermelon….even better.
I have seriously been DREAMING of that watermelon salad since the BBQ
Damn thing cut me off! What I was GOING to say is that yes, I’ve been dreaming of it, but now I can’t get your quinoa caprese salad out of my head either…I’m thinking some sort of quinoa/fruit/cheese fusion is on the horizon! Just in time for the next BBQ!!! š