[SeeAPenny]

I do find my free-standing chest freezer highly economical. I haven't actually sat down to do the math, but I figure I surely come out ahead in the deal. For instance, I regularly purchase bulk items through my food-buying club to save money (flour, grains, dried fruit, nuts, spices, etc), storing it all in my freezer to keep it fresh. I stock up on store loss leader items (frozen juice concentrate for example), and discounted day-old bakery bread, etc -- which I am able to do because of my extra freezer space. Garden produce from myself and others always finds its' place in there as well. Just this morning, I made smoothies for the kids and me using cantalope and strawberries I was given free by the proprietor of a little asian grocery around the corner awhile back, when some of her produce was a bit past its' peak. She just let me have it all -- I brought it home, picked it over and froze much of it (the smoothies were great!). Although I haven't actually gone as far as trying 'Once a Month Cookery', I do make it a habit to double up on lasangas, casseroles, chili, etc., whenever I can -- which I store in the freezer. This is a time saver, which can translate into actual money savings if it keeps me from turning to pricey convenience foods on busy days. Really, I love my freezer and don't know what I would do without it.....