Pay for the Scoops, Enjoy the Quarts
Written by Kevin on May 9, 2008 – 7:00 amNo Debt Plan is a blog about living a debt-free life. If you're new here, you may want to subscribe to my RSS feed (e-mail subscription also available). Learn more about me, or read some other popular articles. Thanks for visiting!
The weather has warmed up around here, and we’re enjoying temperatures in the 80s and 90s. Nothing soothes on a hot day like a few scoops of ice cream in a waffle cone.
But, why pay $3 per cone when you can buy a half-gallon for $5 or $6? You could buy two ice cream cones or enjoy a whole quart of ice cream. That seems like simple math to me.
Granted, a trip to Bruster’s Ice Cream Shop or Cold Stone Creamery can be a fun date. I’m not discounting that. I just think it can be expensive.
Then again, at Bruster’s the amount of ice cream they give you might be a quart!
Nonetheless it is much more frugal to eat ice cream at home. You may miss the waffle cone, but you get more bang for your buck with the half-gallon bucket.
Two Added Bonuses to Eating Ice Cream at Home
You can control the portion size. Smaller portions means your container lasts longer and eating less ice cream each serving is a slightly healthier option (hey, it’s still ice cream).
Additionally, when you purchase ice cream at the grocery store you can see the nutritional facts. Ice cream isn’t the best thing for you, but maybe you choose a brand with less fat. Every little bit counts.
So let’s have it — who here loves ice cream? What’s your favorite flavor? Leave a comment!
I personally love chocolate chip cookie dough, especially from Bruster’s because they have actual huge chunks of cookie dough in it. Back in the day Baskin Robbin’s had a flavor called Double Chocolate Fudge or something like that. It was very dark brown and extremely rich… but so good. I haven’t seen it in a while.
(Photo above by Tom Coates.)
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Tags: Frugal
Posted in Frugal |
May 9th, 2008 at 7:46 am
In the past 6 months or so, we’ve bought 2 gallon tubs of ice cream on sale for $3.99 and boxes of sugar cones at $1.79 a dozen. 1 gallon of ice cream and 2 boxes of cones last us a really long time (in fact we’ve had this one gallon for about 2 months now … hmmm … I wonder if it’s still safe).
Anyways, my favorite flavor is mint chip - except the buckets on sale are always vanilla, chocolate, strawberry, or Neapolitan so I always get the Neapolitan for variety and savings.
May 9th, 2008 at 7:59 am
Breyer’s Rocky Road has rightly won my vote for best ice cream ever. (chocolate covered almonds - are you serious?!?!).
I will say the advantage of Bruster’s or Baskin Robbin’s is that I’m less likely to stop and buy ice cream at 10 p.m. than I am to enjoy a late-night binge while watching Top Chef.
But then again, ice cream is ice cream no matter when you eat it.
Good post!
May 9th, 2008 at 8:37 am
I love Blue Bell ice creams, and they are getting expensive but not in comparison to shops. Also, you can come close to getting waffle cones at the store, still cheaper.
Another option that is satisfying but a bit healthier is Skinny Cow Ice Cream sandwiches, those usually cure my sweet tooth for ice cream.
May 9th, 2008 at 3:07 pm
Since you mentioned Cold Stone… mmmm… Their oatmeal cookie dough with walnuts and graham cracker crust. Holy cow that is so good.
At home I can always go for Ben and Jerry’s Chubby Hubby.
May 9th, 2008 at 3:50 pm
Some of my favorite childhood memories are about home made ice cream at my Grandparents home. Grandpa had a big crank ice cream maker and all the kids would take turns churning the ice cream until it was ready. We never got fancy with the flavors. It was either vanilla or chocolate, but boy was it yummy. Now there are numerous Ice Cream Makers for under $100, many under $50. Then you can really control the ingredients of your ice cream… Try this ONE!
May 9th, 2008 at 4:45 pm
I’m one of the few people that can’t stand cookie dough ice cream… although I love cookies!
For me, my favorites are mint chocolate chip and cherries jubilee.
May 10th, 2008 at 12:58 pm
Birthday Ice cream is my absolute favorite. I love the frosting inside of the ice cream. For the longest time the only place to get this was Brusters but now Mayfair is making their version.