MOO Month Week 2 – Build Your Core MOO Staples

During the first week of MOO Month we proved something important: 
You can make things yourself.

Maybe it was gravy, muffins, washing powder, salad dressing or yoghurt. Whatever you tried, you discovered something powerful:
Making your own everyday items is usually simpler, cheaper and more satisfying than we expect.

But this week we take the next step.
Because MOO Month isn’t about making one thing and then forgetting about it.
It’s about building simple habits that quietly reduce spending month after month.
That’s where your Core MOO Staples come in.

What Are Core MOO Staples?
Your Core MOO Staples are 3–5 items you regularly make instead of buying.
These become part of your normal household rhythm.
They aren’t complicated projects or occasional experiments.
They are simple swaps that steadily cross things off the shopping list.
Think of them as the homemade items your household will rely on most.
When you consistently make even a few everyday items, the savings add up surprisingly quickly.

Why Only 3–5 Items?
One of the biggest mistakes people make when they first discover the joy of making their own is trying to make everything.
That usually lasts about two weeks before life gets busy again.
Instead, the Cheapskates way focuses on sustainable habits.
Three to five items is enough to:
• reduce grocery spending
• simplify your routines
• build confidence
• create lasting savings
Small systems are far more powerful than bursts of enthusiasm.

Examples of Good Core MOO Staples
Your list will depend on your household and what you use most often, but many Cheapskates families choose items like these.

Cleaning Products

• Laundry powder
• Dishwashing liquid
• Disinfectant wipes
• Toilet spray

Pantry Staples

• Gravy mix
• Salad dressing
• Taco seasoning
• Stock powder

Lunchbox & Snacks

• Muffin bars
• Biscuits
• Muesli bars
• Yoghurt

Baking Staples

• Cake mixes
• Pancake mix
• Muffin mix

Meal Helpers

• Freezer meals
• Pizza bases
• Soup mixes

The best staples are the ones you buy often because replacing those purchases has the biggest impact on your grocery bill.

How Core MOO Staples Save Real Money
Let’s look at a simple example.
If you replace just four convenience foods each week:
• Muffin bars
• Packet gravy
• Bottled salad dressing
• Snack packs

You might save around $20 a week.

That might not sound dramatic at first.

But over a year that becomes:
💰 More than $1,000 in savings.

And that’s from just a handful of simple homemade swaps.
Imagine what happens when your entire household begins thinking the Cheapskates way.

Your Week 2 MOO Month Task
This week we are building your Core MOO System.
Take a few minutes and write down your answers.
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Step 1 – List Your 3–5 Staples
Choose the items you want to regularly make instead of buy.
Try to pick items you use often.
Examples might include:
• washing powder
• gravy
• muffins
• yoghurt
• salad dressing

Step 2 – Estimate How Often You'll Make Them
For each item, ask yourself:
How often will I make this?
Examples:
• Muffins – weekly
• Gravy – weekly
• Washing powder – monthly
• Yoghurt – weekly
This helps you build a realistic routine.

Step 3 – Estimate Your Monthly Savings
Now compare the store price with your homemade version.
For example:
Store muffins: $6
Homemade muffins: $2
Saving: $4 each batch
Made weekly, that's roughly $16 a month from just one item.
Multiply that by a few staples and suddenly the savings grow very quickly.

Systems Create Stability
One of the core ideas behind the Cheapskates Club is simple:
Systems save more money than motivation.

Anyone can save money for a week.
But when you build simple habits — like making your own staples — the savings continue month after month without needing constant effort.
That’s why the Super Shopper system works.
And that’s why Core MOO Staples are so powerful.

Your Core MOO List
Now it's your turn.
Take a moment to decide which items will become your household’s Core MOO Staples.
Remember:
Not everything.
Just a few simple swaps.
Those small changes can quietly transform your grocery budget over time.
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Comment below and tell us:
What’s on your Core MOO List?