Okay, we all do it. And no matter what you post in this thread, should you choose to participate, someone is going to come along and tell you that that is NOT the place to skimp. BUT -

What ingrediants do you think are overpriced and what do you substitute for them?

I have said in here recently, I think sundried tomatoes are overpriced, to I roast tomatoes and use them instead. If you cut the top off the tomato and drain out the seed/pulp, then roast it in the oven, over the gas burner or on the grill just like you would a red pepper, stick it in a paper or plastic bag for a couple minutes when its done, so the steam loosens the skin, the skin will just slip right off and I chop it and use it in place of sundried tomatoes. Not at all quite the same thing, but tasty, and way WAY cheaper.

Also, pinenuts are ridiculously priced. I just use slivered almonds.

I use sunflower seeds instead of pine nuts or slivered almonds - they taste better than pine nuts too.  I put them as topping on fruit salads also.

I love quinoa (especially the red kind) and it is healthier than rice, but VERY expensive.  I substitute for rice 3/4 bulgar wheat and 1/4 quinoa - use same amount of water or broth - another advantage is that they cook much faster than brown rice - you can even simmer for a few minutes and turn off the heat (leave the lid on) and they will be ready in 15 minutes.

Frugal is a gentler word for it. :)  

Thank you, Beth, for the euphemism, but I'm not embarrassed to be called "cheapskate" . . . .  Once, my kids (in high school, learning Economics, the "dismal science") came home and informed me that they had learned about conspicuous consumption, and had realized that Mama and Daddy were models of  "conspicuous non-consumption".

Anyhow, one of the items that we at our house think is OVER-priced is pizza.  For Pete's sake, it is so easy and such fun to make at home, why should you wait for some yo-yo to bring one to your door and pay a DOUBLE-DIGIT price (not to mention a tip to the delivery person) for it?

And it cuts me up to see shoppers in the supermarket buying those little cans of soup for more than a dollar apiece (most varieties).  Making soup at home is not only easy, it's THERAPEUTIC.......it steadies you on your course.

I use regular sour cream in place of creme fraiche.  It has the same flavor just not quite as thick.

I add a little vinegar to milk and use it in place of buttermilk. I just can't see purchasing a whole container of buttermilk when a recipe calls for just a small amount.

I will make my own creme fraiche. I freeze excess buttermilk into ice cubes (2 Tablespoons each), to use later. I also freeze citrus zest whenever I use or chose to eat a lemon. lime, or orange. I will also freeze egg whites when I need the yolk for another application. I just learned the method for freezing egg yolks, so I will do that if I ever have spare yolks.

I guess I don't really substitute so much. I just make the most of what I get.