You can save money by making the Basic Cure mix. There is some question about how much sugar there is in Morton Tender quick, as compared to the Basic Cure mix. Though it has .5% sodium nitrite, and .5% sodium nitrate. The Basic Cure mix has 1% sodium nitrite.
Basic Dry Cure:
1 pound/450 grams pickling salt (this is purified table salt)
8 ounces/225 grams granulated sugar
2.4 ounces/68 grams pink salt (InstaCure #1; or DQ Powder; or Prague Powder #1; or Cure #1; or TCM)
Makes about 3 1/2 cups
So you can make any amount you like. Kept in an air tight container, it will last for a long time. The actual formula is:
2 parts salt + 1 part sugar x 20% = Amount of Cure #1 to add