About the 250.00 a month grocercy budget

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    • #262043
      Guest

      A year and a half ago I could easily do the 250 monthly grocery budget. So many food items have gone up in the last 18 months that I now find it pretty challenging.

      The same is true with The Hillbilly Housewife’s 70 dollar menu for a family of 4 – 6. Two years ago I tried her list and it came to about 70 dollars. It can’t be done in my area for that now.

      I’m curious how many of you are still able to feed your family for 57.00 a week.

      I have a total food bugdet of 279 a month for a family of 5.

      A show of hands please.

      Diane

    • #397986
      Guest

      Re: Budget101.com : About the 250.00 a month grocercy budget

      I can spend that in a week. And the kids have no concept and have it gone in a few days. I can spend alone $5.00 per day for just milk.

      They can go through a gallon per day if I let them.

      Dee
      Mom to Kyle 08/11/91
      Mom to Stephanie 03/25/97
      Wife to Jeff 09/28/02

    • #397981
      Guest

      Re: Budget101.com : About the 250.00 a month grocercy budget

      I know we spend close to $300 a month and I am extremely frugal. I bought pork neck bones ($1.26 for about 2 pounds) and made chili. I buy beans from the local coop (the prices at this one are under store prices unlike the other yuppie coop that most local folks go to).

      I also buy and cook much of what we eat from scratch, occasionally can the left over soups (we have soups at least 5 days a week). My daughter has autism and is a picky eater so I cater to her whims and we have compromised. Soups work great because she’ll eat veggies in soups but not as a side dish.

      I also garden so have fresh produce this time of year.
      The prices have gone way up here and it is harder and harder to make ends meet. (we are on a very limited income). The bread machine and crock pots (I have 4:) really help.

      One of the latest ‘tricks’ to making a good meal seems to be to make a taco soup and add a handful of corn chips and a little shredded cheese on top. my daughter absolutely loves this. the taco seasoning from the coop is mild and the amount of meat is limited.

      we use a lot of beans (refried beans on sale ) so it is high in protein.
      we also now when traveling, instead of stopping for ice cream, go to the grocery store and buy a box of ice cream treats. the treats are typically the price of one treat or cone if we bought them at dq.
      kay

    • #397979
      Guest

      Re: Budget101.com : About the 250.00 a month grocercy budget

      Because of buying diapers, there is no way. He is in the process of potty training, but we are expecting 2-3 more babies next year, so back to diapers. Fortunately, I plan to nurse them as I did our first child, and make their baby food afterwards.

      Still, it gets tight.

      We don’t buy convenience foods. I make our meals at home. Slow cookers, casseroles and cooking at night helps.

      We eat a lot of pasta (40 cents a box on sale); chili, soups, stews. Not fancy, but works.

      Herlean

    • #397980
      Guest

      Re: Budget101.com : About the 250.00 a month grocercy budget

      We usually can spend about $25-$70 a week on groceries for a family of 6, that doesn’t include cleaners, toiletries, wipes, paper products or diapers. The $25 is when we do have some items in our pantry. The $70 is when we need to stock up or do not have some of the items.

      We cloth diaper/ clothtoilet train our younger two and are expecting a child in February.

      We cloth diaper part time and buy approximately 1 pkg of $30 ish diapers every two weeks. There are a lot of cloth diapers that are low cost. Baby Best Buy! or BestBuyBaby.com – Your source for great baby products is a good resource for cheap diapers. Pro-wrap wraps work pretty well but plastic covers work ok too.

      We like the extra soakers to make it work better. It is a way to save a lot of money a month. I do not buy the ” laundry/water” expense.

      You plain save money cloth diapering. If you buy cloth diapers for 2-3 children and wraps from the above website it would cost you about $200 total for all sizes, you can go even cheaper using chinese pre-folds. I really like cloth diapers because when you have zero money, you still have diapers.

      Nicole

    • #397983
      Guest

      Re: Budget101.com : About the 250.00 a month grocercy budget

      This might be a little unconventional but when there is about 1/3 of a gal. of milk left. I buy a small container of 2% milk and fill it halfway, then I fill it with water and powdered milk.

      No one bats an eye. When it goes down to 1/3 I repeat. It saves money and I believe it is juist as nutritous.

      I also had to be really clear about what snacks were ok during the day and put a limit to it.

      We also could go through $20 by snacking a day until I put an end to all the grazing.

      Nicole

    • #397977
      Guest

      RE: Budget101.com : About the 250.00 a month grocercy budget

      I can say honestly that cloth diapering my babies have saved us hundreds of dollars. I do make my own diapers, so they do cost less than just buying them. There are many different options, even for potty training.

      My guy in trainers love his Cars “pull-ups” that I made for him.

      lmk if you want some info j

      christina coyle

      jackson hewitt tax service

      area manager of andrews and manning, sc

    • #398005
      Guest

      I would like to know how families of 5 & 6 survive on $57-70/wk on groceries. Do you have any teens? Do your kids eat much?

      Are they satisfied with what is in the house. I get complaints all the time from the kids that “there is nothing to eat” and I spend double or triple that amount weekly. Can you give me example of your food lists/meals per week.

      Do you work? I don’t have the time to make everything from scratch because of work, but I do as much as I can. Would like to know more about how you stretch your grocery budgets so far.

      And how do you take care of that got to eat feeling for teens without going broke? TIA. Lisa

    • #398007
      Guest

      I am not against cloth diapers. I used them when our son was at home. When I had to return to work, he got the pampers for daycare.

      Herlean

    • #397982
      Guest

      Re: Budget101.com : About the 250.00 a month grocercy budget

      My daughter buys one gallon whole milk and splits in into two halfs using a extra gallon container and then adds water to make up 2 gallsons of 2% milk. I had read this on one of the lists and so far the kids drink their choco milk and cereal fine.

      I told her to k

    • #397966
      Guest

      Just make sure the kids get enough calcium. Maybe add in vitamins for them, containing calcium. Teeth and bones, cost more to fix than a gallon of milk.

      dash

    • #397964
      Guest

      wow 279 for a family of 5? that’s great IMO.
      does that include cleaning, paper and pet stuff?
      mine does and I dont keep track, but I probably
      spend 200 for a family of 3 (+ 1 dog and 3 cats)

      Marguerite

    • #397965
      Guest

      I agree that prices have definitely gone up everywhere. One thing that I have begun doing and has worked well is to check into the grocery departments at non-traditional places such as Big Lots and Walgreens. For example at Big Lots, I found Kraft brand mac-n-cheese for $0.35 a box and bought 2 cases, 22oz boxes of Rice Krispies for $1.50 per box and 16 oz Del Monte ketchup for $0.30 per bottle.

      At Walgreens they sometimes will discontinue food items they aren’t going to carry and mark them at 75% off. For example, a great treat of ours was to get strawberry Oreos for $1.00 per box since the Walgreens by us wasn’t going to carry them anymore. You can also save money from time to time by using their coupons for such things as spices at 2/$1.00 and ready to use frosting for $0.99.

      The bottom line is that just because it isn’t a “grocery store” doesn’t mean that the grocery item prices are sky high. Sometimes they are but it is at least worth a quick look especially if you are in the area anyway.

    • #398012
      xtena

      Mixing whole milk with water doesn’t give you 2% milk, it gives you watered down milk. I would recommend using reconstituted fatfree milk and mixing that half and half with whole milk so you get the nutrition. (Not my original idea, first read about this in the Tightwad Gazette).

      It may not be cheaper than water but nutritionally is superior. In my neck of the woods powdered milk reconstituted is still cheaper than fresh milk, but that may not be true everywhere.

      Of course there are very convincing arguments from the vegan perspective that milk is not a health food at all! But I understand most people can’t/won’t accept that point of view. If you are going to feed kids milk, it’s probably not good to water it down.

    • #398037
      Candace

      Milk isn’t good for kids anyway, You should read The notmilk homepage! (milk is a bad-news substance!) , she’s doing those kids a favor by not poisoning them.

    • #398288
      lcove2000

      I am still waiting to hear from families that have 5-6 or more with teens how they are living on approx. $70 week in groceries. ??? I am open to any ideas. I try to make scratch as much as possible, but I work part time and don’t always have the time. TIA Lisa

    • #398312
      judith_northcutt

      We are a family of five with a 279 dollar monthy grocery budget. I have a 14 year old boy , 12 year old boy , 9 year old girl and a husband.
      Breakfast is usually made from scratch pancakes, muffins, biscuits or grits with a little cheese on top. We have cereal once a week . I only buy cornflakes because they are the cheapest. I mix a gallon of whole milk with a gallon of (reconstituted) powdered milk. This gives me two gallons of 2% for about 70 cent less per gallon.I put one gallon in the fridge and the other in the freezer untill next week. We are alotted one gallon per week for drinking/cereal. I use powdered milk in all my cooking & baking.
      I make just about everything from scratch: tortillas, rice-a-roni, yogurt, shake-n-bake, cocoa mix, salad dressing, spaghetti sauce etc, etc.. I do make an exception for 30 cent brown gravey mix and 79 cent pepper gravey mix ( makes 3 1/2 cups) .
      Meat is usually an ingredient in a casserole, soup or stew. We only occaisionally have a serving of just meat. I only buy meat when it is on sale. When I find a good sale I buy as much as I can afford.
      I also only buy fruit that is on sale. One week we may get apples, the next week bananas or something else. If the fruit is too expensive one week , then I may buy canned peaches or applesauce instead.
      I have to get the best price available on everything. Some things I only buy at Aldi because they are the cheapest on those things. Some things I only buy at Walmart because they are cheapest on those. I do grab loss leader items from other grocery stores. No, I do not run all over the place using extra gas. I shop Aldi’s one week and get everything that I need from there. The next week I shop Walmart. I get loss leaders at other store as I am passing by and see the sign. No extra trips.
      This week I found a very good sale price on a fifty pound bag of potaotoes. I normally get the 10 pound bag. This week I got the bigger bag. Five 10 lb bags would end up costing 10 dollars more in the long run.
      I use my crockpot and breadmachine on an almost daily basis. A hot loaf of ( fresh from the oven ) bread can really jaz up a plain meal. A jello ring ( cheap to make) can also spruce up a simple meal.
      I learned most of my shopping/ cooking stategies from the Tightwad Gazette Books by Amy Dacyczyn. I highly recommend all three books ( The Tightwad Gazette vol 1, vol 2 & vol 3) All three books have been combined in a single volume titled ‘ The Complete tightwad’. These books are available at most libraries. These books will change the way you think when you shop. They are worth every penny that I paid for them.
      Diane

    • #400737
      JennyCup

      We are a family of 2 (plus a dog) and I spend under $100 a month on food some months I can go as low as $65. I buy in bulk, make from scratch as much as I can, buy from the bread outlet, Buy at places like Big lots (watch those expiration dates!), do not buy soda at all, etc. It is a lot of extra work on my part to keep the cost down, but it really makes me feel good knowing that I can feed my family and not feel like we are missing out on anything.

    • #400744
      mdowdy

      With prices rising, it is extremely hard to use just about any kind of budget for food. That is what this website is about ideas, coupons, cheap recipes etc to help keep the amount spent down as much as possible. When I was married before there were a lot of weeks i only had 25.00 for a family of 5, we didnt have huge expensive meals but I managed to do it and the kids were healthy. A lot of times when people complain they have nothing to eat, it is not because there is nothing in the kitchen to eat, it’s because there is nothing in there they want to eat. This may not be the case in your situation and I don’t mean to preach. A few years ago we were basically homeless with a baby on the way and absolutely no money for food. We learned to be thankful for every little bit we could get. Now when times have improved and sometimes we want those meals we simply can’t afford we think back to when we had no food and it changes the perspective. I have vowed my child will never go without food, like we did before she got here, so I cut everyway possible. Sorry, if I sound preachy.

      Use coupons, make from scratch as much as possible, freeze those leftovers you can use them again later on, buy extras when the prices are good and you have a little extra cash. We are only a family of 3 and I have not been able to get down to the 250.00 a month including detergents etc, but I am working on it and will figure it out eventually. I just love a challenge. When diapers come into play, it makes it even harder, but you can get freebie diapers out there. You don’t get but one or two most of the time but it means you have one extra diaper before having to buy more. Babies are actually the easiest to get freebies for. It takes some time and planning sometimes on time management to get those scratch items made. Make some on your days off and freeze them, may be one idea. And remember use those coupons etc.

    • #400793
      wilbe95

      lcove2000
      I have a family of 6, I am the only female. 19 year old, 12 year old, 9 year old, 6 year old, the hubby and myself. I should take stock in milk the way they drink it!! Dry milk does help cut some of the cost especially for cooking. Making mostly from scratch helps because you do pay extra for that convience of the food being partially prepared. I like to keep cheese and bread around the boys will fix grilled cheese sandwiches for in between meals which helps. I have not been able to keep the budget below $250 for groceries. However, I am making other changes. First thing I have done is purchase things like supplies (toilet paper, cleaning, laundry items) separate. Then get the groceries at another time. This helps me to look around for the better bargain. Not so overwhelming. I have saved so much by just making my own laundry soap, dish soap and hand soap that the extra money helps with the food budget. Cutting expenses in other ways makes the groceries seem not as bad.

      Hope this helps in some small way.

    • #400795
      brchbell

      Prices are way up and I had 3 month’s in a row that I went over on my monthly budget. I had to change how we eat to get us more in line. We’re eating a lot more beans and growing more of our food. We only eat out once a month at most and use no boxed helps. All our food is from scratch. I have 5 teens and if they want snacks they have to make them. If they need flour they have to grind it themselves. We work hard so we all eat more but we sure are getting much more creative getting to that point these days! I’m worried about the winter’s heating also. We always buy 1000 gallons of propane in the summer but I just realized we’ve already gone through half of it and winter hasn’t even started yet! Added 2 hours of cutting wood to the boy’s daily schedule– think we’re going to need it this year and I’m making a lot more desserts and breads to help feed hungry tummies!

    • #400842
      lcove2000

      I thank everyone for their good and thrifty suggestions! I think that it is making things from scratch that seems hard for me. I do make some things from scratch but it seems to take soooooooo much time. Do you make your scratch items all at once or one meal at a time? If I could do a once a month kind of thing with just scratch mixes it might help. Ideas please? Thanks. Lisa

    • #400845
      mdowdy

      Hey Lisa,The things I use a lot of such as biscuits, yeast rolls, etc. I make a bunch at one time then freeze the rest. When I know I am cooking the last ones that night, I plan to cook more the next day. I have seen suggestions on here for cooking in one day or two and freezing it to just have to heat up on the night you are serving. I haven’t tried that one yet since I am also attending school and its worse than a full time job at times (including study time). Suppers I make each night, I don’t use many boxed things. I do use instant potatoes unless I’m fixing something that calls for real potatoes. I cook soups a lot and other things that can go in the crock pot. I am also considering buying a bread machine to handle most of the breads I make and I can also at least fix my dough for my yeast rolls in there. I save things that take a while to prepare for the weekends when I usually have more time. Hope this helps some.

    • #400848
      brchbell

      If you have freezer space you can make up lots of stuff and freeze it. We make up several batches of cinnamon rolls and we refrigerate the dough. We have to punch it down a couple times until it get really cold. then we start making the cinnamon rolls in small batches. After we cut the rolls we put them into cookies sheets and put them into the freezer. We continue working until we have them all done and into the freezer. It takes about 2 hours for them to freeze all the way through. We then bag them up into freezer bags. then when ever we want cinnamon rolls we just take out how ever many we need and bake those up. We do the same with cookie dough. Our bread and rolls we go ahead and bake then freeze. We just made up a huge batch of Italian meatballs and canned them with the tomato sauce. Looking forward to those instant meals later on this winter! When I have time later I can post some of the meals we make and freeze. We home school so I try to have several freezer meals each month ready to pull when I get behind and need it! Freezer meals and crockpots– don’t know how Grandma lived without them!:048:

    • #400866
      wilbe95

      Lisa, I like to make my things up on a weekly basis. One week I will make up several batches of mac and chees then freezer into sizes we would eat (small ones for the kids and larger ones for dinners). When I have the food items and the freezer space I make enough to have meals for the whole month like pot pies, make a larger roast or soup then package and freeze to just heat up later. If I am fixing pasta I will go ahead and fix extra almost to the point of being done then freeze to reheat. Get the idea? It doesn’t really take any longer to make four pans of mac and cheese or a larger pot of soup and as long as you have freezer space it does save time and energy ($) in the end. Hope this helps.

    • #400889
      lcove2000

      Yes, I thank you for these suggestions. I do make double meals now and freeze them when I can. But things like pancake mix and biscuit mix, cinnamon roll mix, brownie mix,cake mix, pizza dough, All just seems so timeconsuming but I am going to try it making up a few batches and storing in the cabinets as my freezer not too huge. I am hoping this will help save time in the future. Thanks. Lisa

    • #400903
      brchbell

      I also can a lot. Today we had 7 can taco soup:

      2 cans diced Tomatoes with green pepper & onion
      1 can Rotel Tomatoes
      1 can corn
      1 can red beans
      1 can pinto beans
      1 can black beans
      1 teaspoon onion powder
      1 pkg. powdered Ranch dressing
      1 pkg. powdered taco mix

      Mix all together in dutch oven,heavy pan or crockpot. (I run all the tomato stuff through the blender) DO NOT DRAIN! Cook until hot. Stir occasionally to make sure It is not sticking. Serve with tortilla chips. No meat- No fat.
      Excellent Emergency food Storage recipe!

    • #400917
      rtebalt

      Thanks for the Taco soup recipe! I’m gonna try it & I also sent it to my mama. I think she & my dad will like it as well. Thanks again!

    • #400918
      brchbell

      You’re most certainly welcome! When I get a chance I’ll add more quick throw together meals that we can for. I really love canning different tomato mixes up and beans. I prefer pint jars to be closer to what we get at the store. We’re preparing for a 4 day trip to Omaha mid week so will be awhile before I can add much here!

    • #400932
      JoAnn

      Taco Soup Recipe sounds really good. Will have to try this one. Have a safe trip this week–brchbell. Will be waiting for your return to postings.

    • #400949
      HSLINKS

      bulk pancake mix:
      get out that huge tupperware bowl or clean dishpan
      find a cereal keeper (dollar tree has them too)
      sharpie or permanent marker

      2C Oatmeal (I use quick but have used the long cook)
      4C AP Flour
      3C W/W Flour
      2/3C sugar
      6T Baking Powder
      2T Baking Soda
      < 1 1/3C Dry Milk (just a bit under)
      good size splash of cinnamon

      Use a wisk and mix well ..

      Toss into the cereal keeper .. write pancakes on the skinny side so it shows when shelved
      i put the ingredients on the side so i can make more when needed .. if you aren’t sure if this is the ‘right’ directions for your family ..

      make a smaller batch and see if you need to increase sugar

      i also put add: water, egg & oil under the contents

      i don’t bother measuring when i make pancakes – add liquid till its the right consistency

      if i have left overs i put in plastic containers and freeze for dh to take to work

      tips: if you want to add raisins put in some water and nuke they plump up, i always end up adding in extra cinnamon .. any chopped fruit is good – got some apples that look sad? chop them into the pancake batter

      i have a sourdough starter sitting in plastic bag that i got from a woman named alicia – so my starter is named “alicia” .. sometimes i add in a cup of alicia to the dry mix, then the egg, oil and water as needed

      syrups: do you have some jelly or jam in fridge? grape jelly in a glass container with a bit of water nuked makes great syrup — i had some small raisins so i added a bit extra water and nuked it all together .. its a favorite at this point

      ria

    • #400951
      HSLINKS

      myo biscuick clone?

      anyone have one they really like a lot?

      i have some and none are quite it ..

      ria

    • #400957
      HSLINKS

      pizza on weekend
      we used to make it then because of the punch down time factor .. fridays were a slow hs day so it could be done then too .. they also help with heating the house in the cold weather ..

      if you keep the temp down low you really do need to start the dough early or the night before ..

      pizzas can use up all kinds of left overs .. save them into small bags and freeze .. write pizza night on large zip bag, put the little bags inside it

      i buy keibasa from save a lot its a 3# bag .. one keilbasa cut in quarters lengthwise, then cut coin style works great on a pizza .. bag and toss into the pizza night bag

      i also save any left over spaghetti sauce and cook down for the pizza sauce – you can freeze this and toss in the bag too ..

      if your kids don’t like carrots or whatever, you can blend them and add to sauce and cook it down – nutrition and no whining because they see carrots, onions mushroom etc

      funny enough recently i found a recipe i use on the grill, its a flat bread style and they like it better (could be because in summer we don’t cook pizza?) .. as soon as i find it i will post it

      my dd is special needs so the following recipe was written so she could make pizza herself on her kitchen day (chores)
      ria”s pizza crust:
      this is written so my dd can easily make this ..
      food supplies:
      flour
      sugar
      yeast
      warm water
      salt
      italian seasoning
      olive oil

      toppings/fixings:
      cook down pasta sauce til thicker
      your choice, pre cut and get ready to toss on

      cooking supplies:
      measuring spoons 1/2t, 3/4t, 1/4t
      measuring cups 1 C, 1/2 C 1/4 C,
      glass measuring cup (2 cp)
      fork
      timer
      mixer with beaters & hooks
      larger mixer bowl
      larger mixer bowl (*not a typo 2 bowls)
      knife (not sharp)
      2 pizza pans or 1 cooky sheet
      *rolling pin (I use my hands to pull it out)
      deep and oversized baking pan (this is what I use to work dough vs counter)

      STEP 1:
      put in glass measuring cup
      2 pkg of yeast
      3/4 t sugar
      1 1/4 C warm water (105-115*)
      stir with fork, let sit til it proofs (fuzzy/foamy looking)

      ***start cooking down pasta sauce

      STEP 2 a:
      mixer beaters & larger mixer bowl
      put in the proofed yeast water
      1 1/2 C flour
      mix til smooth, pull the beaters & replace with hooks
      cover with clean towel (tuck the towel around the hooks)
      let rise in warm spot for about 1 hr (should be foamy & bubbly)

      ***start soapy water in sink,put the beaters in the water
      ***prep toppings

      step 2 b:
      while waiting – in second bowl mix together:
      1 1/4 C flour
      3/4 t salt
      3/4 t Italian seasoning (can increase)
      * option 3/4t cayun seasoning can increase
      *option 1/8 -1/4 t garlic powder

      *** clean the bowl, dry and oil it for STEP 4

      STEP 3:
      remove towel, turn on hooks (low speed), add in the spiced flour mix &
      3 T olive oil (*if you have garlic oil try some)increase speed a bit for about 5 mins add in up to 1/2 C flour if needed (*dough will be soft and sticky)

      STEP 4:
      put the dough in the oiled bowl let sit covered for 40 – 45mins set up racks so one is centered & one is towards the bottom lightly grease the pans

      ***finish washing dishes, wipe down area

      STEP 5:
      put oil on hands, sprinkle flour on counter or working cooking sheet .. cut
      the dough in half, put one ball onto the counter or working cooking sheet, work
      it for a little bit .. either roll out or use hands and put onto the pizza
      pans (*can sprinkle pans with cornmeal if you want)

      STEP 6:
      put your “fixings” on the crust ..

      put your oven on 475*

      STEP 7:
      cook about 10 mins and swap levels with pizza pans

      if you have it try brushing on garlic oil on edges

      cook for another 10 mins

    • #400969
      JoAnn

      HSLINKS,
      What a wonderful step by step recipe. My oldest son isn’t handy in the kitchen and this recipe will be great for him to use. I’ll be on the lookout for more of your postings.

      I might even make a recipe file to give him for Christmas. This will go to my favorites until I get some link, so that I can print it out.;-)

    • #400972
      HSLINKS

      JoAnn,
      I definately recommend making a recipe book or cards for kids.

      For “B”, my dd I had to use a notebook, because the instructions are so long. Teaching them to clean as they go along, especially things like pancake batter or dough which becomes like cement when left was important. As she got older and more experienced I only had to do this for some of the more intricate recipes.

      I found a recipe card she wrote for mama-roni, she could just about do that one from scratch by the time she left home. Too bad the place she moved didn’t stress cooking or other life skills. I know in the year she has been gone she has lost most of her cooking skills.

      Getting family recipes and giving them to the kids become an heirloom in many ways .. Check with your parents and dh’s parents for family recipes, if they are nearby see if gm or gp will cook with the kids take some photos and make sure you write it down. Later on they can see the pics and make it again even if the family members have passed.

      Its a great way to connect with the past. If you do family tree type stuff writing a note about recipe next to names ties it in .. Grandma Dot’s Christmas Salad (saurkraut)

      Do you need anything in particular? I have a bunch in files
      Ria

    • #400983
      jkpjohnson

      Ok I have a few questions for everyone. 1st I APPLAUD all of you, I do not know how you do it.

      There is only the 2 of us, Mike and myself. On average we only each 1 meal each per day (just always have), maybe a lite meal also. We spend $200 per month (just on food).

      note: this is why i am trying to save money. we currently live in a apt. in mn, but live on ground level so i do have a garden (plenty of room for two).

      so not alot of storage room or room for a freezer until we get a house. we never eat out (ok once a month we get mc donalds breakfast from the dollar menu).

      i want to try canning, havent found the step by step instructions (this scares me to death), learn to bake my own bread, and 101 on freezing. The 1 thing is, I think it is much harder to cook for 2 then a large family. Buying in Bulk items does not make alot of sense to me (life self of the product).

      I am just lost, LOL.

      1) Does powdered milk taste like real milk, do you use the same amount when baking or cooking?

      2) What are Loss Leader items? I saw that a few posts ago.

      3) Do the MYO cleaning and bath/beauty items work well?

      4) How do you save on coffee, I already gave up POP and took up coffee and tap water. I buy the Chase Sanborn at walgreens when on sale, make one pot (6 scoups to make 9 cups), then leave the filter and grounds in the machine, add 2 scoups for the next 9 cups). But it is still expensive.

      I need some form of caffine.

      5) What about cheese, it is very expensive in MN and we are a dariy state.

      I must also say I live just outside of Mpls (like 4 miles) so lets say there are not alot of farms around, to swap with neighbors.

      Having kids, I do not know how you do it.

    • #400987
      wilbe95

      1) Powder milk some say tastes different if you drink it in a glass (at least my kids complain if they see me make it, if they don’t see they don’t seem to notice). You use the same amount of milk when baking or cooking that the recipe calls for-I have it made in the fridge so pour from that.

      2) I do not know what a Loss Leader is, sorry.

      3) MYO cleaning/beauty yep they do really work!! I started small with the laundry things, then have progessed to other things to change out. So far no complaints 🙂

      4) Coffee-I buy the store brand or whatever is cheaper if I have coupons and it is cheaper than I will buy that way. Larger for coffee usually equals cheaper. Several (like ten years ago) I bought one of those gold filters for around $5-well worth the money.

      You wash it every now and then but it will last forever and I never have to worry about running out of filters.

      5) Check with your local university. Not sure if you have a dairy school or not but SDSU has a dairy barn that I can buy milk, cheese, meats right on campus for a fraction of the store prices since students are making it and guess what it tastes as good.

      If you are nervous about canning contact your local Extension Service, ask for the Family Consumer Sciences Educator they can help you to make it less scary. Talking with someone helps a tremendous amount. They might also know of a local area to get a bargain-farmers markets, local dairy, etc.

      Hope this helps

    • #401020
      JoAnn

      Kim,
      Very Good posting to jkpjohnson questions. I believe you gave her a lot of info to work with.
      I don’t remember seeing anything on Loss Lenders—or I would have asked what it was at the time..Maybe someone will come forward with this answer..

      What is Loss Lenders ?

    • #401021
      HSLINKS

      loss leader:
      an item for sale by the company/store in which they usually are close to cost price (ie no profit) or significantly lower than norm .. they do not mark them as loss leaders in the flyers etc

      why? the reason is because you will buy the loss leader and other items which do have a normal markup.

      many stores will have tie in items to the loss leader .. if its school supplies (certain ones) then they will have displays nearby for impulse buying .. for food if they mark down turkey for example, stuffing, yams, the aluminum cooking pans etc are nearby or slightly on sale so you end up picking them up too

      ria

    • #401030
      jkpjohnson

      @judith_northcutt 81366 wrote:

      We are a family of five with a 279 dollar monthy grocery budget. I have a 14 year old boy , 12 year old boy , 9 year old girl and a husband.
      Breakfast is usually made from scratch pancakes, muffins, biscuits or grits with a little cheese on top. We have cereal once a week .

      I only buy cornflakes because they are the cheapest. I mix a gallon of whole milk with a gallon of (reconstituted) powdered milk. This gives me two gallons of 2% for about 70 cent less per gallon.I put one gallon in the fridge and the other in the freezer untill next week. We are alotted one gallon per week for drinking/cereal.

      I use powdered milk in all my cooking & baking.
      I make just about everything from scratch: tortillas, rice-a-roni, yogurt, shake-n-bake, cocoa mix, salad dressing, spaghetti sauce etc, etc.. I do make an exception for 30 cent brown gravey mix and 79 cent pepper gravey mix ( makes 3 1/2 cups) .
      Meat is usually an ingredient in a casserole, soup or stew. We only occaisionally have a serving of just meat.

      I only buy meat when it is on sale. When I find a good sale I buy as much as I can afford.
      I also only buy fruit that is on sale. One week we may get apples, the next week bananas or something else.

      If the fruit is too expensive one week , then I may buy canned peaches or applesauce instead.
      I have to get the best price available on everything. Some things I only buy at Aldi because they are the cheapest on those things. Some things I only buy at Walmart because they are cheapest on those.

      I do grab loss leader items from other grocery stores. No, I do not run all over the place using extra gas. I shop Aldi’s one week and get everything that I need from there.

      The next week I shop Walmart. I get loss leaders at other store as I am passing by and see the sign. No extra trips.
      This week I found a very good sale price on a fifty pound bag of potaotoes.

      I normally get the 10 pound bag. This week I got the bigger bag. Five 10 lb bags would end up costing 10 dollars more in the long run.
      I use my crockpot and breadmachine on an almost daily basis.

      A hot loaf of ( fresh from the oven ) bread can really jaz up a plain meal. A jello ring ( cheap to make) can also spruce up a simple meal.
      I learned most of my shopping/ cooking stategies from the Tightwad Gazette Books by Amy Dacyczyn. I highly recommend all three books ( The Tightwad Gazette vol 1, vol 2 & vol 3) All three books have been combined in a single volume titled ‘ The Complete tightwad’.

      These books are available at most libraries. These books will change the way you think when you shop. They are worth every penny that I paid for them.
      Diane

      This is were I saw the Loss Leaders comment.

      Thanks Kim and JoAnn for your comments to my post. :120:~ Pam

    • #401047
      JoAnn

      Ria,
      I did retail for 21 yrs. But we never used that term. Thanks again for explaining.

    • #401048
      HSLINKS

      Hi JoAnn,
      Retail has it’s own language at times .. It used to be if you were figuring a keystone markup it meant double – not sure if the term is still used today .. Never could figure out why it was called that either ..

      I’ve forgotten what the other markup terms were (old age) .. I did both management & bookeeping in retail so not sure which part has the vocab – its probably the bookkeeping area ..

      It’s depressing I realize my retail background is a ‘bit’ over 30 years ago – I refuse to think how close to 40 … ahhh age it creeps up on you

      Ria

    • #401377
      beansthemama

      I am trying the $250.00 a month food budget as well. I have a family of 4. I took the tip about going to the butcher.

      I was thinking that a butcher would be more than my local cheapie grocery store. No was I wrong! I purchased at the butcher for $48.00 10 Ilbs of lean ground turkey, a huge thing of flank steak, pork chops to die for, kielbasa, & bacon that had barley any fat on it.

      Now I did purchase some chicken at the grocery store that was the only thing I felt at the butcher was high. He wanted $2.50 a Ilb for boneless and skinless breast. I should have bought it there, I ended up paying $3.15 a Ilb at the store.

      do you cook with a lot of chicken broth? i do and at .50 a can it is terrible. Why not make it yourself!

      I tried this for the first time 3 weeks ago and got 14 bags of it and put in the freezer.

      I know the cost of food has dramaticly increased this past year. Try to be a creative as possible, and never throw anything away. I have been freezing my leftovers, instead of placing them in the fridge were it will go bad.

      By placing them in the freezer I will heat them up for a quick lunch! Good luck and God bless

    • #401543
      sharonamick

      I’m new at couponing and budgeting. I always spend too much at the grocery store and never have much to eat. I have a 20 yr old son at home, my husband and myself.

      We are on the go all the time, never home before 7 p.m. at night and we leave before 7 each morning. I would love any ideas on how to cut my budget.

      I’m currently spending close to $400. a month at the store(I buy most everything there for convenience sake)

    • #401582
      trekglo

      I appologize, that this became a bit long…
      I honestly can’t imagine spending so little for groceries. Double that a week, EASILY, and still more for a week, and that’s just for 3 adults and a colony of cats.
      I am looking for ways to save, but I know, what I can and can’t do or is it won’t do. I simply don’t do cooking from scratch because by the time I get home from my day at work, I do not want to spend more time in the kitchen.

      I really don’t enjoy cooking, and guess I value my time to do what I want more over cooking, even if it means for less. Sounds very selfish, but I suppose until I absolutely have to, I won’t do but a certain amount of frugal style living. Also, I don’t have the inclination to do up a number of meals ahead of time.

      And, while I might be able to use my crock pot or do casseroles more, I just don’t feel like doing that first thing in the morning. As it is, I get up about 4:30 am every day, and I have no intention of getting up any earlier just fix them supper ahead.
      I do need to use coupons more. I have only just begun to do that.

      However, my largest costs are in meat. My guys are basic meat, starch/veg. And for them they want it meat most, starch, then veg as far as “amount” that satisfies them.

      This isn’t going to change, he’s 58, and been a very picky eater his whole life. His Momma had stories… So, it’s pretty much steak, chicken, pork, hamburger, ham, and back again with some “breakfast meats.”

      Right now I do have a good stock in the freezer and won’t really need to buy any of that for awhile, unless I find it on mark down. Also, lunch meat for 2 lunches each day. And I do throw in as necessary hamburgers, steak-ums, chicken patty/nuggets when I’m just too tired, late, only hubby is here to eat, or just not in the mood to cook a full meal.

      Veggies are also pretty limited, both eat peas, one will also green beans, but other corn. So, I need to buy the smaller size cans for those items. Both complain about frozen peas or green beans, though frozen corn is ok, but usually, i just use the cans as i have them in the house, whereas anything other than basics in the freezer are out in the garage at the back of the property.
      as for picky, it’s nothing with a tomato ingredient for hubby, nothing at all. so all those sorts of foods are out.

      and, since he pays for the food, he does have a say in what he gets to eat.
      i also use a lot of convenience foods–canned gravy, boxed items, as i am usually in a hurry to put supper on the table.
      and i almost never eat with them. i don’t like to cook, and most of what i do like–pizza, spaghetti, chili, etc., hubby won’t eat, so i fix a separate supper for myself. and, often it is convenience packaged.

      again, not something i plan to give up at this point unless i absolutely have to.
      another big expense is cat food and litter. i am going to try making my own wet cat food. just bought a container of chicken liver and cooking it today.

      i’ll follow a recipe i got and “see” if that helps, if the few cats that do get wet food will eat it. they are a funny bunch. but, i have one cat who is so old and has eating problems so she gets the “better” or at least more expensive wet cat food, so i’m hoping she’ll take this instead, it will be far more economical.

      and she also eats meat baby food, again hoping this will reduce that expense. the rest of the cats eat a lot of dry food. i have 6 cats that are “truly” mine, but a whole colony of feral cats that I feed.

      I refuse to let anything go hungry. Besides we live out in the country and I have always had a lot of cats around.

      I buy rather cheap litter for one of the pans in the utility room, but a more expensive brand for my bathroom, however, I am going to start finding, I hope, and using coupons to help with that by pairing whatever is on sale.
      Also, I buy fresh lettuce and such for the bunny, not terribly expensive, I do look for any mark downs, but he does love the fresh over the boxed bunny mix.
      My next biggest expense is laundry/cleaning.

      Liquid Tide because I know it doesn’t bother anyone’s skin. Dryer sheets, but I went for the cheaper brand instead of the more expensive, and I honestly don’t notice a difference. Also, bleach for whites, not sure if it really helps or not, and vinegar for my “softener” though I can’t say I really see any difference with it or without it.

      I did stop buying Borax and again, if there is a difference I don’t see it. I am considering making my own laundry detergent, but can’t seem to find the particular ingredient of Washing Soda, and several have said that’s the not the same as Baking Soda, so am still looking for that. Also, can’t find Fels Napa soap, but did find a brand, Colgate, and not the deodorant, but “just soap.”

      So, once I have all the ingredients I will try that. I wash a lot of clothes.
      I confess one area where I spend too much is immediate gratification foods. In the morning at work I like to have something to munch on, usually salty, but I try not to keep that stuff at home, as I tend to also munch at home…So, I just buy a box or bag of whatever catches my eye/taste that day.

      And, I like more “exotic” foods, which means expensive, so if I see a new item that looks good I tend to try it. Something I have been cutting back on doing. By not going to the grocery store as often on my way to work.

      But, if I do need non perishable items, it’s much easier/faster to go in the morning than after work.
      Also, I buy a lot of ice cream. Hubby is addicted to it, and he can go through a container in 2 or 3 days alone. I have a penchant for the Weight Watchers Creamcicles, more than ww recommends per day i might add.

      and they are pricey.
      some ways i know i could/should, but won’t economize is with raising food and canning. but, i don’t like to cook, so that isn’t about to happen.
      a couple of things i have done, is to stop buying coffee on my way to work. i now make and take it from home.

      and, while i still do have lunch out, it’s not every day, and it’s no longer lunch and breakfast every day bought out. but, i do miss it…i honestly prefer someone else to cook/prepare food for me!!!!
      i have learned a lot from this group about how to save, but truly, if i had to go to some of the lengths, i would become one mean person. i realize that sounds horrible.

      and, i recognize that being frugal is hard work. we live in a culture that emphasizes convenience and i’m as addicted to that as anyone. i want things “now” too often, and especially when that something means i have to do the work to get it, like cook from scratch, i’d rather have the now.
      but, i used to buy precooked foods on the way from home for hubby and son, stop by a fast food or even the prepared items in the grocery store.

      that’s something i almost never do anymore. it’s the sheer cost that really made me stop. if i do it now, i need a really good reason, and i always balance that against the option of simply fixing a burger.

      the time i’d spend stopping, is easily as much and more than just cooking a sandwich. so, that’s not an expense anymore. funny, with the few spending changes i’ve made i don’t feel that i have “more” money.

      when i think that easily i spent about $3 per day for coffee, and that often 7 days a week, I don’t “see” the $800, YIKES!!!! I was spending on coffee a year. Same with all the eating out we used to do.

      Almost every Saturday was out, and that ran upwards of $30 or more for the 2 of us. Again, I don’t see that $1500. Same for my breakfast and lunches out, often besides the coffee I’d get a bagel sandwich or something from fast food, so that could add another $2 or $3 or more per day and lunch might be another $3 to $7.

      Couple that with all the stops for fast food for hubby and son, and obviously our food bill was out of control. And, honestly, it was only when I really started to calculate that cost did I have an epiphany. Still, I’m not convinced I see all that savings!!!!

      But, listening to others share what they do, and how, has provided me with incentives to try more and really pay attention.
      One thing I don’t do/have is a true budget. Money for food is simply there. That is something I confess I feel very grateful about now.

      I think I’d be scared to death if I had to really go on a strict food budget. But, I should become more aware of what I spend and find ways to lessen that. I also, should take any true savings–coupons, major reductions by using other items and sock it away.

      I did just start doing that for coffee, to reinforce my not buying it. And, just tucking $20 a week in a specific place really does make a difference!!!
      I do enjoy finding out how others manage. And again, I am impressed with how people do what they do.

      It also makes me more appreciative of “how easy I have it.” Still, I don’t think things are going to improve economically any time soon. I actually began to worry about my job as a number of letters are coming from administration about possible budget cuts and such.

      I’ve never really worried in the past, but this is a different economy we are in, so I am not going to take anything for granted! But, I work at a university, a small/medium size one, and I see how many people are basically walking out into an economy that might not have any job for them, and the number of people who are losing their jobs, without any other opportunity available. So, I am more appreciative of finding ways to save.

      And, I suppose if I did manage to give up eating out, something I so enjoyed, I can find new and other ways to save, even if I don’t want to.
      Gloria

    • #401585
      semmel88

      I feel the same way i try very hard to stay within a budget , but then kids complain there is no food and you end up going back, and spending more. I guess for November i work out a mealplan that they approve so nobody has excuses. I would be interested in any suggestions too.

    • #401587
      mdowdy

      Hey trekglo, Ok I also have a picky eater who at times will not eat tomato based stuff and I can count on one hand the number of vegetables he will eat. Here are some things I thought of while reading your post. The crockpot it takes all of 5 minutes tops to put stuff in the crock pot so you really don’t have to get up earlier and if you did its not that much earlier. When you are cooking you don’t have to stand right over it the whole time it is cooking so you can do other things while things are on the stove. I would suggest checking on it frequently however just to make sure the water hasn’t cooked out of the greenbeans etc. If you are always fixing two different dinners that is part of the problem. The cats take up at your house because you feed them. Country cats can make it in the wild, if you don’t want to not feed them at all cut down on the amount you are putting out there. Make sure your cats are getting there food, feed them in the house or something because with that many cats around I am betting the other cats are eating the majority of all the food. Laundry if you are worried a detergent will irritate someones skin you can buy the free and clear brands which will not and they are cheaper than tide. I like tide also but because of the price it has gone up to have had to find something else to use in its place. Cooking from scratch once you get used to doing it doesnt take as long as you think it would and the food tastes so much better. What are you doing with the leftovers, could they not become lunch to save on the lunchmeats? You have started making some cuts so you are on the right path. The last thing I can think of which may sound like preaching is get rid of the excuses, you have an excuse not to do most of what needs to be done. if you don’t and the rug falls out from under you because of cutbacks at work etc you are going to be hurting. Sorry to be so straight forward and harsh but the truth is the truth.

    • #401627
      HSLINKS

      Gloria,
      Time for the 20 year old to help .. What is his schedule? no reason he can’t turn on crockpot or even start to learn to cook

      I completely understand not functioning at 4 in the morning .. I ended up cooking the night before (or packaging leftovers into freezer for later) ..

      If they don’t like tomatoes how about ethnic foods? Most use LESS meat and a starch (rice whatever). How are they about spices?

      The crockpot can be used for some of the foods you are doing .. Heck there are even CP recipes for breakfast

      DINNERS:
      If you know that you will be making a stew, clean potatoes cut down on time .. if you go ahead and cut the meat the night before, and have a zip bag of veggies (onions, garlic, potatoes etc) in fridge – its a “crockpot dump and go” .. stick a can of stock on the counter, along with the spices and you will be ready to go

      Swiss steak can be done in the crockpot and its a definate meat potatoes kind of meal

      BREAKFAST:
      Eggs with cheese, veggies etc can be put into flour torillas and frozen for use later .. Pull out the night before and nuke for morning meals .. If you want to eat later put in fridge and haul to work for later

      I make up extra pancakes on the weekend and put some in a freezer container with some kind of meat .. Bert takes it to work

      SAVING TIME:
      Make a menu planner up – saves time & money .. You know what is coming up and can plan easier

      I can recommend getting a rice cooker – it saves a ton of time

      Prechop onions, a qt jar usually lasts me about a week (sometimes I have to chop more)

      Preclean all the potatoes at one time .. once they are dry they don’t rot any faster than if they were dirty (but quicker to use)

      Timers for the crockpot .. If you have something that cooking all day would ruin, use an electric timer so it will kick on at X time .. Dinner will be done when you walk in .. Now instead of coming home from work tired and having to cook its done ..

      Ria

    • #401645
      HSLINKS

      WHY?

      IS IT WORTH IT? Try it for a month.. If you do a menu plan you should save money and time both.

      Chances are you have an insulated cup for coffee, I use a giant one for my ice tea. If you have a thermos or carafe make one up and haul with you. Try taking the money (even if its just writing it down) that you would spend for coffee at local drive through, the $2.00 for the ice tea

      Instead of going out for breakfast, make it at home. Freeze breakfast tortillas for work. (*how much would you have spent to buy breakfast? write it down)

      Use your left overs for lunches, again write it down how much you would have spent.

      If you plan your meals you can save time – you’ll know what you are having and what supplies/food you need to pull out that morning. (*this means there is no reason to buy dinner out because its already defrosted). If you can use the crockpot you’ll come home from work and dinner is done. When grocery shopping you will know what you need to buy, because you will be using from pantry as much as possible.

      I DON’T KNOW HOW? If you do not have the knowledge from your mom etc it’s much harder to enjoy or feel good about results. This applies to just about everything.

      My mom was from the first era of TV dinners & convience foods, rarely did she really cook. I don’t think she really knew how to cook as Nana had maids & cooks when my mom was young. Nana lived far away and I wasn’t able to learn from her (*I think her skills actually came later, soap making, canning, making beer & wine, etc etc).

      Watch the TV shows, read mags, pull out the cookbooks, talk to friends. Experiment .. As Miss Frizzle says, “Take chances, make mistakes, get messy!”

      Ask about basics.

      I DON’T HAVE THE EQUIPMENT: Our grandmothers did it without running water and over a fire. I still have to do this when at camp, and come home and really appreciate running water etc.

      In reality having the proper equipment does make a differance. I have 3 old wooden spoons that are probably 60 years old, I use them all the time. My silicon spatulas, the first one was $6 on sale, since then I have bought them at Dollar Tree for a buck. Silicon spatulas do not get gummy, melty nasty looking like reg rubber spatulas – they can take heat. They make omelets easier since you can flip them. Good knives – sharp, they don’t have to be expensive buthave a good fit and balance for YOU. I found some nice chef knives a while back at Christmas Tree Shops, and didn’t get but one set (regrets). Pots that aren’t warped, burn easy etc make a differance. Ones you can lift also help I used to have the good ceramic cast iron pots, but with arthritis can’t lift them. I am now using the granite ware that your grandmother probably used (speckled looking and light). They actually clean up easy too. The T-Fal, and other teflon never lasted in the house and I’m not sure I want to use it anyway.

      Have your Dh or older kids sharpen knives on regular basis. Then have them test it on chopping onions LOL.

      There are some small appliances that you really do use. For me its my:
      rice cooker (absolutely love it – rinse rice, dump in pot, add water, flip switch), cooking rice from scratch was always one of those “who knows it it will be done/sticky/whatever?”

      crockpots I have 2 normal size ones, some days they both are going so I have lunch and dinner. I also have a small one (great for big family dinners for small speciality dishes), then I have Big Momma – very handy back in the days of having 5 kids (4 boys) I finally had left overs. I also have extra crocks so I can send in a meal to work with my dh (found a crockpot on the recycle table at the dump – my fav store)

      vintage or antique perc I actually use it for making my daily batch of ice tea .. 10 tea bags to 4 cups hot water in glass measuring cup, once its cooled dump in plastic container and heat another batch of water using same tea bags. Again a find at the dump – absolutely love this one, its an oldy with a definate french looking style art neuvo-ish

      my big oster back when the hands were just starting to go bad, my dh told me to go ahead and get it (I used to make 3 – 5 loaves of bread from scratch every other day). I love the dough hooks, very handy for pizza dough etc .. I really don’t use the rest of it as much as when I had all the kids home

      IT’S BORING: again check out the TV shows, in fact try to watch as family (most the shows at night have guy cooks). Cook as a family – pizza works well for this. Try ethnic dishes, something you haven’t tried to do before.

      IT TAKES TOO MUCH TIME: this morning I made pancakes from my mix .. I got over 24 pancakes (*enough to make a container for Bert to bring to work) this took less than 30 mins, from start to finish. I do need to make some more mix.

      If I had gone out to eat I would need to:
      change clothes (time?)
      drive or walk to restaurant (time & gas?)
      wait for meal (time?)
      pay (time & money)
      drive or walk home (time & gas?)

      WHY ME? Well have to admit that can be an issue. Have a family meeting and start putting out some of the chores to others. Bert (dh) usually chops onions for me every week (qt jar lasts about a week), they may not be as fine as I would like but they are done. Learn to accept the efforts, even if they aren’t done the same as you would do.

      Another reason to teach your kids how to cook. It takes time, bigger mess in the beginning but later they can do it without you (*big smile). Some guys think cooking is only for women, but BBQ is another story. Have them check out the net for BBQ sauce recipes. Grill pizza (works great even over fires). Veggies can be marinaded and put on grill too. Turkey is absolutely fantastic on the grill, there has been many Thanksgiving or Yule celebration that Bert has been outside cooking the turkey while it snowed. It is so moist yumm.

      DO YOU LIKE YOUR KITCHEN? DOES IT WORK FOR YOU? aka WHAT DO YOU NEED TO DO TO MAKE THE KITCHEN SOMEPLACE YOU LIKE?: If you don’t like it, or it doesn’t work for you then you don’t want to cook in it. What bugs you every day? Is there a cheapy cure? If you can’t find a cheap cure then use the savings for item you want (for me its beadboard).

      I use oil in small amounts every day, having it put away didn’t make sense – but a big bottle was ugly. CURE? Dollar store had glass oil bottles, picked up 2 one for Olive oil and the other for Canola, the plastic booze pour spouts works better than the metal ones they came with.

      My pot of rosemary makes me feel good, and I love the smell. Now if I can get it to live all winter .

      I hate having kids and husband put silverware in my dishpan or sink – there is always some liquid (I have 3 sets that physically match but different companies so will rust looking at them) so I put a plastic silverware tote on counter for dirty silverware – no more rusty silverware and cussing/grumbles by me

      I have always though the bus pans that restaurants use make sense, I really hate dirty dishes on my counter. Dollar Tree had black dishpans and I grabbed them, eventually when I make a new cabinet for sink area it will have 2 shelves with black dishpans for dirty dishes.

      When I set up this kitchen 30 years ago, I set it up the same way I had it (pretty much) as I had in the previous apartment. For over 20 years I walked all across the kitchen to get plates (for 5 kids and 2 adults). Hello ? Duh? I’m not sure which session about my kitchen finally kicked in “I don’t have to keep everything where it is – I could move it to a more efficent placement” What a differance it makes.

      Now it took 30 years to convince Bert that the cabinets are horrible – they are so dark they grab all the light. Winter in Maine is depressing enough without spending time in the black hole of Calcutta. I have one spot I have been rubbing bleach on every day for 30 years – you can’t tell. Arghh .. I really want to build new cabinets (so I am saving up for new beadboard to build cabinets)

      In the last 30 years I have added in more cabinets with pull out shelves, I love this idea.

      My next goal is to make an appliance closet .. think big jelly cubboard for crockpots, dehydrators, mixers etc.

      Do you have rugs in front of the sink and stove? It cuts down on mess and is easier on your feet too

      AFTER ALL THIS = WHAT DO YOU GET? well just like everyone else you want a reward .. For me occasional cup of Almond Sunset with sugar, some more beadboard .. Planning on casseroles etc means the oven is going and that means the house will get warmer (and with arthritis thats a biggee).

      eventually you will find you have some extra cash for paying on a credit card, paying for oil, paying to have your nails done, a new comforter for your bed etc ..

    • #401646
      HSLINKS

      is it allergies or dislike? if its not an allergy, toss some of whatever into a blender and add a little to what you are cooking ..

      Pumpkin pancakes became a favorite, when eating pumpkin is gross (BTW thats me not the kids) .. I couldn’t get my kids to eat veggies if they were cooked so I add them in just a few minutes before serving, this way they are crisp.

      Roasted veggies take time but the flavor is so good ..

      Bert went through a phase where he NEVER wanted whatever I cooked .. Lots of money spent for food out (and I was po’d) it took adding up the checks for a month and showing him what it cost to slow it down.

    • #401647
      HSLINKS

      Usually it means theres nothing they want .. My kids had rotating kitchenduty and on their day they cooked their choices.

      Tell them, “here’s a cookbook, and here’s the ingredients” .. “great tomorrow it’s your turn to cook.”

      I think a snack pack of something sweet,choc, salty and sour might sell .. I found that making up mini cake mixes into sandwich baggies helped for the sweet attack (use the brownie mix for choc attack) .. 3T of any bownie mix or cake mix, 1T mini chips tie into corner of bag .. add 1T+ of water and nuke for 1 -2 mins in small little glass bowl (I picked up some at Dollar Tree that works great) … Something salty like pretzels

      Bert is hooked on pistachio nuts – I stick them into small 1/2C plastic containers in hopes that they don’t all get eated in one night.

    • #401651
      rtebalt

      You guys are a lot “nicer” than my mom was! Just kidding! But really, in our house it was “You eat what I make. If you don’t like that, I’ll see you at breakfast.” Like most kids, I would say “I don’t like that” to a food I had never eaten. But my mom’s rule was that we had to try it. I actually came to like a lot of things I never thought that I would! 🙂

    • #401667
      lcove2000

      I am trying to cook from home and not spend a lot of money on food. I even ordered Angel Food this month and that seems like it is going to be a great help. One of things I struggle with is that sometimes my homemade items don’t seem to taste as good as premade ones from the store. I guess I need to improve my cooking skills. Why is it that my homemade pancakes come out flat not fluffy? I have tried several different recipes, they all seem to be called “fluffy” but they do not come out that way. What am I doing wrong? TIA

    • #401670
      brchbell

      Are you sure your baking powder or Baking Soda is good?

    • #401674
      mdowdy

      Too much water maybe? I am not sure what recipes you are using but I find if I use box mix with just a touch less water than what they call for or milk if that is the case, they turn out fluffier.

    • #401708
      HSLINKS

      check the labels of the store or convience foods .. You will see some kind of sugar .. We as humans tend to like sugar and fats (humm wonder about weight?), most convience foods have these in larger amounts than homemade.

      Oh and SALT .. the numbers on the sodium content are scary.

      When the kids were little (I had a brittle diabetic, multiple food allergies, High BP & cholestrol etc) it took minimum of 2 hours because I had to read every single ingredient. I had never ever put sugar in my spaghetti sauce – but the bottle/jarred stuff does. Supposedly so the tomatoes don’t taste acid-y

      TIP: if your tomatoes are really acid, toss in baking soda it’ll fuzz like crazy and balance out the acid (becomes sweeter tasting).. then add in spices or it will wipe out most the spices too

      PANCAKES:
      Make sure the griddle is HOT .. sprinkled water should dance like crazy on it

      Try not serving the box item for a while – then change to the homemade one .. If its pancakes – try more cinnamon, chop up apples and add to batter or make an apple/cinnamon/syrup for on top ..

      Latest favorite in house – Grape syrup : a small handful of currents tossed in water, nuked (they plump up a bit) .. then add some grape jelly and a bit more water, nuke and stir .. really good on Blue berry pancakes

      I used to have a really healthy and good fluffy pancake recipe – it was on the back of an envelope. I have NO idea where it went, the one I posted back a few postings is good, healthy, and only slightly fluffy not super fluff .. toss in a little more baking powder and it would probably fluff up more ..

      TIP: If you have recipes that you like, make copies .. If nothing else you can make a cookbook for the kids (*that way when you loose your copy there is another one)

      Ria

    • #401711
      HSLINKS

      I forgot .. after you make the batter let it sit a while .. it should actually get a little foamier ..

      if you are using one with oatmeal in it you may need to add in more water/milk as the oatmeal will suck it up ..

      ANOTHER TOPPING/COMBO:
      whenever I go through and grab a sundae at Mc Donalds I always ask for the nuts – if I haven’t used them for a chicken dish I add to batter and top with melted peanut butter .. sounds weird but good .. also increases the protein content for diabetics (which is a good thing)

      Ria

    • #401720
      brchbell

      “check the labels of the store or convience foods .. You will see some kind of sugar .. We as humans tend to like sugar and fats (humm wonder about weight?), most convience foods have these in larger amounts than homemade.

      Oh and SALT .. the numbers on the sodium content are scary.”

      tia, yes using packaged mixes is a big mistake! I don’t use mixes and if I just have to have one I make my own! I tend to use whole grains and unbleached flour so this allows me that lead way in making my own mixes up. I almost died 6 years ago and it ended up being from simple sugars and starches. It raised my Triglycerides so high it damaged my liver, ect. My family became very aware of what we were eating. We are all much healthier and I’ve lost lots of weight by switching to whole grains and no simple sugar/starches.

    • #401738
      lcove2000

      How long does baking powder and soda stay “good” for? …that may be it. Lisa

    • #401739
      semmel88

      wow you really give me to think . My mom is my person who used to cook from scratch and since she was a kid in WW2 , she knew how to make the most off money. Sadly i never appreciated it until recently now she is not able to cook anymore but at least she can tell me still her recipes. and her being so far away that is kind of hard. I guess you get older and learn that your mom was right after all.:xmas10:

    • #401745
      brchbell

      Baking powder & soda should be used up or replaced yearly at the most. I go through a lot of it and buy in 5 lb lots but if you don’t use it often you should buy the little cans. Hope this helps.

    • #403891
      atta76

      Wow, I’ve still got a lot to learn being new to this. We spend about $130 per week which includes cleaning supplies, toiletries, and food. I think the most expensive part is lunch meat.

      One problem I have is that no stores double coupons here. We do have a Sam’s club which helps some. They also just opened a brand new Aldi but when I went in there they didn’t have anything that was advertised in their flier.

      Thanks for all the posts. I hope in a couple of months I’ll be saving like crazy and I’ll wonder what was wrong with me.

    • #403895
      brchbell

      All of this is a learned art! I wish I knew what I know now 30 years ago! Having a very good food storage on hand that I keep replenishing makes great things possible!

      When I find a big bargain I can forget my list and go for the bargain to replenish what I need at a big savings. If I don’t have my years supply I can’t just chuck my grocery list to get the bargain so having the full supply on hand makes saving more possible. I’m making up menues based on what we have stored.

      From the 2 month’s worth of menus I can use that to plan what we need for the full year. We are trying to get another month menu made up to get us 3 month’s of menus to plan our years supply out. Right now I’m low on meat but it’s that time of the year when we will start butchering so I’m not worried about it.

      I do buy canned chicken 5pk. at Sam’s Club. I love their white meat and it’s enough for a 9×13 casserole and it’s cheaper than if we raised the chickens and butchered our own.

      We are getting chickens next year but we will be using them as egg layers and monthly fryers and will continue to buy the canned chicken. Our beef is grass feed with some home raised grain to supplement the winter feed so doesn’t really cost us after the initial purchase. We sold all but 12 off and then either sell or butcher the excess every 2 years.

      I have our food, cleaning supplies, ect done to $250 a month right now for 7 of us. A little higher as I have 2 in college and I shop for them also and drop it off to them each month and to be honest they cost me almost $100 a month. One of them invested in a small freezer so he can freeze all their stuff and they share well during the month.

      Oh, I love living in the country! can’t wait to see how much we can get our food budget down to next year!

    • #404481
      ab2401

      I in no way was able to read this all…. but I would LOVE it if someone could tell me if there is a list of what you guys can get for 250 a month and what page it might be on.

      Right now we are spending 250 biweekly for just 2 adults.

    • #416805
      jep143

      I am new here, but I have had the same grocery budget for years, 300.00/month. I do end up going to the store to buy milk and xtra things, but I shop every two weeks when my husband gets paid.
      We have a dollar store in our area, I go there for cleaners, wraps and such, my husband buys meat from a farm further north in nh, so i don’t always buy that. and i make a lot of my own stuff from scratch, leftovers bread and rolls in the processor make bread crumbs and put in bag in freezer.

      my husband plants a garden, so we have fresh produce and veggies in summer. it is a lot of work sometimes, but it is worth it. my next budget saver will be to plan meals in advance according to the sale items at my grocery store.

      i don’t do that and find myself wondering what to make. joan in nh

    • #416824
      brchbell

      @ab2401 92850 wrote:

      I in no way was able to read this all…. but I would LOVE it if someone could tell me if there is a list of what you guys can get for 250 a month and what page it might be on.

      Right now we are spending 250 biweekly for just 2 adults.

      I can spend so little because a have a years supply of dry/canned goods to pull from that we replace annually or quarterly. Make sure yu get the free e-booket on this site:
      https://www.budget101.com/Ebooklet/EBooklet_Fam4.pdf

      You may already be doing a lot of these things but you might also find a few ideas you haven’t tried before!

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