Best advice for first month on one income only

[CaliforniaDreamin]

I was going to say this. I didn't change my withholdings after DD was born last year and ended up getting a pretty large refund. I decided it would be better to have that money in my check each week than to essentially give the IRS a free loan. After changing my withholdings, I'm getting about $60 more a week in my checks. Not a huge amount, but it helps. Just something to think about.

The only reason that we would keep it at 0 during the year, is that with the big refund, we usually pay off some bills and plan vacations. This year, everything we got in a refund, went to buying Haley a car.
And next year, Hannah will be 16 in April and of course (as she should) be expecting a car next year. We don't want to finance any more vehicles than we need to (DH's truck is finanaced and so we have to have more insurance than if we owned it outright). My car is paid for, Haley's car is paid for and when we get Hannah's, it will be paid for in full. The insurance is going to be terrible next year. 2 teens on the policy? Oy vey. I am seriously considering selling my car ( I wish I could just give it to Hannah) because I HATE to drive and really prefer being at home (thats part of the reason I'm trying for SSDI, I have a hard time being out anywhere). It's a good car with low miles, I just don't need it. Maybe I can just trade it in for something Hannah wants.
I don't know....if I'm good enough at this strange "budgeting" thing everyone talks about....maybe the only downside will be putting off our cruise until next year, or the year after. Carnival says I have a $700 credit I can use within 2 years of cancelling our cruise this summer.

 

[CaliforniaDreamin]

Track your spending the first month. Save all of your receipts to see where you can cut corners. I know someone who's husband lost his job and said she had cut things back as far as she could. I asked her how much she spent on groceries per week and she said... '"I don't know."

Same here...If you held a gun to my head, I couldn't tell you. You know with 2 parents working, 2 kids in sports and extra. activities, I never bought what was cheapest, just quickest.
This is my first official week out of work. Last night I made sloppie joes and broccoli casserole. I bought the big can of Sloppy Joe and 2 lbs of hamburger. We all 4 ate it last night and again tonight! So, it's like $8 for that meal and it averaged out to one dollar per person, per night!

And for the PP who said the cost of living in NC is low....we would NEVER make it on one income if we lived anywhere else in the country. Our mortgage is low (less than $500 and it's a very nice house, we bought it when we were young, and next year it will be half way paid for!) Oh, and that $500 includes PITI. One truck payment ($254 a month), no credit cards, although we do have some medical debt I need to start working on. While I did work, I enrolled in an FSA program thru work, so both girls braces were put on and paid off within the same calendar year. It's jut this insurance...I really want to stay on top of it. I am getting a $400 check Friday, and it's going right down to Farm Bureau!

 

[CaliforniaDreamin]

What is in the pantry/freezer/garage that you can use up? We have too much food in the pantry and freezer and too many items (dish soap, shampoo, etc) in the garage. I am determined to shop from the stash--even if it means the less popular dinners are on the table.

Don't go to the store. Really made a huge difference, no running into Target for one item, or the great deal you might find on batteries (unless you NEED batteries). I'm sure it sounds crazy, but just not being in the store so often saves a lot of money. I put magnetic shopping lists on the refridge for Target and grocery store, I only go once a week (unless we run out of milk or oj).

HA, if I lived within 20 miles of Target....I would be in BIG trouble. Thank goodness, we are about 40 miles away. We got a SuperWalmart a couple years ago, and I learned really quickly I could spend $200 without even blinking an eye and get home with no real groceries. So I am sticking with Food Lion from now on! No temptation to buy a book, or CD that isn't needed. I do love being able to buy socks and underwear when I'm grocery shopping, though. I have an issue with old socks and underwear, so we replace very frequently. I may have to learn to deal with not buying new socks and underwear for us all once every 6 weeks. Maybe I can stretch it out to three months.

 

[LadySiren]

That's me! Howdy, neighbor.

I hear you on the low cost of living. Because of my previous profession, I moved a lot during the first oh, 15 years of my career or thereabouts. San Francisco, San Jose, Los Angeles, Baltimore, Las Vegas...if you add in Hawaii, where I spent much of my childhood, I've covered a bit of ground. NC is probably the lowest cost of living I've ever had (yay!), as well as one of the nicest places I've lived. I don't know what your experience has been, but everyone here is just so...nice. We're out in the country, so maybe that has something to do with it, but whatever it is - I love it!

And for the PP who said the cost of living in NC is low....we would NEVER make it on one income if we lived anywhere else in the country. Our mortgage is low (less than $500 and it's a very nice house, we bought it when we were young, and next year it will be half way paid for!) Oh, and that $500 includes PITI. One truck payment ($254 a month), no credit cards, although we do have some medical debt I need to start working on. While I did work, I enrolled in an FSA program thru work, so both girls braces were put on and paid off within the same calendar year. It's jut this insurance...I really want to stay on top of it. I am getting a $400 check Friday, and it's going right down to Farm Bureau!

 

[crisi]

You might want to talk to the kids about adjusting their expectations. It sounds like you've always had plenty of money to buy them cars, let them participate in whatever sport took their fancy - that may or many not be their future. If you can swing keeping their standard of living intact, great...but if not, sports and cars get expensive fast.

 

[hsmamato2]

personally,Id have DD NOT be on my insurance,and NOT drive anywhere till she NEEDED to,if my income was as tight as you say yours is. That's just reality.....she doesn't technically NEED to drive to school,etc. Now if she finds a job,and NEEDS more transportation than you can offer her (i.e. rides) then maybe I'd consider putting her on the insurance. AND I'd check different companies for quotes,too!
Sounds like DD driving is not a necessity right now,as is a cable bill. Not saying you shouldn't have these things,but when things get really tight you can see what isn't a true necessity and cut it to survive.

 

[MrsPete]

Several random thoughts:

Car insurance -- what's your deductible? If, like most people, it's something very low like $100, you're paying a great deal in premiums. Raise the deductible (which you might have to pay) and watch your premiums (which you definitely have to pay) shrink. Of course, you should be certain that you're able to meet the deductible if necessary. We do have our car and home insurance together, and we get a deduction for doing that.

Groceries -- forget coupons. Instead, search out non-grocery store shopping options. Look for salvage shops, bread outlets, farmer's markets, butcher's shops, etc. Those places are much cheaper. Cut back on beverages; they make up 30% of a typical grocery bill, yet most of them are not really necessary or nutritious. Eliminate all single-serving items; they're always over-priced. Look into more home-cooked items; for example, a .99 cake mix'll give you 24 cupcakes -- a whole week's snacks for your kids -- whereas they'll consume a 2.00 bag of chips in one sitting. Now that you have more time on your hands, eliminate convenience items (like shredded cheese); you're paying extra for those ready-to-go items.

You mentioned cutting back on eating out -- which is good -- but do look into specials. Our whole family will eat a kid's meal on .99 night at McDonald's or Chick-fillet. Chick-fillet also has buy-a-milkshake-get-a-free-sandwich days. There's a little mom-and-pop burger joint near us that gives a free kid's meal for every adult meal purchased on Tuesdays; of course, I tend to eat the kid's meal while my teens eat the adult meal, but that's not the point. We see stuff like this all the time.

Go to the library and check out The Complete Tightwad Gazette. You'll get lots of ideas that'll help you cut back in small ways. Add up those small ways, and you're going to find that you'll save big. Pay particular attention to her grocery price book -- it's genius.

Cutting back to one car is a great way to slash your budget. For the first three years of our marriage, we had only one car. When I finished college and started teaching, it became necessary to add another vehicle, and we were astounded at the difference it made in our budget. It isn't always convenient, but it's probably the biggest single thing you can do to save money. I'd question whether two teens each need a car.

As other people have said, tracking your spending is a brilliant way to figure out where your money's going.

I'm also in NC, and you're right that we're fortunate to have a low cost of living. When people talk about their taxes and mortgage payments in other parts of the country, I'm just flabbergasted. I don't know how they do it.

 

[hsmamato2]

I think I agree with crisi...... sounds like in the past, you've taken a hit on your Dh's income by getting a large refund check from taxes- and then using it to buy things you don't really NEED. There is a big difference between need and want. Now, it seems like you have a car you won't be using much,and you intend to fully fund a new car for each of your kids. Seems like the smart thing to do,if you insist on giving them cars,insurance,etc. is to just give your old car to your daughter,rather than 'looking for something she'd want to drive'.
Do you see what I'm saying? Your kids are getting cars GIVEN to them. Insurance paid for by YOU. They don't have jobs yet, but they have fully funded cell phone plans...etc.
Nothing inherently wrong with any of that,if you can afford it. Sounds like you know,at least for now,you can't. So you will have to readjust reality for yourselves and your kids.
I can honestly tell you,if I told my teen I was buying him a car,paying for insurance,and going without comforts for myself to do it,he'd fall over from a heart attack! HE knows it's his own responsibility to get a job BEFORE he even gets a real license- b/c it costs a LOT to get these things.
readjust how you look at your familys needs,if you want to succeed at surviving well on less money.

 

[Ava]

The insurance is going to be terrible next year. 2 teens on the policy? Oy vey.

If your girls are good students (which hopefully they are), see if your insurance company offers a good-student discount for teens. I know my parents got some $ off their insurance when I was a teen by sending in a copy of my report card. (I'm not sure what the criteria was to qualify, I think a B or higher average.) Definitely get on the phone with them & grill them about ANY discounts you might qualify for. If you do trade in your car and stop driving on a regular basis, you may be able to cut your own policy down to the bare minimum to save $ also.

 

[CaliforniaDreamin]

That's me! Howdy, neighbor.

I hear you on the low cost of living. Because of my previous profession, I moved a lot during the first oh, 15 years of my career or thereabouts. San Francisco, San Jose, Los Angeles, Baltimore, Las Vegas...if you add in Hawaii, where I spent much of my childhood, I've covered a bit of ground. NC is probably the lowest cost of living I've ever had (yay!), as well as one of the nicest places I've lived. I don't know what your experience has been, but everyone here is just so...nice. We're out in the country, so maybe that has something to do with it, but whatever it is - I love it!

Hi neighbor

We live about 3 hours west of you. I have always wanted to live some place more exciting or more metropolitan, but now that I am an adult, and esp since I don't know when I will be able to return to work, I'm thankful to live here. I love living here (except for the allergies) and the word about the cost of living is really spreading! People are moving here in droves. My old boss, show moved from Nebraska to Charlotte said that he was worried that his kids would end up with an accent from living in their subdivision near Charlotte. But the accent is NJ, not NC. I thought that was funny, but then he started telling is how many NJ people lived in the subdivision. We welcome all!!

 

[CaliforniaDreamin]

I think I agree with crisi...... sounds like in the past, you've taken a hit on your Dh's income by getting a large refund check from taxes- and then using it to buy things you don't really NEED. There is a big difference between need and want. Now, it seems like you have a car you won't be using much,and you intend to fully fund a new car for each of your kids. Seems like the smart thing to do,if you insist on giving them cars,insurance,etc. is to just give your old car to your daughter,rather than 'looking for something she'd want to drive'.
Do you see what I'm saying? Your kids are getting cars GIVEN to them. Insurance paid for by YOU. They don't have jobs yet, but they have fully funded cell phone plans...etc.
Nothing inherently wrong with any of that,if you can afford it. Sounds like you know,at least for now,you can't. So you will have to readjust reality for yourselves and your kids.
I can honestly tell you,if I told my teen I was buying him a car,paying for insurance,and going without comforts for myself to do it,he'd fall over from a heart attack! HE knows it's his own responsibility to get a job BEFORE he even gets a real license- b/c it costs a LOT to get these things.
readjust how you look at your familys needs,if you want to succeed at surviving well on less money.

The only real reason that I'm considering trading mine in for one that Hannah wants is that Haley got the car she wants. She has wanted a Jetta for years. It's a 2000, we had $900 maintence done by the Jetta dealership, so in all it was about $5300. That's probably what I could get for my car. I'd just sell it outright and we could use the money to by Hannah something she likes, and I just wouldn't drive. I HATE to drive. I have been using Haley a lot, she doesn't mind YET, to go to the store etc. She loves it, esp now that summer is around the corner.
She seriously needs to be on a real job hunt if she isn't going to cheer.
I feel pretty confident that with some smart spending and cutting corners, we can do just fine. Otherwise, that would totally defeat the purpose for me being out of work. It would just exacerbate my condition. I'm going to do all I can to make this work. All your advice is great! Thanks

 

[bjscheel]

I would definitely shop around on the auto insurance. We thought we couldn't do better than GEICO, I mean it's supposed to save you all this money. Then we checked with the local small town agent, and he saved us a ton. We got both auto and property insurance (it's with IMT, and the local farmers mutual). When we had a fire that damaged a building and vehicles, the insurance was very good to us!

BTW, rural Iowa is very low cost of living too! Good thing you've got that going for you.

 

[LadySiren]

One of my BFFs is a Boston girl who relocated to NC some time ago. We always give her a hard time about her "funny" way of talking. Just what the heck is a "bubbler" (you have to say this with a Boston accent to get the whole picture), anyway?!

I'd agree we've got lots of people moving in. Even out here in Small Town USA, it seems like we've got more transplants than natives. I'm obviously a transplant, but I love being a Tarheel! Nice people, great weather, beautiful state, low cost of living, sweet tea...what's not to love?

Hi neighbor

We live about 3 hours west of you. I have always wanted to live some place more exciting or more metropolitan, but now that I am an adult, and esp since I don't know when I will be able to return to work, I'm thankful to live here. I love living here (except for the allergies) and the word about the cost of living is really spreading! People are moving here in droves. My old boss, show moved from Nebraska to Charlotte said that he was worried that his kids would end up with an accent from living in their subdivision near Charlotte. But the accent is NJ, not NC. I thought that was funny, but then he started telling is how many NJ people lived in the subdivision. We welcome all!!

 

[DCLbrideSept2009]

The only reason that we would keep it at 0 during the year, is that with the big refund, we usually pay off some bills and plan vacations. This year, everything we got in a refund, went to buying Haley a car.
And next year, Hannah will be 16 in April and of course (as she should) be expecting a car next year. We don't want to finance any more vehicles than we need to (DH's truck is finanaced and so we have to have more insurance than if we owned it outright). My car is paid for, Haley's car is paid for and when we get Hannah's, it will be paid for in full. The insurance is going to be terrible next year. 2 teens on the policy? Oy vey. I am seriously considering selling my car ( I wish I could just give it to Hannah) because I HATE to drive and really prefer being at home (thats part of the reason I'm trying for SSDI, I have a hard time being out anywhere). It's a good car with low miles, I just don't need it. Maybe I can just trade it in for something Hannah wants.
I don't know....if I'm good enough at this strange "budgeting" thing everyone talks about....maybe the only downside will be putting off our cruise until next year, or the year after. Carnival says I have a $700 credit I can use within 2 years of cancelling our cruise this summer.

Okay, I'm going to try to do this without sounding harsh or overly judgmental. First of all, it's not a good idea to think of the IRS as a "savings account." You aren't making ANY interest off of it, just giving the IRS a free loan. It's better to have it extra in your paychecks. Then you wouldn't have to wait and pay bills off just ONCE a year - pay them each month as you go.

As for the car for your teenager, it's a pet peeve of mine, that kids "expect" cars when they turn 16. I believe if you want a car, then save your money and buy one. We have told all of our kids we will match whatever they save. Our now almost 16-yo totally lucked out because we just happen to have a third car that we're not using. It's a great car, so I don't want to get rid of it, and it really isn't worth much anyway. (It's a 1999 Honda Accord with about 174k miles on it.) She will have USE of that car as long as it's still alive. If at some point it needs some major repair(s), she can either pay for them and keep driving the car or she's SOL. We are NOT putting any more money into it at this point. SHE will be responsible for maintenance, etc, if she wants to continue driving it. She will also pay for at least HALF of her insurance. She doesn't have her half one month, she doesn't drive that month. We will give her gas money ONLY to get to school and then anywhere she goes for us (like picking her sisters up from dance, etc.) Other than that, she's on her own. She wants to drive to the movies or friends' houses, she needs to come up with that gas money herself. But it will help us out tremendously for her to have her license, get herself to and from school and help us out with running the other kids back and forth to activities (2 girls in dance and boy in football).

A car is not a "right" when kids turn 16, as much as they feel entitled to one. Yes, the majority of my daughter's friends got cars for their 16th birthday. One just got a Volvo Crossover - approximately $30,000 car. More than any of our cars cost! And yes, my dd has moaned and groaned and tried to tell me we *should* buy her a car.

Another option for you is for your teens to share the car the one already has. I have a friend who just bought a "third family car." Their oldest just turned 16 (although hasn't gotten her license yet) and it will be hers to use until their second one turns 16. (They're less than 2 years apart.) Then they will share it.

It's funny that my dd HATED the Accord. (It's also purple - well, a deep plum color, which I love.) But when it's drive that or nothing, it's not so bad after all.

She also lucks out cuz none of the other kids will get their license any time soon. Next one just turned 11, so 5 more years. Oldest will be out of the house and on her own by then. There are only 7 months between kid #2 and kid #3 (oldest 2 are mine biologically and younger 2 are DH's biologically). Doubtful the Accord will still be alive and kicking. Even if we DO have a "third family car," they would have to share it. We've told them (1) not to COUNT on us having a third car for them to use and (2) even if we do, you will still want your OWN car, so good idea to start saving NOW.

The main reason why we still have the Accord is because we won't let her drive my car (Honda Pilot) and she can't drive DH's (stick - although will hopefully teach her how to drive a stick at some point - I don't even know how and kinda wish I did.) So we kept the Accord cuz she needed SOMETHING to drive with her permit till she gets her license anyway.

We just started Dave Ramsey's Financial Peace University a few months ago, and it has been an absolute lifesaver! We are now on a budget and feel like we got a huge raise!! All bills are getting paid, on time, and we're tackling our debt to get that knocked out in about a year and a half. (And will NEVER have debt again!) I highly recommend it!!! It feels SOOOOO good to know that everything will be paid, how it will be paid, when it will be paid, and we even "cash flow" other things that come up like summer camp, etc., so we have a PLAN for everything. Such a stress reliever!!!

 

[MrsPete]

I think I agree with crisi...... sounds like in the past, you've taken a hit on your Dh's income by getting a large refund check from taxes- and then using it to buy things you don't really NEED. There is a big difference between need and want. Now, it seems like you have a car you won't be using much,and you intend to fully fund a new car for each of your kids. Seems like the smart thing to do,if you insist on giving them cars,insurance,etc. is to just give your old car to your daughter,rather than 'looking for something she'd want to drive'.
Do you see what I'm saying? Your kids are getting cars GIVEN to them. Insurance paid for by YOU. They don't have jobs yet, but they have fully funded cell phone plans...etc.
Nothing inherently wrong with any of that,if you can afford it. Sounds like you know,at least for now,you can't. So you will have to readjust reality for yourselves and your kids.

This all makes perfect sense to me. If you're no longer working, you have to do with what you have.

The only real reason that I'm considering trading mine in for one that Hannah wants is that Haley got the car she wants.

Ah, you're falling into the "what I do for one, I have to do for the other" trap. Your circumstances have changed, and what you're saying may no longer be practical. No two children are ever treated exactly the same: the opportunities that present themselves to each child will never be identical. Face that and give up trying for equality!

 

[steph124ny]

I think you are going to have to adjust your children's expectations!!! They can share the car. If your first DD didn;t pay for it, then it isn't hers. If she wants to grumble about it...then tell her to feel free to buy her own.

Losing an entire income is a large hit to anyone's budget and you are going to have to adjust...in some cases drastically. You have to change your mindset. Kids need food, shelter and love. Anything more than that should be up to them. You'd be surprised how creative they can get to make money when you won't give it to them.

I do understand how you feel. I'm going to have to shut off my older kids' phones this month. I'm sure they will complain...but it is what it is. We can't continue to pay for them, so off they go. They'll get over it I'm sure...

 

[CaliforniaDreamin]

Okay, I'm going to try to do this without sounding harsh or overly judgmental. First of all, it's not a good idea to think of the IRS as a "savings account." You aren't making ANY interest off of it, just giving the IRS a free loan. It's better to have it extra in your paychecks. Then you wouldn't have to wait and pay bills off just ONCE a year - pay them each month as you go.

I think I was misleading.We pay our bills on time. We like to pay our bills ahead once a year so we have credits on all our utilities. Oh, and I know the IRS savings is a bad thing, but it works for us. We may have to change things for this year though.

As for the car for your teenager, it's a pet peeve of mine, that kids "expect" cars when they turn 16.

I guess I didn't give you enough info here. My dd's didn't really expect a car until we told them we need to know what they like so we can look for a good one. The both cheer in school, plus this is the lovely part of high school where the work is much more time consuming. MY fault for not putting money in savings for them.

We just started Dave Ramsey's Financial Peace University a few months ago, and it has been an absolute lifesaver! We are now on a budget and feel like we got a huge raise!! All bills are getting paid, on time, and we're tackling our debt to get that knocked out in about a year and a half. (And will NEVER have debt again!) I highly recommend it!!! It feels SOOOOO good to know that everything will be paid, how it will be paid, when it will be paid, and we even "cash flow" other things that come up like summer camp, etc., so we have a PLAN for everything. Such a stress reliever!!!

I have heard SO many people brag that his program has turned their financial lives around. I am going to look for a used one on amazon in a sec. Thanks for all the advice!

 

[hffmnheidi]

If you have an Aldi's near you-shop them! You can save a lot of money with generics which are basically the same as a brand-name one. I second the idea of not buying the convience snack foods. Buy a big bag of generic pretzels and portion them out into ziplock bags as a grab-and-go snack for cheap.

As for the car insurance, I know that State Farm requires you to have all licensed drivers listed on your policies because if there was an emergency and one of your girls had to drive, they have to be covered. Definitely check into the good student discount and multiple policy discounts. Some insurances also give a discount if your daughters take a car/safety class. Don't give up if your agent doesn't know. Call the corporate office and ask about discounts. You never know what you might qualify for.

Make your girls get jobs. I got a used car handed to me when I turned 16, but it came with conditions. I had to get a job and pay some of the insurance, at least 1/3 of it or more, and pay for my own gas. I got the idea real quick of what was a need and what was a want when it was my own money. And I shared a car with my brothers who are twins and a year younger than I am, so just be glad you don't have 3 kids fighting over one car and who gets to drive it when and where.

 

[pintamino]

As for the car for your teenager, it's a pet peeve of mine, that kids "expect" cars when they turn 16. I believe if you want a car, then save your money and buy one. We have told all of our kids we will match whatever they save. Our now almost 16-yo totally lucked out because we just happen to have a third car that we're not using. It's a great car, so I don't want to get rid of it, and it really isn't worth much anyway. (It's a 1999 Honda Accord with about 174k miles on it.) She will have USE of that car as long as it's still alive. If at some point it needs some major repair(s), she can either pay for them and keep driving the car or she's SOL. We are NOT putting any more money into it at this point. SHE will be responsible for maintenance, etc, if she wants to continue driving it. She will also pay for at least HALF of her insurance. She doesn't have her half one month, she doesn't drive that month. We will give her gas money ONLY to get to school and then anywhere she goes for us (like picking her sisters up from dance, etc.) Other than that, she's on her own. She wants to drive to the movies or friends' houses, she needs to come up with that gas money herself. But it will help us out tremendously for her to have her license, get herself to and from school and help us out with running the other kids back and forth to activities (2 girls in dance and boy in football).

My car was my neighbors' car and it was exactly the kind of car I didn't want. Then we picked it up for literally next to nothing and guess what, I deal with it. It's a 1996 Toyota Camry with over 150,000 miles on it (the odometer broke at some point so it actually reads 310! but tracks at like 3x the rate it should). It's great on gas and runs fine so... I deal with it! Unless I wanted to dump thousands of dollars in to a car that was my choice. I just had new tires put on it over Easter break. It needed a new windshield when we bought it, and I was expected to pay for that but in the end my dad didn't make me (didn't complain!

In high school, I had a choice between driving the truck (a 96 silverado), or selling the truck and getting a car. But I had a horse so I wanted the truck to go to shows... it evened out! I had to work to pay for insurance and gas. My parents still have the truck because we live on a small farm now, and that's what my brother will drive when he starts driving this summer.

I had (have) a lot of good friends whose parents pay for their gas, their parking fees ($$$ here at school), their CARS (new or gently used modern mid-sized sedans). It bothered me more in high school, now it just is how it is. I don't resent my parents for making me work for it. And my family is not by any means struggling or unable to afford a car -- it was just not in their parenting plan!

 

[ajjollie23]

Angel Food Ministries.

I know my sister does this -- I'm not exactly sure how it works but she LOVES it.

Can someone explain it?

edited to add : https://www.angelfoodministries.com/about/how_it_works.asp here's how it works. My sister loves it and you may be interested.

We have tried this once, and my inlaws like to use it all the time. It is packages of food that you can buy at huge discounts. The food is pretty good for the most part. You kind of have to play around and find what works for you and what you like. But, if you figure it out you can really save a lot of money.
You order online by a certain date and then you are given a pickup date. (usually at a church near you). You then go pick up all your food in a couple of weeks, they have premade foods as well as fresh fruits and veggies, different frozen meats and fish, pretty much anything. Check it out and see if you like it.