DH got laid off, now 6 family members coming to visit!

[Marionnette]

Eggs are either dirt-cheap or free with purchase this time of year. I would stock up on a few dozen and plan on either breakfast for dinner or making a few quiches.

 

[brekin67]

I'm sorry your husband was laid off. Maybe you could order an Angel Food basket before they come to your home. I thin it is $25 per box.
Bisquick quiches are quick, as well as the bisquick cheeseburger pie.

 

[RachaelA]

If they weren't visiting you, they'd be paying for their own food at home.

This. They can take what they would be spending on food at home for that week and either a) buy groceries here or b) give you the money towards groceries.

 

[tweedlemom]

Buy a bag of those frozen meatballs and stick them in the crock pot. Have small torpedo roll meatball subs one night, then the next night make pasta and have spaghetti and meatballs. Grilled cheese sandwiches and tomato soup lunches, english muffin pizzas another dinner, cereal for breakfast. Have a soup/salad night. Nachos night (chips, shredded cheese, salsa, lettuce and sour cream.) Sounds like you've already been given some great ideas! Good luck--I'm sure they will be very appreciative of what you provide.

 

[CowboyCO]

My sister is coming to visit with my niece, nieces' DH, and their 3 boys (age 1, 3 and 12). The problem is they arrive the week after DH's last day of work. How am I going to feed all of these people for a week, when we are trying so hard to make DH's last paycheck stretch? I'm thrilled that they are coming to visit, but wish the timing was different. I usually love to entertain and cater to my guests, but I really need some ideas for ways to do this on a serious budget.

I'm the same way. I got laid off last month and 6 family memebrs are coming for Easter. We just called SIL and MIL and let them know things were tight, so they will be bringing most of the Easter fixin's with them. Tough times are times for families to come together.

 

[mom to minnie&mickey]

If they weren't visiting you, they'd be paying for their own food at home.

Exactly this!

Since your niece's own dh lost his job she should more than understand your own situation. I cannot imagine a family of 6 visiting for an entire week and expecting to be fed 3 meals a day plus snacks, drinks, coffee etc. I am sorry to hear about your mother and the reason for their visit but really OP there is no cheap way to feed so many people for so long. The money they would have spent on their own groceries in their own home should now be spent in your house and really you should not even have to ask for it. All their travelling expenses are paid for by your mother so really them paying for their own food is not much to ask. It is very kind-hearted of you to want to take care of them but in the end YOUR family still needs to eat when they all leave. That being said, cheap meal ideas:

1. Spagetti with tomato sauce
2. Couple of boxes of Kraft dinner and hot dogs
3. Baked chickens (on sale) with potatoes and some canned veggies
4. Breakfast for dinner (eggs, toast, potatoes)
5. Chili
6. Soup with sandwiches
7. Grilled cheese with some veggies
8. Roast pork with leftovers made into sandwiches for next day

 

[cbeehler3]

All really great suggestions!
Also, do you have an Aldi's Food market near you? They are super duper cheap!
We shop there now and save half on our groceries.
So sorry about your DH's job. We were in your shoes last summer. (((((hug))))

 

[sunshine1178]

Turkey/hams are on sale now, but will they be cheaper the day after Easter? Might be worth asking your grocery store manager or butcher.

Casseroles. You can make one pan dishes that can be stretched out to feed a crowd.

Check to see where chicken is on sale. My family prefers dark meat so I am always lucky but chicken legs go a long way and sides can be added that are not expensive. Rice can be flavored and is good, add some carrots and you have a nice dinner.

Lazy man stuffed cabbage is a good dish that can feed a crowd for a reasonable price.

Cake mixes are usually on sale and one box will go for a day or two of dessert.

Make French toast or pancakes for breakfast....comfort food and not expensive.

Chili....you can add a lot of vegetables and some beans, a box of jiffy corn bread mix and this can go a ways.

turkeys and hams are on sale now for Easter... you could get one of each. They would go very far....just get some bread / rolls...let everyone make sandwiches. Maybe make a big container of potato salad and macaroni salad...both are inexpensive to make. Egg salad is inexpensive to make as well.

We also like "breakfast for dinner" sometimes...and it's cheap ! you could do pancakes, scrambled eggs, home fries. (don't buy the home fries, make your own...it's much cheaper and tastes better) you could grill some of the ham slices (from above idea)....see, you're utilizing everything !

For dinners, you could make a couple of pans of baked ziti. That's very inexpensive to make...parter w/ garlic bread, voila.

For breakfasts, maybe get the big bags of cereals, it's more economical than the expensive cereal. or try to partner coupons w/ a cereal sale.

Hot dogs and hamburgers on the grill (with potato salad and macaroni salad from above idea) are also economical. You could do hot dogs wrapped in crescent rolls for the kids.... and a "build your own hamburger" station for the big kids.

Good luck...just remember, have fun.

 

[katesorad]

I think somebody already mentioned Angel Food Ministries, but seriously.. this is AWESOME. It's perfect! $35 for a huge box of food. http://www.angelfoodministries.com/menus/menu_2011-05_en.asp?

 

[Sinderelly]

Chili and peanut butter sandwiches
Spaghetti, salad and bread
Potato soup
Homemade mac and cheese, green beans and rolls
Chicken and noodles

Here's a recipe we love and it feeds ALOT
Cheesy ham and potatoes casserole
1 ham steak, diced (or any other type of leftover ham)
1 pkg frozen hashbrown potatoes, thawed
1/2 small onion, diced
1 can cream of chicken soup
1 stick butter, melted
1 C sour cream
Topping:
1 C cornflakes, crushed
1/3 C butter, melted
Mix all ingredients except topping and pour into large casserole dish. Top with cornflakes mixed with melted butter. Bake 350 degrees for 35 minutes.

 

[Disneyx6]

Thoughts and Prayers for DH and your family that this tough time will not last long.
I've used all of the above ideas(my kids love make your own pizza's and breakfast nights)and I have one more to add. We have also done an Appetizer night. We made pigs in blankets, mini quiches, a homemade spinach dip w/tortillas, some cut up veggies and mini sliders with various toppings. We had such a variety that it filled everyone up. A Jello Bar w/whip cream is always a big hit for dessert and very budget friendly! We use 4 different flavors (each kid picks flavor) and everyone gets a sampling.
As for the entertainment, your nieces and nephews are young and the younger they are the easier to entertain! Have a family sing off/dance off, a game of charades, a family game of hide & seek. You can modify these to include all ages. Make it harder for the 12 yr. old. My 10 yr. old son still enjoys some of these goofy times in our house, even if it is only because he can make fun of mom and dad at a later date.
Hope some of this helps and I hope you have a wonderful visit with your family.

 

[apnep]

You say "Dh just got laid off, can you help pay for some of the groceries this week?" Honest and to the point. I would not dream of bringing six people to stay at someones house for a week for free and not offer to pay for groceries, give a gift card for the grocery store, etc. I'd figure that there's no free lunch and trying to stay and eat for free for a week would be rude.

I agree with this. I'm sure you're stressing out over this anyway and that your family will contribute while they are there. Just get it over with and be honest and you'll feel much better! They probably don't expect you to pay for everything.

Good luck!

 

[pintamino]

I have two favorite, easy, cheap meals. I usually make two servings, but they could easily be tripled or more.

Potato-Kale skillet:
1) Heat up some oil (I add garlic and cayenne pepper too, but this is optional) on a medium-low heat. Throw the chopped kale in and stir occasionally as it cooks.
2) While the kale is cooking, cook a potato in the microwave (in your case, more than one potato and a WHOLE LOT of kale).
3) Chop the potato up, skin and all. Melt butter over top (I use a vegan butter spread)
4) Combine kale and buttery potato. Add salt, pepper, other seasonings to taste.
5) I cube up some low-fat cheddar cheese and throw it in. You could substitute regular cheese, shredded cheese, etc. in whatever kind your family likes. American would work great, but I hate the taste.
6) Optional: I cook some turkey bacon in the microwave and crumble it in there. This could work with regular bacon/bacon bits/bac-o's/vegetarian bacon/etc.

Fasian Stir Fry (chicken, ramen noodles, green vegetable like broccoli or snap peas -- carrots or red peppers might work good too!)
1) Make Ramen noodles. Make sure to add the seasoning while the noodles are cooking.
2) Cube up the chicken. I use one chicken breast for two servings. Cook the chicken by sauteing it in oil. I use sesame oil for extra yuminess, but regular vegetable, peanut, or EVOO would work great too.
3) Drain the noodles. Toss the noodles with a little oil to keep them from sticking.
4) When the chicken is almost cooked, throw your veggies in there and stir fry them.
5) Add a little more oil to the pan. Throw your noodles in. Stir fry that all together.
6) Add soy sauce or teryaki sauce to taste. You can also throw a couple spoons of peanut butter in for a Thai-inspired stir fry with some more healthy fat and protein.

When I was a kid I also thought pb&j with fresh fruit was the COOLEST THING EVER.

Hope one of these helped. Good luck with your DH's job search.

 

[arthur06]

The biggest advice I would give you is to cherry pick the stores ads right now. With Easter this weekend there are some great deals to be had.

Our local store has a one day ad and it has items like 2 liters of pop for 68 cents, packages of sausage links or patties for 1.00 and chicken legs and thighs for .68 per lb and bananas for 36 cents per lb. I know prices vary by area, but watch the ads!

With this ad, I could do several meals on the cheap. You could easily do something with the dark chicken for supper one night (with some corn and mashed potatoes), then the next day pick the left overs and freeze for later in the week for a chicken casserole. Throw in a can of peas (or two) and some dinner rolls and there is a meal. You could have those two meals for everyone for under $10 or $12.

Spaghetti one night with garlic bread. Just go heavy on the noodles and sauce and lighter on the ground beef. Meal for everyone could be under $10.

Breakfast is always a cheap option. We like to do breakfast for supper some nights as well. Pancakes are really inexpensive as are eggs. So many options there.

Beef is so expensive right now, its hard (at least here) to get a lb of 80% for under $4.00 lb.

 

[bigmama67]

I always check my local meat section at the supermarkets for reduced meat which is dated that day, then freeze it till we're ready to use it.

Jiffy corn muffin mix has a recipe on the side for DELICIOUS corn pancakes or waffles! I add frozen blueberries to about half of them. 4 boxes of mix should feed your gang...or make six and freeze the leftover pancakes!

Mexican rice and beans - 2 cans of red kidney beans, 1 cup of salsa, 1 tbsp. chili powder, 1 tsp. cumin
Saute onion and garlic in oil. When lightly browned, add the 2 cans of beans (DRAINED FIRST), salsa and spices. Cook on low heat, stirring regularly, until heated through. Spoon chili on top of cooked rice and add shredded cheese to taste.
(Double this recipe and you should have plenty of food!)

 

[Deb & Bill]

Suggest to sis that you bring mom to visit her (if mom is paying for it all). And she can put you up at her house.

Or tell sis to leave niece, niece's husband and the three kids home and just come by herself. Sounds like the N's H needs to be looking for a job himself and not going visiting for a week on someone else's dollar. .

 

[beaucoup]

I think its pretty rude of a family of 6 to come visit for a week and expect you to feed them for free. They should be paying you whatever they would have spent on groceries for the week or what they would have spent eating out if they had vacationed elsewhere.

Being a guest doesn't mean being a moocher.

If she won't, then my regular grocery amount is all I would spend. And I would cook for my regular family. Sorry, can't afford to feed you. Maybe they would get the point then.

 

[Soarin_04]

"Decent food" doesnt have to be expensive. I should know, the "Bohemian stretch" has been practiced in our house many times.

Never heard it called the Bohemian stretch before! I love it! I just call myself a hatchet soup chef (most folks are more familiar with the term "stone soup" or "axe soup" but same idea.).

Thanks for the new term.

And OP -- she's your sister. You do what you can with what you have, and I'm sure she'll understand. Everyone's suggested some really great, economical meals.

And my DH has been off and on the dole for almost two years now (construction stinks BIG TIME right now), so I feel ya, Sister. Keep your chin up.

 

[eliza61]

First of all, I'd be honest with your sister...let her know that you are still open to have her visit, but with your DH being let go, the food budget and extra money for entertainment will be tight.

If for some reason, this is NOT okay with her, then she can change her plans and or shorten the time they spend with you.

Listen - in this economy, you are not alone. You need to do what is right for you and your family and not worry what others will think. You should, definitely, speak with her ASAP to let her know what the situation is, though, so she can adjust her expectations, and/or visit.

Me and my sister are close. If she called me and told me about the job situation and I was expected for a visit, I'd be picking up the grocery bill for the entire week,probably stock the freezer for her as well.

 

[VAN]

From the additional info you have given, it doesn't sound like you will get any assistance from your sister.

Go with the cheapest things you can find. Don't purchase any frills like soda (they can drink water), beer (if they want it, they can buy it), etc. For "entertainment", get ingredients for sugar cookies and make them/decorate with your sister's families help. These are fairly cheap as they do not include nuts and/or chocolate chips ... this can be a fun activity and will provide lots of "snacks" for the kids.

My menu would be heavy on pasta and cassoroles where you are stretching the meat over several servings. Get frozen pizza. Cereal/milk for breakfast. Inexpensive lunch meat for sandwiches and store-brand chips for lunch. Like the idea of a cake mix ... these can be very inexpensive. Hot dogs. Homemade potato salad. Popcorn for snacks while watching DVDs.

Don't even worry about the nutritional value for this one week ... just something to keep you on budget that will fill them up. If they should "ask" for something that you haven't provided, just tell them that "Sorry, but I've already exceeded my budget - but you're welcome to purchase it yourself if you wish!"

If you make things too comfortable for them, they might not leave!! LOL.