*Feed Your Family $10 A Day Challenge*(AT HOME)

[punkin]

Here's today:

Breakfast: waffles and chocolate milk, farmer cheese and jam on bread, cereal and milk. $2.25

Lunch: DD8: whole wheat bread w/ butter, pepper slices, carrots, potato chips, plum. $2 (plum and peppers are expensive); DD14 PB&J on whole wheat, apple $1
DH: I don't want to talk about it. He's eating out again
DN8 and I took DH's Grandma to the doctor and she treated us for lunch out: FREE (she also paid for a tank of gas )

Dinner: Chicken Soup (homemade) and chicken stirfry w/ rice. Still have pie left over. $6.

Snacks: don't know yet but I have been averaging $2 per day.

TOTAL: $13.25

 

[GreatLakes5]

Yesterday:
BREAKFAST
frozen waffles & syrup
1/2 % organic milk
tea
apple
$1.75

LUNCH
Ritz-like crackers
sliced American cheese
sliced turkey
water
tea (iced it)
apples
$3.00

DINNER (gulp)
corn on the cob (6/$2)
hamburgers (I have to go low fat so this was about $6)
mixed fruit ($1)
chips (.50)
water
$9.50

$14.25 total...higher than $10 but pretty good for us....& included ground round

TODAY
BREAKFAST
frozen waffles & syrup, milk
hostess donut for DD
tea
cereal & milk
$2.00

LUNCH
chicken patties, wheat bread
sugar-free jello
strawberries
water
$2.00

DINNER
we'll end up eating at our local ball fields...a bit higher than our norm, but it is the home of $1 hot dogs and $2 chicken sandwiches so it's not as bad as it could be....

 

[mommiepoppins]

I JUST WANT TO SAY THAT I THINK WE ARE ALL DOING GOOD! I THINK CALCULATING AND BEING MORE AWARE OF WHAT WE DO AND WHAT WE COULD DO HELPS. aLSO I REALLY LIKE THE IDEAS . KEEP POSTING. I PERSONALLY GET SOME MUCH FROM YOUR IDEAS.

 

[IMALOVNDISNEY]

Love this thread. $10 a day is doable if you set your mind to it. Sometimes we go way under that, but, sometimes we go way over as well. But, it balances out in the end. We are a family of 3 and I work fulltime. So, my time is very limited when it comes to cooking. This is what works for my household. Disclaimer: may not work for everyone.

First let me say that if you want to truely save money on your food bill, the Budget Board is the place to learn from. I have learned so much from all you pro's out there. THANKS. Some of the tips are so simple, but, just never thought of them myself. I was always very proud of how little money I spent on grocerys. No more than $350/400 per month for a family of 3. Now with my Budget Board addiction I know spend less than $200 per month. Expecting that to go up slightly because we don't have a garden this year.
As a PP said shopping in bulk will help save. I also cook in bulk and freeze alot. My bestfriends are my freezer, sealer, and crockpots ( again, thank You BB'ers).The key is to know your prices in area stores, shop the sales, and use as many coupons as possible. Here is my method.
I shop at a Meat Wholesaler that sells to area restaurants,discounted store (Price Rite, owned by Shop Rite) . Both are priced at more than 1/2 of regular stores . I may spend $300 at once in one of these store or both but, when it's broken down, What I've bought will last for several months.
Heres' an example of what I made on Tuesday:
18 Quesadillas (8 wedges ea.),14 cheese,4 w/chick/peppers/onions (9 meals w/left overs)

4 batches of Fajita mixture (4 meals)

4 bags of shredded chick (4 meals)
17 meals
I will add either rice or noodles to each of the to make a complete meal.
Here's my cost:
3 5lb. Bags of Targets chick breast (remember the sale) $2.00 ea. = $6.00
4 Bags of Targets assort. shredded cheese (sale) .50 ea = 2.00
6 Assorted peppers/onions (had to buy/nothing left from last yrs. garden) 4.50
2 packs of seasoning (sale + coupons) Free .0
3 packs of large wraps $2.29 ea. 6.87
17 batches of rice or noodles (sale+ coupon) Free .0
1 Jar of BBQ sauce (sale + coupon) Free .0
$19.37

Break that down and it comes to $1.14 per meal for 3 people.

I also masproduce many other things and freeze. Again, buy in bulk, cook in bulk, freeze in bulk. DO NOT INPULSE SHOP

Sorry to have rambled on for so long. But, again, I wouldn't have had this way of thinking if it weren't for this board. it's become a game for me know. Even my husband braggs about what little I spend. Thanks for hearing me out.

 

[TNKBELL]

Here in Wichita, Kansas we have a free summer meal program for children 18 and under, no income requirements or sign up necessary, just show up and the children are given a meal.(breakfast and lunch state standard nutrition) http://www.usd259.com/parents/nutritionservices/default.htm

We participate a few times per week and this really has helped when we are out and about!

 

[mommiepoppins]

Here in Wichita, Kansas we have a free summer meal program for children 18 and under, no income requirements or sign up necessary, just show up and the children are given a meal.(breakfast and lunch state standard nutrition) http://www.usd259.com/parents/nutritionservices/default.htm

We participate a few times per week and this really has helped when we are out and about!

hey tink that is the same program that I do for my children and day care children . I can not sign up because I all ready belong to the program. I say all go for it. In NY that have it offerd at public parks and pools along with crafts . I do the crafts and swimming but I can not do the lunch

 

[mommiepoppins]

here is what we are eating today!
B/ milk 60 cents
minnie bagel 20 cents
jelly 20 cents

=1$


L. Chicken noodle soup 35 cents
Matza crackers 3 cents
Penutbutter 25 cents
Milk 60 cents
aplle slices 25 cents
=148

S. blueberry muffins 25 cents
peaches-50 cents
popcorn 25 cents
=1$
D.Salid for the last time=0 I am sick of it big time!
Cheddar cheese slices1$
tomatoe slices 25 cents.
salid dressing 50 cents
garlic bread( dd 14 will throw a fit, she dose not want to smell )=75 cents
milk 60
=211
S. blueberry muffins 25 cents
oatmeal 50 cents
popcorn 25 cents
=1$

friday nights the kids stay up later and watch tv and eat more.

this was on cheep week. Now tomm we are ordering Pizza and wings for dinner which will cost 27..not good because that is only one meal. just for Sat

 

[punkin]

this was on cheep week. Now tomm we are ordering Pizza and wings for dinner which will cost 27..not good because that is only one meal. just for Sat

I think we al NEED our occasional splurges. For example, tonight we plan to go out for Chinese. I am not going to stress over the cost (or the calories). I will enjoy my night out.

 

[TNKBELL]

I think we al NEED our occasional splurges. For example, tonight we plan to go out for Chinese. I am not going to stress over the cost (or the calories). I will enjoy my night out.

I agree, Monday night we ate at Shorty Smalls, even with a Restaurant.com GC it was $27 including tip!! If we cut costs overall, then we can afford to splurge here and there.

 

[mommiepoppins]

I agree, Monday night we ate at Shorty Smalls, even with a Restaurant.com GC it was $27 including tip!! If we cut costs overall, then we can afford to splurge here and there.

also it is nice to have someone cook and clean for a change

 

[bookgirl]

Here in Wichita, Kansas we have a free summer meal program for children 18 and under, no income requirements or sign up necessary, just show up and the children are given a meal.(breakfast and lunch state standard nutrition) http://www.usd259.com/parents/nutritionservices/default.htm

We participate a few times per week and this really has helped when we are out and about!

The Oklahoma City School system gives a free breakfast and lunch to any child 18 and under every week day during the summer break. They usually try to do it in most schools so that kids can walk to eat, but in some middle-upper/middle class neighborhoods the attendance was down so they did every other school. There is no sign up or anything just show up and eat. Great program!

 

[hsmamato2]

Well, I tallied my grocery bill for the last 30 days...we spent 250.00!!! that's about 8.30 per day for a family of four, with allergy kid,and we only eat the 'good' meats,and the fresh milk and eggs... in CT!!! woohoo!
I was so excited when i saw this!

 

[mickeyfan2]

Punkin,
I made your porcupine meatballs last night for dinner. I added garlic powder and onion powder to both the meatballs and tomato juice. DH loved it!!! When I told hime that name of what we were having he looked concerned, but that went away when he tasted them. I will have to make them again.

Prep time is under 15 minutes too!!!

 

[complainer girl]

Here in Wichita, Kansas we have a free summer meal program for children 18 and under, no income requirements or sign up necessary, just show up and the children are given a meal.(breakfast and lunch state standard nutrition) We participate a few times per week and this really has helped when we are out and about!

None of my business, I'm sure, but why should the taxpayers be footing the bill for people who can afford to feed their kids.

 

[WDWHo]

How do you know what the poster can and cant afford? Nice first post BTW.

 

[mommiepoppins]

None of my business, I'm sure, but why should the taxpayers be footing the bill for people who can afford to feed their kids.

I do not think it is about affording it is about healthy food.

 

[TNKBELL]

None of my business, I'm sure, but why should the taxpayers be footing the bill for people who can afford to feed their kids.

I homeschool, but I pay taxes so kids can go to public school.???
This program is for any child not just the impoverished.

 

[punkin]

Punkin,
I made your porcupine meatballs last night for dinner. I added garlic powder and onion powder to both the meatballs and tomato juice. DH loved it!!! When I told hime that name of what we were having he looked concerned, but that went away when he tasted them. I will have to make them again.

Prep time is under 15 minutes too!!!

I'm glad you liked them. My family adores them and they are so easy (and fairly cheap). You can also add grated raw onion to the meat and basil and oregano go really well in the sauce too. Sometimes, I have used poultry seasonings.

 

[punkin]

I homeschool, but I pay taxes so kids can go to public school.???
This program is for any child not just the impoverished.

sometimes ignoring certain peaople is your best bet.

 

[TNKBELL]

sometimes ignoring certain peaople is your best bet.

Too True....should have counted to 10