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

[punkin]

Is the store interior kind of sketchy, or just the area? I've only been in one Aldi's (in Brick, NJ) and the store was dark and in ill repair and mainly sold a lot of processed foods - snacks, kids cereals - and canned goods. I don't recall if they had any fresh veggies or fruit.
Maybe the next time I go to the Glen Burnie Target I'll check out the Aldi's up there, since it is only about 5 more miles away.

The area is sketchy. The store itself is not in bad repair, but it looks kind of low end. They never have enough cashiers either.

You are right. They do sell a lot of processed foods. I tend not to buy those. The have good deals on rice, pasta, canned tomato stuff (sauce, paste and chopped), oatmeal, sugar, flour, vegetable oil, eggs, orange juice. I also buy frozen whiting filets. If you are looking for better prices on basics, it is worth it, IMO. Also, the gas there is about $.30 cheaper. Yesterday, I filled up for $2.87 and near my house it was more like $3.20.

However, the real reason I go to Aldi's is the european dark chocolate bars w/ hazelnuts and the fruits of the forest frozen strudel. I am ashamed.

 

[Lewski709]

Aldis are dirty (my way) and the bigger problem, for me, is cash or debit ONLY. I buy everything on credit and then pay it right off, because I get rewards.

I believe canned fruits and veggies, rice and pasta are about the only good values, and not even all the time, there. They do have good German Chocolate, from what I have been told. You can NOT do all your all your grocery shopping there! You will also find the savings are not as good as Walmart or Meijer on other items.

We are a family of 5 and I usually ONLY buy stuff on sale. I love using coupons for on sale items, thats double bonus. I am not doing the math for the daily meals, takes to much time and breaking down. However, I spend about 100-140/week including everything (diapers and wipes). I dont think that is bad. Fruits and veggies are VERY important and while I do my own tomatoes, peppers and herbs....they only count for a very small portion of $ savings.

I cant believe the very small amounts of food some people are saying they can get away with feeding their family on!

 

[Adi12982]

The Aldi in Hyattesville that we have gone to looks brand new

 

[mommiepoppins]

Wednesday


B
Bagels (79 cents for bag 6 in a bag) = 13 cents each child (2) had one half
Jelly on top (entire jar for1$) = 10 cents
Milk (219 and I usually get 10 servings) = 44 cents
=67….. I did not eat

L Minnie pizza’s
Bagel (I have got to use them before they go bad from the humidity) = 13 cents
Spaghetti sauce =0 (I had a coupon for free pasta barillia that I got for 6 months of pasta and sauce from doing a survey)
Mozzarella cheese 198
Bag salad 99 cents at aldi
50 cents for dressing
I am only having salad
=360
Snack
Mozzarella cheese slices=0
Motza crackers (I bought them on clearance and paid 17 cents a box) = 3 cents
Apple slices=25 cents
Frozen O. J pops =50 cents
String beans fresh = 101
I only eat some sting beans and a slices of cheese
= 179
Dinner
Fresh string beans=101
Grilled cheese sandwiches
Whole wheat pita bread (I bought for 119 and there is 8 servings) = 30 cents
Spray butter =20 cents
Mozzarella cheese=0
Tomatoes slices= 25 cents
Milk= 44 cents
= 220…I am only eating the veggies

= 826 for the day

 

[mom2dea0813]

Yesterdays menue was cheap but its cause my kids are on WIC but as long as no one yells at me I will post

B~
DH ~ bowel of corn flakes Free
Me ~ blueberry muffin slice box was 50 cents made 8 slices I ate 2 (.13) I had apple juice to drink (free)
DS ~ 2 pieces of toast with Apple butter on it .50 cents
both DD ~ 4 packages of grits and apple juice all free

Lunch
Left over spaggitti for kids and I Sauce was free My Itilian grandma sent it with my mom when she visited last week and I frooze it . I did make noodles at .50 cents a box we all had water for lunch .
DH Had the same sauce with 2 left over stuff shells 1.00

Sanck
me ~ bannanna ( 1.25 for bunch and it has 7 on there ) .18
DS ~ last blueberry muffin slice .7
DD~ 2 packages of PB crackers (5.00 for 40 packs at sams club ) .24
we both had water

Dinner
Scrambled eggs with cheese (free)
Biscuits 1.50 for 4 packs of them .38
Sausage and cheese sticks 1.50
Everyone had milk free but then we put strawberry syrup in it for about .25 cents

Snack
Rice krispy treats .50 (I got a box after easter sales for fun faces the whole kit was 1.00 but proved to be 1 hour of fun and two fun after dinner snacks for yesterday and today ) We all had water .

Me and Dh did have glass of tea and Soda and some chips befor bed while watching TV 1.00 for everything .

Total for the day : 6.88

Today :

B~
DH ~ Apple and water .38
me ~ 2 left over biscuits with strawberry jelly on them .25 apple juice free
DS~ 1 left over cheese and sausage stick .25 and 2 slices of bread with pumpkin butter .50
DD~ 2 packages of grits Free apple juice free and 1 apple sliced 3.00 for bag with 8 apples in it .38

lunch ~
kids ~Grilled cheese sandwiches (2) .50 carrotts and Dip .75 and Chips .25
me ~ Half of package of wings Dh brought two days ago on one of his lunched they were 5.00 so 2.50
Everyone will have water or Milk Free
Dh ~ forgot his lunch

Snack ~
DS~bannana .18
DD#2 ~ PB crackers .12

Dinner ~
Finally using the rest of the spaggitti sauce Free 1 box of noodles .50 and mozzerella cheese free and mixing together and baking . Also half of box of texas garlic toast .75
I will have tea and Dh soda .50 and kids apple juice or milk free

snack ~
Rice krispy treats .25 (only the girls had them )
water
Me and DS went to target anf I splurged and got a slushie and popcorn for 1.31

Total = 9.37 befor afternoon snacks

 

[Blondie]

I don't mean to be sarcastic/snarky but do you all keep a calculator in your back pocket to constantly do the math like this? Is there margin for error? Do you keep your receipts taped to your fridge door?

Sting beans fresh = 101
I only eat some sting beans and a slices of cheese
= 179

Do you mean string beans, or is this a new vegetable or sub-species of string beans? I only ask because of the little Donut Peaches I bought yesterday and had never seen or heard of them before.

 

[LuckyMamaInDE]

Feeding five here---kids are ds14, dd12 (multiple food allergies), dd7 (at ballet daycamp this week). My goal for the rest of the month is to average $12/day.

Yesterday:

Breakfast
ds made whole wheat pancakes for us $0.50
(it was a dbl batch, he snacked on the extras all day!)
blueberries, from pick-your-own $1.00
oj $0.67
coffee (cost of beans, half&half, sweetener) $0.90

Total: $3.07

Lunch
dh packed all leftovers
corn tortillas, 10 @ 3 cents each (local) $0.30
refried beans $0.50
cheddar cheese, about 4oz $0.50
bananas, 3 $0.45

Total: 1.75

Dinner
grilled pork loin, cut in slices first, about 1.5 lb $3.00
(I buy the whole pork loins on sale, usually 1.99/lb and cut to our needs.)
sweet-spicy rub made from spices and brown sugar $0.10
(Spices are loose from local co-op, so inexpensive and fresh.)
roasted potatoes, cooked in foil on grill w/ garlic and olive oil, about 2.5 lb $1.50
steamed squash, from garden FREE

Total: $4.60

Snacks
homemade yogurt popsicles from reduced yogurt, 4 $0.15
blueberries from garden FREE
blueberries from pick-your-own 1.00
soft pretzels from local shop, 4 @ $0.21 ea $0.84

Total: $1.99

Drinks were again mainly water (due to heat&humidity) plus some sun tea (unsweetened), 5 decaf tea bags @ $0.03 ea $0.15

Grand total for Tuesday: $11.56

Running total (2 days): $18.53
Daily average: $9.27

 

[punkin]

I have to start posting the day after rather than the day before, because last night we went out with Granny, so I did not make dinner and today it is WAY too hot to make a soup so I have no planned leftovers.

Here's my plan for today:

Breakfast: cereal, milk, blueberries, english muffin w/ butter $1.50
Lunch: me smoked mackrell w/ potatoes and cuke $3.50 (expensive but I was craving it); DD (and two friends)-spanokopitas from trader joe's: $3.75 (yeah, I know); DH took leftovers from last night's dinner.
Dinner: hot dogs w/ bean salad. Fried rice $3
Snacks: oatmeal cookies, cherries : 2:50

I also made citrusade to drink for about $1.25 which should last us 3 days or so, but I will count the full amount today because I cannot break it down per serving easily.

TOTAL: 15.50 (and we're having hot dogs for dinner .)

 

[mommiepoppins]

I don't mean to be sarcastic/snarky but do you all keep a calculator in your back pocket to constantly do the math like this? Is there margin for error? Do you keep your receipts taped to your fridge door?



Do you mean string beans, or is this a new vegetable or sub-species of string beans? I only ask because of the little Donut Peaches I bought yesterday and had never seen or heard of them before.

yes it is STRING BEANS . I do mesure and weigh them each time I get them. example. I weigh a pound in the store and place it in a bag. If I want more than one pound I will again weigh them and place them in a bag. I usually go up to the cashier with 4 seperate bags. This also helps me to weigh and mesure my food due to I am watching what I eat.

 

[mommiepoppins]

I was in family $. They have some great deals and they take coupons.. I bought a bag of 9 lives cat food for 1$. It is a good size bag. I had a 2 $ off coupon . Just wanted to let you know. Also dollar genereal takes coupons to

 

[daisy_77]

I still think if I took out some extras from our daily meals, I would still be spending WAY more than $10 a day. I am ok with that. I like giving fresh, wholesome foods that are a bit more pricey than the processed stuff.
I think it is awesome that some of you all have gardens and know how to find bargains and clip coupons. I am going to start looking into that.

mommiepoppins----wow, you really keep that daily cost down! I am not trying to be rude or nosey but it doesn't look like you eat enough. All I see is some cheese and veggies. I read that you are trying to lose weight but IMO you need some more food girl! Best of luck to you!

 

[mommiepoppins]

I still think if I took out some extras from our daily meals, I would still be spending WAY more than $10 a day. I am ok with that. I like giving fresh, wholesome foods that are a bit more pricey than the processed stuff.
I think it is awesome that some of you all have gardens and know how to find bargains and clip coupons. I am going to start looking into that.

mommiepoppins----wow, you really keep that daily cost down! I am not trying to be rude or nosey but it doesn't look like you eat enough. All I see is some cheese and veggies. I read that you are trying to lose weight but IMO you need some more food girl! Best of luck to you!

well last night I went to Ponorosa and I ate like a pig. I gained 2 lbs . So today I am really trying to watch what I eat. On Sat we have a big party to go to and Sunday to. I know that I really need to watch what I eat or I will be putting on the 20 pound I have lost . So yes I am going to eat like less than yesterday. However I love the fresh string beans To me that is a treat!

 

[dawn1967]

I was in family $. They have some great deals and they take coupons.. I bought a bag of 9 lives cat food for 1$. It is a good size bag. I had a 2 $ off coupon . Just wanted to let you know. Also dollar genereal takes coupons to

I won't shop at our dollar general the owners are local quiet questionable. I wish dollar tree took coupons they sell lot's of food items. I use for camping, If i could use coupons they would be cheaper then the grocer on some things. Just because it's called dollar tree doesn't make it to cheap like there soup they sell for 2 For 1.00 I get Store brand for .39 a can or if i'm willing to buy just 2 campbells i can always get them for .48 a can. But i do buy there chicken broth in a can because 2 for 1.00 is cheaper and great to keep in the pantry.

 

[mickeyfan2]

If I want more than one pound I will again weigh them and place them in a bag. I usually go up to the cashier with 4 seperate bags. This also helps me to weigh and mesure my food due to I am watching what I eat.

Now this is a great idea. I need to remember that for the future.

 

[njcarita]

first time posting menu
yesterdays menu

5 servings cereal milk--
milk (1/2 of 1/2 gallon of organic milk) 1.25
cereal ( sale 0.50 /box) .25

Yogart smoothie ( me) 1.50

coffee .25

breakfast total 3.25


snack 0
kids at vbs free

Lunch
left over sloppy joes 2.00
and peaches .50
water
juice .25

2pbjs ( hubby) 1.00

lunch total 3.75


afternoon snacks
had friends over 3 adults 8 kids

chips free
chips free
watermelon free
1/2 homemade icecream cake 3.50
koolaide .50
wine free

total snacks 4.00


Dinner
let over sloppy joes and chips 2.00
water
juice .50


I had toast & butter wastn't hungry .30

2.80


total= 12.80

 

[jordansmomma]

If it hits 108 again tommorrow i might just have us eatting ice pops instead.


Breakfast 1.25 for bacon and french toast for kids
me coffee. and what bacon little one doesn't eat

Lunch

Kids ham sandwiches and veggies .5
Me Zucchinni and onion saute free garden

Dinner
Cod fillets 2.99
rice .75
beans .25
Corn .79
tomato basil salad free garden

Snacks
popcorn
pbj crackers
ice pops
Total 1.

Grand total 7.53

Yeah the northwest has been pretty HOT!!! I live in the Desert it has been horrible!!
Popsicles for dinner, my kids would love that!!

 

[ilovepcot]

I was in family $. They have some great deals and they take coupons.. I bought a bag of 9 lives cat food for 1$. It is a good size bag. I had a 2 $ off coupon . Just wanted to let you know. Also dollar genereal takes coupons to

Cat food...I *knew* it!!!!!! Didn't I say it was the only way I could get my meal costs down? MOMMIEPOPPINS, I'm joking. (But it was funny.)

 

[jordansmomma]

Geesh I have been out of town and have tons of frozen stuff left from the 4th.
Tuesday
Breakfast-
DS7- french toast & milk- free at school
DS11- bagel (.16), egg (.05), juice free
me- bagel- .55 (bought on way to work)
total-.76
lunch-
ds7- grilled cheese & soup- free at school
ds10- burritos & fruit- free at boys & girls club
me- lean cuisine- 1.99, water
total 1.99
snacks-
popcorn- .15 ( great deal w/ coupon at costco)
ice cream- neighbor free
total .15
dinner-
chicken enchilladas- 4.00 (I already had the chicken, just need the cheese, & sauce)
can of refried beans .99 w/ cheese melted .50
rice- 1.00
water/tea to drink- .25
total- 6.74

total- 9.59

 

[jordansmomma]

Wednesday
Breakfast-
DS7- pancakes & juice- free at school
me- toast & jam- free (boyfriend went shopping for,hmm he says you have no food )

total- free

snack-
pretzels- maybe .10 (bag from Dollar tree)
total- .10

lunch-
DS7- corndogs, oven fries & fruit- free
me- turkey sandwich- .50
total- .50

dinner-
sloppy joes-
buns- .49
meat- free (cow)
cheese slices- .30
sauce- .89 (on sale)
(left overs for lunch tomorrow )
root beer .49, diet coke- .99 (now these are 2 liters but i am not sure how much is going be gone)
dessert- strawberry short cake- 2.99 for cake
all other items were given to us
total- 6.15
total for day 6.65

 

[smfritz03]

Here's our's for today.

Breakfast:

Waffles .50
Blueberry's 1.00
Milk 1.00

Total: 2.50


Lunch:

Kids ate at babysitter
Me--Nachos lunchable .25
Dh---Ate free since he's on duty.

Total: .25


Dinner:

Taco's
Hamburger 3.50
Lettuce 1.00
Cheese 1.50
Tomatoes 1.00
Shells 1.00

Total: 8.00

Snacks:

Yogurt 1.00
Oranges 2.00
Lunchable 1.00 (.25 x 4 kids)

_______________________________Today's Total: 14.75