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

[disneymom3]

I also thought how ironic it is that I'm calling WDW to make my reservations (well, adjust existing ones) and then reading the $10/day board

But in doing $10 a day, hopefully you can afford WDW more often!

I have not been keeping up here because our homeschool co-op has been doign a garage sale at my house for the last couple of days. Man, I am worn out! Last night the kids had cereal, pb&j and grilled cheese for dinner. They were all tired too and when DH said he was making chicken something or other for dinner, oldest said, "Can't I just have cereal?" and on it went. He figured that was easier than a full meal so what the heck. Tonight I am too dang tired to cook too so we are either having takeout or going out to eat. Not good for the budget, but hey we raised about $400 for our sister school so that was good. (Have to brag on our kids a little--they were selling suckers, jawbreakers, freezy pops and koolaid(dontated by McDs) and they made over $60 in two days! All of the money going to the Vietnam school we help support. How awesome!! )

I will be back on the wagon by Monday though! Good to read all the new posts. You guys help get me motivated to keep working on the budget!

 

[bookgirl]

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.

Because it is the taxpayers duty to support and insure the future of the country by making sure the upcoming generations are educated, and healthy, and fed. So we pay for public schools, and lunch programs and state insurance for minors. And when we get old and the next generation (which we hopefully educated enougth to have a good job and we fed well enough to be healthy and intelligent) is in the workforce they pay for our medicare and social security.

I'd much rather my tax dollars feed a kid (any kid) than what they are being used for most of the time.

 

[TNKBELL]

But in doing $10 a day, hopefully you can afford WDW more often!

I have not been keeping up here because our homeschool co-op has been doign a garage sale at my house for the last couple of days. Man, I am worn out! Last night the kids had cereal, pb&j and grilled cheese for dinner. They were all tired too and when DH said he was making chicken something or other for dinner, oldest said, "Can't I just have cereal?" and on it went. He figured that was easier than a full meal so what the heck. Tonight I am too dang tired to cook too so we are either having takeout or going out to eat. Not good for the budget, but hey we raised about $400 for our sister school so that was good. (Have to brag on our kids a little--they were selling suckers, jawbreakers, freezy pops and koolaid(dontated by McDs) and they made over $60 in two days! All of the money going to the Vietnam school we help support. How awesome!! )

I will be back on the wagon by Monday though! Good to read all the new posts. You guys help get me motivated to keep working on the budget!

That's Great!! Sounds like it was well worth it!!
We got the free lemonade stand that was on the freaps thread. The kids will be donating the proceeds to the local homeless family shelter that we have had the privilege of taking and serving meals at. I think next time we go I'll try the hedgehog meatballs!!

 

[punkin]

Because it is the taxpayers duty to support and insure the future of the country by making sure the upcoming generations are educated, and healthy, and fed. So we pay for public schools, and lunch programs and state insurance for minors. And when we get old and the next generation (which we hopefully educated enougth to have a good job and we fed well enough to be healthy and intelligent) is in the workforce they pay for our medicare and social security.

I'd much rather my tax dollars feed a kid (any kid) than what they are being used for most of the time.

Relax and don't feed the trolls.

 

[Plantlady]

We had the school lunch program during the summer at our old school district (in Manhattan, go K-State)..

but, I was younger, and too full of pride to take the kids there.

Now, that I"m older, wiser, and have no shame being frugal.. if ONLY this school district did it!

 

[punkin]

We had the school lunch program during the summer at our old school district (in Manhattan, go K-State)..

but, I was younger, and too full of pride to take the kids there.

Now, that I"m older, wiser, and have no shame being frugal.. if ONLY this school district did it!

OUr school district does not do this either, but many years ago (when we lived in Brooklyn) I took my oldest DD because all her friends from nursery school went and it was very social for her. We made more money then than DH makes alone now and did not have nearly the same expences. It was purely for socializing.

 

[complainer girl]

OUr school district does not do this either, but many years ago (when we lived in Brooklyn) I took my oldest DD because all her friends from nursery school went and it was very social for her. We made more money then than DH makes alone now and did not have nearly the same expences. It was purely for socializing.

You all can call me a troll if you want, I really don't care. If it was purely for socializing, and not for free food, why didn't you take her and her friends out?

I just don't get bragging about how cheaply you can feed your family, if part of it is eating on the tax payers. Sorry, that's my opinion.

 

[hsmamato2]

Wow...even though i *sort* of *almost* agree with complainer girl... but It just sounds mean....
I also think *some* services are for those truly in need.... maybe not that free lunch program, I assume if it was, they'd ask more questions of those who show up for it.... I was wondering the same thing about some of the "free food" programs I've seen others posting about-
personally, I am frugal, but I wouldn't show up at a free food pantry, I feel that's for folks who can't afford necessities,and I can afford Disney,so that's not me!
I'm not against free stuff, just taking something I don't have a need for,if I know it's meant for emergency type help. Like people who would otherwise have no food.
Again, I don't know the ins and outs of this or other programs,so I wouldn't assume the worst...

 

[bookgirl]

Relax and don't feed the trolls.

I'm relaxed

 

[punkin]

I'm relaxed

 

[kpuls11149]

Just a quick how do u freeze bananas and with the milk do you open them to have more space or keep them closed as when you get them from the store? We have a aldi here and a save-a-lot so can get things at a good price, but every 2 months our local copps store has a stock up sale had one this week and i spent 175 and saved 110 so not to bad,10 for 10 mix and match. Also do a lot of shoping at sams club and it sure helps. When you are on a limeted income and want to go on trips to disney I try to save when ever and where ever i can. Just my 2 cents worth.

 

[Leofoenget]

Great thread! While we are on the subject, does anyone know the book "Dining on a Dime"? Used to be published under the name "Not Just Beans". I reserved it from my library but wondered what others thought of it. Its described as "Southern comfort food" but that translates in my mind to high in fat, high in sugar, low in fiber.

My "Budget Bible" is The Tightwad Gazette. LOVE IT!!!!

 

[mommiepoppins]

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

I am with TNK I pay school taxes for public school and my kids go to private and I pay more. I no this is ot but my day care kids brought in the year book. All the pictures of the teachers were taken on the new rock climbing wall. I asked the kids if they liked it and they said yes. I told them well Ibought that s and told them to have fun(it looks like a blast to) ok sorry back to food.

 

[tinkarooni]

Just a quick how do u freeze bananas and with the milk do you open them to have more space or keep them closed as when you get them from the store? We have a aldi here and a save-a-lot so can get things at a good price, but every 2 months our local copps store has a stock up sale had one this week and i spent 175 and saved 110 so not to bad,10 for 10 mix and match. Also do a lot of shoping at sams club and it sure helps. When you are on a limeted income and want to go on trips to disney I try to save when ever and where ever i can. Just my 2 cents worth.

Yes, let's get back to food. Here's an answer to these questions. to freeze bananas to use for baking in mushy form just put the whole thing right in the freezer. When you are ready to use it take it out of the freezer, peel and all and put it in a bowl to thaw. When it thaws cut off the end and squeeze the banana out. Voila, ready to make muffins or whatever no mashing required. You can also freeze bananas to eat frozen. I take bananas in good shape, (no brown spots) and peel them and break them in half. Pop them in a ziploc bag and freeze. You can stick popsicle sticks on them or not. Pull them out of the freezer and eat frozen like an ice cream. If no stick use a papertowel to hold it. My kids love this. You can be creative and roll them in melted chololate and nuts...but that of course would change the nutritional value. I do the chocolate once in a great while as a treat!

Freezing milk pour a little out of the top to allow for expansion. freeze. When you are thawing it shake it from time to time to keep it form seperating. Good Luck!

 

[TNKBELL]

Yes, let's get back to food. Here's an answer to these questions. to freeze bananas to use for baking in mushy form just put the whole thing right in the freezer. When you are ready to use it take it out of the freezer, peel and all and put it in a bowl to thaw. When it thaws cut off the end and squeeze the banana out. Voila, ready to make muffins or whatever no mashing required. You can also freeze bananas to eat frozen. I take bananas in good shape, (no brown spots) and peel them and break them in half. Pop them in a ziploc bag and freeze. You can stick popsicle sticks on them or not. Pull them out of the freezer and eat frozen like an ice cream. If no stick use a papertowel to hold it. My kids love this. You can be creative and roll them in melted chololate and nuts...but that of course would change the nutritional value. I do the chocolate once in a great while as a treat!

Freezing milk pour a little out of the top to allow for expansion. freeze. When you are thawing it shake it from time to time to keep it form seperating. Good Luck!

Ok a question about frozen milk....how long will it last once it's thawed? Can this only be used for cooking and baking or can it be used for drinking and cereal as well? I'm a newbie to freezing milk.

 

[aka-mad4themouse]

tinkarooni took the words right out of my keyboard. Let's keep on topic and try to refrain from debate. We would hate to close a very informative and fun thread b/c of arguing.

 

[Swimnoid]

Ok a question about frozen milk....how long will it last once it's thawed? Can this only be used for cooking and baking or can it be used for drinking and cereal as well? I'm a newbie to freezing milk.

I froze milk one time when we were getting ready to leave for WDW and had almost a full gallon left. Of course it wouldnt lastin the fridge for the length of time we were away. DMIL said just freeze it. I put it in a rubbermaid pitcher and froze it. When we got back we thawed it and it tasted the same and was fine. This year for our June trip I froze it and then took it with us in our cooler along with a bunch of other cold stuff so we didnt have to hit the grocery as soon as we got to WDW. No problems at all.

BTW great thread! I dont worry too much about keeping our daily $$ for food down too much since usually it is just DH and me but there are some really great ideas here. With summer starting though, both of our schedules change and we will need to bring or buy lunch more and that will be our challenge....not spending food on lunch by going out and yet having non boring bring our own.

 

[punkin]

This year for our June trip I froze it and then took it with us in our cooler along with a bunch of other cold stuff so we didnt have to hit the grocery as soon as we got to WDW. No problems at all.

Now that's a great idea. How long would it keep frozen in the cooler in a hot car on the road to Disney? Please tell me it would be OK after 15 hours or so.

 

[Nicolepa]

Ok a question about frozen milk....how long will it last once it's thawed? Can this only be used for cooking and baking or can it be used for drinking and cereal as well? I'm a newbie to freezing milk.

I prefer to freeze milk 1/2 gallon containers. Anything bigger and it never thaws (in my fridge). After it's thawed you can use it just like regular milk. The key is it has to be completely thawed before yous start drinking it or you will have very rich milk in the beginning and watered down in the end Also you have to give it a good shake before you drink it the first time.

 

[tinkarooni]

Ok a question about frozen milk....how long will it last once it's thawed? Can this only be used for cooking and baking or can it be used for drinking and cereal as well? I'm a newbie to freezing milk.

This is a question I don't know a good answer to. The milk I have frozen in the past was close to expiration so I used it quickly once I thawed it. I kept smelling and tasting to make sure that it was OK. Bad milk is easy to spot. Now, next week Krogers is putting their half gallons of all milk and choc milk on sale for $1.25 each (it's sad what excites us these days isn't it) So anyway I'm going to stock up. Those will be put in the freezer as soon as I get home so I would expect them to last 4-5 days once I thaw them. The milk is good for everything once it's thawed. My kids didn't notice any difference. Remember to shake it though.

Anybody else have experience to share?