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

[momx2]

I have no idea how much I spent today on my family of 4. So I thought I'd give this a try. Today was a weird day...we all just kinda ate whatever until dinner. Here it goes....

Breakfast:
me-2 leftover eggrolls=$1
girls- 1 waffle and syrup=.50
1 turkey sandwich=.50
1 can ravioli=$1 (it was a late lunch/breakfast )
DH-I have no idea, but it was a sandwich or something=$1

late snack at McDonalds $5

Dinner-Homemade meatloaf (1/2 a loaf)$2.50
mashed potatoes=$1
green beans=$1

Total today= $13.50 with McDonalds (we rarely do this, me and the DDs spit a fry, double cheese burger and 2 drinks for a quick snack while shopping).

 

[WatchinCaptKangaroo]

Good job! And kudos to the chinese food for breakfast

 

[Swimnoid]

Y'all are a bad influence on me! I went to the store for lunch stuff for the week and I found myself not buying stuff I dont need and actually picking up a couple of bargains.

 

[Holly Goheavy]

Tv and I put my son in cloth diapers. I know the horror, right?!

When my youngest DS was a baby, I put him in cloth diapers as well. I actually loved it and it did save quite a bit of money. I did sometimes go overboard and spend too much on cute diapers and diaper covers but in the end, it saved us a ton. If and when I have grandchildren, I'll be buying cloth for them to wear when they're at my house

 

[WatchinCaptKangaroo]

Y'all are a bad influence on me! I went to the store for lunch stuff for the week and I found myself not buying stuff I dont need and actually picking up a couple of bargains.

How dare you not spend money on stuff you don't need and pick up some bargains instead! Don't you know you are depriving your family and teaching your children it is ok not to buy stuff you don't need?!

The nerve of some people.

 

[TNKBELL]

I haven't taken time yet to figure cost per day, but we keep a very low food budget. Here are a few little ideas for quick easy meals.

Boca Burgers! They are less than $2 for a box of 4. We load them up with green leaf lettuce, tomato, pickles, and regular burger toppings and have pretzels and carrot sticks on the side. It's a super quick easy meal that actually has nutritional value, and is as fast as going through the drive through. (We do these on tee ball nights sometimes.)

"Egg McMuffins" Fried egg seasoned with Lawry's seasoning salt, slice of American cheese, and a whole wheat english muffin. Serve with fresh fruit on the side and Yum-o! (Once in a blue moon I'll add a slice of ham or bacon to the sandwich.)

Hashbrowns and eggs. Buy a bag of off brand hashbrowns and "fry" them (non stick skillet with about 1 tsp of oil) until they're crispy. Meanwhile scramble eggs. (we usually do about 9 or 10 for our family of 4 eaters.) We serve the scrambled eggs on top of the hashbrowns and the kids like ketchup on top while dh likes salsa on top. Serve with fresh fruit (apple wedges, canteloupe, orange slices, or whatever is in season.) And sometimes we do whole wheat toast on the side with homemade fruit jelly.

Potato Skillet. I got this idea from Silver Dollar City, an amusement park in Missouri but it's super easy and inexpensive to make at home! Take several thinly sliced potatoes (about 6 or so for our family) and "fry" them (again in a nonstick skillet with about 1 tsp of olive oil). We sometimes add thinly sliced sweet potatoes as well. Buy a bag of frozen seasoned vegetable mix with okra and pour it in while the potatoes are frying. (Around $1.67 a bag.) Add lots of garlic and black pepper, and I use a house blend seasoning from a restaurant as well. Fry until everything is cooked through and you have some crispy potatoes. (those are the best ones, right?) My kids like ketchup on top of this too. This will make enough to feed all of us dinner, and have plenty of leftovers for the next day. That's a lot of meals for less than $2.00 total!

~B

These are some great ideas!!! My downfall happens when we are on the go and turn to convenience foods or fast food. It's been awhile since we have had Boca burgers, the DKS even like them. I'll be watching for a sale or a good deal on those.

How about some more suggestions for eating quick or on the go??

 

[LauraR]

I've been wanting to try this for awhile, so here goes for today (family of four):

B'fast-
DH made crepes, which we had with milk---$1.75

Lunch-
Leftover veggie fried rice from Friday's dinner---@$2
kids also had 2 popcorn chicken t.v. dinners (they raided the freezer while I was out)---$2
milk/soda---75 cents

Snacks-
2 nectarines, sliced---65 cents
2 apples, sliced---65 cents
cheese and crackers---$1.00
banana mini-muffins (homemade)---75 cents

Dinner-
Boca burgers---$1.50 (with coupon)
buns, lettuce, tomato--$1.75
tater tots (1/2 bag)---$1
corn---50 cents
juice/soda---70 cents

Dessert-
ice cream (1/3 of lg container)---66 cents

Total-
$15.66---wow, way over! Guess I should have picked our lentil soup day I definitely have a lot of room for improvement!

 

[novdisneydreams]

I haven't had time to read the entire thread, but you are all inspiring me We started eating much healthier the last month or so and we are very lucky to have a place called Produce Junction nearby - it is fruits and veggies in bulk. I still spend about $40 a week there, but that isn't too bad considewring what we get ... usually romaine, onions, tomatoes, cukes, asparagus, brocolli, baby carrots, apples, bananas, pears, strawberries, sometimes a watermelon or dried apricots . I doubt that I am at the $10 a day point, but I would like to be - I apologize if this has already been asked - but where are you all getting your coupons? It sounds like you are getting such great deals. Are they the ones that come in the mailers? Thanks for any advice.

 

[TNKBELL]

I haven't had time to read the entire thread, but you are all inspiring me We started eating much healthier the last month or so and we are very lucky to have a place called Produce Junction nearby - it is fruits and veggies in bulk. I still spend about $40 a week there, but that isn't too bad considewring what we get ... usually romaine, onions, tomatoes, cukes, asparagus, brocolli, baby carrots, apples, bananas, pears, strawberries, sometimes a watermelon or dried apricots . I doubt that I am at the $10 a day point, but I would like to be - I apologize if this has already been asked - but where are you all getting your coupons? It sounds like you are getting such great deals. Are they the ones that come in the mailers? Thanks for any advice.

I am not a great couponer as some are, but I get mine in the Sunday paper and in the mail(Kroger always sends them), also if you like a product, call the company and they will send you coupons and maybe even a freebie!! There is a great Freebie thread on the budget board where you can sign up for free samples and many of those companies will also send coupons. I have also seen coupons for sale on ebay, but I have never purchased them. You can also ask friends/family if they have leftovers.

 

[tinkarooni]

OK, I have not poasted a menu yet but thoroughly enjoyed reading all of yours for tips. Here's some tips of mine. I agree with the previous poster. Just about anything you buy frozen can be made from scratch. You control the salt, fat, ingredients. For example look at those make ahead meal places Supper Suppers, Creative Dinners. I went to try it just to see how it worked. Normal food that they make ahead and freeze. If you are time crunched try Once a Month Cooking. There are some great books out there.

I make our own bread with bulk purchased wheat flour, honey etc. It sounds time consuming but no more than whipping up a batch of cookies. I knead right in the kitchen aid mixer. I make four loaves at a time and freeze the dough. I thaw right on the counter in the plastic bag, shape, rise and bake. Voila fresh wheat bread several times a week. No preservatives and super cheap. If anyone wants details happy to provide them.

So here's yesterday's meals:

Breakfast: Homemade yogurt waffles, homemade strawberry syrup (strawberries in season), grapes, milk

Lunch: Tuna fish Sands, lettuce from the garden, garden strawberries, cheese cubes, water

Dinner: Homemade meatloaf, homemade mashed, home canned green beans, buttered wheat bread

Snacks: grapes, oatmeal smores cookies (yum)

I'm not sure how to figure the garden and canning costs. But I do know that my food budget is less than $200 a month for a family of four. I include in my $200 health and beauty, paper products and pet food (one bunny, two cats and two dogs) I do coupon quite a bit, like Aldis and am trying my hand at rebating. Good Luck

 

[wdw_dine_junkie]

I checked out www.pickyourown.org and found a hydro farm nearby that has a Produce Club. (Parke's farm in Dover, FL) The membership fee is $50 for a year and you can order baskets of produce to pick up, either $15 for the small (which is huge) or $25 for the large (which is really huge!) The veggies and fruits are all organic and not grown in soil. I picked up a small basket this weekend and it contained cucumbers, 3 buches of red leaf lettuce, zuchinni, green beans, collard greens, eggplant, green peppers, strawberries, fresh basil, edible flowers, carrots, heirloom tomatoes and radishes.

It's a great deal, I highly recommend it for anyone in the east tampa/plant city/lakeland area!

 

[mommiepoppins]

MONDAY


ok here is mine for today
b- rasin bread with cin and sugar and butter added. 50 cents (fyi all my kids hate raisn bread. I added the cin and sugar but it did not fly.
juivy juice =25 cents
= 75
l- eating at school party=0
s. pretzels=25 cents
apple slices 25 cents
milk 60
=110
D.salid =25 cents
Salid dressing 50 cents
garlic bread 1$
macaroni=50 cents
cheddar cheese=125
milk 60 cents
strawberrys 175 (I might have left over for tomm,)
=635
s doughnuts I bought a box 75cents clearence and put them in the freezer and they are comming out tonight
milk 60
=135
=955 for the day. Now that mac and cheese I should have left overs

 

[grumpy28]

MONDAY


ok here is mine for today
b- rasin bread with cin and sugar and butter added. 50 cents (fyi all my kids hate raisn bread. I added the cin and sugar but it did not fly.
juivy juice =25 cents
= 75
l- eating at school party=0
s. pretzels=25 cents
apple slices 25 cents
milk 60
=110
D.salid =25 cents
Salid dressing 50 cents
garlic bread 1$
macaroni=50 cents
cheddar cheese=125
milk 60 cents
strawberrys 175 (I might have left over for tomm,)
=635
s doughnuts I bought a box 75cents clearence and put them in the freezer and they are comming out tonight
milk 60
=135
=955 for the day. Now that mac and cheese I should have left overs

How do you make salad for .25?

 

[mickeyfan2]

apple slices 25 cents

Where do you get your apples so cheap?

A bag of 9 apples is around $3.50 or more here. That is 39 cents+ per apple and the apples are so small. A quarter of apple slices would be about 4 slices. Not much of a family snack.

 

[TNKBELL]

I checked out www.pickyourown.org and found a hydro farm nearby that has a Produce Club. (Parke's farm in Dover, FL) The membership fee is $50 for a year and you can order baskets of produce to pick up, either $15 for the small (which is huge) or $25 for the large (which is really huge!) The veggies and fruits are all organic and not grown in soil. I picked up a small basket this weekend and it contained cucumbers, 3 buches of red leaf lettuce, zuchinni, green beans, collard greens, eggplant, green peppers, strawberries, fresh basil, edible flowers, carrots, heirloom tomatoes and radishes.

It's a great deal, I highly recommend it for anyone in the east tampa/plant city/lakeland area!

Thank you for that link!!!!

 

[mommiepoppins]

How do you make salad for .25?

the bag is 99 cents and we used a quater of the bag

 

[mommiepoppins]

Where do you get your apples so cheap?

A bag of 9 apples is around $3.50 or more here. That is 39 cents+ per apple and the apples are so small. A quarter of apple slices would be about 4 slices. Not much of a family snack.

I bought my apples from Aldi last week a bag for 198
and I cut up one apple in to slices. my kids are just not big eaters. now dd14 is a big eater (skinny to), but she will not eat apples un less she had choc to dip it in

 

[Sorsha]

Today's meals
Breakfast: Cereal with milk, PopTarts (for the kids, I think they are YUCKY ), apple juice, coffee.
Snacks: Fruit snacks, pretzels, string cheese (3 for $1), strawberry-guava fruit punch ($1.98 for the whole big bottle)
Lunch: Grilled cheese sandwiches (cheese and bread donated by mom of little girl I am babysitting), Bugles snack chips (also from mom), applesauce ($2 a jar), glasses of milk.
Dinner: Spaghetti with meat sauce (hamburger $4, sauce $1, pasta $1, olives $0.50), salad (lettuce free from mom's garden, tomatoes $2, cucumbers $1, carrots $1) with dressing and croutons, garlic toast ($1 for a loaf of french bread)

Again, not going to try to break down costs for items that are just a part of a large container in the pantry, but for what I can list prices for I am at about $18.50. Still under my target of $20 a day!

 

[mommiepoppins]

Today's meals
Breakfast: Cereal with milk, PopTarts (for the kids, I think they are YUCKY ), apple juice, coffee.
Snacks: Fruit snacks, pretzels, string cheese (3 for $1), strawberry-guava fruit punch ($1.98 for the whole big bottle)
Lunch: Grilled cheese sandwiches (cheese and bread donated by mom of little girl I am babysitting), Bugles snack chips (also from mom), applesauce ($2 a jar), glasses of milk.
Dinner: Spaghetti with meat sauce (hamburger $4, sauce $1, pasta $1, olives $0.50), salad (lettuce free from mom's garden, tomatoes $2, cucumbers $1, carrots $1) with dressing and croutons, garlic toast ($1 for a loaf of french bread)

Again, not going to try to break down costs for items that are just a part of a large container in the pantry, but for what I can list prices for I am at about $18.50. Still under my target of $20 a day!

you are doing great. . some days (week day I do great0 weekends I do really bad! dh was saying that we needed not to go out to eat anymore for the next month .

 

[Sorsha]

you are doing great. . some days (week day I do great0 weekends I do really bad! dh was saying that we needed not to go out to eat anymore for the next month .

yeah, going out to eat really shoots the budget, deosn't it??
We took the kids to IHOP about a month ago and it was over $30 for the 5 of us! There goes the $20 a day!! It irks me even more when I think about the fact that I can usually prepare *breakfast* foods so cheaply at home.
Now, tomorrow night, we are going out to eat. We have decided to take an evening out to celebrate the fact that we will officially be *under* 100 days till our WDW trip! Today is 100, tomorrow will be 99! YAY! A new restaurant, HuHot Mongolian Grill, just opened up near us. I have eaten in one of these before, and I just love it, so I am excited to try this one!
Gonna toss the budget right out the window, but OH WELL! We will be celebratin'!