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

[Kellyscrapbooks]

Please don't flame me, I'm always looking for ways to save money. But my first thought when I read most of these posts was how unhealthy they sounded. Not that I don't eat some of those things. I know that was just a sample menu, but I always try to build my meals around veggies. I shop the produce section first and fill up the cart there, trying to avoid the middle aisles as much as possible. We eat whatever veggies are on sale. Also, this time of the year local Farmers Markets are a great way to get produce at a very reasonable price.

I know a lot of people say produce is expensive. One day I was in the grocery store in the winter and was buying a watermelon. One gentlemen commented how he loved watermelon, but wasn't going to pay 75 cents/lb. for it. I looked in his cart and said, if you put the chips & soda pop back, you will more than pay for the watermelon! He laughed, said you're right, took them out and put the watermelon in! Most veggies & fruit cost less per pound than meat, they are better for you and fill you up.

Saving grocery money is great, but saving money and getting lots of produce is even better!

I wanted to reply to this! It reminded me of something that I call my "AHA" moment, it was about 4 years ago. It was cold out and miserable (early spring here in western ny) and I was starving, I worked through lunch to get out early and was heading home. I had been in the grocery store the night before and they had fresh cherries and corn on the cob. Both had looked FANTASTIC to me but I wouldn't buy them because they were too much money. My mind had kept going back to how much I wanted them all morning. As I pulled my car into the drive thru at McDonalds it hit me, for what I was about to buy from McDonalds, where they would undoubtedly get my order wrong, put tons of fat into my body that I didn't need and I'm sure for less money, I could buy both the cherries and the corn on the cob! I pulled right out of the parking lot and went to the grocery store. I bought the corn on the cob (6) and a package of cherries, it cost me $7. Granted, it was about a dollar more than I would have spent at McD's, BUT.... there were still cherries for the kids to snack on afterschool and there were 5 ears of corn to have with dinner! Sometimes spending "too much" on something is well worth it.

 

[ilovejack02]

Okie dokie, reading over alot of this and you all are inspiring me. Ive been so lazy about cooking recently and been eating out alot. I need to get on the ball and go back to cooking real meals!!!!!

My biggest money saver is that I have a veggie garden.
DS4 eats cucumbers and tomatoes like an insane person. I was buying a pint of small grape tomatoes a cpl times a week or more. Sometimes I caught them on sale for .99 but usually paid around 2.00-2.50 for them. Ds could eat on e of those pints in a day if I didnt hide them to at least spread them out over two days. SOOO i decided to plant some, and boy that is saving me lol. He also eats tons of watermelon and catalope and carrots, I had no luck growing the carrots, but the melons are looking great!!! Also have bell peppers, and cant use as many as im growing, so DH as been chopping it up and freezing it all for me. I also planted green onion from seed, but a friend just told me take the bottoms that we throw away and stick them in the dirt.. works great and growing much faster than from seed .. DUH not sure why i didnt think of that first. I have okra too, im from Louisiana and you know we love okra in our gumbo.
I cant wait to start planning the winter garden!!!


OHHH one more thing that saves me money... is the Tupperware Fridgesmart set... veggies last so much LONGER in it!!!
I have the whole set.. a little pricey, but for the amount im saving on not losing veggies in the fridge has made up for it. Im telling yall its freaking amazing!!!

 

[dawn1967]

Breakfast and way off budget

Homemade Pecan Waffles 1.75 for 4 people
strawberries fresh from garden about a pint free
Syrup .75


Lunch
Tuna on whole wheat hoagies with lettuce tomato and pickles 2.50
carrots .25
Watermelon slices .75

Dinner This was the one that's killer

Rib eyes 25.79 Pray there will be left overs
portabella's 3.99
Ceaser salad 1.99
key lime pie 9.99
Garlic bread 2.99
Tomato's and Mozzarella and olive oil and basil Tomato and basil fresh from garden.

This is a father's day menu we do not eat this way unless it's father day or his birthday.

 

[punkin]

We went out for Father's day brunch. Don't ask the cost. DH will be grilling burgers and hot dogs for lunch/dinner and I will buy some corn on the cob to go with it, as well as a salad. Should run me about $10-$12.

 

[WatchinCaptKangaroo]

I wanted to reply to this! It reminded me of something that I call my "AHA" moment, it was about 4 years ago. It was cold out and miserable (early spring here in western ny) and I was starving, I worked through lunch to get out early and was heading home. I had been in the grocery store the night before and they had fresh cherries and corn on the cob. Both had looked FANTASTIC to me but I wouldn't buy them because they were too much money. My mind had kept going back to how much I wanted them all morning. As I pulled my car into the drive thru at McDonalds it hit me, for what I was about to buy from McDonalds, where they would undoubtedly get my order wrong, put tons of fat into my body that I didn't need and I'm sure for less money, I could buy both the cherries and the corn on the cob! I pulled right out of the parking lot and went to the grocery store. I bought the corn on the cob (6) and a package of cherries, it cost me $7. Granted, it was about a dollar more than I would have spent at McD's, BUT.... there were still cherries for the kids to snack on afterschool and there were 5 ears of corn to have with dinner! Sometimes spending "too much" on something is well worth it.

I had that moment at the grocery store last year. Fruit was $3/lb. That is insanely high. So as I was going down the chips aisle I reached for a bag of potato chips that were 2/$6 for the 16 oz bag. And it hit. I could pay $3/lb for fruit, or $3/lb for chips. I went back and got the fruit.

 

[Buckalew11]

OM! I spent 35.00 of steak (2) for Father's Day dinner! I am way over budget for the month!

 

[dawn1967]

Said the same thing when i bought my rib eye for 7.99 lb but then i thought he's so worth it.

 

[disneyjunkie]

True. Two people are easier to make under $10 per day. It's feeding 5 on under $10 that I can't accomplish no matter how I stock up and coupon. Actually, couponing doesn't help me all that much because I cook almost everything from scratch. Loss leaders are great though, and I stock up on those as much as possible. I could probably live off my pantry and freezer for the next 2 months if I had to.

I have a small family, just son and I. There's no way in the world we can eat 3 meals and snacks for under $10.00 a day.

 

[dawn1967]

This feeds my family twice or more depending I make it for camping in the crock pot and cook all night in the Rv. Its ready in am when it's still chilly in the mountains. We will eat it again at night cold or save it for next morning and put it back on over night with more milk and just let it heat at warm in crock pot.

1bg frozen hash browns (i use obrien's so i don't' need the onions or peppers.)
1 pound cooked ham cubed (if you have sausage or bacon can use that to)
1 onion diced
1 green pepper diced
1 cup shredded cheese (you can mix several types)
12 eggs
1 cup milk ( if you have country gravey can use that also instead of milk)
1 teaspoon salt
1 teaspoon black pepper

Directions:

Divide potatoes, ham, veggies and cheese so you can create several layers of each in the slow cooker.

Start with the hash browns, then ham, onions peppers and last cheese. Repeat until you have several layers. Beat eggs, milk salt & pepper pour over layers in the slow cooker cover and turn on low.

Cook for 10-12 hours overnight.

 

[smfritz03]

This weekend was really messed up eating wise because of how hot it is and we spent most of the time at the local pool. (we can bring coolers and such in the pool but I didnt have time to make anything up so took drinks along instead) and we had 3 addtl kids at our house Sat. AM but here goes:

SAT:

B/Fast: Scrambled Eggs 1.19 (used the whole carton)
Sausage 4.00
Toast .50
Orange Juice 1.00 = $6.69 (fed 7 kids on this)

Lunch: Nachos at the snack bar at the pool $7.50
Water/Juice
Orange slices I brought along $1.00 =$8.50

Dinner: Lunch meat sandwiches
**We had a fire that night, kids roasted hotdogs and marshmellows--didn't really have much appetite due to swimming all day. $3.50 (guessing)
-------------------------------------------SAT TOTAL = $18.69
SUN:

B/Fast: Smoothies $3.00
Omelettes $.50 = $3.50

Lunch: Turkey Wraps $3.00
Pretzels $1.00
Apples $1.35

Dinner: Pizza King Pizza for dh's father's day dinner. $20.00
(I had EMS duty so there wasn't much on an option and it was too hot to grill out yesterday)
---------------------------------------------------SUN TOTAL: $28.85

 

[smfritz03]

I forgot to mention---2 of the kids are my stepchildren and 1 is from my prev. relationship. We have them half the time and this week is the week they are not here so our food expenses will cut down alot! We only have dd3 this week. (although she is a big eater lol)

Today:

B/fast: Cereal $.50
Bananna $.20


Lunch: Leftover Pizza from yesterday (free)


Dinner: Grilled Porkchops $3.00
Grilled New Potatoes $1.25
Grilled Corn on the Cob $1.20


Snacks: Apple $.45
Yogurt $.26
-------------------------------------Todays Total: $6.86

 

[punkin]

Monday:

Breakfast: waffles, nuttella, milk $1.75 (DH did not eat)
Lunch: DD8 and DN8 are at a friends house for lunch. DD14 and me $1.50 cold cut sandwitches and pickles.
Dinner: Meatloaf, salad, sauteed spinach and mushrooms. $6.50

TOTAL: $9.75 Not bad.

Totally OT. DH has not been taking luch to work lately. I am horrified what he is spending. I have to check the CC on line. Doesn't he understand I have a Disney trip I have to pay for....

 

[dizzi]

I work at a bagle shop and i bring home any left overs that we are going to throw away at the end of the day. I never have to purchase bread and rarley purchase sweets.

I make a lot of stuff from the bagels..........PIZZA, toast, croutons, dressing, and there is alot of variety of bagels so kids never tire of them.

This helps alot!!!!!!!

LOVE my coupons!!!

i usually come out of the grocery store saving more than i have spent!!!!

 

[dawn1967]

We are leaving for camping for next two days but i have us on budget

Breakfast will be breakfast croc kpot everything in it cost me 4.00 for 2 meals
lunch polish dogs and buns and carrots and broccoli 1.50
Tuna salad and veggies and left over salad 1.25
Dinners will be Hamburgers 2.00 with buns and condiments and salads 3.00
grilled chicken and fruit and veggies and bread 4.00 i splurged and bought garlic bread taste great cooked on the grill.

bag of apples 1.45 peaches and nectarines 1.29
Smores and chips and cookies 15.00 for the whole total at the store today we won't eat it all will have plenty for the week when we get back but just in case.
Soda's and bottle water 25.00 this also more then we need but i leave in rv all summer long we have when we need it.

 

[mommiepoppins]

Monday

B= pop tart = 0 a day care child brought them in
Bagel=10 cents
Cream cheese 127 (starting a new container)
=137

L peanut butter and jelly=50 cents
Milk 30 cents
Apricots =125
Apple slices= 25 cents
= 230

Snack. Motza crackers =3 cents
Apple slices=25
Juice juice= 1$
=128

D= chicken 140 (I cooked a whole chicken and divided it into serving sizes for one feeding for the family)
B-bq sauce= 45 cents
Milk =60
Potatoes= 0 my mil gave me some from yesterdays cloud9:
Rolls=75 cents
Butter=25 cents
Corn=25 cents
=370

Snack= cookies that my mil gave us =0 (the box price was 450 she must be nuts paying that she is the queen of frugal) she must not have liked them so maybe the kids will not.
Frosted Minnie wheat’s with milk =1$
Apple slices =25
=125

= 990

 

[mommiepoppins]

Monday:

Breakfast: waffles, nuttella, milk $1.75 (DH did not eat)
Lunch: DD8 and DN8 are at a friends house for lunch. DD14 and me $1.50 cold cut sandwitches and pickles.
Dinner: Meatloaf, salad, sauteed spinach and mushrooms. $6.50

TOTAL: $9.75 Not bad.

Totally OT. DH has not been taking luch to work lately. I am horrified what he is spending. I have to check the CC on line. Doesn't he understand I have a Disney trip I have to pay for....

lol my dh is the same way. I must confess I took 55 out of my Disney fund to by Ali the new weight loss product. It hurt so bad to take that money out . I am going to cry . I sure I hope I loose some weight, because I will not buy that again( unless I drop 10 lbs) Ok I am soorry way ot

 

[Swimnoid]

Where is everybody? Keep it rolling!

 

[punkin]

Yesterday:

Breakfast: Cereal, milk, bananas $2
Lunch: DH (after our little talk) PB&J, grapes $1.50
Girls and I had pizza: $3 (w/w crust from Trader Joe's, sauce, mozzarella, veggie peperoni)
Dinner: Fish Chowder and bread $5.50
Snack: Bread w/ jam, Chocolate, Pears, Milk $3

TOTAL: $15

 

[Reese]

I am finding it impossible to come in under ten dollars a day. But since reading this thread I have found that we no longer have leftovers being purged on garbage day since I have been putting in a lot of effort into utilizing everything. I think most days have been under fifteen so I have found even if I can't make the ten dollar mark atleast I have been wiser in my meals .

 

[punkin]

I am finding it impossible to come in under ten dollars a day. But since reading this thread I have found that we no longer have leftovers being purged on garbage day since I have been putting in a lot of effort into utilizing everything. I think most days have been under fifteen so I have found even if I can't make the ten dollar mark atleast I have been wiser in my meals .

I think OP should rename the thread. "Trying to feed a family for under $10, but usually just barely making it for under $20." That would fit my situation.