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

[feedindy]

Okay, I've never chipped in here before but we do try to keep our costs down so I'll give it a go for yesterday:

Breakfast:
cereal (total cost $1 after coupons, will last 3 days): $.33
milk (finished off a $2 gallon, lasted 7 days): $.29
Total: $.62

Lunch:
rice cakes & peanut butter for DD4 ($2 each, lasts 10 days): $.20
hot dogs for DD9 ($.99/10 per package): $.20
dinner leftovers for DD1: free
pretzels (most of a small bag): $1.65
grapes ($1.99 for 4 pound box, girls finished off about 1/2 pound): $.25
Cheetos (leftover from Grandma day): free
water: free
Total: $2.30

Dinner:
Salisbury Steak: $8.00 total (meat, seasoning, gravy packets)
Mashed potatoes (10-lb bag for $3.99, lasts 4 meals): $1.00
Green beans: $.47
water: free
Total: $9.47

Grand Total: $12.39 (Not bad considering the gravy, cereal and pretzels are specialty gluten free items!)

 

[grlpwrd]

So you all made me curious and I calculated how much our dinner the other day cost. It's only 2 adults for this month since my son is away at his grandparents.

Boneless/skinless chicken breasts $2.00
Marinade for chicken 1/2 bottle $.99
Potatoes 4 small $.72
1/2 onion $.50 (I'm guessing here. I have no idea how much I paid)
1/2 bag of romaine for me $.99
dressing $.45 (It's 3.79 for 8 oz, I used a tbsp)
cucumber Free from the garden
1/2 bag of baby spinach $.99
1 clove garlic $.25 ???
olive oil ???

Total just for dinner for 2 $6.89 and that just chicken for 2 of us!! There's no way I could do under $10 a day.

Here's what we eat:

Breakfast:
oatmeal or bran cereal with milk
egg whites
maybe some fruit
or we sometimes have pancakes, eggs, and turkey bacon

Snack:
yogurt or cottage cheese with fruit

Lunch:
protein (like fish, chicken, or soy product)
veggies (like broccoli, salad, etc.)
couscous or brown rice (or whole wheat bread or tortilla if we make a sandwich)

Snack:
something with protein and maybe fruit like a smoothie
or just veggies

Dinner:
similar combination as lunch
or we have a healthy entree like stirfry, tacos, vegetarian lasagna, etc. and warmed veggies or a salad

Snack:
Popcorn, veggie, etc.


We definitely don't spend under $10 a day either (lol), but I am okay with it. I like eating healthy and cooking my own food.

 

[dawn1967]

Dinner:
Salisbury Steak: $8.00 total (meat, seasoning, gravy packets)
Mashed potatoes (10-lb bag for $3.99, lasts 4 meals): $1.00
Green beans: $.47
water: free
Total: $9.47

How do you make your Salisbury steak? I"m looking for a good recipe my kids liked it when they had it at with my husbands grandma and she's gone and not longer available with the recipe.

 

[feedindy]

Um, I'm kind of embarassed to tell you...

I use a swiss steak bag 'n season packet (McCormick's if I catch a sale or Kroger) on cubed steak and then I substitute gravy for the tomato sauce the bag calls for. It makes it more like the salisbury steak I remember. My family loves it! I actually made it twice this week by accident-forgot to split a meat package before freezing so I had to use it all up quickly. I just used herb gravy the second time around for a bit of a different flavor.

I used to use a jar of gravy before we went gluten free. Now I mix up to gravy packets and pour on top as per the directions. It is so not a recipe, but I hope you like it anyway!

 

[dawn1967]

feedindy;19969807]Um, I'm kind of embarassed to tell you...

I use a swiss steak bag 'n season packet (McCormick's if I catch a sale or Kroger) on cubed steak and then I substitute gravy for the tomato sauce the bag calls for. It makes it more like the salisbury steak I remember. My family loves it! I actually made it twice this week by accident-forgot to split a meat package before freezing so I had to use it all up quickly. I just used herb gravy the second time around for a bit of a different flavor.

I used to use a jar of gravy before we went gluten free. Now I mix up to gravy packets and pour on top as per the directions. It is so not a recipe, but I hope you like it anyway!

Thanks i'll try that thanks.

 

[mommiepoppins]

ok I have to go major shopping tonight so we are going to go out to eat for dinner.. I have not done major food shopping in about 6 weeks except for weekly veggie and milk shopping (10 per week)

B. toast=0 mil gave me 2 loafs
penutbutter=25
milk= 60

lunch
PBJ
penutbutter= 25
jelly=20
fluff= 25
bread=0
milk= 60
p. chips 10 cents (I just had a handfull)
green giant green bean meal =2$

snacks cookies= 50 cents
= 475 for the mid day. I think I will spend at least 25 for dinner

 

[dawn1967]

mommiepoppins;19971870]ok I have to go major shopping tonight so we are going to go out to eat for dinner.. I have not done major food shopping in about 6 weeks except for weekly veggie and milk shopping (10 per week)

B. toast=0 mil gave me 2 loafs
penutbutter=25
milk= 60

lunch
PBJ
penutbutter= 25
jelly=20
fluff= 25
bread=0
milk= 60
p. chips 10 cents (I just had a handfull)
green giant green bean meal =2$

snacks cookies= 50 cents
= 475 for the mid day. I think I will spend at least 25 for dinner

I went shopping last night for things like laundry soap dishwasher soap and few odds and ends I can't believe how in a month prices have jumped.

 

[mommiepoppins]

ok I went shopping and yes the prices went up Only on some things. I bought milk tonight at Aldi for 295 and last week it was 269. Wal- mart milk was 369 and I actually saw organic for 4$:headache. Thanks to all of you I was prepared. I noticed a couple of things went up 6 cents or more. The Maderine oranges went from 32-50 . So I did not buy any. i will just collect coupons for that. I did save14 with coupons. some good deals that I got were.
13cent green giant green beans. Gold fish crackers 75 cents (they were 2 for 2 at wegmans and I had a coupon for 1off 3 ) Dunkin Hines cake mix for 35 cents

 

[rach2674]

ok I went shopping and yes the prices went up Only on some things. I bought milk tonight at Aldi for 295 and last week it was 269. Wal- mart milk was 369 and I actually saw organic for 4$:QUOTE]

Milk here just went from 3.69 to 4.19. And that's the cheap brand, the others are around 4.50+. It's ridiculous! I've been buying Organic, because it's not much more. I can usually get a coupon for the Stoneyfield, or whatever the name is, for 1.00 off and each half gallon is anywhere from 2.99 to 3.69, depending what they decide to price it each week. So with 1.00 off each half gallon it's almost as cheap.

I did go to the new SuperTarget today, grand opening tomorrow, and they had some things that were good deals with their coupons. They had Juicy juice for 1.99 and a $1 coupon. And the Gripz crackers (I think that's what they're called) and they were 2 for $2 and I had a $1 off one package, so used 2 coupons for those.

Rachel

 

[mommiepoppins]

ok I went shopping and yes the prices went up Only on some things. I bought milk tonight at Aldi for 295 and last week it was 269. Wal- mart milk was 369 and I actually saw organic for 4$:QUOTE]

Milk here just went from 3.69 to 4.19. And that's the cheap brand, the others are around 4.50+. It's ridiculous! I've been buying Organic, because it's not much more. I can usually get a coupon for the Stoneyfield, or whatever the name is, for 1.00 off and each half gallon is anywhere from 2.99 to 3.69, depending what they decide to price it each week. So with 1.00 off each half gallon it's almost as cheap.

I did go to the new SuperTarget today, grand opening tomorrow, and they had some things that were good deals with their coupons. They had Juicy juice for 1.99 and a $1 coupon. And the Gripz crackers (I think that's what they're called) and they were 2 for $2 and I had a $1 off one package, so used 2 coupons for those.

Rachel

I was think that if I had to buy milk from walmart. I would spend the extra pennys for Organic. The generic frosting is 108 . I will go to the $ store for generic now. my dd has a bake sale in school every week in school and I have to bake

 

[dawn1967]

mommiepoppins;19977360]

I was think that if I had to buy milk from walmart. I would spend the extra pennys for Organic. The generic frosting is 108 . I will go to the $ store for generic now. my dd has a bake sale in school every week in school and I have to bake

Do you buy whole milk or percents I noticed that a gallon of whole milk was 2.95 here but 1% was 2.69 I just bought a pint for me to use it was .69 it will last me a week.
I noticed canned mandarin oranges are really cheap here in the fall and winter i can get them 4 for 1.00 this time of year they are between 39 and 59 so i just stock up when i get them for .25. I like them for jello and fruit salads. Like pinapple in fall they are dole brand for .50 in summer .89 so when local store has case lot sale i buy a case or two.

 

[mommiepoppins]

mommiepoppins;19977360]

Do you buy whole milk or percents I noticed that a gallon of whole milk was 2.95 here but 1% was 2.69 I just bought a pint for me to use it was .69 it will last me a week.
I noticed canned mandarin oranges are really cheap here in the fall and winter i can get them 4 for 1.00 this time of year they are between 39 and 59 so i just stock up when i get them for .25. I like them for jello and fruit salads. Like pinapple in fall they are dole brand for .50 in summer .89 so when local store has case lot sale i buy a case or two.

we drink skim milk. I can usually get the m oranges for 39 cents a can. Today they were 50. I have no idea why? I will just use coupons for next time. Why are food prices getting so high??? It seems that some have been lowerd and othes have doubled. I did get alot of new bean main dish ideas. I will have to try

 

[samanthacatangel]

Gold fish crackers 75 cents (they were 2 for 2 at wegmans and I had a coupon for 1off 3 ) Dunkin Hines cake mix for 35 cents

I think you were a bit off on the math - if you bought 3 packs of gold fish @ 2 for $2, that would be $6 total. With a $1 off coupon, you would pay $5. $5 divided by 3 packs would be $1.67 each, right?

I love a deal with coupons, I wish my prices in NYC were anywhere NEAR yours. I usually make cake from scratch, but if cake mix was 35 cents I would buy it too. It is never less than 99 cents here, and that's the sale price.

Samantha

 

[Plantlady]

I think you were a bit off on the math - if you bought 3 packs of gold fish @ 2 for $2, that would be $6 total. With a $1 off coupon, you would pay $5. $5 divided by 3 packs would be $1.67 each, right?

Not that it matters.. but 2 for $2, is $1 each.. three at $1 each would be $3, minus the $1 coupon, is $2 for three packages, $2/3 packages is 66 cents.

But, it's late, and really, it doesn't matter. I really should be getting to bed.

 

[dawn1967]

mommiepoppins;19977672]

I did get alot of new bean main dish ideas. I will have to try

I have a great Honey baked Lentil dish i make when it's cold it's great as a side or main dish.
I got this recipe off a vegan website and I love it for the family i serve it with chicken or Beef but if i make it I eat it with some nice warm bread just as it is.
1 cup lentils (I use red)
2 cups water
2 tbsp honey
2 tbsp soysauce or tamari
2 tbsp olive oil
1/2 tsp ginger
1 clove garlic
1 small onion
salt & pepper to taste

Bake in a covered dish at 350 until tender (about an hour and a half).

You could also substitute 1/3 cup of rice or barley for some of the lentils...and add whatever "winter" vegetables you have on hand. When I made it, I used squash and potatoes. It was delicious.
We ate this as a soup, but it could also be eaten over brown rice or on some flatbread.

 

[grlpwrd]

I have a great Honey baked Lentil dish i make when it's cold it's great as a side or main dish.
I got this recipe off a vegan website and I love it for the family i serve it with chicken or Beef but if i make it I eat it with some nice warm bread just as it is.
1 cup lentils (I use red)
2 cups water
2 tbsp honey
2 tbsp soysauce or tamari
2 tbsp olive oil
1/2 tsp ginger
1 clove garlic
1 small onion
salt & pepper to taste

Bake in a covered dish at 350 until tender (about an hour and a half).

You could also substitute 1/3 cup of rice or barley for some of the lentils...and add whatever "winter" vegetables you have on hand. When I made it, I used squash and potatoes. It was delicious.
We ate this as a soup, but it could also be eaten over brown rice or on some flatbread.

Now this is something I can definitely make for my family. Thanks for the recipe!

 

[Plantlady]

mommiepoppins;19977672]

I have a great Honey baked Lentil dish i make when it's cold it's great as a side or main dish.
I got this recipe off a vegan website and I love it for the family i serve it with chicken or Beef but if i make it I eat it with some nice warm bread just as it is.
1 cup lentils (I use red)
2 cups water
2 tbsp honey
2 tbsp soysauce or tamari
2 tbsp olive oil
1/2 tsp ginger
1 clove garlic
1 small onion
salt & pepper to taste

Bake in a covered dish at 350 until tender (about an hour and a half).

You could also substitute 1/3 cup of rice or barley for some of the lentils...and add whatever "winter" vegetables you have on hand. When I made it, I used squash and potatoes. It was delicious.
We ate this as a soup, but it could also be eaten over brown rice or on some flatbread.

This sounds great! I can't wait to give it a try!

 

[mommiepoppins]

I think you were a bit off on the math - if you bought 3 packs of gold fish @ 2 for $2, that would be $6 total. With a $1 off coupon, you would pay $5. $5 divided by 3 packs would be $1.67 each, right?

I love a deal with coupons, I wish my prices in NYC were anywhere NEAR yours. I usually make cake from scratch, but if cake mix was 35 cents I would buy it too. It is never less than 99 cents here, and that's the sale price.

Samantha

no they were 1$ each and then I had a 1$ off coupon for 3 = 75 cents per bag.. It was a late night and I was shopping with the kids

 

[mom2dea0813]

Well Dh decided to go help friends move today so we did not make our doughboy pull apart bread
B~
Kids and DH had ceral and milk Free
Me bagel and cream cheese .27 juice free

S~girls took a ice pop without telling me then hide in there rooms till it was gone ...LOL (18 in package for 1.50) .9
DD#2 got crackers with cheese dip .17

L~
me and the kids ~Lentil soup free last nights dinner
5 pieces of bread and butter .35
Dh is having free pizza and soda

S~made a gallon of lemonade
(lemmon juice and water free sugar .50 )
ds had celery and dip .50

D~
Pork chops 2 regular 1.25 (4 for 2.50 ) and 4 small Hog onse (free)
Scalloped patatos 1.00
Broccollie 1.00 frozen bag

Snack
Ice cream 2.50 with strawberry cobbler 2.00 (came with our angel food box )
Counting whole thing of ice cream now and the kids and Dh I am sure will eat it by the end of the week .

Total = 9.63 with out snacks

 

[Nanu57v]

Hey guys, sorry I've been MIA for a few days, but I got a great deal at Pizza Hut last night and I was psyched. I printed a coupon off the internet for a pizza and breadsticks for 12.99 with stuffed crust $1 more. So for some reason they only charged us 13.49. DH and I got waters to drink and brought DD's sippy cup from home. So for $13.49 plus tip/tax the three of us ate a nice dinner out at a restaurant and still have enough leftover pizza for lunch today or tomorrow!