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

[Accentuate+]

Yes, but that's a snack. She's in school until 4 pm. I need something substantive. Also, it's a peanut free school. I'm at my wits' end.

Can you sneak in a 'sandwich' by making it look different. Stuff the filling in a pita pocked or wrap it in spring roll wrappers or even wrap it in lettuce leaves?

The hillbillyshousewife site has a huge list of lunch ideas, you might be able to glean a few from there. I used to love it when mom would send leftover pizza but you have to like cold pizza for that one.
I know everyone worries about chicken these days but I ate many a piece of cold fried chicken for lunch. I think you said it needed to be meat free, though.

With a cold pack pasta salad is a good option, you can put beans and or cheese cubes in it to up the protein. There was a thread about this a while back that linked to some sites for creative bento box lunches. They were amazing - and looked like a lot of work but you could scale it back. One of them is at http://mmmbento.livejournal.com/ but if you do some googling there's tons more.

There's a list of ingedients on the left side of the page. Just click on something your DD likes and lunches with that ingredient will come up, click the picture for details and recipes.
Good luck!

 

[phorsenuf]

Tina honey, you couldn't be insulting if someone was holding a gun to your head!

 

[lovemygoofy]

Tina honey, you couldn't be insulting if someone was holding a gun to your head!

trust me I can but I prefer to keep that for when I'm asked about reproducing and for my MIL

 

[CEDmom]

Yes, but that's a snack. She's in school until 4 pm. I need something substantive. Also, it's a peanut free school. I'm at my wits' end.

My DD won't eat a sandwich either. Here are some things she took last year:

in a thermos: ravioli or tortellini with sauce; chicken noodle soup; leftover veggie lo mein; perogies; dumplings; scrambled eggs; leftover pot roast, roast chicken or stew; leftover taco meat; baked beans.

cold items: pasta salad; tuna salad; hard boiled eggs; cheese and crackers; hummus with crackers and veggies; tofu hot dog;

she also takes fruit and a little treat.

Hope these help.

 

[mom2dea0813]

I've read over this thread or at least picked out every 10 pages or so and read it and now have questions. Part of my job is teaching life skills to new army spouses who may not be familiar with living on their own and this includes grocery shopping.

For the really die hard posters that have families how and how often do you grocery shop? I go one time every 2 weeks I find if I go more I spend a lot more and we honestly can NOT spend more then our budget !!!! I also have DH pick up WIC (milk , cheese , juice , eggs , PB, beans, cereal ) one time a week , No we do not get all these items on all the checks but you get the point . I do not go cause I will find more items we need /want and we can not afford .

Do you make a list of the meals for an upcoming week or two for every single meal in the day? Yes I sit down with dh and make a 2 week meal plan . We go over our calendar at the same time incase there is a night we need a fast meal we will see it and can plan for it . I also set aside the money we need for eating out (play-dates , birthday dinners , dh needs money for a work or a guys night out or I have a moms night out coming up ) . We do not have a monthly amount of money to blow so dinning out dose come out of our food budget .

Do you plan real meals that include proteins, veggies/fruits, and starches?
Yes I do the best I can and some times I under est. on fresh items and will keep canned fruit /veggies and also frozen items to make up for it . This time I screwed up and ran out of fresh items 2 days ago

When you do grocery shop do you have a budget? If you go by the $10/day thread here, you have a budget of $300 a month for groceries. Do you think you spend that much a month?
Yes we have a very very strict budget and when its gone its gone !!!!!! There is no more money period !

Do you have an ultimate goal with the money you think you are saving or is it to help your household in other areas such as debt? For us its just as important for me to be the one to raise my children (not a child care center ) so for me to be a SAHM we have to be on a strict budget .

I'm honestly not trying to be insulting at all because I really do want to know. I have several spouses who have very little money and need to figure out how to grocery shop and make meals.
Being ex military I will 100% say it was easier for me to budget with the on base shopping then it is now that we are not military . Also most non officer family's can get WIC and most Military bases have WIC offices on the base .

I tell them to pay your bills, put what you can spare in your savings, figure out what meals you'd like for 2 weeks at a time and how much you can pay and then shop.

I honestly don't know how much per day I spend and really don't care. It is just myself and my husband. Well mostly myself but when I shop for the both of us for 2 weeks it's about $100. I buy a week of fresh veggies/fruits and a week of frozen veggies but still have fresh fruit because I find it hearty. I also tend to make normal family size meals not small meals for two people because I never know when several soldiers will show up on my doorstep.

This is very sweet of you to be willing to feed several soldiers at a time

Please, I'd like some insight into this if I thought it would help some of the new families I know that need to save money in anyway possible. BUT I do teach that they need healthy balanced meals which I'm not always seeing on here.

Also to point out balance meals dose not have to mean the best cut of meat or to even have meat at every meal . To have a breakfast night one night a week , a no meat night at least 1 night a week , and a soup night one night a week can save a family a ton . Also coupons coupons coupons !!!!! Also tell them to stock up when the base has those Awesome sales .

Again, I'm no way trying to be insulting I really do want to know. Thank you.

Not Insulting me at all but I also pray that no one comes down on me for our family choices .

 

[mom2dea0813]

opps I guess I answered all the questions inside the Quote . So Sorry that looks so confussing now .

 

[lovemygoofy]

opps I guess I answered all the questions inside the Quote . So Sorry that looks so confussing now .

lol no problem and you aren't going to get flack from me. people make their decisions for whatever reason and money does only stretch so far. Yes it is easier when I shop at the commissary but there have been times when I haven't and still did decent.

The only thing I will say is that you need to have a plan once your WIC runs out and your kids get bigger. They eat more lol. I see alot of families in the army that become dependant on their WIC and then can't afford the basics when it runs out, and it does. Good luck to you

 

[mommiepoppins]

I've read over this thread or at least picked out every 10 pages or so and read it and now have questions. Part of my job is teaching life skills to new army spouses who may not be familiar with living on their own and this includes grocery shopping.

For the really die hard posters that have families how and how often do you grocery shop?

Do you make a list of the meals for an upcoming week or two for every single meal in the day?

Do you plan real meals that include proteins, veggies/fruits, and starches?

When you do grocery shop do you have a budget? If you go by the $10/day thread here, you have a budget of $300 a month for groceries. Do you think you spend that much a month?

Do you have an ultimate goal with the money you think you are saving or is it to help your household in other areas such as debt?

I'm honestly not trying to be insulting at all because I really do want to know. I have several spouses who have very little money and need to figure out how to grocery shop and make meals.

I tell them to pay your bills, put what you can spare in your savings, figure out what meals you'd like for 2 weeks at a time and how much you can pay and then shop.

I honestly don't know how much per day I spend and really don't care. It is just myself and my husband. Well mostly myself but when I shop for the both of us for 2 weeks it's about $100. I buy a week of fresh veggies/fruits and a week of frozen veggies but still have fresh fruit because I find it hearty. I also tend to make normal family size meals not small meals for two people because I never know when several soldiers will show up on my doorstep.

Please, I'd like some insight into this if I thought it would help some of the new families I know that need to save money in anyway possible. BUT I do teach that they need healthy balanced meals which I'm not always seeing on here.

Again, I'm no way trying to be insulting I really do want to know. Thank you.

here is what I do

now I know that I have zucchani growing out my ears.. I plan my meals around that zucchani and tomatoes

when I shop the bread store I stock pile and freeze. I buy what is a good deal ex bagels, pitia bread, whole wheat , eng muffin. If it is a great deal I stock up and then PLAN

again with meat/ chicken. when I am ready to shop. I plan around which store has the best buy and then I stock pile according to that item.

also fresh fruits and veggies.. I love the local farmers market.. I have found them this summer to be a great deal.

I also shop at aldi for my fruits and veggies

I always get the news paper and compare adds. If a certin store has peaches for 77 cents a pound , I get on it. I will bring that add to Walmart and they give me price garantee

I use coupons for our fav items. I will price it in the news paper add to see where is the best deal and then off to Walmart for the add garantee.. I also use a bunch of the same coupons to stock pile. I usually buy enough to get one of that item for free.

When I do the 6 week shopping ( not including milk and veggie/ fruit which is weekly) I always make a list according to what I need. I always bring the news paper adds with me.

I always make a mental note the top price of what I will pay for an item.

 

[Nicolepa]

I've read over this thread or at least picked out every 10 pages or so and read it and now have questions. Part of my job is teaching life skills to new army spouses who may not be familiar with living on their own and this includes grocery shopping.

For the really die hard posters that have families how and how often do you grocery shop?

Do you make a list of the meals for an upcoming week or two for every single meal in the day?

Do you plan real meals that include proteins, veggies/fruits, and starches?

When you do grocery shop do you have a budget? If you go by the $10/day thread here, you have a budget of $300 a month for groceries. Do you think you spend that much a month?

Tina,

I haven't posted on this thread, mainly because I'm pregnant and all my normal routines are out the door right now. But I am able to feed my family of 4 on about $400 a month. Not quite $10 a day, but that includes all my paper & cleaning products so it might be $10 a day.

First of all, I do Once a month cooking (usually I do about 2-3 months at a time). This is a huge time and money saver. I can cook 40 dinners for under $200 a month. We eat very well, no prepackages foods, no hot dogs etc. My last menu had pinwheel flank steaks, cherry pork chops, homemade spaghetti sauce, chicken curry, a dish I can't remember the name but it was boneless, skinless chicken breasts w/2 kinds of bell peppers.

So I do most of my shopping during the month as things are on sale and then when it's time to do my cooking I don't have to buy much other than meat (I ususally do Costco for this, great quality, good prices).

The biggest thing is to only buy on sale. When cereal is $1.50 a box I will buy 10-20 boxes, especially if I have coupons. Same with stuff for school lunch boxes, granola bars, fruit snacks etc.

I only go grocery shopping when I run out of milk, unless something is on great sale at the grocery store (like cereal). Which is about every 2 weeks. I buy 3 gallons at a time. Otherwise my house is stocked up so I don't have to go every week. I also do Costco once a month for fruit & veggies. Most of their veggies will last 3 weeks or so and the fruit, if we eat it in the right order will last that long as well.

My meals are usually a meat, potatoes or rice and some sort of veggie.


Hope this helps, PM if you have any questions!

 

[mom2dea0813]

lol no problem and you aren't going to get flack from me. people make their decisions for whatever reason and money does only stretch so far. Yes it is easier when I shop at the commissary but there have been times when I haven't and still did decent.

The only thing I will say is that you need to have a plan once your WIC runs out and your kids get bigger. They eat more lol. I see alot of families in the army that become dependant on their WIC and then can't afford the basics when it runs out, and it does. Good luck to you

Agree and we have that plan Dh is in school and working full time so when he is done in 1 yr we will look for work (possiable same company just a big raise ). I will say though we may not up our food budget much cause I don't want to live it up just cause we can if that makes sence . But we would like an extra 100 a month for the Wic items and extras that we run out of so I can run to the store if need be .
I just don't want anyone to think we plan to be on Wic forever

 

[dawn1967]

I've read over this thread or at least picked out every 10 pages or so and read it and now have questions. Part of my job is teaching life skills to new army spouses who may not be familiar with living on their own and this includes grocery shopping.

For the really die hard posters that have families how and how often do you grocery shop?

Do you make a list of the meals for an upcoming week or two for every single meal in the day?

Do you plan real meals that include proteins, veggies/fruits, and starches?

When you do grocery shop do you have a budget? If you go by the $10/day thread here, you have a budget of $300 a month for groceries. Do you think you spend that much a month?

Do you have an ultimate goal with the money you think you are saving or is it to help your household in other areas such as debt?

I'm honestly not trying to be insulting at all because I really do want to know. I have several spouses who have very little money and need to figure out how to grocery shop and make meals.

I tell them to pay your bills, put what you can spare in your savings, figure out what meals you'd like for 2 weeks at a time and how much you can pay and then shop.

I honestly don't know how much per day I spend and really don't care. It is just myself and my husband. Well mostly myself but when I shop for the both of us for 2 weeks it's about $100. I buy a week of fresh veggies/fruits and a week of frozen veggies but still have fresh fruit because I find it hearty. I also tend to make normal family size meals not small meals for two people because I never know when several soldiers will show up on my doorstep.

Please, I'd like some insight into this if I thought it would help some of the new families I know that need to save money in anyway possible. BUT I do teach that they need healthy balanced meals which I'm not always seeing on here.

Again, I'm no way trying to be insulting I really do want to know. Thank you.

For my family what works is few things
1 meal plans for every meal down to snacks
2 process is easy but homemade is cheaper and usually tastier.
3 buy only what is in season keep a diary on your calander
4 we been shopping once a month and weekly for some items
5 Grow what you can even if it's herbs money savings will grow. even if the women team up and go i'll grow tomato's if you grow peppers also keeps them intouch with each other.
6. can clip coupons but is it cheaper to buy store brand even with a coupon.
7. buy in bulk what you can like rice beans and nuts and grains and store in air tight containers from dollar store.
Don't cook what you don't like or others don't like just because it's suppose to be healthy for you. My husband hates beans as a main part of the meal but if i did chicken black beans and brown rice and salsa and corn that's great for him.

 

[dawn1967]

For who asked No i don't do my own sourdough I wish i could but I can't get it as tasty as albertson's bakery.

My Chinese Chicken is

Any left over chicken shredded. about a cup for a family of 4
Cabbage shredded green and red and napa if you can get it
shredded carrots 2 to 3
diced green onions 6
Mushrooms about 1/2 lb sliced
1 cup of brown rice cooked and cooled
1/4c cashew halves

Dressing
1/2c rice wine vinegar
1/4c soy sauce
1/4 c honey
1 Tsp minced Garlic
1 Tsp toasted sesame seeds optional
1 Tsp Sesame oil

Mix the dressing together but aside.
Mixed that salad and rice and chicken together make sure all mixed well . Pour dressing half the dressing over salad mix well then add the cashews and use reserved dressing for individuals. This is what i been making for my family we like it. Can also use your favorite store bought Asian dressing.

 

[dawnball]

My DD8 will not eat sandwiches. I have no idea what to give her for lunch that won't fall apart before lunch time. Last year we did some veggie chili in a thermos, tomato soup in a thermos. She likes veggie baloney sandwich (occasionally) w/mustard. I cut up veggies. She eats fruit. What else is there? (BTW, no meat allowed at all)

DD's school for next year is kosher-dairy, and she won't eat sandwiches, either. I'm planning:

Cheese quesadilla (she eats the cheese out most of the time, but sometimes will eat the tortilla)
egg dip (egg salad chopped extra fine) with veggies or toast sticks for dipping
macaroni and cheese or other pasta in a thermos
hard-cooked eggs with dip (honey mustard is preferred here)
hummus with veggies/bread product
celery stuffed with cream cheese/peanut butter/sun nut butter
cottage cheese with fruit or veggie toppings

 

[mickeyfan2]

See answers in red.

I've read over this thread or at least picked out every 10 pages or so and read it and now have questions. Part of my job is teaching life skills to new army spouses who may not be familiar with living on their own and this includes grocery shopping.

For the really die hard posters that have families how and how often do you grocery shop?
Not a die hard poster. I shop at the Amish farm most nights on the way home from work, but this is not something most can do. I grocery shop once a week.

Do you make a list of the meals for an upcoming week or two for every single meal in the day?
Sometime, especially when I need to not go over a certain amount. My grandmother would do the same meal every Monday etc. and that worked well for her. She could then shop each week for the same stuff and the bill was always the same.

Do you plan real meals that include proteins, veggies/fruits, and starches?
Proteins and veggies with fruit for dessert. I try to limit starches.

When you do grocery shop do you have a budget? If you go by the $10/day thread here, you have a budget of $300 a month for groceries. Do you think you spend that much a month?
When we were first married I used the envelopes and when the money was gone we just ate what we had. Now I budget about $600/month for DH and I plus another $200 to eat out with. Most months we come in lower, but when we get company (cousin with 3 teen sons - $300 is spent for the weekend) we go way over.

Do you have an ultimate goal with the money you think you are saving or is it to help your household in other areas such as debt?
We live debt free and our savings is for retirement.

I'm honestly not trying to be insulting at all because I really do want to know. I have several spouses who have very little money and need to figure out how to grocery shop and make meals.
This is not insulting, but you are asking honest questions.

I tell them to pay your bills, put what you can spare in your savings, figure out what meals you'd like for 2 weeks at a time and how much you can pay and then shop.
They should pay themselves first (savings), then bills, then needs and if any is left over then buy wants.

I honestly don't know how much per day I spend and really don't care. It is just myself and my husband. Well mostly myself but when I shop for the both of us for 2 weeks it's about $100. I buy a week of fresh veggies/fruits and a week of frozen veggies but still have fresh fruit because I find it hearty. I also tend to make normal family size meals not small meals for two people because I never know when several soldiers will show up on my doorstep.

Please, I'd like some insight into this if I thought it would help some of the new families I know that need to save money in anyway possible. BUT I do teach that they need healthy balanced meals which I'm not always seeing on here.
Saving money while putting your future health in jeopardy is not a good idea.
Good luck with your class.

Again, I'm no way trying to be insulting I really do want to know. Thank you.

 

[punkin]

DD's school for next year is kosher-dairy, and she won't eat sandwiches, either. I'm planning:

Cheese quesadilla (she eats the cheese out most of the time, but sometimes will eat the tortilla)
egg dip (egg salad chopped extra fine) with veggies or toast sticks for dipping
macaroni and cheese or other pasta in a thermos
hard-cooked eggs with dip (honey mustard is preferred here)
hummus with veggies/bread product
celery stuffed with cream cheese/peanut butter/sun nut butter
cottage cheese with fruit or veggie toppings

Yes, I have the kosher/dairy thing too, but in addition the school is peanut free and I have a picky child. She doesn't like eggs either or hummus or cream cheese (or any kind of cheese). I sometimes make veggie fried rice also.

 

[punkin]

For the really die hard posters that have families how and how often do you grocery shop?

Meat and general groceries-once every 2 weeks; milk and bread-every 3 days; fruit-at farmer's market twice a week

Do you make a list of the meals for an upcoming week or two for every single meal in the day?

I cook whatever is on sale. I do not plan meals usually.

Do you plan real meals that include proteins, veggies/fruits, and starches?

Sometimes. If I am cooking American style we usually have a protein starch and veggie. When I serve a stir fry, that's the meal (over rice).
When you do grocery shop do you have a budget? If you go by the $10/day thread here, you have a budget of $300 a month for groceries. Do you think you spend that much a month?
No way can I make it on $10 per day. Well, I guess actually I could but I really don't have to so we eat a bigger variety. I generally make it under $20 and sometimes under $10. My groceries are about $450 per month (but I buy Kosher meat and organic milk). I do not generally budget-I buy what is on sale and loss leaders. I cook almost entirely from scratch.
Do you have an ultimate goal with the money you think you are saving or is it to help your household in other areas such as debt?
It's just the way I live. I was raised extremely poor and see no reason to throw money out the window.

As far as insults, I'm not insulted. I am rather proud of myself.

 

[Plantlady]

I've read over this thread or at least picked out every 10 pages or so and read it and now have questions. Part of my job is teaching life skills to new army spouses who may not be familiar with living on their own and this includes grocery shopping.

For the really die hard posters that have families how and how often do you grocery shop? I have three boys, 10, 8, and 5. I grocery shop once per week. I found, that when I bump it up to every other week, the food doesn't last. My DH and sons get so excited about the new food, they plow through it, rather than make it last. So, once per week works best for us.

Do you make a list of the meals for an upcoming week or two for every single meal in the day? I do a menu for dinners. It is not locked into a day, but I plan out seven dinners, make a list of what I need, and stick to my list. I have quick and easy lunch options, so I don't plan that. And I buy cereal and eggs for breakfast.

Do you plan real meals that include proteins, veggies/fruits, and starches? We do not eat meat, for the most part, in this household. But, we do get plenty of protein. Our main source is beans. Starches again, not an issue, we get those without thinking. I try to sneak in fruits and veggies, without my children noticing.. yes, I do try to plan them for every meal.

When you do grocery shop do you have a budget? If you go by the $10/day thread here, you have a budget of $300 a month for groceries. Do you think you spend that much a month?I spend $200 a month. I break it down into $50 a week. My DH gets paid monthly. At that point, I take all of our grocery money out in cash, and pay cash throughout the month. This forces me to be more aware of what I am spending.

Do you have an ultimate goal with the money you think you are saving or is it to help your household in other areas such as debt?Unfortnately, debt. Our college years were brutal on our debt. We are working our way back, and should be debt free within the year. I also love internet and directv. Watching our food budget allows those two items to happen as well. My DH is a teacher, not a huge salary, we must make it stretch.

I'm honestly not trying to be insulting at all because I really do want to know. I have several spouses who have very little money and need to figure out how to grocery shop and make meals.

I tell them to pay your bills, put what you can spare in your savings, figure out what meals you'd like for 2 weeks at a time and how much you can pay and then shop.

I honestly don't know how much per day I spend and really don't care. It is just myself and my husband. Well mostly myself but when I shop for the both of us for 2 weeks it's about $100. I buy a week of fresh veggies/fruits and a week of frozen veggies but still have fresh fruit because I find it hearty. I also tend to make normal family size meals not small meals for two people because I never know when several soldiers will show up on my doorstep.

Please, I'd like some insight into this if I thought it would help some of the new families I know that need to save money in anyway possible. BUT I do teach that they need healthy balanced meals which I'm not always seeing on here.

Again, I'm no way trying to be insulting I really do want to know. Thank you.

I too.. not insulted. Good questions. If someone had taught me how to be a bit more frugal, when starting out, I think our financial situation would be different. Balancing your financial life, when first starting out, is a tricky thing for some to figure out.

 

[mom2dea0813]

For who asked No i don't do my own sourdough I wish i could but I can't get it as tasty as albertson's bakery.

My Chinese Chicken is

Any left over chicken shredded. about a cup for a family of 4
Cabbage shredded green and red and napa if you can get it
shredded carrots 2 to 3
diced green onions 6
Mushrooms about 1/2 lb sliced
1 cup of brown rice cooked and cooled
1/4c cashew halves

Dressing
1/2c rice wine vinegar
1/4c soy sauce
1/4 c honey
1 Tsp minced Garlic
1 Tsp toasted sesame seeds optional
1 Tsp Sesame oil

Mix the dressing together but aside.
Mixed that salad and rice and chicken together make sure all mixed well . Pour dressing half the dressing over salad mix well then add the cashews and use reserved dressing for individuals. This is what i been making for my family we like it. Can also use your favorite store bought Asian dressing.

This sounds soooo yummy . BTW I wish we had an albertsons here . I loved there meat and bakery section in Florida .

Now I just need to know how to make hummas

 

[kmchar1]

Today's Proposed Menu:

Breakfast:
DH: free at work
Me: bagel (.25) with jelly, orange (.25), tea
DS (6 yrs old): bagel (.25) with butter, orange (.25), milk (.25)
*total: 1.25

Snack:
DS: yogurt (.25)

Lunch Will Be:
DH: free at work
Me and DS: Chicken wraps (2 chicken cutlets (1.75), tomato slices (.25), lettuce (about .50 worth), shredded cheese (1/2 a bag .50), flour tortillas (4, .50)...2 apples (.50), peanut butter crackers (.25)
*total: 4.25

Snack Will Be:
Cheap popsicles I'm sure (.30)
*total: .30

Dinner Will Be:
All: Homemade, Canned Spaghetti Sauce, Whole Wheat Pasta (1.00 on sale), Lettuce (1.00), tomato slices (.25), cucumber (.25), onion (.25), fat free ranch dressing (1/2 a bottle probably .50)
*total: 3.25

Snack Will Be:
Ice Cream (bought on sale for 2.00 for a gallon and we will probably eat 1/2 so 1.00)
*total: 1.00

Grand Total: 10.30

 

[mom2dea0813]

B ~
Cereal and milk free

L~
Grilled cheese sandwiches (cheese free , bread .30 and butter.10 )
fruit salad free accounted for it yesterday
me - left overs from dinner last night dinner
dh - 2 frozen burrittos .40
tea already accounted for
juice free

S~
DD#1 PB Crackers .12
DS the rest of the fruit salad
ds and I just ate a quarter jar of Cashew nuts 1.00
(totally forgot I had these , so yummy )
water

D~
Angel hair pasta 1.00
Fresh garlic cloves .50 (counting the whole one )
Broccolie .50 (half of a frozen bag )
Olive oil 1.50
Parm cheese 1.00 (forgot this earlier)
Dh - is having left over egg salad -free he is going hunting with some guy friends and this is me and the kids fav meal and he hates it .
juice or milk free

S~
popcorn .21

total = 6.67 I have no clue what snack dh took with him to work and then to his hunting trip this evening so once I find out I will add them in .