Need major help eating cheap!

[NYPOOH]

If there is a Trader Joe's near you (I know they have them in Michigan) go there! They have lower prices than the supermarket and a lot of healthy food. Their frozen fruits and veggies are very tasty (and nutritious) and almost all of their products (their brand) are cheaper than the regular supermarket and are very good! Good luck with the new baby!

 

[grlpwrd]

Hello everyone. We need to cut our budget as much as possible, and it is sooo expensive to eat healthy that we can't figure out how to cut it. We already don't eat all the fruits and veggies you're supposed to because it's so expensive. I'm not one for canned fruits/veggies because they taste nasty but more importantly they are basically void of any (most) nutrients, so what do we do? How do you do three meals a day plus snacks and drinks for a family of three for less than $150/month? I'm all for coupons but they are hit or miss around here. We have a Sam's Club account and I buy generic/sale items as often as possible, but it still costs us about $300/mo to eat. I know that that's not a huge amount, but we have to cut down to pay off our bills and save for Christmas/new baby. After Christmas we should be able to relax again, hopefully! TIA!!!

I can understand DisneySteve's point of view as he is a financial guru around here. A big component to being successful financially is setting your priorities. I would think taking a long term approach (by such actions as downsizing or being more frugal about Christmas gifts etc) and also a healthy way of life (by eating nutritious foods) is actually better in the long run, too.

Would you be able to start a container garden for at least some produce? Cucumbers, tomatoes, and herbs are very easy to grow. Cheaper than grocery stores and you can freeze or can stuff (like peas, beans, etc.) for winter use.

Is there an ethnic grocery store near where you live? Often times it's cheaper to buy spices and produce there. You should also consider cooking more economic ethnic dishes, like more Asian or Mexican meals that use less meat and more beans, legumes, vegetables, and whole grains and rice.

Do you have an Aldi's nearby? I think there are over 30 locations in Michigan. They have good prices.

Would you consider doing more couponing? I think your area may have double or triple couponing and that can help. I should refer you to the gurus at mycoupons.com on the Tips of the Trade board who can help you out more.

GL!

 

[TinkerbellMama]

My suggestions are similar to some other posters'...

I don't eat meat at all, but dh does and we found a 60% off deal the other day and bought several HUGE packages of chicken breast. He immediately grilled one whole package and then froze that, and kept the other one frozen raw so it can be chopped up for stir fry, etc. We tend to buy in bulk when we find a good deal. He buys seafood only on sale. We do not eat any dairy products whatsoever, and since they are very expensive, we save a lot that way. I will say that I have no advice for getting your food budget down to $150 per month. We could not do it that cheaply!!! We buy organics whenever possible, including grains, and it's just not that cheap, but it's totally worth it to us for health reasons. Most things you can find coupons for are not very healthy, IMO, so we usually skip those, but occasionally you can find a great deal! Breastfeeding and cloth diapering are HUGE money savers for us, and I can't imagine how we would afford for me to be a SAHM if we had to pay for formula or disposables Do you have any local farmers' markets or organic produce co-ops?? Those can save quite a bit, too. Good luck and congratulations on your new son.

 

[Chicago526]

I didn't read the thread so I'm sorry if I repeat any tips.

Try shoping for fresh fruit and veggies in season. Strawberries and Peaches are cheap(er) in the summer than in the spring or fall, for example. In addition to being cheaper, they are also better quality and taste a heck of a lot better!

Buy frozen veggies (I agree canned are nasty!). They taste just as good as fresh and freezing doesn't hurt the nutrients. All my veggies come from the freezer, in fact, I rarely buy fresh. In fact, I only buy fresh corn on the cob, green beans, and mushrooms, the rest I get frozen. I buy the store brand and they are quite cheap.

Also, if you live in a house and have a yard, you can plant a garden. My mom had one, she grew: strawberries, rasberries, green beans, peppers, tomatos, cucumbers, and leaf lettuce. She also had my dad plant two apple trees (they took years to produce apples, though).

See if you can modify your reciepes that call for ground beef with diced chicken. Chicken is usually cheaper. It means more prep work on your part when you cook, but will save you money (and fat and calories) in the long run. For instance, chicken tacos instead of beef tacos!

Try to have a vegitarian meal one night a week. Also, try breakfast for dinner, eggs are the cheapest protein out there! It's also something a bit differant.

Also, watch your portion sizes. Do you really need that second helping of tuna caserole? You can stretch one meal in to two, and maybe lose some weight! Obviously make sure you are getting enough, though!

I can't think of anything else. But good luck!

 

[Shagley]

You could also check around to see if you have any programs such as SHARE FOODS or Angel Food Ministries. These organizations are not charity programs, they are open to everyone who is trying to cut their food expenses - they provide food packages once a month at reduced rates. It usually costs around $25.00 for a package of food that is worth $40.00 - $75.00. They include meat, veggies, fruits, etc. For example, the menu for October through Angel Food Ministries (for $25.00) is...

(1) 3 lb. Chicken Breast Filets
(1) 2 lb. Pork Riblets
(1) 1 lb. Choice Ground Beef
(1) 3 lb. Breaded Frying Chicken
(1) 1 lb. Ground Turkey
(1) Pkg. Totino's Pepperoni Pizza Rolls
(1) 28 oz. Betty Crocker Crock Pot Classic
(1) 20 oz. Progresso Steak & Mushroom Soup
(1) 3 lb. Apples
(1) 7.5 oz. Macaroni & Cheese
(1) 7 oz. Biscuit Mix
(1) 8 oz. Pasta Salad Mix
(1) 2 lb. French Fries
(1) 16 oz. Cut Broccoli
(1) 16 oz. Corn-on-the-Cob
(1) 12 oz. Breakfast Cereal
(1) Dessert
(1) Dozen Eggs

http://www.angelfoodministries.com/index.php
http://sharefood.us/bbs/index.php?

 

[OceanAnnie]

One of the biggest things that effects our food budget is when I don't plan ahead and it causes us to eat out. I'm getting a lot better about planning. We always have a stocked kitchen but if I don't have an idea about what is for dinner early enough it doesn't matter!

This is a food budget killer in two ways. One the larger unexpected expense of eating out and two throwing out food that didn't get used. Anyway, that's my problem I've just about tackled.

I buy meats in bulk. Separate them to fit our family's needs.

I've just started making double meals and freezing one as a back up plan. Last night I made a pretty good meatloaf. Doubled that recipe.

Usually I pack juices and snacks for the kids for when we are out and about. If I'm out for a quick errand and forget the snacks, McDonald's has some healthy snacks for a buck! Sliced apples (with caramel dip--- we haven't used the dip) and another is a parfait that is yogurt with layers of strawberries and blueberries topped with granola. For a buck! Those were nice finds for when I'm in a pinch.

ETA- We usually order pizza for dinner on Friday nights. Since we had a big family outing this week (that was costly) I'm making pizzas on an english muffins. I'm putting out the toppings so everyone can make their's the way they want them!

 

[deadhedjen]

Hey, that hillbillyhousewives site is pretty cool. Never saw that one before. Thanks for sharing.

Jennifer.

 

[WonderWomanDC]

Sorry if this was already mentioned, but in some areas food cooperatives still exist. In exchange for working some hours in the co-op, you can get a substantial discount on food. Usually these are very natural/organic food based businesses. It might be worth checking for one in your area, if it is easier to find time than money.

 

[Rowena]

I just wanted to suggest cooking ingredients that work for more than one dish.

For instance, a lb of ground beef, browned and drained, then a pinch of salt and a little garlic powder, simmered in a small can of tomato sauce.

Yummy taco meat with the added bonus of any leftovers can be added to spaghetti sauce.

I can get my family to eat the same basic food two days in a row by keeping it pretty simple.
This meat will even work in a stir fry (ramen noodles are awesome fried up with meat and some veggies).

Learn to bone out chicken for yuorself...chicken thighs are usually VERY cheap and are quite delicious.
Around here "pork cutlets" are also very cheap. THey look just like what you make chicken fried steak out of. We make "chicken fried pork" with these. (Also make yummy sandwiches if any is leftover.)

 

[RADOPT]

Thanks for the tips everyone! We live in an apartment so a garden is out... I'd love to get some inexpensive recipes though.

What does your family like to eat?


Also, check to see if you have a program in your state that helps with milk, juice, ect for those with chidlren under a certain age and for expecting moms. In californain, we have WIC.

 

[ryan840]

What does your family like to eat?


Also, check to see if you have a program in your state that helps with milk, juice, ect for those with chidlren under a certain age and for expecting moms. In californain, we have WIC.

My family doesn't eat much... I am much more open than my husband and my son though. Even though I never give my son junkfood at home, he still doesn't like the healthy stuff much. We don't qualify for WIC or any of those things, which is fine with us since we did not long ago.

I am heading up north and will be bringing lots of tips from here with me to help plan my budget. Thanks again!

 

[mhf]

I learned to freeze washed grapes when I was dieting. They make a marvelous snack (almost like a popsicle!) for adults and older kids. I often see grapes on sale for 99 cents a pound which is cheaper than cookies. Just wash, pull them off stems, put individual grapes in a pie tin or something and freeze. Keeps for weeks.

One year, I gave "store bought" Christmas gifts to some relatives and they all wanted to know where the homemade goodies were (ie Chex Mix, etc.). If you are careful with your shopping, homemade can be way less expensive and often more appreciated.

MHF
aw: aw: aw: aw:

 

[daretodream]

there is a book called Miserly Moms. When I started staying home 8 years ago this book helped me cut alot of our food costs. It has soooo many helpful hints. Some really good recipes and even sample shopping lists. Hope it helps!

 

[LisaInNc]

Thanks for the tips everyone! We live in an apartment so a garden is out... I'd love to get some inexpensive recipes though.

I don't know where you live but lots of places have community gradens where you can rend a small plot of land for a garden. That is also a giid place to get extra veggies as lots of other small gardeners have plenty and always share. We did that when I was living in an apartment. I grew herbs and always traded with people that grew other veggies.

 

[Clancycat]

Check out the posts on the grocery game. lots of people here are saving lots of money on their groceries by subscribing. The trial period is 8 wks for $1.