Tell me I can do this

[mdsoccermom]

Seriously? $60 for groceries and one tank of gas for the month?

As someone asked, is no one getting a paycheck? I am sorry, but this is so highly irresponsible. I get being a bit short at the end of the month, but this is more than a bit short. Instead of worrying about Disney gift cards, I'd be working and reworking the budget.

 

[Poohforyou]

you certainly have enough in the freezer...just milk and salad is prolly all you need to buy. My kids would PREFER chips and cookies but if fruit is all you offer them, after a while, they will try the fruit, too. And, honestly, do they really NEED snacks? Shouldn't we teach our children to eat their three meals?

Make a menu plan and stick to it. It takes a little planning but worth it moneywise.

Enough of the soapbox.

Perhaps you can divide your spending money byweek and give it to your mom to hold until that week comes around. Desperate times and all, yanno?

Yes, people need snacks especially little children. It is really healthiest to eat 5-6 small meals a day. I can't imagine withholding snacks from growing children. When my dd was that age she ate every 2 hours or so. I think the op has way more meat than she needs for a month but $60 won't buy much fresh foods.

 

[Debbie Jean]

Yes, people need snacks especially little children. It is really healthiest to eat 5-6 small meals a day. I can't imagine withholding snacks from growing children. When my dd was that age she ate every 2 hours or so. I think the op has way more meat than she needs for a month but $60 won't buy much fresh foods.

I agree. What snacks to the girls prefer? Maybe you can brainstorm some inexpensive substitutes? With what you have on hand, I think you can do it... remember it's for a single month, not forever!

Be creative and involve the family with the planning... that helps to get them on board with the program

 

[momxx5]

Check with your church, they may have a food pantry and you could use that, even "borrow" if you wanted to.

Inexpensive items:
pasta
pancakes (have for dinner)
eggs
french toast (day old bread)
soups

You have quite a good stock in your freezer so I think with a bit more you could do it.
Think about selling some outgrown clothes or items not used around the house....that can help with the budget until next month.

Good luck & God bless

 

[3girlsfun]

Wow. I don't think I could make it. Although, I don't have a stock pile like that. I am slowly working on a stock pile...but, only stock pile when meat is rock bottom, or I can get something rock bottom priced. It is great that you have that much of a meat stock pile.

I would try to sell something ASAP on Craig's List or where ever. Find one item that would bring you in at least $200...that would give you an extra $50 a week. That would get you a long way! Have a yard sale, something.

You could try to sell your Disney gift cards...that would bring in money.

I don't think you can do it....sorry.

I would also for sure use the gas card before I used my cash for gas. If you only have $60...where are you going? To work?

I was stressed because I have $95 to last a week...tight, but, that was after I bought gas and groceries. So, I can't imagine having to make $95 work for a month!

Good luck!

 

[YankeePrincess]

That seems kind of hard to do.

How about instead of having your mom pay for your Disney trip, you don't go and she can buy you some groceries and gas instead.

 

[livie1205]

ok ...... I NEVER tell strangers things like this BUT you should really cancel your trip, you can not afford it.If your mom is willing to help it needs to go towards food not WDW. There is no reason why someone who is having trouble feeding their kids need to go on vacation...I lived my whole childhood without vacation but i ate 3 meals a day.I never went to wdw until I was 22 yrs old.

 

[SaraJayne]

you certainly have enough in the freezer...just milk and salad is prolly all you need to buy. My kids would PREFER chips and cookies but if fruit is all you offer them, after a while, they will try the fruit, too. And, honestly, do they really NEED snacks? Shouldn't we teach our children to eat their three meals?

Make a menu plan and stick to it. It takes a little planning but worth it moneywise.

Enough of the soapbox.

Perhaps you can divide your spending money byweek and give it to your mom to hold until that week comes around. Desperate times and all, yanno?

Yes, children really NEED snacks.

 

[DisneyCrazyX5]

In our area local churches serve lunch to kids to help the families whose children received free lunches during the school year. If that is available near you it would really stretch you money.

 

[tinker&belle]

I would be worried about your two little ones. You seem to have some protein sources; which is great since it is the most expensive. You could easily add beans and eggs since those are cheap. I worry for your little ones (especially the youngest) about getting enough milk and fruits and veggies. If there is absolutely no money to be had that is one thing; talk to your church or take them to the food pantry/soup kitchen or talk to your family to try to nourish your little ones. If this is just trying to make your numbers match up and stay out of savings there is no way I would do it. Your children are growning and this is such a critical time in their development. I would drop any other expenses for the month before skimping on milk and healthy foods for the young ones.

ETA: Just re-read your post OP. If your dd is allergic to milk that makes it super challenging since she probably drinks soy/almond/rice milk for nutrition which is about twice as expensive. You mention you are responsible for gas/groceries. Maybe talk to your DH and explain this isn't working if you are always coming up so short; doubt he wants the little ones to go without or to eat ramen all month. If it is not working every month maybe you guys can come up with something that really works?

 

[SaraJayne]

I thought about this thread today when I ran to the grocery store for a few things ~ milk, some fresh fruit, veggies, juice and other misc stuff. I walked out with $60 worth of groceries, which will hold us over until I do the major shopping in a few days.

So, no, you won't be able to last the entire month of June on the money you have.

You and your mother need to be more concerned with feeding your children than taking them on an unnecessary vacation.

 

[Hannathy]

I'm all for going to a church or food pantry when you really need to BUT to do so in order to not touch your vacation money is a bit disingenuous don't you think?

Put off the trip and feed your own kids.

 

[SetzKitten]

If you are this strapped for cash every month you need to start cutting things out. If you have cable it needs to go, cut down your cell phone plan if you can and get rid of internet for a few month until you get back on your feet.

Holy moly, a voice of reason! Cable, cell phone, internet are LUXURIES that can and should be cut out when you're as strapped as the op seems to be. Whoever says they're necessities has never lived in a car or tent before.

OP, try to decrease your other monthly expenses in order to increase your food allocation. Combine trips in your car to minimize gas usage, turn off all unnecessary electrical appliances (I lowered my electric bill by $100 one month by being as diligent as possible and turning off every light, lowering the hot water tank temp, using fans instead of air conditioning, hanging clothes instead of drying, etc.) I went out every day and read the electric meter and made adjustments so I knew exactly what the bill would be. I also rode my bike to work when things got really tight, something I never thought would happen. It saved me 50% on my gas bill. Not an option for everyone, but sometimes you have no choice.

You can do it. People survive on less. You just have to get creative. Good luck.

 

[crashbb]

I'm all for going to a church or food pantry when you really need to BUT to do so in order to not touch your vacation money is a disingenuous don't you think?

Put off the trip and feed your own kids.

Thank you for saying what I was thinking.

 

[love__goofy]

For snacks...we shop at Aldi's for crackers and such. We also go to BJ's and buy a large container of uncooked popcorn. It cost us about $7, but it would provide popcorn for months! I have 4 kids and they all love it...much healthier than microwave too!

If you don't have to go far for gas..maybe you can make it. We were tight last month and sold some things on craigslist, had a yard sale, and ended up with $600. That would surely help you get out of the hole.

Times are tough, I get that. We have cut off the direct tv, signed up for netflix. I am very surprised at how our family adjusted. They don't miss it. We watch food sales, don't drive unless necessary, and have definitely cut back on eating out. Check your car insurance, maybe you can get a lower rate. We did that and saved about $40 per month!

Good luck! I am pulling for you!

 

[mdsoccermom]

I thought about this thread today when I ran to the grocery store for a few things ~ milk, some fresh fruit, veggies, juice and other misc stuff. I walked out with $60 worth of groceries, which will hold us over until I do the major shopping in a few days.

So, no, you won't be able to last the entire month of June on the money you have.

You and your mother need to be more concerned with feeding your children than taking them on an unnecessary vacation.

That's exactly what I did today. Spent about $60 on some things for dinner and other items I need until I do the big grocery run this week. And on that grocery run, I'll spend about $100-$150 which will not last the rest of the month.

I cannot fathom trying to get through a month on just $60 bucks for my growing children and one tank of gas.

I am always astounded at the lengths people will go to to take their trip to Disney.

 

[thelionqueen]

I'm not going to join those who tell you what you should be doing instead of answering your question.

I am a single mother of 2 boys who is on a budget so I have weeks where I am tight as well. To answer your question, Yes..I think it is doable but you will need to create a menu and stick to it. I create a menu every month and it is incredibly helpful in every way. My kids love knowing what is for dinner, and I can shop and plan ahead which makes it easier on me.

You should look online for coupons then go to stores that offer double and triple coupons. Definitely use your gift card for gas and spend half of your $ and no more by 6/15 then see where you're at. If you can make it to the 15th I think you have a good chance of making it to the end of the month. If you can't, then you need to evaluate a few things. Sell some items on craigslist or ebay, or something like that.

Times are tough and I think if you can budget correctly you can make everything happen. Good luck!

 

[Alexander]

Just inventoried a bit. We have about 10 pounds of ground beef, 2 pounds of meatballs, 5 pounds of popcorn chicken, 2 gallon bags full of fish, enough fish fillets for 2 meals, 1 chicken, enough pork chops for 2 meals, 3 jars of spaghetti sauce, a big box of Bisquick, enough chicken nuggets for 2 meals, 10 pounds of potatoes, a full loaf of bread, random frozen veggies. I'm really thinking that I can make this happen. I know we need milk and toilet paper right now so I am going to try to come up with a menu and see how that goes before we head to the store.

And I forgot to add, we aren't feeding the 11 or 15 year old this month (except about 4 days) and my mom is paying for the 90% of our Disney trip that is not covered by my Disney gift cards.

Nobody's business how you pay for your trip!

It looks like you have plenty of food for the month, however, is that going to leave your pantry and freezer completely empty for next month? Then you're going to need more money to restock.

You can do it, just stretch, stretch, stretch. You may go over the $60, but keep it as low as you possibly can!

 

[Swan4Me]

I spend about $35 per week on gas....so I dont see how "I" could do it?

And if you are "eating" into next months $$ every month, you need a serious budget fix-good luck

 

[RadioMom]

I have two teens, one being a vegetarian, so even with a meat stockpile, i couldn't manage on $60 for the month.
I think if i were in your shoes, i'd look into farmers markets nearby for low cost veggies and fruit. That could save a bit. having a garage sale isnt a bad idea either. Creative menu planning would go a long way, but I can't see for 28 days how you would make it. Kraft has a great website with some good recipe sections for people on a budget.
Although, if you're struggling this much to pay for your trip or if this is what happens every month, maybe its time to re-work your budget a little. It must be very stressful for you! you could put the trip off for a couple of months to give yourself a little more breathing room.