Trying to Stick With a Budget

melagras

melagras

Cathlete
Is anyone else struggling to try to keep your food costs under control? It is getting really hard to eat healthy and stay on budget. Not to mention gas prices.

I've given up almond butter and gone back to organic peanut butter (saves about $6.00).

As much as I hate it, I'm going back to grocery store freezer pizza instead of Papa John's. I found a 12 pack of Red Baron deep dish single pizzas at Sam's for $10.98.

The only thing I will not compromise on is chicken and beef. I only buy Laura Lean ground beef and Fresh Market's boneless chicken. Both are free of hormones and antibiotics, and I think they are fed a vegetarian diet.

This economy sucks!
 
We went totally vegan this year, and it cut our food bill in half. We were vegetarians before, so it was a small change, but we absolutely love eating this way, and it saves money! We have kids, too, and they love their veg.
:)
 
nkhansen1 said:
We went totally vegan this year, and it cut our food bill in half. We were vegetarians before, so it was a small change, but we absolutely love eating this way, and it saves money! We have kids, too, and they love their veg.
:)
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That was a big change! I'm not sure I could do it 24/7. If my appetite wasn't so huge, I would try it.
 
It wasn't too big a change since we were already vegetarian, but eating vegan is fantastic! You are never unsatisfied, and it's so delicious. My husband is always commenting on how fast he gets full eating this way. Nutrient and fiber rich foods fill you faster and more efficiently. Check out chef Isa Chandra Moskowitz. She has several cookbooks that we use daily.
 
nkhansen1 said:
It wasn't too big a change since we were already vegetarian, but eating vegan is fantastic! You are never unsatisfied, and it's so delicious. My husband is always commenting on how fast he gets full eating this way. Nutrient and fiber rich foods fill you faster and more efficiently. Check out chef Isa Chandra Moskowitz. She has several cookbooks that we use daily.
Click to expand...
Thanks! I will check her out.
 
We are not totally vegetarian, but stopped buying/prepping meat to eat at home. So, if we're at a family gathering, or out at a restaurant, we'll go ahead and have it.

Anyway, it's made a HUGE difference in our grocery bill. It's great because now that I'm not spending so much money on meat (we used to eat it almost every night), I can afford at least some organic produce, dairy etc...

And if we really want a good steak at home, we can feel pretty good about splurging on grass-fed beef.

And... my hubby's really slimmed down. He's lookin' good :D
 
This has been my project for the last few months. I have virtually cut my food bill in half... how? We are a family of four and I have been feeding us on $100 per week....healthily./// but it has taken work.

-I make all my meals from scratch, no pre-prepared store-bought meals. We even make our own pizza...which is wayyyy cheaper and much better.

-I bake my own bread in a bread machine my mother in law found for me at a garage sale. I think it is healthier and it is easy. (flour and yeast from Costco....whole grain flours where I can find it)

-we eat Mexican cuisine often.... Beans and rice are wonderful and tasty with homemade salsa (very easy and much cheaper)

-I stalk the grocery store ads in our town and we eat what is on sale (I just bought 10# of boneless, skinless chk. breast for 1.69 per pound. I wish I could have gotten more, but I want to stay in my $100 per week budget.

-I buy large bags of rice at big box stores (much cheaper than grocery stores)

-I do not buy juice (I buy sale fruit), I do not buy soda.

-I only buy the large bag of tortilla chips (like 4# at one shot) (to go w/salsa of course) I do not buy any other junk chips.

-I don't buy any prepared baked goods, I make my own. (cookies,etc...) If I am going to someone's house or having someone over ....wonders can be done with a box cake mix ($1-on sale) and a box of jello pudding to make it dense and yummy.

-I make my own clothes detergent, fabric softener and dishwasher detergent (yes indeed :D)

This is our dinner menu this week:

-chicken tacos with homemade salsa, rice, beans

-Chicken-broccoli divan (my girls' fav.) with rice and salad

-Crockpot Tamale pie ( w/ground turkey) (yum) with salad

-Penne pasta (w/ckn) with alfredo sauce (homemade) and vegetables, homemade bread

-fish and chips (homemade)

-beans and cornbread

-enchiladas with homemade enchilada sauce.

We do not eat much beef because my husband cannot have it.

I have begun to look at this as a game...how can I feed us healthily on what I have? Granted, I have spent more time in the kitchen, in fact, last week, my fridge was so full I was shocked at how I have been able to keep us so well stocked...Then I began to be full of regret at how much money I have wasted just spending lazily as I had been :(.

Now, this is my choice and maybe not for everyone, but I am doing it!
I decided that I would give myself $100 cash per week and then when it was gone, it would be gone! It is amazing how careful I have been and how I have found such great deals with a little bit of work.

blessings to you.
 
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tralaiven said:
This has been my project for the last few months. I have virtually cut my food bill in half... how? We are a family of four and I have been feeding us on $100 per week....healthily./// but it has taken work.

-I make all my meals from scratch, no pre-prepared store-bought meals. We even make our own pizza...which is wayyyy cheaper and much better.

-I bake my own bread in a bread machine my mother in law found for me at a garage sale. I think it is healthier and it is easy. (flour and yeast from Costco....whole grain flours where I can find it)

-we eat Mexican cuisine often.... Beans and rice are wonderful and tasty with homemade salsa (very easy and much cheaper)

-I stalk the grocery store ads in our town and we eat what is on sale (I just bought 10# of boneless, skinless chk. breast for 1.69 per pound. I wish I could have gotten more, but I want to stay in my $100 per week budget.

-I buy large bags of rice at big box stores (much cheaper than grocery stores)

-I do not buy juice (I buy sale fruit), I do not buy soda.

-I only buy the large bag of tortilla chips (like 4# at one shot) (to go w/salsa of course) I do not buy any other junk chips.

-I don't buy any prepared baked goods, I make my own. (cookies,etc...) If I am going to someone's house or having someone over ....wonders can be done with a box cake mix ($1-on sale) and a box of jello pudding to make it dense and yummy.

-I make my own clothes detergent, fabric softener and dishwasher detergent (yes indeed :D)

This is our dinner menu this week:

-chicken tacos with homemade salsa, rice, beans

-Chicken-broccoli divan (my girls' fav.) with rice and salad

-Crockpot Tamale pie ( w/ground turkey) (yum) with salad

-Penne pasta (w/ckn) with alfredo sauce (homemade) and vegetables, homemade bread

-fish and chips (homemade)

-beans and cornbread

-enchiladas with homemade enchilada sauce.

We do not eat much beef because my husband cannot have it.

I have begun to look at this as a game...how can I feed us healthily on what I have? Granted, I have spent more time in the kitchen, in fact, last week, my fridge was so full I was shocked at how I have been able to keep us so well stocked...Then I began to be full of regret at how much money I have wasted just spending lazily as I had been :(.

Now, this is my choice and maybe not for everyone, but I am doing it!
I decided that I would give myself $100 cash per week and then when it was gone, it would be gone! It is amazing how careful I have been and how I have found such great deals with a little bit of work.

blessings to you.
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Crockpot Tamale Pie sounds delicious. I want that recipe.
 
Melagras: here is the recipe for Crockpot Tamale pie:


1# grd beef (I use ground turkey)
3/4 c. yellow cornmeal
1 1/2 c. milk
1 egg beaten
1 pkg chili or taco seasoning (I buy the taco seasoning in bulk from Costco, so I used about 1/4 c.)
1 tsp seasoning salt (I didn't use this and it was fine)
1 16 oz can diced tomatoes (I use organic)
1 can corn drained
1 can sliced olives....(I chopped them myself....canned chopped olives are too expensive!!!)
1 c. grated cheese. (I do more because we love cheese)

brown ground beef or turkey.

In crockpot: spray with cooking spray oil (PAM) add cornmeal, milk, egg and rest (except cheese) and stir well.

cook on high for 3-4 hours DO NOT STIR. (Note: it might look weird...but it tastes great!)

about 15 min before serving sprinkle cheese on top.

I serve this with a nice green salad. Also, sour cream and salsa on the side is great!
 
Making it all yourself and not buying processed makes all the difference. I've been grinding my own wheat for flour and making our bread since 2005. I feed our family of four on about $120 every 7-10 days, and we eat really well. It does take more planning in the kitchen, but the savings are worth it. Plus, I know that almost everything going in our bodies is clean and whole. I have actually found that it takes less time to prepare food that is entirely plant based, and that makes me happy. :)
 
tralaiven said:
nkhansen: where do you get the wheat to grind and how do you grind it?

thanks!
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We grind our our grains too (spelt, kamut, corn, wheat, buckwheat, even beans, lentils, etc). We have a Nutrimill grinder, which was an investment initially, but has proven to be priceless over the years. I love the benefits if having freshly ground flours, and the taste is the best.

To the OP: I agree with the Tracy, & nkhansen that the best way to cut costs & be completely in control of your own ingredients, is to make the majority of your food from scratch. But I also understand that many people can't really find a way to it that into the busier lifestyles that we have today...
 
I use a Nutrimill as well. I get my grains from Pleasant Hill Grains and Walton Feed, primarily. I also grind rice, corn, beans, etc.
Really, I have found that cooking whole foods is just as fast as using packaged items. I am SO busy, but I can have a complete meal on the table in 30-45 minutes at anytime. I think having a well-stocked pantry is key. I have lots of beans already cooked and frozen in 16 oz portions, so all I have to do is grab a bag. I have a rice cooker, so I can put rice in and have it done by the time I've prepared the rest of the meal. It's not more time consuming, truly, or I wouldn't do it! This way of eating is SO simple and so good.
 
I also am a big meal planner, so I know the menu for the next 7-10 days and have everything stocked in the fridge and pantry.
 
beans are soooo cheap!

I use a vitamix..for everything, expensive initial investment but completely worth it. I make green smoothies, my own hemp milk, all of our salad dressings, baby food, vegan ice cream, grind any grain/seed, knead the dough etc.
I am not making all of our bread right now, with baby 2 due in a couple of weeks and still working, not enough time. :eek:
I am completely sold on making everything myself because it is dramatically healthier, cheaper and more fun but I do think it takes more time.
and beans are so cheap and so versatile! I use a pressure cooker and always double batch everything so I can freeze half.
I also think the cheapest way to go is to buy bulk, directly from distributors. I buy hemp, beans, grains, frozen acai, spices, pretty much anything but fruits and veggies this way.
 
kathryn said:
"recipes," please!
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Hi Kathryn,

I got my recipes off the internet....they are all over the place.

but here is my dishwasher recipe:

1 c. washing soda (Arm and Hammer)
1 c. Borax
1/2 c. salt
1 pkg unsweetened lemonade Kool-aid...(for the citric acid)

mix all these together well and store in a closed container... use 1 T. for the open cup in the DW and 1 T. in the closed cup...in the rinsing agent thing I put white vinegar to rinse the dishes. You just have to play with the recipe until you get something that works for you...but this works well for me and it is environmentally friendly.

fabric softener recipe: (this is sooo cool and really works well...I couldn't believe it. I use an old fab softener container to store it in.)

2 c. cheap hair conditioner (I went to the dollar store and got the one I thought smelled the best)

3 c. white vinegar
6 c. water

mix well and place in container....I use this just like regular fabric softener.

Here is where I got the recipe for my clothes detergent

Making Homemade Laundry Soap

I hope this works well for you!
 
rawchickpea said:
I use a vitamix..for everything, expensive initial investment but completely worth it. I make green smoothies, my own hemp milk, all of our salad dressings, baby food, vegan ice cream, grind any grain/seed, knead the dough etc.
I am not making all of our bread right now, with baby 2 due in a couple of weeks and still working, not enough time. :eek:
I am completely sold on making everything myself because it is dramatically healthier, cheaper and more fun but I do think it takes more time.
and beans are so cheap and so versatile! I use a pressure cooker and always double batch everything so I can freeze half.
I also think the cheapest way to go is to buy bulk, directly from distributors. I buy hemp, beans, grains, frozen acai, spices, pretty much anything but fruits and veggies this way.
Click to expand...

what distributors do you buy from? I am clueless about this!
 
tralaiven said:
what distributors do you buy from? I am clueless about this!
Click to expand...

You can also look for a co-op in your area, that's what I do. I purchase 25-50# bags of grain from Quail Cove Farms here on the east coast, but I think maybe you have Azure standard for your neck of the woods.
 
kikster said:
You can also look for a co-op in your area, that's what I do. I purchase 25-50# bags of grain from Quail Cove Farms here on the east coast, but I think maybe you have Azure standard for your neck of the woods.
Click to expand...

kiki...is this cost effective?????:) I really don't know, just wondering how it affects the pocketbook. thanks for all your advice.
 
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