sarcasticgirl
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Post by sarcasticgirl on Jul 9, 2014 19:53:48 GMT -5
I need to join in... Our grocery budget is out of control. It also doesn't help that both DH and I are working more and busy so meal planning has sucked! I just had to throw out some mahi mahi tonight because we didn't get a chance to make it this week until tonight and it went bad :-( I have a full pantry and a full freezer- we get most of our meat in bulk at Costco. I portion it out and vacuum seal it. I need to keep a running list of what I have on hand and plan meals from that. We do much better when I have a list of meals written out that we can choose from.
I end up throwing out a lot of bread. Usually hamburger or hotdog buns. I was thinking of finding a recipe for homemade buns, then I could freeze some dough balls and bake them on demand. We always seem to throw away at least 1\4 to even 1/2 the pack!
Chicg- do you have a harvest time near you? There is one not too far from me: Lawrence and Rockwell and their produce is really good. They get fresh shipments daily, so I can generally buy two weeks worth of produce at a time. And it is pretty inexpensive. Also- so impressed with your garden!
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Sam_2.0
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Post by Sam_2.0 on Jul 9, 2014 22:14:21 GMT -5
Sarcastic - you can freeze the buns you buy at the store and just pull out a couple to thaw when needed.
Came home today to dinner in the crockpot! Our nanny decided to throw it together for us. So delicious. And she's getting me the recipe so I can make it again.
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yogiii
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Post by yogiii on Jul 10, 2014 5:31:25 GMT -5
Sarcastic - you can freeze the buns you buy at the store and just pull out a couple to thaw when needed. Yes we freeze hamburger buns also, especially since we throw them on the grill anyway so there really is no difference if they come from the freezer. Toaster or toaster oven works well to perk them up too.
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sarcasticgirl
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Post by sarcasticgirl on Jul 10, 2014 8:46:03 GMT -5
Sarcastic - you can freeze the buns you buy at the store and just pull out a couple to thaw when needed. Yes we freeze hamburger buns also, especially since we throw them on the grill anyway so there really is no difference if they come from the freezer. Toaster or toaster oven works well to perk them up too. I have done this in the past, but for some reason... i don't really like them once they are thawed. I have no idea why. I don't eat much in the way of bread, so when I do indulge I want it to really really enjoy it!
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Iggy aka IG
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Post by Iggy aka IG on Jul 10, 2014 10:24:03 GMT -5
Yes we freeze hamburger buns also, especially since we throw them on the grill anyway so there really is no difference if they come from the freezer. Toaster or toaster oven works well to perk them up too. I have done this in the past, but for some reason... i don't really like them once they are thawed. I have no idea why. I don't eat much in the way of bread, so when I do indulge I want it to really really enjoy it! Neither does DH.
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yogiii
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Post by yogiii on Jul 10, 2014 10:34:52 GMT -5
Are you toasting them after then come out of the freezer? I'm seriously stumped. I think most would consider me a food snob and I'd have a really hard time telling if it was fresh or frozen, coming from the toaster oven or griddle. Maybe it depends on the type of bread
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sarcasticgirl
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Post by sarcasticgirl on Jul 10, 2014 10:39:02 GMT -5
Are you toasting them after then come out of the freezer? I'm seriously stumped. I think most would consider me a food snob and I'd have a really hard time telling if it was fresh or frozen, coming from the toaster oven or griddle. Maybe it depends on the type of bread it depends on the bun. for hot dogs/brats, i don't like buns toasted. for burgers I will toast them, lightly (soft on the inside- little crisp on the outside). but when I take a leftover turkey burger for lunch, I have no means of toasting and i want it to taste fresh and soft. I don't know why I can tell the difference... and why it bothers me. I'm weird. But I prefer fresh baked bread anyway, so finding a recipe that I can portion out, and cook what we need then freeze the dough would work well, and actually be cheaper, I'm guessing.
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yogiii
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Post by yogiii on Jul 10, 2014 10:50:10 GMT -5
Makes sense now
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whoisjohngalt
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Post by whoisjohngalt on Jul 10, 2014 11:22:17 GMT -5
So I made my strawberry jam and by my calculations it's very comparable to the prices I would pay in the grocery store
i am so freaking proud of myself, I need to buy myself a prize or something.
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Sam_2.0
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Post by Sam_2.0 on Jul 10, 2014 13:21:57 GMT -5
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Sam_2.0
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Post by Sam_2.0 on Jul 11, 2014 15:11:44 GMT -5
Well, DH is out buying groceries for his guy's night tonight. So I guess that counts as going over the budget for the two weeks. But I am proud of him for buying the food and he's learning to grill (!!!) so that should be nice. I can't wait to get some help with cooking!
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sarcasticgirl
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Post by sarcasticgirl on Jul 11, 2014 17:02:16 GMT -5
I have my first batch of buns rising in the kitchen right now and a couple of dough balls are going in the freezer to test it out.. Pretty easy... Here's hoping they turn out.
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yogiii
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Post by yogiii on Jul 12, 2014 8:32:30 GMT -5
How'd they turn out?
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sarcasticgirl
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Post by sarcasticgirl on Jul 12, 2014 8:37:21 GMT -5
They turned out perfectly! I think I found my go-to recipe on the first try./
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yogiii
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Post by yogiii on Jul 12, 2014 8:38:17 GMT -5
Share ...
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sarcasticgirl
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Post by sarcasticgirl on Jul 12, 2014 13:12:20 GMT -5
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ses
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Post by ses on Jul 12, 2014 18:13:02 GMT -5
This is a topic that is very dear to my heart. Three years ago when Congress wanted to cut the spending on food stamps (SNAP) I did a challenge to spend only what my state allowed for food stamps for one month. I did it but it was not easy. I learned a lot about my wasteful spending.
Last winter when Congress once again tried to tinker with the SNAP program and several members of congress tried to live on the daily allotment of $4.50 (and couldn't) I tried my challenge again.
My monthly SNAP budget would be $135/mo. Once again I did it, with difficulty. I then checked the USDA allowance for a "thrifty food plan" which is $165/mo.
My plan now is one major shopping trip at the first of the month for $100-$110. This includes all bakery products, meat and fish and dairy products. I set aside $30-$40 for fresh produce throughout the month. This leaves about $25/mo that I set aside for a quarterly "stock-up."
Most of my stock up expenditures are pantry items. Things that are used over several months or a trip to Sam's when my girlfriend takes me. I try to buy green beans, corn and cream of mushroom soup to last the year around Thanksgiving. I get flour, sugar, nuts, dried fruit and choc. chips for the year around Christmas.
I still try to follow a $110-$40-$25 monthly budget, but it can be difficult. Right now things aren't too bad- thanks to a window box full of leaf lettuce and another with spinach. Soon my garden (all 4 tomato plants and one zucchini hill) will be producing and I will do some canning and freezing. Perhaps some jam and jelly making for Christmas presents.
The best saving technique is a menu plan. I plan 24 breakfasts, lunches and dinners each month. Then I pick a menu when I feel like eating it, knowing I have everything I need in the pantry, freezer and fridge.
I go out for brunch with friends most weekends and the money for this comes out of my "allowance" or entertainment funds. As does any meal eaten away from home.
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whoisjohngalt
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Post by whoisjohngalt on Jul 12, 2014 20:05:43 GMT -5
Not to get too technical but food stamps were never meant to cover the entire food budget for any one person. They are suppose to supplement.
Why would anyone try to eat on that amount?
That being said, it would be really interesting to know what you considered "wasteful spending"
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Blonde Granny
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Post by Blonde Granny on Jul 13, 2014 16:04:31 GMT -5
A few years ago I went on a kick of trying to spend $50 week for groceries. We'd walk thru the store and I'd be adding the cost as we went along. We actually were able to do it. I'm thinking today it would be difficult to do $75/wk or maybe even $100 week for the 2 of us.
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ses
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Post by ses on Jul 13, 2014 16:27:35 GMT -5
You are absolutely correct, SNAP is to supplement personal expenditures on groceries, but for many it is the bulk or all of their grocery budget. I don't know that anyone WANTS to be limited to that budget but for many it is what it is.
I choose to budget this way for several reasons. Perhaps the biggest reason is all of the waste of food in America. Up to 40% of the food produced in this country is wasted, 25% in the home. I am guilty of finding "science projects" at the back of my fridge from time to time and tossing bread that has molded or produce that is past its prime. When I plan more closely I have much less waste. Another big reason is I live on a fixed income that inflation impacts.
Besides food wastage I took a good look at all the convenience foods I was using that really increased the cost of my meals. Oh, I still use some (an on sale cake mix for $.99 is still cheaper in time and ingredients) but overall I cook from scratch more now.
I know I am fortunate that I can cook and have a full kitchen to work in. I really feel for those who don't know how to cook or don't have a place to cook.
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whoisjohngalt
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Post by whoisjohngalt on Jul 13, 2014 17:07:12 GMT -5
You are absolutely correct, SNAP is to supplement personal expenditures on groceries, but for many it is the bulk or all of their grocery budget. I don't know that anyone WANTS to be limited to that budget but for many it is what it is. I choose to budget this way for several reasons. Perhaps the biggest reason is all of the waste of food in America. Up to 40% of the food produced in this country is wasted, 25% in the home. I am guilty of finding "science projects" at the back of my fridge from time to time and tossing bread that has molded or produce that is past its prime. When I plan more closely I have much less waste. Another big reason is I live on a fixed income that inflation impacts. Besides food wastage I took a good look at all the convenience foods I was using that really increased the cost of my meals. Oh, I still use some (an on sale cake mix for $.99 is still cheaper in time and ingredients) but overall I cook from scratch more now. I know I am fortunate that I can cook and have a full kitchen to work in. I really feel for those who don't know how to cook or don't have a place to cook. Thanks for the response. No doubt I throw away food. Every year I promise myself that "I am done and it won't happen again" and every time I break my promise.
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Sam_2.0
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Post by Sam_2.0 on Jul 14, 2014 6:28:33 GMT -5
Well in one week DH went to the store for dinner Friday, snacks and milk. And we have gone out to eat four times. Let's see how this week goes We will need more milk since DD is back to wanting it all the time again. Sent from my SPH-L710 using proboards
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chicg
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Post by chicg on Jul 14, 2014 12:09:24 GMT -5
Sam, I would count the food for DHs guys night from your (his) entertainment allowance and not monthly food bill. Just something to consider.
SES - thank you for sharing, your SNAP allowance experiment is so meaningful, I don't know if I have the discipline to do it myself, but I think it's valuable to try. I think I'm pretty good, but I still find myself wasting produce. I just threw out a very full plastic grocery bag of oranges, paired with broccoli and lettuce from my garden. The broccoli I picked when it was a little too ripe and already beginning to flower, so I kept passing it up in my fridge for the better stuff (I had about 10-12 heads of broccoli). In hindsight I should have immediately frozen the stuff that wasn't the best quality. I also had to toss some once-beautiful lettuce. I did have the sense to freeze some of it for green smoothies but still wasted some. I'm rambling now, but thanks for the insight.
I had a setback yesterday and wanted to order a pizza, but I'm trying to diet so was resisting, and ended up at Trader Joes spending way too much money. I avoided the pizza and only bought healthy stuff (save for the chocolate raspberry jellies) but I'm disappointed in my food budget. I have to tally up, but I only have about $50 left for the month based on the adding in my head. Still an improvement over the $400+ last month I guess.
And again, thanks!!! Having this accountability is really helping me, even when I slip up a bit. I was thinking about my budget the whole time at TJs and put a few things back after re-evaluating before check out. But not the wine...I kept the wine
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Iggy aka IG
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Post by Iggy aka IG on Jul 16, 2014 10:29:03 GMT -5
For the month, last night I bought:
4.92 lb chicken breast 12 chicken drumsticks 1 lb each ground pork, Jimmy Dean, bacon smoked sausage, sausage links salmon and tilapia, both on sale 18 eggs, sour cream, yogurt, whipping cream, almond milk, cottage cheese 2 packages Hormel pepperoni (I'm a low carber, and these make delicious snacks when microwaved!) Approx $50 fresh produce 4 types of cheeses sunflower seeds, peanuts, pistachios, Wasa crackers, low carb tortillas approx $55 in HBAs (includes $10 allergy eye drops) clothes soap and bug spray various canned goods and baking soda to restock the pantry 2 types salad dressing, soy sauce, Splenda dirty rice mix, 2 gravy packets 5 different individual beverages, 12 pack soda, club soda, diet blueberry juice 2 12 packs TP, baggies
Total spent $278.42. Total saved 29% off my order = $111.91 in sales, coupons and e coupons. If things ever became really tight again at our house, theoretically I'm betting I could shave at least $80 worth of unnecessary items.
DH buys granola bars, dried fruit, etc for his lunches. I'll probably end up going to the store 2 or so more times to fill in w/ eggs and produce throughout the month.
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Sam_2.0
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Post by Sam_2.0 on Jul 16, 2014 12:16:44 GMT -5
I started to make red beans & rice last night when I got home from work. Aly came into the kitchen and said "What's that smell?" I told her what I was making, and she said "Oh, Mommy, we just had that for dinner last night. We can't eat too much or our tummies will hurt. I think we need to put that in the fridge and get some chips instead." Nice try, kiddo Fortunately for her our friends called for a last-minute dinner date so I did end up putting it in the fridge, but it will be dinner tonight!!
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ses
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Post by ses on Jul 17, 2014 16:50:23 GMT -5
Never thought of pepperoni as a low carb snack. Thanks for the idea, I will put it on the shopping list.
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Iggy aka IG
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Post by Iggy aka IG on Jul 17, 2014 17:31:11 GMT -5
Never thought of pepperoni as a low carb snack. Thanks for the idea, I will put it on the shopping list. You're welcome, ses! It's yummy by itself, or with mozz or other shredded cheese on top. I nuke it for about 30 seconds, but some fellow low carbers cook longer until the pepperoni crisps up into chip like texture. When I remember, I also buy pork rinds to snack on. I macadamia nuts, too, but they are SOOO expensive!
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marvholly
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Post by marvholly on Jul 18, 2014 6:54:16 GMT -5
ses If you have a Dollar Tree I KNOW they sell Hormel pepperoni for $1/pkg - 2 different size pkg. There are also $1/2 pkg internet printable coupons out there & they will take them. Don't kow about other dollar type stores re: stock or coupon usage.
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chicg
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Post by chicg on Jul 18, 2014 9:51:16 GMT -5
Iggy, my cousin used to microwave salami, sounds similar to the pepperoni. Since it's bigger, it tends to crisp up around the edges but the center is still softer. It's kind of weird, but a family thing that I still love.
Just added up my totals for the month and I'm at $180 so far, with a fairly well-stocked fridge at this point. My goal for the month was $200 so I'll exceed that a little, but it's so much better than last month where I spent over $400 on food/carry out! Posting here and staying accountable has been a huge help, thanks!
My "yay" of the day regarding food is I have a bunch of kohlrabi and broccoli from my garden that needs to be used, but I'm running out of ideas and keep ignoring it. Just saw a recipe for kohlrabi slaw, then you add peanut sauce, chicken, etc for a thai dish. DUH, I make a similar dish all the time with bagged broccoli slaw, never thought to use kohlrabi in it and just make up my own shredded mix. I have everything on hand to make the dish, very excited now, and veggies won't be wasted.
Since you guys mentioned low carb, that Thai peanut chicken dish is one of my favorites and aside from the peanuts, it's low carb. I double up the veggies and add pea pods because I like them, and omit the noodles. Here's the basic recipe I use, easy to adapt to you own tastes or great as-is: www.skinnytaste.com/2011/04/asian-peanut-noodles-with-chicken.html
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sarcasticgirl
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Post by sarcasticgirl on Jul 18, 2014 11:14:23 GMT -5
chicg that recipe looks pretty interesting! I might give it a try... but what is broccoli slaw?
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