Save hundreds of dollars a month of groceries - a vent - Page 2

[Leta]

One of the things that annoys the living crap out of me about stories like these are how they play it fast and loose with what "from scratch" means.

When I talk about cooking from scratch, I'm making bread, from yeast, water, flour, honey, oats, and heat. I'm making tofu from a pound of dry soybeans, water, and vegetarian rennet.

The notion that opening a bag of tortillas, a packet of seasoning, frozen peppers and onions, and precut strips of chicken breast and calling that "scratch" fajitas is really disingenuous. It's cheaper than going out for fajitas, sure, probably healthier, too, but it's still not saving nearly as much money as could be saved.

I think stuff like this, as reported in the mainstream media, is part of the reason for the success of Hillbilly Housewife. I don't buy hot dogs or boxed mac and cheese, but the way that the meal planning is done and the process of eating on the cheap is described on the website is very helpful in wrapping your mind around what should be done to acheive a low grocery bill.

[wolfmom]

I love you guys! I've been feeling this frustration for ages! I was talking with a single, childless gal at work the other day and she was appalled at how much I spent on groceries each month. But she backpedaled when she realized that that included diapers (we use a few sposies a week), tissues, expensive organic milk and cheese, and all body care and toiletry items. Oh, and flowers once a week for shabbat. I think if she added it up she spends more than half of what I spend for herself (no others in her house) than I do for a family of 5!

people are amazing. However, I was impressed with myself last week when I was sick and couldn't bring myself to go to the grocery store - I managed days and days of meals on what I thought was "nothing left in the house". I love it when I can be so creative - especially when sick!

peace and health,

[Chicky2]

Oh my. My neighbors spend so much money on food it's ridiculous! They go w/out a list, and just wander. The dh is 'in charge' and he just gets whatever he wants at the time, and then gripes about not having $ later.

My 20 yo dd is sooooooo lucky to have me as a mom . I can send her w/my list and she'll come back having spent less than I would have, lol! And she knows to buy more than one of something we use alot if it's on sale (and she knows what 'on sale' really means).

[Ruthiegirl]

I laugh at those articles too, but I like to remember that we are all at a different place in our journeys. The frugal zealot in my winces when I hear of bargain $100 outfits and overpriced groceries that are "on sale" when I know that we are still paying an enormous surcharge for the privilege of buying a few ounces of packaged flour.

But then I am reminded that there really are people who are shopping blind and spending themselves into a hole. People really do need to be reminded to spend less, shop around, buy generic, use coupons when they can. I can think of 5 people off the top of my head who shop and shop and shop -- food, clothes, tools, etc, etc, etc...people who simply spend money because they can and to whom the idea of budgeting or spending less is shocking and foreign.

[Norasmomma]

It does seem so silly, but in reality not everyone does get that. I feel lucky enough to have a MIL who has raised 7 kids, plus their friends and girlfriends and now has a giant family. I have learned so much from her about buying things the season before like clothes, toys, etc and saving tons of money on presents. She is the queen of sales shopping.

I was just getting my hair cut yesterday and was talking about how I am super into couponing. My hairstylist was pretty amazed at my coupon stacking and sales shopping, plus making a stockpile. She was totally amazed at the deals I am getting and have gotten. She was saying that she always finds herself out of things when they aren't on sale. Her example was brown sugar, I told her that there is a cycle to sales and gave her the info to hotcouponworld to go check out the cycle of when things are on sale-they have a great month by month resource on there. It really does make a difference. Plus many people don't realize that you can stack store coupons, with manufacturer's coupons and possibly any other discounts that may be available. There are times when you can make money or barely spend a dime. I find the concept a challenge and a game that I completely enjoy.

I used to be the spontaneous shopper, I worked as a hairstylist pre-DD and found myself in the store many times wandering around wondering what to get, I could easily drop $50 bucks no problem. Now as a SAHM I have had to change my ways(of course) and I know am the queen of couponing, at least for me. I know how things work and how sales work, there actually is a science to it. IT does take a bit of work also, it's not just oh I'll find the flyer and go from there, you have to do a bit of work to make it work. At least that's what I find.

I guess for the general person watching the Today show it probably is a new concept, honestly for me most of the time when I watch any of those news stories I just cringe because the info is so inane, but for some people out there it is helpful.

[kalisis]

Originally Posted by Ruthiegirl

I laugh at those articles too, but I like to remember that we are all at a different place in our journeys.

I try to remember this and be humble about how far I've come. I come from a family who shops without a list and buys whatever they want, whenever they want it. They're lucky - they make a lot of money and at this point, don't want for much. So, they really can do it this way, while still saving a lot of money.

But, I am a single mom with two kids. And I don't have that luxury. So, I had to learn quick and fast how to be more frugal and I screw up all the time. I'm not above over-spending or losing my head every now and then and buying something I just want that isn't on my need list.

I've come so far though. Seriously. I just marvel at my family and how they spend - I'm happy for them, that they have that ability. But, I also know that at the end of the day, I'm just at a different place in my journey and I've been given different cards.

[PenelopeJune]

Originally Posted by Ruthiegirl
I laugh at those articles too, but I like to remember that we are all at a different place in our journeys.

I agree, but I just wish for once there was an article where I wasn't already doing every single thing on the list!

[bobandjess99]

Originally Posted by PenelopeJune

I agree, but I just wish for once there was an article where I wasn't already doing every single thing on the list!

I do hear you. I agre with everything that has been said..i want to SCERAM at the tv about how "affordable" the $90 dress is when compared to the $600 one..uh...ok.....but $90 has to feed my family for 4 days and scrub my toilet, in addition to being a dress at least 2 family members can wear, LOL!!

I also want to be like..uh..duh at the suggestions to make a list or use coupons, etc...but honestly, i know so many people who don't have a clue. Heck...*I* go and just wander at least half the time, although I do usually have a general idea of what we're going to get.
:

[rebeccalynn]

Originally Posted by Leta

One of the things that annoys the living crap out of me about stories like these are how they play it fast and loose with what "from scratch" means.

This makes me laugh also. I grew up with my mom making things from scratch. yum!

Please share your tofu recipe. MIL might be really impressed if I could make tofu.

For those of you who eat tofu and do not want to make it, a lot of the Asian groceries have tofu for much cheaper b/c it is more of a common ingredient. We also get a lot of veggies, fruit, and fish from there.

The other one that gets me is the wide definition of "homemade".

[Leta]

This is where I learned to make soymilk and tofu. (In case you didn't already know, you have to make soymilk first to make tofu. Just like you have to have dairy milk to make butter/cheese.)

I make my soymilk, then I add vanilla and barley malt, so it tastes like EdenSoy. Very yummy.

Homemade tofu is also head and shoulders above storebought.

There are also some good Youtube videos about this.

I can buy organic soybeans for $1.60/#. This makes a gallon of soymilk, which in turn makes a pound of tofu. So it is very cost effective.

[newbymom05]

As strange as it sounds, I think these articles give some people permission to save money. Seriously, my SIL grew up in a fairly affluent family and she acts like it's a shameful thing to have to economize, so an article like that makes her feel trendy rather than poor. Honestly, if all you went by was the mass media--whose best interest is to make everyone think they should be spending more--you'd think everyone lived better than you did.

[choli]

Originally Posted by Ruthiegirl

I laugh at those articles too, but I like to remember that we are all at a different place in our journeys. The frugal zealot in my winces when I hear of bargain $100 outfits.

Ah, but the frugal zealot in me knows that a $100 bargain outfit often is a bargain if it has good material, fits well and is a classic style - it will outlast many many "bargain" outfits that cost much less. We are indeed all at different places in our journeys.

[rebeccalynn]

Originally Posted by Leta

This is where I learned to make soymilk and tofu. (In case you didn't already know, you have to make soymilk first to make tofu. Just like you have to have dairy milk to make butter/cheese.)

I make my soymilk, then I add vanilla and barley malt, so it tastes like EdenSoy. Very yummy.

Homemade tofu is also head and shoulders above storebought.

There are also some good Youtube videos about this.

I can buy organic soybeans for $1.60/#. This makes a gallon of soymilk, which in turn makes a pound of tofu. So it is very cost effective.

Ooh, thank you, thank you! I can not wait to try this.

[icxcnika]

Don't have time to say much, but I LOVE this thread!!

[rainbowmoon]

I am just taking notes as I am a writer and HAVE written about this topic (though of course with more helpful ideas than what I see here thankfully! ).

[stellarae]

i hate how i read the same article over and over again. its like someone is copying and pasting their way though every news show and blog.

what we need is an article detailing what to do AFTER you make those initial changes. thats what would help me. something that shows what convenience foods are easy to make and much cheaper - because honestly, i dont have time to spend 3 hours making something for $2 when i could have bought it for $2.50 at the store, but let me save a couple bucks and im there!

i wouldnt feel bad buying a $50 pair of jeans, though, if they fit and were made well - as compared to a $20 pair that would look frumpy and wear out quickly. occasionally you have to add a nice piece in your wardrobe! i just save the $20 i would have spent on pants a couple times over... i wouldnt buy clothes constantly, but i believe in buying wardrobe staples that are quality.

[Ruthiegirl]

Originally Posted by PenelopeJune

I agree, but I just wish for once there was an article where I wasn't already doing every single thing on the list!

I was thinking about this last weekend while I was shoveling free sheep poop from a friend's barn. The poop and straw are for my garden where I grow much of our produce. I was up to my knees in it (my friend has been saving me a big pile) and I was thrilled to have a good source of free garden nitrogen.

But seriously! I haul free manure to grow my own food!!!! I want just one of those morning shows/articles to relate to my situation.

[Ruthiegirl]

Originally Posted by Ruthiegirl

I was thinking about this last weekend while I was shoveling free sheep poop from a friend's barn. The poop and straw are for my garden where I grow much of our produce. I was up to my knees in it (my friend has been saving me a big pile) and I was thrilled to have a good source of free garden nitrogen.

But seriously! I haul free manure to grow my own food!!!! I want just one of those morning shows/articles to relate to my situation.

I sounded grumpy here and I am really not so. I love living off our land and doing all that we do here. Love it.

Some days are just odd and this is one of them. So many people I run into laugh and joke about my way of life being all hip and trendy. "Oooooo...look at me Ruth. I am just like you now -- I wash my Ziploc bags!!!!!" You know the conversation that includes a giddy squeal.

"Wheeeeeee! Frugality is fun!"

[SAHDS]

Originally Posted by rebeccalynn

The other one that gets me is the wide definition of "homemade".

I had a friend (years back) who claimed her ranch dressing was homemade when I said how good it was. She then showed me the packet and told me what she had added to "make it". Seriously, she believed that was homemade. I hesitate to say DH's spaghetti sauce is from scratch/homemade since he didn't grow the tomatoes (although he planted some last week so that'll soon change!)

As for those articles - sadly they're written for the masses and I'm not surprised it helps the average person.

And a big "YEAH" to the question of why they never make coupons I could actually use.

[lmonter]

Yeah. But I'm also a bit more extreme than some of my friends what with the extra freezer and watching sales and gardening and canning.
And yeah, the coupons. Where are coupons for free Sensodyne or Tom's of Maine or Sudafed? That's what we'd use. *sigh*