Saving money cooking from scratch

[audsma]

Yesterday and today I made: Tomato sauce from 25 lbs of tomatoes, cilantro ceasar dressing, 6 quarts of pinto beans, then refried, enchilada sauce, 12 quarts of chicken broth, croutons, pesto, and I froze broccoli florets, grated cheese and prepped salad greens. I purchased as much as I could locally from farmers, bought organic ingredients when available, and did as much as I could myself. My garden was decimated by deer this year, so none of it was grown on my land.

My savings? (I did not account for transport, gas and electric, packaging, etc.) I saved as much as I spent, so 50% savings, but it's actually more than that in comparison to when I was working b/c I would have had a meal or two out at a higher price to compensate for the exhaustion after a long day of work. These ingredients would have cost what I make in 3 hours of work, but I also saved what I make in that time, and perhaps saved what I make in up to five hours of work b/c when one family member "gets" food out, all of us do.

I love cooking. What surprised me, however, is despite the savings I felt I was getting on the tomatoes, I could have purchased an equivalent quality canned product for only $5 less than I spent on the ingredients. Certainly that was not the case with everything.

This is my first year as a SAHM and I'm curious as to what $ savings you have encountered through your similar efforts.

[Norasmomma]

Well I just made a huge pot of homemade chicken stock with a chicken that cost $4, that I baked last night. I also made roasted veggies-potatoes, carrots, and onions. The potatoes and onions were free from my neighbors, and I paid $1 a lb for the carrots at the farmer's market. So I *maybe* spent 4.50 on the meal, and it was rockin good.:

So tonight I am taking the rest of my roasted veggies, the chicken, the pan gravy, and the home made stock and making soup, which will cost pennies. I think I'll make some bread also(also pennies).

I make almost all of our food, we very rarely go out to eat. Last time we did(DH and I had a date) we pretty much spent what I normally do in a week for our family. we won't be doing that again. Plus I can cook better anyway, although it is fun. It kinda was a letdown. I don't think date night is our thing. I think I'll continue cooking for us, and maybe have date night here instead.