[oetien]

So, we have no income (for now) and we have $60 cash in hand. We also have $45 gift card to Whole Foods. Most of our bills are 'paid enough so we don't get cut off.' We don't have to buy Christmas present for anyone. I have a 3 year old daughter, and I have bought her some clothes for Christmas (she does love clothes). I can't find anything I can return to the store for cash. She wants a christmas tree, but I can probably talk her out of it. (or, if anyone have any idea for a "Christmas tree" for less than $10)

Please help me budget to make it through the month.

What's the best thing to buy at WF? I usually buy organic milk for dd (now I think I'll get the non-organic kind), pasta, canned beans, WW flour, frozen veggies.

Our pantry is kinda stocked, but we tend to go through food very fast.
We cook from scratch and tend to eat more ethnic food. We don't eat meat for every meal.

 

[earthmama369]

$45 at Whole Foods can go really fast, but you can stretch it a lot by using it in the bulk bin section -- beans, rice, flour, sugar, salt, oatmeal, couscous, etc.

For a Christmas tree, if you have any craft materials lying around the house, you can make a tree -- as big as you want -- out of paper cut and glued together, and then painted. Even newspaper works for this. Layer it a little for more depth and texture. Hang it on a wall, cut out more paper (scraps of old wrapping paper are great for this) to make the ornaments.

 

[westernskies]

You can make a hand tree. Trace your family members hands on green paper, cut them out, and then glue them all together with the fingers pointing down to look like branches/leaves. We did this one year when we were moving over the holidays and it came out great.

I ditto the bulk bin suggestion above.

 

[KurumiSophia]

I don't have much advice as far as Whole Foods shopping goes but maybe you could paint your DD a tree on the wall?

 

[Staceyy]

You can advertise on Craigslist or Freecycle for a free tree. You'll need to specify whether you are looking for a natural or artificial tree, the size, and state you need it for your daughter who has been asking for one. I have no doubt you'll get one.

 

[dubfam]

You are getting some great ideas!
I second that you should Try Craig's List or Freecycle for a tree.

Definately hit up the bulk bins at WF...buy bulk dry beans instead of canned. They are so.much.cheaper. You can buy dry popcorn in bulk and use that for a cheap snack food. There are so many different ways to season Popcorn.
Only buy veggies and fruits that are in season and a good price. Look at the sale flyer for your store and see what they have on sale. I always make lots of soups when we are stretching the budget. 1 small whole chicken w/som veggies and you can make a HUGE pot of chicken soup. You can freeze half for later in the month. It is SO GOOD with noodles or with rice. You can make home made noodles for cheap.

Another option might be to sell the gift card on Craig's List for $40 and then you could spend that $ where ever you really needed to.

Also, if you think it might be a while before you can pay your bills again you might want to start making arrangements with the companies NOW, before you get to shut off or warning status. You could also look around in your area for energy/heat assistance, just in case. Places are usually out of funds and will tell you to call back in about 4 weeks. I would make a list of all the agencies and what date they will have funding. That way if you need it you will know who to call first.

Have you thought about signing up with the holiday helpers here (MDC)?

You are on the right track by posting here! there are so many smart and frugal parents here!!

:

I am sorry that you are going through this. A year ago to this day I was 2 days away from giving birth. We got a 72 hour notice (pay our rent or our landlord would start eviction proceedings) as well as a 5 day shut off notice for our electric. We did not have the money, but we figured it out. We did not lose our place to live or our electricity. It was scary though. Anyway, I say this because now we are doing fine. We were even able to help some other families this year. You will be on the other side of this hard time. It sounds like you have a good attitude about it. So many of us have been there (or are there right now!)

 

[WC_hapamama]

As far as Christmas trees go, if you can't find an artificial one on craigslist or freecycle, you could probably get one for cheap or even free on Christmas Eve from a Christmas tree lot.

 

[AndrewsMother]

$45 at WF you can feed your family for half of the month if you are very frugal. Avoid the canned beans as they will waste a large portion of your money.

We are on a self imposed budget and eat mostly beans, pasta and rice that we purchase from WF. $25 of bulk legumes and rice can feed my family of 3 for two weeks. Sometimes three.
Are you a member of costco or sams? Do you have a friend who is?

They have 7 pound bags of frozen vegetables for less than $6.00. Organic milk is cheaper there as well.

 

[GoGoGirl]

I don't have a Whole Foods, so I don't have any advice about that.

I have another tree idea though...What about something like this? I think it looks magical--and I bet a 3 year old would think so too! If you already have lights and ornaments for it, it would basically be free. Otherwise, the dollar store has Christmas lights and ornaments.

 

[cristeen]

With the WF money, I would go through my pantry and see what holes I have right now. Dry beans, lentils, rice, popcorn, flour, baking soda, powder, yeast, salt, sugar, oatmeal, pasta, etc. With those basics you can make a lot. Whatever you don't have on hand get out of the bulk bins at WF. Make sure you have some form of oil/fat on hand. Unless you have some meat in the freezer, I'd get a whole chicken and/or a roast depending on the price, and like a pp said make stock, and portion out the meat, freezing it in 1/2-1 cup portions to use throughout the month. Pick up some basic veggies... the kind that won't rot quickly. Cabbage, carrots, celery, onions, potatoes. If you can get a 100-pack of tortillas at your store, I'd include that, or else you can make your own with flour, water and oil. And don't forget eggs. I'd only buy milk if there was money left on the gift card after getting the above, and I would probably culture it, since it will do more good that way. If you're cheese people, I'd buy that after all of the above, too. That's assuming that you're trying to stick to just the $45 for groceries. If you're willing to spend some of your cash on groceries, I'd go wherever they're cheapest to pick up tortillas, produce, oil, eggs, meat, etc. For me that's Chinatown or the farmer's market, and spend the WF money on the staples like grains and legumes.

Are you going to need gasoline between now and then? Bus fare? Any transportation costs? Be sure to set that aside up front.

 

[AngelBee]

What else would your dd like for Christmas?

Anyone else you need gifts for?

Will be back with some links

 

[AngelBee]

Lots of food ideas

http://www.mothering.com/discussions....php?t=1006616

 

[AngelBee]

Christmas ideas:

http://www.mothering.com/discussions....php?t=1006539

http://www.mothering.com/discussions...d.php?t=905510

http://www.mothering.com/discussions....php?t=1006190

 

[oetien]

Quote:

Originally Posted by cristeen With the WF money, I would go through my pantry and see what holes I have right now. Dry beans, lentils, rice, popcorn, flour, baking soda, powder, yeast, salt, sugar, oatmeal, pasta, etc. With those basics you can make a lot. Whatever you don't have on hand get out of the bulk bins at WF. Make sure you have some form of oil/fat on hand. Unless you have some meat in the freezer, I'd get a whole chicken and/or a roast depending on the price, and like a pp said make stock, and portion out the meat, freezing it in 1/2-1 cup portions to use throughout the month. Pick up some basic veggies... the kind that won't rot quickly. Cabbage, carrots, celery, onions, potatoes. If you can get a 100-pack of tortillas at your store, I'd include that, or else you can make your own with flour, water and oil. And don't forget eggs. I'd only buy milk if there was money left on the gift card after getting the above, and I would probably culture it, since it will do more good that way. If you're cheese people, I'd buy that after all of the above, too. That's assuming that you're trying to stick to just the $45 for groceries. If you're willing to spend some of your cash on groceries, I'd go wherever they're cheapest to pick up tortillas, produce, oil, eggs, meat, etc. For me that's Chinatown or the farmer's market, and spend the WF money on the staples like grains and legumes. Are you going to need gasoline between now and then? Bus fare? Any transportation costs? Be sure to set that aside up front.

We don't drive and we have enough balance in our transportation card for another month or two (and yep, I did buy it upfront)

We eat a lot of rice and we usually buy it in chinatown (last time it was $18 for 25 lbs) We only have about a pound left, so I think I am going to spend my money on that (and pick up some asian veggies and tofu while I'm there, I plan to spend $25 or so).

I made 5 yogurt tube of turkey stock after thanksgiving.
We have 2 lbs of ground beef, 3 lbs of chicken meat, a pound of ground turkey, a pound of tilapia fillet, and a little bit of frozen tuna.
We have 5 pounds or so of frozen veggies, 7 cans of beans, 10 lbs of WW flour, 1/2 bottle of canola oil.

I need some eggs, I think I'm going to get a couple dz of "regular" eggs because they're on sale for $3 for 2 dz.

 

[oetien]

Quote:

Originally Posted by dubfam You are getting some great ideas! I second that you should Try Craig's List or Freecycle for a tree. Definately hit up the bulk bins at WF...buy bulk dry beans instead of canned. They are so.much.cheaper. You can buy dry popcorn in bulk and use that for a cheap snack food. There are so many different ways to season Popcorn. Only buy veggies and fruits that are in season and a good price. Look at the sale flyer for your store and see what they have on sale. I always make lots of soups when we are stretching the budget. 1 small whole chicken w/som veggies and you can make a HUGE pot of chicken soup. You can freeze half for later in the month. It is SO GOOD with noodles or with rice. You can make home made noodles for cheap. Another option might be to sell the gift card on Craig's List for $40 and then you could spend that $ where ever you really needed to. Also, if you think it might be a while before you can pay your bills again you might want to start making arrangements with the companies NOW, before you get to shut off or warning status. You could also look around in your area for energy/heat assistance, just in case. Places are usually out of funds and will tell you to call back in about 4 weeks. I would make a list of all the agencies and what date they will have funding. That way if you need it you will know who to call first. Have you thought about signing up with the holiday helpers here (MDC)? You are on the right track by posting here! there are so many smart and frugal parents here!! : I am sorry that you are going through this. A year ago to this day I was 2 days away from giving birth. We got a 72 hour notice (pay our rent or our landlord would start eviction proceedings) as well as a 5 day shut off notice for our electric. We did not have the money, but we figured it out. We did not lose our place to live or our electricity. It was scary though. Anyway, I say this because now we are doing fine. We were even able to help some other families this year. You will be on the other side of this hard time. It sounds like you have a good attitude about it. So many of us have been there (or are there right now!)

I've signed up for holiday helper a long time ago (because I kinda knew it's coming). We have been helped (that's why dd has enough clothes for the winter)

Our rent is paid for the month.
I have made arrangements with the electric company, they say they wouldn't shut us off in the winter (hopefully it's true). We don't need/qualify for heating assistance, our electric bill usually is only $10 higher in the winter because we use the heater "sparingly".. it worked out for us last year.

About the beans, we don't eat beans that much. I haven't had much success cooking dry beans

I usually use the canned beans for "the night I don't feel like cooking"

What is a "good price" for veggies? I usually buy frozen because I am too scatterbrained to buy a fresh one and cook it right away. Sometimes a sale veggie would "jump on me" when I am at a grocery store and I cook it for that night's dinner and it would be great, but it doesn't happen that much. Seems like frozen veggies are cheaper than fresh.

 

[oetien]

Quote:

Originally Posted by AndrewsMother $45 at WF you can feed your family for half of the month if you are very frugal. Avoid the canned beans as they will waste a large portion of your money. We are on a self imposed budget and eat mostly beans, pasta and rice that we purchase from WF. $25 of bulk legumes and rice can feed my family of 3 for two weeks. Sometimes three. Are you a member of costco or sams? Do you have a friend who is? They have 7 pound bags of frozen vegetables for less than $6.00. Organic milk is cheaper there as well.

Wow, you're so frugal.
$20 worth of rice usually less us a month, if we eat rice exclusively, but we need to buy things to go with it.

I don't have friends who go to Costo/Sam's.

 

[oetien]

I've "solved" the Christmas tree problem. We got this little balsam fir tree when we went to the christmas tree lighting in downtown. Dd puts little pieces of paper she colors all over it and calls it her christmas tree.
She loves it!

 

[AndrewsMother]

Quote:

Originally Posted by oetien Wow, you're so frugal. $20 worth of rice usually less us a month, if we eat rice exclusively, but we need to buy things to go with it. I don't have friends who go to Costo/Sam's.

Oh, I did not mean rice exclusively. With rice, beans, frozen veggies & pasta you can make.

1) fried rice - rice and frozen veggies

2) curry vegetable and rice

3) curry beans and rice

4) pasta and veggies stir fried w/ olive oil

5) lemon pepper veggie and rice

6) teriyaki vegetable and rice

7) bean and rice soup.

When I say beans, rice, veggies and pasta some people think bland. There is so much that can be done with these staples if you have seasoning/herbs/spices on hand. I don't just make plain old beans and rice.

 

[AndrewsMother]

We can buy a pack of tostada's for $1.50. One pack can last for three meals.

I use black lentils that are seasoned to taste like taco meat, topped with rice and cheese and it is yummy.

 

[oetien]

Quote:

Originally Posted by AndrewsMother Oh, I did not mean rice exclusively. With rice, beans, frozen veggies & pasta you can make. 1) fried rice - rice and frozen veggies 2) curry vegetable and rice 3) curry beans and rice 4) pasta and veggies stir fried w/ olive oil 5) lemon pepper veggie and rice 6) teriyaki vegetable and rice 7) bean and rice soup. When I say beans, rice, veggies and pasta some people think bland. There is so much that can be done with these staples if you have seasoning/herbs/spices on hand. I don't just make plain old beans and rice.

I do have seasonings and spices.
I do have to admit that my family eats more than most people. I think that's the main reason why the food doesn't last that long. I always feel that I don't function well without "enough" food.

I usually do stir fry with a lot of veggies and a little meat, sometimes curry.