[ceeveg]

I've posted something similar before in frugality and finances, but would like a vegetarian/vegan perspective. We're not near any co-ops or farmer's markets, and I've looked into CSA options, but it would eat up half of our weekly budget.

How do you wonderful mamas save money on grocery bills? We have about $50 a week as our budget for two adults and one 9mo beginning to eat solids (veggies, fruits, legumes, grains). Any suggestions?

Our main options for shopping are Kroger and a Super Walmart. We find fruits, veggies and organic options are somewhat expensive at Kroger, and don't really want to go the non-organic route for our dd.

Thank you so much!!

 

[ladylove]

I'm always looking for ideas on this, too.

A big $$ eater is boxed cereal. We rarely buy this, but likely will more when summer comes and a bowl of hot oatmeal just doesn't sound too good. I'd love hot weather breakfast ideas.

I buy most beans in dried form, although a few cans are good to have around for last-minute suppers.

It's too bad you don't have a Costco nearby. I just picked up a 20 lb. bag of WW flour for $9 and a 13 lb. bag of organic brown rice for $12. Baking bread at home really helps with cost.

 

[catnip]

One breakfast idea that we like is cold raw oats soaked overnight in soymilk and topped with nuts and raisins.

 

[ceeveg]

Thanks for the suggestions!

We do have a Costco, but it is quite a ways away, and my DH has said he doesn't want to renew our membership, for whatever reason.

We do oatmeal and fruit currently for breakfast (I do baked oatmeal so we can just scoop it into a bowl and microwave with the berries -- that way my husband can take it with him because he leaves for work so early).

We try to do beans and rice for lunch and dinner, but really find that the veggies and add-ons like salsas, etc., are upping our budget. I've looked into frozen vegetables. Do canned tomatoes have the same benefits as fresh?

I'm so surprised that oatmeal, beans and rice, and fresh fruits and veggies total more than $50/week. We are buying things like milk and cheese to add extra protein for my husband especially since his work is very strenuous. Milk can be very expensive -- it's about $5/gallon here, and he goes through about 2-gallons a week. And cheese is generally another $6-10 dollars or so.

I'd like to switch to powdered milk, but he says he's tried it, and wouldn't drink it.

 

[maciascl]

Can your buy your beans, rice etc... in bulk? It is usually cheaper that way. There are some sources on line if you don't have anything locally. What about planting a garden? Our soil is aweful so I did a container garden for the 1st time this year. We actually planted quite a bit in a fairly small area.

Oh yeah, if you use non dairy milks, rice & almond are pretty easy to make yourself if you have a good blender.

I do a big Costco trip once a month. If they have enough of the stuff you buy it might be worth keeping it & only going once a month or so. Besides bulk staples (rice, flour etc...) they have quite a bit of organics furits & veggies as well.

If you eat bread, have you tried making your own?

 

[ceeveg]

Maybe I can convince DH to pursue the once a month trip to Costco for staples. I've looked into buying bulk online, because the staples of our diet are oatmeal, beans and rice.

I think one of my problems is that I look at grocery buying as a weekly thing, when I should look at my overall budget for the month of $200 to buy most of the bulk/staple items, and then be able to spend less and just buy the fruits/veg/perishables each week.

 

[maciascl]

Quote:

Originally Posted by ceeveg Maybe I can convince DH to pursue the once a month trip to Costco for staples. I've looked into buying bulk online, because the staples of our diet are oatmeal, beans and rice. I think one of my problems is that I look at grocery buying as a weekly thing, when I should look at my overall budget for the month of $200 to buy most of the bulk/staple items, and then be able to spend less and just buy the fruits/veg/perishables each week.

I am struggeling with the so-much-at-once cost of buying in bulk as well. If you buy enough though, you may only have to do it once every couple of months. May be try save up a bit each week to prepare for it. It is tough.

 

[EnviroBecca]

Quote:

I think one of my problems is that I look at grocery buying as a weekly thing, when I should look at my overall budget for the month of $200 to buy most of the bulk/staple items, and then be able to spend less and just buy the fruits/veg/perishables each week.

Here's what I suggest: Using cash in a jar, a ledger, or a program like Quicken, set aside your $50 each week, and spend out of that money whenever you buy groceries. Stock up on non-perishables when they're on sale, and plan your meals around the perishables that are on sale. For example, if zucchini is 89c/lb. this week, buy a bunch of zucchini, have two meals with zucchini as a main ingredient, and grate the rest of the zucchini and freeze it for later. (It's easy to freeze any veg or fruit that you're going to cook before eating. Just cut it to the size you'll want, put the amount you'll use for one recipe in a plastic bag, squeeze out as much air as possible, and seal the bag.)