Jlogged

As gas prices climb, so has everything else. One of the biggest areas our family has taken a hit is the grocery store. I am seriously depressed when I leave the parking lot after loading my van with what (feels like) should be a heck of a lot more groceries.

Admittedly, we spend a lot (for us) on food. I also admit that several of my staples include organics like lettuce, milk, and carrots. I will never not buy real butter, and we do eat decent meat cuts and whole grain breads. I could skimp and buy certain things canned, white bread, processed cheap-o junk, but we would feel like crap. Been there done that. You are what you eat, and if you eat well you feel well.

Back in August I blogged about how we didn’t even come close to the moderate plan from the list of F.D.A family food cost, and that I actually spent less than the “thrifty” plan most weeks. That was including all things I buy at the store not just food. Now, just six months later we spend at least 30% more and I am buying less food.

I can’t make the food costs come down, but I can share some ideas that help me to stay within budget but still eat well.

~Buy meat in bulk when it is on sale and freeze it. A freezer is a great investment if you utilize it this way. I also hit up Sam’s in the early morning and get stellar deals on marked down meats like pork loin and ground beef.

~Join a local yahoo coupon group where people post alerts to hot sales, coupon tips, freebies, etc… I just did this. I’m no expert, and it is time consuming but supposedly it pays off.

~Plan meals ahead of time. In order to cook, save, AND eat healthy it takes time. Time shopping for the best deal, time prepping meals, and time cooking. I spend a good hour prepping dinner, cleaning up, and packing leftovers for lunches every night. It’s worth it though. If the boy’s eat lunch at school it costs 60.00 per month, and the husband’s lunches at 5 bucks a pop add another another 25.00 (or more) per week for a whopping 160.00 a month!!

~Cook from scratch. Easier said than done, but there are some great resources at hillbillyhousewife.com, dollar stretcher,frugal families. and

~Host a soup swap party, or organize an O.M.A.C group and freeze enough dinners for a week or a month!

~Make friends with your crock pot, bread machine, and rice cooker. I use the heck out of my crock pot if I know I am going be gone all day, and the rice cooker is great because it makes the perfect batch of rice every time. Rice is something you can quickly and easily build a meal around too! As for the bread machine if you don’t make bread it’s still GREAT for making pizza dough. Pizza can be made for pennies at home, and the kiddos love to help build their own. I am lamenting selling my bread machine several years ago. I found out after the fact about making perfect pizza dough in them.

~Grow a garden. Check out path to freedom’s website. The pictures are amazing!

~Angel food Ministries food program. This is open to anyone and everyone, and although I have never used it I know a few people who have and said it was decent food, at a great price. They have a senior citizen plan, and family plans. Check their site for pick up locations near you.

What are some of your tips? How do you make ends meet? What’s your favorite healthy inexpensive meal? I want to know.

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