FRUSTRATED with groceries!

Avatar for sohappilyme
iVillage Member
Registered: 03-26-2003
FRUSTRATED with groceries!
15
Tue, 04-26-2005 - 4:39pm

This might qualify as a whine (sorry, Flylady) but I'm fed up with this!

Sarah

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Avatar for cherfer
iVillage Member
Registered: 11-11-2003
Wed, 04-27-2005 - 4:38pm
Wow, I guess I should stop worrying so much! Thanks! I will try to take advantage of this!!
iVillage Member
Registered: 04-02-2003
Sun, 05-01-2005 - 11:45pm
Do you have a farmer's market or produce stand in your area? I have found that this is much cheaper than buying produce at the grocery store and I generally get better quality, fresher produce as well. The only drawback is that you can usually only gets fruits and veggies that are in season - other than that I think you have got it down to an art form!
Avatar for cl_beckymk
iVillage Member
Registered: 03-19-2003
Mon, 05-02-2005 - 9:56am

I can't add much to what has already been said.


My only other suggestion is if you have an Aldi's near you - that is an awesome place to stock up on stuff (you do have to try and see if you like their stuff - there is some stuff I like and other stuff I don't).

iVillage Member
Registered: 05-02-2005
Mon, 05-02-2005 - 10:25am
hi - i feel your frustration. it's because it's such a never-ending and ongoing expense. you can't just avoid groceries. i find it's the same with 'household necessities' like laundry products, cleaners, shampoos (teen who wants different hair products as well), etc. I found a great wholesale place (that delivers!) and you don't buy in bulk. It's saved me SO much on laundry products alone, and cleaners are concentrated and effective (i use a LOT less). One of my favs if the dishwasher soap, i use 1/4 as much as what i used to use. It saves me money. Best part is -- i found that the old products i used were toxic, and what i use now is safe -- on top of the savings. Can't put a pricetag on safety within the home. Email me if you wanna know what i use. I can't help with groceries, but maybe if you save on other items, you'll have more for groceries! :)
Avatar for windryderm
iVillage Member
Registered: 03-26-2003
Mon, 05-02-2005 - 12:30pm
I can understand your frustration. I have a food allergy (legumes-soy, beans, peas, etc) and trying to stay within a budget and buying food that does not contain soy is very hard. Soy is in everything so I have been able to work around it by making my own breads, muffins, pasta and on the list goes. At the end of summer, my family cans our own sauces, fruits, jellies, and veggies from our gardens which saves us $$. The kids love to help too. Plus the taste is so much better than store bought. Meat is expensive where I live so I get it in bulk, on sale when I can, plus, when I make dishes that have like hamburger I only add about 1/2 to 2/3 of a pound which can help stretch the meat further and just add more pasta and/or veggies. At my house no one has complained yet. :)
Breakfasts, I make lots of extra of pancakes, french toast or waffles and freeze the left overs on a cookie sheet with parchment paper between layers until frozen, then bag then up for later. When the kids want some during the week, I just pop one or two into the toaster. Also, my kids aren't that into their cereals, they prefer yogurt for breakfast and I only buy it when the small containers are 3 or 4 for a dollar and stock up. For cereals, I buy it in bags, it is usually cheaper and you get almost twice as much for less money. I have a couple plastic containers to keep the cereal from going stale. Just last friday, I went to my local grocery store and bought Safeway's generic bagged coco puffs (called cocoa astros), 32 oz for $1.99. The kids can't tell the difference. :)
All in all, I usually spend anywhere from about $30 to $50 a week in food, at most, for a family of 4. Now if I could do as well on gas then I'd be happy!

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