Eating well AND saving money

iVillage Member
Registered: 09-28-2004
Eating well AND saving money
10
Tue, 09-28-2004 - 8:47pm
Here's what I'm wondering -- how much do people spend each week on groceries (and for how many people). If you do pretty good on getting healthy food for a good price -- please share your secret! I find I can whittle my budget down OR I can buy lots of fresh fruits and vegetables but NOT BOTH. Please -- put in your 2 cents!
iVillage Member
Registered: 05-25-2004
Tue, 09-28-2004 - 9:06pm
I cannot offer any advice. Sorry! But, I can say that I dread a trip to the grocery store. Keeping a budget on groceries is the hardest thing. As a single person, it is difficult to buy in small amounts. I mean, take the meat section. They package the meats family size. Then, when you ring for the meat cutter to repackage it, he looks at you like you are a nut. Or, he does me. Well, where I live, if you aren't married with 2 kids by 32, something is wrong. So, I guess the meat cutter is thinking, "Lady if you would get yourself a man, you wouldn't be bothering me." LOL

Or, when I ask for 1 fillet of Orange Roughy, which BTW is the only fish I've ever prepared to eat by myself. Another look from the meat cutter man. LOL

And, don't do like me and get hooked on those expensive drinks like Yoohoos and IBC Diet Root Beer. I tried to go a week without the root beer and thought I was detoxing. I found myself on a street corner hocking my fresh fruits...yelling- "Come on man, buy my apples- I need a root beer!" No, not really, but I felt like that on the inside.

Anyway, I'm babbling. Hopefully, someone here on this board will have a good how to single buying groceries 101. I know I'll be lurking!

rj


Edited 9/28/2004 9:07 pm ET ET by just_call_me_rj

rj

Franco Harris of the Pittsburgh Steelers in 197

iVillage Member
Registered: 02-15-2004
Tue, 09-28-2004 - 10:30pm
Mopsey and RJ, I hope there is some good advice on this one. I hate grocery shopping more than anything. The only affordable food seems to be the junk food. Sandra

Sandr

iVillage Member
Registered: 09-28-2004
Tue, 09-28-2004 - 11:23pm
RJ you are cracking me up! :o) I was grinnin' reading your post. Hocking your apples for root beer huh? That IS an addiction. And you know what? I'm totally addicted to soda. I know -- not healthy AT ALL, but it's my one vice so I'm keeping it.

Sandra re: junk food -- that's the thing.... there are plenty of high sodium carby foods you can get for cheap but FORGETTABOUTIT on the fruits and vegetables! When I shop with clients who have so little money for food it's hard to encourage them to get fruits and veggies instead of ramen noodles when I have trouble buying healthy stuff with my budget. And while I'm trying to watch my budget it's not as low as theirs.

So basically you two are awesome for giving support but we're right back where we started. Where are all the health nut/bean counters? ;oP

iVillage Member
Registered: 09-29-2003
Tue, 09-28-2004 - 11:33pm
RJ my friend ..You are such a nut!~ The things you come up with crack me up..
The drive by got me last time... now selling your apples... Haaaaaaa..
I know I owe you an e-mail and will get to it.. Geez... I owe quite a few e-mails come to think of it....

 C  >^. A .

iVillage Member
Registered: 09-28-2004
Wed, 09-29-2004 - 9:37am


*BUMP*
iVillage Member
Registered: 03-31-2003
Wed, 09-29-2004 - 9:57am
I can relate to this question very well. There are only 2 of us and it's still hard to choose between the fresh stuff or macs & cheese.

This summer I started buying my fresh fruits & veggies at a local farmer's market. There's not as much selection, but great prices. Also, Aldi or Sav-a-lot stores are wonderful. They have great prices on everything.

This winter I'll be switching to frozen veggies & fruit. Some of it I bought & froze myself from the farmer's market. We'll see how that turns out.

i know it's a pain, but buying the family sized packages of meat and portioning it out & freezing works well for me too. They are usually priced better and you won't need to buy again for a while.

There has to be other ways too, please share!

iVillage Member
Registered: 10-08-2003
Wed, 09-29-2004 - 10:44am

I have NO good advice on this one ~ sorry! I just wanted to agree with everyone else. Why is it that only the really bad stuff for you is cheap???


Here at school, I have a very tight food budget. I got $375 in food money to last from mid August - (almost) mid December. Now, I can go by a piece of pizza for $1.75 or I can go by a cup of lowfat soup and a small grilled chicken wrap sandwich for $8.25. Or I can go to chick-fil-a and buy a breaded chicken sandwich and french fries for $2 or a grilled chicken sandwich and side salad for $6. Now tell me which choice I can most afford to make? Its ridiculous!


~C

iVillage Member
Registered: 09-28-2004
Wed, 09-29-2004 - 9:31pm
Tmunky -- Those are some good ideas! Especially the frozen fruit which I have to admit I didn't even know existed. :^O I eat frozen veggies a lot because they keep so much longer and therefore are easier for us to keep our budget slim.

I know there's a farmer's market here on Saturday mornings but I keep forgetting to go -- thanks for the reminder! :^)

iVillage Member
Registered: 09-28-2004
Wed, 09-29-2004 - 9:34pm
WOW Courtney -- only $375 for three months of food? I feel like I must waste my money on the wrong things -- we spend $480 a month for three people. Well okay, that also covers cleaning supplies and paper products, but still. I'm impressed that you can spend so little on food. Good job!
iVillage Member
Registered: 10-08-2003
Thu, 09-30-2004 - 8:08am

Honestly, I don't know HOW people do it. I eat a

~C