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RE: Healthy grocery shopping on a budget of 100 dollars... - 10/25/2009 4:28:03 PM   
LeMis


Posts: 9255
Joined: 9/24/2005
From: Florida
Status: offline 		as for the green peppers..

are there some from the garden at your house, I think I just read that you got some there

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Profile   Post #: 81
RE: Healthy grocery shopping on a budget of 100 dollars... - 10/25/2009 5:17:52 PM   
Toppingfrmbottom


Posts: 6528
Joined: 6/7/2009
Status: offline 		If you stay with in a small serving size maybe it won't I don't know, but I do know some fruits are worse than others for spiking diabetics.

quote:

ORIGINAL: LeMis
I think someone once told me that grapes have tons of sugar in them, does that affect diabetics? I'm not diabetic so I don't know.
Just a couple of thoughts I was pondering.
Glad you seem so happy about finding a SAM's close by.

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Profile   Post #: 82
RE: Healthy grocery shopping on a budget of 100 dollars... - 10/25/2009 5:21:38 PM   
Toppingfrmbottom


Posts: 6528
Joined: 6/7/2009
Status: offline 		yeah there is, we have red and orange and yellow too, all though the crops almost done, and what's coming in is kind of small Still small or not if they're tasty small doesn't matter.
quote:

ORIGINAL: LeMis

as for the green peppers..

are there some from the garden at your house, I think I just read that you got some there

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Profile   Post #: 83
RE: Healthy grocery shopping on a budget of 100 dollars... - 10/25/2009 5:31:32 PM   
SDFemDom4cuck


Posts: 2809
Joined: 5/23/2005
From: P'burgh PA
Status: offline 		Best money saving items to own are a crock pot and a stand alone freezer. I found my freezer on craigslist, but try freecycle as well. Best $50 I ever spent and you can freeze pretty much anything except eggs.

Do you have a Farmer's Market in your area? If you go late in the day, towards the end, you can usually get a really good deal for what they have left rather than their having to take it home. I just got a huge flat of strawberries and a basket of tomatoes last weekend for $3.00 total because neither vendor wanted to lug their leftovers home.

When I first moved back to the midwest and into an apt. I had to restock my pantry basics. We have a large Amish community not far away and their store sells all kinds of dried spices and herbs for very cheap. For the rest I waited for sales and stocked up.

The upcoming holidays are great for baking ingredients to be on sale. I buy sugar, flour and butter when it's on sale cheap and freeze all of it. I buy enough to last until the next holiday season (Easter) and then buy enough to last until the next holiday season. So while I may have paid $40 total for 20 -1lb pkgs of butter, 20 lbs of flour and 20 lbs of sugar all at once I won't have to buy any of those items again until Spring and I have all my holiday baking basics bought.

With all the tomatoes I'm making 8 gallons of gravy (spaghetti sauce) this weekend. Bought a pkg of pork neckbones for $.50. The Chuck roast was on sale for $.99/lb so I bought 4-3 lb roasts and had the butcher grind 2 of the roasts for me into ground beef for meatballs and meatloaf. Much cheaper than $2.89/lb for ground beef. The other roasts I'll use for pot roast or italian beef in the slow cooker.I'll probably go back later this week and but 2 or 3 more roasts to last until the next time they go on sale that cheaply. I'll freeze the sauce in qt size bags and have sauce for a looong time. When pasta is on sale I buy enough to last until the next sale. I leave enough in the cupboard for a week or two and portion the rest into serving size amounts and toss in the freezer. With whatever is left of the tomatoes will make salsa and freeze it as well.

The key is planning ahead by buying stock items on sale and having a stocked pantry of basics in rotation.


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Profile   Post #: 84
RE: Healthy grocery shopping on a budget of 100 dollars... - 10/25/2009 5:51:46 PM   
InvisibleBlack


Posts: 865
Joined: 7/24/2009
Status: offline
quote:

ORIGINAL: Toppingfrmbottom

What are your tips on getting enough food for almost a month?



A lot of this has been said already but I'll see what I can offer from my own adventures in trying to stretch every food dollar:

1. Stop eating out
2. No pre-packaged food - cook or prepare every meal
3. Buy in bulk whenever possible
4. Haunt the meat section of your grocery store for deals - there's almost always one or more. Every now and then I could pick up a steak the size of a dinner plate for $3-$4. It was a lousy cut but marinated overnight and served with a side, it could easily make a truly delicious meal for 4 people. Chicken is often on sale at rock bottom prices. Sometimes pork is too.
5. Stir fry - the worst cuts of meat, the leftover veggies, whatever you've got sitting around can likely be stir-fried and served over pasta or rice or whatever. They can also be steamed if you're worried about extra-calories.
6. Eggs are your friends. From omelettes to french toast - eggs are cheap and make a lot of great meals.
7. A loaf of bread and a jar of peanut butter can feed a person for a week if worse comes to worst.
8. Ground beef can make a thousand great meals. Simple things like meat balls can be frozen and added to a lot of different meals to add a little flavor. A batch of taco meat can not only make tacos and burritos but also sloppy joes and a world of tasty inexpensive meals.
9. Plan out big recipes that can be frozen and spread over many meals. Lasagna, quesadillas, meatloaf, etc. can easily provide four or six meals at a very low cost/meal.
10. Watch out for anything "made easy" for you - it's always more expensive. Shredded cheese is far more expensive than a block of cheese and a cheesegrater. Pre-mixed cookie dough is far more expensive than buying eggs, flour, butter, etc. and making your own cookies. Those are the first two examples I can think of, but there are thousands of them.

That's everything I can think of off the top of my head.

[Edited for typos.]

< Message edited by InvisibleBlack -- 10/25/2009 5:54:23 PM >

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RE: Healthy grocery shopping on a budget of 100 dollars... - 10/26/2009 12:30:31 AM   
GYPSYMAMBO


Posts: 660
Joined: 9/26/2009
Status: offline 		OP:
When I had 3 kids and 2 hsubands to feed we found a FOOD AUCITON place that  auctioned damaged/outdated packages from grocery stores..
MAYBE THER SI ONE NEAR YOU...
or often there are racks of discounted things like day  old bread etc..
probably already mentioned.

...so eg)at auction...a case of peachs but the top of it was squashed and smashed or outdated salad dressing cheap chaep..
We learned what NOT to buy..to get home and make up perisables quick and
what was a good buy.
We also formed a group and pooled money so that  1 person would go each SAT morning and bid on larger amounts for the group.
Once in a while we got shitty stuff..like maggoty onions..sick but for the most part..
it was ok,
Freezer burned hash browns can be spiced..dented cans that have not been peirced are ok and then there were SURPRISE cans..no labels

also..we had several survival type books and one said beans could keep you alive a long time and had all that was needed..so often a can with tomato sauce is..maybe
40 cents??..or sacks of dry beans and lentils are cheap..add curry a few chicken bits..

FOR COSTCO..we also formed a group to buy bigger like 8 heads of lettuce and then divide




There are centres and hostels and care centres where they offer bread to ANYONE here..
maybe there is one there.

I have good recipes too if you want...

GM

(in reply to InvisibleBlack)
Profile   Post #: 86
RE: Healthy grocery shopping on a budget of 100 dollars... - 10/26/2009 1:10:57 AM   
dreamerdreaming


Posts: 2839
Status: offline 		~fast reply~

When I was dirt poor, I cooked a LOT of beans and rice. There are different kinds, so you can change it up. A big pot of soup or stew is good to last for a while, too. Make big pots, and freeze some for later. These are also good ways to stretch out your meat. A big pot of chili with meat, or soup with whatever meat you can get cheap- YUM. I fed my family pretty well.

Pasta is no longer on my diet, but back then it was another good way to stretch a meal. Is it still cheap?  If milk or eggs are cheap in your area, be grateful and take advantage of it. Is bread still cheap? If not, maybe you can bake your own for less.

Hit all the food banks and free meals regularly. Churches also can help a lot. Ask what you can do to help these places, in return.

Appy for food stamps, or whatever other aid you don't already have. If refused, appeal. See if you can do some work, or trade something in return for food, if you have farmers nearby or anyone around you growing anything. Or maybe just ask if you can have whatever's about to rot. Those things that won't sell, anyway.

Shop at Costco, or just buy in bulk. Hit the dollar store, canned goods store, and for heaven's sake make sure you are getting the government cheese every month! That big block of cheese is a lifesaver.

Use coupons, if they're worth it. Don't buy soda, or sugary drinks. Forget about junk food. You can also save money by not smoking, and not drinking alcohol. That money would be better spent on fruits and vegetables.

That's all I've got, for now. Been there, done that. I hope this helps.

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Profile   Post #: 87
RE: Healthy grocery shopping on a budget of 100 dollars... - 10/26/2009 2:18:19 AM   
Toppingfrmbottom


Posts: 6528
Joined: 6/7/2009
Status: offline 		Sure, Cmail them to me, and then after I try them I'll let you know how I liked them!

And thank you.

quote:

ORIGINAL: GYPSYMAMBO



I have good recipes too if you want...

GM


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Profile   Post #: 88
RE: Healthy grocery shopping on a budget of 100 dollars... - 10/26/2009 2:20:26 AM   
Toppingfrmbottom


Posts: 6528
Joined: 6/7/2009
Status: offline 		I am glad that neither of us smoke nor drink, nor do we do drugs, which I know from other people's experinces can be a very costly habit to have.


Soda is a huge biggie, for Daddy, if you saw where I mentioned he's a soda nut. Sam's club has a case of 24 for like I don't know 10 dollars, and maybe he can do a one time splurge, out of his own pocket, not grocery money and just ration.

quote:

ORIGINAL: dreamerdreaming

~ Don't buy soda, or sugary drinks. Forget about junk food. You can also save money by not smoking, and not drinking alcohol. That money would be better spent on fruits and vegetables.

That's all I've got, for now. Been there, done that. I hope this helps.

(in reply to dreamerdreaming)
Profile   Post #: 89
RE: Healthy grocery shopping on a budget of 100 dollars... - 10/26/2009 1:36:18 PM   
pahunkboy


Posts: 33061
Joined: 2/26/2006
From: Central Pennsylvania
Status: offline 		I like to keep fresh produce on hand.  Now - I try to buy what is in season- or competitively priced.   Aldis is not too bad for brocholi- carrots, mushrooms.

I know it costs more to eat that- but- in a way it is cheaper if you end up feeling better - even using less OTC products...

soda pop was invented for a Saturday night treat- not for a regular beverage.   I see it is still pretty cheap at the store-- possibly even a loss leader.

but I chug water.  it is better for you.

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Profile   Post #: 90
RE: Healthy grocery shopping on a budget of 100 dollars... - 10/26/2009 1:44:01 PM   
FoundEachOther


Posts: 20
Joined: 10/23/2009
Status: offline
quote:

neither of us qualify, I've thought about that before but he works full time and my SSI disqualifies me from getting stamps. Also a lot of those programs are being cut with the way things are right now. In just 6 months they lowered my SSI 4 times.
quote:

ORIGINAL: Toppingfrmbottom

neither of us qualify, I've thought about that before but he works full time and my SSI disqualifies me from getting stamps.  Also a lot of those programs are being cut with the way things are right now. In just 6 months they lowered my SSI 4 times. 
quote:

ORIGINAL: angelikaJ

I would check into food stamps.


You are in California. If you are not married and are on SSI, the cost of living is higher. I just went through this having moved from the midwest. I would try again, and at least apply for Food Stamps. As SSI almost always qualifies you for other programs if not food stamps. Also depending on age, there are many resources available to you.



< Message edited by FoundEachOther -- 10/26/2009 2:02:52 PM >

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Profile   Post #: 91
RE: Healthy grocery shopping on a budget of 100 dollars... - 10/26/2009 4:56:28 PM   
Toppingfrmbottom


Posts: 6528
Joined: 6/7/2009
Status: offline 		Me too, I don't get enough of it but Ilove water and I try to have like 5bottles of it a day, and a while back I filled 1 gallon water gugs and drank off them through out the day, and it was even a full days recommendation of water.

quote:

ORIGINAL: pahunkboy

but I chug water.  it is better for you.


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Profile   Post #: 92
RE: Healthy grocery shopping on a budget of 100 dollars... - 10/27/2009 8:38:55 AM   
ShhhImNotHere


Posts: 20
Joined: 1/17/2009
Status: offline 		Has anyone mentioned buying store brand soda instead of name brand?
What about store brand kool-aid or crystal light instead of soda?
What about buying 2 liter bottles instead of smaller bottles or cans?
What about gallons of water instead of smaller bottles as well?

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Profile   Post #: 93
RE: Healthy grocery shopping on a budget of 100 dollars... - 10/27/2009 9:45:56 AM   
CalifChick


Posts: 10717
Joined: 10/28/2007
From: California
Status: offline 		At a budget of 50 cents per person per meal, try tap water.

Cali


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Profile   Post #: 94
RE: Healthy grocery shopping on a budget of 100 dollars... - 10/27/2009 12:18:52 PM   
Toppingfrmbottom


Posts: 6528
Joined: 6/7/2009
Status: offline 		Gallons of water instead of bottles of individual really wouldn't work for me, since I admit part of the draw of bottles is the convenience of cracking one open and going, as well as it being good tasting. We've found a great deal of flats of water so that purchase will go farther, than it usually does.


And generic brand stuff is a good idea if it's worth it. Some generic brands are icky,  as we've found the hard way.
quote:

ORIGINAL: ShhhImNotHere

Has anyone mentioned buying store brand soda instead of name brand?
What about store brand kool-aid or crystal light instead of soda?
What about buying 2 liter bottles instead of smaller bottles or cans?
What about gallons of water instead of smaller bottles as well?

(in reply to ShhhImNotHere)
Profile   Post #: 95
RE: Healthy grocery shopping on a budget of 100 dollars... - 10/27/2009 12:32:40 PM   
estah


Posts: 491
Joined: 5/2/2009
Status: offline 		Greetings,

Why not keep several of the bottles and fill them up with water from the tap, add a touch of lemon/lime/orange juice and off you go? Great tasting and cheap.
You make a big deal about your 'Daddy' and his soda and say he has to pay for it out of his pocket, but your bottled water comes from the grocery budget...*shakes her head confused* Where is the difference?
verity

< Message edited by estah -- 10/27/2009 12:35:05 PM >

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Profile   Post #: 96
RE: Healthy grocery shopping on a budget of 100 dollars... - 10/27/2009 3:14:20 PM   
Toppingfrmbottom


Posts: 6528
Joined: 6/7/2009
Status: offline 		We're lucky that we have well water, so that'd probably work.

City water is disgusting lol particularly if you're in oaklohoma, which thank god we are not lol.


I didn't say Daddy had to pay for it out of pocket, I said maybe he could, and that wouldn't be 5 bucks off the grocery money, but yeah my waters are 4 bucks, and that takes away from food too.
quote:

ORIGINAL: estah

Greetings,

Why not keep several of the bottles and fill them up with water from the tap, add a touch of lemon/lime/orange juice and off you go? Great tasting and cheap.
You make a big deal about your 'Daddy' and his soda and say he has to pay for it out of his pocket, but your bottled water comes from the grocery budget...*shakes her head confused* Where is the difference?
verity

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Profile   Post #: 97
RE: Healthy grocery shopping on a budget of 100 dollars... - 10/27/2009 4:27:05 PM   
barelynangel


Posts: 6233
Status: offline 		You know before bottled water media hype, people drank tap water and faucet water with no issue.  grins and actually CITY water is better than well water -- ugh. 

I am not trying to come down on you but for someone who has a $100 budget PER MONTH (30 days) for TWO people, i would think the $4+ per case which if you go through 5 a day as you say you try to would average out to your needing 150 bottles which averages out to 7 cases a month which is over 1/4th of your budget for the month for 2 people without tax on something you can for free so to speak.

Seriously, take the bottles you have and fill them up with water.  You can get a brita type filter or something if you NEED filtered water, its a hell of a lot cheaper than paying over a 1/4 of your monthly budget on water.  All in all, it doesn't sound like you are in a situation to have your luxuries in this.  Also, you can look at bottled water as a TREAT instead of a necessity. 


angel



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Profile   Post #: 98
RE: Healthy grocery shopping on a budget of 100 dollars... - 10/27/2009 4:35:37 PM   
LeMis


Posts: 9255
Joined: 9/24/2005
From: Florida
Status: offline 		I buy bottled water and reuse the bottles filled from gallons of bottled water later.
I also drink tap water filled up in reuseable gallon containers and CHILLED (makes a BIG difference in taste, to me anyways).
As long as I am around the house or staying close by, well chilled tap water works for me. Might work for you too.

Also, well chilled store brand soda works well too (not ALL brands though, blech). Same theory as the water above I suspect.

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Profile   Post #: 99
RE: Healthy grocery shopping on a budget of 100 dollars... - 10/27/2009 8:21:07 PM   
thornhappy


Posts: 8596
Joined: 12/16/2006
Status: offline
quote:

ORIGINAL: barelynangel

You know before bottled water media hype, people drank tap water and faucet water with no issue.  grins and actually CITY water is better than well water -- ugh. 

I am not trying to come down on you but for someone who has a $100 budget PER MONTH (30 days) for TWO people, i would think the $4+ per case which if you go through 5 a day as you say you try to would average out to your needing 150 bottles which averages out to 7 cases a month which is over 1/4th of your budget for the month for 2 people without tax on something you can for free so to speak.

Seriously, take the bottles you have and fill them up with water.  You can get a brita type filter or something if you NEED filtered water, its a hell of a lot cheaper than paying over a 1/4 of your monthly budget on water.  All in all, it doesn't sound like you are in a situation to have your luxuries in this.  Also, you can look at bottled water as a TREAT instead of a necessity. 

angel


I'd probably go for bottled near Sacramento - they've had problems with perchlorate contamination there.

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Profile   Post #: 100
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