Guest guest Posted March 5, 2006 Report Share Posted March 5, 2006 I'm in L.A. and it's common to pay over $3 for a 10 lb bag of potatoes and I see tomatoes $2.99 a lb. What I do is make pit stops. I run into the middle eastern market for vine ripe tomatoes at 99 cents a lb, go to the Mexican market for bananas 39 cents a lb. watch all the market ads. If I see zucchinis for 99 cent a lb I will buy several lbs and during the week I will make zucchini pie, maybe a loaf of zucchini bread, zucchini patties and freeze a few. I stock up on pasta when I see it for 2 pound bags for $1.00 and I always have soup and pasta dishes to make. It's not only budgeting the groceries but trying to note recipes to cook during the week with what I find on sale from the weekend. That's the wonderful thing about having the groups recipes filed. Easy access and you can seach in different areas for recipes. Don't forget to ask if you need any certain recipes. Donna --- LindaC <muggle311 wrote: > Kenia > Thanks for all of the tips. I wanted to know where > you lived as that also makes a huge difference. I > used to live in New York (upstate) and groceries > were 1/3 of the price they are here in Central > Oregon. > Tomatoes I would love them but at $3 a pound they > are not in my budget, avocados I love they are $1 > each on sale!!! > I have to laugh we are next to Idaho and unless > potatoes are on sale they are also $3 a bag! I > usually buy red and Yukon gold potatoes as they are > lower on the glycemic index for me they are $2.50 a > bag. > I do get some of my items at Grocery Outlet as I had > mentioned however I do think where we live has a lot > to do with it. > When I was in NY I am sure that grocery store did > more business in one day than these do in a week. > Volume means a lot and also means lower prices. > I used to love the A & P market it was my favorite. > Hopefully we can all help each other. I do eat > oatmeal for breakfast, I make my own hashbrowns(most > store ones have beef suet in them)etc. I also am a > huge soup fan. > I guess I need to eat less ROTFL- > Linda > > - > mistressofthedishes > > Sunday, March 05, 2006 11:09 AM > eating expense Linda & > Erin How can we help each other cut costs??? > > > > I usually start the day with oatmeal or I might make > a breakfast > burrito with an egg white and potato stuffing. > I take lunch and it's usually left-overs from bean > and rice > enchiladas, I take corn tortillas and stuff with > Mexican rice and > diced tomatoes and avocados, things if that nature. > I use the groups > recipe files for casseroles and I freeze many of > them in portions. I > make quite a bit of soups also and they are very > good with my budget, > I toss rice, pasta and all the odds and ends of my > veggies in the > soup pot. I don't eat out either unless I'm meeting > friends or it's a > family affair. > Kenia > > > > > [Non-text portions of this message have been > removed] > > Take me down little Susie, take me down I know you think you're the queen of the underground And you can send me dead flowers every morning Send me dead flowers by the mail Send me dead flowers to my wedding And I won't forget to put roses on your grave - yeah! " Sourse- Dead Flowers by The Stones Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted March 5, 2006 Report Share Posted March 5, 2006 Oh well no difference here other than the other little markets you have we have none. I think there may be one in Bend which is 30 miles away. I just watch for sales. I would love to see Eggplant back down to $1 each but so far nah. LOL I too stock up on pasta when I can. I am trying for whole wheat now. I also buy bulk as that does save me. I am giving a good go this year however and so far so good. I have caught in store bargains and came out well. It still costs me more than I would like but oh well things do go up. I try to do the menu thing but so far it may sound good on Sunday but when the day comes well not my cup of tea ROTFL. I will be working on this as I think it would help me tremendously. I am now going for the gray salt, and want to add some other things to my pantry slowly. I think once I get a good pantry filled I will be good to go. I used to have one then my husband passed away and money is tighter so the frills sort of left :-((( Thanks for all of the tips though and I will give them all a try. Linda - Donnalilacflower Sunday, March 05, 2006 12:14 PM Re: eating expense Linda I'm in L.A. and it's common to pay over $3 for a 10 lb bag of potatoes and I see tomatoes $2.99 a lb. What I do is make pit stops. I run into the middle eastern market for vine ripe tomatoes at 99 cents a lb, go to the Mexican market for bananas 39 cents a lb. watch all the market ads. If I see zucchinis for 99 cent a lb I will buy several lbs and during the week I will make zucchini pie, maybe a loaf of zucchini bread, zucchini patties and freeze a few. I stock up on pasta when I see it for 2 pound bags for $1.00 and I always have soup and pasta dishes to make. It's not only budgeting the groceries but trying to note recipes to cook during the week with what I find on sale from the weekend. That's the wonderful thing about having the groups recipes filed. Easy access and you can seach in different areas for recipes. Don't forget to ask if you need any certain recipes. Donna --- LindaC <muggle311 wrote: > Kenia > Thanks for all of the tips. I wanted to know where > you lived as that also makes a huge difference. I > used to live in New York (upstate) and groceries > were 1/3 of the price they are here in Central > Oregon. > Tomatoes I would love them but at $3 a pound they > are not in my budget, avocados I love they are $1 > each on sale!!! > I have to laugh we are next to Idaho and unless > potatoes are on sale they are also $3 a bag! I > usually buy red and Yukon gold potatoes as they are > lower on the glycemic index for me they are $2.50 a > bag. > I do get some of my items at Grocery Outlet as I had > mentioned however I do think where we live has a lot > to do with it. > When I was in NY I am sure that grocery store did > more business in one day than these do in a week. > Volume means a lot and also means lower prices. > I used to love the A & P market it was my favorite. > Hopefully we can all help each other. I do eat > oatmeal for breakfast, I make my own hashbrowns(most > store ones have beef suet in them)etc. I also am a > huge soup fan. > I guess I need to eat less ROTFL- > Linda > > - > mistressofthedishes > > Sunday, March 05, 2006 11:09 AM > eating expense Linda & > Erin How can we help each other cut costs??? > > > > I usually start the day with oatmeal or I might make > a breakfast > burrito with an egg white and potato stuffing. > I take lunch and it's usually left-overs from bean > and rice > enchiladas, I take corn tortillas and stuff with > Mexican rice and > diced tomatoes and avocados, things if that nature. > I use the groups > recipe files for casseroles and I freeze many of > them in portions. I > make quite a bit of soups also and they are very > good with my budget, > I toss rice, pasta and all the odds and ends of my > veggies in the > soup pot. I don't eat out either unless I'm meeting > friends or it's a > family affair. > Kenia > > > > > [Non-text portions of this message have been > removed] > > Take me down little Susie, take me down I know you think you're the queen of the underground And you can send me dead flowers every morning Send me dead flowers by the mail Send me dead flowers to my wedding And I won't forget to put roses on your grave - yeah! " Sourse- Dead Flowers by The Stones Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted March 5, 2006 Report Share Posted March 5, 2006 We never get food this cheap, Donna. I am paying a minimum of $1.76 for 3 smallish zuccini. I often buy vegetables 1 or 2 at a time, rarely by the pound or kilo, except for root veggies or onions which are cheaper as they are grown here. Christie , Donnalilacflower <thelilacflower wrote: > > I'm in L.A. and it's common to pay over $3 for a 10 lb > bag of potatoes and I see tomatoes $2.99 a lb. What I > do is make pit stops. I run into the middle eastern > market for vine ripe tomatoes at 99 cents a lb, go to > the Mexican market for bananas 39 cents a lb. watch > all the market ads. If I see zucchinis for 99 cent a > lb I will buy several lbs and during the week I will > make zucchini pie, maybe a loaf of zucchini bread, > zucchini patties and freeze a few. I stock up on pasta > when I see it for 2 pound bags for $1.00 and I always > have soup and pasta dishes to make. It's not only > budgeting the groceries but trying to note recipes to > cook during the week with what I find on sale from the > weekend. That's the wonderful thing about having the > groups recipes filed. Easy access and you can seach > in different areas for recipes. Don't forget to ask > if you need any certain recipes. > Donna Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted March 5, 2006 Report Share Posted March 5, 2006 I'm very bad when I shop. I don't watch ads and buy many things I could make from scratch at home. I buy canned beans, frozen meat and chiken alternatives and boxed grain and pasta side dish mixes when I have the spices on my shelf. I think it's all about time for me. I do the same thing with veggies, I will buy my greens packaged. I spend a lot if I eat out or cook at home unless I buy economically and take the time to cook from scratch. Sissy Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted March 5, 2006 Report Share Posted March 5, 2006 Well I am getting better. I do take my list and well I wanted some Sherry Vinegar but it was $5.55 a bottle it is still at the store LOL.. I do watch the ads, take my coupons etc. I am picky about my stores though and that may not help me ;-((( I really only shop at three now as they seem to have the best quality which is what I want. They also sell bulk foods. That helps tremendously. I rarely if ever buy pre packaged anything unless it is a good buy. Salad mixes if they are $1. I do buy the spinach in a package but it is $2 so I think that is great and it is all washed, ready to go. No waste either. I don't buy any kind of meat-I do get Gardenburgers, Boca sausages, and I love the Yves ham for sandwiches for work. However these are all just luxuries and not staples. I try to get good quality, whole grain, fresh stuff and I think you just have to pay more for it. Regular pasta is 2/$1 but whole wheat well it is a bit more. I do try to stick to my list though and when I find stuff like the vinegar and know it's cost I will budget it in next time I go. I will just have to really work on menus and I know that would help me tremendously. I have never been good at that though I do cook from my shelf rather than plan. Which I am sure makes my pantry larger. Linda - pepepukpetunia Sunday, March 05, 2006 12:50 PM Re: eating expense Linda I'm very bad when I shop. I don't watch ads and buy many things I could make from scratch at home. I buy canned beans, frozen meat and chiken alternatives and boxed grain and pasta side dish mixes when I have the spices on my shelf. I think it's all about time for me. I do the same thing with veggies, I will buy my greens packaged. I spend a lot if I eat out or cook at home unless I buy economically and take the time to cook from scratch. Sissy Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted March 5, 2006 Report Share Posted March 5, 2006 Here I pay $3 for a 5 lb bag of potatoes, LOL. I do pit stops too, I have 8 grocery stores within 2 miles and tons of smaller ethnic markets and a few produce markets where food is cheaper. I buy all our organic product at super target. I have to buy organic because my 14 mo old son has a genetic liver condition and it's not worth the risk to give him non-organic. I used to pay $670/wk for a delivery of organic produce, milk, tofu and bread, but I can't afford that now. My average is $130/wk for 6 of us, but with hubby unemployed I try to keep it to $90 and we do fine. I used to buy $200/wk for us where there wsere only 3 of us, but I've learned how to make things on my own, plan ahead, etc. We eat out maybe 4 times a year now, we used to eat out 4 nights a week. The restaurants just got boring. meg Donnalilacflower wrote: > I'm in L.A. and it's common to pay over $3 for a 10 lb > bag of potatoes and I see tomatoes $2.99 a lb. What I > do is make pit stops. I run into the middle eastern > market for vine ripe tomatoes at 99 cents a lb, go to > the Mexican market for bananas 39 cents a lb. watch > all the market ads. If I see zucchinis for 99 cent a > lb I will buy several lbs and during the week I will > make zucchini pie, maybe a loaf of zucchini bread, > zucchini patties and freeze a few. I stock up on pasta > when I see it for 2 pound bags for $1.00 and I always > have soup and pasta dishes to make. It's not only > budgeting the groceries but trying to note recipes to > cook during the week with what I find on sale from the > weekend. That's the wonderful thing about having the > groups recipes filed. Easy access and you can seach > in different areas for recipes. Don't forget to ask > if you need any certain recipes. > Donna > > --- LindaC <muggle311 wrote: > > > Kenia > > Thanks for all of the tips. I wanted to know where > > you lived as that also makes a huge difference. I > > used to live in New York (upstate) and groceries > > were 1/3 of the price they are here in Central > > Oregon. > > Tomatoes I would love them but at $3 a pound they > > are not in my budget, avocados I love they are $1 > > each on sale!!! > > I have to laugh we are next to Idaho and unless > > potatoes are on sale they are also $3 a bag! I > > usually buy red and Yukon gold potatoes as they are > > lower on the glycemic index for me they are $2.50 a > > bag. > > I do get some of my items at Grocery Outlet as I had > > mentioned however I do think where we live has a lot > > to do with it. > > When I was in NY I am sure that grocery store did > > more business in one day than these do in a week. > > Volume means a lot and also means lower prices. > > I used to love the A & P market it was my favorite. > > Hopefully we can all help each other. I do eat > > oatmeal for breakfast, I make my own hashbrowns(most > > store ones have beef suet in them)etc. I also am a > > huge soup fan. > > I guess I need to eat less ROTFL- > > Linda > > > > - > > mistressofthedishes > > > > Sunday, March 05, 2006 11:09 AM > > eating expense Linda & > > Erin How can we help each other cut costs??? > > > > > > > > I usually start the day with oatmeal or I might make > > a breakfast > > burrito with an egg white and potato stuffing. > > I take lunch and it's usually left-overs from bean > > and rice > > enchiladas, I take corn tortillas and stuff with > > Mexican rice and > > diced tomatoes and avocados, things if that nature. > > I use the groups > > recipe files for casseroles and I freeze many of > > them in portions. I > > make quite a bit of soups also and they are very > > good with my budget, > > I toss rice, pasta and all the odds and ends of my > > veggies in the > > soup pot. I don't eat out either unless I'm meeting > > friends or it's a > > family affair. > > Kenia > > > > > > > > > > [Non-text portions of this message have been > > removed] > > > > > > > Take me down little Susie, take me down > I know you think you're the queen of the underground > And you can send me dead flowers every morning > Send me dead flowers by the mail > Send me dead flowers to my wedding > And I won't forget to put roses on your grave - yeah! " > Sourse- Dead Flowers by The Stones > > > > > > > > > > > Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted March 5, 2006 Report Share Posted March 5, 2006 I don't spend very much for food either. I don't even know how to cook very good but I make recipes from the files and the members have helped me alot. Most of the stuff I make I can use for lunch the next day too. Paul Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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