How low do you think you could get your food budget per month (including toiletries)?
I have spent alot this month (from the 15th) but I really think it (the food I have on hand) could last me several months. I would have to shop for produce, milk, etc., but no meat or anything.
How low do you think you could get your food budget per month (including toiletries)?
I have spent alot this month (from the 15th) but I really think it (the food I have on hand) could last me several months. I would have to shop for produce, milk, etc., but no meat or anything.
I think I could get by with about $50 a week.
what about you?
I spend more then that a month on just basics like milk, yogurt, meat and produce. I buy a lot of produce though. We go through tons of veggies and most are fresh.
How much do you spend on produce? Do you buy a lot of it? Wait, are you saying you could spend only 50 and that excludes produce, meat and that?
I am so confused still at how to do that. I realize if you have CATS you can apply to it, but many of the CAT products I do not even use and for me to buy 10 of something to get 5 or 10 off seems silly. Am I missing it?
How low do you think you could get your food budget per month (including toiletries)?
I have spent alot this month (from the 15th) but I really think it (the food I have on hand) could last me several months. I would have to shop for produce, milk, etc., but no meat or anything.
I think I could get by with about $50 a week.
what about you?
I spend more then that a month on just basics like milk, yogurt, meat and produce. I buy a lot of produce though. We go through tons of veggies and most are fresh.
How much do you spend on produce? Do you buy a lot of it? Wait, are you saying you could spend only 50 and that excludes produce, meat and that?
I am so confused still at how to do that. I realize if you have CATS you can apply to it, but many of the CAT products I do not even use and for me to buy 10 of something to get 5 or 10 off seems silly. Am I missing it?
Melissa-maybe you can purchase more coupons for fresh things? IDK-I haven't done it, tbh. I know once in a blue moon I will get coupons for salad or something in the paper, but not often.
I guess if you bought some things with the intention of donating them and then use the CATS for yourself, you could make that work? I am not sure. I used to coupon and combine with sales, but I have not done the extensive work that others have. And I found the same thing to be true-most of the things that are available on deep discounts are not things we eat. I am trying really hard to move us away from anything prepackaged. I am even strongly considering moving to organic for milk and a few other things-which for me personally is HUGE.
I can see it for health and beauty items though-I think you can get some big savings on that stuff.
IDK-I wonder the same things. If I could find a way to save big on fresh things like milk, produce and meats (though we get 80% of our beef from my ILs, we still buy chicken, fish/seafood and pork), I would definitely put the time in!!!
-- Edited by Supafly on Wednesday 3rd of February 2010 03:42:07 PM
Melissa, I am trying to shop produce at the cheapest store (the blog I follow does price comparison and has the best prices already figured out!) For example, apples might be cheaper at store A this week. It is nbd for me to shop multiple stores. Also I have a grocery store that offers $10 off $50 on Thurs and I also have another coupon from the entertainment book for $5 off - combined with sales and catalinas it is a pretty good deal. Just a couple weeks ago, there was a P&G catalina promotion when you buy $20 worth of products, get $10.00 off your next store purchase. I bought tide stain release (2) and two pantene shampoos for $7.60 (after I used coupons) and had $10 to use on anything in the store...so I waited to combine it with the the $10.00 off Thurs dea and I saved 50% just walking in the store!! (before any coupons were used).
-- Edited by Lizzy on Wednesday 3rd of February 2010 05:05:19 PM
Melissa, I am trying to shop produce at the cheapest store (the blog I follow does price comparison and has the best prices already figured out!) For example, apples might be cheaper at store A this week. It is nbd for me to shop multiple stores. Also I have a grocery store that offers $10 off $50 on Thurs and I also have another coupon from the entertainment book for $5 off - combined with sales and catalinas it is a pretty good deal. Just a couple weeks ago, there was a P&G catalina promotion when you buy $20 worth of products, get $10.00 off your next store purchase. I bought tide stain release (2) and two pantene shampoos for $7.60 (after I used coupons) and had $10 to use on anything in the store...so I waited to combine it with the the $10.00 off Thurs dea and I saved 50% just walking in the store!! (before any coupons were used).
-- Edited by Lizzy on Wednesday 3rd of February 2010 05:05:19 PM
Wow, yeah that is a lot of work for me,lol.
I do not have stores that do that whole 10 off of 50 or anything like that. I do know I can do the deals for personal hygiene items, but I get lazy.
Just wanted to post to say I am super proud of all of you that have stuck with it! All this catalina talk from people who didn't know what one was last year makes me happy!
Liz that is awesome that you can do that. I think I understand it enough, but I am so jealous that there really is very limited I can do here. We do not have stores that double coupons (except Schnucks and it only goes to .40, which does not really help since not many are for that little anymore and the prices tend to be higher there in the first place). But I love when you all post because sometimes I can get the same bargains here.
Liz that is awesome that you can do that. I think I understand it enough, but I am so jealous that there really is very limited I can do here. We do not have stores that double coupons (except Schnucks and it only goes to .40, which does not really help since not many are for that little anymore and the prices tend to be higher there in the first place). But I love when you all post because sometimes I can get the same bargains here.
yeah here too. i've never even heard of 99% of the stores that you guys mention!
How low do you think you could get your food budget per month (including toiletries)?
I have spent alot this month (from the 15th) but I really think it (the food I have on hand) could last me several months. I would have to shop for produce, milk, etc., but no meat or anything.
I think I could get by with about $50 a week.
what about you?
I spend more then that a month on just basics like milk, yogurt, meat and produce. I buy a lot of produce though. We go through tons of veggies and most are fresh.
How much do you spend on produce? Do you buy a lot of it? Wait, are you saying you could spend only 50 and that excludes produce, meat and that?
I am so confused still at how to do that. I realize if you have CATS you can apply to it, but many of the CAT products I do not even use and for me to buy 10 of something to get 5 or 10 off seems silly. Am I missing it?
Melissa-maybe you can purchase more coupons for fresh things? IDK-I haven't done it, tbh. I know once in a blue moon I will get coupons for salad or something in the paper, but not often.
I guess if you bought some things with the intention of donating them and then use the CATS for yourself, you could make that work? I am not sure. I used to coupon and combine with sales, but I have not done the extensive work that others have. And I found the same thing to be true-most of the things that are available on deep discounts are not things we eat. I am trying really hard to move us away from anything prepackaged. I am even strongly considering moving to organic for milk and a few other things-which for me personally is HUGE.
I can see it for health and beauty items though-I think you can get some big savings on that stuff.
IDK-I wonder the same things. If I could find a way to save big on fresh things like milk, produce and meats (though we get 80% of our beef from my ILs, we still buy chicken, fish/seafood and pork), I would definitely put the time in!!!
-- Edited by Supafly on Wednesday 3rd of February 2010 03:42:07 PM
i am glad youre considering a move to organic milk. i think the animal products is the scariest health concern. milk and poultry, to me, should be the top priority on the organic list (or at the very least, hormone free) - the sex hormone situation plus the rise in reproductive cancer rates/earlier pubertal onset is s.c.a.r.y.
How low do you think you could get your food budget per month (including toiletries)?
I have spent alot this month (from the 15th) but I really think it (the food I have on hand) could last me several months. I would have to shop for produce, milk, etc., but no meat or anything.
I think I could get by with about $50 a week.
what about you?
I spend more then that a month on just basics like milk, yogurt, meat and produce. I buy a lot of produce though. We go through tons of veggies and most are fresh.
How much do you spend on produce? Do you buy a lot of it? Wait, are you saying you could spend only 50 and that excludes produce, meat and that?
I am so confused still at how to do that. I realize if you have CATS you can apply to it, but many of the CAT products I do not even use and for me to buy 10 of something to get 5 or 10 off seems silly. Am I missing it?
Melissa-maybe you can purchase more coupons for fresh things? IDK-I haven't done it, tbh. I know once in a blue moon I will get coupons for salad or something in the paper, but not often.
I guess if you bought some things with the intention of donating them and then use the CATS for yourself, you could make that work? I am not sure. I used to coupon and combine with sales, but I have not done the extensive work that others have. And I found the same thing to be true-most of the things that are available on deep discounts are not things we eat. I am trying really hard to move us away from anything prepackaged. I am even strongly considering moving to organic for milk and a few other things-which for me personally is HUGE.
I can see it for health and beauty items though-I think you can get some big savings on that stuff.
IDK-I wonder the same things. If I could find a way to save big on fresh things like milk, produce and meats (though we get 80% of our beef from my ILs, we still buy chicken, fish/seafood and pork), I would definitely put the time in!!!
-- Edited by Supafly on Wednesday 3rd of February 2010 03:42:07 PM
i am glad youre considering a move to organic milk. i think the animal products is the scariest health concern. milk and poultry, to me, should be the top priority on the organic list (or at the very least, hormone free) - the sex hormone situation plus the rise in reproductive cancer rates/earlier pubertal onset is s.c.a.r.y.
ITA-and with my health concerns, I can't afford to have extra antibiotics in my system either, which I would guess you find in spades in milk and chicken and such.
Bill thinks I am ridiculous, but beyond my concerns for myself, I worry about my girls-for all of the reasons you have mentioned before, and because I know they are predisposed to autoimmune. Scary. And SO not worth saving a few dollars-at least on those items.
I almost bought organic milk the last time I shopped, but then thought maybe I should warn Bill before bringing that stuff into the house, lol.
How low do you think you could get your food budget per month (including toiletries)?
I have spent alot this month (from the 15th) but I really think it (the food I have on hand) could last me several months. I would have to shop for produce, milk, etc., but no meat or anything.
I think I could get by with about $50 a week.
what about you?
I spend more then that a month on just basics like milk, yogurt, meat and produce. I buy a lot of produce though. We go through tons of veggies and most are fresh.
How much do you spend on produce? Do you buy a lot of it? Wait, are you saying you could spend only 50 and that excludes produce, meat and that?
I am so confused still at how to do that. I realize if you have CATS you can apply to it, but many of the CAT products I do not even use and for me to buy 10 of something to get 5 or 10 off seems silly. Am I missing it?
Melissa-maybe you can purchase more coupons for fresh things? IDK-I haven't done it, tbh. I know once in a blue moon I will get coupons for salad or something in the paper, but not often.
I guess if you bought some things with the intention of donating them and then use the CATS for yourself, you could make that work? I am not sure. I used to coupon and combine with sales, but I have not done the extensive work that others have. And I found the same thing to be true-most of the things that are available on deep discounts are not things we eat. I am trying really hard to move us away from anything prepackaged. I am even strongly considering moving to organic for milk and a few other things-which for me personally is HUGE.
I can see it for health and beauty items though-I think you can get some big savings on that stuff.
IDK-I wonder the same things. If I could find a way to save big on fresh things like milk, produce and meats (though we get 80% of our beef from my ILs, we still buy chicken, fish/seafood and pork), I would definitely put the time in!!!
-- Edited by Supafly on Wednesday 3rd of February 2010 03:42:07 PM
i am glad youre considering a move to organic milk. i think the animal products is the scariest health concern. milk and poultry, to me, should be the top priority on the organic list (or at the very least, hormone free) - the sex hormone situation plus the rise in reproductive cancer rates/earlier pubertal onset is s.c.a.r.y.
ITA-and with my health concerns, I can't afford to have extra antibiotics in my system either, which I would guess you find in spades in milk and chicken and such.
Bill thinks I am ridiculous, but beyond my concerns for myself, I worry about my girls-for all of the reasons you have mentioned before, and because I know they are predisposed to autoimmune. Scary. And SO not worth saving a few dollars-at least on those items.
I almost bought organic milk the last time I shopped, but then thought maybe I should warn Bill before bringing that stuff into the house, lol.
As an add on to this, we bought organic milk while on vacation and it is so much creamier, and has a better taste, and that was the fat free! Elizabeth drinks it down like there is no tomorrow now. I have heard from others that it tastes so much better too.
How low do you think you could get your food budget per month (including toiletries)?
I have spent alot this month (from the 15th) but I really think it (the food I have on hand) could last me several months. I would have to shop for produce, milk, etc., but no meat or anything.
I think I could get by with about $50 a week.
what about you?
I spend more then that a month on just basics like milk, yogurt, meat and produce. I buy a lot of produce though. We go through tons of veggies and most are fresh.
How much do you spend on produce? Do you buy a lot of it? Wait, are you saying you could spend only 50 and that excludes produce, meat and that?
I am so confused still at how to do that. I realize if you have CATS you can apply to it, but many of the CAT products I do not even use and for me to buy 10 of something to get 5 or 10 off seems silly. Am I missing it?
Melissa-maybe you can purchase more coupons for fresh things? IDK-I haven't done it, tbh. I know once in a blue moon I will get coupons for salad or something in the paper, but not often.
I guess if you bought some things with the intention of donating them and then use the CATS for yourself, you could make that work? I am not sure. I used to coupon and combine with sales, but I have not done the extensive work that others have. And I found the same thing to be true-most of the things that are available on deep discounts are not things we eat. I am trying really hard to move us away from anything prepackaged. I am even strongly considering moving to organic for milk and a few other things-which for me personally is HUGE.
I can see it for health and beauty items though-I think you can get some big savings on that stuff.
IDK-I wonder the same things. If I could find a way to save big on fresh things like milk, produce and meats (though we get 80% of our beef from my ILs, we still buy chicken, fish/seafood and pork), I would definitely put the time in!!!
-- Edited by Supafly on Wednesday 3rd of February 2010 03:42:07 PM
i am glad youre considering a move to organic milk. i think the animal products is the scariest health concern. milk and poultry, to me, should be the top priority on the organic list (or at the very least, hormone free) - the sex hormone situation plus the rise in reproductive cancer rates/earlier pubertal onset is s.c.a.r.y.
ITA-and with my health concerns, I can't afford to have extra antibiotics in my system either, which I would guess you find in spades in milk and chicken and such.
Bill thinks I am ridiculous, but beyond my concerns for myself, I worry about my girls-for all of the reasons you have mentioned before, and because I know they are predisposed to autoimmune. Scary. And SO not worth saving a few dollars-at least on those items.
I almost bought organic milk the last time I shopped, but then thought maybe I should warn Bill before bringing that stuff into the house, lol.
men are so funny about this stuff. mike is totally with me on the food items, but thought i definitely went overboard on the health & beauty items...unTIL i made him read up on petrochemicals, parabens, and talc. i think he's on board now. i caught him reading the ingredients in his blistex (carmex? who knows) and then he goes "do you use this on the kids?" and THEN, all subtly, was like "pick me up a burts when you go to cvs?" - lol. he's also been using my new moisturizer, adn i caught him reading his shampoo ingredients (and he smelled like my shampoo after the shower).
i'm about to order PVC-free shower curtain liners but he doesnt need to know that :) and he thought i was psycho about the yoga mat and radon-in-granite scare - so i havent fully converted him :)
happylib wrote:As an add on to this, we bought organic milk while on vacation and it is so much creamier, and has a better taste, and that was the fat free! Elizabeth drinks it down like there is no tomorrow now. I have heard from others that it tastes so much better too.
Really??? Wow!! I will have to try it for sure now!!! I wonder where the best (read:cheapest) place to get organic milk is?
daisy wrote:men are so funny about this stuff. mike is totally with me on the food items, but thought i definitely went overboard on the health & beauty items...unTIL i made him read up on petrochemicals, parabens, and talc. i think he's on board now. i caught him reading the ingredients in his blistex (carmex? who knows) and then he goes "do you use this on the kids?" and THEN, all subtly, was like "pick me up a burts when you go to cvs?" - lol. he's also been using my new moisturizer, adn i caught him reading his shampoo ingredients (and he smelled like my shampoo after the shower).
i'm about to order PVC-free shower curtain liners but he doesnt need to know that :) and he thought i was psycho about the yoga mat and radon-in-granite scare - so i havent fully converted him :)
LMAO-that is so funny that he is making the switch and trying to be all low key about it!!!
PVC shower curtain liner? Genius-I hadn't even thought about that, but I tell ya, those things smell TOXIC when you first buy them, so I bet the PVC free is a good bet. Where are you ordering?
And where have you found to have the beset prices on organic milk and such? I really want to buy in the gallon size, but I am not sure I have seen those anywhere.
daisy wrote:men are so funny about this stuff. mike is totally with me on the food items, but thought i definitely went overboard on the health & beauty items...unTIL i made him read up on petrochemicals, parabens, and talc. i think he's on board now. i caught him reading the ingredients in his blistex (carmex? who knows) and then he goes "do you use this on the kids?" and THEN, all subtly, was like "pick me up a burts when you go to cvs?" - lol. he's also been using my new moisturizer, adn i caught him reading his shampoo ingredients (and he smelled like my shampoo after the shower).
i'm about to order PVC-free shower curtain liners but he doesnt need to know that :) and he thought i was psycho about the yoga mat and radon-in-granite scare - so i havent fully converted him :)
LMAO-that is so funny that he is making the switch and trying to be all low key about it!!!
PVC shower curtain liner? Genius-I hadn't even thought about that, but I tell ya, those things smell TOXIC when you first buy them, so I bet the PVC free is a good bet. Where are you ordering?
And where have you found to have the beset prices on organic milk and such? I really want to buy in the gallon size, but I am not sure I have seen those anywhere.
pvc-free shower curtain liners - i read online that you can get them at BB&B, but i have yet to see them in the store. i'm also reading that pottery barn sells them - they are actually cheaper than BB&B's (surprisingly)- and then i read that target has them too and i havent looked at their prices yet - they all seem to be in the $10-12 range, which isnt so bad (i'm going to look for free shipping).
i have to tell you, i dont even look at the price of milk. for me, the only option is organic, and it doesnt matter what it costs. i buy it at traders and i've never been alarmed by my total. i really dont think it's all that much more than regular milk. (i do look at the costs of other products by the way - i dont mean to make it sound like money is no object, because it's not that way at ALL -- it's just that for me, the extra couple of dollars is worth it for the animal products). i only ever shop at two stores so i havent done much comparison shopping, and traders is sort of "always a sale" (as they say) -- so i just go with that.
there's this asian market near me that sells all organic and natural foods, and it's SO EXPENSIVE. their milk prices are INSANE. i never go there anymore (after the woman totally yelled at cara for putting her finger through a celophane wrapped candy - i was so pissed off and swore that i'd never be back - LOL).
ya know, i havent seen gallon sizes of organic milk either -i buy half gallons anyway, but it's a good point, i havent seen larger either!
Supa, the gallon organic comes only in plastic jug & tastes different. I avoid it. Do you have costco? They have three half gallons in a pack of organic. I have a milk delivery co that brings glass containers and love it.
The half gallon organic is around 3.79 here. I have not bought regular since having kids.
Supa, the gallon organic comes only in plastic jug & tastes different. I avoid it. Do you have costco? They have three half gallons in a pack of organic. I have a milk delivery co that brings glass containers and love it.
The half gallon organic is around 3.79 here. I have not bought regular since having kids.
It lasts longer too.
We do have Cosco, but it is far from us, and I don't belong there. But we do have Sams and BJs, I could check those places.
Here the organic is closer to $6/half gallon, some places have it for $5. Since non organic is $3-3.80/gallon, that is a big difference!!
BUT-I went to a local market of ours around here (because my dad said the regular grocery store was a mad house-we are supposed to get over 2 feet now-BLAH), and their milk comes from Dairy Maid Farms, and they have a sign that says Dairy Maid has made a pledge to raise their cattle without hormones or antibiotics, so I am thinking I might just start shopping there more often! They don't have everything we use there, but they are close by (in my mom and dad's neighborhood), family owned and have good quality things.
