I'm curious--those of you who do buy organic on a regular basis (as opposed to "organic is on sale!" me)...could you do the same or similar shopping on a super-restricted budget like $50/week? I'm going to look and take some notes this Tuesday when I'm at the store and see what I come up with.
Not for my family of three. If I'm really careful, I can get a weeks worth of meals (breakfast, lunch, snacks, dinner) for $100 for the three of us.
No way I could do it for $50 per week either. I am not sure how much I spend per week, but I guesstimate I am at about $100-140 for the 3 of us.
It is sort of funny that this homework should come this weekend.
Nelson and I just went thru our credit card bill. We ALWAYS use the credit card when going out to eat and at the groc store.
I spent $563.52 at the grocery store... and this includes toilet paper or shampoo and stuff that isn't always "food".
Plus, we ate out 6 times for 186.05 - which is an average bill of $31.00 for 3 adults…
We were on vaction for spring break during this credit card period... but we ate mostly from the grocery store and ate out twice while on vacation (both are included above).
These figures don't include many/most of Nelson's lunches... which he often pays cash for.
Cathy: Hugs to you and family on the loss of your buddy Chip.
I have never been as conscious as I should be about what everything costs. Some things which are really variable--like fresh strawberries or navel oranges--I do pay attention to, but not most things. I went to Safeway to buy a pack of boneless chicken breasts last weekend and nearly fell over--SO much more expensive! Granted, I have 30+ years of buying groceries in Alexandria, VA and what prices I have stored away in my memory banks are from there. I am still learning my way around grocery shopping in small-town Delaware.
I don't know if any of you watch the reality show Top Chef on BRAVO. It's one of my favorites. The chefs usually get to cook with really nice meats and fish and produce--they always have a budget, but it's usually a pretty good budget. This week, though, their challenge was to cook a simple and nutritious meal for a family of FOUR on a budget of $10. And where did they get to go grocery shopping? At Whole Foods. I had to laugh. I mean, people don't call it "Whole Paycheck" for no reason. They were REALLY struggling, but it was interesting to see what they went for in the grocery store and how they turned it into a meal.
Posts: 7218 | Location: Rehoboth Beach, DE | Registered: March 12, 2004
Originally posted by D in St Pete: I'm curious--those of you who do buy organic on a regular basis (as opposed to "organic is on sale!" me)...could you do the same or similar shopping on a super-restricted budget like $50/week?
I buy some organic... I'll guess that I spend about $140 for 3 adults a week.
To feed 2 people on the McDonald's Dollar menu would be over $60.
This is a really good article on feeding a family of 4 (which includes children, I'm guessing) healthy meals. $120 is the maximum weekly USDA food stamp benefit for a family of four. Also... this article is nearly a year old... and prices have gone up a lot just in the past year.
I'm curious--those of you who do buy organic on a regular basis (as opposed to "organic is on sale!" me)...could you do the same or similar shopping on a super-restricted budget like $50/week? I'm going to look and take some notes this Tuesday when I'm at the store and see what I come up with.
Not for my family of three. If I'm really careful, I can get a weeks worth of meals (breakfast, lunch, snacks, dinner) for $100 for the three of us.
On the other hand, if we were eating 100% vegetarian I probably could do it as the majority of the budget goes to fish (we try to eat fish twice/week), chicken and occasionally pork tenderloin.
What I've started doing is going to our Giant Eagle and buying their house brand of organic stuff as it tends to run 10% or more less than other organic brands. They now have their own soy milk, veggies, fruits, meats, etc... Not a great selection but the savings are enough that I go there first. They always have their own brand of organic mushrooms, lettuces, broccoli, peppers, zucchini and cucumbers and again, the prices are much better than the organic market.
Then once a month, I go to the organic market and buy the stuff that I can only find there and stock up. I will also get veggies that I can't find at the market. They are farther away and with gas prices up, I don't go there once/week like I used to.
Out of our beliefs are born deeds; out of our deeds we form habits; out of our habits grows our character; and on our character we build our destiny.
Please share with us some of the basics that you buy and what you pay for them.
Safeway brand old fashioned Oatmeal - 42 oz (42 servings - 8.3 cents a serving ) $3.49 1 cup milk - 16.8 cents Banana from Trader Joes 19 cents.
Breakfast - 44 cents… or less than half of anything on McDonald’s Dollar Menu
My lunches this week:
Safeway brand brown rice - 1 lb is $.75 (and is on sale this week for $.65). I cook and freeze it and get 12 servings 5.4 cents a serving.
Edamame - frozen - 12 oz bag - 5 servings - $2.99 Frozen Safeway brand mixed Asian vegetables 16 oz - 5 servings - $2.59 Frozen corn - 16 oz - 5 servings - $2.29 Fresh Ginger - $.75
Hoisin Sauce - 8.5 oz (17 tablespoon servings - 12.9 cents a serving ) - $2.19 Low Sodium Soy Sauce - 40 oz (240 one teaspoon servings - 4.3 cents a serving) $10.39 Sesame oil - 5 oz (120 ¼ teaspoon servings - 4.4 cents a serving) - $5.39 Chili sauce - 8.5 oz (102 ½ teaspoon servings - 2.1 cents a serving) $2.19
5 (large, filling and healthy with 3 servings of vegetables) lunches for $10.08 or $2.01 per lunch
Snack: (all twirled in blender) 1 oz oatmeal - 8.3 cents 2 cups milk 33.6 cents Orange - 71 cents ½ frozen banana - 9.5 cents Total: $1.22 still cheaper than McDonald’s Dollar Menu… when you add in sales tax (8.5% here) and price of gas.
Dinner:
Barilla Plus pasta 14 oz (14 servings - 19 cents a serving ) $2.69 Safeway organic brand marinara jar 25 oz (6 servings - 41 cents a serving ) $2.50 on sale Chicken boneless skinless thighs $2.99 a pound - a 4 oz serving is 75 cents Brocolli 2.49 to two stalks - 3 servings Organic baby carrots 1 lb for $1.50 on sale - 6 servings
One dinner: Two servings of pasta 38 cents 3 oz chicken 75 cents Marinara sauce 41 cents Brocolli 83 cents Carrots 25 cents Total: $2.62
4 meals and snacks from the McDonald’s Dollar Menu (plus tax) plus 10 cents a mile in car (80 cents) = $5.14
4 meals and snacks at my house = $6.29 including 5 servings of whole grains 3 servings of milk 6 servings of vegs 4 servings of fruit 1 serving of lean protein
OK… eating at my house is a little bit more expensive, however, I don’t think that the McDonald’s Dollar meals would really fill a person up… and eating at my house would fill a person up… and is WAY healthier… add the cost of prescriptions to the McDonald’s menu… and it is no contest!
This message has been edited. Last edited by: GoingSkiing,
I'm thinking back to when the boyfriend and I both made much, much less money and the grocery budget was $80-$100 for two weeks. There's not much room for choosing organic over non-organic or store brand over name brands. I still shop in that mode of thinking.
It might be different if we had children, but paying $6.00/gallon for milk? That's over 1/10th of the grocery budget if you average $50/week! I'd rather put my money where it stretches further--and I know that's not everyone's priority, but I wanted to put it in perspective. It might not be fair or right that choices about health are based on money, but it is a reality.
I'm curious--those of you who do buy organic on a regular basis (as opposed to "organic is on sale!" me)...could you do the same or similar shopping on a super-restricted budget like $50/week? I'm going to look and take some notes this Tuesday when I'm at the store and see what I come up with.
Because Publix is based in Florida, Florida-grown fruits and vegetables tend to be on sale and more reasonably priced, which is good, because I prefer to buy from close-to-home producers. But I don't often give the organics a 2nd look, because at my store, they often come from California (that's a LONG way, a lot of fuel, and doesn't help the local economy) and I have a mindset that the expense just isn't worth it.
Challenge Goals: *10 minutes of unplanned exercise five times a week *Gym time twice a week *Socialize at least once every two weeks.
Goals: 1. Stop thinking like a chronic dieter and start living to inspire. 2. HALT (hungry, anxious, lonely, tired) I will stop and tune in with myself should I experience these things, and respond with something healthy. 3. One word 2008: courage 4. Eat slow and mindfully.
Cathy, I am very sorry about the loss of your beagle! Our beagle Lucy (she is a yellow beagle, some call her a lemon, I have been known to call her a lemon!), sends her beagle hugs!!
As for spending and prices. I mostly buy organic, but I tend to buy only the organic produce that has a higher likelyhood of absorbing harmful pesticides and such. There is a list online of the foods that you absolutely should buy organic and the ones that really don't matter. Meat is important. I don't want my kids to have all the hormones and steroids that is in meat these days. Milk too.
Being in Florida, lots of veggies and fruits are available all year long and from local farms, so it is a bit cheaper than the grocery store. I really don't like to cut corners where food is concerned because it is more important to me that we eat foods that are healthy and safe. We rarely eat fast foods and eat out only a couple of times a month. Mostly because my husband travels so much that when he is home, he does not want to eat out.
Posts: 1376 | Location: West Florida | Registered: March 12, 2004
for the most part, i believe that eating out is more pricey than cooking at home. altho i have found a chinese restaurant that is very fresh and not at all greasy. a lunch combo is $5 with brown rice, chicken breast with broccoli in a white sauce==in my opinion is a pretty deal, given the time it takes to cook. i usually do pretty well packing all meals until about friday, when i am almost wiped out, and i hit this chinese restaurant.
food prices have gone up 17%. with gas prices...oy vey. i don't go out much for fun anymore because i am saving money and i can enjoy a DVD at home.
there is a great lady at the grocery store who gives me tips on saving money all the time. she raised her kids by herself as well as some nephews and nieces. working 3 jobs. she told me--if you really like a particular food product, go to their website and compliment them. they will send you a coupon. she once complained to ziploc (she freezes spaghetti sauce and the bootom of the bag broke open--it was sauce carnage in her freezer)she emailed Ziploc--they sent her 20 coupons. so complain or compliment, you can get some coupons out of it.
Goals: 1. Stop thinking like a chronic dieter and start living to inspire. 2. HALT (hungry, anxious, lonely, tired) I will stop and tune in with myself should I experience these things, and respond with something healthy. 3. One word 2008: courage 4. Eat slow and mindfully.
I just got a Presto electric griddle, on sale, for a mere $20. I made french toast on it, mom made toasted sandwiches on it, and it worked quite nicely.
Originally posted by cobismom: So how about you, what are you doing to eat healthy and still not take out a bank loan?
We tend to eat several vegetarian meals a week… as rice and beans and vegs are still a GREAT buy. We have servings of meat that are about 3 oz. I don’t buy bagged salads anymore… and cut up my own lettuce. I buy produce in season. I buy at the farmers market, if it is less expensive. I’m not too sure of where I would cut back on food any more.
I’m trying to think of what other people I know (mostly people I know in real life) spend their $$$$ on. And where we cut back compared to the rest of America.
We are not big clothes shoppers. Stacy and Clinton would be horrified at my closet (or lack there of). I buy a new purse about once every 5 years or so. I ski in pants that I got for $3 at Thrift Town. And fleece from Thrift Town. Actually, everything I’m wearing in my “after photo” on KD’s site came from thrift town. I think the whole outfit was $3. Most of what I'm wearing right now came from Thrift Town...
We get our hair cut at Super Cuts and pay $13. ds gets his hair cut about twice a year, and we hack away at it at home in between “professional” cuts. I've never been to a spa nor have I had a massage, pedicure or manicure. I “do” my nails with a nail clipper.
We don't have very many hobbies (outside of skiing and music). We don't buy a lot of scrapbook supplies. We go out to a movie about one time a year. We don't play golf or other expensive sports. The Y is $23 a month... But there is no row of TV’s to watch. It has no pool or no shower. (For $23, you DO get a toilet and sink, though.)
We don’t spend a lot of Xmas gifts. We don’t do big gift exchanges and I don’t buy for my nieces and nephews. We pull names. And we buy 3 gifts for Nelson’s mom, dad and the name we pull. I don’t send cards.
We drive our cars until they die (or somebody runs a red light and kills one). We don’t drive SUV’s. We don’t drive hybrids either… but we drive cars that get decent gas mileage.
We’ve ALWAYS lived in smaller homes than our peers. I never lived in a house with two bathrooms until 4 years ago, at the age of 46. First time I’ve had a linen closet, too. First time I’ve ever lived in a house larger than 1,000 square feet.
We do our own yard work and don’t pay for a house cleaner.
My kid doesn’t have a cell phone. He is 16 and doesn’t drive. He bought his iPod by selling stuff on eBay. He wants a new game… and has sold a couple of old ones to buy the new one.
We have one cat. We haven’t gotten a new dog or kitten mostly because the cat has such a nasty personality that we think that he might kill a new kitten… but the expense of owning more than one pet is a factor, too.
I don’t buy Starbucks every day… or even every week… or even every month. I’ve even stopped walking to McDonald’s for coffee and started making coffee at home… but I still walk.
We don't pay credit card interest payments. If we can't afford something, we don't buy it.
We fly on a vacation once every 5 years. For YEARS we vacationed in Reno... which is a 5 hour drive away... and the hotels are $20-40 a might. Or camped. But camping is $10-20 a night.
This message has been edited. Last edited by: GoingSkiing,
EVERYTHING we pay for in life has gone up a tremendous amount in the past 5-10 years.
I am seeing this all over the place too. We bought some plants a couple weeks ago. Prices at the nursery are up. We had mulch delivered. It's gone from $17 per yard to $22 per yard in one year. The cost of the lawn fertilizer is way up too. Sophia's music lessons are getting more expense.
I could give more examples.
At dd's school I know of at least a few familes that need to leave the school or the area for financial reasons.
*****
I know that eating well and exercising over the past 6-7 years has really improved our lives. Dh is pushing 60 and is not on any meds. I am not on meds. We take vitamins (also up in price) and don't need BP or other scripts.
Much of the time we have been eating well, we have not eaten organic. I do not believe it is at all necessary to have good health. Simply chosing carrots over Doritos is lifegiving. I had a friend some years ago who was about 100 pounds overweight. She was militant about eating organic foods- and super judgmental about those who did not eat organic. She ate organic chips, chocolate and in general way too much organic food. I remember thinking that she'd be so much better off just eating conventional stuff that was "whole food" in moderate portions.
I tend to buy organic in part because I so much prefer the taste of it. I have grown to love the mild taste of the milk and the lettuces are great and convenient. I also taste the difference in the meat.
I initially saw our food prices go down when I first started eating healthier and started eating out less... but that has been a while now.
I can buy organic sometimes. Like often a head of organic lettuce is $1.79 and conventionally grown lettuce is $1.69. But organic meat and milk is just too much.
EVERYTHING we pay for in life has gone up a tremendous amount in the past 5-10 years. Jamie's music lessons are 30% more than they were 7 years ago (and I've cut back on those). Gas is more (is it double from 7 years ago?). What we pay for gas and electricity CA is more than almost any place in the country... and it has gone up a LOT in the past few years. Home prices and property taxes are up a LOT.
The only thing I pay for, that has gone down is a season ski pass. It will go from $349 to $333 a year next September… That was a great surprise!!! And a season pass is pretty much what I started buying when we stopped eating out so much. And if I can go skiing 33 times next season... that is a little more than $10 a lift ticket... which isn't too bad!
In addition… when Nelson was laid off 3 years ago… when he found a new job, his salary went down about 20%. We are still doing fine… and we live very well… especially considering that our household makes below “average” for our city… but some organic food is beyond reach.
I am considering cutting back on our cable TV since that is a hobby that isn‘t too good for us… although I don’t think I’ll get buy in from dh. (and we don't pay for HBO or the movie channels now.)
But I also feel that it is important to eat well and be healthy. My fil pays $1,300 for prescription medications a month. I’m not sure what my mom and step dad pay for cholesterol and BP meds… but I know that the cholesterol lowering meds are expensive. Personally, if I can avoid THOSE costs in the future and control my BP and cholesterol and acid reflux and asthma by controlling my weight and eating healthy and exercising… I will. My relatives are all paying a high price (literally!) for being 20, 50, or 100 pounds overweight. And it isn’t just the elderly relatives… the ones who are overweight and in their 50’s are now going on cholesterol, BP and diabetes medications.
I HAVE to buy food. I HAVE to buy electricity. But, if I can avoid prescriptions just by being a healthy weight and eating enough fruits and vegs… I will!
This message has been edited. Last edited by: GoingSkiing,
now that we cook the vast majority of meals at home, we are actually saving money.
We eat almost all of our meals at home too. That's why I am willing to pay more for organic lettuce and milk and berries. Not eating out saves so much $. Like you, Brie, I would rather use that money to buy great foods that I prep at home.
just one example-- I buy the Earthbound organic spring lettuce mix in the 1# container for about $5. This makes salads for us through much of the week. If we were going out to get salads with great greens like this, we'd pay $10 PER salad. I know I have to make vinigrette, but that cost is tiny and I feel better about my vinigrette. So, in reality I feel strongly that I am doing well financially.
I'm so sorry that you had to put your beloved pet down Cathy. Big hugs from me too.
****
I definitely have noticed food prices going up. I realized last week at our organic market that some of the fruits that come in containers are the same price but for smaller quantities.
I too try to buy in season as much as possible and when we finally get local stuff (very, very short season), we go to the farmer's market and the Amish market.
In general though, our overall food budget went down when we started eating healthier because we stopped eating out. Our eating out budget was HUGE before but now that we cook the vast majority of meals at home, we are actually saving money.
I also feel strongly that I would rather skimp in other areas but continue to buy fresh and organic as much as possible. As the food prices started rising, I cut back on other parts of our house hold budget.
My thinking is that I would rather feed us the healthiest, most nutritious stuff I can because in the long run, it will save us health care costs and that's not only good for our family but everyone else paying into the health care system.
Out of our beliefs are born deeds; out of our deeds we form habits; out of our habits grows our character; and on our character we build our destiny.
Sending hugs to you and your family for the loss of your beagle, Cathy!
* * * * * *
Contrary to popular belief... food prices in California are NOT any cheaper than the rest of the country... and for many/most things we are paying more than the Midwest. Sometimes much more. Gas here, tonight, is $3.85 to 3.89 a gallon for regular and it has affected our food prices a lot. Also, much of the produce that is grown in California is shipped out to the rest of the US… and it is supply and demand… and most of “our” supply goes out across the US and does not stay in CA.
Prices about 40 miles east of San Francisco at the local Safeway Store.
Iceberg $1.49 a head romaine is $1.69 a head tomatoes are $2.00 for four or $.50 each cherry tomatoes are 2.99 a pint Oranges .71 each Apples (aren’t in season right now… not a good time to buy them) $1 each Bananas .45 each (although they are .19 each at Trader Joes)
Strawberries ARE in season and are on sale at $2.50 a lb or for about 2 pints.
I don't buy diet bread mostly because I don't like it... and partly because it is paying a lot of money for air. A loaf of Sara Lee “delightful” 100% whole wheat bread is 20 oz and costs $4.19 or 21 cents an oz.
Oroweat brand of diet bread is $4.49 for a 16 oz loaf or 28 cents an oz.
The cheapest (non-diet) 100% whole wheat bread is Safeway brand at $3.09 for a 24 oz loaf or (13 cents an oz.) Pound for pound… it is MUCH cheaper than diet bread. If I really want to save calories… I’ll make an open face sandwich and just eat one slice of bread.
Non fat milk is $4.49 a gallon, however, IF you buy two gallons of milk… it is $5.39 for both gallons. This is not organic milk.
Organic milk is $7 a gallon... but I don't buy it. $14 for two gallons of milk is just too much.
Oh! I forgot another cost saving we do. We shop at a locally owned meat market for most everything that was formerly walking. Whole chickens are ALWAYS cheaper there than anywhere else--and I can ask them to cut it up, put the breasts in one package and the legs/thighs in another. They also have specials that really stretch our dollar. The meatloaf in this week's special is two pounds, so that feeds us one night, and is leftovers for several days. There's also a mix n match (scroll down to the 2nd page, called "Choose Your Own") that we use to stock the freezer.
And this year, the boyfriend's brother has been super helpful in putting us in touch with a butcher up where he lives. We bought half a pig, cut up and portioned exactly as we requested, for what amounted to $1.69/lb. They buy sides of beef that way as well, and we're going to consider that this year. We have a deep freeze out in the laundry room to store these things; we bought it from a friend for $50, and it's been one of the biggest contributors to our budget because we can buy in bulk and store it.
Challenge Goals: *10 minutes of unplanned exercise five times a week *Gym time twice a week *Socialize at least once every two weeks.
I’m not sure what my mom and step dad pay for cholesterol and BP meds… but I know that the cholesterol lowering meds are expensive. Personally, if I can avoid THOSE costs in the future and control my BP and cholesterol and acid reflux and asthma by controlling my weight and eating healthy and exercising… I will. My relatives are all paying a high price (literally!) for being 20, 50, or 100 pounds overweight. And it isn’t just the elderly relatives… the ones who are overweight and in their 50’s are now going on cholesterol, BP and diabetes medications.