| Nov 2, 2008 @ 12:58 PM |
The slumping economy and getting by
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kjac
Posts: 8,163
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A while back there was an interesting discussion going on about food prices and getting by. Of course like everything else here, it was sidetracked by childish name calling and immature insults. But it did make me start to think.
It's very unhealthy and unrealistic to try to live off of beans, so I decided to see exactly what it would take to get by on the real bare essentials food wise. I'd like to challenge everyone else to do the same for a month and see if your numbers match or are similar to mine.
After returning from the grocery store today, I'm at 21.95 for the month so far. I'll be tracking this all month long and posting the results. Anyone else who wishes to take this challenge can post their results here.
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| Nov 2, 2008 @ 1:02 PM |
The slumping economy and getting by |
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vinnytmd
Posts: 6,004
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Food prices are going down and have been. It is the result of much lower gas prices and the improved dollar worldwide.
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| Nov 2, 2008 @ 1:05 PM |
The slumping economy and getting by
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tatiana329
Posts: 1,122
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I have tracked my bills for some time... my grocery bill runs about 40 a week but much of that is in my gournet coffee and flavored creamer. Just food alone, I can get by on 20-25 a week EASY.
ps. I dont drink milk.
I have seen people who get wic and food stamps, they eat Tbone steak and get the best hamburger meat....
maybe they should cut back and learn to stop depending on the govt to feed them.
[Edited on 11/2/2008 1:06 PM]
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| Nov 2, 2008 @ 1:06 PM |
The slumping economy and getting by |
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BandTMom
Posts: 38,041
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I'm going to check my grocery stores.
I hope things are going down. It's getting ridiculous.
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| Nov 2, 2008 @ 1:08 PM |
The slumping economy and getting by
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Say_Yes
Posts: 2,223
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Interesting idea kjac. No, I'm not going to join you in your experiment, (unless economic conditions force me to do so) but it will be interesting to see your results. It would also be interesting to see, just what things you would include as "real bare essentials". I would guess that each of us, would define that quite differently. It would also matter in the way that you shop. Are you buying in bulk, to get the maximum discounts, or are you buying in your regular grocery store?
I just hope that this thread can stay open for a moth, without getting locked. It could be quite enlightening.
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| Nov 2, 2008 @ 1:11 PM |
The slumping economy and getting by |
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vinnytmd
Posts: 6,004
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Vegetarians like me spend much less at the food store. Beans, tofu and grains are cheap and can provide adequate nutrition if you know what you are doing.
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| Nov 2, 2008 @ 1:20 PM |
The slumping economy and getting by
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kjac
Posts: 8,163
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Excellent questions say yes. Unfortunately, there isn't a local place to buy bulk. Small town living and all that. But I am buying the cheapest in the store of every item, and changing the weekly meal plan to suit what I find on sale in the store. I can't find the receipt, but this is what I bought. I thought I did pretty well with the money.
2 packs of hot dogs
1 package of sausage patties
2 bags of chicken tenders
1 carton of eggs
1 loaf of bread
1 bag of rolls
This thread will no doubt get locked, as bickering from other threads will carry over into this one eventually. I'm hoping when it does, the mods prune the crap and open it back up.
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| Nov 2, 2008 @ 1:30 PM |
The slumping economy and getting by |
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Say_Yes
Posts: 2,223
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2 packs of hot dogs
1 package of sausage patties
2 bags of chicken tenders
1 carton of eggs
1 loaf of bread
1 bag of rolls
Yep, that is a single guy shopping alright. Not a single veggie mentioned, just a lot of protein (meat, pork, chicken, eggs) & bread. My list probably would not include the hot dogs, but I would have to add coffee. For me at least, that is an essential food. Oh, & if I am trying to live cheaply, I'd probably include pasta & peanut butter in my shopping list. Then again, as you said, the list would change over time.
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| Nov 2, 2008 @ 1:50 PM |
The slumping economy and getting by
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kjac
Posts: 8,163
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Pasta is next week say yes. I'm using a varying diet to allow for better digestion and variety.
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| Nov 2, 2008 @ 1:52 PM |
The slumping economy and getting by |
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Rrright
Posts: 162
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How about porridge? And Bananas of course 
Potatoes..
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| Nov 2, 2008 @ 2:00 PM |
The slumping economy and getting by
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Heaveninawildflower
Posts: 18,602
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Well, my household is three adults, four cats and two dogs. Somehow I think I'd have a problem feeding the animals beans, but if we're ever reduced to that, they'd probably learn to love it I guess I could experiment on myself and isolate my own personal expenses...but like St. Augustine, give me chastity and continence Lord, but please, not yet.
This week I picked up salad fixings and chicken tenders for my lunches, to try to reduce the number of meals I buy at the company cafeteria. I've been in the position of not having to look at prices for some time now, but I'm trying to retrain myself for retirement. I used to be really good at doing 'frugal', and in a way I'm looking forward to doing it again...but as I said, not yet - at least not while I'm still in the high-stress day to day.
[Edited on 11/2/2008 2:15 PM]
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| Nov 2, 2008 @ 2:02 PM |
The slumping economy and getting by |
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Kirkish
Posts: 168
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huge bag of rice (bought several months ago)
large pack of chicken breasts
2 loaves whole wheat bread
2 packs tuna fish
pb&j
2 large bags coffee beans (I refuse to quit)
0 trans-fat bean/cheese burritos
Sometimes I buy veggies and make soup
Sometimes I pick up a decent cut of beef, if it's on sale
That's close to fifty bucks, the coffee hurts...
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| Nov 2, 2008 @ 3:44 PM |
The slumping economy and getting by
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vinnytmd
Posts: 6,004
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kjac - If you get one of the Moosewood cook books you will find great recipes for dishes made with beans, rice and grains that taste just like meat recipes. I have a Chili recipe that you would never know is meatless.
They are cheap and healthy. There are also many websites that ship grains in bulk.
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| Nov 2, 2008 @ 4:17 PM |
The slumping economy and getting by |
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redhairNfreckles
Posts: 4,688
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I have seen people who get wic and food stamps, they eat Tbone steak and get the best hamburger meat....
maybe they should cut back and learn to stop depending on the govt to feed them.
I so agree! Yesterday, I had to buy a few things at the grocery store, you know, eggs, milk, bread, cheese..... I go to the dairy case and thought I'd treat myself to a once-in-awhile (maybe 3x a year) type of sandwich cheese made by Kraft, called Select. It's almost 6 bucks  for 24, pre-wrapped single slices, so that is why it is only a treat. I almost had a cow when I read the large sticker beneath it saying, "This product is approved by WIC".....wth? If I was on WIC then I could be buying it regularly instead of just an occasional treat! I was so pissed about it, I started complaining outloud to the woman standing beside me....she was agreeing but quickly moved away..... 
Have you priced large bags of dry dog food lately? Not the Walmart brand, it's cheaper, but not sure if it's better. I won't feed it to my dogs, mainly because greyhounds bloat easily, so I buy the medium priced stuff, and then it runs between $24-$29 per bag. So now at least once a week, sometimes twice, instead of the dry dog food, they'll get a bowl of white rice with a diluted can of cheapo chicken or beef broth over it for a daily meal. They love it! And it stretches the bag of dry food a little further.
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| Nov 2, 2008 @ 4:21 PM |
The slumping economy and getting by
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vinnytmd
Posts: 6,004
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redhair, are there any Tractor Supply Stores where you are?
They have good Dog food CHEAP!
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| Nov 2, 2008 @ 4:42 PM |
The slumping economy and getting by |
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Snappygoddess
Posts: 5,094
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I have been "just getting by" for some time now.. also grew up like that in a family of 8 kids..so eating beans is no news to me..plenty of protein but I have to admit they do get old  However..I have learned to buy in bulk...freeze homemade meals ahead of time...watch for sales... little things like that.
I am in agreement..it is going to get a lot worse before it gets better...at least I will have first hand knowledge how to make a meal out of next to nothing
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| Nov 2, 2008 @ 5:05 PM |
The slumping economy and getting by
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redhairNfreckles
Posts: 4,688
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vinny, no tractor supply stores but we do have several feed stores that probably sell dog food too. I'll have to look into that....thanks
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| Nov 2, 2008 @ 5:07 PM |
The slumping economy and getting by |
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Winnie4010
Posts: 2,641
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Well, my household is three adults, four cats and two dogs. Somehow I think I'd have a problem feeding the animals beans,
Heaven...I sure hope you wouldn't have to do that, you'll sure need a gas mask
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| Nov 2, 2008 @ 5:31 PM |
The slumping economy and getting by
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burnslikethesun
Posts: 13,027
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Some hopefully helpful pointers.
1) Change you old way of thinking. Filling your kitchen is a business. Treat it as such. Not just Ok I got to eat something.
2) Where you shop is just as important as how you shop. Employee owned and " dent can" stores are where you'll find you best deals.
3) Use coupons. There's sights all over the internet where you can print off coupons. These bad boys can get you free grub when you use then. How fast would be be at McDonald's if they advertised a free happy meal? Coupons are your free happy meals.
4) First thing you grab is the in store fliers. Make your menu as you shop. The things with the largest photo in these adds will be the very best deals. Some you may even score a double bonus on if you took 30 mins sometimes and snooped through the coupons.
5) Go check out the community centers. Feel good by giving two hours a week helping others out, sit and eat with them.
6) Don't let pride beat you. Check out your local food bank once a month. Bread produce, milks and meat all for free. They won't judge you so why judge them?
7) Bulk the great deals. Example bread pops up on sale once a month, Buy your bread for that month then, and freeze it.
8) Get creative with left overs.
9) Start or join a home shopping club. With as little as four families you all can tap into the same suppliers that the stores and restaurants get. WHOLESALE is so sweet. And you will save Gas funds by not having to run to the store weekly if not daily. They deliver it right to your doorstep.
10) Visit home. Mom always feeds. Just be nice and bring a dish to contribute.
Using some of these Ideas will save you some cash. Using all of these ideas will save you loads of cash.
Just don't stress, stress makes you eat more.
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| Nov 2, 2008 @ 5:35 PM |
The slumping economy and getting by |
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burnslikethesun
Posts: 13,027
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One last tidbit.
The freshest and more healthy foods are ringed along the outside of the isles.
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