Comments on: $70 Low Cost Menu for 4 to 6 http://www.hillbillyhousewife.com/70dollarmenu.htm Low Cost Home Cooking From Scratch Wed, 08 Feb 2012 15:29:08 +0000 hourly 1 http://wordpress.org/?v=3.3 By: Gwen http://www.hillbillyhousewife.com/70dollarmenu.htm/comment-page-1#comment-31525 Gwen Wed, 04 Jan 2012 17:11:30 +0000 http://www.hillbillyhousewife.com/?p=7027#comment-31525 I keep my family of 4 fed on an average of $300 a month. That's 3 meals a day, as we brown bag our lunch. I study all the sales adds and plan meals around the loss leaders. We also use the crockpot to cook dry beans at least twice a week. I buy in bulk on items we use a lot and we buy reduced items from our local grocers. At one store I can get a gallon of milk for $1.99 when it's marked down and it keeps for over a week. I cook from scratch and plan leftovers for lunch. When you work for the public school system you only get paid once a month, so you have to use commando budgeting tactics to make you dollars stretch. My hubby gets paid bi-weekly and that helps, but alas, the bills align with pay day no matter when it occurs.. I keep my family of 4 fed on an average of $300 a month. That’s 3 meals a day, as we brown bag our lunch. I study all the sales adds and plan meals around the loss leaders. We also use the crockpot to cook dry beans at least twice a week. I buy in bulk on items we use a lot and we buy reduced items from our local grocers. At one store I can get a gallon of milk for $1.99 when it’s marked down and it keeps for over a week. I cook from scratch and plan leftovers for lunch. When you work for the public school system you only get paid once a month, so you have to use commando budgeting tactics to make you dollars stretch. My hubby gets paid bi-weekly and that helps, but alas, the bills align with pay day no matter when it occurs..

]]> By: BlessedMama http://www.hillbillyhousewife.com/70dollarmenu.htm/comment-page-2#comment-31519 BlessedMama Wed, 04 Jan 2012 15:44:01 +0000 http://www.hillbillyhousewife.com/?p=7027#comment-31519 After starting to type I realized I am commenting on an older conversation. However, just in case someone is reading I'll go ahead and share. Several years ago our family of then six was given groceries by a mother of 15 every Friday afternoon. There was always a variety of food. Sometimes fresh fruit and vegetables were included. I believe that the woman was participating in a gathering program. The foods were past due date so could no longer be kept in the stores but were still good. Perhaps other people have the same sort of program available in their area and could utilize this for their own families. It couldn't hurt to ask the manager of groceries, delis, and/or restaurants what they do with the foods that are still good but must be tossed out due to regulations. The most they can say is no. Also, there might be people who would consider bartering or trading services in exchange for food goods. At one time I received two gallons of fresh milk as payment for piano lessons. Oh the delicious eating that rich, wholesome milk provided our young family! I would never have been able to afford this if I had to pay for it with money. Organizing, decorating, clerical help, babysitting, barbering, manicurist, cleaning, yard work, computer work, and many other skills could be traded for food. There may be someone with more eggs than their family can use who would be delighted to pay for lessons in whatever your skill set is with eggs. This can be adjusted to fit any situation. I know that I personally would be overjoyed to exchange homemade bread or some other service in return for guitar lessons for my children. After years of living on less, MUCH less, I have found that altering my perspective and realizing truth is essential. What is the real need in this situation? I don't need more money. My family needs food. Food is the need not money. Realigning my focus and thoughts to view each situation clearly and accurately enables me to see possibilities I would otherwise miss. I can not feed my family on the amount of money available, but God can. I just have to listen and look for His provision. If I'm looking for money when I need food, I will often miss the provision of food because I was too busy looking for the money to buy the food myself. Anyway, this really isn't relevant to the discussion so I will close. Just wanted to share about the gathering and bartering/trading. Thank you for your time. After starting to type I realized I am commenting on an older conversation. However, just in case someone is reading I’ll go ahead and share. Several years ago our family of then six was given groceries by a mother of 15 every Friday afternoon. There was always a variety of food. Sometimes fresh fruit and vegetables were included. I believe that the woman was participating in a gathering program. The foods were past due date so could no longer be kept in the stores but were still good. Perhaps other people have the same sort of program available in their area and could utilize this for their own families. It couldn’t hurt to ask the manager of groceries, delis, and/or restaurants what they do with the foods that are still good but must be tossed out due to regulations. The most they can say is no. Also, there might be people who would consider bartering or trading services in exchange for food goods. At one time I received two gallons of fresh milk as payment for piano lessons. Oh the delicious eating that rich, wholesome milk provided our young family! I would never have been able to afford this if I had to pay for it with money. Organizing, decorating, clerical help, babysitting, barbering, manicurist, cleaning, yard work, computer work, and many other skills could be traded for food. There may be someone with more eggs than their family can use who would be delighted to pay for lessons in whatever your skill set is with eggs. This can be adjusted to fit any situation. I know that I personally would be overjoyed to exchange homemade bread or some other service in return for guitar lessons for my children. After years of living on less, MUCH less, I have found that altering my perspective and realizing truth is essential. What is the real need in this situation? I don’t need more money. My family needs food. Food is the need not money. Realigning my focus and thoughts to view each situation clearly and accurately enables me to see possibilities I would otherwise miss. I can not feed my family on the amount of money available, but God can. I just have to listen and look for His provision. If I’m looking for money when I need food, I will often miss the provision of food because I was too busy looking for the money to buy the food myself. Anyway, this really isn’t relevant to the discussion so I will close. Just wanted to share about the gathering and bartering/trading. Thank you for your time.

]]> By: Elizabeth http://www.hillbillyhousewife.com/70dollarmenu.htm/comment-page-1#comment-31507 Elizabeth Mon, 02 Jan 2012 22:45:16 +0000 http://www.hillbillyhousewife.com/?p=7027#comment-31507 I feed our family of 3 on $60-75 a week and we eat only organic fruit and veggies, pastas, cheese and meats, everything minimally processed w/o all the artificially junk...not to mention organic snacks and cereal that go for $3 a box. We eat meat once a week typically. Meals include pizza with Lays Classics, Annies mac n' cheese and organic broccoli, taco salad, french toast and baked hash browns, BLT's, Mexican Rice, Tacos or Tostadas, Beef Stew, Meat Loaf, Spaghetti, Corn Chowder with homemade biscuits, Chili, Chicken variations,(chicken pot pie, frank's chicken, stir fry's, homemade nuggets) and random casseroles. Lunches are eggs, tuna, sandwiches, soups, salads, and left overs. Breakfast include Organic yogurt with berries and or granola or cereal, oatmeal with organic apples, organic cereal with no hormones added or organic milk, bananas or toast. We eat pretty well. My focus is on the quality of the food. My husband is 215lbs and I 135lbs so we don't suffer on quantity either. Snacks include popcorn, cereal bars, organic crackers, cheese, avocado, salsa and corn chips, apples, grapes, Annies bunny crackers, and carrot sticks. It can be don especially if groceries are bought for 2 weeks or more. Milk and bread and bananas are among the few things that need to be purchased weekly. I feed our family of 3 on $60-75 a week and we eat only organic fruit and veggies, pastas, cheese and meats, everything minimally processed w/o all the artificially junk…not to mention organic snacks and cereal that go for $3 a box. We eat meat once a week typically. Meals include pizza with Lays Classics, Annies mac n’ cheese and organic broccoli, taco salad, french toast and baked hash browns, BLT’s, Mexican Rice, Tacos or Tostadas, Beef Stew, Meat Loaf, Spaghetti, Corn Chowder with homemade biscuits, Chili, Chicken variations,(chicken pot pie, frank’s chicken, stir fry’s, homemade nuggets) and random casseroles. Lunches are eggs, tuna, sandwiches, soups, salads, and left overs. Breakfast include Organic yogurt with berries and or granola or cereal, oatmeal with organic apples, organic cereal with no hormones added or organic milk, bananas or toast. We eat pretty well. My focus is on the quality of the food. My husband is 215lbs and I 135lbs so we don’t suffer on quantity either. Snacks include popcorn, cereal bars, organic crackers, cheese, avocado, salsa and corn chips, apples, grapes, Annies bunny crackers, and carrot sticks. It can be don especially if groceries are bought for 2 weeks or more. Milk and bread and bananas are among the few things that need to be purchased weekly.

]]> By: Mandy http://www.hillbillyhousewife.com/70dollarmenu.htm/comment-page-1#comment-31462 Mandy Thu, 29 Dec 2011 03:52:24 +0000 http://www.hillbillyhousewife.com/?p=7027#comment-31462 I read all the comments and by and large found them heartwarming. It is so nice to see so many people who are intelligent, frugal, and kind to their fellow human. Thank you Susanne and all who posted here for blessing me! I read all the comments and by and large found them heartwarming. It is so nice to see so many people who are intelligent, frugal, and kind to their fellow human. Thank you Susanne and all who posted here for blessing me!

]]> By: Mandy http://www.hillbillyhousewife.com/70dollarmenu.htm/comment-page-1#comment-31461 Mandy Thu, 29 Dec 2011 03:40:11 +0000 http://www.hillbillyhousewife.com/?p=7027#comment-31461 Agreed. It is easy-- and tempting-- to judge. But one doesn't have to look far-- in your own life you'll see decisions and actions that someone from the outside wouldn't immediately understand. Life is precious. Each of those children are precious. Agreed. It is easy– and tempting– to judge. But one doesn’t have to look far– in your own life you’ll see decisions and actions that someone from the outside wouldn’t immediately understand. Life is precious. Each of those children are precious.

]]> By: Mandy http://www.hillbillyhousewife.com/70dollarmenu.htm/comment-page-1#comment-31460 Mandy Thu, 29 Dec 2011 03:22:37 +0000 http://www.hillbillyhousewife.com/?p=7027#comment-31460 Exactly. Exactly.

]]> By: Mandy http://www.hillbillyhousewife.com/70dollarmenu.htm/comment-page-1#comment-31459 Mandy Thu, 29 Dec 2011 03:17:02 +0000 http://www.hillbillyhousewife.com/?p=7027#comment-31459 Drew is completely right. I've been on food stamps more than once in my journey. Never have I received $700/month. The original poster didn't say everyone gets $700; rather, that's how much they calculate a family needs. Then they assume you can pay for some of that and grant you a portion. Drew is completely right.

I’ve been on food stamps more than once in my journey. Never have I received $700/month. The original poster didn’t say everyone gets $700; rather, that’s how much they calculate a family needs. Then they assume you can pay for some of that and grant you a portion.

]]> By: Terry http://www.hillbillyhousewife.com/70dollarmenu.htm/comment-page-1#comment-31361 Terry Wed, 14 Dec 2011 15:47:48 +0000 http://www.hillbillyhousewife.com/?p=7027#comment-31361 I am disturbed to find so many willing to sit in judgement of this family...obviously times were better before and to make ugly remarks about children says more about you then this family...for whom I wish the best and will be praying for.... I am disturbed to find so many willing to sit in judgement of this family…obviously times were better before and to make ugly remarks about children says more about you then this family…for whom I wish the best and will be praying for….

]]> By: Kathy http://www.hillbillyhousewife.com/70dollarmenu.htm/comment-page-1#comment-31357 Kathy Wed, 14 Dec 2011 14:25:49 +0000 http://www.hillbillyhousewife.com/?p=7027#comment-31357 I noticed no one mentioned getting meat by hunting. In my area of the country (middle Tennessee) there is no shortage of hunters or deer to hunt. I put out the word that I will take any deer that the hunter doesn't want for himself and last year I put 7 deer in my freezer! Some deer I get already butchered and ready to go but even if I have to go pick it up, take it to the butcher, pay for it and pick it up I still end up getting good lean organic meat for easily less than $2lb. I have everything but the choice piece ground up that way it goes farther and is more versatile. We haven't eaten beef in years and we are all very healthy. I have found that alot of hunters like to hunt but once they get that first deer or two they don't know what to do with the rest so they are more than happy to give them to someone who can really make use of the meat. A side note of encouragement: I too get scared when I go grocery shopping or work on our budget but I always remember who is in control and then I put away my fear and use the energy to praise Him for what we do have which is usually more than we need anyway! I noticed no one mentioned getting meat by hunting. In my area of the country (middle Tennessee) there is no shortage of hunters or deer to hunt. I put out the word that I will take any deer that the hunter doesn’t want for himself and last year I put 7 deer in my freezer! Some deer I get already butchered and ready to go but even if I have to go pick it up, take it to the butcher, pay for it and pick it up I still end up getting good lean organic meat for easily less than $2lb. I have everything but the choice piece ground up that way it goes farther and is more versatile. We haven’t eaten beef in years and we are all very healthy. I have found that alot of hunters like to hunt but once they get that first deer or two they don’t know what to do with the rest so they are more than happy to give them to someone who can really make use of the meat.
A side note of encouragement: I too get scared when I go grocery shopping or work on our budget but I always remember who is in control and then I put away my fear and use the energy to praise Him for what we do have which is usually more than we need anyway!

]]> By: Sue http://www.hillbillyhousewife.com/70dollarmenu.htm/comment-page-1#comment-31320 Sue Mon, 12 Dec 2011 05:00:36 +0000 http://www.hillbillyhousewife.com/?p=7027#comment-31320 Laura, Bless you & all familys with children at home. Trying to feed, cloth & put your children through school you need all the help you can get. My dh lost his business in 2009, we also lost our home. I 'm on disablity his S.S. & my disabilty amounts to $1400.00 a mo. Paying rent heat &electric does'nt leave much for gro. He is also dieabetic. We thank God our children are grown and we don't have to figure out how to feed & take care of the many other needs of children...however we do worry about the grandchildren. These menus are good alot of carbs. yes but better than nothing & with a few changes such as mashed rutabages, turnips or parsnips. instead of potatoes. you can also shred them to make Latkes (potato pancakes) etc. Again God bless you all & good luck to us all. Laura, Bless you & all familys with children at home. Trying to feed, cloth & put your children through school you need all the help you can get. My dh lost his business in 2009, we also lost our home. I ‘m on disablity his S.S. & my disabilty amounts to $1400.00 a mo. Paying rent heat &electric does’nt leave much for gro. He is also dieabetic. We thank God our children are grown and we don’t have to figure out how to feed & take care of the many other needs of children…however we do worry about the grandchildren. These menus are good alot of carbs. yes but better than nothing & with a few changes such as mashed rutabages, turnips or parsnips. instead of potatoes. you can also shred them to make Latkes (potato pancakes) etc. Again God bless you all & good luck to us all.

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