how to shop when you're broke and have a family
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You're amazing -- and I do think a lot of people have posted great ideas. The crock pot is a great resource, as are rice cookers. You're doing so much right that I'm hoping that the little tweak of being able to cook that way helps.
Soups and stews are really a good option -- and if you're worried about the length of time anything in a crock pot will cook during the day, how about cooking overnight, refrigerating all day, and reheating? I do it that way frequently for flavor purposes anyway
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michelle7673 wrote: »You're amazing -- and I do think a lot of people have posted great ideas. The crock pot is a great resource, as are rice cookers. You're doing so much right that I'm hoping that the little tweak of being able to cook that way helps.
Soups and stews are really a good option -- and if you're worried about the length of time anything in a crock pot will cook during the day, how about cooking overnight, refrigerating all day, and reheating? I do it that way frequently for flavor purposes anyway
OMG Why did I never think to cook it over night and re-heat later!?!?!? Seriously, brilliant! I can't believe I never thought of that, geez!
I have been doing the "roasted" whole chicken in a crock-pot on Sundays and yesterday after I pulled my chicken out we had some shredded chicken BBQ sliders on those little Kings Hawaiian rolls and I portioned the rest and froze it. This time I made the stock/broth from the left over bones and stuff. I couldn't last time because I seasoned it Cajun style. I left the stock to cook over night and pulled it out this morning and I will portion and freeze it tonight after I get home from work. I can get probably 3 meals out of the whole chicken I'm thinking. I will make like chicken pot-pie or chicken noodle soup etc so that less meat will feed us all. Thanks again.0 -
I must say that I am thrilled at how this post took off. There is so much useful information here and I know I am not the only one who is feeding a family on not a lot of money!0
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If anyone is going to use a crock pot then I would suggest you pre-cook the meat before adding it to the pot, my friend had been doing lots of crock pot dinners and then realised she had put on a lot of weight, she stopped the dinners and stopped gaining weight - I always pre-cook the meat so the fat doesn't get lost in the sauce.0
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ShelliesTrying wrote: »We leave the house at 7am and the earliest anyone was getting home from school was 3:30pm which is still 8 hours and I was leery about letting food go that long in the crock. Now the kids stay after for homework help or band/football practice so we all get home at the same time usually bc I go get them. I am going to get a christmas light timer like an earlier poster suggested.
I use my crock pot ALL the time (especially in the winter. I turn it on when I leave for work at 8am, and turn it off when I get home at 6pm (or sometimes as late as 7pm). ALL of the recipes I make call for cooking for 8-10 hours on low, but the odd time it might go 11 hours, the food has been fine (I'd actually be more worried about turning the crockpot off and having it just sitting there cooling down). I never make anything that requires a "mid" step though unless it's a weekend and I'm home (ie cook for 6 hours on low, add X and then cook another hour on high).
Another option would be to invest in a programmable crockpot. You tell it how long to cook on which setting, and when it's done, it automatically turns it down to "keep warm". Mine isn't that fancy, but my sister has one and loves it.
@ShelliesTrying - crock pots cook at different temperatures - how long did your chicken take to cook?
My little crockpot does take 8 hours for 8 hour recipes, but my big one is closer to 5-6 hours.
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kshama2001 wrote: »ShelliesTrying wrote: »We leave the house at 7am and the earliest anyone was getting home from school was 3:30pm which is still 8 hours and I was leery about letting food go that long in the crock. Now the kids stay after for homework help or band/football practice so we all get home at the same time usually bc I go get them. I am going to get a christmas light timer like an earlier poster suggested.
I use my crock pot ALL the time (especially in the winter. I turn it on when I leave for work at 8am, and turn it off when I get home at 6pm (or sometimes as late as 7pm). ALL of the recipes I make call for cooking for 8-10 hours on low, but the odd time it might go 11 hours, the food has been fine (I'd actually be more worried about turning the crockpot off and having it just sitting there cooling down). I never make anything that requires a "mid" step though unless it's a weekend and I'm home (ie cook for 6 hours on low, add X and then cook another hour on high).
Another option would be to invest in a programmable crockpot. You tell it how long to cook on which setting, and when it's done, it automatically turns it down to "keep warm". Mine isn't that fancy, but my sister has one and loves it.
@ShelliesTrying - crock pots cook at different temperatures - how long did your chicken take to cook?
My little crockpot does take 8 hours for 8 hour recipes, but my big one is closer to 5-6 hours.
I just cook it for 8 hours. I don't mess with it until then.
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http://www.crock-pot.com/crock-pot-site-catalog/crock-pot-6-quart-cook-and-carry-digital-slow-cooker-with-heat-saver-stoneware-brushed-stainless-steel/SCCPCTS605-S-A.html#start=1
I bought this one at walmart for 50% (not sure why it was on sale but it was) and paid $30 for it.
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The holidays are coming up and you'll find canned pumpkin afterwards on clearance, seriously stock up it makes a great addition to soups, chili, spaghetti sauce, baked goods.
Frozen veggies are big money savers. I use frozen broccoli in egg dishes, frozen mixed veggies for chicken pot pie, frozen peas and corn in pasta and potato salads.
Dry beans again are a must but don't be afraid to use all different kinds. I make a batch of white beans then puree them after cooked to make a thick creamy soup base where I throw scraps from all sorts of meals together and let the crockpot do it's magic.
Split pea soup made from a leftover ham bone is amazing, add some frozen cauliflower and carrots for more texture.
I never buy breadcrumbs, I use all the extra crumbs (this include stale ones) from crackers, chips and pretzels. I keep them in a ziploc bag or container and let them build up then grind or smash if you don't have a grinder. Next time you need breadcrumbs these work perfect. Also oatmeal is great to make meatballs and meatloaf with.
You live in a rural area and right now those farmers are overrun with zucchini, squash, pumpkins and apples so if you can get the fresh stuff cheap pick it up and remember you can freeze all these things. I shred zucchini this time of the year and freeze to use later in sauces. Apples a little past their prime make great applesauce, pumpkins and squash can be cooked down and frozen quite well too. I personally don't like to freeze them without cooking first, I find the flavor changes.
You're doing an amazing thing for your kids by thinking of their health and teaching them healthy eating instead of just filling them up with convenient and easy foods.0 -
Ok. So if you have any discount resale grocers buy meats and veg there. It may be worth the trip. Or a mexican grocer they tend to be cheaper as well. Buy seasonings in hispanic section they come in bags. Buy nuts in the cooking section not the nut section. Health foodstore you can buy things like grains or chia quinoa by the lb thats cheapest way. Buy some things at 99c store like cheeses bacon etc. Aldi has good produce at good price. Always at all stores look for mark down meats or buy unusual cuts for cheap. Switch to eggs n bacon for breakfast for kids. Buy beans by the bag lentils etc buy frozen veg and fruit. I do all this and I get sometimes only 20 for a week look for sales too and stock up on meats when you can
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ShelliesTrying wrote: »I don't know how else to title this. I would like some help or suggestions on how to shop to feed a family when you are poor. It's myself and 3 kids (3, 13, 14) on about $26k a year. I barely have enough to keep us in milk and bread. I don't know how to shop to make the most of it. I buy as much fresh fruits and veggies as possible and I avoid the center of the grocery store to avoid the processed foods. I try to keep us in sandwich fixin's, sandwich meats, peanut butter, eggs etc. My kids eat a ton of cereal and I'm trying to wean them off of cereal bc I know it's not healthy. I know it doesn't make much of a difference but I try to stick to cheerio's, mini wheats, raisin bran etc. I buy ground turkey and chicken breast when I can.
Any suggestions would be greatly appreciated. I've been racking my brain trying to make this work. At this point it's no bad that it comes down to paying a bill or buying food. Our cupboards are bare! I'm trying to keep us healthy and continue losing weight.
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One of the best ways I found was to write a shoping list and stick to it. Have a list in the kitchen, and as you run short write it down.
If you buy only apples and bananas as your fruit then though its boring it neans you can spend more on veggies which are more nutritious.
I used a lot of frozen foods too. They are cheaper and just as good for you. I buy chicken and Salmon and veg.
Only buy what you will eat If the kids wont eat liver then there's no point in buying it no matter how cheap it is.
stick to 3 meals a day, It isn't child cruelty to not allow snacks, Ànd they'll clean their plates at meal time because they're hungry.
Be willing to cook from scratch, if you dont enjoy cooking then learn to enjoy saving the pennies it allows.
We used to have junkfood night once a week, It still is a crisps,chocolate and pop night But as its junk you may as well buy the cheapest rubbish...as expensive crap is still crap but has a fancy label.
Even though my hard up days are over I still do these things ,and we spend alot less than the average British family.0 -
There is nothing wrong with "cheap quick and easy- if it gets you the calories you need- it's fine- don't get so hung up on "is this healthy enough or not"ShelliesTrying wrote: »By the way, you are doing great. You are a survivor. You are planning a better future for your kids.
I appreciate this! I have been searching and it's really easy to find "cheap, quick and easy" meals that are horribly unhealthy and equally as easy to find information on eating healthy on a budget when you are one person. I want to continue my weight loss but most importantly keep them healthy. I have to figure out how to cut out some time for meal prep. I think that would make a huge difference.ShelliesTrying wrote: »We NEVER have old milk in our house. We can go thru up to 6 gallons a week. Especially during the summer while the kids are out of school. 3 and 13yo drink lots and lots of milk. I don't buy any juices bc it's mostly sugars anyways.
so- stop buying so much fricking milk- it's way to expensive to be buying regularly. You don't need it.
beans and rice- pasta- and all that "stuff inside the middle of the store" is where the cheap stuff is.
stop buying fresh produce unless it's massively on sale and buy frozen.
Buy bread and meats when they go on sale before they go bad- you can get a great deal that way and then just freeze them.
anything chili/soup/stew/cassarole related can get you what you want.0 -
You can have the same breakfast and lunch every day. You dont need 10 different cereals. Toast and something is equivalent and cheaper.
Lunches bit if salad,cut up veg,make a bean dip. Either dip it or spread it on bread with the veggies in to make a sandwich. Dirt cheap.
Make dinner. Chicken thighs are cheaper than beast and taste better. Roast with some seasoning and veg. Get a slow cooker and use cheap cuts of meat cooked for 24 hours with veg. Slow cookers use hardly any electric.
And dont take the kids shoping with you if you can avoid it,or you'll come home with loads more stuff than you went for.0 -
I just want to start by saying THANK YOU for all of the wonderful advice, suggestions and words of encouragement. However, I must get something off my chest. Please stop telling me to stop buying milk. I understand that no one wants to read thru an entire thread when there are several pages and tons of posts but several people disagree with our milk consumption. While you are under no obligation to agree with my choice to buy milk I would ask that you keep it a little respectful when expressing your personal views on milk. I am ok keeping my kids in milk. I am ok if my daughter just wants a glass of milk because she just wants a glass of milk. We only use upwards of 6 gallons during the summer months because the kids are home and they eat a lot of cereal, mainly my 14 yo son who can eat a box (we buy bags tho, just using this as a size reference) at a time. I feel like I don't but a lot of unnecessary junk so the cost of the milk is ok. We do not buy soda or juices. All we have are milk and water. I do not want this to be misinterpreted in any fashion. I am not being hateful or rude. I just would like to ask those of you who who have a strong opinion on this, or any other topic discussed here, try to remember that everyone is entitled to their own opinion, views or feelings about things and there are more tactful ways to share that opinion with out insinuating that someone else's is the wrong one.
Again, thank you to everyone who has taken the time to share on this post. I, personally, have already started incorporating lots of the information shared here into our family. I know that I am not the only single mom-or any person for that matter- who doesn't make enough money to live comfortably and I hope that the information shared here is helpful to others as well.0 -
I read all 6 pages.
My opinion still stands. You're asking about how to eat with less money- that's a huge chunk of change dedicated to something that could go to something more substantive.
But like you said- everyone's entitled to an opinion- including the milk. <shrugs>0 -
Save every veggie scrap (wilted veggies, ends of carrots, onion skin, etc...) in a zip bag along with bones. When the bags full, dump it in a pot to make homemade stock. You can also save "good scraps" like the few pieces of carrots or bites of chicken that didnt get eaten at dinner to use in soup.
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Save every veggie scrap (wilted veggies, ends of carrots, onion skin, etc...) in a zip bag along with bones. When the bags full, dump it in a pot to make homemade stock. You can also save "good scraps" like the few pieces of carrots or bites of chicken that didnt get eaten at dinner to use in soup.
I keep this bag in the freezer. I roast the bones first for a richer flavour and I save the leafy bits from celery.
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I have not had time to read through all the replies but I want to add that I found a page on Youtube of a series of videos made by a 92 yr old woman who gives her recipes for Depression Era cooking. If anyone would know how to pinch a penny, it would be someone who lived through that! I watched only a few videos so far, but the recipes are wonderful and are similar to what my great aunts taught me as well. They lived through the Depression as well. There is a Youtube channel with lots of her recipes called Great Depression Cooking. The woman's name is Clara.0
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ShelliesTrying wrote: »We NEVER have old milk in our house. We can go thru up to 6 gallons a week. Especially during the summer while the kids are out of school. 3 and 13yo drink lots and lots of milk. I don't buy any juices bc it's mostly sugars anyways.
Children don't need that much milk. Have them alternate with water. That would save lots on your grocery budget.0 -
Lentils, barley, dried beans and eggs are all cheap and a great source of nutrition. Frozen veggies like peas and carrots hold up well. Even green beans can be ok. Look into co-ops. Sometimes they are available where for a few hours of labor you get free eggs and cheap veggies. Growing your own lettuce and herbs is very very easy! Other things require more work but those are easy as pie. Tomatoes aren't too hard either.0
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Also lettuce does great through fall and early spring depending on where you are. So you can do a late/early garden with it.0
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This website is brilliant - http://agirlcalledjack.com/ - the budget UK cook mentioned further up. As for sandwiches, grated carrot and cheese is cheaper than ham/ sandwich meats (and less processed). You can buy oats that are quicker cooking than steel cut which take about 3 mins in a pan and you can get on with other stuff whilst they cook.0
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Also stick with the milk if you like. I'm with you. We eat a tonne of yogurt and no-one would ever stop me doing that. Oatmeal is a good way of using milk - we make ours half milk, half water - since I often find my kids leave milk behind in their empty bowls of cereals, which is just waste.0
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Such a great thread! I read through the 1st, 5th, and 6th pages, so I may have missed some things.
1. For milk, you would have to check prices, but my mom used powdered milk when we were really poor. It was much cheaper at the time, but I don't know about now. Also, if you ever see milk on a crazy sale, you can freeze the whole jug and thaw it out later when milk is more expensive.
2. For cereal, my kids and hubby love it too. At our house it is now a treat for your birthday- you get to pick out any box you want that week. The rest of the time, I make oatmeal overnight in the crockpot. The kids mix in raisins or frozen fruit or cut up apples in the morning. I sometimes stir in an egg (it cooks in the hot oatmeal) right before serving to up the protein a little.
3. We are vegetarian so that saves. When you do use meat, use it as a flavor, don't serve a hunk of meat. Sub in lots of good grains and beans and lentils.
4. I made a crock pot lentil sloppy joe recipe that was cheap and amazing and easy. I just googled for it. Meatloaf was also mentioned. As a busy mom, the kind of thing you can make ahead, and that makes enough to last several meals, is so helpful. You can also make a big huge pot of rice, let it cool, then freeze smaller amounts. Let them thaw in the fridge all day then microwave to go with the meal. Rice under stews and soups is great, and makes them more filling.
5. Are your kids on free and reduced lunch at school? Is free breakfast an option, too? If so, are they getting enough at school? Can they get more? Ask. Our cafeteria has a fresh fruit table, and you are only supposed to get one, but I asked for my kids to be able to take more fruit, and they were ok with it. My kids will happily eat 2 or 3 pieces of fruit at lunch, and I am happy to let them!
6. Some websites like Budget Bytes have prices for recipes. I find this helpful as I don't like to take the time to price out all the ingredients.
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Also stick with the milk if you like. I'm with you. We eat a tonne of yogurt and no-one would ever stop me doing that. Oatmeal is a good way of using milk - we make ours half milk, half water - since I often find my kids leave milk behind in their empty bowls of cereals, which is just waste.
I don't intend on stopping buying so much milk. I was merely asking for some respect when expressing opinions. Everyone can have their opinions and please do express them but do it in a manner that doesn't imply that someone else's opinion is wrong because it's not yours. My son is 14 and eats like a horse and cereal is easy and quick for school mornings and during the summer when they are at home alone. They are kids so it's not like they are going to prepare a 3 course meal when they are home alone. So cereal and PB&J it is.
Thanks for your support.0 -
You can cook beans in the crock pot, too- beans, water, spices. Some bits of leftover meat from leftovers to flavor it. Serve over rice, make a side of a frozen veggie, done.0
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My kids are 5 and 8 and they can prep easy crockpot stuff for me. My 8 year old is in charge of making the oatmeal every night before bed, for example. When its just measure and dump, they are all over it! Even the 3 year old would probably love having the "job" of helping the older siblings make the meal.0
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if your kids love milk, cut back on the other sources of dairy in their diets. my kids get 3 serves of dairy a day, and they can choose between a slice of cheese (a kraft single or string cheese), a glass of milk, a go-gurt tube, or a 1/2 cup of cottage cheese.
Things may be different in my home than yours however, since I have an autistic child who would really prefer to only eat cheese and bread, for all meals. It helps us to tell him we need to pick another protein source for the next meal, ie- peanut butter.
Fwiw- I dont mind fruit juice, at all. My kids can have a 6 oz glass of juice in place of a piece of whole fruit once a day. Apple juice is a great source of vitamin c, and can help keep kids regular.0 -
I tried powdered milk tricks a few times but it tastes quite a bit different. Mix it up the night before and let it get nice and cold. You might try half-and-half powdered with fresh milk. I did switch to powdered milk for nearly all my cooking, and that typically wasn't noticed.0
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