<p>4bears, I will give Aldi another chance–maybe take my daughter with me. The only time I went I just didn’t understand it. My friend who is from Germany loves it (it is a German company) and always finds good deals. We have a super-cheap local supermarket too, but it is in a sketchy neighborhood and is so huge that it takes forever to get through the store. I do like Costco, but I have a tiny kitchen with a Barbie-sized refrigerator and zero storage space so it’s hard to accommodate the “supersized” everything that the big stores sell. On the upside, because by necessity we follow a more European style of shopping (more frequent, smaller trips) we don’t waste a lot of food.</p>
<p>Re shopping for fresh fruits and vegetables–if you go to a place like Whole Foods or Trader Joe’s and just buy fruits and vegetables (nothing else), you’ll find that it’s not that expensive. There’s stuff on sale each week–focus on that. Also, if you buy what’s in season (which means you don’t buy blueberries and strawberries in December) fresh fruits and vegetables can be reasonable. Going to farmer’s markets is another way to get cheaper fruits and vegetables–or, even better, plant a garden or if that’s not possible, get a plot at a community garden. Even a container garden can yield a far amount of fresh food (I do herbs and tomatoes in containers). </p>
<p>I think the best way to save money on groceries is to avoid all prepared or processed foods. Make everything from scratch. It isn’t always as time consuming as many think.</p>
<p>Sally…we don’t buy everything at Aldi, because Aldi doesn’t carry everything. They have a good line of “store brands”. I really like their Fit and Active line of things. The milk is hormone free, and $2.49 a gallon. You do have to try things. There are things I do NOT like…their toothpaste, raisin bran, for example. They have really good bread, English muffins (DH swears,they are Thomas in different wrapping), and good frozen fruits (we keep the berry mix and peaches in our freezer at all times. The fresh produce is mixed reviews…but it can be very good also. They have the BEST Caesar salad mix (including dressing) I’ve ever had.</p>
<p>Bromfield, we have both TJ’s and WF nearby (TJ’s is a lot cheaper than WF in most cases, but I hate all the packaging). I try to buy whatever is on sale and have taught my daughter that just because you have a craving for raspberries in March does not mean I am going to buy them at $8/lb or whatever.</p>
<p>We also have a wonderful year-round farmers’ market but in the winter there is not much fresh stuff except the frost-sweetened spinach (YUM). And as a rule I don’t think the farmers’ market is cheap. I can easily drop $25 a week there in the summer and fall.</p>
<p>If I were a gardener I would definitely have a plot either on my own property or at a community garden. But my yard is sloped and shady, and I don’t have time to maintain a plot. Maybe someday!</p>
<p>thumper, I will check out the items you mentioned…thank you!</p>
<p>We save a lot of money (versus what we would spend elsewhere) by shopping at Wegmans. The prices are much better than shoprite, Pathmark, stop and shop, etc. we still spend too much, but less. We would like to get our grocery bill under control (I should tell you what it is so you can all shop shame me because I deserve it) because my husband is getting to the age at which working a second job is becoming much less than optimal. Farmers markers in season are the best placed for produce. I am always depressed when the season ends.</p>
<p>We should think about pulling the land line, but DH needs one in case of emergency at work. S2 and I <em>just</em> got data phones – S1 got one as his annual free gift from his employer, gave it to S2 and is paying for data as his gift to S2. S1 got his first dataphone when he started his FT job – his employer provided that and free internet/cable because he and DIL are periodically on call and need access. </p>
<p>DH does not mind shopping at several stores to get the best prices. We typically do TJs, Costco, Safeway, Giant and Wegmans and scour for sales. He is intrigued by Aldi – will have to look for one here. S2 has the minimum meal plan at college because he loves to cook – we save about $1000 over the school year by not having the 6’4", 270 lb guy meal plan – even after we throw in $100/mo for his groceries.</p>
<p>We use Quicken to track our expenses – I can tell you what we spend on Metro fare, groceries, books, gifts, etc. We used to have a plain spreadsheet but graduated to this in 1996. We like having savings direct deposited – we don’t ever see it so we don’t spend it. </p>
<p>Our biggest OOP expenses are medical. I’ve had close to $2M in medical bills in the past eleven years. When I’ve been able to work, every penny goes to EFC. Not having a big mortgage has helped us immensely. Our house is a mix of stuff we bought early in our marriage, IKEA and yard sales. Wish I could say it was eclectic and cool, but that may have to wait for my next lifetime.</p>
<p>S1 and DIL had a wedding celebration this summer and we went DIY. Saved them a ton of $$$ by doing crafty things, making veil/headpiece, etc. DH and S2 did the catering – saved them about $10k right there.</p>
<p>Sally, your post reminded me – we have a raised planting bed (thanks to S2, who built it from scratch) where we grow herbs, tomatoes and squash. It’s 5 ft. x 8 ft. in the only sunny patch in the yard. There is nothing like cooking with fresh herbs! It was awesome to have them for cooking the wedding food and I still have four butternut squashes waiting for me to cook. </p>
<p>Planters with herbs on a porch or balcony also work.</p>
<p>I think a lot of families give little thought to and have no real idea of how much they actually spend on food each month. If a family is spending beyond the ‘low-cost’ level in attached USDA chart, the family could probably comfortably cut back monthly food spending and still eat well. Loading shopping carts up with lots of $5 bags of potato chips and $10/lb. steaks adds up quickly.</p>
<p><a href=“http://www.cnpp.usda.gov/Publications/FoodPlans/2013/CostofFoodNov2013.pdf[/url]”>http://www.cnpp.usda.gov/Publications/FoodPlans/2013/CostofFoodNov2013.pdf</a></p>
<p>I also am horrified by our food bill, zoosermom, including our coffee and alcohol tab. I think about buying things more in bulk, but as far as chips or wine, we are always trying to limit ourselves. So we really don’t want too much of that around. Have to eat out often for work as I like hot food and can’t pack a week worth of sandwiches. My goal is to use what’s in the refrigerator before it goes bad.</p>
<p>intparent, sorry–in all the talk about food I missed your comment to me.</p>
<p>I too am fortunate with regard to the kids’ college expenses. I put money into 529 plans when my income situation was better. And both kids are following a “best education at the lowest cost” scenario. My son is on a full tuition scholarship, so we are dividing the remaining costs (room and board, books, travel) three ways (obviously, only the R&B can come out of the 529). Our strategy with him was to look for the best merit scholarships he could get thanks to his strong academic record and test scores. He will likely have money left in the 529 that we can transfer to his sister (if he wants to go to grad school he will have to focus on fully funded programs). For our daughter, the worst-case scenario money-wise is a state school, and we are prepared to handle that.</p>
<p>CountingDown, your raised bed sounds lovely. Fresh herbs are the best, and I am obsessed with the garlic one of my friends grows. For me having a garden is like having a boat–I can’t have either but I love having friends who do, especially when they don’t know what to do with a bumper crop of something delicious. :)</p>
<p>I plant herbs in boxes in my window in front of my kitchen. My rosemary is still going strong even now. We also put planters on the porch for other veggies and herbs. We’re debating buying a small greenhouse, I really am in shock when I have to actually pay for herbs, but I grow so much basil I learned how to freeze it - throw it in the food processor with a little olive oil and it freezes without turning funky. </p>
<p>We planted trees years ago and I learned how to can. I have a lot of peach jam, peach salsa, etc. We also have cherries, apples, chestnuts and pears. I’ve yet to see a cherry as the birds get them. </p>
<p>We also have a membership to a restaurant depot - since we own a business it’s where restaurants buy their food and supplies. We have a vacuum sealer and hubby worked as a butcher through college so we only buy meat every 4 months or so.</p>
<p>I do it more because I enjoy it, but I also believe we eat better, fresher foods for less than most people. I also cook nearly everything from scratch, even bread.</p>
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<p>I found that if you go right before the FM is closing there are a number of farmers who will reduce the price of items because they want to avoid having to pack up lots of stuff and take it home.</p>
<p>For me, the farmers market is a little like Whole Foods. You can buy all kinds of beautiful, unusual (or in the case of Whole Foods, out of season) produce and walk away with your wallet a lot lighter. Or you can choose based at least partially on price. There’s a good amount that’s priced really well.</p>
<p>I do everything possible to avoid debt. That means I pay off my credit cards each month without penalty or interest. I also pay cash for cars and houses. Cars depreciate in value so why would any rational person put a lot of money into a car? By avoiding debt, I avoid buying things I probably can do without. I have bought investment property using debt because the rate was so low, I could use the cash I would have otherwise invested in the property to get a greater return on investment. Those low rates, however, are a thing of the past relatively speaking. Cash is king and always will be.</p>
<p>Bromfield, that is true here too about going just before the market closes. I do that whenever I can.</p>
<p>Mom2collegekids,</p>
<p>My son is a very pi ky eater and is often satisfied with pbj. He does qualify for free lunch at school. He eats breakfast at home.</p>
<p>We eat a lot of meatless chili and pasta with tomato sauce. Also, bean soup and cornbread. Tuna noodle casseroles often come at the end of the month when meat is low. Ground turkey iis a lot less expensive than hamburger.</p>
<p>For gardening, you do not even need a raised bed or in-ground garden to reap the benefits of fresh produce and savings. If you have a ANY space available, you can grow various vegetables in containers. You can grow tomatoes, pole beans, herbs and even summer squash in containers. </p>
<p>[Container</a> gardening vegetables indoor outdoor gardens](<a href=“http://www.almanac.com/content/container-gardening-vegetables]Container”>Vegetable Container Gardens for Beginners | The Old Farmer's Almanac)
[Making</a> Herb and Vegetable Containers - Successful Container Gardens - University of Illinois Extension](<a href=“http://urbanext.illinois.edu/containergardening/herbveggie.cfm]Making”>Making Herb and Vegetable Containers - Successful Container Gardens - University of Illinois Extension)</p>
<p>^But you do need sun. :(</p>
<p>Mark Bittman’s suggestions for healthier and less expensive eating. Somewhat contradictory suggestions such as chocolate ganache, but interesting ideas interspersed. I don’t see myself eating caramel-braised tofu any time soon!</p>
<p><a href=“Sustainable Resolutions for Your Diet - The New York Times”>Sustainable Resolutions for Your Diet - The New York Times;
<p>This is an excellent blog on the subject of how to eat frugally - it’s written by a single mother who was unemployed and feeding herself and her young son on a total of £10 ($16.50) per week. </p>
<p>[Recipes</a>, Food, Etc. | A GIRL CALLED JACK](<a href=“http://agirlcalledjack.com/category/recipes-food-etc/]Recipes”>http://agirlcalledjack.com/category/recipes-food-etc/) </p>
<p>Well, that was her situation this time last year - her blog is so good that she’s now landed a book deal, been on TV, writes newspaper columns and will be the face of a major national supermarket - all off the back of this blog, and it’s all happened in the last year, which is an achievement by anyone’s standards. </p>
<p>Anyway, definitely worth a look for some inspiration!</p>