Cutting Back Our Eating Lifestyle
July 17, 2008 by Karen Weideman
Filed under food, money saving idea
The following is a guest post.
I read in the paper today how some families are cutting down on their expenses by staying home more with their families and buying no name brands, in a sense living simpler. I won’t say that we’ve changed our life completely but we too have stopped eating out as much, but not completely.
What are some ways you try to save money? Do you buy no name brands? If you do what are they?
For years we’ve been buying no name or store name cereals, but from time to time we’ve been known to grab the occasional Trix, Lucky Charms or Raisin Bran. But we try to stock up on these no name cereals as they are always cheap. This also gives us the means to be able to go out and treat the family whenever we feel like doing it.
By buying cheap, as some would call it, we are preparing and saving up for the: milk, bread, eggs, corn, meat and of course gas prices that just keep rising.
Have you changed your eating lifestyle with the rise of prices or have you kept to a normal routine?
Eliza is a wife and stay-at-home mother to four children that range from 11 years to 1. When she isn’t busy playing video games with them or changing diapers, she enjoys blogging and reading books. For a more personal view of her life, you can find her blogging about motherhood at Babylune or The Life of a Home Mom.
I’m not really cutting back due to costs, but I’ve done some things environmentally that have resulted in lower food bills. It’s been great!
I buy the store brand items for everything (except peanut butter – the kids are hooked on Jif) but I tend to watch for when prices drop on the name brand stuff and then I buy a bunch of it – especially cereal. I also try to get as much food as possible from ALDIs as they tend to be the cheapest place in town. On top of that I keep a list to keep track of stores prices on things like bananas.
I have been cutting back my grocery expenses as much as I can. Certain things I will buy that are name brand, but I try to buy generic when I can. I have been avoiding mixes and other prepackaged foods and have seen my grocery bills drop. (And I never bought too many boxed things to begin with). I use coupons and when things are a great deal, I stock up. I also shop at bent and dent grocery stores – somethings items are drastically discounted, other times, they are more expensive than a regular grocery store. By keeping my eye on prices, I have been able to save money.
Our family has been cutting back. I am going to carpool, we buy what is on sale and cook with it, I use more coupons, and plan my meals. We cut back on buying clothes, and things we can live without. I been searching the internet and finding more infromation on how to be more frugal and even started posting some recipes, tips, and other ideas on my website for others and I have had great response. I think a lot of others are looking for ways to cut back and save money. Love your site, I plan on checking more of it out, and reading it from top to bottom. Thanks and keep up the good work! Nancy
Cereals are expensive in general – no matter what kind you buy. Although it takes more time to prepare, there’s always morning fare such as eggs or even a pot of oatmeal or cream of wheat (the non-packet form of both is priced reasonably). Think of a good old farm breakfast. Cereal hasn’t been around forever.
Bulk and no name is the way to go! Cereal is always super expensive so that is best in bulk. And, very little if at all any difference in taste!
You should also check your local Super Target 9if you have one in your area) I have found that SOME of their organic food prices are cheaper than Kroger, which was surprising to me! I buy gluten free foods for my son and one particular brand which was over $7 at Whole Foods, almost $6 at Kroger, was only $3.50 at Super Target.