Dissension in the ranks...

Over the weekend my family revolted on me.

While away on my weekly shopping trip, my husband was at home with the three kids.  He, during this time, had to change a messy diaper.  While he was doing this, he sent me a picture of the diaper and complained that the reason for the mess was because of the food we've been eating.  He also told me to bring home food.  Now.

So, as lofty as my ideals were, I've set them aside for my sanity.  I caved and brought home Taco Bell which was summarily devoured as we watched "The Great Muppet Caper" on VHS. 

I've decided to continue the experiment on my own.  I will eat on $1.50 a day for the next 2-3 days.  I'll see how long I can last. 

I will say that we have learned a lot in the few days that we've done this.  My husband constantly fighting back "But we're not poor!"  I've found that living in the US gives us an advantage.  We have access to clean, healthy food that often goes on sale.  We can have variety in our meals because of sales.  You CAN eat for a small amount each meal, day or week, as long as you have access to supermarkets with large variety and good sales. 

I went heavy on pasta products this week, thinking it would be a large amount of what we ate.  I could have saved a few of those dollars and gotten some meat or some fresh veggies. 

If nothing else, I've definitely learned to shop smarter for myself.  That smarter shopping will hopefully allow me the extra few dollars that I can then "pay forward" by donating to our local food shelf. 

So wish me luck, dear readers.  For I embark on the journey alone from here on out. 

Remember, follow me on twitter @camp3082 and keep reading!

Preparation...

http://www.pricechopper.com/savings/weekly-flyer/168?page=8

I think I picked a good week to try this challenge.  My supermarket is having a big sale on a lot of items, many of which are $1 each.  At this sale, I can get at least two different kinds of meat, pasta by the box and sauce, which may also include meat.  It may not be the kind of meat we are used to, but it is meat.  This is the challenge a family living below the poverty line faces.  Feed them lower quality food, or don’t feed them. 

There are some sales on fresh produce this week as well.  A head of iceberg lettuce is $0.99!  Vidalia onions are also the same price, per pound.  Bananas are $0.59 per pound, and can be used for snacks or meals. 

Canned peas, corn and green beans are part of the 10 for $10 sale, and a can of peas will feed my family of 5 with some leftover for the next day.  Chef Boyardee canned foods are also 10 for $10, and they claim to contain part of the daily servings of vegetables.  Some are even made with whole grains.  In a pinch, these will work, but I worry about the sodium levels. 

As I scour the circular for foods, I’m noticing that I may be able to make this work, but that we won’t be able to eat healthy for the week or get the items we are accustomed to having.

For instance, I’ve developed lactose intolerance, so I’ve started drinking almond milk.  That won’t fly this week because it is too expensive.  My son is a picky eater, and will only eat certain foods like baby ravioli.  He might be missing out on a few meals this week. 

So I’m working on my list, which I will share in the coming days.  I’d love some feedback on the selections I’ve made. 

Also, if you are interested in taking the Below The Line Challenge, visit this website

https://www.livebelowtheline.com/us

Saving but spending in the long run...

Today we did our grocery shopping at a warehouse-related chain store that I won't mention but it very popular in rural communities. This store offers all types of items from clothes to bath soaps, bananas to building materials. I've heard many people extoll the virtues of this store, claiming the products are cheaper. But here's the catch, and this happens to me every time, you end up buying more than you need because you think you are spending less.

I chose to shop there today because we needed paper towels, toilet paper, shampoo and some cleaning products. If I didn't need all those things, I'd have shopped at my supermarket since they offer 10 cents off per gallon of gas with every $50 spent. But I went big today, thinking I would get a deal. But once you hit the aisles, you are thinking "hey, do I need another tube of toothpaste?" or "Should I pick up those water filters?" Or, "How can you pass up pants for a buck ninety-nine?"

So I went about my shopping and added some extra items I did not at all need. But the really strange thing is that I didn't get half the items on my list. Some products, like the cleaning products I specifically went to this store for, were not on the shelves. There wasn't even anything remotely close to what I need. Somehow, I walked out spending 120 dollars. Granted, I bought formula and paper towels and toilet papers, which probably added up to a good 25-30 dollars worth of items, but where the hell did the rest of the money go? Beats me.

I know if I had shopped at my local supermarket, I would have checked the aisles for sales, looked for the no-name products which are just as good as name brand, and I wouldn't have been tempted to pick up unnecessary items like candy. Sure, I may have saved a few cents on some items, but is it really worth it? Plus when you figure in the savings that I get for gas, it actually cost me money to shop at the big chain store.

Unfortunately, I have to go to my supermarket tomorrow and pick up the things I forgot to get today. Lesson learned.