How will I survive summer break?!
I went and did my actual grocery shopping for the week today, and wow, the prices of food are just continuing to rise and rise.
Most of the coupons I had in my stash, were not for any food items that I needed, and the only non-food item that I needed to get (because I forgot) was dish soap, so no coupons were used this week.
That makes for a painful shopping experience.
I somehow managed to save $20.89 on in-store specials, but that's nothing really, and not what I'm used to saving.
I just don't know how I will be able to make the food and the food budget, get us through the summer months while the teens are out of school.
During the school week, I am the only one home during the day, and I barely eat any lunches most days, but now with them home, I actually have to stock lunch items.
They get reduced meal prices at school, so during the school year, I mainly just have to worry about dinner and breakfast.
On the weekends, they sleep during breakfast and lunch.
The prices on food are rising and rising, and it's getting harder and harder to manage meals on my super tight budget.
Last year at this time a loaf of white sandwich bread was just .89 cents.
That same loaf of bread today is $1.29.
That may not seem like a lot, but when you have 2 teenagers who need to eat, that's a big jump in price.
The same for the price of meat, chicken, milk, and non-perishables.
Everything has risen in price anywhere between .49, to on some items, as much as a $2.00 price increase.
It's crazy!
How are all you moms managing so far?
And single moms, what are your plans to save as much as you can on just your one income?
Comments
It's crazy how the prices are rising! We're considered a "low income family" and with five kids, our grocery bill isn't small. (3 of the kids are teenagers). So I can understand what you're going through.
I try to make as much as we can from scratch because packaged food is expensive. I buy our fruit and veg from the markets because it's cheaper than at the supermarket.
When sales are on, I try to stock up if I have the money.
A friend of mine suggested once that a good way to save money on food while the kids are on school holidays is to send them to their friends' houses to "play" and hopefully their parents will feed your kids...lol
It felt like I fed the neighbourhood yesterday! We had 4 extra kids and it cost me almost $20 for hot chips and drinks.
Posted by: Tina | June 15, 2008 7:52 PM
I am sure that this is an easier transition for me than for someone with teens, as Maya is barely 2... but we have started growing our own stuff. Tomatoes, lettuce, herbs, cukes, and squash. Gonna do a variety of peppers too, cause I loves me some peppers.
Anyway, we have also cut out most processed foods, which is where I found that we spent the most money. We eat fresh, and I also buy the fruits and veggies at a local stand instead of at the grocery. I get meats at Winn Dixie when shit is on sale, and I get canned goods at Albertsons when they do the 10 for 10 thing.
I buy generic when I can as well. And coupons. I need to get better with the coupons, so I can save even more.
As I said, I am sure with teens, who want what they want, when they want it, its a bit more of a problem. We really only had to change for us, and she just eats what I give her, most of the time any way!!
Another thing that kills me is bread.
WTF? 4 bucks for a loaf of wheat bread?? Pssh.
I got a bread machine from my mom, gonna start making my own bread, AND i found a site online that shows how to make your own laundry detergent and other things, so I am gonna do that too, since I was just reading another blogger who did it, and says her clothes are just as clean and fresh. Ok, I will stop now.
Whew. Holy comment, Batman! LOL
Posted by: Jen | June 16, 2008 8:30 AM
We only have one pre-teen but she eats like a horse. The most upsetting thing to me is the price of fruit....way over the top, can't buy anything but apples and bananas. I am no longer buying snacks -- just breakfast, lunch, and dinner foods and that's helping. I also make big casseroles and make the family eat them for three nights in a row, then freeze the rest.
Posted by: Chris (Singer) | June 16, 2008 12:01 PM