Large family groceries, answered questions

I thought I would take a few moments to share further on our shopping and food habits.

First, after discussion with my dear husband, I decided it would not be the best thing to share what we spend each month--too much comparing could be done. The main point being, to trust God to provide, no matter how little or how much you have. Listen to Him for wisdom, look for Him to bless your money, learn and stick to your budget.

I do this by filling a pantry, then planning meals and snacks. Although there are all sorts of pantry lists out there, I have learned what to keep on hand according to what is cheap and what we like to eat. Of course we might like to eat filet mignon, but we could better afford chicken leg quarters or pork chops. I have learned that satisfying, nourishing food does not have to be expensive, just prepared with skill and love.

For instance, my children are just as happy to eat a peanut-butter-and-jelly sandwich (we call these "PBJ's") with freshly popped corn and some carrot sticks as they would be with some fancy lunch salad with exotic ingredients made according to some recipe from a magazine.

I split my monhtly food budget into portions. One portion is for non-food, such as cleaning products and diapers. My basic cleaning supplies are vinegar and water in a spray bottle for shiny surfaces, all purpose cleaner like Fabuloso mixed with water in a spray bottle for general cleaning, bulk laundry soap in the big bucket, baking soda, ProForce dish liquid from Sam's Club, toilet paper, dishwasher detergent and diapers and wipers (bulk quantities). Things such as paper towels are optional. Lots of these products last more than one month, so I am not buying all of these each month. The cheapest source for diapers seems to be Walmart at this time, but this changes periodically. I am not brand-loyal when it comes to most things, diapers being one of them. Parent's Choice does an adequate job in all areas, so I buy these most often.

Another portion is for meals--and after dividing this amount into days, I come up with about what I can spend per diem each month.

Breakfasts are usually cheapest, with lunch coming in second. The dinner meal can cost a bit more. We can usually eat breakfast for under $5, lunch for about $7, and then our dinner can be $8-$10, leaving a few dollars for snacks, Daddy's sack lunch, and special occasions, etc.

But having explained how carefully I try and plan, there is usually the unforeseen--and I am just not able to cover everything with the money I receive. This is where faith comes in, and this is where I get to see God provide in wonderful ways to prove Himself.

Also, I try and buy everything I can at the beginning of the month, but I do make trips to the store for milk, bread and produce--but I have learned to rush in and out, without looking around for other objects to fill our appetites--by the way, did you know even high-priced markets will tend to have cheaper prices on these basic staples to lure us into the store to purchase other marked-up items?--self-discipline and keeping to the task at hand keeps me from buying more than I need.

Here are some of the simple meals we eat:

• Spaghetti with meat sauce (we make our own with spices and tomato paste)


• Home-made chili


• Hamburger gravy over mashed potatoes


• Cream of chicken soup


• Chicken stir-fry over rice


• Hot dogs


• Mexican beans and Spanish rice


• Sausage jambalaya (from scratch)


• Pasta with vegetable-tomato sauce


• Sandwiches of all kinds


• Stew


• London broil roast with veggies and potatoes


• Baked cut potatoes with sausage


• Homemade pizza


• Nachos


• Chef's salad


• Tacos
  

For snacks, we like carrots, popcorn, pretzels, corn chips, dried fruit, fresh fruit, and baked goods.

We do like to drink milk around here--it just seems to fly out of the refrigerator! We probably drink about 36 gallons a month--I guess you could say we need our own cow!