Posted by: Teresab Mar 16 2006, 12:05 PM

This may be in the wrong thread....
My 15 year old is seriously going to drive me NUTS! She just lollygags around....duhduhntduhduhntduhduhnt........She is in 9th grade. We are going to have to re-do 9th AGAIN next year, because half of her subjects are 7th grade. Math, science, Grammar....hmm. That's more than half. I gave her some work to do yesterday, it never got done. So here I am running late today......because she didn't finish her work from the LAST lesson!!!!
She had to write her multiplication facts , doesn't know them yet. Had to do a Grammar lesson. didn't do it. THEN when I sit down the next day to move on, she says "OH, I didn't get how to do these, so I never finished" SSSSOOOO mad at her. I am about ready to move her back to 6th grade.

Posted by: Blaise Mar 16 2006, 12:19 PM

I've had days like that too.

Posted by: jessicasmom Mar 16 2006, 12:22 PM

I'm sorry you are having a hard time with your daughter.

Posted by: hs4hmom Mar 16 2006, 12:24 PM

Perhaps give her consequences like no TV or computer until school is done--that's what we do here--but I also don't allow it until after a certain time as well--not before 2pm

Also, I'm a big believer in the If, Then approach. When you tell her to do her work and she doesn't, the next time she comes to ask for something or to do something or to go somewhere--here it comes!!!--just tell her: Remember when I told you to get such and such done? You didn't so now you don't get to do this or see that or go there.
John Rosemond calls it striking when the iron is cold. (I love his books)

The point is to get the burden of responsibility off your shoulders and back on to hers where they belong.

Posted by: Teresab Mar 16 2006, 12:37 PM

Good advice, Thanks ladies!!

Posted by: mtbriere Mar 16 2006, 12:42 PM

We pretty much do it Cindy's way here too. I also don't set time limits to consequences. They have privileges revoked until I am satisfied that the unacceptable behavior is changed. Of course, it's a training process. My girls are fairly motivated since they like going to their activities. If school work isn't finished, they don't go. Same as when they were in ps.

Hang in there.

Posted by: HomeschoolLady03 Mar 16 2006, 12:56 PM

I have an 11 year old. He is not allowed tv, games, or outside time until all work is completed and done correctly. I even make him rewrite things if they aren't written neatly.

My kid is an outdoorsy-type kid. He sees that sunshine as an incentive to get his work finished.

Posted by: tabv Mar 16 2006, 12:57 PM

We have consequences too... no hurry, no rush, but if something isn't done that had a deadline, then none of the extra fun stuff that they see their siblings doing.

I don't feel we expect too much, or even very much at all, so when they don't do it, I definitely feel this isn't too harsh.

Posted by: Teresab Mar 16 2006, 01:03 PM

hmn.....if I could just get that kind of respect from her. If I tell her, oh we'll just add more work, or you can't do this or that.....she'll say "I don't care".
I am going to check into those books by John ......what his name....I'll look back. Thanks!

Posted by: chocolatechic Mar 16 2006, 01:12 PM

I do this as well..........I read a wonderful book by Dr. Kevin Leman called "Making Children Mind Without Losing Yours".......great book, and he is hilarious!!!

Posted by: Beth S...in AK Mar 16 2006, 01:29 PM

We take privileges away as well. It has been to the point where the only thing my daughter had to do was school or stare at the ceiling in her room....everything else was removed! She chose to do her work correctly...but it took a week of no other activities to make her realize I was serious! I guess the 4 walls of her room got really boring!

Posted by: chocolatechic Mar 16 2006, 01:35 PM

Go!!! Beth!!!!

Posted by: Sharilyn Mar 16 2006, 01:38 PM

It must be something about 15 year olds. I have some similar issues. I finally just decided if he chooses to sit there all day and take his time doing his work fine. He now knows that come about 2PM I'm done with school but he has to finish his work. Most days he's fine but other days I just don't get it. I know the work he has shouldn't take much more than 4 hours tops, maybe 5 if he's got some heavy writing for the day so why on earth he wants to sit there until 4 and 5 PM doing work is beyond me! I've set boundaries and it's gotten better.

Posted by: Teresab Mar 16 2006, 02:08 PM

You know I have even taken History and Science out of the mix, it took us yrs to go through 7th grade science, so when we finished the book this yr, I was done. I just have her concentrate on Math and Grammar. SO no excuse for her to piddle all day long either.

Posted by: prlegl Mar 16 2006, 06:29 PM

Well I wish I could say I don't know the feeling. My almost 9 yr old is getting on my last nerve. He wastes more time then he needs to, goofs off the min my back is turned, complains about everything, doesn't get things done and basically thinks he runs the world. I am so at a loss as to what to do with him. I feel I have done it all, no t.v., no video games, time in his room, early bedtime, no friends and anything else I can think of. Today I told him that I was seriously considering sending him back to PS next year and I really think I mean it. I don't know what else to do with him and it is starting to rub off onto my little one. I have been so depressed for the last few days and my birthday is tomorrow and that is making my mood worse. I thought talking about your problems was supposed to help. I'm just more depressed now.

Posted by: Teresab Mar 16 2006, 08:15 PM

Coleen, Happy B-day.( I hope you feel better about it ....remember, you're not getting older, just wiser! ) ....I am sorry you are having a hard time. The weird thing is , My daughter is 15, and acts just like you're 9 yo!!

Posted by: Dr. Pepper Mar 16 2006, 09:40 PM

It looks like someone is into TKD. THIS IS SO IMPORTANT TO MY MAN and I HAVE TAKEN HIS BELT AWAY AND MADE HIM EARN IT BACK. Do you know how embarrassing it is to show up in class and have to explain that M&D took it away?

JUST CALL ME MEAN!!!

Posted by: MomofBunbun Mar 17 2006, 07:45 AM

Teresa, I hope you find something that works to motivate your daughter. Have you ever read the Jar of Doom thread?

Posted by: barbchan Mar 17 2006, 07:51 AM

Seems kids go through these phases. My 15 year old has been a lollygagger for the past two years. Can't get that boy to do anything I ask him to unless money is involved and then it's only half done. My 10 year old is a hard worker as long as his dad is the one who tells him to do it but if it's me he seems to just want to stand there and hope I'll get annoyed enough to say forget it! So annoying!

I hope it gets better for you soon.

Posted by: mtbriere Mar 17 2006, 08:21 AM

LOVE that book!!!

Posted by: prlegl Mar 18 2006, 12:37 AM

So what do I do? Should I send him back to ps? I don't think that will do to much but it might show him how good he has it here. I just want to crawl under my bed and never come out (which I can do now that we cleaned under the bed ). I am really feeling like I have been defeated . I feel like I'm not a good mom or teacher at this point. How do I get out of this depression?

Posted by: Teresab Mar 18 2006, 11:13 AM

Collen, I have been where you are. In all honesty, I have been to the point where I could have give a flip less weather she learned or not. (I know..BAD Mommy!) Last night she came in the kitchen and ask would I go over this test with her.............the one she made a 5 on. UGHH. I told her not right now, maybe Monday.
I went to take my bath........somewhere along the way, it came to me, I can only do SO much. Then she has to take responsibility for HER education. I can present it to her, make sure she understands it at the time, and go on. She wants me to hold her hand through every problem. I have a kinder and first grader to hs too. I am going to work on just doing the BEST I can, and turning the rest over to God. You know, if he leads us to it, he will lead us THROUGH it. I truly believe God has led me to HS my children. And I know he will lead me through it. Just wish he'd tell me how first.... But you get what I mean? You're son is younger than my daughter. You still have options with him. I LOVE the jar of doom thread. It has a lot you could do with your son. MY DD ? Is already grounded until April 22. She ran away with a little boy, lied to us about where she was....we ran ALL over town trying to find her. THEN, when trying to get her to take care of her room a little better, she got mad and decided to cut herself again. She has Borderline Personality Disorder. It has been a NIGHTMARE with her. I know HER nightmare must be worse. but it has been a battle of trying to teach her that SHE makes the choice of how to react on a given situation. She got furious with me yesterday, over having to correct her math work, that she has an average of 33 in right now. She SCREAMED at me that I am "SO RUDE". Then she wants to fly off in a rage to her room, no doubt to cut again. It is almost more than I can handle.

Posted by: shelbygt Mar 18 2006, 12:31 PM

you need lots of hugs!

Posted by: wings Mar 19 2006, 04:23 PM

I am sorry your going through this and know exactly the frustration you are in, been there, done that, got the t-shirt. First relax and know you are not alone. It doesn't make you a bad mom just Mom.

I am a, "It's your responsibility!", parent too. I wouldn't send them to PS, what makes you think it would be different? It could make it worse!! The only difference could be the flack you get from teachers. I would simply put it to them this way, and I have, if you don't work you don't eat. I can get quite blunt with them on this fact.

So in our schedule where they eat at 7:30, 12:00 and 6:00 with snacks in between, if they haven't accomplished the tasks in between they don't eat. I get tougher on this when I see a bad pattern develop and with different ages. For a 5 year old just waiting till the next snack is enough, for a teen it might take 2 days. Depends on how stubborn they are.

It is not your fault if they don't get their work done. It is theirs alone. If they aren't done in time to have dinner or if she has to do her chores during school time and then skip swimming, miss a weekend event, or phone time to make it up. It is their work not yours, you didn't ask them to pay the electricity. They need to be reminded sometimes. The only responsibility I take is for being too soft on them. Then apologize and promise them to toughen up on them more. Being a bit flippant about it doesn't hurt either.

If they don't like the situation let them change it. You can take an hour for a subject or a day but they will get it done. Oh, and when they whine about starving to death and my being cruel, I remind them that they have the power to change things and if Moses didn't die in 40 days two times in a row, they will be fine for a meal or two. Then I show them MY back side.

This is real world training. How many parents have grown children still living off of them because they didn't learn the facts of life, beyond sex, when young.

You will get through this.
Ber

Posted by: Hoppy Mar 20 2006, 01:54 PM

I have a 14 yr. old DD. For me, our problem is attitude. She does the work I assign her. It's when she doesn't understand something and needs my help. She gets frustrated w/me because I can go around the world to get to my point. She then will tell me, "NEVERMIND, I'll figure it out myself. I feel as I'm dyslexic (sp) in my speaking. LOL Oh, and writing.
I honestly think that the teen years are tough, not just on us parents but mainly our teens. If I could just reach in and get that attitude button and turn it to the right spot, I'd have it made.
We get behind a lot of the time due to a lot of problems we have to deal with her older married sister. I know it's not fair for us to just STOP doing school due to other problems. I'm working on that. That is one reason that we school year round.

Maybe you and her need a break? Take a few days away from schoolwork? I don't know. I'm sorry you are going through this, I'm also sorry to hear your DD's problems. Is she in counseling for any of this? We went through some of what you have a couple of years ago, running away, cutting. That's when we drew the line and took her out of PS. We let her go back again, but took her out again this year. Things run a lot smoother when she isn't in PS and those surroundings. She will even admit to learning more at home than she does at school. I can see it in her work as well.

My prayers are with ya'll. I know how hard it can be. PM me or email, if you feel the need. Teen girls and hormones along w/mothers and hormones. Shewww what a mixture.
and for you both.

Posted by: Teresab Mar 20 2006, 05:43 PM

Thanks to all. Yes, she is in counseling. The doc there put her on some meds for it. Didn't offer much help. Said it was just one of those there is no cure for. I told him OUR cure, would be prayer. So, that with a lot of crying, I don't know what else to do. Things have been better the past few days. I have been WATCHING her take her meds, as she likes to not take them. She says she HATES taking medicine. HMN........I tell her to weigh the odds of NOT taking it..........

Posted by: Dr. Pepper Mar 21 2006, 09:00 AM

Teresa - Lifting you and your daughter up in prayer. How very scary and sad that she feels the need to cut.

Posted by: AKHomemom Mar 31 2006, 01:33 AM

When my kids were in Karate the Sensi would tell them that if they were a problem in class or refusing to be respectful or using the Karate inappropriate ways he would take their best away. They would then have to come to class w/their white belt and be treated as a white belt

He would respect a parents right to take away the belt as well. We did this one time w/DS and actually made him hand over his belt to the Sensi at the beginning of class and explain why he was doing so. This only happened one time.

Posted by: Mel Mar 31 2006, 07:23 AM

Do we have the same son??? Sounds just like mine!!

Posted by: Teresab Mar 31 2006, 10:27 AM

Hello All,
I have been busy trying to stay on top of things around here, haven't been on the boards much. DD has had 2 more run away episodes.....the doctor told her it was time for her to straighten up, stop using the BPD as an excuse. I was pleased that he said that.

Posted by: Kate Apr 3 2006, 03:58 PM

Thanks all for posting all that you wrote about motivation. My 13 year old son can make 30 minutes of work take 4 hours and that is just the simple stuff, never mind writing. It so helps know that we all have the same burdens sometime. I have also threatened with ps, taken away all sorts of things, and made this great big brute of a boy cry...I can only hope that he gets over it before I lose my mind utterly.
I am now going to go find the jar of doom thread.
In prayer for us all

Kate

Posted by: schoolcrew2002 Apr 9 2006, 01:17 AM

Okay for those who don't know me very well (cause I don't post that much lol) my name is Hope. I have 3 children and we are coming to the end of our 4th year of homeschooling. In these four years I have learned to handle people opinions. I have finally learned to hold on to those people who get why I homeschool. To the people who don't get. I have learned to look over them. But I have a problem with a family member and I just don't know what to do.

My cousin who is like a best friend to me - we talk all the time on the phone and see each other about once a week. She tells me that she would never homeschool (if she had children) but she thinks it's great that I do. Okay the problem is, in the next breath she downs me. Okay for example, my youngest son is having problems reading. She knows this because we have talked about it before. A couple of weeks ago she started asking me about again. She ask me how I handle other subjects. I told her that I let him read what he could and I help with the rest. Then she said that I can't be around him all his life. And that other children she knows his age could read books like "Harry Potter". She just went on and on about how bad that it was. This really hurt because she knows that I have struggled with this. I finally just told her that I trusted God to help him. And also when his mind was ready, he would catch on. To that she had more to say. And this is not the only time she has question me about something and then down me. The last time was the other night. She told me that I need to get up every morning and have a purpose for my day. Well duh, wonder what them 3 kids and that man is doing in my house??? It really made me mad, but I am that type of person that doesn't wants to cause an argument. I didn't say anything.

Sorry this is so long. But how do I handle this? Do I tell her that this is hurting my feelings? She is one person that would work it like I hurt her feelings. Do I say nothing and just hold it in? Which doesn't feel good. Or do I just stop talking about hs all together with her? Or maybe I should do something else. I don't know. This is really bugging me. Any advice would be much appreciated.

Thanks so much!

Posted by: Sammi Apr 9 2006, 07:03 AM

Hope this helps.

I haven't shared this w/ anyone here, because it hurt and I just blocked it out of my mind.

I have a niece, who has a daughter the same age as I am. My niece is an engineer. She is involved in the Woman's Engineering Society of America. They sponsor a Lego competition. She asked if my daughter/8 would like to participate. They had just started a younger group.

My daughter was thrilled to be taking part and doing something with her cousin.

We had to miss a practice...b'c I was not given a schedule on time, b'c she admittedly didn't get it to me...
So I called her, never ever have I called her at work.

Started the conversation, Do you mind if I called you at work. No, no problem.

I told her we couldn't make it b'c of other commitments (it was just a practice)

She threw a fit!!! I just didn't want anyone else to teach my daughter!!!! I have never had anyone to speak to me in this manner.

That I didn't want anyone to be involved in her life but me. That I never let her daughter, play with mine at their home.

Well....she has never been invited!!!! OMG! I've only invited her daughter to my house. Geez, I see the problem.

Just over and over again, she talked about how I over protect her...

It just went on and on and on.

It was just horrific! Over and over she bashed me and how I am raising my children. I was so stunned, b'c she had never voiced her opinion about this.

Then she ended up saying, How dare you call me at work.

I don't want to go into detail, but I was shocked.

I finally had to hang up, it got so bad.

This was a few weeks before Christmas this past year.

At Christmas, I walked into my sister's in law house, her daughter, and I didn't even think about her being there...I just was covered with God's grace, b'c I walked in and as I am hugging everyone, hugged her.

My mil was shocked.

Point is...of my very long story...sorry...

That it is not your problem, but hers.

Only include her in your life, when necessary.

Remember, if God gave you the grace to homeschool...Satan is trying to put in doubts and throw curve balls your way.

I have never been thrown one so strong and I felt it almost knocked me over.

Just pray through it and know, it is Satan. Stand firm, but ignore her.

Thank her for her concern, but you know what is best for your children.

THE END...don't discuss the merits of hs'g w/ her....nothing. Just I appreciate your concern, but I know what is best for my children.

Good Luck...Let God heal your heart. Don't let Satan set in doubt.

God Bless and I hope this helped a little bit.

Posted by: Appliejuice Apr 9 2006, 02:54 PM

I am sorry that has happened. I have never had that problem, and I don't know how I would have handled it.

Posted by: mom-to-five Apr 9 2006, 03:34 PM

Sorry this happened... I would have to agree with what the others said.... it is hard though when you are close to someone!!!

Posted by: mtbriere Apr 9 2006, 07:08 PM

I'm in agreement with everyone. We know our children best and love them most. The decisions we make regarding their lives are our decisions. Relatives and friends handing out advice or judgement can either be concern & love or downright judgement, but it all boils down to it's our decision.

Remember that you can set boundaries. You don't have to be mean or disrespectful, but you can let her know what is inappropriate. If she is hurt after you've spoken to her respectfully, it is a problem that she needs to be dealing with...

Posted by: TiffinKY Apr 9 2006, 08:41 PM

I like this suggestion for dealing with doubters quite a bit. I know just the book I'd offer them, too.

Posted by: wings Apr 10 2006, 12:41 AM

Hope,

Most all of us have experienced similar situations. People feel threatened when you don't 'go with the flow'. It insinuates in their minds that something they are doing is wrong so if they find something wrong with you it validates their opinion. Case in point your relation asks questions and then downs your actions. It is a treasure hunt on her part to validate her lifestyle or choice.

Don't let it happen but once. Now it seems cold or overly simplified but over time you learn who you can open up with and who you cannot. You do this by listening to the question for hints of motive and not answering questions eagerly or clearly at first. If there is ulterior motive first you haven't given them ammunition and secondly they will typically reveal their motive upon further reverse probing. If they are especially persist ant and annoying....I have standard answers for both reading and upper math. They typically stop all questioning.

I have been homeschooling for 13 years now. It happens, get over it and walk on. That was the advice given to me a looooong time ago by another long time homeschool mom.

Relax and just be prepared for the next query,
Ber

Posted by: AKHomemom Apr 10 2006, 02:34 PM

Hope,
I don't have any new advice to offer you. What's been given is great and I support it.

We are all here for you when you need a shoulder to cry on or an ear to unload on.

I for one do not talk about homeschooling to some friends just because of their attitude. I know who I can find support with, a couple don't even homeschool either they're just very good friends, and those are the ones I discuss this with the others get the polite answers.

Posted by: quiltinmommy Apr 10 2006, 02:44 PM

I can't offer anything new either...big hug to you! I also choose not to discuss homeschooling with people who are not supportive.... there are plenty who will be a loving support without allowing others to beat me up.

Posted by: mommapossum Apr 10 2006, 03:05 PM

Posted by: chocolatelover Apr 10 2006, 03:23 PM

One of my SILs has done this to me on many occasions. I never argued w/ her because my Husband asked me not to......
Even though I would be burning about it for days I never argued w/ her.
Finally he told me that I could fight her about it under certain circumstances ( She had to start it and only if she did it in my home.)

Well one day she attacked me about it again...she used everything she could think of....doing as far as to say in the Bible God says that you shouldn't live in fear and be overprotective of your children...I was that and I was sick in my head.

I had it....I told her "God gave me these children, I am the sole responsible for all of what the do or hear. The Bible says I am to teach them and if I don't I am still responsible for what they learn by whom ever teaches them. If you have enough faith to be punished for others teaching your child great. I don't. I will practice my God given right to teach them." Took a breath and told her where the door was and she wasn't welcome if she attacked me again.
She hasn't ever made a comment about HSing since...

I wish you luck.

Posted by: Sharilyn Apr 10 2006, 06:17 PM

I couldn't have said it better. It has taken me along time to understand what it means to not discuss my business with other people. Sometimes I still open my mouth to people I know I shouldn't.

I've found particularly when it comes to homeschooling issues, it's best to discuss those with others who do in fact, homeschool - only they can understand and give me sound advice and feedback without making me feel like a failure or whatever negative feelings and attitudes Satan tosses in.

Posted by: schoolcrew2002 Apr 11 2006, 12:26 AM

I just feel so blessed to have you all!! Thank you so much for your personal stories and advice on dealing with this.

This is hard because we have been so close. If she had been somebody at my church or off the street, it would not have hurt so bad. And just the fact that I had told her things that I struggle with. But I guess there are some people that you can trust and some you can't. She is just not one I can talk about hs with. I might need to watch everything I say around her. It is sad to say that but I need to protect not only me but my family.

I have some wonderful people in my life that I can talk too about hs. I have you all here!! And also I have some great people that support us.

Thank you again!! I feel very encouraged and ready to take that stand.

God Bless!

Posted by: chocolatelover Apr 11 2006, 12:28 AM

I'm happy you feel better.

Also so glad and happy and jealous you have people who support your Homeschool decision.

Posted by: mimzie Mar 28 2006, 11:47 PM

Since Jessica's post on saving money else where, I've realized I spend way too much on our food bill!!

I dont know where to start on cutting it down either? I use to go to Sam's and buy the meat etc and run to the store daily for the rest (#1 problem!)

The hardest thing for me is planning meals for the month/week/... even the next day! Usually at supper time it's like "OK, what can I cook tonight?" Our meals usually arent expensive meals, no prepackaged or anything but I realized that I spend about $500 a month on groceries! That seems like a lot compared to what others are saying. I do feed 3-4 adults and 4 kids but these are young kids so they really dont eat much.

So I guess my biggest question is, will planning meals ahead really save money? Does freezing meals save money in the long run? We hardly ever eat out so I know that isnt the problem either. I just dont know where all the money goes I guess. I do not buy snack foods (chips cookie etc) veggies are usually snacks around here and that's about it. So I guess I need some suggestions on what to buy! I have the meats covered but what do I make with it? LOL

Posted by: Nana Mar 29 2006, 12:17 AM

Me too I am waiting to hear the answers to this one.. I need help in this area also.

Nana

Posted by: Appliejuice Mar 29 2006, 12:36 AM

I feed six people and I spend more than that. I think it depends on where you live and the cost of food.

It also depends on you. Are you the kind of person who likes to try new recipes that call for different ingredients that you normally don't have on hand. Like fresh dates and then once you buy them you don't remember why? Oh wait, that's me.

My favorite cookbook for cheap meals is Misery Moms. Can't remember the author at the moment. I like it because it is simple "normal" meals from scratch.

I did find that planning meals well in advice (that's 1 1/2 weeks for me), does help. I am not running out to the grocery store or to a resturant.

I don't know about freezing meals. I do freeze some, but not a lot. I only freeze when I make extras. I don't go out of my way to freeze special meals. Now, I will be freezing some things for our up coming meals, but that is only for treats.

Posted by: JessicaN Mar 29 2006, 12:51 AM

We utilize a lot of 'ground' meat vs steaks or chicken breast, etc. I can get ground turkey at the Super Walmart for $2.49 a lb I think it is, in 3lb packages, and then I usually divide that in half and freeze 1.5 lbs sizes.

What to make with it?

Meatballs, swedish or spagetti, also sweet and sour over rice, but still tinkering with a recipe DH will like better
lasagna
spagetti with meat sauce
hamburger helper (walmart brand)
burgers
meat loaf (I can actually make a turkey meat loaf that my family requests over beef)
tacos
sloppy joes
burgers of course


Make your own hamburger helper type meal with mac & cheese, ground hamburger, and peas.

We usually do our own tuna helper this way, 2 cans walmart tuna, a family sized box of walmart mac & cheese, and either broccoli or peas, usually one bag frozen. The tuna and mac & cheese will cost you $1.69 and then the cost of the veggies.

Pancakes are another cheap meal here, I buy the baking mix from Aldis (bisquick knock-off for 99cents a box) they have a recipe on it that calls for eggs, a spoon of sugar, and a spoon of vanilla, the kids go nuts for. I do spend extra for the sugar free syrup because DH goes crazy with it, and he's trying to loose weight. But the 99 cent box of mix will get us 3-4 meals. Try topping with diced warmed peaches instead of syrup!

If you do have some chicken in the freezer, I've made chicken fingers from seasoned bread crumbs. Just coat the chicken in some water or beat egg with a pinch of salt (helps break up the thick part of the egg so it's all runny)

If you're just going to pan fry, grill, or bake your meat, try marinating it. Serve with some white rice, or a nuked potato, and some steamed veggies, you cover all the food groups and it's a no-thought meal, you can just pull out whichever veggie you feel like for the night.

If you're not a big advanced planner, try making a turkey or a roast. You have it hot as-is the first day, and then turn it into sandwiches, hash, or turkey-ala-king for leftovers. Warm up your turkey in a fry pan and top with cheddar cheese and throw it on a bun or bread with mayo, yum!

OK, I think I'm just delirious with exhaustion, Abby hasn't been sleeping well, she has a double ear infection, so I've been dreading getting into bed with her and DH. Maybe I'll just go sleep in her bed, lol.

If you've made it this far in my ramblings, I appologize! good night!

Posted by: mimzie Mar 29 2006, 01:25 AM

Thanx for the ideas so far! I wanted to say, I buy hamburger meat from Sam's, like $1.89 a lb and very little fat, dont even have to drain it!

I'm going to have to try the chicken stuff, I have chicken breast that have been in the freezer for a while cause I didnt know what to do with it.

I hardly ever cook from recipe books, just cause it always contains ingrediants that I dont have LOL

These are some of the meals I make though:

Mexican corn bread: 1lb hamburger cooked, 4c corn meal mix (2 batches) and all the stuff to make the corn bread, 1 can of corn and velvetta cheese, throw it all together in the corn meal mix and cook according to corn bread instructions. Kids love it!

Goolash?? (how the heck do you spell it?) LOL 1lb hamburger meat, 1 bottle of cheap spaghetti sauce, ranch style beans (2 cans usually) 1 spaghetti sauce bottle filled with water, sometimes a bit more water, add macoroni (dry) and cook til macaroni is done. Add velvetta when it's done and let it melt, stir and serve Kids love this too

Ranchers soup (I think it's called) 4 cans of minestrone soup, 1lb hamburger meat, 6tbsp greek seasoning, 2 cans kidney beans (I prefer pinto beans though) 1 can tomato (or 2, I dont like tomatoes) a can or 2 of water. Serve with crackers or corn bread. This stuff is really good! I had the recipe but lost it so not sure of exacts or even if this is all that goes in it but this is how I cook it lol This feeds a lot too and kids love it

Hmm that's all I can think of right now, I've cooked these in the last week so they are fresh in my mind lol

Rachel

Posted by: Tressa Mar 29 2006, 01:37 AM

Yes! A menu makes a big difference. I plan 2 weeks in advance. Well, to be completely honest, I haven't been very good about it lately and I am paying the price. If you make a menu and your grocery list at the same time, you will have everything you need on hand to make your dinners. My poor hubby has heard many times, "Don't eat that! It is for a recipe!" He has learned to ask.

For easy recipes that don't take a ton of ingredients, I like Saving Dinner and 6 Ingredients or Less. They are my favorites. They have easy recipes with few ingredients.

To save time with menus, I keep mine in a 3-ring binder. After I have a few weeks of menus I rotate them. On my menu page, I write the cookbook and the page number that it is on. That prevents me from digging through the cookbooks looking for the recipe again. I don't make a side dish menu because my sides are usually the same. They are salads, rice, potatoes or veggies and sometimes rolls.

Before we moved I was doing serious coupon shopping to save myself even more money, but I haven't started back up since we have been here. I need to build my coupons back up. I was saving a lot of money planning sales and coupons. But, it is a lot of work and I don't know if I am in the mood for that right now. It can be fun though.

Posted by: mamamia Mar 29 2006, 08:14 AM

500 dollars a month! That's cheap for me, I usually spend about 800-900 a month and I don't buy sweets, I make my own.

My advice would be shop for a week at a time. Make a list and stick to it. Don't buy anything that isn't on the list. That's where the problem lies.

Good Luck!

Posted by: chocolatechic Mar 29 2006, 08:29 AM

I try very hard not to purchase ground meat unless it is about $1.50 per pound. You mentioned that you shop at Aldi........Aldi has ground turkey in the freezer section for $1.69 a pound. I shop at Aldi for everything.....that they have.......then and only then do I shop elsewhere. I realize that not everyone has an Aldi near them. The next cheepest place to shop is Save-a-lot. I also know that many people are picky about what brands they eat. That.......to me.........is sad. If a budget needs tightening, then buy store brands, or Aldi or something like that. Eventually, they will eat it. If not, they can go hungry. That is just my philosophy. It is also what you get used to.

For example, my mother who is always saying they don't have enough money, only buys Campbel(?) soup.....we only get Aldi. My mother is always shaming me because I don't buy the "good stuff" for my kids. One day we were over there, and my mom fixed some soup for the daughter and she didn't like it. It didn't "taste as good as Aldi brand"........my mom was shocked........that she didn't like the "good stuff"......

Most times the store brands come right off the same line as the name brands....different label. One thing I also learned........Aldi.....over in Europe........is like Kroger/Big Bear here in America.

Posted by: mimzie Mar 28 2006, 11:47 PM

Since Jessica's post on saving money else where, I've realized I spend way too much on our food bill!!

I dont know where to start on cutting it down either? I use to go to Sam's and buy the meat etc and run to the store daily for the rest (#1 problem!)

The hardest thing for me is planning meals for the month/week/... even the next day! Usually at supper time it's like "OK, what can I cook tonight?" Our meals usually arent expensive meals, no prepackaged or anything but I realized that I spend about $500 a month on groceries! That seems like a lot compared to what others are saying. I do feed 3-4 adults and 4 kids but these are young kids so they really dont eat much.

So I guess my biggest question is, will planning meals ahead really save money? Does freezing meals save money in the long run? We hardly ever eat out so I know that isnt the problem either. I just dont know where all the money goes I guess. I do not buy snack foods (chips cookie etc) veggies are usually snacks around here and that's about it. So I guess I need some suggestions on what to buy! I have the meats covered but what do I make with it? LOL

Posted by: Nana Mar 29 2006, 12:17 AM

Me too I am waiting to hear the answers to this one.. I need help in this area also.

Nana

Posted by: Appliejuice Mar 29 2006, 12:36 AM

I feed six people and I spend more than that. I think it depends on where you live and the cost of food.

It also depends on you. Are you the kind of person who likes to try new recipes that call for different ingredients that you normally don't have on hand. Like fresh dates and then once you buy them you don't remember why? Oh wait, that's me.

My favorite cookbook for cheap meals is Misery Moms. Can't remember the author at the moment. I like it because it is simple "normal" meals from scratch.

I did find that planning meals well in advice (that's 1 1/2 weeks for me), does help. I am not running out to the grocery store or to a resturant.

I don't know about freezing meals. I do freeze some, but not a lot. I only freeze when I make extras. I don't go out of my way to freeze special meals. Now, I will be freezing some things for our up coming meals, but that is only for treats.

Posted by: JessicaN Mar 29 2006, 12:51 AM

We utilize a lot of 'ground' meat vs steaks or chicken breast, etc. I can get ground turkey at the Super Walmart for $2.49 a lb I think it is, in 3lb packages, and then I usually divide that in half and freeze 1.5 lbs sizes.

What to make with it?

Meatballs, swedish or spagetti, also sweet and sour over rice, but still tinkering with a recipe DH will like better
lasagna
spagetti with meat sauce
hamburger helper (walmart brand)
burgers
meat loaf (I can actually make a turkey meat loaf that my family requests over beef)
tacos
sloppy joes
burgers of course


Make your own hamburger helper type meal with mac & cheese, ground hamburger, and peas.

We usually do our own tuna helper this way, 2 cans walmart tuna, a family sized box of walmart mac & cheese, and either broccoli or peas, usually one bag frozen. The tuna and mac & cheese will cost you $1.69 and then the cost of the veggies.

Pancakes are another cheap meal here, I buy the baking mix from Aldis (bisquick knock-off for 99cents a box) they have a recipe on it that calls for eggs, a spoon of sugar, and a spoon of vanilla, the kids go nuts for. I do spend extra for the sugar free syrup because DH goes crazy with it, and he's trying to loose weight. But the 99 cent box of mix will get us 3-4 meals. Try topping with diced warmed peaches instead of syrup!

If you do have some chicken in the freezer, I've made chicken fingers from seasoned bread crumbs. Just coat the chicken in some water or beat egg with a pinch of salt (helps break up the thick part of the egg so it's all runny)

If you're just going to pan fry, grill, or bake your meat, try marinating it. Serve with some white rice, or a nuked potato, and some steamed veggies, you cover all the food groups and it's a no-thought meal, you can just pull out whichever veggie you feel like for the night.

If you're not a big advanced planner, try making a turkey or a roast. You have it hot as-is the first day, and then turn it into sandwiches, hash, or turkey-ala-king for leftovers. Warm up your turkey in a fry pan and top with cheddar cheese and throw it on a bun or bread with mayo, yum!

OK, I think I'm just delirious with exhaustion, Abby hasn't been sleeping well, she has a double ear infection, so I've been dreading getting into bed with her and DH. Maybe I'll just go sleep in her bed, lol.

If you've made it this far in my ramblings, I appologize! good night!

Posted by: mimzie Mar 29 2006, 01:25 AM

Thanx for the ideas so far! I wanted to say, I buy hamburger meat from Sam's, like $1.89 a lb and very little fat, dont even have to drain it!

I'm going to have to try the chicken stuff, I have chicken breast that have been in the freezer for a while cause I didnt know what to do with it.

I hardly ever cook from recipe books, just cause it always contains ingrediants that I dont have LOL

These are some of the meals I make though:

Mexican corn bread: 1lb hamburger cooked, 4c corn meal mix (2 batches) and all the stuff to make the corn bread, 1 can of corn and velvetta cheese, throw it all together in the corn meal mix and cook according to corn bread instructions. Kids love it!

Goolash?? (how the heck do you spell it?) LOL 1lb hamburger meat, 1 bottle of cheap spaghetti sauce, ranch style beans (2 cans usually) 1 spaghetti sauce bottle filled with water, sometimes a bit more water, add macoroni (dry) and cook til macaroni is done. Add velvetta when it's done and let it melt, stir and serve Kids love this too

Ranchers soup (I think it's called) 4 cans of minestrone soup, 1lb hamburger meat, 6tbsp greek seasoning, 2 cans kidney beans (I prefer pinto beans though) 1 can tomato (or 2, I dont like tomatoes) a can or 2 of water. Serve with crackers or corn bread. This stuff is really good! I had the recipe but lost it so not sure of exacts or even if this is all that goes in it but this is how I cook it lol This feeds a lot too and kids love it

Hmm that's all I can think of right now, I've cooked these in the last week so they are fresh in my mind lol

Rachel

Posted by: Tressa Mar 29 2006, 01:37 AM

Yes! A menu makes a big difference. I plan 2 weeks in advance. Well, to be completely honest, I haven't been very good about it lately and I am paying the price. If you make a menu and your grocery list at the same time, you will have everything you need on hand to make your dinners. My poor hubby has heard many times, "Don't eat that! It is for a recipe!" He has learned to ask.

For easy recipes that don't take a ton of ingredients, I like Saving Dinner and 6 Ingredients or Less. They are my favorites. They have easy recipes with few ingredients.

To save time with menus, I keep mine in a 3-ring binder. After I have a few weeks of menus I rotate them. On my menu page, I write the cookbook and the page number that it is on. That prevents me from digging through the cookbooks looking for the recipe again. I don't make a side dish menu because my sides are usually the same. They are salads, rice, potatoes or veggies and sometimes rolls.

Before we moved I was doing serious coupon shopping to save myself even more money, but I haven't started back up since we have been here. I need to build my coupons back up. I was saving a lot of money planning sales and coupons. But, it is a lot of work and I don't know if I am in the mood for that right now. It can be fun though.

Posted by: mamamia Mar 29 2006, 08:14 AM

500 dollars a month! That's cheap for me, I usually spend about 800-900 a month and I don't buy sweets, I make my own.

My advice would be shop for a week at a time. Make a list and stick to it. Don't buy anything that isn't on the list. That's where the problem lies.

Good Luck!

Posted by: chocolatechic Mar 29 2006, 08:29 AM

I try very hard not to purchase ground meat unless it is about $1.50 per pound. You mentioned that you shop at Aldi........Aldi has ground turkey in the freezer section for $1.69 a pound. I shop at Aldi for everything.....that they have.......then and only then do I shop elsewhere. I realize that not everyone has an Aldi near them. The next cheepest place to shop is Save-a-lot. I also know that many people are picky about what brands they eat. That.......to me.........is sad. If a budget needs tightening, then buy store brands, or Aldi or something like that. Eventually, they will eat it. If not, they can go hungry. That is just my philosophy. It is also what you get used to.

For example, my mother who is always saying they don't have enough money, only buys Campbel(?) soup.....we only get Aldi. My mother is always shaming me because I don't buy the "good stuff" for my kids. One day we were over there, and my mom fixed some soup for the daughter and she didn't like it. It didn't "taste as good as Aldi brand"........my mom was shocked........that she didn't like the "good stuff"......

Most times the store brands come right off the same line as the name brands....different label. One thing I also learned........Aldi.....over in Europe........is like Kroger/Big Bear here in America.


So has mine!!! I also don't.........as a general rule........go out and purchase something specifically for only one recipe. I generally make plain meals, filling, but plain.......with ingredients that you can find at Aldi

Posted by: JessicaN Mar 29 2006, 09:09 AM

I have to add that the ground turkey I get is national brand stuff, and it's one of the few places we do spend our money for national brand food. I like to know what is in my meat, I used to work in a meat dept of the food store, and I could tell you some stories that would make you hurl. We don't generally use beef in our house because I'm allergic to it. And I have tried some of the generic ground turkey, but we've had really bad luck with it being fatty, containing bits of bones, cartelige, etc. I think they use animal fat other than turkey in their ground turkey too, which opens me up to a lot of food allergy issues. But anyway, I just wanted to say that we HAVE looked into generic meat, it's just not something we're willing to cut from our budget. And I really think it's about the ONLY thing we still buy national brand of.

We never use coupons, because we always buy store brand on everything. I've spent so much time cutting coupons, only to get to the store, compare sale prices WITH double coupons, only to find out the store brand is STILL cheaper. We get the coupons from our mothers after they have gone through them, and if by chance there is something we need that I can't find in an off brand, we can still get the coupons without paying for the paper.

Oh, there's another idea for saving money, if you have family nearby, share the newspaper and coupons!

Posted by: Appliejuice Mar 29 2006, 09:11 AM

Good advice, CC. I wish we had some of those low cost grocery stores here. We usually shop at Sam's for our bulk items and then Publix. Yes, Publix cost more than Food Lion or Winn-Dixie, but the extra cost in fuel to get to those stores, is more than the cost at Publix. So, you do need to keep fuel cost in shopping at different stores in mind.

My hubby is the one who shops at Sam's. He stops by on the way home from work. He came home the other day and said Sam's had rearranged everything and raised prices, so now we have to compare prices again.

Using up leftovers is another way to safe. I think that is our biggest mistake. I don't always use them up.

I do stop by the grocery store about 3 times a week, to pick up fresh fruits, vegies and milk. Once a week or every two weeks does not work for us.

Posted by: praise_singer Mar 29 2006, 09:14 AM

I LOVE Miserly Moms! I just printed a recipe off of their website. Here's their webpage for lots of ideas on how to save money:

http://www.miserlymoms.com/

Posted by: JessicaN Mar 29 2006, 09:15 AM

Oh and for goulash, our recipie is:

boil the pasta in a seperate container.
brown the meat in anther.
Then the sauce is whatever I have on hand, but it's USUALLY a couple of big cans of diced tomatos. I have also used spagetti sauce and added a small can of diced tomatos.

Then, after mixing the pasta with the meat, noodles, and tomato products, and making sure it's HOT! ladle into bowls, with mozzarella in the middle so the last ladle of hot goulash melts the cheese. My son will also add parm cheese on top. Great with garlic toast!

Posted by: praise_singer Mar 29 2006, 09:16 AM

That's our biggest problem here....our leftovers usually go out to the dogs.

Posted by: chocolatechic Mar 29 2006, 09:25 AM

Miserly Mom's is written by Jonni McCoy.

I also like the "Tightwad Gazette" books by Amy Dacyczyn.....some of her ideas are a bit much/off the wall for me, but her principles are very sound.

I do most of the stuff she suggests......not all......especially the dumpster diving thing. She is very funny as well.

Posted by: JessicaN Mar 29 2006, 09:26 AM

Do you have a Super Walmart? Sometimes even a regular Walmart will have food staples. That's where we do most of our off-brand purchases. Moslty because it's convenient, we save up our shopping list and go twice a month. There's a Super Walmart, and a BJs (like Sams) in the same plaza. So we can get our Walmart shopping, our Grocery shopping, and our Bulk shopping all done at once, no running around. I've just learned that I can't send hubby, he picks up the national brand stuff vs the store brand. I think his mom has brainwashed him. That woman couldn't buy a generic item if her life depended on it!

Posted by: chocolatechic Mar 29 2006, 09:30 AM

One thing I will caution you on.......

For General Merchandise......NOT groceries at Walmart, vs. SuperWalmart.......

If you compare.......SuperWalmart's prices are a good .20 higher per item than a regular Walmart. I noticed that when our store switched over. It is that way........generally, everywhere.

So.......if you just need regular things, not groceries and need to go to a Walmart........go to a regular one.

Posted by: Grammie Mar 29 2006, 09:33 AM

I watched my mom for years, making menus and then making her grocery list. A trip to the grocery store was an all day thing for her. She was reading labels before it was THE thing! We always knew when she had gone shopping because dinner was: hot dogs, pork n'beans, and cottage cheese. Anyway, she taught me a lot and I always made menus (trying to use what I had) and then my grocery list. I did a lot of meals that I could double the recipe and then freeze half for another meal. We usually did leftovers on Friday nights, but we called them "Had 'ems".

Posted by: JessicaN Mar 29 2006, 09:34 AM

I have compared prices, and that doesn't seem to be the case where we are.

Posted by: wings Mar 29 2006, 09:59 AM

We spend around $150 per week that means around $600 per month averaging up. We feed 3 adult appetites and 4 children appetites and this is a kosher diet. This includes everything. Toiletries, paper products, gardening items, kitchen needs, cleaners, etc.

We use mainly turkey, chicken, and fish. I stock my pantry with things I like to eat and cook I meal plan but sporadically. It takes time and I find it helps but I do not get bent out of shape if I change it in the middle and shift meals to other days extra. You must have balance.

It sounds like you are in the ball park with budget. I enjoy gardening and that helps the budget when you eat as many vegies as we do. Also if you can you can buy seasonal at the farmers market or local organic garden and can the items. For example I don't buy apples except by the case. We eat a lot of them and by the case they work to around 40 cents a pound and this is for high quality apples. At wally world they are minimum for 2nd or 3rd grade $1 a pound. Even if I find a few bad ones I am saving big time.

So since I didn't get green beans in this season I will purchase a case and can and pickle them. My kids love pickled snacks and that is a favorite.

As for individual meals my only suggestion is keep them simple and don't focus on the meat of the meal but the vegetable. If you focus on the meat your going to go up in cost. If your children and you love green beans do a meal of orientle stir fried green beans and rice. No meat required especially if you toss in a few almond slivers with the beans. This is one of our favorites. If I want it fancy I add my Egg Flower soup.

I they like greens and they are in season, Palak Paneer with rice or paan and butter. Potatoes, bake them and cover them with broccoli and cheese and chives.

Ber

Posted by: hs4hmom Mar 29 2006, 10:00 AM

I have "Dinner in a Bag". I made it last night and the family really likes it.
I brown 1 lb of ground meat (turkey or hamburger)
with chopped onion (I used 1 Tbsp of onion powder), some celery (I used 1 tsp of celery seed) and 1 tbsp of chili powder.
Open two cans of diced tomatoes (13.5 oz?)
Add the tomatoes to the ground meat when it's cooked.
Add 2 cups of dry macaroni. Bring to a boil and then turn down to a simmer. Simmer for about 30 minutes and it's done. A one pot meal. For a little variety, add veggies of choice.

Posted by: Sherinova Mar 29 2006, 10:31 AM

Many years ago, I watched some lady on TV who fed a hoard of kids for less than $100/month. She was a master at the coupon/rebate game....practically making money on them. She stocked up on grocery store's leader items. The phrase that sticks in my mind all these years later: "Meat is a condiment." I think that's why their meals were so cheap....they were not vegetarians, but they didn't eat much meat....and I don't recall how they got adequate protein for their children, but they were a healthy looking lot. Wish I could remember more....

Anyway, the ultimate 'meat is a condiment meal': BEANS!

Rachel: I don't think your budget sounds out of whack and you are doing a lot to keep it in check. Ours is about $500/month for 2 adults & 2 growing boys. My biggest budget saver: DON'T TAKE HUBBY GROCERY SHOPPING! Keep up the good work!

Posted by: wings Mar 29 2006, 10:40 AM

I love it! The only issue when Hubby goes is to understand he is going to get those chips so your errand boy is going to cost mabey $5. and there are many days it is worth it!!! Especially if he takes both the boys!!! That is a cheap hour on my own or quiet bath.

I tried the coupon thing, I spen hours and hours going through papers, books, sorting, clipping etc. Not worth it in my experience. That was for a few dollars here and there due to my purchasing grocery store brands when kosher and most of Wally Worlds are now. I do clip easy coupons like on the back of the Matzah box or for things I do buy regularly but that is not a lot.

A cheap and healthy snack is Hummus, it last days and can be made in a large batch. That and some cheese is a nice noon meal.

I love these ideas though.
Ber

Posted by: chocolatechic Mar 29 2006, 10:42 AM

For groceries........2 adults and 2 teens.........I spend about $150.........a month....

Posted by: mimzie Mar 29 2006, 10:43 AM

Sheri thanx and I so agree, my dh was not meant to shop!! I try to keep snacks outta the house, send him and he comes home, happy as can be and proud of his 15 grocery bags of junk! LOL!!

But I must brag on him too, last weekend I was fed up with meals, I was tired of cooking the same ole thing OVER and OVER! He got in the kitchen and actually cooked a meal that I hadnt thought of yet! It wasnt all junk either lol

I've very bad about thinking there's nothing to cook when the pantry is over filled and so are the freezers but nothing seems to go together, give dh 5 mins in the kitchen and he's got 4 meals planned Its weird too cause growing up, when there was "nothing" to cook.. that meant the pantry was bare!

I think we do definitely need to cut down on the meat! We eat a lot of hamburger meat and although it is very lean, it still isnt the greatest for us so I think I'm going to start a menu and see what I can come up with (HELP please!! lol) My family LOVES beans too so that's a good start, I dont know why I dont cook them very often? I usually forget and think I dont have enough time.

All the replies are giving me great ideas so keep em coming!!

I think I'll start using more chicken too, DH *hates* chicken because his mom use to always cook "Chicken and rice" (Hear him say that and watch him nearly puke lol) then he joined the military for 6yrs and ate a lot of chicken!! lol But hopefully he'll be able to handle once a week or so.

Rachel

Posted by: kpmom Mar 29 2006, 10:50 AM

Share, please! (That's my weekly amount!)

Posted by: JessicaN Mar 29 2006, 10:52 AM

They also make a poultry italian sausage, it will save you maybe 50 cents on the pound over traditinal pork sausage, at least around here it does. Our grocery store sells a mean chicken apple suasage. It's pricey, but I buy it only for myself for lunches. I refuse to spend extra money on the 'good stuff' when DH and DS don't appreciate it! Same goes for cheese. Occasionally I buy a champagne cheddar cheese, and I HIDE it! They get the $1.50 a brick cheddar, because they DON"T CARE. I've found that men don't notice these things as long as you don't TELL THEM. I switched from Bisquick pancakes to the generic baking mix from Aldis, and just told them I tried a new recipe using the same bisquick mix. They liked it better, LOL. I also used to buy store brand chocolate milk powder, and pour it into the old Nesquick container. As long as the kids saw the bunny on the box, they were happy!

Posted by: chocolatechic Mar 29 2006, 10:58 AM

Basically, we shop at Aldi........

And the biggest thing for us..............we only eat one portion of food.....If you look at an actual serving size........it isn't as much as what you most likely eat. That is how I have been able to lose so much weight.....NO SECONDS!!!

One serving of meat is 4 oz.........that isn't much at all.

We also eat soup...............a lot!!! At least 3 times a week.

One other thing that ..........when we can afford it........is to purchase 1/2 a beef...........it is cheeper per pound for everything and that generally lasts about a year...........we haven't been able to do that in awhile. I only buy meat if it is under $2 a pound, chicken if it is .49 per pound, ....... except every once in awhile.........I splurg and get me a sirloin......that is my favorite cut of steak......med. rare.....::

We don't snack.......at all.......cause it isn't worth it.... one serving is only 12 chips.........How in the world are you supposed to enjoy 12 chips???? It can't be done, I tell you!!! Although we do pop corn on the stove.

Rice....beans........rice......beans!!!

Posted by: Nana Mar 29 2006, 11:19 AM

OK I want the recipes PLEASE

If you can could you please scan a page and upload it so we all can see it.

Thanks in advance

You buy a case of canned beans or fresh? I got confused here. and Where do you get them?


Thanks everyone
Nana

Posted by: mimzie Mar 29 2006, 11:22 AM

*note to self* Move rice and beans up to twice a week but do not cover head with blanket at night...

Posted by: JessicaN Mar 29 2006, 11:51 AM

I do it by 'feel' but I'll get some more ground turkey next time I'm at the store, and make a batch, measuring it all this time, and write it down for you, lol. Basically, I add a ton of seasoning, I throw in dry parsley, breadcrumbs, an egg, and then brown sugar, ketchup, and garlic powder. And then I make a sauce for the top out of brown sugar and ketchup. Oh, and I forgot, Oregano, if I have it in the cupboard, I need to get some mroe though. It's really a great herb to go with Beef (try a bit in your hamburgers!), which is why I think it works well with the 'mock' meatloaf.

Posted by: Tressa Mar 29 2006, 12:32 PM

Nana, I scanned a page. I will try and post it in my blog. I don't know how well it will turn out though, as I usually write in pencil.

I wish I had an Aldi around here. We don't have a Sav-A-Lot either. Fortunately, I do have the commissary, but it isn't a very big one. I can usually do pretty well there. I still shop sales locally, though.

About the coupons..I buy them. I know it sounds weird because how are you supposed to save money when you buy coupons, right? Well, I only buy coupons for products that I know I am going to use such as toothpaste, cheese, shampoo, cereal, and stuff like that. One month I spent $9 in coupons and saved $70. Of course, I was stocking up, too. I also check the sales and purchase coupons to match the sales. It is a lot of work, though, and it works for me because the comissary sells mostly name brand products. It is only going to work with name brand products that you buy. I realize that for a lot of people couponing is not going to work.

I also wanted to say that we eat a lot of frozen vegatables. I will buy fresh only when they are in season. They usually go bad here because I forget about them. The farmers market starts here next month and I am anxious to see what the prices and selection are like. That might change things a little.

Posted by: chocolatechic Mar 29 2006, 12:45 PM

I remember the other thing I was going to say.......either on this thread or the other one that is similar...on saving money.....

I don't purchase cereal. Cereal doesn't last long in the stomach, and it is much less expensive to get eggs, or oatmeal. It lasts longer with you in the day, and better...........so much better for you than cereal or pop tarts type stuff.

It takes me a grand total of 16 minutes to make cheesy scrambled eggs, sausage, and biscuits in the morning.

Posted by: Tressa Mar 29 2006, 01:12 PM

This is the weakest part of my food budget. I buy too much cereal. I agree. It doesn't last long in their stomachs and by 10 AM they need a snack. Every time I go to the grocery store I tell myself that I am not going to buy cereal and we are going to eat better breakfasts and I never do it. I always cave. They won't eat oatmeal because I have spoiled them too long with sweet breakfasts. I am kicking myself now.

Posted by: jessicasmom Mar 29 2006, 01:13 PM

We only spend around $150 or less a month on food for 2 adults 1 child. We buy family packs of meat when they are on sale and divide it up into 4 or 5 packages to freeze. We never let ourselve run completely out of something; we keep certain things on hand all the time so we don't have to buy something when its not on sale. We keep chicken breasts, pork chops, at least 2 steaks, hamburg, whole chicken, pork roast, beef roast, frozen tortallini, frozen ravioli, frozen veggies, different types and shapes of pasta, canned tomato sauce, diced tomatoes, different types of beans, ect... on hand at all times, so when we need to buy something for a recipe all we need is the small cheaper things.

Posted by: foxchild Mar 29 2006, 01:53 PM

We spend between $150-$200 a month. I get stuff on sale, at Sam's Club, and Marc's. My biggest weakness in our budget, is pop. Of course our youngest is on WIC and that covers some of what we would spend on milk and juice and cheese.

Posted by: AKHomemom Mar 29 2006, 03:03 PM

I saved a lot of money back when I did the menu planning/shopping list thing as well. I'm bad about impulse buying especially if I have the DH or Dc with me. It is difficult to get them to not find stuff that isn't on the list. If I can go in w/a list, get just what I have on the list and only have enough money for what's on that list then I do very well indeed.

I find some great recipes from the http://www.reimanpublishing.com than almost anywhere else. My DC are even more likely to eat these than from other sources.



You know I really don't know what I actually spend on groceries each month. I need to get that figured out.

Posted by: chocolatechic Mar 29 2006, 03:42 PM

Have you tried Kelley's baked oatmeal. That is sweet....

Posted by: JessicaN Mar 29 2006, 04:37 PM

We only buy whoe grain cereal if we do get cereal, my kids like shredded wheat, which comes in vanilla and Brown sugar favors. But that's our staple for breakfast food, we usually do old fashioned oats, cream of wheat, or eggs too. They actually say that more people need protein and the good fats in their breakfast, that if you don't start out with that good hearty breakfast, that's what throws you metaboism out of whack for the day.

Posted by: foxchild Mar 29 2006, 04:58 PM

An inexpensive meal we have is stew meat with Uncle Ben's beef rice. You cook the meat in the butter the rice calls for and then add the rice and water and seasonings and cook for 20 min. It is easy and not very much since you only use about a pound of meat for a family of 4.

Oh Tuna Fish Cassarole is also cheap to make. We use one 12 oz bag of wide egg noodles cooked, 2 cans of Cream of mushroom soup, sometimes peas, and one can of tuna (although we now only use canned chicken because I can not eat fish).

A friend of mine would make taco meat (I imagine you could use any ground meat) and then add it to mac and cheese. It was not too bad.

Posted by: Nana Mar 29 2006, 05:48 PM

Come on over and make some for us... I could not getany breakfast with eggs and such done in that little time

Any one have the recipe?


BTW I do not buy cereal either but get 72 oz each month on the little girls WIC..Though I DO get Grits, Cream of Wheat on it some times

Nana

Posted by: TiffinKY Mar 29 2006, 07:15 PM

Unfortunately I've never been wild about beans. The only exceptions to that would be chili beans in chili and black beans in enchiladas.

As far as my grocery bill is concerned, I keep it down by buying off brands whenever possible, planning menus for the week, and making my own snacks and sweets. Sometimes I'll cut back portions: if a recipe calls for 1 lb of ground beef, I might substitute 1/2 lb instead. Also, I'll use my spices in place of whatever ingredient that I don't have on hand, and I think that comes out cheaper in the long run as well. For example, the past couple of days I made recipes that called for minced garlic. I use garlic powder instead. The flavor is the same.

/div>
So has mine!!! I also don't.........as a general rule........go out and purchase something specifically for only one recipe. I generally make plain meals, filling, but plain.......with ingredients that you can find at Aldi

Posted by: JessicaN Mar 29 2006, 09:09 AM

I have to add that the ground turkey I get is national brand stuff, and it's one of the few places we do spend our money for national brand food. I like to know what is in my meat, I used to work in a meat dept of the food store, and I could tell you some stories that would make you hurl. We don't generally use beef in our house because I'm allergic to it. And I have tried some of the generic ground turkey, but we've had really bad luck with it being fatty, containing bits of bones, cartelige, etc. I think they use animal fat other than turkey in their ground turkey too, which opens me up to a lot of food allergy issues. But anyway, I just wanted to say that we HAVE looked into generic meat, it's just not something we're willing to cut from our budget. And I really think it's about the ONLY thing we still buy national brand of.

We never use coupons, because we always buy store brand on everything. I've spent so much time cutting coupons, only to get to the store, compare sale prices WITH double coupons, only to find out the store brand is STILL cheaper. We get the coupons from our mothers after they have gone through them, and if by chance there is something we need that I can't find in an off brand, we can still get the coupons without paying for the paper.

Oh, there's another idea for saving money, if you have family nearby, share the newspaper and coupons!

Posted by: Appliejuice Mar 29 2006, 09:11 AM

Good advice, CC. I wish we had some of those low cost grocery stores here. We usually shop at Sam's for our bulk items and then Publix. Yes, Publix cost more than Food Lion or Winn-Dixie, but the extra cost in fuel to get to those stores, is more than the cost at Publix. So, you do need to keep fuel cost in shopping at different stores in mind.

My hubby is the one who shops at Sam's. He stops by on the way home from work. He came home the other day and said Sam's had rearranged everything and raised prices, so now we have to compare prices again.

Using up leftovers is another way to safe. I think that is our biggest mistake. I don't always use them up.

I do stop by the grocery store about 3 times a week, to pick up fresh fruits, vegies and milk. Once a week or every two weeks does not work for us.

Posted by: praise_singer Mar 29 2006, 09:14 AM

I LOVE Miserly Moms! I just printed a recipe off of their website. Here's their webpage for lots of ideas on how to save money:

http://www.miserlymoms.com/

Posted by: JessicaN Mar 29 2006, 09:15 AM

Oh and for goulash, our recipie is:

boil the pasta in a seperate container.
brown the meat in anther.
Then the sauce is whatever I have on hand, but it's USUALLY a couple of big cans of diced tomatos. I have also used spagetti sauce and added a small can of diced tomatos.

Then, after mixing the pasta with the meat, noodles, and tomato products, and making sure it's HOT! ladle into bowls, with mozzarella in the middle so the last ladle of hot goulash melts the cheese. My son will also add parm cheese on top. Great with garlic toast!

Posted by: praise_singer Mar 29 2006, 09:16 AM

That's our biggest problem here....our leftovers usually go out to the dogs.

Posted by: chocolatechic Mar 29 2006, 09:25 AM

Miserly Mom's is written by Jonni McCoy.

I also like the "Tightwad Gazette" books by Amy Dacyczyn.....some of her ideas are a bit much/off the wall for me, but her principles are very sound.

I do most of the stuff she suggests......not all......especially the dumpster diving thing. She is very funny as well.

Posted by: JessicaN Mar 29 2006, 09:26 AM

Do you have a Super Walmart? Sometimes even a regular Walmart will have food staples. That's where we do most of our off-brand purchases. Moslty because it's convenient, we save up our shopping list and go twice a month. There's a Super Walmart, and a BJs (like Sams) in the same plaza. So we can get our Walmart shopping, our Grocery shopping, and our Bulk shopping all done at once, no running around. I've just learned that I can't send hubby, he picks up the national brand stuff vs the store brand. I think his mom has brainwashed him. That woman couldn't buy a generic item if her life depended on it!

Posted by: chocolatechic Mar 29 2006, 09:30 AM

One thing I will caution you on.......

For General Merchandise......NOT groceries at Walmart, vs. SuperWalmart.......

If you compare.......SuperWalmart's prices are a good .20 higher per item than a regular Walmart. I noticed that when our store switched over. It is that way........generally, everywhere.

So.......if you just need regular things, not groceries and need to go to a Walmart........go to a regular one.

Posted by: Grammie Mar 29 2006, 09:33 AM

I watched my mom for years, making menus and then making her grocery list. A trip to the grocery store was an all day thing for her. She was reading labels before it was THE thing! We always knew when she had gone shopping because dinner was: hot dogs, pork n'beans, and cottage cheese. Anyway, she taught me a lot and I always made menus (trying to use what I had) and then my grocery list. I did a lot of meals that I could double the recipe and then freeze half for another meal. We usually did leftovers on Friday nights, but we called them "Had 'ems".

Posted by: JessicaN Mar 29 2006, 09:34 AM

I have compared prices, and that doesn't seem to be the case where we are.

Posted by: wings Mar 29 2006, 09:59 AM

We spend around $150 per week that means around $600 per month averaging up. We feed 3 adult appetites and 4 children appetites and this is a kosher diet. This includes everything. Toiletries, paper products, gardening items, kitchen needs, cleaners, etc.

We use mainly turkey, chicken, and fish. I stock my pantry with things I like to eat and cook I meal plan but sporadically. It takes time and I find it helps but I do not get bent out of shape if I change it in the middle and shift meals to other days extra. You must have balance.

It sounds like you are in the ball park with budget. I enjoy gardening and that helps the budget when you eat as many vegies as we do. Also if you can you can buy seasonal at the farmers market or local organic garden and can the items. For example I don't buy apples except by the case. We eat a lot of them and by the case they work to around 40 cents a pound and this is for high quality apples. At wally world they are minimum for 2nd or 3rd grade $1 a pound. Even if I find a few bad ones I am saving big time.

So since I didn't get green beans in this season I will purchase a case and can and pickle them. My kids love pickled snacks and that is a favorite.

As for individual meals my only suggestion is keep them simple and don't focus on the meat of the meal but the vegetable. If you focus on the meat your going to go up in cost. If your children and you love green beans do a meal of orientle stir fried green beans and rice. No meat required especially if you toss in a few almond slivers with the beans. This is one of our favorites. If I want it fancy I add my Egg Flower soup.

I they like greens and they are in season, Palak Paneer with rice or paan and butter. Potatoes, bake them and cover them with broccoli and cheese and chives.

Ber

Posted by: hs4hmom Mar 29 2006, 10:00 AM

I have "Dinner in a Bag". I made it last night and the family really likes it.
I brown 1 lb of ground meat (turkey or hamburger)
with chopped onion (I used 1 Tbsp of onion powder), some celery (I used 1 tsp of celery seed) and 1 tbsp of chili powder.
Open two cans of diced tomatoes (13.5 oz?)
Add the tomatoes to the ground meat when it's cooked.
Add 2 cups of dry macaroni. Bring to a boil and then turn down to a simmer. Simmer for about 30 minutes and it's done. A one pot meal. For a little variety, add veggies of choice.

Posted by: Sherinova Mar 29 2006, 10:31 AM

Many years ago, I watched some lady on TV who fed a hoard of kids for less than $100/month. She was a master at the coupon/rebate game....practically making money on them. She stocked up on grocery store's leader items. The phrase that sticks in my mind all these years later: "Meat is a condiment." I think that's why their meals were so cheap....they were not vegetarians, but they didn't eat much meat....and I don't recall how they got adequate protein for their children, but they were a healthy looking lot. Wish I could remember more....

Anyway, the ultimate 'meat is a condiment meal': BEANS!

Rachel: I don't think your budget sounds out of whack and you are doing a lot to keep it in check. Ours is about $500/month for 2 adults & 2 growing boys. My biggest budget saver: DON'T TAKE HUBBY GROCERY SHOPPING! Keep up the good work!

Posted by: wings Mar 29 2006, 10:40 AM

I love it! The only issue when Hubby goes is to understand he is going to get those chips so your errand boy is going to cost mabey $5. and there are many days it is worth it!!! Especially if he takes both the boys!!! That is a cheap hour on my own or quiet bath.

I tried the coupon thing, I spen hours and hours going through papers, books, sorting, clipping etc. Not worth it in my experience. That was for a few dollars here and there due to my purchasing grocery store brands when kosher and most of Wally Worlds are now. I do clip easy coupons like on the back of the Matzah box or for things I do buy regularly but that is not a lot.

A cheap and healthy snack is Hummus, it last days and can be made in a large batch. That and some cheese is a nice noon meal.

I love these ideas though.
Ber

Posted by: chocolatechic Mar 29 2006, 10:42 AM

For groceries........2 adults and 2 teens.........I spend about $150.........a month....

Posted by: mimzie Mar 29 2006, 10:43 AM

Sheri thanx and I so agree, my dh was not meant to shop!! I try to keep snacks outta the house, send him and he comes home, happy as can be and proud of his 15 grocery bags of junk! LOL!!

But I must brag on him too, last weekend I was fed up with meals, I was tired of cooking the same ole thing OVER and OVER! He got in the kitchen and actually cooked a meal that I hadnt thought of yet! It wasnt all junk either lol

I've very bad about thinking there's nothing to cook when the pantry is over filled and so are the freezers but nothing seems to go together, give dh 5 mins in the kitchen and he's got 4 meals planned Its weird too cause growing up, when there was "nothing" to cook.. that meant the pantry was bare!

I think we do definitely need to cut down on the meat! We eat a lot of hamburger meat and although it is very lean, it still isnt the greatest for us so I think I'm going to start a menu and see what I can come up with (HELP please!! lol) My family LOVES beans too so that's a good start, I dont know why I dont cook them very often? I usually forget and think I dont have enough time.

All the replies are giving me great ideas so keep em coming!!

I think I'll start using more chicken too, DH *hates* chicken because his mom use to always cook "Chicken and rice" (Hear him say that and watch him nearly puke lol) then he joined the military for 6yrs and ate a lot of chicken!! lol But hopefully he'll be able to handle once a week or so.

Rachel

Posted by: kpmom Mar 29 2006, 10:50 AM

Share, please! (That's my weekly amount!)

Posted by: JessicaN Mar 29 2006, 10:52 AM

They also make a poultry italian sausage, it will save you maybe 50 cents on the pound over traditinal pork sausage, at least around here it does. Our grocery store sells a mean chicken apple suasage. It's pricey, but I buy it only for myself for lunches. I refuse to spend extra money on the 'good stuff' when DH and DS don't appreciate it! Same goes for cheese. Occasionally I buy a champagne cheddar cheese, and I HIDE it! They get the $1.50 a brick cheddar, because they DON"T CARE. I've found that men don't notice these things as long as you don't TELL THEM. I switched from Bisquick pancakes to the generic baking mix from Aldis, and just told them I tried a new recipe using the same bisquick mix. They liked it better, LOL. I also used to buy store brand chocolate milk powder, and pour it into the old Nesquick container. As long as the kids saw the bunny on the box, they were happy!

Posted by: chocolatechic Mar 29 2006, 10:58 AM

Basically, we shop at Aldi........

And the biggest thing for us..............we only eat one portion of food.....If you look at an actual serving size........it isn't as much as what you most likely eat. That is how I have been able to lose so much weight.....NO SECONDS!!!

One serving of meat is 4 oz.........that isn't much at all.

We also eat soup...............a lot!!! At least 3 times a week.

One other thing that ..........when we can afford it........is to purchase 1/2 a beef...........it is cheeper per pound for everything and that generally lasts about a year...........we haven't been able to do that in awhile. I only buy meat if it is under $2 a pound, chicken if it is .49 per pound, ....... except every once in awhile.........I splurg and get me a sirloin......that is my favorite cut of steak......med. rare.....::

We don't snack.......at all.......cause it isn't worth it.... one serving is only 12 chips.........How in the world are you supposed to enjoy 12 chips???? It can't be done, I tell you!!! Although we do pop corn on the stove.

Rice....beans........rice......beans!!!

Posted by: Nana Mar 29 2006, 11:19 AM

OK I want the recipes PLEASE

If you can could you please scan a page and upload it so we all can see it.

Thanks in advance

You buy a case of canned beans or fresh? I got confused here. and Where do you get them?


Thanks everyone
Nana

Posted by: mimzie Mar 29 2006, 11:22 AM

*note to self* Move rice and beans up to twice a week but do not cover head with blanket at night...

Posted by: JessicaN Mar 29 2006, 11:51 AM

I do it by 'feel' but I'll get some more ground turkey next time I'm at the store, and make a batch, measuring it all this time, and write it down for you, lol. Basically, I add a ton of seasoning, I throw in dry parsley, breadcrumbs, an egg, and then brown sugar, ketchup, and garlic powder. And then I make a sauce for the top out of brown sugar and ketchup. Oh, and I forgot, Oregano, if I have it in the cupboard, I need to get some mroe though. It's really a great herb to go with Beef (try a bit in your hamburgers!), which is why I think it works well with the 'mock' meatloaf.

Posted by: Tressa Mar 29 2006, 12:32 PM

Nana, I scanned a page. I will try and post it in my blog. I don't know how well it will turn out though, as I usually write in pencil.

I wish I had an Aldi around here. We don't have a Sav-A-Lot either. Fortunately, I do have the commissary, but it isn't a very big one. I can usually do pretty well there. I still shop sales locally, though.

About the coupons..I buy them. I know it sounds weird because how are you supposed to save money when you buy coupons, right? Well, I only buy coupons for products that I know I am going to use such as toothpaste, cheese, shampoo, cereal, and stuff like that. One month I spent $9 in coupons and saved $70. Of course, I was stocking up, too. I also check the sales and purchase coupons to match the sales. It is a lot of work, though, and it works for me because the comissary sells mostly name brand products. It is only going to work with name brand products that you buy. I realize that for a lot of people couponing is not going to work.

I also wanted to say that we eat a lot of frozen vegatables. I will buy fresh only when they are in season. They usually go bad here because I forget about them. The farmers market starts here next month and I am anxious to see what the prices and selection are like. That might change things a little.

Posted by: chocolatechic Mar 29 2006, 12:45 PM

I remember the other thing I was going to say.......either on this thread or the other one that is similar...on saving money.....

I don't purchase cereal. Cereal doesn't last long in the stomach, and it is much less expensive to get eggs, or oatmeal. It lasts longer with you in the day, and better...........so much better for you than cereal or pop tarts type stuff.

It takes me a grand total of 16 minutes to make cheesy scrambled eggs, sausage, and biscuits in the morning.

Posted by: Tressa Mar 29 2006, 01:12 PM

This is the weakest part of my food budget. I buy too much cereal. I agree. It doesn't last long in their stomachs and by 10 AM they need a snack. Every time I go to the grocery store I tell myself that I am not going to buy cereal and we are going to eat better breakfasts and I never do it. I always cave. They won't eat oatmeal because I have spoiled them too long with sweet breakfasts. I am kicking myself now.

Posted by: jessicasmom Mar 29 2006, 01:13 PM

We only spend around $150 or less a month on food for 2 adults 1 child. We buy family packs of meat when they are on sale and divide it up into 4 or 5 packages to freeze. We never let ourselve run completely out of something; we keep certain things on hand all the time so we don't have to buy something when its not on sale. We keep chicken breasts, pork chops, at least 2 steaks, hamburg, whole chicken, pork roast, beef roast, frozen tortallini, frozen ravioli, frozen veggies, different types and shapes of pasta, canned tomato sauce, diced tomatoes, different types of beans, ect... on hand at all times, so when we need to buy something for a recipe all we need is the small cheaper things.

Posted by: foxchild Mar 29 2006, 01:53 PM

We spend between $150-$200 a month. I get stuff on sale, at Sam's Club, and Marc's. My biggest weakness in our budget, is pop. Of course our youngest is on WIC and that covers some of what we would spend on milk and juice and cheese.

Posted by: AKHomemom Mar 29 2006, 03:03 PM

I saved a lot of money back when I did the menu planning/shopping list thing as well. I'm bad about impulse buying especially if I have the DH or Dc with me. It is difficult to get them to not find stuff that isn't on the list. If I can go in w/a list, get just what I have on the list and only have enough money for what's on that list then I do very well indeed.

I find some great recipes from the http://www.reimanpublishing.com than almost anywhere else. My DC are even more likely to eat these than from other sources.



You know I really don't know what I actually spend on groceries each month. I need to get that figured out.

Posted by: chocolatechic Mar 29 2006, 03:42 PM

Have you tried Kelley's baked oatmeal. That is sweet....

Posted by: JessicaN Mar 29 2006, 04:37 PM

We only buy whoe grain cereal if we do get cereal, my kids like shredded wheat, which comes in vanilla and Brown sugar favors. But that's our staple for breakfast food, we usually do old fashioned oats, cream of wheat, or eggs too. They actually say that more people need protein and the good fats in their breakfast, that if you don't start out with that good hearty breakfast, that's what throws you metaboism out of whack for the day.

Posted by: foxchild Mar 29 2006, 04:58 PM

An inexpensive meal we have is stew meat with Uncle Ben's beef rice. You cook the meat in the butter the rice calls for and then add the rice and water and seasonings and cook for 20 min. It is easy and not very much since you only use about a pound of meat for a family of 4.

Oh Tuna Fish Cassarole is also cheap to make. We use one 12 oz bag of wide egg noodles cooked, 2 cans of Cream of mushroom soup, sometimes peas, and one can of tuna (although we now only use canned chicken because I can not eat fish).

A friend of mine would make taco meat (I imagine you could use any ground meat) and then add it to mac and cheese. It was not too bad.

Posted by: Nana Mar 29 2006, 05:48 PM

Come on over and make some for us... I could not getany breakfast with eggs and such done in that little time

Any one have the recipe?


BTW I do not buy cereal either but get 72 oz each month on the little girls WIC..Though I DO get Grits, Cream of Wheat on it some times

Nana

Posted by: TiffinKY Mar 29 2006, 07:15 PM

Unfortunately I've never been wild about beans. The only exceptions to that would be chili beans in chili and black beans in enchiladas.

As far as my grocery bill is concerned, I keep it down by buying off brands whenever possible, planning menus for the week, and making my own snacks and sweets. Sometimes I'll cut back portions: if a recipe calls for 1 lb of ground beef, I might substitute 1/2 lb instead. Also, I'll use my spices in place of whatever ingredient that I don't have on hand, and I think that comes out cheaper in the long run as well. For example, the past couple of days I made recipes that called for minced garlic. I use garlic powder instead. The flavor is the same.

Posted by: krodriguez Mar 27 2006, 08:57 PM

Well, we got the bill after hanging the clothes on the line for just about a month.

Drum roll...................















We used approximately 1800 kwh in March 05 and approximately 1350 last month.

Hw, last year the price was $.09/kwh and now it is $.14/kwh. Our bill went up almost $20!!!!!! I was furious! Thank goodness I was hanging the clothes up this last month. I cannot imagine how high it would have been otherwise.

Posted by: chocolatechic Mar 27 2006, 09:01 PM

Congratulations!!! Isnt' that a wonderful feeling?!?!?

Posted by: krodriguez Mar 27 2006, 09:03 PM

Of course it would be even better had the bill gone down from last year. I am just so irritated. I called and they said that the TX legislature passed the bill that allowed the prices to rise. I called the Energy Commission and they said it could be as high as $.18 by next March! I am one irritated customer.

I told J he needed to learn how to install solar panels.

Posted by: JessicaN Mar 27 2006, 09:31 PM

Well, you saved over $22 on your bill considering current prices.

I looked into solar panels once, you had to have them for like 30 years before they paid for themselves, they are extremely expensive. The thing to look into is a windbine if you have the right climate for them.

Posted by: kpmom Mar 27 2006, 09:43 PM

How about the difference between last month's bill (I.e., no clothesline) and this months (with clothesline)?
Do you see a difference?

Posted by: wings Mar 27 2006, 10:03 PM

Kelly,

You don't live in the Houston area do you?? That is what we are fighting. Dec 04 we used 3000 KWH and the bill was around 150, in Dec 05 we used 2700 and the bill was around 200!!!! My balanced bill went from 264 a month in Feb to 461 in March. I almost had a heart attack. Everyones bill went up around the same amount.

I am soooo glad you had a KWH savings. I am looking forward to at least getting my bill where it is reasonable. They also said it didn't matter which TX company you had it was going to be around the same. It had to do with deregulation being at the five year mark? They just deregulated my budget is all they did!!!

Ber

Posted by: Sammi Mar 28 2006, 08:05 AM

We got a statement this month, saying ours was rising too. Our bill, is $400. a month now!!!!!! This old house has so many leaks in it, our bill is sky high!!!!

I wish I could convince dh to do something about it.

Posted by: chocolatechic Mar 28 2006, 08:31 AM

Blown in insulation...

Posted by: JessicaN Mar 28 2006, 09:23 AM

I think you can even do it yourself, to save $$$$, I want to look into it ourselves for next year. I know you can get a free machine rental for attic blowing when you buy so many bags from Home Depot, but I need to look into blowing our walls.

Posted by: foxchild Mar 28 2006, 01:10 PM

Boy am I glad to have a very small house to heat and cool. We could never afford that much on one bill.

Posted by: mom-to-five Mar 28 2006, 01:48 PM

Is that really as good as they say it is? I mean I have heard it both ways.... that the blown is stuff settles and then you have to have more blown in and its is expensive blah blah blah.... just wondering....

Posted by: foxchild Mar 28 2006, 01:52 PM

The lady who owned the house before us, had it down. We have been in the house almost 6 years and have not noticed anything. Oh and the house was vacant for almost 2 years before we bought it. So I am not sure how long it has been done, at least 8 years probably more. The only places we have draft problems are with our windows.

Oh it would be cheaper than tearing down all the outside plaster or drywall to put in regular insulation.

Posted by: Beth S...in AK Mar 28 2006, 03:08 PM

We enclosed our garage and made it a school room when we lived in Panama City, FL. We noticed a huge difference with the blown insulation! It was not hard to do at all...and I don't remember that it was very expensive.

Posted by: AKHomemom Mar 29 2006, 11:26 AM

Put him in charge of paying the bills.



DH has been thinking of doing that in our attic/cielings.
We need to put weather stripping at the doors. If he doesn't do it this summer I'm going to do it in Sept.

Posted by: mimzie Mar 29 2006, 11:41 AM

We did blown in insulation last year I think and it did a LOT of good!! This house is 30-40yrs old and the insulation was probably what was installed when the house was new so pretty much NO insulation at all by the time we moved in. I think the blown-in was cheap, like $5 a bag?? It was less than $100 to do the entire attic and some walls. We only used like 10 bags or so too but I remember it was really cheap, not sure of the exact cost per bag but I know it was under $100. The machine is free to rent too, didnt take but maybe an hour to get everything done.

The house seemed a lot cooler/warmer (depending on weather) and all we heat with is our stove which was wonderful this "winter" (Texas winter ok LOL) We turned the stove off while we slept and on only in the evening and that's with young ones that cant wrap up in a blanket, it never got that cold inside. Now FIL's house next door, you would froze your hiney off! (No insulation)

We got new windows last fall (windows were as old as the house) so hopefully we will see even more savings this year!

It'll be fun this summer with 1 a/c but last year we had an a/c that was pulling way too much juice (after it scorched the wall we chunked it and saw $150 savings a month!!!!) So if you have window units make sure they work properly!! This was a newer unit too, a Sears brand or carrier, I dont remember, it was a very expensive brand though but it didnt work very well at all!

Posted by: chocolatechic Mar 29 2006, 11:50 AM

I have some laundry out on the line today.!!! I am so excited. I love being able to do it in the spring-fall outside........I can get so much more laundry done a day.

Posted by: krodriguez Mar 30 2006, 01:47 AM

We are in DFW and you are right. All of TX is struggling with this. Sadly, Gov Perry is allowing TXU and the other electric companies to do this. It seems like we are being charged a lot more than you are though bc ours was 1350 kwh and my bill was $190. I am just not sure where we can cut down any further.



This would help if the AC or heater was being used....we are freezing ourselves to save money.



Yes, it really works. My mom spent $200 and had some men from the church help her. She saved that just during the summer months. Her bills have dropped drastically. I would love to do it too. I am working on convincing J but our attic has very little space to stand. I have already fallen through. The bruise was huge and lasted almost a month. I was proud of it though.

Posted by: barbchan Mar 30 2006, 10:05 AM

Just had to share a cute thing. Yesterday I was sick and tired of looking at the mess my house had become over the past week and I was way too discouraged to do anything about it. My little girl has been a total disaster lately and I've been at my wits end with her. She cut her hair and now has a bit of a shag thing going on that looks pretty bad and she is just so excited about everything all the time, jumping and laughing like she's constantly at a party!
Well, I decided to make a list of all I wanted to accomplish yesterday and I asked dd to help me. She jumped on that band wagon in a hurry. The very thought of helping mommy do housework was enough to thrill her little socks off! So, the first stop was the bathroom. I put blue surgical gloves on her which was pure joy for her, and off we went. I sprayed, she wiped, and I dried. She picked up laundry from the floor and put it in the basket. She picked up toys and put them in her room. Then I asked her to help me make my bed. She jumped up on the bed all ready to start when I got distracted and had to leave the room for a second. Well, I came back and the bed was made! How exactly my little girl with her tiny hands made my queen size bed all by herself, I have no idea! She did an excellent job! I called a friend to tell her what had just happened and I explained that I have never taught her how to make a bed. My friend said, "yes you have. She's watched you before." I said, "Trust me,,,I don't make my bed so she's never seen me do it."

I have no idea where my dd gets her house cleaning skills. Must be a genetic thing that skipped my mother and me and ended up in my dd. I gotta say, dd is pretty amazing!
Having her help me made for a very pleasant day for both of us and I accomplished almost all I wanted to get done.

Posted by: Michelle Mar 30 2006, 10:11 AM

when she is done there, you can send her over here


WHat a sweet time together...your DD will remember this special big girl time with you,

Posted by: wings Mar 30 2006, 10:41 AM

That is wonderful!!!
Ber

Posted by: Sherinova Mar 30 2006, 10:55 AM

Its a true gift when one can make a party of housecleaning!

Posted by: Donna Mar 30 2006, 11:39 AM

Barbara I enjoyed reading that. Your little darling sounds so sweet. That was good thinking on your part to put her energy to use in helping you with the chores. It is the icing on the cake that she was so happy to help.

Posted by: foxchild Mar 30 2006, 12:06 PM

Cool, I wonder if you could get that to rub off on my son.

Posted by: barbchan Mar 30 2006, 12:49 PM

She came into my bedroom earlier and I told her my bed needs to be made again. She put her hand on her forehead and said, "Oh, no, not again!"

Posted by: foxchild Mar 30 2006, 12:50 PM

How cute.

Posted by: Donna Mar 30 2006, 12:57 PM

That's cute.

Posted by: Michelle Mar 30 2006, 01:17 PM

You've gotta give that girl a hug for us! SHe is just precious!

Posted by: JessicaN Mar 30 2006, 02:35 PM

Isn't it lovely when they are at an age that cleaning is still fun? Abby loves anything to do with rags, paper towels, or sponges! And if I ask her to help me pick up toys? she starts singing, and cleaning!

Clean up!
Clean up!
Everybody, everywhere!
Chean up!
Clean up!
Everybody do their share.

Posted by: barbchan Mar 30 2006, 02:46 PM

I really want to get her one of those vacuum cleaners for kids that really work. I'd never have to vacuum again!

Posted by: Beth S...in AK Mar 30 2006, 04:41 PM

That is so sweet, Barb. I was wondering if your Dd's cleaning skills might find a way to "rub off" onto my Dc?!

Posted by: sumi Mar 30 2006, 06:46 PM

Your post made me smile, Barb. That is just so sweet. I hope Jenna grows up to be a little house-helper! Right now she is still very much a house-wrecker.

Posted by: barbchan Mar 30 2006, 11:11 PM

Maybe I should hire dd out to help other children learn how to clean. But, then again, she'd also teach them that little girls can't clean their own rooms by themselves. When I tell her to clean her room she announces that excuse to me.

She has also tried to tell me that her arm batteries are dead so she can't clean her room. She certainly is a card.

Posted by: foxchild Mar 30 2006, 11:19 PM

My son tries to tell me he can not clean his own room either. He has never tried the battery excuse but he comes up with come unique ones though.