Kind of OT: Food and Supplement Budgets

(deactivated member)
on 7/9/08 4:28 am - Between Richmond and Charlottesville, VA
Well, today I undertook the very unpleasant task of reviewing my budget for the year...I was not looking forward to it knowing that the price of food and gas have increased so very much. Can I just say !!!! I do my budget a little differently than most people in that I include a tab that specifically tracks food costs based on actual costs of the items I regularly purchase. Now, I had not adjusted the food budget for quite some time, and was shocked to learn that there was nearly a 28% increase from the last time I had reviewed it! Last time I reviewed about a year and a half or so ago a gallon of milk cost $2.99 at most stores. Now, it's about $4.50 on average, and a month's supply for my family of three (my husband, myself, my 15 year old son who eats like a horse plus two stepchildren that come every other weekend) is at least $36.00. The cost of apples, which we all consume regularly: $32.00 for the month. 8 to 10 salmon fillets at Price Club: $15.00. Canned chicken: $10.00 for six cans. And on and on. At least I own my own flock of chickens so I don't have to pay for eggs! I am sure everyone's seen and felt the changes. I make a good living, but get so discouraged by how much the costs of food and gas eat into the bottom line. Supplement costs have remained pretty much the same, but since I have other people in the family to feed I am finding it harder and harder to fit the costs of my protein supplements and special foods (like Fage, flaxseed, and protein powders) into the budget along with the regular food of the household. My monthly food costs are close to $500, whi*****ludes mostly dairy, fresh fruit and vegetables, fish, chicken and organic bulk foods. I am interested in knowing from all of you the following: 1) How have the recent increases in food prices affected your food plans individually and your family's budget? 2) What have you done specifically for your family to manage the costs of food while trying to also include the costs of protein supplements and the like? For example, I try to do a lot of Crock Pot cooking when I can and I try to buy things in bulk as well as go to Sharp Shopper when I am in Harrisonburg. We also don't eat out a whole lot and try to attend potlucks whenever we can. 3) Can you share any tips you might have for making food and supplements stretch longer? I am very interested in what you all are experiencing, particularly those of you with kids who don't like to eat all of the "healthy" stuff. It is difficult enough to make good choices in times when money's not so much of an issue.
Tam
on 7/9/08 6:04 am - Richmond, VA
Dawn, I knew when I had this surgery that it would be a lifetime change and that supplements/vitamins would need to be a part of my budget.  I am feeding three adults and two children daily and I also have two step children.  Up until a month ago I was feeding another adult and for six months of last year I had three additional children as well.  It is hard.  I only buy skim milk and I get it at Costco.  I pay $2.79 a gallon for it there.  I drink a gallon every two days by myself and then there are the other's in the house, so I buy about 7 gallons a week, sometimes 8.  I cook a lot at home and make meals that have leftovers whenever possible.  When I make spagetti for the family I have some ricotta cheese with sauce for me (I don't do pasta noodles).  This will be at least two dinners for all of us.  I spend about $550 a month on groceries and we eat out at least once a week, as a treat.  We also go to Busch Gardens and Water Country almost every weekend and hubby likes to eat there.  I use a variety of protein supplements and get the free samples whenever I can.  I like sport pharma whey that I get at Costco.  It is $19.99 a tub and using two scoops a day (I drink two supplements a day) I get two months out of the jug.  I get the chocolate flavor and mix it with straswberries, banana's, etc and milk.  Each supplement is approx 32 grams of protein.  I can and do (on most days) get in enough protein grams just by food.  I try and make the better choices so that I can.  I decided a long time ago that my family would not suffer for good food just because of the price increases. I will cut back in other areas first.  My family doesn't always want the healthy stuff but I say too bad.  They all need to eat better and I will only cook one meal, period.  I shop mostly at Costco and WalMart for groceries.  I also buy in bulk whenever possible. Tammy
(deactivated member)
on 7/9/08 6:49 am - Between Richmond and Charlottesville, VA
Thanks, Tammy! Some good suggestions, indeed! I know I need to do a lot more Costco shopping, and I am glad to know they have a good and cheaper brand of protein that lasts for so long. I do one supplement per day, so I am usre I could make a tub last even longer. Thanks for taking the time to respond!
Lauren B
on 7/9/08 10:16 am - VA
What a great post/question! Thi**** home VERY MUCH SO for me after our shopping trip last weekend.  I should preface my response by saying that we do not cook much, so my grocery bill is very different than most because of the amount of prepared meals we buy...but anyway...  We are feeling the crunch. What I found myself doing is breaking our "normal" large shopping trips into two smaller trips.  Although it seems more manageable, I don't think we are spending less money.  If nothing else I'm wasting my precious time.  I found that I do a weekly Sunday shopping trip just for pack-a-breakfast and pack-a-lunch supplies for the week and that runs us about $40.  All I get is Deli turkey, deli cheese, wheat wraps, nectarines/apples/or oranges, yogurt, cheese cubes and milk.  Our regular shopping trips done maybe every week and a half is where we stock up on freezer meals, meats, veggies, snacks (mainly for hubby), paper products, bottled water, water drop-ins.  We spend about $100 on those trips.  So I guess we average about $360/mo.  And this is just for two people!!  NUTS.  But again, I'm spending more money because we eat so many freezer meals (I'm a cooking reject - thankfully hubbykins is forgiving), we cook an actual meal maybe two nights a week.  Also factor at least eating out once a week at about $20/week.  That brings us up to $440.  Boy I'm really glad I'm doing this, because currently I budget for $400/mo and already I'm over the budget. I count my supplements separate.  I buy a combination of bullets and powder.  Powder at approx $40/tub lasts me two or more months, lately I've been drinking only bullets.  Bullets at nearly $3 a piece cost me $90/mo.  So taking into account when I do use the powder I'm probably spending about $100-110 on supplements each month.  I've also recently been trying a few protein bars for an occasional change of pace.  That's more money... Then there is vitamins.  I add this into my walmart shopping trip and pharmacy runs.  Almost everything I get in 90day supply so this expense isn't really a monthly expense, more like a tri-monthly expense.  I don't even really factor it into the budget, I just buy when needed. Okay, now I'm depressed, actually writing all this out is SO eye opening! In closing, we decided to shop at Kroger for the first time last weekend.  We normally shop at Walmart for our large trips and Foodlion for our mini trips.  We did a large shopping trip and when we rang up, it came to $165!!!!!!  THAT'S SIXTY FIVE DOLLARS MORE THAN NORMAL.  Granted we got a couple of extras, but not $65 worth.  I even shouted "HOLY ****!!!" and the lady came over and asked me what was wrong.  I told her we never spend that much.  I excused myself and when we got back to the car we double checked the receipt, it was legit.  So, I'm not sure if it was a fluke, Kroger is more expensive, or we really did buy more than usual.  I suppose we'll try Kroger one more time because the newer store was such a pleasure to shop in, but if it happens again, Kroger is going to the curb. :)

369/175/136
Highest Weight/Goal/Current Weight
233lbs LOST!!
Maintenance going strong!

 

 

 

Sporty Jill
on 7/9/08 11:34 am - Norfolk, VA
I think that this is becoming an issue across the board with the rising cost of gas and such. But, I too shop at Costco and buy things like ground turkey, fruits, veggies, chicken in the bag (Tyson), cottage cheese, egg beaters, turkey bacon, pre made turkey burgers, salmon, and canned tuna/chicken/salmon. If I make taco salad, I use 1/2 pound of ground turkey, 1 can of black beans drained instead of 1 pound of ground turkey.  Adding the beans lets me stretch out the meal without it being really expensive.  Plus...I get in some good carbs.  I make taco salad using baked tostitos instead of taco shells, and the family likes it (despite it being healthier). I make curried chicken salad (or salmon) using the canned chicken.  It's inexpensive and every likes it...again...it's healthy and perfect for wraps (which they use) or on lettuce (for me). Stir fry - lots of veggies, smaller amount of meat is used.  Splenda cookbook has some great recipes with sugar free sauces. Sometimes fruit can be an issue in my house.  If after 4 days it has not been eaten up, it goes in the freezer for use in protein shakes or other things.  This way it does not go bad or wasted.  I have NO issue eating eatmeal with blueberries that we once frozen.  Once heated up, they still squish the same way.  I use chunks of banana in my protein shakes.  I simply take out of the freezer, pop in the microwave for 20 secs (or so) and into the container it goes.  Oh...and I put it in the freezer in its peel.  I'm too lazy to deal with the hassle of preparing it for freezing.  Cherries are the same way.  Those I will de-seed and then freeze for protein shakes.  Frozen grapes are actually good to eat, but also good in chicken salad. I also buy frozen veggies in bulk. If I only need a little bit of celery, instead of buying a whole package, I will use the salad bar.  Per pound it may be more expensive, but per waste it's alot cheaper (make sense?). I hit the day old counter on Saturdays.  I grabbed about 15 packs of flaxseed wraps that were low cal/low carb.  They were $1.00 per package.  I brought them home and stuck them in the freezer for wraps.  A little cheaper than sugar free bread and it's being eaten.   I make a weekly menu, determine what I need and only shop for that.  Nothing else. Snacks are no longer purchased.  If the guys feel like they need something that night, then I make sugar free pudding or something along those lines.  Which means...I cook and I usually don't do that in the evening, so they get popcorn - haha.  Regular popcorn that you cook on the stove is cheap in comparison to other snacks. Of course...no soda...drink water.  However, I do splurge on Crystal Light. My vitamins and supplements are not an issue and will never be an issue.  This is a cost that we will endure one way or another.  I stock up when people have them on sale.  Right now I have MORE than enough protein bars and powder to last me a little while.   Plus, I shop at the commissary often, since we are military.  but, the cost savings are not huge.  In fact, many things are cheaper at the local Walmart than there, so I shop around when I can, too. Good luck!

     Certified Personal Trainer
                             
"I'm tough, ambitious, and I know exactly what I want. if that makes me a bitch, okay." - Madonna
Beginning Weight: 265  Current Weight:143 
So I run like a Girl....now keep up! 


(deactivated member)
on 7/9/08 10:06 pm - Between Richmond and Charlottesville, VA
Thanks, Lauren and Jill, for your responses! It really does help to know what other people are doing and if anything, to not feel so alone in that "Holy Crap!!!" feeling when you get to the register.  For a long time I have felt maybe I am just sliding on my budget or not doing a good job managing costs, but I am glad to know that it isn't just me and that everyone seems to be experiencing "growing pains".
Sporty Jill
on 7/9/08 10:34 pm - Norfolk, VA
Definately not just you.  In fact, this morning I heard ont he radio that by Aug, gas is expected to be $5.10 a gallon.  That means it will cost me $125.00 to buy a tank of gas.  That's an extra $50.00 a month in gas costs.  Gotta find that $50.00 from somewhere.   Plus, I'm trying to pay off a few things before my next round of plastics (oh and save money for that, too). AND....I have a lkid starting college this fall(actually both of them are), and while they both have money (scholarship and GI Bill), there are some expenses that are not covered up front (IE: supplies, expensive calculators, etc.). Right now, we do not go out to dinner (ok...very rare).  It's rare that we rent a movie or go to the movies.  So I'm having to cut back on shopping (no new clothes or scrapbook supplies) and in the area of groceries.  No big treats.  Which is fine, because they were becoming too common again and no longer a treat. Also...I'm looking at riding my bicycle more often, when I can.  For example, if I need to run to the store for milk, I usually take the car and buy a lot more than milk.  Well, I'm going to start riding my bike up there (it will take me about 20 minutes each way).  This will cut down on my fuel costs, force me to avoid the shopping for other things because I can only carry so much, give me more activity and hopefully cut back on how often i will run up to the store.  I'm started doing the same with my son.  He now has to ride his bike to work - it's 20 minutes away so it's not a big deal. Plus, I ride the motorcycle when i can becuase it is much more fuel efficient. So...it's not just you.  Example:  It's just my son and I right now.  I have been to the grocery store 3 times since Friday and have spent over $200.00 in total.  My fridge and freezer are already packed, so how can that be??????  It was for fruit, soy milk and stupid stuff.  And guess what????  I may have to go back again....UGH!

     Certified Personal Trainer
                             
"I'm tough, ambitious, and I know exactly what I want. if that makes me a bitch, okay." - Madonna
Beginning Weight: 265  Current Weight:143 
So I run like a Girl....now keep up! 


(deactivated member)
on 7/9/08 11:16 pm - Between Richmond and Charlottesville, VA
Yes, I heard that same thing too about $5.00 a gallon gas! Throwing up my hands because I don't know where the extra is going to come from. I have thought about taking a teaching job at a college at night because I have done that before in times of need, but then, I am risking not taking care of myself and neglecting my son. The times in my life when I did work a second job teaching college  were times I was at my heaviest, so that should tell me something. I am thinking about becoming certified in personal training, like you, or working in a gym to get a discount and help me stay in shape while making some extra money. For me, the price increases are a punch in the tummy because both my husband and I have a 30 mile commute. We work in the same general area and carpool sometimes to save money. We too have waaaaay cut down on going out to eat and we are not taking a vacation this year. We used to love taking day trips to the mountains and just getting in the car and enjoying the Virginia scenery, but that has been cut. We also stopped spending on clothes and hobby supplies, and we have taken to shopping at the Goodwill (where you can get some fantastic deals and no one is the wiser) and going to the library for books. We borrow movies from friends to watch at home; it's kinda fun to do movie swapping with everyone, who all have different tastes in movies. I even gave up my $4.67 Friday morning Starbucks skinny latte, the only "treat" I allow myself! I would love to ride the bike more, but we live in a rural area where doing that would be dangerous (no shoulder on the roads, which tend to be a little busy ar times being the only route through the area) and the nearest store is 20 miles away anyway. I am determined, though, to start only buying what is on the list and no more and portioning out bulk foods that I can buy more cheaply. It is starting to get depressing! We're trying to be more creative about doing fun things around town that are free. Luckily, Virginia has a lot to do and see, so we're trying to take advantage of that.
(deactivated member)
on 7/9/08 11:23 pm - Between Richmond and Charlottesville, VA
Also...can I have your recipe for curried chicken salad?
wattie4life
on 7/9/08 10:27 pm - Richmond, VA
The increases in food prices have hit my family very hard, we moved in our town home last month and pay $300.00 more then we were paying, I stop working, and bills are going up and up. We are a household 6 (my husband, myself, our girls 9,5,4,and our son 22months). We go through 8-10 gals. of milk a month, and I buy soy milk for myself. I do try to find good prices on things, but it is hard at time. I do have a cookbook called Fix-it and Forget-it, 5 ingredient favorites. I also have to have a weekly meal plan. My meal plan is base on what on sale for the week, I check my sales paper, look for coupons(even though I hate cutting them). I also go to Sams Club for alot of stuff. If someone has any good tips to help me please let me know. Thanks!

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