Comments on: Cheap Supper Night: Hacking One Meal a Week to Save Money http://www.thesimpledollar.com/2008/08/21/cheap-supper-night-hacking-one-meal-a-week-to-save-money/ Simple, applicable personal finance advice for the modern world Sat, 21 Nov 2009 22:03:21 -0800 http://wordpress.org/?v=2.8.4 hourly 1 By: Mrs. J http://www.thesimpledollar.com/2008/08/21/cheap-supper-night-hacking-one-meal-a-week-to-save-money/comment-page-2/#comment-760759 Mrs. J Sun, 23 Aug 2009 16:59:56 +0000 http://www.thesimpledollar.com/2008/08/21/cheap-supper-night-hacking-one-meal-a-week-to-save-money/#comment-760759 Our cheap night is Ramen Wednesdays! My husband actually loves Ramen cups and I like them well enough, so before we dash off to Bible study, we boil some water and save quite a bit of cash in the process! :D Our cheap night is Ramen Wednesdays! My husband actually loves Ramen cups and I like them well enough, so before we dash off to Bible study, we boil some water and save quite a bit of cash in the process! :D

]]> By: Emily @ Under$1000PerMonth http://www.thesimpledollar.com/2008/08/21/cheap-supper-night-hacking-one-meal-a-week-to-save-money/comment-page-2/#comment-760244 Emily @ Under$1000PerMonth Sat, 22 Aug 2009 23:12:01 +0000 http://www.thesimpledollar.com/2008/08/21/cheap-supper-night-hacking-one-meal-a-week-to-save-money/#comment-760244 I would just find cheaper ways to make your current meals. Replacing food that's okay for food your famiy really enjoys won't be a habit that sticks. Tweak you recipes toward cheaper ingredients and you will save. I would just find cheaper ways to make your current meals. Replacing food that’s okay for food your famiy really enjoys won’t be a habit that sticks. Tweak you recipes toward cheaper ingredients and you will save.

]]> By: barry http://www.thesimpledollar.com/2008/08/21/cheap-supper-night-hacking-one-meal-a-week-to-save-money/comment-page-2/#comment-733278 barry Tue, 21 Jul 2009 20:49:57 +0000 http://www.thesimpledollar.com/2008/08/21/cheap-supper-night-hacking-one-meal-a-week-to-save-money/#comment-733278 Yer you can make some really healthy food at home for cheap, but dont scrimp too much. live life Yer you can make some really healthy food at home for cheap, but dont scrimp too much. live life

]]> By: Emma http://www.thesimpledollar.com/2008/08/21/cheap-supper-night-hacking-one-meal-a-week-to-save-money/comment-page-2/#comment-522158 Emma Mon, 16 Feb 2009 17:45:12 +0000 http://www.thesimpledollar.com/2008/08/21/cheap-supper-night-hacking-one-meal-a-week-to-save-money/#comment-522158 For those of you who haven't ever looked it up, the USDA food cost plan says that a family of four (2 adults, 2 children 3-5 years old) would spend $137.50 per week on groceries on the "low cost plan." Broken down, for an adult male 19-50 years old, spending should be around $36 per week, a woman of the same age should be $32.40 per week, a child 1 year old should be $19.10 per week, and from 2-3 years $20.30 per week. If you're spending $137.50 per week on groceries, you're spending $596 per month on groceries. You can find the guide at http://www.cnpp.usda.gov/Publications/FoodPlans/2007/CostofFoodAug07.pdf For those of you who haven’t ever looked it up, the USDA food cost plan says that a family of four (2 adults, 2 children 3-5 years old) would spend $137.50 per week on groceries on the “low cost plan.” Broken down, for an adult male 19-50 years old, spending should be around $36 per week, a woman of the same age should be $32.40 per week, a child 1 year old should be $19.10 per week, and from 2-3 years $20.30 per week.

If you’re spending $137.50 per week on groceries, you’re spending $596 per month on groceries. You can find the guide at http://www.cnpp.usda.gov/Publications/FoodPlans/2007/CostofFoodAug07.pdf

]]> By: Stu http://www.thesimpledollar.com/2008/08/21/cheap-supper-night-hacking-one-meal-a-week-to-save-money/comment-page-2/#comment-451507 Stu Sat, 27 Dec 2008 06:53:51 +0000 http://www.thesimpledollar.com/2008/08/21/cheap-supper-night-hacking-one-meal-a-week-to-save-money/#comment-451507 I made my first loaf of bread yesterday and it came out OK, didn't rise much, but it seemed pretty cheap and easy to do. Does anyone have any idea how much it costs to run a gas oven at 400 for an hour? I made my first loaf of bread yesterday and it came out OK, didn’t rise much, but it seemed pretty cheap and easy to do.
Does anyone have any idea how much it costs to run a gas oven at 400 for an hour?

]]> By: EngineerMom http://www.thesimpledollar.com/2008/08/21/cheap-supper-night-hacking-one-meal-a-week-to-save-money/comment-page-2/#comment-408202 EngineerMom Mon, 03 Nov 2008 17:13:10 +0000 http://www.thesimpledollar.com/2008/08/21/cheap-supper-night-hacking-one-meal-a-week-to-save-money/#comment-408202 My husband and I spend between $500 and $600 per month on our entire grocery budget (including paper goods and diapers/wipes/formula for our 4-month old son), so I think the $770/month amount sounds about right for a family of 4 that includes alcohol, organics, and the more expensive (but tastier) free-range chicken and eggs. My mother always recommended $50/week per person for groceries as an average budget to include all food, toiletries, paper goods, etc. I wonder if some of the people who think this amount is high are not factoring in money spent on meals eaten out. We only "eat out" once per week - we buy a take-and-bake pizza from a local place for $8 on Friday nights (yay for living in Minnesota and no sales tax on food - which take-and-bake pizza is considered). That pizza is figured into our grocery budget, as we used to make it at home before the munchkin came along. It's not much more expensive than making it at home (sausage, peppers, onions, cheese, etc.), and the convenience factor in the way of not having to clean up the kitchen at the end of a long week is worth it! My husband and I spend between $500 and $600 per month on our entire grocery budget (including paper goods and diapers/wipes/formula for our 4-month old son), so I think the $770/month amount sounds about right for a family of 4 that includes alcohol, organics, and the more expensive (but tastier) free-range chicken and eggs. My mother always recommended $50/week per person for groceries as an average budget to include all food, toiletries, paper goods, etc.

I wonder if some of the people who think this amount is high are not factoring in money spent on meals eaten out. We only “eat out” once per week – we buy a take-and-bake pizza from a local place for $8 on Friday nights (yay for living in Minnesota and no sales tax on food – which take-and-bake pizza is considered). That pizza is figured into our grocery budget, as we used to make it at home before the munchkin came along. It’s not much more expensive than making it at home (sausage, peppers, onions, cheese, etc.), and the convenience factor in the way of not having to clean up the kitchen at the end of a long week is worth it!

]]> By: A http://www.thesimpledollar.com/2008/08/21/cheap-supper-night-hacking-one-meal-a-week-to-save-money/comment-page-2/#comment-371576 A Tue, 09 Sep 2008 21:12:59 +0000 http://www.thesimpledollar.com/2008/08/21/cheap-supper-night-hacking-one-meal-a-week-to-save-money/#comment-371576 "$770/month on food alone? Without a very high element of convenience food which I suspect you don’t buy, that’s unbelievably high; even allowing for organic and locally grown produce, gourmet items and household essentials such as toiletry items." My SO and I each live alone, and for just one person, we're each spending about half that per month. And neither of us buy anything particularly expensive. I also save quite a bit with coupons, and I buy the cheapest product available that doesn't suck. My weekly shopping list consists primarily of fresh produce (not organic), dairy products and tofu, and that costs me about $50-$100. I'm not even counting toiletry-type stuff or eating out. “$770/month on food alone? Without a very high element of convenience food which I suspect you don’t buy, that’s unbelievably high; even allowing for organic and locally grown produce, gourmet items and household essentials such as toiletry items.”

My SO and I each live alone, and for just one person, we’re each spending about half that per month. And neither of us buy anything particularly expensive. I also save quite a bit with coupons, and I buy the cheapest product available that doesn’t suck. My weekly shopping list consists primarily of fresh produce (not organic), dairy products and tofu, and that costs me about $50-$100. I’m not even counting toiletry-type stuff or eating out.

]]> By: Jana http://www.thesimpledollar.com/2008/08/21/cheap-supper-night-hacking-one-meal-a-week-to-save-money/comment-page-2/#comment-369200 Jana Fri, 05 Sep 2008 22:52:11 +0000 http://www.thesimpledollar.com/2008/08/21/cheap-supper-night-hacking-one-meal-a-week-to-save-money/#comment-369200 I make soup that's basically free. And it usually lasts our family of five for two meals. Here's how: I have two ice cream buckets (emptied and washed). One is labeled chicken, the other labeled beef. When I have leftovers, I put them into the appropriate bucket and freeze it. So, the beef bucket, by the time it's full, might have a mish-mash of leftover spaghetti and meat sauce, chili, veggie soup, stew, etc. The chicken one would have any leftover chicken breasts chopped up, rice, soup broth, etc. I also pour water from cooked veggies into one of these containers. If, when I'm cooking it, there is not enough liquid, I just add water and seasonings or the appropriate broth. These soups are ALWAYS delicious and always a surprise. I make soup that’s basically free. And it usually lasts our family of five for two meals. Here’s how: I have two ice cream buckets (emptied and washed). One is labeled chicken, the other labeled beef. When I have leftovers, I put them into the appropriate bucket and freeze it. So, the beef bucket, by the time it’s full, might have a mish-mash of leftover spaghetti and meat sauce, chili, veggie soup, stew, etc. The chicken one would have any leftover chicken breasts chopped up, rice, soup broth, etc. I also pour water from cooked veggies into one of these containers. If, when I’m cooking it, there is not enough liquid, I just add water and seasonings or the appropriate broth. These soups are ALWAYS delicious and always a surprise.

]]> By: Debuse http://www.thesimpledollar.com/2008/08/21/cheap-supper-night-hacking-one-meal-a-week-to-save-money/comment-page-2/#comment-365870 Debuse Mon, 01 Sep 2008 06:29:37 +0000 http://www.thesimpledollar.com/2008/08/21/cheap-supper-night-hacking-one-meal-a-week-to-save-money/#comment-365870 My fiancè and I have soup night twice a week with cornbread, tuna salad sandwiches on oat bread and a cup of fruit, black beans & rice with a salad, salmon croquettes with fresh fruit smoothies, scrambled eggs with spinach, and bison with rice (or mashed potatoes) and onion gravy and homemade salsa (our most expensive meal for the week at $4.50 each). Lunch is similar - I usually cook enough at lunch to put in the freezer for later. We have discovered we like salsa with just about everything. It's nutritious, delicious, and you can make it interesting with diced tomatoes, onions, whole kernel corn, and any variety of beans or field peas, and it's great on a spinach salad. I make enough to last for the week. My fiancè and I have soup night twice a week with cornbread, tuna salad sandwiches on oat bread and a cup of fruit, black beans & rice with a salad, salmon croquettes with fresh fruit smoothies, scrambled eggs with spinach, and bison with rice (or mashed potatoes) and onion gravy and homemade salsa (our most expensive meal for the week at $4.50 each). Lunch is similar – I usually cook enough at lunch to put in the freezer for later.

We have discovered we like salsa with just about everything. It’s nutritious, delicious, and you can make it interesting with diced tomatoes, onions, whole kernel corn, and any variety of beans or field peas, and it’s great on a spinach salad. I make enough to last for the week.

]]> By: Carmen http://www.thesimpledollar.com/2008/08/21/cheap-supper-night-hacking-one-meal-a-week-to-save-money/comment-page-2/#comment-364217 Carmen Fri, 29 Aug 2008 12:31:30 +0000 http://www.thesimpledollar.com/2008/08/21/cheap-supper-night-hacking-one-meal-a-week-to-save-money/#comment-364217 $770/month on food alone? Without a very high element of convenience food which I suspect you don't buy, that's unbelievably high; even allowing for organic and locally grown produce, gourmet items and household essentials such as toiletry items. Are you sure it's right? $770/month on food alone? Without a very high element of convenience food which I suspect you don’t buy, that’s unbelievably high; even allowing for organic and locally grown produce, gourmet items and household essentials such as toiletry items.

Are you sure it’s right?

]]> By: Monica http://www.thesimpledollar.com/2008/08/21/cheap-supper-night-hacking-one-meal-a-week-to-save-money/comment-page-2/#comment-363871 Monica Thu, 28 Aug 2008 19:40:07 +0000 http://www.thesimpledollar.com/2008/08/21/cheap-supper-night-hacking-one-meal-a-week-to-save-money/#comment-363871 I read this book about a year ago and I thoroughly enjoyed it. I did the soup night once per week for a long while too until the summer heat just got too unbearable. Eating soup for dinner in FL during the summer stinks. I always had leftover soup too and I'd put it in quart freezer bags and it would taste just as good the next time we ate it. The simplest we had was cabbage soup and it was dirt cheap and everyone loved it, even my three-year-old! I read this book about a year ago and I thoroughly enjoyed it. I did the soup night once per week for a long while too until the summer heat just got too unbearable. Eating soup for dinner in FL during the summer stinks. I always had leftover soup too and I’d put it in quart freezer bags and it would taste just as good the next time we ate it. The simplest we had was cabbage soup and it was dirt cheap and everyone loved it, even my three-year-old!

]]> By: Sue http://www.thesimpledollar.com/2008/08/21/cheap-supper-night-hacking-one-meal-a-week-to-save-money/comment-page-2/#comment-363707 Sue Thu, 28 Aug 2008 13:01:38 +0000 http://www.thesimpledollar.com/2008/08/21/cheap-supper-night-hacking-one-meal-a-week-to-save-money/#comment-363707 I thought I had misunderstood when I read $770/mo for your food budget, especially since you've shared some of your recipes, which all seem nutritious and inexpensive. I can't imagine what would cost that much for 2 adults and 2 small children. Granted, I'm feeding just 2 adults; however, I thought I was spending too much at $250/mo. This includes eating out about twice a month AND bulk items. Out of curiosity, I've discussed this with other family members just to see what they spend, and find that it's not that much. My daughter has, at times, 3 adults and 4 children in her household, and she spends approximately what I do. I'll admit that I don't eat red meat, however, my husband does and will have the occasional steak or hamburg, but we do eat chicken (in addition to ground chicken in replacement of ground hamburger), ribs, some lunch meats, etc. I do have a large garden, but my calculations were from the winter months. I'd be curious to know what the $770 includes. Perhaps the prices are higher where you're from. We're from RI and have several supermarkets to choose from, one being quite inexpensive. I thought I had misunderstood when I read $770/mo for your food budget, especially since you’ve shared some of your recipes, which all seem nutritious and inexpensive. I can’t imagine what would cost that much for 2 adults and 2 small children. Granted, I’m feeding just 2 adults; however, I thought I was spending too much at $250/mo. This includes eating out about twice a month AND bulk items. Out of curiosity, I’ve discussed this with other family members just to see what they spend, and find that it’s not that much. My daughter has, at times, 3 adults and 4 children in her household, and she spends approximately what I do. I’ll admit that I don’t eat red meat, however, my husband does and will have the occasional steak or hamburg, but we do eat chicken (in addition to ground chicken in replacement of ground hamburger), ribs, some lunch meats, etc. I do have a large garden, but my calculations were from the winter months. I’d be curious to know what the $770 includes. Perhaps the prices are higher where you’re from. We’re from RI and have several supermarkets to choose from, one being quite inexpensive.

]]> By: gr8whyte http://www.thesimpledollar.com/2008/08/21/cheap-supper-night-hacking-one-meal-a-week-to-save-money/comment-page-2/#comment-362591 gr8whyte Tue, 26 Aug 2008 15:13:05 +0000 http://www.thesimpledollar.com/2008/08/21/cheap-supper-night-hacking-one-meal-a-week-to-save-money/#comment-362591 Have been away doing other stuff. I read too much into "institute a soup and bread night". My apologies, I stand corrected and Johanna, I agree "A meal does not need to be centered around a giant slab of meat in order to be nutritious." as one of my favorite meals is beans and rice. Have been away doing other stuff. I read too much into “institute a soup and bread night”. My apologies, I stand corrected and Johanna, I agree “A meal does not need to be centered around a giant slab of meat in order to be nutritious.” as one of my favorite meals is beans and rice.

]]> By: Amy http://www.thesimpledollar.com/2008/08/21/cheap-supper-night-hacking-one-meal-a-week-to-save-money/comment-page-2/#comment-362272 Amy Tue, 26 Aug 2008 03:36:52 +0000 http://www.thesimpledollar.com/2008/08/21/cheap-supper-night-hacking-one-meal-a-week-to-save-money/#comment-362272 I just let out a huge sigh of relief when I read how much you spend per month for a family of four. I've been reading the Tightwad Gazette and her numbers are so low! I realize that she was writing almost ten years ago, but I wasn't sure exactly what was in the ball park even of "frugal" anymore. We're doing pretty good! whew! I just let out a huge sigh of relief when I read how much you spend per month for a family of four. I’ve been reading the Tightwad Gazette and her numbers are so low! I realize that she was writing almost ten years ago, but I wasn’t sure exactly what was in the ball park even of “frugal” anymore. We’re doing pretty good! whew!

]]> By: BonzoGal http://www.thesimpledollar.com/2008/08/21/cheap-supper-night-hacking-one-meal-a-week-to-save-money/comment-page-2/#comment-362170 BonzoGal Tue, 26 Aug 2008 00:10:57 +0000 http://www.thesimpledollar.com/2008/08/21/cheap-supper-night-hacking-one-meal-a-week-to-save-money/#comment-362170 We do leftover brunch on weekends, which covers both breakfast and lunch for that day(and depending how late we get up, sometimes dinner, lol...) Whatever leftover meat, veggies and cheese we have goes into either a potato hash, a scramble or omelette, or a frittata. We try different herbs or spices depending on what we have on hand. Somehow everything always ends up tasting fine all mixed together. This has made it really hard to buy restaurant breakfasts when we travel- we look at our plates and think "They call THAT a hash... for HOW much?!?" We do leftover brunch on weekends, which covers both breakfast and lunch for that day(and depending how late we get up, sometimes dinner, lol…) Whatever leftover meat, veggies and cheese we have goes into either a potato hash, a scramble or omelette, or a frittata. We try different herbs or spices depending on what we have on hand. Somehow everything always ends up tasting fine all mixed together.

This has made it really hard to buy restaurant breakfasts when we travel- we look at our plates and think “They call THAT a hash… for HOW much?!?”

]]> By: Marcia http://www.thesimpledollar.com/2008/08/21/cheap-supper-night-hacking-one-meal-a-week-to-save-money/comment-page-2/#comment-362022 Marcia Mon, 25 Aug 2008 20:32:22 +0000 http://www.thesimpledollar.com/2008/08/21/cheap-supper-night-hacking-one-meal-a-week-to-save-money/#comment-362022 I really enjoyed reading this. I made a lentil soup/stew last week, which came out to 0.35/cup. Very healthy with lots of veggies and beans. Pair 1 cup of soup with 1 slice homemade bread and 1 oz of shredded cheese, and it comes out at $0.63 per person ($0.45 without the cheese). I consider soup to be a very healthy meal, but then again, I eat plenty of fruits and veggies for breakfast and lunch. I really enjoyed reading this. I made a lentil soup/stew last week, which came out to 0.35/cup. Very healthy with lots of veggies and beans.

Pair 1 cup of soup with 1 slice homemade bread and 1 oz of shredded cheese, and it comes out at $0.63 per person ($0.45 without the cheese). I consider soup to be a very healthy meal, but then again, I eat plenty of fruits and veggies for breakfast and lunch.

]]> By: Joe Livaudais http://www.thesimpledollar.com/2008/08/21/cheap-supper-night-hacking-one-meal-a-week-to-save-money/comment-page-2/#comment-361817 Joe Livaudais Mon, 25 Aug 2008 13:15:23 +0000 http://www.thesimpledollar.com/2008/08/21/cheap-supper-night-hacking-one-meal-a-week-to-save-money/#comment-361817 Our family has started a tradition of pizza on friday nights (before the all girls slumber party). Through the years we have used all the big chains, but the rising cost of fuel and poor customer service issues has actually led us down the path of cheaper and better. After we fled the big pizza chains, we tried a take and bake pizza chain (papa murphy's I think). That removed the customer service issues and it was cheaper, but still. After this last weekend, we are sold on the do-it-at-home pizza. The pack of dry pizza dough ingredients is like $.90 (one pizza). A bag of pepperoni, $2.99? (4 or 5 pizzas?) Sausage $3.00? (A tube gets you 2-3 pizzas)... so for less than $5 dollars a pizza, 2 adults and two small kids eat fine on friday nights. My one caveat is that we do use a pampered chef flat stone for cooking the pizza on (as well as everything else), but we have had the stone so long, the cost is WELL borne out over its lifespan. And once the kids start having friends over, the DIY pizza route will save mucho jingle in the future. Our family has started a tradition of pizza on friday nights (before the all girls slumber party). Through the years we have used all the big chains, but the rising cost of fuel and poor customer service issues has actually led us down the path of cheaper and better. After we fled the big pizza chains, we tried a take and bake pizza chain (papa murphy’s I think). That removed the customer service issues and it was cheaper, but still. After this last weekend, we are sold on the do-it-at-home pizza.
The pack of dry pizza dough ingredients is like $.90 (one pizza). A bag of pepperoni, $2.99? (4 or 5 pizzas?) Sausage $3.00? (A tube gets you 2-3 pizzas)…
so for less than $5 dollars a pizza, 2 adults and two small kids eat fine on friday nights. My one caveat is that we do use a pampered chef flat stone for cooking the pizza on (as well as everything else), but we have had the stone so long, the cost is WELL borne out over its lifespan.
And once the kids start having friends over, the DIY pizza route will save mucho jingle in the future.

]]> By: Shellie http://www.thesimpledollar.com/2008/08/21/cheap-supper-night-hacking-one-meal-a-week-to-save-money/comment-page-2/#comment-361678 Shellie Mon, 25 Aug 2008 03:58:50 +0000 http://www.thesimpledollar.com/2008/08/21/cheap-supper-night-hacking-one-meal-a-week-to-save-money/#comment-361678 We are a family of five living off of a $400/month grocery budget. Groceries include anything you can buy at wal-mart, so that is oil for oil changes, the occasional needed clothing item, gifts for birthdays, food, toiletries, etc. I LOVE leftover night. Usually, this is when something (or somethings) in the fridge become something else. Soup happens a lot over the winter, but in the summer we end up with a lot of cool stir fry's, fajita's with homemade tortillas, things like that. Just leftover meat, mostly leftover veggies, some flour and water - and you have a meal. No skimping on taste :-) We are a family of five living off of a $400/month grocery budget. Groceries include anything you can buy at wal-mart, so that is oil for oil changes, the occasional needed clothing item, gifts for birthdays, food, toiletries, etc. I LOVE leftover night. Usually, this is when something (or somethings) in the fridge become something else. Soup happens a lot over the winter, but in the summer we end up with a lot of cool stir fry’s, fajita’s with homemade tortillas, things like that. Just leftover meat, mostly leftover veggies, some flour and water – and you have a meal. No skimping on taste :-)

]]> By: (required) http://www.thesimpledollar.com/2008/08/21/cheap-supper-night-hacking-one-meal-a-week-to-save-money/comment-page-2/#comment-361423 (required) Sun, 24 Aug 2008 17:23:33 +0000 http://www.thesimpledollar.com/2008/08/21/cheap-supper-night-hacking-one-meal-a-week-to-save-money/#comment-361423 300 $/y just for one dinner. I will give up eating and become a millionaire! 300 $/y just for one dinner. I will give up eating and become a millionaire!

]]> By: SBT http://www.thesimpledollar.com/2008/08/21/cheap-supper-night-hacking-one-meal-a-week-to-save-money/comment-page-2/#comment-361375 SBT Sun, 24 Aug 2008 16:02:39 +0000 http://www.thesimpledollar.com/2008/08/21/cheap-supper-night-hacking-one-meal-a-week-to-save-money/#comment-361375 I'm betting Trent is counting restaurant meals in his $770. Still, a little high. I’m betting Trent is counting restaurant meals in his $770. Still, a little high.

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