How are you handling rising food and energy costs?

[lowlight]

Oh wow, Rao's has all kinds of fun flavors.

It's kind of a weird thing to me with all the varieties of sauces available. They have peppers and onions, mushroom, meat, garlic and basil, this and that. I put all of it in my sauce when I make spaghetti so I would have to buy one of every variety and combine it, LOL.

I don't know how anyone survives without fresh garlic or growing your own basil, LOL. I would go broke if I had to buy things like jarred sauces, garlic, and basil.

I make my own passata from Roma tomatoes from my garden and use it to make Sunday sauce throughout the year to go with my homemade pasta, but sometimes I just want to feed the kids quickly. Rao’s is much cheaper than my own sauce even with my own tomatoes.

 

[DLgal]

First you get ahead on your bills that you can. I have over a thousand dollar credit in my electric, oil, and Comcast. It’s very easy to get ahead just pay a little extra each month than in no time you will have a bunch of credit in there. If I want I don’t have to make a payment on them things for at least a few months if things get really bad for me.
Second for food we eat out a lot less. Saves a lot of money of course.
Heating the house I know my Akita will be happy this winter as we will keep the house cooler.

Our utility company won't let you pay more than the balance due.

 

[Mackenzie Click-Mickelson]

I don't know how anyone survives without fresh garlic or growing your own basil, LOL. I would go broke if I had to buy things like jarred sauces, garlic, and basil.

I recently read about people posting their own budget tips that just didn't work out and one of them was growing your own garden for food and herbs. The cost ratio should be carefully looked at especially when considering one's climate. It works for some doesn't work for others.

An 8oz container of dried basil is $1.00. Taste is one thing to consider with dried herbs vs fresh for sure but we find it works for us. We use minced garlic from a container 99% of the time. It's more concentrated so you need different ratios for it when comparing to fresh. An 8oz container is $2.16 presently and last for a very long time even as much as we use it. And yes for some fresh garlic is the only way to go and that's okay. But it would be hard to make statements that you'd go broke buying some of these things listed especially when your comment about turkey. There's usually a pick and choose that people make in what they purchase.

 

[MICKIMINI]

Still giving out my $5's to everyone who helps me with anything ever, although these days lots of employees with curbside are told not to so I roll the money in a little bit of paper and tell them where it is in the trunk of my car like my grandma snuck me money when I was a kid.

Love it! I have a stack of $10 Starbuck's gift cards in my bag to use as tips in FL (in addition to $5 & $10's). I can whip one out of my pocket as they are all the same LOL.

 

[fla4fun]

I don't get the angst over the cost of turkey. Compared to any other meat it's cheap. Even at 2 dollars a pound.

I guess it depends on what you’re spending for other meats, but as far as poultry, a Butterball turkey is $2.29 per pound at my grocery and chicken on sale for $1.79 per pound at least twice a month. Sure, they have their store brand turkey on sale for .50 per pound, but when I was in the store a couple days before this week’s sale, they only had maybe six store brand turkeys in stock, and they aren’t doing rain checks. Aside from the fact that the store brand turkeys taste like sawdust (we tried one a few years back), there aren’t going to be many available to buy.

Target had Butterball turkeys for $1.19 per pound this week, but they sell out before I can grab one, right at store opening. I am not going to run like the NY marathon through the store. They have maybe two in each weight class, per store, and that’s it. A hurricane this week didn’t help. I am going to try one more time tomorrow, since it’s the last day of the sale, and if I can’t get one, I am going to the grocery for a full price bird before those sell out too. It just means no second pie for dessert, no biscuits with breakfast, and I won’t have any regular grocery money for the last week of the month. But at least we will have turkey for thanksgiving.

 

[Christine]

I had no idea Rao’s had those flavors. I’ve never seen anything other than plain and vodka in any stores. I’m gonna have to find them now.

Harris Teeter, by far, carries the most variety. In fact, I think HT carries all the varieties of Rao's. Other stores tend to carry only 3-4 different types. It's frustrating honestly.

 

[Christine]

They have "sensitive" marinara (no onions or garlic), tomato basil, bolognese--a whole bunch of flavors. They also have dry pasta, jarred soups, and stuff in the frozen section (like lasagna). I can't vouch for the taste or quality of these products--never tried them.

The frozen meal I bought was god-awful, hate to say.

 

[aprilgail]

Energy costs are not so bad - I have solar so its well under 100 a month for electric and heating is gas and that is only 111.00 a month. Food wise I find it cheaper to eat food out or bring food in rather than grocery shop. This week subway had buy one get one free foot longs so I bought that - had half one for lunch, half for dinner and then the next day had the other 2 halves- so 4 meals for 9.00 is a bargain LOL- 2.25 cents a meal. I load the sandwich up with every veggie so at least it is a little healthier.

 

[barkley]

Turkey doesn't fit into any sensible discussion on the economy and rising costs as it's a one time thing when talking Thanksgiving dinner.

really? many people eat it on a regular basis b/c it's traditionally one of the least expensive meats (if you are going w/standard grocery store variety-not high end organic, pedicured, massaged....). in addition to the traditionally roast method it can be ground and provide a healthier and significantly more cost effective alternative to lean ground beef. i never see the high end ones or to-furkey sold outside thanksgiving and christmas but every grocery store i've ever shopped at carries them year round (may not be in a prominent display case but they have them in the back for the asking).

I had no idea Rao’s had those flavors. I’ve never seen anything other than plain and vodka in any stores. I’m gonna have to find them now.

i had no idea until i checked out their website earlier today-it could be fun (and cost effective) to do one of their mix and match cases.

Our utility company won't let you pay more than the balance due.

no balanced payment plan? that's too bad-it is such a good budget tool to be paying the same amount month after month (i've currently got about a $500 credit on mine from the lower usage months over the past 6 months which will help offset the colder ones we are already experiencing-19 degrees last night and no end in sight

 

[mco65]

Mostly complaining...

Trying to drive less and when we do, drive the better fuel milage vehicle vs the gas guzzling pickup.

Thinking about cooking more/eating at home more often but so far that is still in the thinking stages.

 

[mrodgers]

really? many people eat it on a regular basis b/c it's traditionally one of the least expensive meats (if you are going w/standard grocery st

You have to follow the context of what is being discussed and it was the Thanksgiving turkey being discussed, not turkey as a regular thing for after work dinner.

no balanced payment plan? that's too bad-it is such a good budget tool to be paying the same amount month after month (i've currently got about a $500 credit on mine from the lower usage months over the past 6 months which will help offset the colder ones we are already experiencing-19 degrees last night and no end in sight

I don't know if I can send a regular set payment to the electric company, but it's already budgeted by me anyways. I set aside $60/pay for the electric bill when it's $60/month in the winter or $160-180 in the summer. In fact, looking at my budget and my last two electric bills of around $180 from the remaining days of AC usage, I have $49 left in the electric bill category. Now the bill should be much lower and I'll start building it back up again.

 

[pigletto]

I think one other thing I’m doing that I didn’t used to is if something is too high I just change the plan.

For instance I like to make salads a few times a week but when I went to the store yesterday lettuce was ridiculous. $5 for a medium head of iceberg lettuce. Almost $7 for a three pack of withered looking small Romaine.

So frozen veggies are on the menu this week. I’m having to pivot way more than I used to but there are some prices I just won’t pay.

 

[Pea-n-Me]

My supermarket was completely out of Romaine lettuce today. And bananas (except the organic ones). Everyone was hovering around like this . I forgot to look to see what turkeys cost. It’s too early for me to buy one anyway, I do not have the space.

 

[dvcgirl67]

I recently read about people posting their own budget tips that just didn't work out and one of them was growing your own garden for food and herbs. The cost ratio should be carefully looked at especially when considering one's climate. It works for some doesn't work for others.

An 8oz container of dried basil is $1.00. Taste is one thing to consider with dried herbs vs fresh for sure but we find it works for us. We use minced garlic from a container 99% of the time. It's more concentrated so you need different ratios for it when comparing to fresh. An 8oz container is $2.16 presently and last for a very long time even as much as we use it. And yes for some fresh garlic is the only way to go and that's okay. But it would be hard to make statements that you'd go broke buying some of these things listed especially when your comment about turkey. There's usually a pick and choose that people make in what they purchase.

Oh for sure....I started planting a garden again during the first summer of the pandemic. Mostly because I was home and it was a fun hobby. I've kept it up the two summers after it, but I definitely think that all of the money spent on plants, organic fertilizers/soil, watering...etc....means I could have done better had I just purchased what I needed and spent less. My 8'x8' plot churns out a lot of veggies that I end up giving away. And with many of the things I plant...they all come in at once, and so unless you have a lot of time on your hands to can/store...a lot goes to others. Still, I do enjoy having lettuce to pick at the ready in the spring and other veggies in the late summer. The pots that I will always continue with are my herb pots. They're almost all perennials and I love being able to just walk out for a sprig of thyme, rosemary or some chives.

 

[disneychrista]

I think one other thing I’m doing that I didn’t used to is if something is too high I just change the plan.

I find myself doing this more & more. I was just going to pick up a take and bake pizza for lunch/dinner this weekend. When I went to order it online it was almost $5 more than it was the last time I ordered it. So I decided against it.


I also find myself doing this more and more at the grocery store. As well as picking up cheaper options of items I do purchase vs the ones I always have.

 

[barkley]

I recently read about people posting their own budget tips that just didn't work out and one of them was growing your own garden for food and herbs. The cost ratio should be carefully looked at especially when considering one's climate. It works for some doesn't work for others.

too true-it can be very cost ineffective trying to grow. i will say though-i've had great luck replacing the flowering seasonal plants in the planters on my deck with inexpensive basil and mint plants. i wait until the first time in the early summer i want either for a recipe and opt for a plant vs. fresh at the store (can cost me a third less than a small bunch)-i use what i need for the recipe and plant the rest. if it takes (which it usually does) i'm good for the summer, if not i'm still ahead of what i would have paid for the small bunch.

 

[DCLMP]

I guess it depends on what you’re spending for other meats, but as far as poultry, a Butterball turkey is $2.29 per pound at my grocery and chicken on sale for $1.79 per pound at least twice a month. Sure, they have their store brand turkey on sale for .50 per pound, but when I was in the store a couple days before this week’s sale, they only had maybe six store brand turkeys in stock, and they aren’t doing rain checks. Aside from the fact that the store brand turkeys taste like sawdust (we tried one a few years back), there aren’t going to be many available to buy.

Target had Butterball turkeys for $1.19 per pound this week, but they sell out before I can grab one, right at store opening. I am not going to run like the NY marathon through the store. They have maybe two in each weight class, per store, and that’s it. A hurricane this week didn’t help. I am going to try one more time tomorrow, since it’s the last day of the sale, and if I can’t get one, I am going to the grocery for a full price bird before those sell out too. It just means no second pie for dessert, no biscuits with breakfast, and I won’t have any regular grocery money for the last week of the month. But at least we will have turkey for thanksgiving.

Maybe things aren't as expensive where you live, but 2.29 a pound would be pretty cheap here for any kind of meat. I haven't bought yet because I haven't decided if I'm going to cook or go to my in-laws. If I leave town I'll have to pay for a hotel for a night, but it might be less expensive than cooking. Then again I have to deal with some of my inlaws...so I don't know.

 

[superme80]

I have been cooking from scratch a lot more. Premade items are way more expensive. I am also using our local library a lot more. Staying home and having family game and movie nights instead of going out. When I went to Disneyland with a friend a few weeks ago, I didn't buy a lot. We shared a lot of meals, and utilized the hotel breakfast.

 

[Cannot_Wait_4Disney]

I guess it depends on what you’re spending for other meats, but as far as poultry, a Butterball turkey is $2.29 per pound at my grocery and chicken on sale for $1.79 per pound at least twice a month. Sure, they have their store brand turkey on sale for .50 per pound, but when I was in the store a couple days before this week’s sale, they only had maybe six store brand turkeys in stock, and they aren’t doing rain checks. Aside from the fact that the store brand turkeys taste like sawdust (we tried one a few years back), there aren’t going to be many available to buy.

Target had Butterball turkeys for $1.19 per pound this week, but they sell out before I can grab one, right at store opening. I am not going to run like the NY marathon through the store. They have maybe two in each weight class, per store, and that’s it. A hurricane this week didn’t help. I am going to try one more time tomorrow, since it’s the last day of the sale, and if I can’t get one, I am going to the grocery for a full price bird before those sell out too. It just means no second pie for dessert, no biscuits with breakfast, and I won’t have any regular grocery money for the last week of the month. But at least we will have turkey for thanksgiving.

Do you have Aldi down there? $1.07 a pound for butterball.

 

[FranNorton]

It's just as bad over here in the UK. With winter fast approaching I am making huge pots of stew using the cheaper meats (ie: over here it is chicken/turkey) which can be frozen and serve as two or more days dinner, soups and pasta is always the cheap go to meal sausages and mash etc. Also making use of the larger potatoes and making jacket potatoes with cheese/beans or with plain butter or egg and chips (fries). Its also worth looking out for reduced items in the local supermarket, although you often have to use the item that day or the day after you can save a fortune on all sorts of different meats and dairy products.

Also its worth noting that if you can cook in an air fryer (we have a Ninja) cooking costs are a lot cheaper than using a conventional oven.

These meals are a cheap option and a far cry from a nice piece of steak on your plate but we are in a better position than many out there, we have hot food on the table and thank God every day for that