Mondays with Mavis – How to Feed Your Family for $100 a Month
There were plenty of garden chores this past week but I still managed to squeeze in a few quick shopping trips while I was out running errands. This year has gotten off to a bit of a rocky start, I’m already at $400+ for the year and we are only 7 weeks into it. I’m not too worried though, I suspect that once the garden starts producing we’ll have so much fresh food to eat I’ll just be running to the store for milk.
Or at least I hope so anyway.
Here is what I bought at the grocery store last week:
Costco – $15.49
The problem with shopping withe teenagers is that they want stuff like chips and ham for their lunches. It’s hard to zip in and out of Costco for bananas when there is so much to look at. Luckily I like to give in every once in a while and say yes.
Fred Meyer – $6
Fred Meyer had their milk and orange juice on sale last week for $1 a 1/2 gallon so I stopped in and picked some up. Monkey Boy loves their chocolate milk and orange juice.
Mr. Produce Guy- FREE
Free produce? Heck ya I’ll take it.
Albertsons – FREE
I popped into Albertsons yesterday to snag a few freebies. I find myself going there less and less for coupon deals because we just are not buying boatloads of processed foods anymore. I can’t wait until I’m shopping almost exclusively out of our backyard. Only a few more months to go!
Bartering with Francisco – FREE
I don’t know about you, but I love to barter with my neighbors. Whether it’s a cup of sugar or a pantry full of food, I think it’s major fun.
How did you do this week? Did you find any sweet deals out there?
~Mavis
Total Spent This Week $21.49
Total Spent This Year $408.05
Total Spent This Year on Garden Seeds/Supplies $627.79 {I bought a Meyer Lemon Tree, Rhubarb crowns, 6 Fruit Trees and 15 yards of soil}
Go HERE to read more Shopping Trip Stories.
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Mavis I have two questions:
1. How did you go about finding produce guy originally?
I am a total spaz and not very mechanically minded. I read books, I cook. I garden.Using power tools not so much. I am however very willing to give it a try.So here is my second question.
2. How did you learn to use power tools without maiming yourself or others? (saws-all,drill)
Basically I want to make raised beds and other things for my garden. Oh and fix things around the house. Hubby works overtime and doesn’t have much time for projects .Thanks for any help.
1. I just walked in to the store and asked if I could have his scraps.
2. My husband is using the saw in the photo. I wouldn’t dare use one.
Denise,
You can do it. We use power tools in the kitchen , an electric knife is a small saw. If you plan out your garden boxes you can get the wood cut at Home Depot type stores and nail or screw them together at home. You can also ask in the tool department how to use the tools. I’m the builder/tool owner in our house.
If you have a fancy project, like pretty planters or picnic tables, you could check with your local high school’s wood shop. I know when I had wood and metal shop people would put in requests, pay the materials fee and kids would make their project for a grade. I think it was the same thing for mechanics class…hanging out in the shop chatting it up with your buddies doesn’t get you a grade so kids are always needing projects. I remember a farmer having a kid in our Advanced Metal class do his corral gates. Just an idea.
Mavis what is in the Heinz can in the middle of the pic from Francisco? I’m curious
It’s “Spotted Dick” a sponge pudding in a can….think it’s a British thing. I Googled it and found this definition:
“Heinz Spotted Dick Pudding is the traditional British sponge pudding made with golden syrup, suet and raisins that has been a staple in pantries all over the UK for over a century. Traditionally steamed in a cloth, today it is commonly baked in the oven and served warm over custard. Hints of rum, cinnamon and nutmeg add to its warming, comfort-food appeal. And in case you’re wondering – it’s the currants resembling spots that lend to its name. ” From the World Market (love that place) website. Cheers!
You absolutely don’t have to count your Valentine Present of the dirt…it was a present; as they said in The Best Christmas Pageant Ever.
Ha! The bean counters might disagree.