Day One: Reflection

It felt like a normal day with the exception of kid snacks.  Fortunately they didn't ask for any.  For those of you who saw today's menu, you may have been surprised to see steak as the main course.  This was only possible because of our minuscule meat eating habit.  I purchased one flat iron steak today (1.20 lbs) for approximately six dollars. We split the steak five, yes five ways.  This is how we have always done it so no one knows any better.  We even had three slices left over for my husbands lunch tomorrow.  I see single people eating for twenty one dollars a week, which seems nearly impossible.  I guess the ration of food is smaller for kids, so we can afford more food using their benefits.  I think this would not be possible if I had three teens in the house.  I notice that I cut my ration to ensure that our kids will have enough food for the week.  Although he never mentioned it, I observed my husband doing the same.

Tomorrow I visit money saving stores such as Aldi's and Easy Way to complete this weeks meals.

Day One: The grocery store...

I'm already getting a bit nervous.  I went to the grocery store and already spent $42.00 of my allotment.  I'm a bit selective when it comes to three items; milk, meat, and eggs.  We have always tried to be humane to our animal friends and select eggs from cage free hens, meat from humanely treated or wild animals, and organic milk because it has a lower pus content (gross, but supposedly true).  I shouldn't do this on such a limited budget, but I did.  Now comes regret.  I used up five more dollars than I needed to.  My plan is to make up for these expenditures by being really cheap on everything else. Problem? Yes.  My family has a few food allergies.  I have to buy rice milk in addition to cow's milk for those that are lactose intolerant.  I have to buy sour dough bread in addition to wheat bread for my soy allergy ridden son.  I personally could eat  nails and be fine.

I'm now aware of the hardship families have when their children suffer from food allergies.  I also see why so many people succumb to feeding their children Top Ramon Noodles.  Why is unhealthy food the cheapest?