Comments on: A Month of Groceries for a Family of Four – Under $150 http://www.americanconsumernews.com/2008/04/a-month-of-groceries-for-a-family-of-four-under-150.html News for Consumers in Changing Times Sun, 12 Feb 2012 04:49:00 +0000 hourly 1 http://wordpress.org/?v=3.3.1 By: Squeegie http://www.americanconsumernews.com/2008/04/a-month-of-groceries-for-a-family-of-four-under-150.html/comment-page-1#comment-50211 Squeegie Tue, 15 Mar 2011 06:54:00 +0000 http://www.americanconsumernews.com/2008/04/a-month-of-groceries-for-a-family-of-four-under-150.html#comment-50211 If you give up using paper towels that gives you $10 more for food on your list. Cleaning supplies and such should not come out of your "food" budget. You could use baking soda and white vinegar for some cleaning and bleach for disinfecting. The prices on the list are not what food is now 2011, prices are fluctuating a great deal right now with a strained economy. Yes we all consume too much, but living on $150 for 4 is not realistic nor is it very nutritional especially if you have growing children. Giving up processed foods and eating out or delivered food can save quite a bit. Too much starch is not good for the body either, especially for diabetics. Really you would have to spend a good amount of time researching your own list to see what is best for you and your own family. Growing some vegetables is always an option if you have the space and if not grow in pots what you can if you can afford the containers and don't just have some laying around handy. Meat is not a necessity for every meal, but I still think there is way too much starchy food on the list. Now you all can bad mouth my response as I know some will. :) If you give up using paper towels that gives you $10 more for food on your list. Cleaning supplies and such should not come out of your “food” budget. You could use baking soda and white vinegar for some cleaning and bleach for disinfecting.

The prices on the list are not what food is now 2011, prices are fluctuating a great deal right now with a strained economy. Yes we all consume too much, but living on $150 for 4 is not realistic nor is it very nutritional especially if you have growing children. Giving up processed foods and eating out or delivered food can save quite a bit. Too much starch is not good for the body either, especially for diabetics. Really you would have to spend a good amount of time researching your own list to see what is best for you and your own family. Growing some vegetables is always an option if you have the space and if not grow in pots what you can if you can afford the containers and don’t just have some laying around handy. Meat is not a necessity for every meal, but I still think there is way too much starchy food on the list. Now you all can bad mouth my response as I know some will. :)

]]> By: pennstyle http://www.americanconsumernews.com/2008/04/a-month-of-groceries-for-a-family-of-four-under-150.html/comment-page-1#comment-12330 pennstyle Sun, 01 Aug 2010 20:59:41 +0000 http://www.americanconsumernews.com/2008/04/a-month-of-groceries-for-a-family-of-four-under-150.html#comment-12330 I have a husband, and two teen boys (15 & 18)and not a one of us FAT! WE love food and love to eat! I spend over $600 a month on food. That may sound outrageous to some but we eat fresh veggies & fruit, and I cook EVERYDAY, three meals a day (notlunch during schooldays)husband brown-bags every workday and I rarely buy "junk" food and ordering a take-out pizza is a big deal around here. These boys are growing physcially and mentally and depriving them of nutrients is NOT good. All of us work-out daily with sports or weights and that makes for a high metabolism. I have tried to scale back but that is impossible for now, with ONE GALON of milk at $4.00 where I live and we go through four or five galons a week! I have a husband, and two teen boys (15 & 18)and not a one of us FAT! WE love food and love to eat! I spend over $600 a month on food. That may sound outrageous to some but we eat fresh veggies & fruit, and I cook EVERYDAY, three meals a day (notlunch during schooldays)husband brown-bags every workday and I rarely buy “junk” food and ordering a take-out pizza is a big deal around here. These boys are growing physcially and mentally and depriving them of nutrients is NOT good. All of us work-out daily with sports or weights and that makes for a high metabolism. I have tried to scale back but that is impossible for now, with ONE GALON of milk at $4.00 where I live and we go through four or five galons a week!

]]> By: save a marriage http://www.americanconsumernews.com/2008/04/a-month-of-groceries-for-a-family-of-four-under-150.html/comment-page-1#comment-12229 save a marriage Sun, 01 Aug 2010 15:31:24 +0000 http://www.americanconsumernews.com/2008/04/a-month-of-groceries-for-a-family-of-four-under-150.html#comment-12229 Thank. It makes me feel great when I read all these stories. It helps me from hopelessness and make me more stronger to fly… thank… for everything. Love Thank. It makes me feel great when I read all these stories. It helps me from hopelessness and make me more stronger to fly… thank… for everything. Love

]]> By: info prodigy bonuses http://www.americanconsumernews.com/2008/04/a-month-of-groceries-for-a-family-of-four-under-150.html/comment-page-1#comment-10995 info prodigy bonuses Fri, 30 Jul 2010 11:52:04 +0000 http://www.americanconsumernews.com/2008/04/a-month-of-groceries-for-a-family-of-four-under-150.html#comment-10995 Brilliant article bro. This excellent is just a extremely nicely structured write-up, just the information and facts I was hunting to find. Bless you Brilliant article bro. This excellent is just a extremely nicely structured write-up, just the information and facts I was hunting to find. Bless you

]]> By: Leslie http://www.americanconsumernews.com/2008/04/a-month-of-groceries-for-a-family-of-four-under-150.html/comment-page-1#comment-9207 Leslie Thu, 27 May 2010 07:17:55 +0000 http://www.americanconsumernews.com/2008/04/a-month-of-groceries-for-a-family-of-four-under-150.html#comment-9207 I am curious as to when this was written. This would amount to a little over 41 cents a meal. I agree there is a lot to think about here as far as cutting back and I appreciate this article for that reason but I do not think it is reasonable at all. I am curious as to when this was written. This would amount to a little over 41 cents a meal. I agree there is a lot to think about here as far as cutting back and I appreciate this article for that reason but I do not think it is reasonable at all.

]]> By: Leslie http://www.americanconsumernews.com/2008/04/a-month-of-groceries-for-a-family-of-four-under-150.html/comment-page-1#comment-9208 Leslie Thu, 27 May 2010 07:17:44 +0000 http://www.americanconsumernews.com/2008/04/a-month-of-groceries-for-a-family-of-four-under-150.html#comment-9208 I am curious as to when this was written. This would amount to a little over 41 cents a meal. I agree there is a lot to think about here as far as cutting back and I appreciate this article for that reason but I do not think it is reasonable at all. I am curious as to when this was written. This would amount to a little over 41 cents a meal. I agree there is a lot to think about here as far as cutting back and I appreciate this article for that reason but I do not think it is reasonable at all.

]]> By: shellydennison http://www.americanconsumernews.com/2008/04/a-month-of-groceries-for-a-family-of-four-under-150.html/comment-page-1#comment-8107 shellydennison Mon, 10 May 2010 08:20:23 +0000 http://www.americanconsumernews.com/2008/04/a-month-of-groceries-for-a-family-of-four-under-150.html#comment-8107 i think everyone here is missing the point, this should be used as a guideline, my son is very picky and wouldnt eat half of these items, but it still has some good ideas, just change it alittle for your family i think everyone here is missing the point, this should be used as a guideline, my son is very picky and wouldnt eat half of these items, but it still has some good ideas, just change it alittle for your family

]]> By: Rob http://www.americanconsumernews.com/2008/04/a-month-of-groceries-for-a-family-of-four-under-150.html/comment-page-1#comment-8080 Rob Mon, 03 May 2010 05:28:12 +0000 http://www.americanconsumernews.com/2008/04/a-month-of-groceries-for-a-family-of-four-under-150.html#comment-8080 Your husband must be terribly fat. You might want to put him on a diet before he eats you. Your husband must be terribly fat. You might want to put him on a diet before he eats you.

]]> By: Vickiej http://www.americanconsumernews.com/2008/04/a-month-of-groceries-for-a-family-of-four-under-150.html/comment-page-1#comment-7290 Vickiej Mon, 12 Apr 2010 23:24:12 +0000 http://www.americanconsumernews.com/2008/04/a-month-of-groceries-for-a-family-of-four-under-150.html#comment-7290 And when was the date for pricing these items...2005? This is unreal to say the least! My Husband can eat an entire box of cereal in a sitting! This list is almost like splitting and apple 6 ways for a day! FILE 13 And when was the date for pricing these items…2005? This is unreal to say the least! My Husband can eat an entire box of cereal in a sitting! This list is almost like splitting and apple 6 ways for a day! FILE 13

]]> By: lula http://www.americanconsumernews.com/2008/04/a-month-of-groceries-for-a-family-of-four-under-150.html/comment-page-1#comment-7111 lula Sat, 13 Mar 2010 21:39:54 +0000 http://www.americanconsumernews.com/2008/04/a-month-of-groceries-for-a-family-of-four-under-150.html#comment-7111 I do not agree with this statement at all. We have enough Nanny State people like you running around threatening people. It is none of your business what this person does in their own houshold. You missed the entire point of this post. I do not agree with this statement at all. We have enough Nanny State people like you running around threatening people. It is none of your business what this person does in their own houshold. You missed the entire point of this post.

]]> By: lula http://www.americanconsumernews.com/2008/04/a-month-of-groceries-for-a-family-of-four-under-150.html/comment-page-1#comment-7112 lula Sat, 13 Mar 2010 21:39:53 +0000 http://www.americanconsumernews.com/2008/04/a-month-of-groceries-for-a-family-of-four-under-150.html#comment-7112 I do not agree with this statement at all. We have enough Nanny State people like you running around threatening people. It is none of your business what this person does in their own houshold. You missed the entire point of this post. I do not agree with this statement at all. We have enough Nanny State people like you running around threatening people. It is none of your business what this person does in their own houshold. You missed the entire point of this post.

]]> By: carolsag http://www.americanconsumernews.com/2008/04/a-month-of-groceries-for-a-family-of-four-under-150.html/comment-page-1#comment-7054 carolsag Tue, 02 Mar 2010 22:31:04 +0000 http://www.americanconsumernews.com/2008/04/a-month-of-groceries-for-a-family-of-four-under-150.html#comment-7054 I agree with LaceyAnn on the vegge part, also frozen veges are better for you than canned & green beans and corn are not the most nutritional veges. Buy fresh lettuce, not the bags of salad mixes, and not ICEBERG lettuce, there is 0 nutritional value in it, romaine or green leaf is a better choice. I agree with LaceyAnn on the vegge part, also frozen veges are better for you than canned & green beans and corn are not the most nutritional veges. Buy fresh lettuce, not the bags of salad mixes, and not ICEBERG lettuce, there is 0 nutritional value in it, romaine or green leaf is a better choice.

]]> By: LaceyAnn http://www.americanconsumernews.com/2008/04/a-month-of-groceries-for-a-family-of-four-under-150.html/comment-page-1#comment-6983 LaceyAnn Wed, 17 Feb 2010 17:53:26 +0000 http://www.americanconsumernews.com/2008/04/a-month-of-groceries-for-a-family-of-four-under-150.html#comment-6983 Are you feeding your children breakfast everyday before school? Are you taking advantage of the free lunches at school for low income families? This list is not enough nutrition for a family of four for a month. 4 cans of vegetables, two bags of salad mix, and $3 worth of tomatoes is hardly enough veggies for an entire family let alone kids. If you have any children at all living with you, you should be reported to the state. Please, do your family a favor and apply for food stamps to supplement this horrible list. Are you feeding your children breakfast everyday before school? Are you taking advantage of the free lunches at school for low income families? This list is not enough nutrition for a family of four for a month. 4 cans of vegetables, two bags of salad mix, and $3 worth of tomatoes is hardly enough veggies for an entire family let alone kids. If you have any children at all living with you, you should be reported to the state. Please, do your family a favor and apply for food stamps to supplement this horrible list.

]]> By: KS http://www.americanconsumernews.com/2008/04/a-month-of-groceries-for-a-family-of-four-under-150.html/comment-page-1#comment-6693 KS Mon, 05 Oct 2009 02:04:54 +0000 http://www.americanconsumernews.com/2008/04/a-month-of-groceries-for-a-family-of-four-under-150.html#comment-6693 By my calculations, that would make a total of 35 servings per person for the entire month. That's essentially one meal per day. This is not an option for most people, especially for growing children. By my calculations, that would make a total of 35 servings per person for the entire month. That's essentially one meal per day. This is not an option for most people, especially for growing children.

]]> By: KS http://www.americanconsumernews.com/2008/04/a-month-of-groceries-for-a-family-of-four-under-150.html/comment-page-1#comment-6365 KS Sun, 04 Oct 2009 19:04:54 +0000 http://www.americanconsumernews.com/2008/04/a-month-of-groceries-for-a-family-of-four-under-150.html#comment-6365 By my calculations, that would make a total of 35 servings per person for the entire month. That's essentially one meal per day. This is not an option for most people, especially for growing children. By my calculations, that would make a total of 35 servings per person for the entire month. That's essentially one meal per day. This is not an option for most people, especially for growing children.

]]> By: Sebastian http://www.americanconsumernews.com/2008/04/a-month-of-groceries-for-a-family-of-four-under-150.html/comment-page-1#comment-6050 Sebastian Sun, 28 Jun 2009 02:21:58 +0000 http://www.americanconsumernews.com/2008/04/a-month-of-groceries-for-a-family-of-four-under-150.html#comment-6050 Hello Debbie! Your article gave me hope because i'll be living abroad next year and this list can help me survive and maybe save some money to travel. But, do you think that the prices listed here are similar to the ones in europe? Hello Debbie!

Your article gave me hope because i’ll be living abroad next year and this list can help me survive and maybe save some money to travel. But, do you think that the prices listed here are similar to the ones in europe?

]]> By: IRG http://www.americanconsumernews.com/2008/04/a-month-of-groceries-for-a-family-of-four-under-150.html/comment-page-1#comment-5889 IRG Thu, 07 May 2009 19:54:41 +0000 http://www.americanconsumernews.com/2008/04/a-month-of-groceries-for-a-family-of-four-under-150.html#comment-5889 Although I appreciate this type of article, it is totally irrelevant to those of us who live in major cities due to the complete difference in pricing for these items. We don't have cars (so no access to warehouse and big box stores) and are dependent on sales at the very few supermarket chains in the city (Gristedes, Food Emporium), which already have limited inventory and assortments. Prices you use, not even close to anything we pay here even for sale products. I wish someone who lived in a major city would do these kinds of articles, using the actual stores that are available. We actually save by ordering some items in bulk from amazon.com. Yea, there are farmers' markets in our city. But aside from cost of transportation to/from (to haul stuff), there are high prices. We're lucky we have one Trader Joe's. But it's about three miles from my apartment and any cost savings made when I stock up are offset by the cost of a cab to get home with it. No way can I carry it alone and nobody around to shop with and haul stuff. The only advantage we do have is the presence of many fruit/veggie stands, some of which feature discounted items. FYI: When I've gone out of town, I notice that you still have to shop very carefully for good prices. If you don't, you can end up paying more than we do for stuff here! When I lived in Boston, another big city, for a few months, I loved Shaw's. It was the only supermarket in all of downtown boston and I had to take a cab back from it with groceries, but it was amazing, in size, scope and food inventory. Plus, when they had sales: Oh, boy. Most important, their inventory of sale items did not run out on the first day of the sale, as it does for our local stores. Although I appreciate this type of article, it is totally irrelevant to those of us who live in major cities due to the complete difference in pricing for these items.

We don’t have cars (so no access to warehouse and big box stores) and are dependent on sales at the very few supermarket chains in the city (Gristedes, Food Emporium), which already have limited inventory and assortments.

Prices you use, not even close to anything we pay here even for sale products.

I wish someone who lived in a major city would do these kinds of articles, using the actual stores that are available.

We actually save by ordering some items in bulk from amazon.com.

Yea, there are farmers’ markets in our city. But aside from cost of transportation to/from (to haul stuff), there are high prices.

We’re lucky we have one Trader Joe’s. But it’s about three miles from my apartment and any cost savings made when I stock up are offset by the cost of a cab to get home with it. No way can I carry it alone and nobody around to shop with and haul stuff.

The only advantage we do have is the presence of many fruit/veggie stands, some of which feature discounted items.

FYI: When I’ve gone out of town, I notice that you still have to shop very carefully for good prices. If you don’t, you can end up paying more than we do for stuff here!

When I lived in Boston, another big city, for a few months, I loved Shaw’s. It was the only supermarket in all of downtown boston and I had to take a cab back from it with groceries, but it was amazing, in size, scope and food inventory. Plus, when they had sales: Oh, boy. Most important, their inventory of sale items did not run out on the first day of the sale, as it does for our local stores.

]]> By: debbie http://www.americanconsumernews.com/2008/04/a-month-of-groceries-for-a-family-of-four-under-150.html/comment-page-1#comment-5724 debbie Sat, 04 Apr 2009 19:50:53 +0000 http://www.americanconsumernews.com/2008/04/a-month-of-groceries-for-a-family-of-four-under-150.html#comment-5724 Hi Michelle, Thanks for your comments. Yeah- it's not intended to be a plan for every month or something that every family could make work for them. It's just showing one option for cutting back your grocery expenses that would make it POSSIBLE to eat on about $150 for a month, say if you needed to cut expenses drastically to free up some money for an expense, or whatever. I'm not sure what you mean by you actually cook - as just about every meal in this particular post requires cooking, sure would hate to eat raw chicken parm, tacos, spaghetti, eggs, french toast, hamburger, potatoes, gravy, etc! I agree sales and coupons make a huge difference in cutting back. Hi Michelle,
Thanks for your comments. Yeah- it’s not intended to be a plan for every month or something that every family could make work for them. It’s just showing one option for cutting back your grocery expenses that would make it POSSIBLE to eat on about $150 for a month, say if you needed to cut expenses drastically to free up some money for an expense, or whatever. I’m not sure what you mean by you actually cook – as just about every meal in this particular post requires cooking, sure would hate to eat raw chicken parm, tacos, spaghetti, eggs, french toast, hamburger, potatoes, gravy, etc!

I agree sales and coupons make a huge difference in cutting back.

]]> By: Michelle http://www.americanconsumernews.com/2008/04/a-month-of-groceries-for-a-family-of-four-under-150.html/comment-page-1#comment-5722 Michelle Sat, 04 Apr 2009 12:29:08 +0000 http://www.americanconsumernews.com/2008/04/a-month-of-groceries-for-a-family-of-four-under-150.html#comment-5722 OK, but most families prefer a bit more meat in their diet! I have a husband and two children, and they would be constantly hungry on this plan! I spend about $250-$300 a month on groceries; and I actually cook; unlike what's is suggested here. It is quite possible if you watch sales, use coupons, and above all else; use common sense. OK, but most families prefer a bit more meat in their diet! I have a husband and two children, and they would be constantly hungry on this plan! I spend about $250-$300 a month on groceries; and I actually cook; unlike what’s is suggested here. It is quite possible if you watch sales, use coupons, and above all else; use common sense.

]]> By: Jamison http://www.americanconsumernews.com/2008/04/a-month-of-groceries-for-a-family-of-four-under-150.html/comment-page-1#comment-3877 Jamison Tue, 29 Apr 2008 01:17:14 +0000 http://www.americanconsumernews.com/2008/04/a-month-of-groceries-for-a-family-of-four-under-150.html#comment-3877 Debbie... I got ya on the serving sizes. But on the back of Fig Newtons a serving size is 2 cookies... Um, for my baby maybe. And most ice cream serving sizes are half a cup... HALF A CUP??? Most of my spoonfuls of ice cream are half a cup! LOL still, a good article. I'd like to try it out and let you know how it goes. Debbie…
I got ya on the serving sizes.
But on the back of Fig Newtons a serving size is 2 cookies…
Um, for my baby maybe.
And most ice cream serving sizes are half a cup…
HALF A CUP???
Most of my spoonfuls of ice cream are half a cup! LOL
still, a good article. I’d like to try it out and let you know how it goes.

]]> By: April 28, 2008 Edition of the Festival of Stocks | Investing Adventures http://www.americanconsumernews.com/2008/04/a-month-of-groceries-for-a-family-of-four-under-150.html/comment-page-1#comment-3876 April 28, 2008 Edition of the Festival of Stocks | Investing Adventures Mon, 28 Apr 2008 19:51:23 +0000 http://www.americanconsumernews.com/2008/04/a-month-of-groceries-for-a-family-of-four-under-150.html#comment-3876 [...] Paulson presents A Month of Groceries for a Family of Four - Under $150 posted at American Consumer [...] [...] Paulson presents A Month of Groceries for a Family of Four – Under $150 posted at American Consumer [...]

]]> By: Debbie http://www.americanconsumernews.com/2008/04/a-month-of-groceries-for-a-family-of-four-under-150.html/comment-page-1#comment-3848 Debbie Thu, 24 Apr 2008 14:50:58 +0000 http://www.americanconsumernews.com/2008/04/a-month-of-groceries-for-a-family-of-four-under-150.html#comment-3848 Thanks Jamison - I went by the serving sizes listed on the cans and products to get that. They say about half a cup of green beans is a serving, and that each can is 3.5 servings. It wouldn't be enough for a MEAL, but as a side dish that's probably more than enough (particularly for me, since I don't really like green beans that much!) LOL. And yeah- you might have to make more than one trip to the store to get your items, but you can still do it for about $150. I'm doing this experiment in May. And of course, most of us have a few things leftover in our cabinets, so doing this for a month would mean you could also use up whatever you have lying around too. Thanks Jamison – I went by the serving sizes listed on the cans and products to get that. They say about half a cup of green beans is a serving, and that each can is 3.5 servings. It wouldn’t be enough for a MEAL, but as a side dish that’s probably more than enough (particularly for me, since I don’t really like green beans that much!) LOL.

And yeah- you might have to make more than one trip to the store to get your items, but you can still do it for about $150. I’m doing this experiment in May. And of course, most of us have a few things leftover in our cabinets, so doing this for a month would mean you could also use up whatever you have lying around too.

]]> By: Monroe on a Budget » A month of groceries for $150? http://www.americanconsumernews.com/2008/04/a-month-of-groceries-for-a-family-of-four-under-150.html/comment-page-1#comment-3843 Monroe on a Budget » A month of groceries for $150? Thu, 24 Apr 2008 11:46:25 +0000 http://www.americanconsumernews.com/2008/04/a-month-of-groceries-for-a-family-of-four-under-150.html#comment-3843 [...] Could you feed a family of four for a month on $150? Debbie Dragon at American Consumer News shows how it can be done. [...] [...] Could you feed a family of four for a month on $150? Debbie Dragon at American Consumer News shows how it can be done. [...]

]]> By: Jamison http://www.americanconsumernews.com/2008/04/a-month-of-groceries-for-a-family-of-four-under-150.html/comment-page-1#comment-3840 Jamison Thu, 24 Apr 2008 01:52:13 +0000 http://www.americanconsumernews.com/2008/04/a-month-of-groceries-for-a-family-of-four-under-150.html#comment-3840 I love this article, but I hardly think that 2 cans of green beans = 7 servings. But like you said, you may have to change the way you eat. I also assume this is going to the store 2 times during the month because 2 gallons of milk will go bad in a week and a half. I love this article, but I hardly think that 2 cans of green beans = 7 servings. But like you said, you may have to change the way you eat. I also assume this is going to the store 2 times during the month because 2 gallons of milk will go bad in a week and a half.

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