TOTALLY GEEKED!

FNW · Guru

This Is Why Poor People Pay More At The Grocery Store

Lawyerlady · On the bright side...... Christmas is coming! (Mod)

If there is an ALDI nearby, the costs can get a lot cheaper.

I'll go today and shop for $20.

Lady Gaga Snerd · Guru

I mean, if one has limited income the point is to stretch that. The notion that junk food is somehow cheaper is simply not true.

Momala · Great cook-happy wife-superb fisherman

My 15-year-old dishwasher died on
Friday. DH went on line, and found
one for $50. Used 3 months, and
the owner wanted to up-grade.

Installation cost us $20 plus a large
watermelon, so everything is back to
normal. He also found a new dryer,
at the same location for $20 - that
owner also wanted to up-grade, so I
should be good for another ten years
or so.

BTW, to bring the interior of your
dishwasher back to sparkling white,
empty three envelopes of Kool-aid
lemonade into the (empty) dishwasher
and run a full cycle. You'll be happily
amazed at how clean it looks.

Lady Gaga Snerd · Guru

Koolaid lemonade? I wonder who thought of that? Lol. I did toss some white vinegar in and ran it.

lilyofcourse · My spirit animal is a pink flamingo.

Lawyerlady wrote:
lilyofcourse wrote:
An entire chicken costs roughly $4. Depending on size.

Let's say I want to make a cheap pasta dinner.

A chicken spaghetti, you need
Chicken, cooked and shredded
(The chicken needs to be cooked, and seasoned. That requires at least salt and pepper, an onion, and garlic. That just added at least 2 more items to your grocery list)
Noodles
Sauce, homemade is easy, tomato sauce, garlic, onion, oregano, basil, salt, pepper. (Again, adding things to your list)

That $3 meal just turned into a $5 meal.
Or, a box of 80 cent hamburger helper.
Which most of the time, doesn't get the meat that it calls for because it's too expensive.

The hamburger helper still needs hamburger.

No. It really doesnt. All the seasoning is in that box.

Believe it or not, meat is a luxury for those truly struggling to put food in bellies.

lilyofcourse · My spirit animal is a pink flamingo.

Lady Gaga Snerd wrote:
Hamburger helper here is about $1.40. It's literally a handful of dry noodles and some seasoning. One box of that in no way feeds 4 people.

It makes enough to keep a person from starving.

And a lot of times, that's the only qualification.

lilyofcourse · My spirit animal is a pink flamingo.

Lady Gaga Snerd wrote:
I mean, if one has limited income the point is to stretch that. The notion that junk food is somehow cheaper is simply not true.

Again, the person's ability to cook from scratch, to improvise, and to actually get to a real grocery store makes a huge difference.

For example, my kids know how to make basics like biscuits and cornbread.

My cousin's kids can't make toast.

Seriously, not exaggerating.

So, they would be the one to get the microwave meals.

lilyofcourse · My spirit animal is a pink flamingo.

Lawyerlady wrote:
If there is an ALDI nearby, the costs can get a lot cheaper.

I'll go today and shop for $20.

We have an aldi, it's on the other side of town, so I don't even think about going there. I've never been.

But I have seen videos of their dumpsters. The amount of product they throw away is astounding.

Lady Gaga Snerd · Guru

lilyofcourse wrote:
Lady Gaga Snerd wrote:
Hamburger helper here is about $1.40. It's literally a handful of dry noodles and some seasoning. One box of that in no way feeds 4 people.
It makes enough to keep a person from starving.
And a lot of times, that's the only qualification.

Without hamburger, it doesn't. You could buy a 16oz package of noodles and put some seasoning on it and have twice as much for the same price. That is the point I am making.

-- Edited by Lady Gaga Snerd on Tuesday 3rd of September 2019 01:49:15 PM

-- Edited by Lady Gaga Snerd on Tuesday 3rd of September 2019 01:53:38 PM

Lady Gaga Snerd · Guru

Also, a lot of these hamburger helpers require adding milk as well. Seems pretty simple to me to buy a bag of noodles, blend a few spices and make it myself.

lilyofcourse · My spirit animal is a pink flamingo.

Lady Gaga Snerd wrote:
lilyofcourse wrote:
Lady Gaga Snerd wrote:
Hamburger helper here is about $1.40. It's literally a handful of dry noodles and some seasoning. One box of that in no way feeds 4 people.
It makes enough to keep a person from starving.
And a lot of times, that's the only qualification.
Without hamburger, it doesn't. You could buy a 16oz package of noodles and put some seasoning on it and have twice as much for the same price. That is the point I am making.

-- Edited by Lady Gaga Snerd on Tuesday 3rd of September 2019 01:49:15 PM

-- Edited by Lady Gaga Snerd on Tuesday 3rd of September 2019 01:53:38 PM

And the point I'm making is, you assume a person will have, or can buy those extra few seasonings.

It seems like chump change to send roughly 2 buck on a container of garlic powder, but 2 bucks can buy actual food, instead.

Lady Gaga Snerd · Guru

I don't know where you are shopping. I can buy garlic power for 50cents. You are paying MORE to buy boxed mixes of anything. That is a fact.

Lady Gaga Snerd · Guru

Dollar general sells garlic powder.

Lawyerlady · On the bright side...... Christmas is coming! (Mod)

OK. I went to Aldi.

I actually could have bought a lot more food, but I didn't want to buy anything we actually wouldn't eat, and I really try to avoid genetically modified food. However, if I had to buy it or starve, I'd buy it. Examples of food prices at Aldi -

A jar of meat spaghetti sauce was 85 cents. A box of cereal was $1.79. Milk was $1.89. A loaf of bread was 85 cents. Lunch meat was $1.99. I didn't buy cereal b/c I already have too much at home.

My receipt -

Fresh ground turkey - 1 lb. $3.49

Salisbury Steak $ 2.69 (freezer section - I don't normally buy this, but my kids do like it and I was thinking quick and easy)

Danimals smoothies 6 $2.24 (I could have bought mixed berry instead of strawberry for $1.99)

Organic pasta sauce $1.89 (I could have bought 2 regular for this price)

Org Baby carrots $1.39

Org. Bananas 2 lbs $1.23 (normally I do NOT buy organic bananas, regular are fine, but the regular ones did not look good today. This would have saved 31 cents)

Cream Cheese 79 cents

large bag egg noodles $1.09

gallon of milk $1.95

Total was $19.21

From that we've got bananas and smoothies for breakfast.

If I didn't already have tons of bread and cereal at home, I'd have bought bread and cereal instead of bagels and cream cheese.

Beef stroganoff with 1/2 the egg noodles

Mini turkey sliders on bagels

bagels and cream cheese

noodles and pasta sauce with a little bit of the turkey mixed in

milk to drink

If I had to feed as much as I could on $12, like the OP, I'd have bought -

1.95 milk

1.79 cereal

0.89 box of spaghetti

0.85 meat sauce pasta

1.09 bag of egg noodles

0.89 can of tuna

0.89 cream of mushroom soup

1.45 16 cheese slices (Happy Farms cheese)

0.85 loaf of bread

1.29 butter spread

11.94 total

I'd have cereal and milk for breakfast

I'd have grilled cheese sandwiches for lunch

spaghetti with meat sauce two nights

tuna noodle casserole two nights

Not fancy or really satisfying, but gets you through.

-- Edited by Lawyerlady on Tuesday 3rd of September 2019 03:32:12 PM

lilyofcourse · My spirit animal is a pink flamingo.

6 oz of elbow macaroni, which is about how much is in a box of basic hamburger helper cheeseburger macaroni, makes just under 4 cups of pasta without the meat.

So, it is enough to keep a person from going to bed starving.

lilyofcourse · My spirit animal is a pink flamingo.

Lady Gaga Snerd wrote:
I don't know where you are shopping. I can buy garlic power for 50cents. You are paying MORE to buy boxed mixes of anything. That is a fact.

I posted the receipt from where I shop.

I've never seen a seasoning of any kind for less than a dollar.

lilyofcourse · My spirit animal is a pink flamingo.

Lady Gaga Snerd wrote:
Dollar general sells garlic powder.

How many stores are you going to go to?

How much time do you have?

Are you factoring in the gas to go to the different stores?

lilyofcourse · My spirit animal is a pink flamingo.

Lawyerlady wrote:
OK. I went to Aldi.

I actually could have bought a lot more food, but I didn't want to buy anything we actually wouldn't eat, and I really try to avoid genetically modified food. However, if I had to buy it or starve, I'd buy it. Examples of food prices at Aldi -

A jar of meat spaghetti sauce was 85 cents. A box of cereal was $1.79. Milk was $1.89.

My receipt -

Fresh ground turkey - 1 lb. $3.49
Salisbury Steak $ 2.69 (freezer section - I don't normally buy this, but my kids do like it.
Danimals smoothies 6 $2.24 (I could have bought mixed berry instead of strawberry for $1.99)
Organic pasta sauce $1.89 (I could have bought 2 regular for this price)
Mini bagels (12)

How are you going to use this to feed 4 people, 3 meals a day, for 4 days?

Lady Gaga Snerd · Guru

lilyofcourse wrote:
Lady Gaga Snerd wrote:
Dollar general sells garlic powder.
How many stores are you going to go to?
How much time do you have?
Are you factoring in the gas to go to the different stores?

If i have limited income, i would have to be a careful shopper, know where the best prices were. And, if this person is working so much that there is no time to buy garlic powder, then why is there only $12 for food? ??

I know what to do_sometimes · Frozen Sucks!

One can buy a whole garlic for about .30. No need for the powder.

Lady Gaga Snerd · Guru

I don't understand why that is somehow the limiting factor?

lilyofcourse · My spirit animal is a pink flamingo.

Lady Gaga Snerd wrote:
lilyofcourse wrote:
Lady Gaga Snerd wrote:
Dollar general sells garlic powder.
How many stores are you going to go to?
How much time do you have?
Are you factoring in the gas to go to the different stores?

If i have limited income, i would have to be a careful shopper, know where the best prices were. And, if this person is working so much that there is no time to buy garlic powder, then why is there only $12 for food? ??

See, you are thinking like someone who has enough.

Time and gas are factors that must be figured in.

Lady Gaga Snerd · Guru

No, i am thinking if you don't have enough, then learning to make things from a more scratch level is cheaper.

Lady Gaga Snerd · Guru

I am thinking that one would welcome ways to make dinner cheaper. Those HH dinners are 7 oz, that includes the seasonings. So, that is like 6 ounce of dry noodles when i can buy a 16 oz package of dry noodles and make almost 3x the amount of pasta for the same price.

Lawyerlady · On the bright side...... Christmas is coming! (Mod)

lilyofcourse wrote:
Lawyerlady wrote:
OK. I went to Aldi.

I actually could have bought a lot more food, but I didn't want to buy anything we actually wouldn't eat, and I really try to avoid genetically modified food. However, if I had to buy it or starve, I'd buy it. Examples of food prices at Aldi -

A jar of meat spaghetti sauce was 85 cents. A box of cereal was $1.79. Milk was $1.89.

My receipt -

Fresh ground turkey - 1 lb. $3.49
Salisbury Steak $ 2.69 (freezer section - I don't normally buy this, but my kids do like it.
Danimals smoothies 6 $2.24 (I could have bought mixed berry instead of strawberry for $1.99)
Organic pasta sauce $1.89 (I could have bought 2 regular for this price)
Mini bagels (12)
How are you going to use this to feed 4 people, 3 meals a day, for 4 days?

I wasn't done. It posted before I was finished.

lilyofcourse · My spirit animal is a pink flamingo.

I know what to do_sometimes wrote:
One can buy a whole garlic for about .30. No need for the powder.

Yes.

But how long will it last?

Will you use it up before it goes bad?

How often will you need to replace it?

Lady Gaga Snerd · Guru

Ingredients:

1 tsp. garlic powder
1 tsp. onion powder
1 tsp. salt
2 tsp. paprika
1 tsp. cornstarch
1 1/2 c. uncooked elbow macaroni

Combine all ingredients together and store in a quart sized ziploc bag or a pint sized mason jar. Mix will store for 6 months to a year.

To prepare, brown 1 lb. ground beef. Drain grease. Add ingredients in the jar to the hamburger, then add 1 c. water and 2 c. milk. Simmer until macaroni is fully cooked. Add grated cheese, if desired, a few minutes before serving.

A 16 oz box of dried elbow mac is .98 cents. That is 2-3x times as much pasta as an HH dinner.

lilyofcourse · My spirit animal is a pink flamingo.

Lady Gaga Snerd wrote:
No, i am thinking if you don't have enough, then learning to make things from a more scratch level is cheaper.

That's great. It really is.

I support cooking from scratch, and I agree it does cost less.

However, buying a seasoning compared to a food that fills the belly is a choice some just do not have.

Lady Gaga Snerd · Guru

Are you looking at the ounces on any of those HH? Some of those are 5 to 6 OUNCES. You think that is filling the belly but my 16 ounces of pasta is not? What?

Lawyerlady · On the bright side...... Christmas is coming! (Mod)

I know what to do_sometimes wrote:
lilyofcourse wrote:
But you can not go over $20.

Not even 1 cent.
And I think it should include taxes.

-- Edited by lilyofcourse on Sunday 1st of September 2019 11:18:01 PM
Lily, your state does not tax groceries. Is there a county or town / city tax?

Local taxes groceries. Mine is 3%. We're in the same state, hers probably does, too.

lilyofcourse · My spirit animal is a pink flamingo.

Lady Gaga Snerd wrote:
I am thinking that one would welcome ways to make dinner cheaper. Those HH dinners are 7 oz, that includes the seasonings. So, that is like 6 ounce of dry noodles when i can buy a 16 oz package of dry noodles and make almost 3x the amount of pasta for the same price.

Yes. You can buy a bigger bag that would be more economical.

You are comparing a meal for $1.50 to a way to make multiple meals for roughly $5.

$5, of that you spend at least $2 on seasoning, is a huge chunk out of that 4 days meals.

Lawyerlady · On the bright side...... Christmas is coming! (Mod)

lilyofcourse wrote:
Lawyerlady wrote:
If there is an ALDI nearby, the costs can get a lot cheaper.

I'll go today and shop for $20.
We have an aldi, it's on the other side of town, so I don't even think about going there. I've never been.
But I have seen videos of their dumpsters. The amount of product they throw away is astounding.

The prices are worth the drive. Your town is not that big. biggrin

I buy ALL my milk at Aldi. I like it best and it's less than $2 a gallon. They also have reasonable organic choices, which I appreciate. And that flour you bought at your store would have been 1/2 the price. But take your own bags, they do not provide bags. You'll also need a quarter for the cart. You get it back when you return the cart to the queue.

lilyofcourse · My spirit animal is a pink flamingo.

Lady Gaga Snerd wrote:
Ingredients:

1 tsp. garlic powder
1 tsp. onion powder
1 tsp. salt
2 tsp. paprika
1 tsp. cornstarch
1 1/2 c. uncooked elbow macaroni

Combine all ingredients together and store in a quart sized ziploc bag or a pint sized mason jar. Mix will store for 6 months to a year.

To prepare, brown 1 lb. ground beef. Drain grease. Add ingredients in the jar to the hamburger, then add 1 c. water and 2 c. milk. Simmer until macaroni is fully cooked. Add grated cheese, if desired, a few minutes before serving.

A 16 oz box of dried elbow mac is .98 cents. That is 2-3x times as much pasta as an HH dinner.

Ok, let's say a person has garlic powder. It a staple in my cabinet. And, salt, too.

Let's see how much this one recipe would cost to purchase the remaining ingredients.

Paprika, we will go with you .50, however I've never seen it for less than a dollar.

I'll give you the same price with the onion powder, .50.

Cornstarch, we'll get it at the Dollar tree, $1.

So far, thats $2.

Already over the 1.50 for the single box of HH.

But let's keep going.

Gr. Beef, 1 pound. Right now my store has the 80/20 on sale. A one pound tube is $1.99

Milk, the cheapest store brand, with a club card, is $1.89 a gallon.

Your .98 cent box of macaroni.

And the grated cheese, store brand, small 8 ounce bag is $1.

So for one meal cooked from scratch is $7.98

One meal.

Now, if you use the HH. You save the $2 for the spices.

And while it isn't the best tasting, you can make it without meat.

And can it be made with water instead of milk?

These are things people just trying to get by think about.

Lawyerlady · On the bright side...... Christmas is coming! (Mod)

So, going back to the OP, I see the point. When our favorites are on sale, I stock up. If I didn't have the extra money to do it, I wouldn't be able to take advantage of that savings and we wouldn't have extra food on hand for days I couldn't shop.

Right now, my pantry contains at least 10 boxes of pasta I've bought for 50% off, and 4 jars of pasta sauce. I also have cranberry sauce out the wazoo, tons of canned tomatoes, and a giant bag of rice. I have flour and sugar to the extent I don't even think about it, and I have a spice cupboard full of spices. I also have crackers and cookies, and a ton of cereal, all purchased on sale. My freezer contains beef and chicken.

I could, quite conceivably, feed my family for about 2 weeks just out of the fridge, freezer and pantry. That does not include my deep freeze - that breaker got tripped and I had to throw away about $300 work of food. It hurt.

Lady Gaga Snerd · Guru

You are acting like you have to buy that for EVERY meal. You use it for MANY meals. And the cost PER MEAL is far less than the boxed. But, i mean, the mindset of 'oh that won't work" is kind of of what keeps people in the same place.

lilyofcourse · My spirit animal is a pink flamingo.

Lawyerlady wrote:
lilyofcourse wrote:
Lawyerlady wrote:
If there is an ALDI nearby, the costs can get a lot cheaper.

I'll go today and shop for $20.
We have an aldi, it's on the other side of town, so I don't even think about going there. I've never been.
But I have seen videos of their dumpsters. The amount of product they throw away is astounding.
The prices are worth the drive. Your town is not that big.
I buy ALL my milk at Aldi. I like it best and it's less than $2 a gallon. They also have reasonable organic choices, which I appreciate. And that flour you bought at your store would have been 1/2 the price. But take your own bags, they do not provide bags. You'll also need a quarter for the cart. You get it back when you return the cart to the queue.

I've thought about trying it, but I usually don't even think about it.

But another question, do they have the electric carts?

Lawyerlady · On the bright side...... Christmas is coming! (Mod)

lilyofcourse wrote:
Lawyerlady wrote:
lilyofcourse wrote:
Lawyerlady wrote:
If there is an ALDI nearby, the costs can get a lot cheaper.

I'll go today and shop for $20.
We have an aldi, it's on the other side of town, so I don't even think about going there. I've never been.
But I have seen videos of their dumpsters. The amount of product they throw away is astounding.
The prices are worth the drive. Your town is not that big.
I buy ALL my milk at Aldi. I like it best and it's less than $2 a gallon. They also have reasonable organic choices, which I appreciate. And that flour you bought at your store would have been 1/2 the price. But take your own bags, they do not provide bags. You'll also need a quarter for the cart. You get it back when you return the cart to the queue.
I've thought about trying it, but I usually don't even think about it.
But another question, do they have the electric carts?

I saw someone with an electric cart today. They were driving a small car, so pretty sure they didn't bring it with them. Just call the local store and ask.

lilyofcourse · My spirit animal is a pink flamingo.

Lady Gaga Snerd wrote:
You are acting like you have to buy that for EVERY meal. You use it for MANY meals. And the cost PER MEAL is far less than the boxed. But, i mean, the mindset of 'oh that won't work" is kind of of what keeps people in the same place.

No. What I'm trying to say is if you only have a certain amount to spend, you don't have the luxury of buying that kind of thing.

And I'm not trying to just throw up road blocks.

I'm trying to give you an idea of what it is to really only have a small amount of money with no wiggle room.

In this scenario we haven't even touched on simple hygiene.

That's another thing to think about.

Soap, laundry, dishes, basic cleaning.

Toilet paper, feminine products.

Basics that need to be bought, too.

lilyofcourse · My spirit animal is a pink flamingo.

Lawyerlady wrote:
lilyofcourse wrote:
Lawyerlady wrote:
lilyofcourse wrote:
Lawyerlady wrote:
If there is an ALDI nearby, the costs can get a lot cheaper.

I'll go today and shop for $20.
We have an aldi, it's on the other side of town, so I don't even think about going there. I've never been.
But I have seen videos of their dumpsters. The amount of product they throw away is astounding.
The prices are worth the drive. Your town is not that big.
I buy ALL my milk at Aldi. I like it best and it's less than $2 a gallon. They also have reasonable organic choices, which I appreciate. And that flour you bought at your store would have been 1/2 the price. But take your own bags, they do not provide bags. You'll also need a quarter for the cart. You get it back when you return the cart to the queue.
I've thought about trying it, but I usually don't even think about it.
But another question, do they have the electric carts?
I saw someone with an electric cart today. They were driving a small car, so pretty sure they didn't bring it with them. Just call the local store and ask.

Thanks.

Lawyerlady · On the bright side...... Christmas is coming! (Mod)

lilyofcourse wrote:
Lady Gaga Snerd wrote:
You are acting like you have to buy that for EVERY meal. You use it for MANY meals. And the cost PER MEAL is far less than the boxed. But, i mean, the mindset of 'oh that won't work" is kind of of what keeps people in the same place.
No. What I'm trying to say is if you only have a certain amount to spend, you don't have the luxury of buying that kind of thing.
And I'm not trying to just throw up road blocks.
I'm trying to give you an idea of what it is to really only have a small amount of money with no wiggle room.
In this scenario we haven't even touched on simple hygiene.
That's another thing to think about.
Soap, laundry, dishes, basic cleaning.
Toilet paper, feminine products.
Basics that need to be bought, too.

But that wasn't the issue in this. It was $12 to payday and you have to eat.

lilyofcourse · My spirit animal is a pink flamingo.

Lawyerlady wrote:
lilyofcourse wrote:
Lady Gaga Snerd wrote:
You are acting like you have to buy that for EVERY meal. You use it for MANY meals. And the cost PER MEAL is far less than the boxed. But, i mean, the mindset of 'oh that won't work" is kind of of what keeps people in the same place.
No. What I'm trying to say is if you only have a certain amount to spend, you don't have the luxury of buying that kind of thing.
And I'm not trying to just throw up road blocks.
I'm trying to give you an idea of what it is to really only have a small amount of money with no wiggle room.
In this scenario we haven't even touched on simple hygiene.
That's another thing to think about.
Soap, laundry, dishes, basic cleaning.
Toilet paper, feminine products.
Basics that need to be bought, too.

But that wasn't the issue in this. It was $12 to payday and you have to eat.

I know that was the OP.

And I know that was the purpose of the $20 challenge.

All I'm saying is when it comes to living week to week, there is more to consider in the overall scheme of things.

Lady Gaga Snerd · Guru

Well, there really are only 2 answers to all of these things. Earn more or spend less. Usually the combo of the 2 is best approach. If you can't earn more, then one has to find ways to spend less. Which to me, means making your own seasoning packets and DIY stuff.

Lady Gaga Snerd · Guru

I keep a big huge bag of frozen brocoli and other assorted frozen veggies in my freezer. I don't buy fresh because i don't use it fast enough. But an easy meal is to simply dice up a piece of chicken , saute and serve of a big pile of rice and veg. Very economical and healthy.

lilyofcourse · My spirit animal is a pink flamingo.

And you have missed the point.

Again.

It isn't about stocking, cooking from scratch, or how to be more economical.

It's about only having the money in your hand to feed yourself and usually a kid or 3.

It's about what will fill their bellies for the longest.

I know what to do_sometimes · Frozen Sucks!

lilyofcourse wrote:
Lady Gaga Snerd wrote:
Ingredients:

1 tsp. garlic powder
1 tsp. onion powder
1 tsp. salt
2 tsp. paprika
1 tsp. cornstarch
1 1/2 c. uncooked elbow macaroni

Combine all ingredients together and store in a quart sized ziploc bag or a pint sized mason jar. Mix will store for 6 months to a year.

To prepare, brown 1 lb. ground beef. Drain grease. Add ingredients in the jar to the hamburger, then add 1 c. water and 2 c. milk. Simmer until macaroni is fully cooked. Add grated cheese, if desired, a few minutes before serving.

A 16 oz box of dried elbow mac is .98 cents. That is 2-3x times as much pasta as an HH dinner.
Ok, let's say a person has garlic powder. It a staple in my cabinet. And, salt, too.
Let's see how much this one recipe would cost to purchase the remaining ingredients.
Paprika, we will go with you .50, however I've never seen it for less than a dollar.
I'll give you the same price with the onion powder, .50.
Cornstarch, we'll get it at the Dollar tree, $1.
So far, thats $2.
Already over the 1.50 for the single box of HH.
But let's keep going.
Gr. Beef, 1 pound. Right now my store has the 80/20 on sale. A one pound tube is $1.99
Milk, the cheapest store brand, with a club card, is $1.89 a gallon.
Your .98 cent box of macaroni.
And the grated cheese, store brand, small 8 ounce bag is $1.

So for one meal cooked from scratch is $7.98
One meal.
Now, if you use the HH. You save the $2 for the spices.
And while it isn't the best tasting, you can make it without meat.
And can it be made with water instead of milk?

These are things people just trying to get by think about.

But you just put the price of all that food on one meal. That milk will last a few meals. If it doesn't then someone needs to stop drinking so much at one sitting. Same for the corn starch, grated cheese, onion powder, and paprika.

lilyofcourse · My spirit animal is a pink flamingo.

I know what to do_sometimes wrote:
lilyofcourse wrote:
Lady Gaga Snerd wrote:
Ingredients:

1 tsp. garlic powder
1 tsp. onion powder
1 tsp. salt
2 tsp. paprika
1 tsp. cornstarch
1 1/2 c. uncooked elbow macaroni

Combine all ingredients together and store in a quart sized ziploc bag or a pint sized mason jar. Mix will store for 6 months to a year.

To prepare, brown 1 lb. ground beef. Drain grease. Add ingredients in the jar to the hamburger, then add 1 c. water and 2 c. milk. Simmer until macaroni is fully cooked. Add grated cheese, if desired, a few minutes before serving.

A 16 oz box of dried elbow mac is .98 cents. That is 2-3x times as much pasta as an HH dinner.
Ok, let's say a person has garlic powder. It a staple in my cabinet. And, salt, too.
Let's see how much this one recipe would cost to purchase the remaining ingredients.
Paprika, we will go with you .50, however I've never seen it for less than a dollar.
I'll give you the same price with the onion powder, .50.
Cornstarch, we'll get it at the Dollar tree, $1.
So far, thats $2.
Already over the 1.50 for the single box of HH.
But let's keep going.
Gr. Beef, 1 pound. Right now my store has the 80/20 on sale. A one pound tube is $1.99
Milk, the cheapest store brand, with a club card, is $1.89 a gallon.
Your .98 cent box of macaroni.
And the grated cheese, store brand, small 8 ounce bag is $1.

So for one meal cooked from scratch is $7.98
One meal.
Now, if you use the HH. You save the $2 for the spices.
And while it isn't the best tasting, you can make it without meat.
And can it be made with water instead of milk?

These are things people just trying to get by think about.

But you just put the price of all that food on one meal. That milk will last a few meals. If it doesn't then someone needs to stop drinking so much at one sitting. Same for the corn starch, grated cheese, onion powder, and paprika.

Think like this.

If I need to buy milk, that's at least $2.

If I buy the cornstarch, because I don't keep cornstarch in my pantry, and I spend money on the spices, that's at least, another 2 dollars, because I don't keep onion powder.

$4 is a lot out of a grocery fund.

The milk, yes, good purchase, the spices are something that you don't get.

Spices don't fill a belly.

Lady Gaga Snerd · Guru

Neither does 6 oz of dry pasta for 4 people. I mean 5.9 ounces.

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-- Edited by Lady Gaga Snerd on Tuesday 3rd of September 2019 06:44:25 PM

lilyofcourse · My spirit animal is a pink flamingo.

Lady Gaga Snerd wrote:
Neither does 6 oz of dry pasta for 4 people. I mean 5.9 ounces.

-- Edited by Lady Gaga Snerd on Tuesday 3rd of September 2019 06:44:25 PM

The pasta expands when you cook it.

Pasta is a filler.

Pasta will be more filling than a shaker of onion powder.

That is the point.

You can't just eat the onion powder.

You can cook and eat the pasta.

It's a matter of what fills the belly.

Lady Gaga Snerd · Guru

I mean ultimately we all need to do what works best for all of us.

-- Edited by Lady Gaga Snerd on Tuesday 3rd of September 2019 09:36:44 PM