Grocery rant

**Dancing Lotus** · 07-13-2008, 04:58 PM

Some of you already know my MIL is visiting. Four weeks and counting.
We have been feeding her on our dime and it's getting expensive.

Today I went to pick up a few things and my bill was 30 bucks!

, I normally get an entire basket for that much. Today it was only three bags.

She is just gonna have to eat beans and rice like the rest of us or buy some food.

I'm a good shopper and I rarely spend more then 50% of the none sale price , but it's getting harder and harder.
There are two things on my list that are just costing me too much, Beer and OJ. During the season I can make free OJ but does anyone out there home brew? I know the start up would cost but how about in the long run? Just a random thought so that maybe Dh won't have to give up his beer.

His not a drunk or anything like that, he just likes to have a cold one at the end of a hard day.

What are some of the things you have had to give up because of rising cost?

**FrugalMomof3** · 07-13-2008, 05:06 PM

Hi Ann,

I am sorry your grocery bill is rising, I know what you mean, my DS is home from college for the summer (another month to go) and I have been spending a bit more than usual.

As for cutting things out, I walk alot now instead of driving to save on gas and my yard sales/flea markets are cut down a bit, I also set a small amount for these now, when before we went with let's say $100 now we set it to $50, so we cut it in half.

**peanut** · 07-13-2008, 05:06 PM

Chocolate. I gave up my organic chocolate bars this spring. They were pushing $5 a bar. Enough! I just quit eating them.

Jean

**FrugalWitch** · 07-13-2008, 05:34 PM

Anyone laying up in your house for such an excessive amount of time should (at the very least) help pay for groceries. Obviously waiting for her manners to kick in ain't happening so you need to be blunt as a hammer

"Hey, next batch of groceries is your responsibility" Don't ask, just announce.

**baxjul** · 07-13-2008, 05:39 PM

(((Hugs))) I haven't given up anything, but I'm now looking for ways to start giving certain things up. With the cost of milk, and everything else on the rise, I can feel your pain.

**treeluva** · 07-13-2008, 06:52 PM

I agree, I would be blunt and tell her that if she expects to keep eating at your house, she needs to chip in.

**Cricket1** · 07-13-2008, 08:32 PM

My dh used to home brew and still does occasionally. He said that yes, if you have a homebrew store nearby, it would be cheaper. Per batch you get about 7 cases, but if you have to mail order, you're going to pay a lot for shipping so it probably wouldn't be worth it. It takes about a month to brew. That's his perspective.

Here's my perspective...splurge and buy the beer already made. You have to be fanatical about the cleanliness of the equipment or you just spent your hard earned money on nothing. Also, perhaps you like the smell of beer, but when my husband is cooking it, it makes me totally nauseous and smells up the house.

**Luv2BeFrugal** · 07-13-2008, 09:32 PM

Your MIL needs to be paying her share of things...let her know she'll be chipping in from now on...it's only fair.

**DonnainME** · 07-13-2008, 10:07 PM

Since she's your MIL - ask DH to mention something to her about paying for some groceries. That way, it wouldn't be "you starting something with her".

**FrugalMomof3** · 07-13-2008, 10:10 PM

I agree that someone needs to tell her she needs to help pay for groceries.... I mean you have been footing the bill for too long AND I know she's your MIL but in a way she's taking from the rest and it's not fair, she's old enough to know that she has to pay her fair share.

**MomToTwoBoys** · 07-13-2008, 10:54 PM

Wow, I'd ask your MIL to cough up some cash to help out with the expenses. I usually end up buying groceries and spending the cash when my FIL stays with us because he helps out a ton with other things. My mom is coming to visit in mid-August and told me that she doesn't want to be one of those people who eats everything and doesn't contribute. She'll be taking us out a few times and helping out with things like milk, bread, etc.

I haven't really had to give up anything yet. I have some stuff that I really love that I can live without for a bit (havarti cheese with dill, reese's mini cups, etc) but I don't totally give up stuff yet.

**macemesmum** · 07-14-2008, 02:04 AM

My in laws are great when they come they buy groceries all the time and take us out to eat,we are going to be staying with them over christmas so we will buy a whole bunch of groceries to put in their fridge etc as their will be the 4 of us I am budgeting $400 to spend on food should be doable the kids eat noodles, sandwiches for lunch and fruit for snacks, I will buy a bunch of meat and make meals at home. On the giving up front I have given up potato chips hasnt hurt my wasitline and they were killing my budget they upped the price and put less in the bag!!! sneaky

**Terri** · 07-14-2008, 08:08 AM

I probably wouldn't ask for grocery money but I would cook like you normally do and not "guest food". If you really need to ask for money have your dh do it. It is his mother.

As for the beer, I would either get it at Sam's or Costco and expect it to last for a certain length of time or ask your hubby if he doesn't mind having whatever is on sale that week.

**checkerkitty** · 07-14-2008, 12:03 PM

I homebrew for my husband. The costs can vary depending on what you brew. I do all of my beer cooking outside on the turkey fryer so the smell isn't a problem. I brew beer in 5 gallon batches. That is approximately 53 bottles of 12 oz beers. It's not hard to do. If you want to try this, you'll need to start saving beer bottles. You can reuse POP-OFF only (the ones you need a bottle opener for). TWIST-OFF are NOT reuseable. The beer I make is equivalent to beer that goes for $8-$10 a six pack in the store. It runs me about $35 per 5 gallons to buy the ingredients. You can find less expensive beers. It takes about 4 hours to cook your beer and about 1-2 weeks to ferment depending on your house temperature. It then takes another 2 weeks or so to bottle condition the beer, i.e. carbonate the beer. I also have 2 kegerators so I don't bottle very often.

I would check out Austin Homebrew (AHS.com). Shipping is $6.99 no matter how much you order, they are an awesome group of guys and are very knowledgeable and friendly.

Post a notice on craigslist or in the paper for used equipment. Most of my equipment is used. Once you start brewing at home, you'll never be happy with store bought beer again. It really is THAT much better.

PM me if you want and we can talk live about it!

Christy

**Ceashels** · 07-14-2008, 03:17 PM

Originally Posted by Terri

I probably wouldn't ask for grocery money but I would cook like you normally do and not "guest food". If you really need to ask for money have your dh do it. It is his mother.

I fully agree that your menu/budget shouldn't chage too dramatically with one extra person. Cook what you and your family normally eat and if she complains just politely inform her that the food budget is a little tight and you can't continue the extra's you have been 'splurging" on. Unless she is really dense she should understand that you have been splurging on her. I don't think I would come out and directly ask for money. She is a guest, she is family, she is there for a visit, not room and board.