Need some advice and support

[schellie69]

Hello, I have posted before but today I really need some support, We just had our daughters best friend who is 19 move in her dad was hitting her, the problem i have is in the last 2 months our family has went from 7 to 9 and both the add ins are adults, I am not sure what to do I need recipes that are cheap and easy, and make enough to feed an army, I have been making more stir frys and such because it takes less meat. But makeing alot from scratch doesn't work well for me, due to health reasons, also i have become so behind in my house work, not sure where to start, I only have a couple of good days a week, and i have to go slow so not to wear myself out, does any one have any ideas on how to get orgainzed and keep up on all the house work, the kids have chores, and they help with cooking that is why I wanted easy recipes that they could follow really easy. Also snack ideas for kids would be great. We have all decided to quit smoking that should help alot with money, we have cut out soda also and chips except for my dh and our roommate for lunch. I have been making alot of kool-ade and lemonade and tea, water is also drunk alot here, Is there anyone here that lives in Wichita Kansas that may have some stores, like discount bread, or farmer markets, the stores here I save as much as I can and I go to wichita every week, right now so If I can find a store to do some stock up cheap it would help, any ideas on how to buy meat cheap, I think I have cut every thing extra out of my food budget but I need to find more ways to cut, I am going to start make my own cleaning supplies does anyone have a reciepe for homemade dish soap, Right now I have a decent stock pile of cleaning stuff, so it will be a while before I need any, my biggest expense right now will be food, can anyone give me some ideas, I have read the tightwad gazettes maybe I need to get them out again, Oh and i tried the tofu and fake meat, not happen here, dh hates it, He has a very manual job and needs the protien from meat, I am not sure if there is anything that i can cut more, but I just need some support feeling a little overwelmed and losing some of my frugual ideas, thanks for listening I just need to vent a little thanks to any one that might have some answers....

[dwallyfam]

Oh Pam I feel for you. I would start with casseroles. You can stretch anything in a casserole. Also think about using the crockpot to cook stuff as well. Since fresh fruits and veges are starting to come in season, maybe everyone can pitch in to can/freeze/dry these items.

The only thing I can recommend on meat is to buy a side of beef or a whole pig from a farmer.

Kellie in KCMO

[tulipgraham]

I know people who have saved a fortunate by buying large quanities of meat (like half of a cow). Better yet, you could split a whole cow with someone lol

I would do this, but I don't have enough space in my freezer.

[tbs727]

Soups are a good place to stretch your money too. A large pot of potato soup (add a lot of water to make it stretch farther) will feed many people and will be filling. Read the boards here, there are so many good suggestions for saving money. I know that I have personally saved HUNDREDS of dollars a month since joining the FV.

I would love to help you in any way that I can. I'm not a great cook, but I am a great organizer, and I can help you with your housework. I would be happy to share my household schedule with you. I work between 40-50 hours a week and am very involved in ministries at my church and I can keep up with the schedule I have created. I would also suggest that you enlist some of those people living in your house to help you keep up with the housework so that you can focus on the things that will save you money. If you have excel on your computer I will send you the home organization spreadsheet I have created to run my house. It has evolved over a couple of years and has saved me tons of time, money, and stress. PM me if you are interested.

Good luck and God bless you for serving those in need.

[FrugalMomof3]

I agree, try to buy in large quanities and definately get the others in the household to help out with responsibilities, it will make you feel a little better and also less stress on yourself.

I agree with the casseroles, they can be made a vareity of ways without spending a fortune, in our house we love spaghetti, you can make variations, some with basil pesto, some with meats, some just plain with garlic bread, etc... Spaghetti is a cheap meal. I made that today for a family of 5 and we have enough for leftovers tomorrow, so for approx. $6 I am feeding a family lunch and dinner for 2 days.

I wish you the best of luck and keep us all updated, remember your doing a wonderful thing by helping your DD's friend out, God Bless You!

[joyb]

Legumes are a good, cheap source of protein. Use them in soups, salads, chili or an old standby down here in the south--cook a big pot of beans, make some cornbread and have a salad or coleslaw, sauerkraut, whatever you like. Dried beans are also a very good source of iron for the females in the household.

[ewokgirl]

Here's an easy and inexpensive recipe. You'll need a crockpot.

New Orleans Red Beans and Rice (my sister said this recipe came from Southern Living)

1 lb. dried red beans
7 cups water
1 green bell pepper, chopped
1 medium onion, chopped
3 celery stalks, chopped
3 garlic cloves, chopped
1/2 lb. andouille sausage, sliced
3 Tbls. Creole seasoning
Hot cooked rice
Garnish: sliced green onions

Place first 8 ingredients in a 4-quart slow cooker. Cook, covered, on HIGH 7 hours or until beans are tender. Serve with hot cooked rice. Garnish, if desired. Yield: 3 quarts

(If you can't find andouille sausage, just use regular smoked sausage. That's what I did, and it tasted fine.)


I also recommend a cookbook called [I]More with Less[I]. The recipes are inexpensive and mostly pretty simple. If you don't already own this book, check your library for a copy.

[schellie69]

Thank you for your help, I will keep you posted on how things are going, but please keep the great ideas coming,. they are helping get this train back on track.... thanks again

[Darlene]

Glad you are having your dd's friend stay with you.
Ask at your local grocery store when they mark down the meats. You can get lots of bargins & then freeze the meat.
Big pots of soups & chili go far, serveover some pasta to stretch even further.
Looking back on some old posts there is a goldmine of info, this section on food will help http://www.frugalvillage.com/forums/...c&daysprune=-1
One of our favorite casseroles feeds a bunch.

~ Taco Twist Casserole

Ingredients~

2 lbs ground beef
1/2 green pepper, chopped
2 pkgs taco seasoning
28oz. can tomato sauce
1 c salsa (you control the heat by using mild or hot salsa)
16 oz. corkscrew macaroni, cooked & drained
2c shredded cheddar cheese, divided
1c sour cream

Cook beef and pepper til done, drain.
Add sauces and taco mixes, simmer on low 5 min.
In large pot you cooked pasta in; mix pasta and sauce together. Add 1 cup of cheese and all the sour cream.
Spray 17x9x2 pan and pour mixture in. Top with remaining cheese and bake 350º for 30 min or until bubbly.
Serve with extra sour cream. Feeds a crowd & recipe is easily halved.