Frugal Budget Buster!?

**ravenmaniac** · 03-28-2009, 10:55 AM

I was flipping through the tv channels today and on the Early Show a chef was making a frugal budget buster meal. Get this, it cost only $35.00 for four people! Are they serious? I here and read about frugal ideas and laugh. TBS had on Movie and a Make-Over and did a "frugal dinner party" for only $40.00 a person, wow! Has anyone else noticed this trend?

**pip** · 03-28-2009, 11:00 AM

It is so silly. I just read an article online about planning a wedding for under $10,000, they said an average wedding costs $27,000. Now, years ago when planning my wedding, I admit that I was not thinking very frugally. If I had to do it all again, I know I would do things differently. I guess it's good that the concept of frugality is more acceptable these days, but a lot of people still have a lot to learn about it is! I'm gald I have this place to come to for ideas and support.

**MyMelody** · 03-28-2009, 11:10 AM

I think this trend reflects the extent of Americans' consumerism and reveals a reluctance in some to actually make sacrifices in order to survive financially.

**Spirit Deer** · 03-28-2009, 11:16 AM

I suppose you can't make a fancy-shmancy cooking segment on a big national TV show using tuna hotdish and dried beans.

People in Manhattan don't live in the real world anyway. They happily pay ten times more than something is worth and then convince themselves it's a great deal.

**Patty A** · 03-28-2009, 11:18 AM

Yes I have seen the trend. I laughed the other day about "Budget" room make overs for ONLY 500 dollars. Like you, all I could say is "where was the budget?" I redone my girls bedroom on a budget, and it cost me less than 100 bucks start to finish. I did it in "oops" colored paint, and clearence priced bed in a bag. Gathered up things from the house and repainted them, hung curtains that had been given to me, and made pillows from sheets that came in the bag with the new bedspread. All in all it turned out great and they was thrilled. No 500 dollar room make overs here! I don't see that as a budget room at all.

I find it funny what some people see as budget items, they really think they are cutting back at 40 bucks a plate to eat....we here know we could feed our families for a week on that much!

**Contrary Housewife** · 03-28-2009, 11:47 AM

Depends on what they were making for that $35. And was wine included? I know a number of restaurants where $35 covers one entree. I lived in that world for a while back when I was single. Being able to serve something nice to four people for that price really is a budget buster for some folks. (and they're not necessarily over their head in debt)

It's not always about how much (or how little) you spend, but what you get for the money.

**shoiji** · 03-28-2009, 12:09 PM

I will watch the segments on TV. I also notice that sometimes there is one ingredient which is really expensive making it seem more "special". To me it just means more expensive period.

I also get irked when they say it is cheaper to buy the one item, such as biscuit prepackaged, then the ingredients to make it. They never seem to think about what else can be made with the ingredients.

**Spirit Deer** · 03-28-2009, 12:14 PM

I think they mean it's cheaper if you don't cook and therefore wouldn't have a use for the leftover ingredients. But I know what you mean.

**JustMegan79** · 03-28-2009, 12:23 PM

Originally Posted by Spirit Deer

I think they mean it's cheaper if you don't cook and therefore wouldn't have a use for the leftover ingredients.

Exactly. I think these segments and shows are geared towards consumption minded folks who do not cook on a regular basis, or cook from a box. So they see it as, why buy x, y, and z when you are not going to use it. Sara should go on one of these and show them a REAL budget meal!!

**joyofsix** · 03-28-2009, 01:25 PM

It always makes me wonder what in the world they were spending before?

**rowdy35** · 03-28-2009, 07:00 PM

I try and be very frugal with the meals but if I splurge on a spiral ham (we love them) or my husband has a craving for Ribeye steaks, just the meat only runs $25-35 so I can see how this happens.

**butterflygreen** · 03-28-2009, 08:14 PM

I love to watch those shows. But wonder how they can call it a budget meal.

**onencgirl** · 03-28-2009, 08:48 PM

Those segments make me laugh and shake my head.

**Debbie-cat** · 03-28-2009, 09:28 PM

Unreal! That would never happen in this house!

$7.00 for a meal of four here is pushing the top limit.

**MomToTwoBoys** · 03-29-2009, 01:26 AM

I've actually noticed a trend here in Canada where leftovers are being remade into something people will actually eat, as a way to cut back on the food budget. CityLine has a really great set of chefs that'll turn leftovers into something completely amazing!

I remember growing up in a family of five where the grocery budget was $200 every two weeks. I always wondered how my mom did it.

I think a lot of these 'cooking for $35 per person' shows are tailored to families where both parents were making like $200k a year with their $40k Mercedes Benz with heated outdoor in-ground pool and infrared sauna. They really need to get back to reality and start featuring things that people are more accustomed to. The problem, though, is that a lot of the shows' sponsors are usually multi-billion dollar corporations that help pay for their salaries when they feature particular products.