Feeling Frustrated Today :(

**pollypurebred39** · 10-09-2010, 12:09 PM

Some weeks it seems like I'll never have enough household money to put in the envelopes for needs. Last night I poured over the sales circulars for the week and nada, nothing is in my budget.

That means less money in the envelopes yet another week unless I find some great deals at the thrift food stores. The coupons have been horrible, I depend on free or almost free items heavily to feed my crew. It just feels like my job is getting harder and harder.

So share please, how do you make it through the weeks where your household budget money is not enough to fund the needs?

**mauimagic** · 10-09-2010, 01:18 PM

So sorry to hear that Polly. We have been eating out of the pantry and freezer lately - and I am so glad that I stockpiled well when things were better.

I am very fortunate that DH never complains about what we eat or have on hand - and he is also a very creative cook with whatever is available. And it is just the two of us.

Your situation is much more challenging with all of the males to feed in your family - the special diet of your youngest - and the idea of what a meal should consist of by your DH (Please correct me I remembered wrong about their preferences) .......and isn't it interesting that what you personally need to suppport your body functioning isn't even in the mix - that's wrong.

Back to your question - think you need to lay it on the line for all of them when you know what you do have to deal with-

'Here's what is available to eat this week. This is what I will be making. Mahalo for any suggestions you have, but please keep your criticisms to yourself. I am doing the best I can with what we have and would appreciate your support, assitance, and ideas"

We always fall back on eggs and pasta meals - and I know that sometimes even those are not available. When I was about 8 and we moved to Iowa so my dad could go back to school (chiropractor) - we were poor - and there were days when we had Minute Rice with tomato sauce on top - still makes me gag - but that's all we had.

Looking forward to seeing ideas of others - sorry this wasn't helpful, but I really don't know.

**HappyMama** · 10-09-2010, 01:28 PM

Polly,

I am so sorry you have been going through so much lately. You are a wonderful Mom and wife, and are so resourceful.

I have been thinking about you , not sure where you are in Pa but do you have any Amish bulk stores near you, or produce auctions? I know it is the end of season but I was just able to get 75 pounds more of unsprayed apples for 12.00, so wish you were near I would share or buy for you. They aren't perfect as they haven't been sprayed but will make some great cider, applesauce etc. But if you can find a co-op or bulk store that will help you immensely get all your staples in bulk and save you quite a bit. Sales of baking staples should be coming soon. How about Aldi's? I haven't been there in awhile as I buy in bulk and don't do a lot of pre mades but I know some have gotten wonderful deals there.

I have been utilizing everything from my garden or produce auctions lately to fill the freezer again.

What about big pots of bean burrito mixtures for burritos, chili, sauce etc. I usually make enough for about 100 burritos, we eat and then I freeze the mixture and make enchiladas, nachos for a crowd or veggie tacos etc with it.

ETA : One of the things that worked well for me is stocking up then making a roast meal, then using the leftover for roast beef sandwiches or homemade subs, then a stir fry etc, same with Turkeys ( which should be on sale now) maybe making subs, a meal, turkey pot pie, turkey enchiladas etc. Blessings to you hon! I am sure you are doing these already if not might help you or someone who reads.

**pollypurebred39** · 10-09-2010, 02:28 PM

HappyMama, you are amazingly wonderful with your praise, I'm not sure I deserve it.

75 pounds of apples for $12!!!! Wow! I mean WOW!!! Now that's awesome! I've really got to find out more about how to find these food auctions.

As far as bulk, I have 2 envelopes set aside. One is for the bulk butcher, the other for twice yearly bulk shopping of staples. The bulk butcher happens every month, but I don't always buy every month. The deals have to be real deals. A few of our friends place a big order and go up to the butchers every month. This month I ordered because I could get homemade hot dogs a $1 a pound, and clean farm raised, hand butchered ground beef for $1 a pound. I ordered 10 of each.

The other bulk/staples shopping trip I do is at a food thrift store. It's not just thrift, they have staples that were meant for food service. I bought huge bags (and I mean HUGE) of oatmeal last time I stocked up for Winter for 99 cents a bag. I still have some oatmeal a year later. The other place I get discount bulk is the farm store down the road. I can order in massive quantities of flour, sugar, cocoa, etc. and get a huge discount.

I'm liking the bean burrito mixtures idea. Beans really stretch the budget, but bean soups are not my families favorite. It's usually me who ends up eating the rest of the pot for lunches through the week. Making up burritos for DH's lunches would please him, as would more Mexican type meals thrown in the mix.

Ahh Maui, challenging is an understatement, DS1 often will go with the flow, but DS2 can not, and DH has this food is love thing going on and can get down right miserable, although he seems to try because he's aware things are tight. And yes, you're very insightful, I have not considered myself in the mix.

I like what you had to say

Back to your question - think you need to lay it on the line for all of them when you know what you do have to deal with-

"Here's what is available to eat this week. This is what I will be making. Mahalo for any suggestions you have, but please keep your criticisms to yourself. I am doing the best I can with what we have and would appreciate your support, assitance, and ideas"

With my oldest, he would accept that without further comment and I'm sure try to be helpful. The youngest has really been spoiled by his medical condition concerning food and it would be far harder for him. If I made that statement to DH I fear it would cause him to place a more critical eye on my budgeting, and for him to try and "Help" me by telling me what I consider a need is not really a need.

I want him as far out of household expenditures as possible. I've needed a pedestal for my dryer for the last decade. It's not on his list of top money needs, so I'll be waiting for a very long time. I finally decided that it IS on my high priority needs and will be making an envelope for it. I'll be making it myself, from simple directions I found on the web. We just see the needs around here differently, very differently. It's why I began my basket business years ago, I felt that DS2 needed more money spent on his education then DH did. I started with Avon, and did that too. DH was NOT happy with me working, but he did not complain a bit when DS2 started getting the things he needed to thrive. He even said years later how much it helped that I was pulling in income to help with DS2 education. *sigh* It's hard when you don't agree on what the needs are, and I'm not into asking permission to purchase things like I'm the child and he's the parent. So, I think I'll refrain from this advice with DH, but I'll be sure to sit down and have a talk with my boys.

**Booklover** · 10-09-2010, 02:33 PM

I'm sorry you are going through this. Sending hugs to you.

**HappyMama** · 10-09-2010, 02:50 PM

Polly,

You are already doing so much , you are amazing. I am glad you are going to talk to your boys, hopefully that helps. I will pray and send huge blessings your way. I know you must make many bulk mixes already but I will share a few of mine:

Hot cocoa mix

Pancake mix

Waffle Mix

I make all my cakes, breads, cookies, pies etc from scratch. But then I love baking. Today I am baking pumpkins to use in pumpkin bread, muffins, cookies and pumpkin butter today. If you can find some great pumpkins for a great price, I ended up with 14 cups of puree for the freezer ( it is not safe to can puree but you can freeze it, and that is what I am doing and canning chunks if I want ) I have 14 more to go.

With bulk oatmeal I make:

Homemade granola,

Muffins,

Instant Oatmeal Mix ( I put mine in gallon jars for winter when we want warm meals)

Overnight gourmet oats ( I have made up cherry, pumpkin, chocolate etc)

Oatmeal raisin cookies

apple crisp ( topping)

granola bars

homemade sub buns ( a subway copycat)

How about next year getting a trailer and coming up for a weekend buy with me and hauling it back. Not sure how many hours it would be for you or we find some produce auctions around there for you?

**pollypurebred39** · 10-09-2010, 03:44 PM

HappyMama

You know, it just might be a good idea to look for pumpkins at the farmers market, after hours you can snag some pretty good deals. The store pumpkins are on "sale" starting at $4.99 for the smallest. Not a deal if you ask me. Pumpkin is SO GOOD for you too! Hmmm...I think I'll have to make a real effort to get out that way. Thanks for the idea.

I do make my own mixes, but I've never heard of overnight gourmet oats. Care to share the recipes? Pretty please.

So where in the Mid-West are you?

**mauimagic** · 10-09-2010, 03:48 PM

Love this thread for all the great ideas!! Polly, If your men are not bean eaters, and we know that they need the fiber - how about mashing to beans to change the texture and use it that way to extend everything!!

**frugalfriend** · 10-09-2010, 03:58 PM

Polly, I agree about the ads and coupons lately - they stink! Hard to find good deals out there these days unless you're a bloodhound! Just wanted you to know that I really admire all that you do for your family, you already have me beat with creative ideas and scratch cooking by a long shot! Sending you an encouraging hug and know that you can share with us anytime - we're here to listen and struggling with the same things. I love HappyMama's great ideas!

**pollypurebred39** · 10-09-2010, 03:59 PM

Maui,
You know, I forgot about that. I used to mix mashed beans with ground beef, bread crumbs, pasta sauce, a bit of brown sugar and spices and make up meatloaf for DH's lunches. Meatloaf sandwiches, he loved them and never knew there was beans in them. Great Idea!

**pollypurebred39** · 10-09-2010, 04:14 PM

Originally Posted by frugalfriend

Polly, I agree about the ads and coupons lately - they stink! Hard to find good deals out there these days unless you're a bloodhound! Just wanted you to know that I really admire all that you do for your family, you already have me beat with creative ideas and scratch cooking by a long shot! Sending you an encouraging hug and know that you can share with us anytime - we're here to listen and struggling with the same things. I love HappyMama's great ideas!

Thanks FF, it really does help to know I'm not alone in the struggle.

I appreciate you saying I'm creative, I think my creativity was born from desperation. You will somehow find a way to make things work when you're back is against the wall. I also come from a line of very proud, creative mothers, who did what needed to be done to live well, and provide for their families out of meager funds. I think I learned a lot from them. I'm really determined to increase my sewing skills. So many here are just so amazing in that area, and I feel like it would really benefit me/my family if I could master it.

But, like you I've been having an increasingly hard time with coupons and sales. I really depended on them and now that source is drying up like a well in a drought

I've never been so good at it that I walk away with $400 worth of groceries for $10 like some people, but I did really do okay, and it really put a good amount of food/HBA in my pantry each month.

**auntie2many** · 10-09-2010, 05:19 PM

Polly,

Reading these replies shows that we all care for you. I have gleaned several recipes from the old recipezaar now called food.com. Look up budget, frugal... and do a search on their site.

I am trying three new recipes a week. This week I have tried a Classic Tuna Casserole Recipe from the Creative Homemaking site. It was a hit with the family and affordable. From the same site I am today making Posole. This recipe calls for beans as one of the ingredients, so that makes it more affordable and it is also a Mexican recipe which you say your husband likes. From another site still to try is my third recipe and that is Recipe Rush Hour Dinner and the site is Food Bank of Central New York I am not typing out the recipes because I do not want to violate any copyright laws that may be in place, but from what I have written you should be able to find these and more ideas.

So far the gang here is happy. Dh knows that we need to save for a new car transmission and I also need major dental work as I have not went to the dentist in so long that whenever I do go my least expensive option will just be to have my teeth pulled.

Wishing you well. As I try more recipes that are a hit with my family and frugal, I will let you know.

A2M

**Maine Girl** · 10-09-2010, 05:24 PM

Polly,

Here is a recipe i hope you can feed the family since i don't know the needs.

Make up your favorite mashed potatoes and set aside. Fry ground beef or ground turkey when done mix in one or two cans of veggie soup (do not add water). I found this recipe on $5 dollar dinner website. i have not tried it yet but have stocked what is needed to make it. Hope this helps!

I agree about the coupons i am recycling more than i am cutting out to use.

**pollypurebred39** · 10-09-2010, 06:06 PM

Originally Posted by auntie2many

Polly,

Reading these replies shows that we all care for you. I have gleaned several recipes from the old recipezaar now called food.com. Look up budget, frugal... and do a search on their site.

I am trying three new recipes a week. This week I have tried a Classic Tuna Casserole Recipe from the Creative Homemaking site. It was a hit with the family and affordable. From the same site I am today making Posole. This recipe calls for beans as one of the ingredients, so that makes it more affordable and it is also a Mexican recipe which you say your husband likes. From another site still to try is my third recipe and that is Recipe Rush Hour Dinner and the site is Food Bank of Central New York I am not typing out the recipes because I do not want to violate any copyright laws that may be in place, but from what I have written you should be able to find these and more ideas.

So far the gang here is happy. Dh knows that we need to save for a new car transmission and I also need major dental work as I have not went to the dentist in so long that whenever I do go my least expensive option will just be to have my teeth pulled.

Wishing you well. As I try more recipes that are a hit with my family and frugal, I will let you know.

A2M

Thanks Auntie

I will look up those recipes. I'm always and Forever hunting down good recipes. I appreciate you posting these.

Oh boy do I know what you're saying about car repairs and dental care. Both of them will just about kill you. I'm starting to think my DH should have been either a car mechanic or a dentist!

**pollypurebred39** · 10-09-2010, 06:10 PM

Originally Posted by Maine Girl

Polly,

Here is a recipe i hope you can feed the family since i don't know the needs.

Make up your favorite mashed potatoes and set aside. Fry ground beef or ground turkey when done mix in one or two cans of veggie soup (do not add water). I found this recipe on $5 dollar dinner website. i have not tried it yet but have stocked what is needed to make it. Hope this helps!

I agree about the coupons i am recycling more than i am cutting out to use.

This recipe sounds very much like the shepards pie my Sister makes. It is really good! Thanks

I honestly do not know what to make of the coupons. At first I thought it was just a fluke that I wasn't doing well anymore, but now after hearing from others I have to wonder if they are changing things because so many are getting food for free and it's hurting their bottom line somehow?