How much $ do you set

[Jeanna]

I have been looking at a lot of site on the internet that claim to be about frugal cooking. However, the meals for a family of 4 are almost $15 each. I know that prices are higher but what do you set as a frugal meal $wise?

[pollypurebred39]

I strive for $3 but lately have been hitting $4 for supper for 4.

Breakfast and lunch are much less.

Our local store has a frugal recipes page and they have meals for around $30 for 4 per meal.

[krbshappy71]

I have been looking at a lot of site on the internet that claim to be about frugal cooking. However, the meals for a family of 4 are almost $15 each. I know that prices are higher but what do you set as a frugal meal $wise?

My current monthly food budget is $150 for two people. For 31 days a month that comes out to $4 a day, or $2 a day per person. Its just myself and the teen that is rarely home.

If I splurge on extra items for a meal I just make sure that meal will cover several meal slots. (leftover lunches and dinners from it)

We have a deep freeze, a pantry, and lots of cupboard space.

[nuisance26]

~About $.50-$1 a person. But I don't call that frugal, I call that cheap. I've averaged $250 a month for groceries this year. The baby is eating solids so that's $1.66 a day per person.
Frugal eating, IMO, is simplifying your recipes, getting your ingredients cheaper and making most of the stuff yourself. Because prices, skills and tastes vary, the cost of a frugal meal will also vary. Some people wouldn't dream of using anything but fresh herbs in their recipe but acquire it on sale=frugal. I'm ok with dried= cheap!
I see 'special' ingredients in frugal recipes all the time. I won't buy special ingredients unless it's a really special occasion or I can get the ingredient super cheap. I'm ok with substituting few TBs of cheap peanut butter for the chopped nuts in that dessert recipe or using half the cheese called for in a another.~

[joyofsix]

I give a top level of $5 for dinner for 9 of us so $.55/person. I spend roughly $175/week up from $160 due to #*%($* inflation. I could spend less but that includes stock up when I find a sale.

[craftypam]

Fantastic job; joy of six!!!!!!

[oheoh's momma]

doing a lot better than me 10 to 15 dollars per day but there is 3 of and 1 or 2 of our adult children raid our fridge 3-4 times per week.

[BeachBaby]

I spend no more than $100 a week for a family of 6. This week I spent $92 including all hba, cleaning/paper and food products.

This includes all 3 meals from home daily and a couple daily snacks.

[Jeanna]

This is more along the line of what I am shooting for. I just wanted to make sure I was not crazy.---Well I might still be that.

[lisaflex]

wow - you are all pretty darn impressive!

[joyofsix]

I have been looking at a lot of site on the internet that claim to be about frugal cooking. However, the meals for a family of 4 are almost $15 each. I know that prices are higher but what do you set as a frugal meal $wise?

Have you looked at $5 dinners ? Her recipes have been pretty successful here. I get in a rut. I make them stretch further by adding more starch, bread and butter and we almost always have fruit and veg as a side (cheap canned, frozen or home grown). Just a suggestion.

[lisaflex]

our issue may be that we only eat fresh veggies daily? i just feel they are sooo good for you that we cannot cut them out. we personally dont eat bread/butter w/ a meal-while it can be frugal, i dont think it is good as kids especially will fill up on that instead of the healthy stuff that i tend to make.

[Contrary Housewife]

I guess ours comes out to $10 a day, for two people. That includes a fair number of snacks for DH's lunches.

IMO anything cheaper than a restaurant meal is good. I may spend $15 on two steaks and some potatoes, but that still comes out cheaper than dinner out.

[Momto5RN]

i try for under 1$ a person for the 7 of us or whomever is home ( since i never really know for sure i cook for 7 and may have leftovers for lunch or get your own/ leftover nights )

sometimes i can do under 50c a person - sometimes if its a special dinner with a roast or steak it may be 2$ person but thats not often.

[sunshine]

We do $3/day per person (generally 3 of us). . . $1.50/person is for dinner, and we spread rest out for breakfast,lunch, snacks.

If we are having guests, we do $2/person for dinner, and if it's a special occasion (birthday, anniversary, graduation , etc.) we'll do $3/person