I just watched a short item on Cnn about the food prices in Hawaii! Wow, makes me feel a little bit better as orange juice is $8.49 1/2 gal, milk $6.49. bread $5.00 a loaf. Whew!
I watched that, too. We went down town today -- walked around a lot and "shopped" first by window viewing and then went in and holy buckets, things are high!! Stopped at Marvin's Grocery - only bought a large container of Clorox wipes - to use for cleaning Fred's new hearing aids -- then went to Wally world - priced the same item there that we bought at Marvins and it was $1.36 higher than what I paid. I bought a 3# can of Crisco, and it was a whoppin' big $4.68 I nearly fell over. But if I'm going to bake pies and cookies, I have to have it. Came home and wondered how in the world do the young families make ends meet?
Well --- guess this old woman will climb down off her soap box ( for a while anyway..don't get your hopes up, folks, I got down I can get back up :D :D :D
Jo, I don't consder you are on a soapbox, I like to think you are sharing your wisdom, and I always like the way you make a point.
Frank
Since these prices started climbing, I try to buy two of whatever item I am after. I figure the investment is much wiser than in the bank. Not many places can offer a dollar profit on a two dollar investment in a months' time. But it is happening. The last time I found coffee on sale at $6.00, I bought six cans. It is now over $10.00. Storage becomes and issue, but it's woth the trouble.
If prices keep going up then we may have to start Victory gardens for our vegatables.
You know we planted a garden at our house and at the daycare this year. And do you know what??? It rained so much that I don't think that we have much left. I wanted to save on veggies for the kids and things like that. But I might try and replant them, but I think it is almost to late. :'(
Fresh Garden produce Always tastes better too. I am soooooooo ready for the tomatoes to be ready I can hardly wait!!
Dan, I am too, and we are beginning to get some from our garden. You are right, it does taste better! I just can't bring myself to buy any at the stores (if there are any in the produce depts.). We were in Galveston about a month ago and I had a hamburger with tomato on it. Had to sit in the airport to wait for our plane which was 2 hours late and got very ill while there. Since I was the only one that had fresh tomato, I feel sure I got some of the tainted ones. So, I am only eating the ones from our garden. We have some Early Girls and cherry tomatoes now producing along with bell peppers and banana peppers. YUM
mlw
Picked my first tomato this morning. Sure was tasty. I did not share with anyone but it was a cherry tomato.
Got tomatoes on, but none ripe yet! Can't wait!
I am living in St. Joseph Missouri now and would like to share some current prices with you. Milk is $3.73 per gallon at the Walmart. Eggs at the same store are $1.43. A medium box of Kleenes is $1.17. Sara Lee bread is $2.99 a loaf. Aldi has slightly lower prices on dairy products.
Our garden is wonderful!! I picked my third picking of green beans yesterday,( and have some with ham cooking right now and will add new potatoes later ) and we have jalapeno peppers out the wazoo, have had quite a lot of cherry tomatoes and Fred dug the potatoes yesterday. So I gave one of the Park Rangers green beans - new potatoes and hot peppers yesterday evening. He left here with a huge smile on his face. We love to share, especially when we have more than enough for us. My yellow crooked neck squash and the beets are ready too. The green peppers are loaded, but not quite big enough yet. Fred's green onions and radishes were bountiful -- and the okra is starting to bloom. The cukes aren't blooming yet, but are growing.
Life is good at the top of the knob at the state park. lol lol
We're beginning to enjoy a few fruits of labor (pardon the pun) from the garden, but haven't had a fresh tomato yet. I'm reading through all the posts thinking "Boy, all those veggies sound good," but Jo, when I got to the part where you mentioned beans cooking with ham and new potatoes, I started salivating! With a side of sweet cornbread, that's one of the finest meals known to man.
Sixdogsmom, I try to do the same "buy two at a time" thing, especially things on sale that we use frequently. If you have a chest freezer with room, you can store all kinds of dry goods in it, everything from pastas to flour to cake mixes, etc., as long as it hasn't been opened. I try to keep about a month's worth of basic foods on hand at all times and it gives me the "luxury" (if you can call it that, and these days I guess it is!) of being able to watch the sales for re-stocking the pantry.
I also can't imagine how young families and folks on fixed incomes are managing to keep food on the table. My daughter has two little ones and another due in December, and I worry how they're going to be able to afford just the diapers. They're doing OK so far, but I know they are among many who struggle to feed their families.
I did see an ad in the newspaper for a place in Elk Falls that sells homegrown produce. Has anyone visited there and if so, what can you tell us?
When I saw that someone was buying coffe for $10.00, I ran and looked at the HyVee and Dillions Wednesday sale bill. I found here in Topeka, coffee is still 5.89 for a 2lb can and orange juce is $2.99 a gallon. I know that prices are going to go up so we will have to buy more then what we need and store it.
Army Mom
Before I even start to post this, I fully realize I am going to sound like " The old one that lives in the past" -- but here are my thoughts on some of the things that can save the younger generation a few bucks. First --- I know that disposable diapers are said to be better for babies, but frankly, I don't believe that... but you can by cloth diapers ( or at least I think you still can ) and they can be washed, dried, and reused for as long as your baby is in need of them,. They can be sterilized - and again when in the dryer - and if changed when ever they are wet or soiled, they are as good for your tiny loved ones the $$$$$ that you have to spend on the ones that are thrown away - and can not be recycled. They still sell fabric, that can be made into diapers, if they are not available. But I think if there was a demand for them they would be on the market. The thing that must be remembered is to CHANGE THE DIAPER instead of letting it get wet enought to weigh a pound or so before it is changed.
Fred and I are on a fixed income -- have been for nearly 15 years. I cook from scratch - and the children of today can be taught how to do that too -I taught mine and they in turn taught theirs - There are many many ways to save and make do with a lot less than you think you have to have. It just takes the mind set to do so.
Lol, did you know there are like 9,000,000 ways to make hamburger surprise?! Jo you aren't "livin in the past" you are equipped to live in the now we are in!
Jo, I agree with Pam...you need to be sharing more of your knowledge! I regularly prowl the websites that I find after I google "frugal living". I find some really cool stuff there. I also cut coupons and save about 25-49% on each shopping trip. I have started a price book, to compare the prices that I find at Aldi's with Wal-Mart, Dillons, Target and Sam's. I use all of my 1.00 coupons at Wal-Mart and then use the ones that can be doubled at Dillons to get that savings. I carpool with my boss to Ald's, when we go, so that we save money that way, too. I also read an golden moldie, "The Tightwad Gazette", which Amy Dacyczyn (pronounced 'decision') compiled to regularly ferret out new info that I might have missed before. I use my freezer to store hamburger when the ground round or chuck goes on sale for 1.99/lb. or whatever else could be stored that way.
Anyone else have some good money-saving tips?
Jo, I agree with you. I mostly cook from scratch and so do my kids. My boys both know how to cook and do cook as well as my daughter. They were taught to clip coupons when they were in college, and they still do. I taught them to map out the trip they would be taking (not really a trip) when they went into town to do errands and shopping, so they didn't have to back track. Growing up during the drought of the 50's, we made a lot of our clothes (we girls knew how to sew), and we had to haul water, so we learned to make one trip to town to get everything at once. We also learned to freeze and can things. I done a lot of that when our kids were small and especailly during the embargo days. Picked wild berries, etc. and made jelly. Mother always liked to pick elderberries, gooseberries, sandplums, currants, etc. and so we done a lot of that growing up and after we were married.
mlw
I am not sure everyone knows what all the processed food that we eat does do our hearts. We have to cook from scratch because of health problems and it is by means a lot cheaper to live.
Our tomatoes are getting bigger but not ready to pick yet. The rain almost washed them out but they made it.
Army Mom.
My tomatoes are not doing good. I have had a few cherry tomatoes ..and my radishes got too wet.. and when I was gone, I forgot to tell Sandy to water them and I think they are history.. ( and I LOVE radishes :'( )
Jo,
They do still make cloth diapers. I looked for them one time when in WalMart.
I don't remember what a dozen cost, but I agree with you..............you do save a lot
using them.
For us rural and older women who did have to cut corners it won't bother us.
The younger ones are going to feel the pain.
We also have to decide just what to give up and then really do it.
I stopped going to Independence two or three times a month.....and now make it once and get what I HAVE to have
and leave the rest there.
I am not leaving town unless I have to.
Will continue to shop here at Kay's and just make do.
I save my extra (yeah right) money incase I need to go to Topeka in a hurry (Parents/family) and have to be content with what I have.
There won't be anything else...........and if I can't afford to keep or run my car, than I may as well give up my independence.
It could be worse.........and God willing it won't get there........but we can do it.
Judy, I like you attitude.
Frank
"My tomatoes are not doing good."
Teresa, I'm thinking you have someone in your family who is having a bumper crop of tomatoes! Looks like you're going to need to be doing a lot of visiting this summer!
ha ha ha.. yeah.. I talked to daddy today and he is going to plant me some late radishes...
(*I'm still daddy's girl... ;) )
Winn's Market \ L.F. Winn Proprietor\ Howard, KS| Phone 14 (circa 1940's)
Ginger snaps 2 lbs. 23 cents
Honey grahams 2 lbs. 27 cents
Sunsweet prunes 1 lb. 13 cents
Potted meat 3 no. ¼ cans 11 cents
Mixed vegetables no. 2 can 10 cents
Corn Flakes Lg. Pkg. 10 cents
Vienna Sausage 9 cents
Oxydol Lg. Pk. 21 cents
Dreft Small 14 cents, Lg. 23 cents
Babo cleanser 2 for 25 cents
Camay toilet soap 3 bars for 19 cents
Grapefruit 2 no. 2 cans 27 cents
Phillips' Asparagus 15.5 oz. can 25 cents
Sandwich Spread Pint 16 cents, Quart 28 cents
Tomato juice 10 cents
Whole grain corn 2 no. 2 cans 27 cents
Grapefruit juice 2 no. 2 cans 19 cents
Bartlett Pear no. 2.5 can 20 cents
Weet Pickles 6 os. 10 cents
Winfield Supreme Jelly 13.5 oz 20 cents
Dried Apricots 2 lbs. 25 cents
Cook's Best Cocoa 2 no. 2 cans 21 cents
Hereshy Cocoa Syrup 16 oz. 10 cents
Bananas 4 lbs. 23 cents
Oranges 27 cents per doz.
Lettuce 5 cents head
Green Beans 2 lbs. 27 cents
Cabbage 5 cents per lb
Crisco 3 lb can 61 cents
Picnic pie plates 10 cents pkg.
Slice bacon 29 cents per pound
Dried beef 12 cents per 4 oz
Boiled Ham 22 cents for 8 oz.
Jelke Good Luck (spread on bread) 20 cents per lb
Select Alaska Pink Salmon (White Star) 2 no. 1 cans 29 cents
I hope you all get a kick out of this just as I do every time I look at this grocery ad from Howard in the 1940's.
David
DAVID THAT AD IS FROM 1937.
UNCLE FRANK
(*I'm still daddy's girl... )
And, Teresa, that will never change!
1937 food prices? I'm glad I'm not making 1937 wages. Those prices were probably as high to them as ours are to us. But it's sure fun to see them.