Food Costs - Changes

[Lorna]

You will find many sites on the internet on living "Frugally" or "Cheap". I make alot of our own "convenience" foods (baking mix & the like) because I can control what's in them not necessarily because it's cheaper (John's diet would make my insulin levels bounce up and down like a yo-yo ). I never buy cake mixes, brownie mixes or cookie mixes because I like mine better. I also use powdered milk. I don't drink milk but I do cook with it (if you want to make store bought instant pudding, you have to add a tablespoon or so of butter to the non-fat powdered milk) and the reconstituted powdered milk keeps longer than regular milk. Any of the "Jar" recipes can be mixed up and stored as single use mixes (zip-lock baggies, Foodsaver Vac bags or vac seal in a canning jar with a Foodsaver).

Check out
http://www.hillbillyhousewife.com
http://www.miserlymoms.com/MOMfrecipes2.htm
http://www.geocities.com/giftsinajar/index.htm
http://members.tripod.com/~Tweezle/makemix.html
http://members.tripod.com/~MaryMae/jarlinks.htm

[John Harrelson]

I also use powdered milk like you do Lorna...

I don't drink it but I do cook with it..

As for pudding, I just mix a 20 cent box of the store brand "instant" pudding mix with the correct amount of reconstituted milk and it makes perfect pudding..

For extra fun when making chocolate pudding, I mix in about a tablespoon of chocolate chips.

And when I want whipped cream to put on top... I also use the reconstituted powdered milk with a spoon of granulated sugar in it and whip it with my BRAUN hand held stick mixer...

A regular mixer probably won't whip fast enough to make whipping cream from powdered milk, but the Braun stick mixer will do the job..

Best Wishes,
John

[paz]

We found our grocery costs went down somewhat (spending less on convenience and prepared foods than when we were working) and our eating out costs went up. One reason our eating out costs went up is that we like to try local specialties. We are also away from the RV frequently doing sightseeing, so it is more convenient to grab a bite while we are out.

These are our choices, but as John and Lorna suggest, there are many opportunities to economize.

[JudyandJim]

We have spent 4 or 5 months a year in the MH for the past 3 yrs, and I can't say we shop any differently than we do at home. Now that we are going to begin full timing in June, I don't anticipate many changes in our food expenses.

I will still shop at Whole Foods, Wild Oats, and Trader Joe's (or similar organic, natural markets). Just because we are retiring, doesn't mean we want to cut back on the quality of the food we put into our bodies. We have never eaten fast foods or processed foods, and don't intend to start now, when we need our good health more than ever.

We probably will eat out just as often, but cut back on the number of times we go to the more expensive restaurants.

I think most of us maintain the same lifestyle preferences when we go full time. We just live in an RV instead of a house... We can hardly wait...

[beemerchef]

Cooking is the key... at the same time, being 59 I need to eat healthy meaning low fat and cholesterol. But... being full time time and a Chef for 40 years it is no mystery. I don't plan a menu, I buy a lot of what is on sale and only then become creative. I am investing in one of thos plastic thing sealer, as I can cook enough for four portions at reduced cost and freeze... I don't use Ice so my freezer has a lot of space (Tioga 23B... with the kitchen in the rear!). I drive 55mph... (yes... I am the one!!!), trailering 3000lbs I still get 10mph with the air on, 11 to 12 without. Yes, you know... insurance, cell phone, Internet Dish... all that good stuff is always there. 99% is BLM and National Forest camping... vehicle?... Motorcycle +sidecar for my buddy Spirit... 35mpg.
That is all for now!!!

Be well...

Ara & Spirit