Challenge: To trim down the grocery bills by at least 33%

According to the US Department of Labor, the average American family of four spends $8,513 per year on groceries. This statistic breaks down to $177 per person a month. My family is not the traditional nuclear family. In addition to me and my husband, we have four children -- three teenagers, a two-year-old, and a mother-in-law. Applying the above figures, our grocery bill for a family of seven should approximate to $1239 per month. And astonishingly, it has regularly fluctuated in the range of $1000- $1300. My goal is to trim this monthly pile of receipts down to $830,(including diapers, wipes, hygiene products, and restaurant bills) if not less. Being able to frugally feed my nutrition-conscious husband and appease the voracious appetites of my teenagers will be my main challenge!

Monday, July 4, 2011

Cole Slaw -Our new favorite side dish

I used to have no problem grabbing a pre-made container of cole slaw from the grocery stores and paying a few dollars for it (or maybe a little more at a fast food restaurant).  After further nutrition investigation, I have found that the cabbage provides a high source of potassium and Vitamin C. 

My husband and I have decided to prepare cole slaw on our own, without premade mixes or pre-cut veggie bags, but using one important ingredient, Miracle Whip.  His own research found no easy substitute.  So off I went two weeks ago, purchasing Miracle Whip, reluctantly and with only a one dollar coupon.  The cost for one jar -- $5.69!

We were delighted with the side dish we whipped up-- being able to shred the red and green cabbage as thin or thick as we liked and being able to control the creaminess (and fattiness) felt empowering.  I really enjoyed eating a lightly creamy cole slaw; it was completely different from what I had been accustomed to putting in my grocery cart.

Of course the following week the Miracle Whip went on sale for $3.99 at Stop and Shop, so I bought a couple of jars.  This week, it went on sale at Price Chopper for $3, plus if you purchased $20 worth of this and a selection of other products, you would receive 20 cents off a gallon of gas!  So I bought even more jars.

And then yesterday, as I whizzed through the Wal-mart grocery aisle, what did I come across?  Miracle Whip -- regular price $2.50.  I don't think I will be stocking up on this product anymore, now that I know where to just buy it! 

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