Grocery Budgeting

With raising grocery prices and mindful, localvore mindset I can no longer keep my grocery budget to $100/person/month. This could also have something to do with the fact that all 7 kids eat more each day than either my hubby or I.  Maybe. The problem is, I still have the same income to work with~ what's a mama to do?  

I just got into a local buying co-op, and we're just now starting to put together our first order, so it will be a long while before I can figure out the impact financially--  however, I have faith that the impact spirutally and in my community will be positive. It's a spiritual experience to work together with a local body of likeminded people to do some positive change for the environment and the immediate community.  There are thousands of people who live in my square mile who have never even put any thought into the politics behind their food choices, and we can introduce this to them and start making change.  One guy said "If this is going to be more expensive, then what could there be in it for me?"  My answer was "Having control over your food source, rather than keeping control at a corporate level.  Benefiting local farmers rather than profiting off slave trade.  Knowing that there is more health in your body, so less need for doctors and medicine."  

That said, right now I control our grocery budget as well as I can by:

•  Being mindful of the impact of buying something I have to make vs. something someone else has made and I only have to finish cooking.  This is the difference between frozen meatballs and ordering meat from a local farmer.  The latter takes so much more effort and could be more expensive, but the dividends must be considered.  The difference for my finances is that meat becomes a special occasion or a side dish, we eat less of it, and enjoy/appreciate it more. Also watch carefully what is available and act when you see an opportunity.  I can get lamb from Costco any time I want, but it's $7/lb or so, and it's all from Australia.  When I saw an Aldi ad this week for lamb produced in Wyoming and available for $5.76/lb.... I went and purchased 2 roasts.  I will probably try to go to the other Aldi store and purchase some more.  [confession: right now I buy the frozen meatballs, because truth be told I still cannot handle touching meat to make meatballs. True story.]

• Then there are grains.  Some grains have been imported from China, even though American farmers grow the same thing.  Americans are exporting their grains and importing for Americans to eat. It's all politics and money changing hands-- but the Chinese farmers and you and I are the victims and the money is lining someone else's pockets.  Look at your food, buy the rice grown in Texas instead of overseas.  My food buying co-op has searched hard for things grown locally and made them available to us without a middle man.  Look for the local when you can--  it may cost you pennies more per pound, but realize that is because the farmer is getting his due.

• Sugar, chocolate, treats, etc... were once rare and special treats.  Consider making them rare and special treats again.

  

I have to be very shrewd and careful and it takes planning, foresight... and TIME.  It does take time.  But this is part of my job, since I don't have a "real" job.  Maybe your time is worth more, so you'll pay someone else to do part of your food prep for you (by buying frozen entrees, or whatever).  I get that.  My dh won't do our plumbing anymore because it takes him 6 hours to do something that Dan-the-plumber could do in 1-2 hours.  Jeff just can't afford to cut 6 hours from when HE can work, when he can pay Dan for 2 hours... it ends up worth it to pay the plumber.  So for you, it may be worth it to stock up on Amy's frozen foods.  You know that Whole Foods and Wheatsville and Sun Fresh and Sprouts have done the homework regarding the ecological impact of food choices. You know your locally owned store is going to have products from local farmers on their shelves.  So trust them, to some extent.  Let them be your guide in some food choices. 

Amy's rules for shopping:

1.  Shop the loss leaders at each store. Only buy what is on sale.  Try to get yourself on a cycle of stocking up on things that keep that are on sale. If you need one, buy two at the sale price and save yourself a future 20 cents.

2.  Only buy what you will actually  use.  Food sitting in the kitchen wasting is a waste of money. Period. If necessary, for a while, stop and purchase only what you need for one day. Crazy idea huh? I did it last summer, when we moved here and had a store just 2 blocks away.  I went and purchased only what I needed for 24-48 hours. It was in some ways nerve-wracking for there to be no food in my kitchen, no stockpiles.  But it also made me VERY aware of true hunger, true need, and the way the majority of the world's people live. And I also managed to feed everyone- 8 people (my oldest was out of town)- on about $24/day.

3.  Don't eat if you aren't hungry.  This one is probably one of the hardest!!!!

4.  Don't eat treats and snacks if you aren't hungry, and especially don't eat them if you ARE! Eating should be mindful, not a nervous habit, and if you are really hungry eat *food*, a meal, not a snack food.

5.  Make special occasions special without making them gorgefests.

6.  The corollary to the above three is:  know what you need nutritionally and spiritually and stay within that framework. But don't beat yourself over the head with it to the point that you hurt yourself and others.  Just keep some balance.  

This comes from the woman who has Velveeta in her house because her kids like it, and dammit, sometimes I really want to be the fun mom.  I also buy graham crackers, goldfish and Ritz. There. I admitted it. ;)