One of the biggest areas we were spending was in the food category. Looking back it was crazy how much we were spending on food for a month, especially for two adult and a toddler (and 2 dogs). Looking at our spending history really made me started to think about how we were spending our money and ultimately find ways to cut back.
When taking a look at our receipts, I was able to see where most of our food budget went. The areas that killed us were produce and meat. Both are essential to our diet and, of course, cost the most of anything we purchased each month. So that is where I began.
How do I cut back on these areas, without ACTUALLY cutting back? Since this is the backbone of our diet. How do I save money, while still getting these essential items for my family. And it was not going to be replacing fresh with canned, I can tell you that. I started to do some research and took note of what friends around me were doing. I soon learned there are a ton of ways to save. And while it may take a little work to get organized and not always the most convenient ways to go about saving us money, it is worth it for my family.
For our family of 3, we keep our budget at under $400 a month. This includes things like paper goods, dog food, toiletries, diapers/wipes. Pretty much anything I buy at stores like Frys, Safeway, Target or Walmart. So basically $100 a week for our family to live on. It takes a little work, and I am still learning, but it is very doable.
Thankfully, here in Arizona we have some great resources to help cut food bills down some. This past Saturday, I managed to get all this food for $20! Just meant waking up, leaving my house by 6:30 am with Marshmallow in tow and having the powerful knowledge of where to go!
So, how did I possibly manage that? There are several organizations that host food distribution sites on Saturdays each month. I went to different ones and spent $10 at each.
Produce On Wheels - With Out Waste
The top image is what I got from an organization called Produce On Wheels - With Out Waste. They do locations in the Phoenix and Tuscon areas every Saturday. The locations move around these areas, so there are lots to pick from over the course of a month. They start at 8am and I would encourage you to get there early. Though I have had no trouble when arriving after 10am before. But it is first come, first serve. Basically, for $10 you get about 60lbs of produce. The assortment changes each week, but usually about 6 different fruits/vegetables are given. This past Saturday I left with bread, cucumbers, mini bell peppers, colored peppers, green beans, squash, zucchini, butternut squash, tangerines, Anaheim peppers and roma tomatoes. You can find more information about locations on their website Produce on Wheels or on their Facebook page Facebook Produce on Wheels
Miracles Are Still Happening Food Distribution
The bottom image is what I picked up from an organization called Miracles Are Still Happening (MASH) Food Distribution. They do two locations that I know for sure about and have now been to. They also have a possible third location. This month that third location is not hosting. I contacted them and they responded saying to contact during the week prior for next month to see if they are hosting in March. These are set locations and each is only available on a certain Saturday each month. It is $10 or $5 depending which you go to. Doors open at 7am. So with this program it is also first come, first serve. It is really important to show early for this program. I got there this past week at about 6:40am and was towards the back of the line. We still left with a bunch of food, but the supply dwindles as the morning passes. So we left with less than those who arrived early. Still worth $10, an early morning and being there for about 2 hours. Again, this is where convenience may not always play in my favor, but worth it! This Saturday I left with blueberries, strawberries, grapes, chips, potatoes, mangoes, tomatillos, tomatoes, cauliflower, avocados, nectarines and a package of meat. *First Saturday of each month is hosted by Real Life Ministries in Surprise, AZ. $10. Here is their website for more information Real Life Ministries - MASH.
*Third Saturday of each month is hosted by Citrus Road Nazarene Church in Goodyear, AZ. $10 Here is the link to their website for more information Citrus Road Nazarene - MASH
*Fourth Saturday of each month is hosted by West Valley Family Church in Glendale, AZ. This is the one I have not confirmed and is not running for February 28th. $5. For more information here is a link to their website West Valley Family Church - MASH
Market On the Move
Another program I also have used in the past is Market On the Move (MOM). This is another program that is available in both Tuscon and Phoenix. The locations change Saturday to Saturday and they sometimes offer something mid-week. This is an example of what I got last year. I did not max out the amounts at the time, so I could have left with more than I did. You receive up to 60lbs of produce with the $10 donation. As shown in the photo above, I left with grape tomatoes, beef steak tomatoes, roma tomatoes, colored peppers, zucchini squash and spaghetti squash. They are again a first come, first serve. But I have had luck going towards the end of the time frame. You can find out more information at their website Market On the Move.
Bountiful Baskets (this is not limited to Arizona, check the website to see if available in your area)
The last program I have personally used is Bountiful Baskets, which is a food co-op. So this one you do not just show up and give a donation. Each week they post the offerings on Monday on their website and they are available to participate in until Tuesday. Each pick-up site is available weekly or every other week, just depends on that specific location. Pick-ups are mainly scheduled for Saturdays and each site has a specific pick-up time (there are some sites that do other days). You never know what will be in the basket from week to week. But you can also add on additional packs as well. Those they tell you what you can expect to get. I have also done meat with them as well, though those opportunities pop up infrequently. As you can see we got a decent amount of food. Pictured is bananas, mangoes, mini peppers, colored carrots, roma tomatoes, coconuts, watermelon, artichokes, pears, and more. The basket buy-in is $15, which you pay when you sign up on Monday or Tuesday. You can upgrade to an organic basket for an extra $10, so $25. Then you can add-on any extras. They always have a ton of extra options to add-on. Visit their website for more information on how to participate and sign-up Bountiful Baskets.
As you can see, it is a lot of food at once. Most produce goes bad very quickly, if not used within several days. So, last year when I first found some of these, I began an adventure in learning how to preserve food by either canning or freezing whatever I could. Slowly, I began to fill my pantry and it began to look like the picture below. And our chest freezer is always full of vegetables! I plan meals to include foods we already have in our pantry and freezer. I also use a lot of the fresh stuff in the first few days as well. Make our meals around those.
This is one way I have learned to help cut back on our food budget and fill our fridge for very little money. 3 packages of strawberries alone would cost me $10 at the store. Where I got that plus a whole lot more for $10. Just about finding options available around you. I am sure there are more options like these in my area and I just have not learned about them yet.
Check out Part Two of this post for how I plan out my monthly shopping trip to make the most of every dollar spent. Saving Money : Grocery Bill Part Two
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