Comments on: Low on the Hog

By: DeputyHeadmistress

DeputyHeadmistress — Sun, 28 Sep 2008 05:52:44 +0000

I agree, area and locale have a lot to do with what is frugal and what isn’t. 26 years ago we lived in California, and it was cheaper to go all vegetarian. We moved to Illinois, and it was cheaper to return to the meat and potatoes, greens on the side routine.
In Washington state, we were able to afford plenty of fresh fish and berries.
That’s just one of many reasons I think flexibility and creativity are the most important tools in the frugal toolbox.

thanks to all of you who shared your area prices!

By: TulipGirl

TulipGirl — Sat, 27 Sep 2008 20:24:24 +0000

*L* Likely it is the area. . . even at stores like Costco and Walmart, I haven’t seen meat or cheese at those prices in YEARS.

Interesting, I do think that local area and era impact our cooking a lot. While now I do a lot of low-meat cooking (which I personally prefer), when we lived overseas we ate a LOT more meat. It was easier to get and much more affordable. And some of my less-expensive staples in the states were very pricey in Ukraine (beans, pasta, etc.)

By: Kathleen McDade

Kathleen McDade — Sat, 27 Sep 2008 19:15:51 +0000

@TulipGirl, I often use the less-meat strategy, like with your lo mein. That would help with the macaroni dish, too — you could easily halve the meat, or use beans instead of meat. But yes, I think things were different in the 70′s — meat was a must for most people, and now it really isn’t so much.

By: KimC (frugalmommy)

KimC (frugalmommy) — Sat, 27 Sep 2008 18:32:18 +0000

Tulip Girl,
Maybe groceries are high in your area. I shop at WalMart and Costco. Here’s what my cost would be at regular prices:
finely chop one large onion – n/a
2# ground beef – 10# tube for $15 = $3
16 ounces elbow macaroni – $.66
1 small can mushrooms – $.59
24 ounces of tomato sauce – 4 small cans @ $.20 = $.80
cheese, 3/4 pound – 5# @ Costco for $12 = $1.80
Mustard, 1 tablespoon – n/a
salt and pepper to taste -n/a

Total: $6.85

By: TulipGirl

TulipGirl — Sat, 27 Sep 2008 00:48:50 +0000

7. Collect frugal recipes. Here’s one:
Johnny Margetty (10 servings)

It’s funny to see what was “frugal” in the past and how it contrasts so much with what the costs of things are these days. For me, this recipe wouldn’t fit the frugal qualifications in our era and economy. Even using the sale prices in our area (and erring on the side of getting it cheap) and assuming pantry items are on hand, this ’70s recipe is a bit pricey in ’00. . .

finely chop one large onion – n/a
two pounds of ground beef – on sale? at minimum $5
16 ounces elbow macaroni – $1
1 small can mushrooms – $.75
24 ounces of tomato sauce – $2
cheese, 3/4 pound – $3
Mustard, 1 tablespoon – n/a
salt and pepper to taste -n/a

So. . . about $12. Sure, it says 10 servings, but in my family that would be one meal, plus maybe a leftover lunch for someone.

In contrast, some of the convenience foods of today do provide economical and healthy options. Like tonight, we had a variation on lo-mein. I had a bag of frozen chicken breasts, and since I knew the kids had a protein-rich lunch, I just used one breast to make it “chicken lo-mein” instead of plain ol’ stir fry veggies. Then used two packs pre-packaged, pre-cut, fresh stir fry veggies. Mixed together a little leftover juice, cornstarch and seasonings that I had on hand for a sauce, and added in two packs of ramen noodles. Estimating at the high end, that meal was $5 and had lots of fresh veggies and took less than 15 minutes to make.

I wonder whether veggies were more expensive in the ’70s in relation to meats and dairy products, compared to now?

By: Kathleen McDade

Kathleen McDade — Fri, 26 Sep 2008 17:33:51 +0000

I was pondering #1 today, as my food budget runs out. My only thought was that we really need milk — but even there, we’ve got a large box of powdered milk at the ready!