"OmManiPadmeOmelet" > schreef in bericht
...
> My budget is getting squeezed tighter and tighter due to the rising cost
> of living. I chalk most of it up to the price of oil/fuel. Everything
> has to be transported so fuel prices affect _everything_!
>
> Now that we've gotten used to eating a healthier diet, I'm refusing to
> go back to eating crap just because it's cheaper! Our main diet consists
> of fresh meats and fresh produce. I don't like frozen veggies, I've
> tried. I know they are cheaper. The "No salt added" canned" however are
> not bad, but I still don't even use a lot of those.
>
> I think the biggest area I've had to cut back on has been red meat. We
> eat more chicken than anything else but fortunately, there are a million
> and one ways to cook it.
>
> As far as greens go, I won't compromise! Salads for instance. Our
> preferred green is fresh pre-cleaned baby spinach leaves followed
> closely by boston butter lettuce. After that it's red or green leaf
> lettuce, then romaine. We really don't care for iceberg. Good texture
> but no flavor.
>
> We do eat a lot of brocolli and some cauliflower as well as a lot of
> carrots and squash, but we only eat asparagus when it drops below $3.00
> per lb. We do not eat potatoes. Period. No pasta either and limited
> amounts of bread. The only beans we eat are black soybeans. Tomatoes and
> avocados are included depending on current prices.
>
> Has anyone else had to make any compromises due to rising prices?
> I've just had to cut back on other items but I'm reluctant to "cheapen"
> our diets. It's too important.
>
> I mostly just shop sales. ;-)
> --
> Peace!
> Om
>

I liek to cook stews and sauces and freeze those. The price per portion is
low - especially when I use a lot of veg in them. Part of that veg tends to
be canned tomateos, so that's cheap. Pulses are also cheap. I rarely buy jam
because I make my own. I grow herbs on my balcony. I buy no name brands of
"staple" foods (mostly flours). I plan my meals - I hardly ever need to toss
food.
I buy a lot of unprocessed food. No flavored yogurts, single servings of
desserts and whatnot>

I think all those things help to keep my budget down. i spebnd about 35
Euros a week, for one person. That includes some organic foods and expensive
bread. Good bread is important to me.

Sometimes I find my own approach ridiculous, though. If I spent less money
on (cookbooks), on clothes, or in cafes, I could buy many more expensive
ingredients for my meals. It's a matter of priorities, I guess.