How much did your supper cost you today

amother

Cerulean

Wed, Nov 14 2018, 5:58 pm

This kind of thing varies so much. Family size, age, how much time you have to prep, food sensitivies, and some families are just bigger or smaller eaters.

For example, we are 2 parents and 7 kids ranging from 9-22 most nights. Usually there'll be a friend or two, or neighbor kids, and sometimes my married son and his wife will join. On days I have a housekeeper I'm feeding her too, and some days I have an after school babysitter who eats with the younger kids. But there are also days that my husband and I will eat at work, some of my older kids will have plans, and I'll be feeding a smaller crowd.

But most nights, just our salad is 3-4 cukes, 2 peppers, a box of cherry tomatoes and 2 packs of Andy boy lettuce (6 romaine hearts). That's before I even think about mains and sides.

krembo

Wed, Nov 14 2018, 5:59 pm

Quote:

we are easily at $25-30, with a starch. I feel better knowing that if we went out to eat it would definitely be at least double. I don't get how posters spend $5-10. Either they eat like rabbits, or are not adding properly.

Totally agree. That's about what my suppers cost ($20 or more), but I have teenagers so they eat a lot.

I have a friend who prides herself on spending frugally for meals, but her family aren't big eaters. And they do a lot of snacking before bed.

I think you're right that people are kind of hazy about the actual cost of the foods they're buying. A lot of these estimates sound off.

icebreaker

Wed, Nov 14 2018, 6:04 pm

1 adult, 3 kids

Tonight we’re having a very simple soup. I’d say maybe $15? Probably less. I had most of the ingredients and don’t remember all of the prices anymore.

acemom

Wed, Nov 14 2018, 6:14 pm

I can't fathom how people are getting full on so little food. ..
Are we just big eaters?

Only soup for supper? Really?
How much do you cook for Shabbos that you have leftovers to satiate a family especially with teenagers?
Just lasagna is enough for adults?

/scratching head/ /confused/

watergirl

Wed, Nov 14 2018, 6:18 pm

Tonight is chicken stir-fry for 3 kids and 2 adults. 2.40lb of boneless skinless chicken breast - $13.18 total. 2 cups white rice, about $2. Frozen broccoli, $2. Bottle of General Tso sauce, $3. Will be enough for dinner for at least one more tomorrow pm. $20 and change.

pesek zman

Wed, Nov 14 2018, 6:38 pm

Also, I almost never make schnitzel (or grilled chicken) with chicken breasts: as I am others have said, we stretch it. I’ll cook up breast with carrots/onions/celery and water to make a stock. The I’ll cut up the chicken and use the stock. For example, last week I made a chicken chili this way with butternut squash and white beans. It was so yummy!!

Kol hakavod to those who have large families and BH the means to feed them in other ways. But a lot of us need to be creative and for us theres lots of ways to spend less on dinners. Necessity is the mother of invention

amother

Wheat

Wed, Nov 14 2018, 6:46 pm

acemom wrote:

/scratching head/ /confused/

Why shouldn't just lasagna be enough? I'm a very big eater and have no problem with that either. Variety doesn't mean more food, you just eat less of each thing.

boots

Wed, Nov 14 2018, 6:55 pm

2 adults 3 kids eating at home tonight
Falafel Balls - $4
Pitas - $3
Drinks (water, seltzer, juice) - $2
Homemade fries - $2
Veggies - $6
Humus - $1

$18 total

icebreaker

Wed, Nov 14 2018, 7:02 pm

acemom wrote:

/scratching head/ /confused/

Can't speak for anyone else, but for myself and my kids, a good soup is most definitely enough. We love a good ramen soup. Those noodles, especially, fill you up!

bigsis144

Wed, Nov 14 2018, 7:11 pm

$1 box of taco shells
$1 bag of lettuce
$5.99/lb ground beef x 1 lb
$1 can of beans
$1 can of tomatoes x 2
$0.50 taco seasoning
——
$11.50 dinner for 2.5 adults (I’m pregnant and hungry) + 1.5 kids (one kid is only eating the taco shells 🙄)

+ leftover zucchini soup from two nights ago

Last edited by bigsis144 on Wed, Nov 14 2018, 10:27 pm; edited 1 time in total

thunderstorm

Wed, Nov 14 2018, 7:22 pm

bigsis144 wrote:

$1 box of taco shells
$1 bag of lettuce
$5.99/lb ground beef x 1 lb
$1 can of beans
$1 can of tomatoes x 2
$0.50 taco seasoning
——
$10 dinner for 2.5 adults (I’m pregnant and hungry) + 1.5 kids (one kid is only eating the taco shells 🙄)

+ leftover zucchini soup from two nights ago

Where do you finding lettuce for $1? It cost me usually $3.99 for a bag of Andy Boy. Checked lettuce is even more.

watergirl

Wed, Nov 14 2018, 7:26 pm

watergirl wrote:

Update - ok I waaaay over estimated my family. This dinner will be for tomorrow also for everyone.

bigsis144

Wed, Nov 14 2018, 7:27 pm

thunderstorm wrote:

Where do you finding lettuce for $1? It cost me usually $3.99 for a bag of Andy Boy. Checked lettuce is even more.

Aldi’s has OK-hechsher prewashed (but not checked) lettuce for $1 for a 12oz bag.

For a more salad-heavy meal I’d need more. Also, for now I can’t stand at the sink checking lots of lettuce, so I’m buying prewashed as much as I can.

tichellady

Wed, Nov 14 2018, 7:44 pm

amother wrote:

How does that come to 5$ ? Soup veggies, salad veggies and proteins?

A pot of soup costs between $4 and $10 and will last for more than one dinner.

Cheap dinner would be lentil soup, pasta with tomato sauce, baby spinach salad
Or lentil chili, cornbread and carrot soup
Or brown rice, teriyaki tofu, zucchini soup, and cucumber slices or
Shakhsuka , Israeli salad and veggie soup

If I don’t use animal protein, dinner is cheap. Most of my dinners are not that cheap.

justforfun87

Wed, Nov 14 2018, 7:47 pm

Spaghetti and Meatballs
2 adults - 3 kids under 7

Ground meat and chicken 3 pds - 10 dollars
Spaghetti - 1.00
Tomato paste - 1.00
Crushed tomatoes - 1.69.
onion - 75 cents?

This will last two nights at least so I guess around 7 dollars.

amother

Silver

Wed, Nov 14 2018, 7:50 pm

6.00 for three homemade pizza’s feeds 2 adults and 3 hungry pre-teens

Jumbo mozzarella cheese poly o from Costco is about 5 dollars and I have extra shredded cheese in my fridge after grating

Flour from Costco large 25 pound bag

Half a 32 ounce can tomato sauce

Apple juice for pizza crust

doodlesmom

Wed, Nov 14 2018, 8:27 pm

pesek zman wrote:

What side dish costs 15$

I had a large pack of frozen corn and pasta with a bought pesto.