So, I asked Joe to do a cost breakdown on our meals. Pricing each ingredient and figuring the cost per person.I asked him to do it because...well....he like numbers, and well, I don't. But, I wanted him to do it because:

1: I needed to be convinced that it really is cheaper than eating out.

2: I needed some encouragement and motivation to keep on cooking.

I already know that the food I cook at home is far superior in nutrition than fast food or even convenience foods from the grocery store. But cooking from scratch takes a lot of time and effort and sometimes I just need a reminder that it is  really worth it. On nights when I am really tired and just want to buy a $10 pizza from Costco....I need to know that cooking at home is much better in every way.

Well, I was actually blown away! I did not really think It would be THAT  cheap. Here are some examples of some of the meals we priced:

Split pea (this is a good one to make a big batch of and freeze)

Ham hocks                        1/2lb $1.50
split peas                           4c  $0.65
Onion                                 1/2 $0.15
garlic                                  2cloves $0.01
celtic sea salt                   2T $0.12

Total      $2.33  $0.33 per person (7)

Roast chicken (We ussually only eat half the chicken and then have meat left over and bones for broth)

Whole chicken                   4lbs. $3.96
onion                                   1 $0.29
Sliced potatoes    1           lbs. $0.30

Total      $3.55   $0.51 per person (7)

Here are some breakfast examples:

OATMEAL
Thick rolled oats              7 cups $0.73
Brown sugar                     2 oz. $0.06
Raw Butter                        2 oz. $1.25  
Raw cream                      1/2 pt. $0.75
Blue Berries(optional)   1/4 lbs.$0.27 
 
Total      $3.06  $0.51 per person (6 hubby is not home for breakfast)

Our Total     $1.06  $0.17 per person (6) (This is our total using our own cream from our cow, basically free because we sell milk to come out even)

DUTCH PUFF
eggs (8)                                8  $2.00
1.5 cups wheat berries)   1.5 cups$1.65
2 cups milk                           2 cups $0.75
.5 cup butter                          1/2 cup $0.50
brown sugar syrup(1/8 butter 1/2brown) 1/4 cup $0.16

Total      $5.06  $0.84 per person (6)
Our Total     $1.74  $0.29 per person (6)(with our own dairy and eggs)

This still just blows me a way! People wonder how we make it on one income...well...cooking from scratch and owning our own food producing animals is how. You really should do a cost breakdown on your meals. Even if you do not cook completely from scratch I think you will be pleasantly surprised! Or maybe you will be able to see some ways to cut costs.

For some frugal inspiration.....visit Biblical Womanhood.

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Posted by momofsix

Your food costs are much lower where you live. I also see that you are much more frugal than we are with our recipes. Do you have any more recipes to share. I can't wait to print these, simple but so very inexpensive (I need to visit our health food store).

Edited by momofsix on Friday, January 16, 2009 at 5:42 PM

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Posted by skdenfeld

Personaly, I would just be happy if everyone in my family could subsist on ice-cubes, like me. It would make life so much simpler.

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Posted by Anonymous

My dh teases the guys at work how our garden veggies & chickens we butchered taste so good.

countryangels.blogspot.com

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