Being Thriftful...

I get so many comments on wondering how I do it...

-How do you shop for that many?
-How do you cook for that many?
-What kind of meals do you make?
-What do you do for snacks?
-How often do you go grocery shopping?
-How many gallons of milk do you buy a week?
And the list goes on and on...

Well, I have been so often helped by others that I often think what I have to say is not that important or helpful but as I was driving today, I began to think that if I could help just one person find something that might help them, then that would bless me! 

• My average grocery bill is about $125-$150 a week...that is for 13 people
• I do not freeze many meals, I make them on a daily basis- I have tried other ways but it is just easier for me to make them everyday.  I will on occasion make a double batch of something and freeze it.
• So far, my family eats about a 9x13 and a 9x9 dish at meals. We ALWAYS have sides with our meals such as fruit and/or veggies and a bread of some type
• I make casseroles about 3 times a week for dinners
• I usually start with what my meat will be and let that simmer in a crock pot and do the add-ons later in the day
• Lunches are sandwiches or tortilla wraps with fruit and crackers
• We don't snack except for rare occasions and then we have popcorn or apples with p-nut butter and raisins
• I shop once a week for the bulk and then 2 other times for fill-ins
• We go through about 6-7 gallons of milk a week
• We make most things from scratch
• We hardly ever buy desserts...my husband LOVES his chocolate so my girls are GREAT at making him treats quite often! :)
• We do not drink pop or juices.  Water most of the time with a cup of milk for one meal a day
• Cheese is our big expense and we go through MUCH of that in a week!  Like 20 cups or so!
• I buy flour, sugar, spices and oatmeal in bulk at our Amish store about once a month
• I use pasta, potatoes,eggs and rice often!  They are GREAT fillers!
• Hamburger and other meat I use lightly...about 1 lb per recipe.  I usually just double up on other ingredients that are less costly...ground turkey is also very reasonable!
• Biscuits are so versatile and we use them often!  Pizza boats, homemade donuts, baked sloppy joes, etc.
• Once a week I make about 60 pancakes or french toast to use the rest of the week for another meal
• I fry hamburger up all at once and freeze it in 1 lb packages to save time
• Breakfasts are our lightest meals...my kids seem to eat very little at that meal
• Dinner is our biggest meal but if dad is home during lunch, we change that around

I am going to keep going a little bit on this subject.  Please tell me some things you would like to know and I will try to accommodate! If you have any insight, I would love that also!