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The cost of food is crazy by FieroAngel
Started on: 12-03-2007 12:29 PM
Replies: 315
Last post by: JazzMan on 12-20-2007 01:22 PM
Phranc
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Report this Post12-03-2007 10:03 PM Click Here to See the Profile for PhrancSend a Private Message to PhrancDirect Link to This Post
 
quote
Originally posted by jstricker:

Do you know what the stock exchange does?

Same thing, only instead of trading shares in a company, they trade contracts of a commodity.

Oh, and a "frozen pork belly" is a processed hog. Frozen pork cuts.

John Stricker


Thanks. Those were rhetorical questions. :P

But answering them may help others understand how some the prices of food are controlled.
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RotrexFiero
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Report this Post12-03-2007 10:16 PM Click Here to See the Profile for RotrexFieroClick Here to visit RotrexFiero's HomePageSend a Private Message to RotrexFieroDirect Link to This Post
I mentioned this before when many, including local new stations, were so focused on the price of gasoline, when food was just going up and up. I limit my trips to the local supermarket and yeah I shop at Wal-mart because it saves a lot on my food bill. When I moved to Pittsuburgh over ten years ago I could go the week of on about $20-$25 dollars in food, and now its like three times that. And Pittsburgh is considered an in expensive place to live. Hey, I just pass it on and I try to limit eating out. That also gotten way too expensive. For me and the GF, even a decent place, is around $40 dollars. Just forget fine dining, I cant afford the appetizers!!
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NEPTUNE
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Report this Post12-03-2007 10:36 PM Click Here to See the Profile for NEPTUNESend a Private Message to NEPTUNEDirect Link to This Post
A local supermarket here has whole chickens on sale for .67 per pound this week. OK, they are factory chickens, but thats another issue.
Thats cheap food!
Two people can eat for most of a week on a $3.50 chicken and .89 worth of rice, potatoes, tortillas and some vegetables, if you know how to cook.
Last week, pork chops were on sale, so we ate pork chops!
If you read your weekly supermarket ads for meat specials, and buy only whats on sale, then buy vegetables at a farmers market instead of the supermarket, you'll spend chump change for food, and be healthier to boot.
And planting a small garden is a good idea, too. Its not a big savings, but its good food.
My mother lived through the great depression and she taught me how to shop.
People waste so much money on food in the USA its really shameful.

[This message has been edited by NEPTUNE (edited 12-03-2007).]

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Phranc
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Report this Post12-03-2007 10:47 PM Click Here to See the Profile for PhrancSend a Private Message to PhrancDirect Link to This Post
 
quote
Originally posted by NEPTUNE:

A local supermarket here has whole chickens on sale for .67 per pound this week. OK, they are factory chickens, but thats another issue.
Thats cheap food!
Two people can eat for a week on a $3.50 chicken and .89 worth of rice, potatoes and tortillas, if you know how to cook.
If you read your weekly supermarket ads for meat specials, and buy only whats on sale, then buy vegetables at a farmers market instead of the supermarket, you'll spend chump change for food, and be healthier to boot.
And planting a small garden is a good idea, too.



I would plant a garden if I didn't live in a condo. As it is I can plant some fresh herbs on the back deck since I dismantled my closet grow room.

And my local super market is my local farmers market. They buy as much local as they can so in season crops are always a good price. I've been making things like squashes lately.
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Wichita
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Report this Post12-03-2007 10:52 PM Click Here to See the Profile for WichitaSend a Private Message to WichitaDirect Link to This Post
 
quote
Originally posted by jstricker:

Of course it is.

It could also be a WORLD shortage of small grains, particularly wheat, after several years of poor crops and disastrous world production this year (although the KS crop was good).

Now where did I park that Escalade, I need to get to the airport to get on my private jet to fly to Switzerland.

John Stricker


The world produces their own wheat and grains. They don't need your wheat. You don't really have a market, without the help of the government, you wouldn't have shiit.

Ethanol? To help your asss out? We can import it cheaper than you can produce it. But you had the government slap on the tariffs so you can keep your lifestyle.

Do you have a truck farm? Do you grow anything that people actually eat? People don't eat your grains. You don't grow anything that people stick in their mouths to eat. What we eat is all imported from Mexico or other counties. You're a damn subsidy case.

People don't need your grains. We eat too many grains in our diet anyways. Everybody getting fat off the carbohydrates. Grow something healthy people can eat.

You can believe or do what you want, but I will always know that you're living off the backs of Taxpaying Americans. You will always be that. Some people are so dependent on the government, they'll be on that tit for life.

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Report this Post12-03-2007 11:02 PM Click Here to See the Profile for cliffwSend a Private Message to cliffwDirect Link to This Post
 
quote
Originally posted by Phranc:
...... why are there speculators for them? Or for that matter speculators of any and all commodities?

 
quote
Originally posted by jstricker:
Do you know what the stock exchange does?

Spectulators are gamblers with a little more common sense and hence, a lot more money.
The odds at winning at the slot machine at any given time are who knows. At roulette, who knows. At craps, the odds (I think) would be better. In poker, you can actually make a calculated choice although there are many variables beyond prediction.
Now a stock speculator, he can gamble on a trend or current events to effect his odds at winning.
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pokeyfiero
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Report this Post12-03-2007 11:21 PM Click Here to See the Profile for pokeyfieroClick Here to visit pokeyfiero's HomePageSend a Private Message to pokeyfieroDirect Link to This Post
We have Winco foods out here.
Non union,super krazy happy employees,great stores and clean. They are insanely inexpensive.Fill up your cart for a hundred buck and I mean heavy full.
I could easily spend 200 or more at Safeway for less stuff.
You can really save a lot here if you just buy what is on sale and that is on the first row as you walk in.
Loaf of french bread 1.00
Gallon milk non hormone the expensive stuff 2.50 to 3.00
Chicken 1.00 to 2.00
pork ribs. Big massive monsters 1.89 pound.
canned veggies 2 and three for a buck
Large gatorade .89
powerade.69
tuna can .37 albacore .57

If you like to make things from scratch you can save even more. They have row upon row of bulk foods in the barrel.


If it cost 5 bucks at Safeway it probably costs 2.50 to 3.00 at the non union Winco.


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Report this Post12-03-2007 11:56 PM Click Here to See the Profile for jstrickerSend a Private Message to jstrickerDirect Link to This Post
You should quit while you're behind before you have to send me this again, like you've had to in the past.

[
 
quote
Originally posted by Wichita:
I know I'm pretty hard on farmers and unions. And I'll admit that I'm just a blow hard and don't know everything there is to know about the farming industry.


I'm still waiting for you to put your money where your big ignorant mouth is.

John Stricker

[
 
quote
Originally posted by Wichita:


The world produces their own wheat and grains. They don't need your wheat. You don't really have a market, without the help of the government, you wouldn't have shiit.

Ethanol? To help your asss out? We can import it cheaper than you can produce it. But you had the government slap on the tariffs so you can keep your lifestyle.

Do you have a truck farm? Do you grow anything that people actually eat? People don't eat your grains. You don't grow anything that people stick in their mouths to eat. What we eat is all imported from Mexico or other counties. You're a damn subsidy case.

People don't need your grains. We eat too many grains in our diet anyways. Everybody getting fat off the carbohydrates. Grow something healthy people can eat.

You can believe or do what you want, but I will always know that you're living off the backs of Taxpaying Americans. You will always be that. Some people are so dependent on the government, they'll be on that tit for life.


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Report this Post12-04-2007 12:08 AM Click Here to See the Profile for acemanSend a Private Message to acemanDirect Link to This Post
 
quote
Originally posted by Wichita:


The world produces their own wheat and grains. They don't need your wheat. You don't really have a market, without the help of the government, you wouldn't have shiit.

Ethanol? To help your asss out? We can import it cheaper than you can produce it. But you had the government slap on the tariffs so you can keep your lifestyle.

Do you have a truck farm? Do you grow anything that people actually eat? People don't eat your grains. You don't grow anything that people stick in their mouths to eat. What we eat is all imported from Mexico or other counties. You're a damn subsidy case.

People don't need your grains. We eat too many grains in our diet anyways. Everybody getting fat off the carbohydrates. Grow something healthy people can eat.

You can believe or do what you want, but I will always know that you're living off the backs of Taxpaying Americans. You will always be that. Some people are so dependent on the government, they'll be on that tit for life.


Do you have a drinking or drug problem that causes you to blurt out this BS and other BS that you've posted on this forum? If you'd like, I can refer you to some good rehab clinics in Kansas.
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2.5
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Report this Post12-04-2007 01:27 PM Click Here to See the Profile for 2.5Send a Private Message to 2.5Direct Link to This Post
Figured I'd throw in that most "farm" items the farmers get about 10% max of the cost at the store. Interesting fact I saw in the history channel, in 1850 56% of Americans were farmers. In 2000 only 3% were. Farmers may look like they are doing well but most are not, or are one bad season from being a full years wages in debt. I grew up on a small (40 milking cow) dairy farm so I do look at it sort of bias though.
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Report this Post12-04-2007 03:47 PM Click Here to See the Profile for pokeyfieroClick Here to visit pokeyfiero's HomePageSend a Private Message to pokeyfieroDirect Link to This Post
 
quote
Originally posted by 2.5:

I grew up on a small (40 milking cow) dairy farm



We had a dairy about 4 miles from here. They went out of business.
Guy finally said screw it and sold his land. Now there is a housing tract going in and a school.
Oh well at least it smells better out there right?

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Report this Post12-04-2007 11:46 PM Click Here to See the Profile for 84fiero123Send a Private Message to 84fiero123Direct Link to This Post
 
quote
Originally posted by aceman:
Not with you!


Only in your own small mind.

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Detroit iron rules all the rest are just toys.

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timmer
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Report this Post12-05-2007 01:25 AM Click Here to See the Profile for timmerSend a Private Message to timmerDirect Link to This Post
mmmmmm yummy i cannot wait i am buying half a cow after christmas..... fill my freezer and my buddies freezer
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Report this Post12-05-2007 05:32 AM Click Here to See the Profile for proffClick Here to visit proff's HomePageSend a Private Message to proffDirect Link to This Post
we are actually cheaper in food cost at the supermarket than you guys. Some things your talking about are the same price
http://money.ninemsn.com.au/article.aspx?id=100231
But Gas is more that double what your guys are paying
Most other things you'll talking about are the same prices or very close to the same as here.
Red meat is priced at $11 - $16 per kilogram
Chicken is $12-15 per kilogram
One litre of Coke drink is about $1.93
Oranges are $3 per kilogram
There just a few prices for Sydney Australia

[This message has been edited by proff (edited 12-05-2007).]

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edhering
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Report this Post12-05-2007 05:33 AM Click Here to See the Profile for edheringClick Here to visit edhering's HomePageSend a Private Message to edheringDirect Link to This Post
The ethanol subsidy is why food is getting more expensive.

The subsidy has people scrambling to get into the ethanol business, because the government has guaranteed they'll make a profit.

Corn is generally used to make ethanol. More demand for corn means more dollars chasing a set supply of corn; this raises the price of corn. Even with a good crop this year, corn is really pricy--and we use corn for a LOT of different things besides making ethanol, including feeding the animals that we eat. We make corn sweetener to take the place of sugar, which is maintained at an artificially high price in the US by tariffs. We use corn directly in all sorts of foods as well.

We could import all the ethanol we want at a much cheaper price than we can make it, but for the tariffs on the stuff. We tax imports and subsidize domestic supply; this has raised the cost of ethanol to the consumer by moving some of the cost of the ethanol into taxes.

To condense it all, what we're doing--in the name of "energy independence" and "the environment"--is to burn food. This is inevitably going to make it more expensive.

Ed
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Report this Post12-05-2007 09:34 AM Click Here to See the Profile for PyrthianSend a Private Message to PyrthianDirect Link to This Post
ethanol is just getting started. you are comparing old & existing (and PAYED FOR) infrastructures against one that is just getting started. dont let them scare with you junk like "we can import it cheaper than we can make it". this is because someone else ALREADY has a working infrastructure. in fact, someone else is FULLY made the transistion already. thats why it is so much cheaper for them. dont ever listen to people who cant see past today. we want an answer for more than the next 12 hours. we'd be in horses & carraiges with that kind of thinking. yes, it will be a rugged transistion from a 50 year installed infrastructue. one thats deeeeply ingrained in our lifestyles. but, how many people honestly beleive that continuing on gasoline is our future? ug - maybe topic for another thread.....
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Report this Post12-05-2007 09:46 AM Click Here to See the Profile for RotrexFieroClick Here to visit RotrexFiero's HomePageSend a Private Message to RotrexFieroDirect Link to This Post
Interesting. Does anyone buy in bulk.....say like 50lbs of potatos or bags of rices? I have considered limiting my diet and eating oats for breakfast, and overall smaller meals. Often its the extra, bag of chips, snacks, especially sugered cereals that really cost the money.

I like the idea of a veggy garden, though I have the space, the soil here is clay.
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Report this Post12-05-2007 11:25 AM Click Here to See the Profile for acemanSend a Private Message to acemanDirect Link to This Post
So, I need to ask........

Is $30/day to feed a family of 4 outrageous? ($7.50/day for feed one person)

SUNDAY:
BRUNCH:
12 Eggs $1.75
Pack of Sausage: $1.25
Pack of Bacon $2.50
Hash Browns: $2.00
½ Loaf Bread $0.50
8 Pack Cinnamon Rolls: $1.75
1 Quart of Milk from the Gallon $0.75
1 Quart of Orange Juice from the ½ Gallon $1.25
Butter, Cooking Oil, Peanut Butter, Jelly, Seasonings $0.50
TOTAL: $12.25

SUPPER:
2 ½ lbs T-Bone Steak $12.50 ($4.99/lbs on sale)
4 Baking Potatoes $1.00 ($0.39/lbs)
1 Can of Beans $0.50
1 loaf of garlic bread $2.00
1 cake with frosting $2.50
1 Quart of Milk from the Gallon $0.75
Butter, Cooking Oil, Seasonings $0.50
TOTAL: $19.75

Total for the Weekend Day for a Family of 4: $32

MONDAY:
BREAKFAST:
Cereal with Milk: $2.50
Toast: $0.25
1 Quart of Orange Juice from the ½ Gallon $1.25
TOTAL $4.00

LUNCH:
School Hot Lunch for 2 Elementary School Kids: $4.50
Deli Ham and Cheese Sandwich (Homemade) and a Coke for the Wife: $1.50
Chipotle Burrito and Coke for me: $7
TOTAL: $13

SUPPER:
5lbs Chicken Leg Quarters $5 ($0.99/lbs on sale for 10/bs bag)
1 Box of Instant Mashed Potatoes $1
1 Can of Chicken Gravy $1
1 Can of Corn: $0.50
1 tube Pillsbury French Bread $1.75
1 Quart of Milk from the Gallon $0.75
Butter, Cooking Oil, Seasonings $0.50
TOTAL: $10.50

Total for the Weekday for a Family of 4: $27.50
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jstricker
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Report this Post12-05-2007 08:45 PM Click Here to See the Profile for jstrickerSend a Private Message to jstrickerDirect Link to This Post
 
quote
Originally posted by edhering:

The ethanol subsidy is why food is getting more expensive.

Ed


If Ethanol is "why" food is so expensive, perhaps you could explain why it is that the price of corn was higher in '96 than it is now, when there was almost no ethanol production back in '96 compared to today.

John Stricker
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84fiero123
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Report this Post12-05-2007 09:04 PM Click Here to See the Profile for 84fiero123Send a Private Message to 84fiero123Direct Link to This Post
$900 a month for a 30 day month.

Oh ya now lets figure in the electricity to cook it, clean the pans and dishes or gas or what ever you use for heating water, cooking and that $12.50 meal just doubled.

Melanie, Steve’s wife.
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Report this Post12-05-2007 09:07 PM Click Here to See the Profile for PhrancSend a Private Message to PhrancDirect Link to This Post
 
quote
Originally posted by aceman:

So, I need to ask........

Is $30/day to feed a family of 4 outrageous? ($7.50/day for feed one person)


Thats about what I pay per person per day. I've managed even less like the one day I made dinner for 2 for 3$. I only feed 2 and make more things from scratch. So that cuts the cost a tad. I could probably cut it more per person if I had more people to buy for.
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Report this Post12-05-2007 09:08 PM Click Here to See the Profile for fierofetishSend a Private Message to fierofetishDirect Link to This Post
Cheap imports invariably end up being more expensive than more costly home-grown goods.It is called a Trade deficit . And tradedeficits mean paying more taxes, to balance the books, unless you can export more than you import, in terms of value. Trade deficits eventually lead to bankruptcy, whether for a country or a private person. The savings made by buying cheap imports only comes back to bite you in the a$$..
And that vicious attack on 'Farmers' in general is just that...vicious!! If it is so financially rewarding, why are Farmers disappearing at such an alarming rate? Attack the Supermarkets, who FORCE Farmers to accept their prices offered for produce..rock-bottom prices, just above the 'pointless in trying' level. Who takes the lion´s share of the profit margin between the cost of producing stuff,and making a meagre profit, and the final price payed by the customer? Farmers? ha!! Don´t make me LAUGH!! The people who do nothing all day but sit at desks, calculating how to get their pound of flesh, without actually killing their victims..and return hefty profits, which then strengthen their purchasing power even further.. And who are the first to criticise the Farmers? People with cushy desk jobs, who would die in the first few days, should they have to do the work of Farmer. Bah..
Nick
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Report this Post12-05-2007 09:08 PM Click Here to See the Profile for acemanSend a Private Message to acemanDirect Link to This Post
 
quote
Originally posted by 84fiero123:

$900 a month for a 30 day month.

Oh ya now lets figure in the electricity to cook it, clean the pans and dishes or gas or what ever you use for heating water, cooking and that $12.50 meal just doubled.

Melanie, Steve’s wife.


So....You're saying that dish soap and gas/electricity costs $12.50 a meal? Yep! You are Steve's wife! Birds of a feather flock together! So you spend $750 in soap and gas and electricity to cook your meals each month? LMAOPIMP!

$900 a month for FOUR people to eat and eat quite well and balanced meals!
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Report this Post12-05-2007 09:13 PM Click Here to See the Profile for PhrancSend a Private Message to PhrancDirect Link to This Post
 
quote
Originally posted by 84fiero123:

$900 a month for a 30 day month.

Oh ya now lets figure in the electricity to cook it, clean the pans and dishes or gas or what ever you use for heating water, cooking and that $12.50 meal just doubled.

Melanie, Steve’s wife.


If you power is that pricey your getting ripped off. My elec. bill just doubled over the sumer and there is no way my elec consumption is that much for cooking. I pay about $6.50 a day now. And thats running 3 computers (24 hours) ,central heating, 2 big ass TVs ( at different times) and a bunch of other things. At most the cost to cook a meal and wash up, hell I'l toss in the fridge too, is only 2-3 dollars. But I was dishes by hand.
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84fiero123
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Report this Post12-05-2007 09:22 PM Click Here to See the Profile for 84fiero123Send a Private Message to 84fiero123Direct Link to This Post
$900 a month for a 30 day.

OK now lets forget the cost per meal, add in the cost of anything else that the normal person on a fixed income has to pay.

Rent/Mortgage
Utilities/lights/heat
Insurance for house/car/health
Gas for car for errands

Lets see even on your so called small retirement Ace, that is about what I make on my disability you would be hard pressed to make it.

And most people on fixed incomes are much lower than what I get.

This thread was started on the pretext of how those on fixed income get by. Not those who have jobs.

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and one big pain in the ass when it doesn't.
Detroit iron rules all the rest are just toys.

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Report this Post12-05-2007 09:25 PM Click Here to See the Profile for acemanSend a Private Message to acemanDirect Link to This Post
 
quote
Originally posted by FieroAngel:

I just dont know how people on fixed and limited incomes can afford to buy groceries right now. I just came back from the store and barly bought anything and had an $80 bill. I paid $0.61/lb for bananas $1.99/lb for gala apples, $4.99 for a gallon of milk, $1.00 for 2 oranges and $3.99/lb for tomatoes. I also bought other stuff but gheeze I'm trying to eat healthy but it cost so much for good food when a bag of ships was $1.00 no wonder Americans are so fat. Oh and meat is so expensive too. Chicken was like $5.49/lb thats the same cost a fish which used to be a once in a while item cause it was so expensive. UGG Sorry but I just had to vent. I got stressed out at the grocery store today

Angie


Where does FieroAngel says she's on a fixed income, Steve?

I'll fix my menu for the fixed income people.
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Report this Post12-05-2007 09:27 PM Click Here to See the Profile for 84fiero123Send a Private Message to 84fiero123Direct Link to This Post
 
quote
Originally posted by FieroAngel:
I just dont know how people on fixed and limited incomes can afford to buy groceries right now.
Angie


Duh


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and one big pain in the ass when it doesn't.
Detroit iron rules all the rest are just toys.

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Report this Post12-05-2007 09:29 PM Click Here to See the Profile for 84fiero123Send a Private Message to 84fiero123Direct Link to This Post

84fiero123

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Member since Oct 2004
I never said she was on a fixed income.
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Report this Post12-05-2007 09:36 PM Click Here to See the Profile for PhrancSend a Private Message to PhrancDirect Link to This Post
People on a fixed income can always get help with groceries. There are plenty of pantries to get food from, most are run by churches. Just ask bill where he steals food from the needy. There are also gov. setups to help people. People can always cut back on other things. Like turn the thermostat down and god forbid put on a sweater or any number of things. They can always supplement their incomes with side work.
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aceman
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Report this Post12-05-2007 09:37 PM Click Here to See the Profile for acemanSend a Private Message to acemanDirect Link to This Post
Breakfast:
Free School Breakfast for the kids
Toast and orange juice for the husband and wife: $1 each
TOTAL: $2

Lunch:
Free School Lunch for the kids
Husband and wife: Ham sandwich, bag of chips, an apple and a Coke. Each $2.
TOTAL $4

Supper:
Chicken Legs and thighs: $4 for 4lbs
Instant Mashed Potatoes (Bulk) $0.75
Gravy $0.75
1/2 loaf of Bread $0.50
Can of corn $0.50
Quart of Milk from that Gallon $0.75
TOTAL $7.25

$13.75 total. Realistic cost for preparation.......$2.25

$16/day for 4 people. Under $500 a month

For ham sandwiches for variety substitute Turkey, Tuna, or Peanut Butter. They're all about the same costs. Splurge and buy a microwave bowl of Chunky Soup for another $1.50 each a day.

For supper substitute Hamburger Helper and 1.5lbs of hamburger. About the same price as that chicken and mashed potatoes cost. Sub Pork chops. About the same cost. Splurge one night and have a beef roast for $2.50/lbs same price as the chicken.

If you don't like those numbers, Steve............STARVE
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Report this Post12-05-2007 09:38 PM Click Here to See the Profile for acemanSend a Private Message to acemanDirect Link to This Post

aceman

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Member since Feb 2003
 
quote
Originally posted by 84fiero123:
This thread was started on the pretext of how those on fixed income get by. Not those who have jobs.



WTF is this comment from you, Steve? Having memory problems of what you just posted?
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Report this Post12-05-2007 09:47 PM Click Here to See the Profile for 84fiero123Send a Private Message to 84fiero123Direct Link to This Post
And WTF is your problem Ace?
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Report this Post12-05-2007 09:51 PM Click Here to See the Profile for acemanSend a Private Message to acemanDirect Link to This Post
 
quote
Originally posted by FieroAngel:

I just dont know how people on fixed and limited incomes can afford to buy groceries right now. I just came back from the store and barly bought anything and had an $80 bill. I paid $0.61/lb for bananas $1.99/lb for gala apples, $4.99 for a gallon of milk, $1.00 for 2 oranges and $3.99/lb for tomatoes. I also bought other stuff but gheeze I'm trying to eat healthy but it cost so much for good food when a bag of ships was $1.00 no wonder Americans are so fat. Oh and meat is so expensive too. Chicken was like $5.49/lb thats the same cost a fish which used to be a once in a while item cause it was so expensive. UGG Sorry but I just had to vent. I got stressed out at the grocery store today

Angie


BTW, I just came back from Hy-Vee 2 hours ago. I wrote down these prices:
Bananas: $0.49/lbs
Apples: $2.49/lbs
Milk: $1.69/half gallon
$2.49 for a 3lbs bag of oranges (13 oranges)
Boneless Skinless chicken breasts $5 for 3lbs pkg
Didn't check on the price of tomoatos
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jstricker
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Report this Post12-05-2007 09:53 PM Click Here to See the Profile for jstrickerSend a Private Message to jstrickerDirect Link to This Post
But don't blame the cost of food preparation on the cost of food, Melanie, that's irrelevant to the discussion.

So, let's go shopping for the week. I have here before me a flyer from our local market. No coupons involved (and you can save a ton with them if you use them particularly, around here, at Dillons/Kroeger where they always do double coupons and once a week, triple coupons).

So, let's see,

5 lb. bag of potatoes (and that's how it's spelled in the flyer) $1.99
Sweet Corn, 3 ears for $1, so we'll get 6 $2
Barlett Pears, 99 cents/lb I like pears, 3 # $3
Head of Lettuce 99 cents $1
Dole Bananas 3 lbs for $1 $1
Whole frying Chicken, 79 cents/lb $5
Ribeye Steak $6.99/# $7
American Cheese, singles, 2-12oz for $3 $3
breakfast cereal, 3 for $5 $5
OOH, egg noodles, 2 24 oz for $3 $3
Pork Chops $1.99/# $6
Ground round $1.99/# $10
Ham, $2.19/# for half ham $7
Whole Catfish $2.99/# $9
Hot dogs, 16 oz pack, 4/$5 $5

Total of all the above $69.00

I do 90% of the cooking. I KNOW that with the above items, I could feed Sandi and myself for at least a week. Yes, some things aren't there like bread, milk, mayo, catsup, etc., but many of those things are spread over many meals so lets just add another $31 to the total to make it an even $100. The biggest complaint I hear is the cost of 1) Meat and 2) fresh fruit and veggies. In the above list, I have 25 # or meat. That's a lot of meat and none of it bought in bulk. You do have to watch your fruits and veggies and buy what's on sale when out of season or you're going to pay quite a bit for it. Nothing new there either.

 
quote

USDA's Economic Research Service (ERS) has recently released food expenditure statistics for 2005. They show that Americans are spending, on average, 9.9 percent of their disposable income on food.

That's up slightly from 9.7 percent in 2004 but very consistent with figures over the past five years. The percentage dropped to single digits for the first time in recorded U.S. history in 2000.

Twenty years ago, American consumers spent 11.7 percent of their disposable income on food. Thirty years ago, that figure was 15.1 percent. Going back in history, Americans spent about 20 percent of their income on food about the time today's baby boomers were born. In 1933, the figure was more than 25 percent.

While the low percentage spent on food is good news for American consumers, it has not necessarily translated well to the producer. On average, farmers get back less than 20 cents of every dollar paid by the consumer. The balance primarily goes to processors, wholesalers, and retailers.

Producers receive less than half of what they used to get from the food dollar. In 1950, they received 41 cents out of each dollar. As recently as 1980, that figure was still as high as 31 cents.

Another trend in the U.S. food expenditure statistics is the amount of money spent on food consumed away from home. Last year, spending on food away from home was 48.5 percent compared to 51.5 percent for food prepared and consumed at home.

Thirty years ago, only about 34 percent of those food dollars were spent away from home. Fifty years ago, that figure was 25 percent.

The out-of-the-home food spending has spiked up again after a bit of a drop in recent years.

Salem Oregon News


While Sandi does most of the grocery shopping, I see all the checks and we spend, on average, about $90/week on food. Keep in mind, though, that we also butcher our own calf and split a side with dad and my brothers, and we get a hog butchered every year, so our meat at the grocery store amounts to only some chicken and fish, and the occasional turkey or two (and if that flock of 43 wild turkeys comes through my yard this week I'm going to drop one of those gobblers and put him in the freezer).

There's no reason not to buy hamburger in bulk. A freezer will pay for itself in a year. Vegetables can also be frozen. Pork chops and pork steaks, along with hams, can be frozen. Bread will keep indefinitely in the freezer because it stops the mold and any insect damage.

I'm not picking on Angie, but I see a lot of people shopping with a list like hers, buy just what they need. Now I realize it's very possible that she was getting much more than that and these were just examples, but that said if I was looking for chicken, and it was $5.49/#, I'd be waiting till it was on sale because that's simply too much. If Apples are 1.99# and I can get pears for 99 cents, or nectarines for $1.29, then I'm eating pears or nectarines.

We're having Christmas Dinner at our house this year for the family and we already have our turkey and hams in the freezer, along with some chicken for chicken-noodle-butterball soup (a Christmas Eve tradition here in our family). The Turkey we bought for less than 1/2 what it was selling for before Thanksgiving, the Saturday after Thanksgiving. The hams we had from the hog we butchered. The chicken Sandi picked up on sale. All that's left to add is the vegetables (we have about 50 ears of corn from the neighbors corn patch) and potatoes, as well as some rolls. We're going to feed probably 12-15 people and I bet it won't cost $35 total for the food.

It doesn't matter if it's food, clothes, cars, or anything else, you have to shop smart, take advantage of sales and specials, and be flexible or you're going to pay a whole lot more.

John Stricker


 
quote
Originally posted by 84fiero123:

$900 a month for a 30 day month.

Oh ya now lets figure in the electricity to cook it, clean the pans and dishes or gas or what ever you use for heating water, cooking and that $12.50 meal just doubled.

Melanie, Steve’s wife.


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Report this Post12-05-2007 09:53 PM Click Here to See the Profile for acemanSend a Private Message to acemanDirect Link to This Post
C'mon....You participate in this thread and say that the prep costs for gas, electricity and soap is $12.50. Why participate in the thread with stupid responses like that? You wonder why people attack your responses?

Geez, Steve, you try and jab at the fact that I take home $4500/month (Not $6000) but I shop thrifty and on a budget in a grocery store. I know I bust probably $1200-$1500/month at the grocery store and can with my takehome pay. $900 is not unreasonable for an average working family and with that $900 they're eating WELL!

[This message has been edited by aceman (edited 12-05-2007).]

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84fiero123
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Report this Post12-05-2007 10:12 PM Click Here to See the Profile for 84fiero123Send a Private Message to 84fiero123Direct Link to This Post
John don’t forget we also raise our own beef, pigs, chickens, and grow our own veggies, milk our own goats.

We don’t pay those outrageous prices for food ether. I was trying to play devils advocate for those on a fixed income.

I agree that when you pay attention, buy in bulk or raise your own it does cost a lot less.

But it doesn’t change the fact that the average person on a fixed income can’t always wait for those sales, coupons, good buys.

And ace why do you participate in these threads when you know dam well the price of everything is geographically different. But you do know everything right?

But then you are always right, in your own mind anyway.

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Report this Post12-05-2007 10:14 PM Click Here to See the Profile for PhrancSend a Private Message to PhrancDirect Link to This Post
John Stricker is right on the money with coupons. There have been times I've gotten things for free and money back on coupons with rebates. Betty Crocker instant mashed taters were on sale 4 for 5$ and I had a coupon for 1 off 3 that was doubled. Now thats a damn good deal. If you take an hour or two on sunday to comb the fliers and clip some coupons you can save lots of money.
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Report this Post12-05-2007 10:25 PM Click Here to See the Profile for acemanSend a Private Message to acemanDirect Link to This Post
 
quote
Originally posted by 84fiero123:


But it doesn’t change the fact that the average person on a fixed income can’t always wait for those sales, coupons, good buys.

And ace why do you participate in these threads when you know dam well the price of everything is geographically different. But you do know everything right?




Why can't they wait? They don't have a refrigerator/freezer? They're unable to read 2 different supermarket ads? They're too stupid to understand a bargain or a sale price? They can't say "No steak this week. It's not on sale."?

I bet if Angie goes to another store or waits until next week and looks at the ad, the prices of food in West Virginia would be very similar to the price of food in Minneapolis or Omaha.
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Report this Post12-05-2007 11:00 PM Click Here to See the Profile for 84BillClick Here to visit 84Bill's HomePageSend a Private Message to 84BillDirect Link to This Post
While you all are back slapping about cupons.. Suzzie... Michelle... Danielle... I will hasten to point out that even though you get a small price break on selected items you are still paying more for the same product.

News paper form Oct 16th


AND prices have gone up a good 50c across the board since this article.

[This message has been edited by 84Bill (edited 12-05-2007).]

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jstricker
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Report this Post12-05-2007 11:05 PM Click Here to See the Profile for jstrickerSend a Private Message to jstrickerDirect Link to This Post
Steve,

Obviously, the lower the income the greater the impact of even small changes in price of necessities. As the article I quoted pointed out, the average amount the US consumer spends on food is less than 10% of their disposable income. For any real meaning to that, you have to figure out what the average FAMILY income is and then the average size of the family.

On certain, limited items, yes, those on fixed income can't wait. But at least around here, SOME meats, for instance, are on sale all the time. Sometimes chicken, sometimes pork cuts, sometimes beef and hamburger. Even though we have our own beef, when we see a great deal on hamburger at a market we trust to have good meat, we'll buy 20 or 30 pounds of it. No, most fixed income people can't do that, but they also don't NEED to do that as they aren't cooking for as many people (generally, I'm talking about retirees here for the most part). 5 pounds of hamburger would last me a week, easily, if I were cooking just for me, so I'd keep 10 pounds or so when it was on sale.

Sometimes bulk doesn't help, but paying attention ALWAYS helps. A local chain here used to be Dillons and they were bought out by Kroeger a few years ago. You can go online with them and print out coupons for brands they carry every week so you don't have to clip anything.

You don't have to spend a lot to eat healthy and well. You do have to shop very smart to eat healthy, well, and as inexpensively as possible.

John Stricker
 
quote
Originally posted by 84fiero123:

John don’t forget we also raise our own beef, pigs, chickens, and grow our own veggies, milk our own goats.

We don’t pay those outrageous prices for food ether. I was trying to play devils advocate for those on a fixed income.

I agree that when you pay attention, buy in bulk or raise your own it does cost a lot less.

But it doesn’t change the fact that the average person on a fixed income can’t always wait for those sales, coupons, good buys.

And ace why do you participate in these threads when you know dam well the price of everything is geographically different. But you do know everything right?

But then you are always right, in your own mind anyway.


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