Unbelievable! Uncovering the Hidden Costs In This "Frugal" Grocery Bill | Grocery Budget Audit

Today, I am doing my first grocery budget audit with Kristine and I was SHOCKED at what I found! At first, I thought this grocery budget was rock bottom low until I saw the details and had a startling revelation! If you're feeling overwhelmed by your grocery budget and want to regain control, this show is perfect for you! 😊👍 Don't miss out on these valuable tips that can help anyone save money and time. Join us for this live event today at 4:30 PM Mountain Time!
👍❤️ Labor Day Sale! ❤️ 35% Off Dining On a Dime Print Cookbooks NOW! shop.livingona...
👍❤️ Watch Next: Save Money on Meals: 10 Budget-Friendly Foods to Replace Eating Out • Save Money on Meals: 1... 👍❤️
👍❤️ Find Our Grocery Audit Application Here! forms.gle/RwAw...
👍❤️ Free eBook (for 24 hours ONLY): 10 Beef Recipes To Save Money shop.livingona...
Order our yearly planners here! shop.livingona...
Items used in this video and other favorites (affiliate):
Kitchen Scale: amzn.to/45ufUZb
Non slip cutting board. amzn.to/3OXppc7
Canning Jars amzn.to/3r1iarA
Latex Gloves amzn.to/3YWFO58
Cooking pot with straining lid amzn.to/3L2boJ6
Plastic Canning lids amzn.to/3Z0k8p0
Electrolyte/Trace Mineral Drops amzn.to/43X8fAM
Immersion Blender amzn.to/3pvQH0t
oil sprayer amzn.to/3PsKUDF
hand mixer amzn.to/42YlDEy
silicon spatulas amzn.to/44nzVzD
mini serving spatula amzn.to/3CM6Q4X
no slip mixing bowl amzn.to/43TTFLg
If you’d like to support our show while getting things you already buy, check out our recommended items at Amazon:
Our Amazon Store
www.amazon.com...
These are affiliate links. When you order something from Amazon with the above links, a small portion goes to us at no cost to you.
If you want to take part in a Grocery Audit, please fill out this brief survey forms.gle/RwAw...
Chocolate Syrup www.livingonad...
Buttermilk Recipe www.livingonad...
Sloppy Joe www.livingonad...
Granola Bars www.livingonad...
Navajo Tacos www.livingonad...
Tacos www.livingonad...
Fajitas. www.livingonad...
Pot Pie www.livingonad...
Stroganoff www.livingonad...
Meatballs www.livingonad...
Meatloaf www.livingonad...
Stew www.livingonad...
Roast www.livingonad...
Chili www.livingonad...
Stir Fry www.livingonad...
Chicken Fried Venison www.livingonad...
Welcome to Living On A Dime To Grow Rich, your go-to source for money saving grocery ideas and practical tips to lower your food bills and credit card debt. Our mission is to make it easier for you to save money, reduce stress, and live a more financially secure life. We understand the challenges of managing a tight budget, especially with rising inflation and increasing grocery costs. Our videos provide actionable advice, frugal living tips, easy-to-follow recipes, and easy solutions to help you stretch your dollars further.
Free e-Mail Newsletter: bit.ly/1LfQf4y
OUR FACEBOOK! / livingonadime
OUR PINTEREST! / livingonadime
Follow us on Instagram / livingonadime
money saving grocery ideas,grocery saving ideas,acre homestead,dave ramsey,inflation 2023,cut my grocery bill,spend less on groceries,grocery saving,emergency stockpile,hyperinflation,food stockpile,tired and broke,how to budget,grocery shopping,inflation,save on grocery shopping,money saving grocery tips,finance,financial education,personal finance,dave ramsey,the dave ramsey show,financial independence,budget,ramsey,budgeting,dave ramsey show,dave ramsey live,caleb hammer,frugal fit mom, grocery budget frugal living, living on a dime videos

[@LivingOnADime]

👍❤ Labor Day Sale! ❤ 35% Off Dining On a Dime Print Cookbooks NOW! shop.livingonadime.com/ 👍❤ Watch Next: Save Money on Meals: 10 Budget-Friendly Foods to Replace Eating Out kzbin.info/www/bejne/n4mug4mog919j8U 👍❤ 👍❤ Find Our Grocery Audit Application Here! forms.gle/RwAw5U5DuSSnzZks6 👍❤ Free eBook (for 24 hours ONLY): 10 Beef Recipes To Save Money shop.livingonadime.com/products/10-beef-recipes-to-save-money

[@diannedillon144]

2

[@spunkycat6144]

Someone needs to gift them a closer place to hunt.

[@spunkycat6144]

That dog was like, "I eat better than you do." I love that they get to eat game meat. I grew up a farm and grocery store meat tastes like ...dried rubber bands. They need to stay in an RV or someplace.

[@spunkycat6144]

Beef jerky. Sweet. I need to rent a room from them....now I know where they keep t😅he beef jerky.

[@klwilliams1958]

For leftovers, freeze them and don't tell anyone. Then when you are ready to eat, put them in the pan and warm them up. It's a fake out. They don't need to know.😂

[@momofmany6619]

Love this idea!

[@Amanda-ev3lg]

yep especially beans and sauces

[@patriciabrayshaw5017]

It is very difficult when a wife wants to Be frugal and live within their means and the husband is totally opposite

[@Jewelsquiss]

That's my life. My Husband complains, " I don't have anything " every time we fight. 3 times a year, usually. I ask him what he wants that he doesn't have. He says "everything because I don't have anything "

[@lindashipley5293]

Great show and info!

[@lindashipley5293]

I really like when Mike is explaining things. Wish Tawra would look at him more when he talks as he always does for her.

[@foodandhomeprep8425]

​@@JewelsquissI used to deal with that. Whatever we had, it wasn't enough. I divorced him. I'm a lot happier and he's still miserable and complaining.

[@JMadonna]

I have a tip for families that don’t like leftovers. I prefer to cook once and eat twice, so I often make twice as much as what we need and I freeze half of it for the next time we have that particular meal in the next 10 days or so. It’s not technically ‘leftovers’ if you’re bringing it out, thaw it and cook it for the next time you eat that meal depending on how many recipes you normally rotate. 😂

[@JMadonna]

I don’t mind leftovers, so I will often eat something for breakfast or lunch the next day, but my husband and son don’t tend to like to eat the same food for several days. Freezing it for dinner later instead of putting it in the refrigerator solves that problem and it’s new again in 10 to 14 days. And I don’t have to cook as often!

[@southerngirl1408]

That’s a wonderful idea for people who say they don’t like leftovers! I have no problem eating them, I could eat the same thing for 2 or 3 days

[@JMadonna]

@@southerngirl1408 me too! I always tell them food is meant to nourish them, not entertain them. But if I make something like meatballs, I will freeze half for spaghetti and meatballs or meatball subs. I try to change it up for them each meal to make it more exciting. If I grill some chicken, we might have Cobb salads one night and then a few days later I’ll make enchiladas with the chicken.

[@southerngirl1408]

@@JMadonna Sounds like your family eats great! 👍

[@spunkycat6144]

@@JMadonna Yum, trying this. I am single and meh, leftovers. I do it but I need to tighten this up.

[@nicoleturner5808]

If the husband wants to go hunting, he needs to start with eating leftovers to save for his hunting expenses. This is a great video. People would have totally different lives if this was taught in school and used in life.

[@suemitchell8641]

When I went to High School, we had home ec. We were taught grocery budgets,sewing,a lot of helpful things but, no more.

[@suemitchell8641]

1

[@suemitchell8641]

²kee p going 1 like spam

[@suemitchell8641]

1donot like dark meat

[@pattycakespantry5783]

If it costs 1400/year to go hunting, start a sinking fund. Have hubby figure out how to save money for it. H

[@indigobunting5041]

As Tawra said TV dinners are the same as warming up frozen leftovers. They both are just precooked food.

[@pattyspencer7795]

This was awesome! I'd like to see maybe 6 months from now if they followed your suggestions and how well they're doing

[@bethroberts7297]

This is a concrete way to show people what you’ve been talking about all these years. Of course they really have to WANT to do the work.

[@laurab9526]

Welcome back, Tawra! Loved the new show. Kristine was so brave!

[@karoosten232]

The lunchable comparison was really cool! More of that please for us visual people! I’ve never bought those before but its nice to see those DIY things.

[@indigobunting5041]

Homemade lunchables would taste better than the store bought. The few lunchables I've tried were gross.

[@euncieives5738]

Tawra, that buttermilk tip is wonderful! Two things so far... As far as the milk issue...and I've done this for years, Once the milk in the fridge reaches to about 3/4 full, I add cold water which equals out to 2-3 extra cups of milk per gallon. We buy full fat milk and no one even notices a difference in taste. I've done this to store bought milk as well as the milk I was receiving from the farm. I think the hunting could continue, they could just go about it differently.... saving up before hand and paying cash. They're getting a decent deal for the meat, acquiring good skills (they process their own meat!), and making memories together & connections (FREE Cod fish from the friend, etc). Just ask the hubs to do a side-gig a few weeks before the hunting trip so that you can pay cash. Win-Win :)

[@momofmany6619]

I love your water/milk tip. I’m going to try that. Thank you! There are 9 of us and we go through almost a gallon of milk a day - my dad loves it for his homemade lattes.

[@suzboeh633]

Tech issues aside, you had lots of great info in this. Good that you told Christine that the chickens were costing her money, not saving her. When the price of eggs went sky high this past year, I stopped buying eggs. Kristine seems like a level headed person who is willing to accept advice and make changes. I hope that she and her family can make a path to get out of debt and stay out of debt forever and make a better life for themselves.

[@marilynpeppers1356]

(Sigh) Tawra and Mike, maybe y’all should offer marriage counseling along with budget counseling. Christine is feeling overwhelmed. She ain’t got support at home. I’m sad for her. She’s been thinking it’s all on her.

[@catiapb1]

Portuguese when we want mac and cheese, we buy macarroni, and we buy the cheese, it is a lot cheaper mix it at home.

[@blessedbygod3430]

WOW I REALLY THOUGHT I WOULD SKIP THESE TYPES OF VIDEOS .. but I learned soooo much I definitely will watch all the episodes of this type that you make...THANKS 😊😊😊😊😊 and I like the format

[@LivingOnADime]

I'm so glad!

[@sharonwarren6222]

I WAS SOOO EXCITED AND BLESSED!!!! Our food bank gave out 40 lb boxes of sweet potatoes they gave us 2. Boxes of green peppers like 40-50 in a box also we got 2 boxes of zucchini with about 30-40 per box I spent two days storing up everything. It was enough stuff to fill up half of a chest freezer I’m so grateful ♥️♥️♥️♥️♥️♥️♥️♥️♥️♥️♥️

[@LivingOnADime]

Oh wow!

[@joellenbroetzmann9053]

How much do they spend on dog food, veterinary bills, dog treats, and ammo for hunting? I hurt for this woman. When I was a child my parents were not rich. The biggest reason life changed for them is both parents worked together to resolve their financial needs, they never charged anything except their mortgage, ( not even an auto loan) and we never ate out for my first 16 years of life.

[@sugarloaf10]

In regards to chickens- if they are laying don’t butcher them since they are worth more as a laying hen sold to someone else. In Jan 2023 eggs were almost $6 a dozen here. We got chickens. Prices on eggs dropped slowly then dramatically to prices not seen in years. Feed costs continue to skyrocket. We sell some of our eggs at $4.50 to help with feed cost. Eventually store egg prices will increase again. We keep our chickens for more than just eggs though- our kids are involved in their care and it’s basically become an extra curricular with 4H.

[@marjorieoliver3284]

In my area, the chicken feed is nowhere near that expensive. We give our chickens leftovers, food scraps, and left them forage. Also after having our own chickens I really don't like the taste of store bought eggs.

[@christhompson7558]

Tawra and Mike, regarding the tiny peppers, we couldn't figure out why our peppers weren't getting big this year. Turns out we accidently bought the wrong plant - we checked the marker and it said they were called snacking peppers. Who knew there was such a thing!

[@bonnier432]

Thank you, Christine for sharing! When my husband was alive, he made me put every single purchase on a credit card and then he died and I am left with paying off that debt of almost $20,000! He also had an expensive hobby which he used the credit cards to support. Then he bought an expensive car. I have been trying to be thrifty as much as possible and this video helped tremendously. We also have leftovers that we used to frequently throw out. I'm now freezing the leftovers for a meal for the next month instead of trying to force people to eat leftovers the next day. Thanks for all the helpful tips, Tawra and Mike!

[@Jewelsquiss]

Another helpful channel is prepperprincess. She became rich on low paying jobs. She knows how to invest and be VERY Frugal. Of course it helps that she's always been single. ❣️😊

[@Jewelsquiss]

More, underthemedian southernfrugalmomma mealswithmaria thatlisadawn homesteadtessie mommabaird mindfulfamily❣️😊

[@dawnmorandin541]

This is the first time I have sat through the whole show and loved it...excellent idea with real time solutions for people to follow along, I have been living frugally for years and would stare at other peoples grocery carts and want to shout " People get it together " lol keep it up please !

[@Chelseas_Mom]

I can't imagine a life without leftovers

[@eatiegourmet1015]

I know. I also know people who refuse to eat left-overs, just toss them. I hate that, so wasteful...

[@lynnking5186]

I love leftovers and I don't have to cook.

[@christinewallace9251]

Me too!!

[@EmeryShae]

Love the new series! The tech issues weren’t a big deal to me. I’m sure it will get smoother as time goes on! I’m hoping someone from Canada will apply. We are debt free and not in need of this kind of help right now, so I won’t apply, but I will continue to watch! Always room for learning new tips and tricks for saving money.

[@LivingOnADime]

OH feel free to apply! I would love to have on some people who "have it together!" :-)

[@EmeryShae]

@@LivingOnADimeI think Tawra would probably yell at me 😅. Or maybe not. There are splurges that I am ok making since we are debt free.

[@tammypierce3250]

@@EmeryShaeYes she might! No way I would do it! 😆😆

[@momofmany6619]

I’d be too scared to apply as well, but I am learning from watching!

[@itsallforgood8037]

Not sure what she is feeding her chickens, But it should Not cost 40 a month to feed 6 of them. We have 26 hens, 2 roosters, all of various ages and we spend about $20/month on all of them. Cracked corn, soaked over night, kitchen scrapes and they free range for seeds and insects.

[@mrs.2olvets717]

If she has chickens why is she buying eggs? Lots of food scraps can feed the chickens

[@pattycakespantry5783]

I agree. My Chickens get vegetable peels along with their layer crumbles. They don't get scratch grains. The veggie peels are their treats. They also love when I pick up their dishes, so they can eat the bugs underneath.

[@eatiegourmet1015]

When I had my 'accidental' chickens I only used a little boughten food in the winter (Nov/Dec - Feb/Mar). They free-ranged, gobbled up the bugs from the garden (that I'd picked off), ate surplus veg & fruit, (watermelon rinds and seeds were their favorite), some "leftovers", AND I had access to a couple of 5 gal buckets of the farm across the road's wheat and rye berries . I did put up a little chicken house and fenced a little chicken yard where they slept, laid eggs, went broody. It really was nearly free for me. Great meat and eggs.

[@wildfyrefarmlife8638]

Agreed, I feed about 40 fowl for about for less than $40 a month.

[@TameraVingino]

I don't know what kind of chicken feed she buys, but that is outrageous! I have been tracking my chicken feed for over 15 years, I spend $40 month for 30 plus chickens. I have way too many eggs so I sell the extras for $5 dozen. My chickens lay eggs for way longer than 2 years and they do lay in the winter (just not everyday like in spring, summer, fall). I sometimes raise a turkey thrown in with the flock for Thanksgiving. I cull my flock after 3 or 4 years, because my hens hatch their own eggs and I end up with too many chickens. We use the chickens we cull for meat. The work involved is minimal, walk outside, throw some scratch around, put some feed in a big bowl and give water. I use their spent straw for my vegetable garden. Much easier than having a pet dog and chickens don't incur vet bills, we don't own a dog. We also raise our own meat birds, which are butchered at 8 weeks so you don't feed them too long. We can butcher and vacuum pack 25 chickens in about 3 hours, which we only do once a year, you only need a good system. Bottom line, store bought eggs don't compare to home raised, once you start raising you own chickens for meat and eggs you can't go back to store bought eggs and chicken meat (gross).

[@spunkycat6144]

OMG, THIS. All. The. Way. This is exactly what we did growing up and store bought food tastes and smells like some weird plastic and my parents are super fit and healthy from their eating like this. Essentially, it is all organic and free range and all that. Our hens laid year round but we are in TX.

[@brendahere]

If she is a stay at home mom, i would suggest doing daycare. you would not only gain a friend for your children to play with, but earn 100 to 300 per child, depending where you live.

[@spunkycat6144]

I heard daycare is very pricey. Like, you just come out even; and then the house, etc, is a wreck, no more home cooked food or clean clothes.

[@edefyinggravity]

Here, a home daycare (with parents providing all food) can run $700+ per month per child.

[@shellysjostrom2646]

I love this show. Please do more like it with different size familys and incomes and different parts of the country. It's nice to see someone you can relate to.

[@Chelle-kd1po]

Yes, absolutely. I would love to see singles & couples (working & retired).

[@mitzikimzey5957]

(Save an empty gallon milk jug to store milk.) Buy a gallon of whole milk. Add a gallon of water and mix. It tastes like 2%. You get 2 gallons of milk for the price of one!

[@pattycakespantry5783]

Christine--if you have ground venison, you can use it the same way you use ground beef. Because it has a lower fat content, you may have to add additional seasonings--onion powder, garlic powder, salt and pepper to make up for the lack of fat.

[@Myfavorites877]

I truly enjoyed Christine’s story. Big props for putting yourself out there. Listen to Tawra and Mike and they will help you.

[@karoosten232]

Wow that soft butter diy was a treat! I had no idea.

[@jenniecarroll9185]

I love this new format! Sharing the recipes as you go along is great! You guys are such a blessing. Seeing the practical application is very helpful. Blessings!❤

[@LivingOnADime]

Thanks so much!

[@debbywelchel3893]

Loved the show and the tips. Great format but love anything you do. Glad to see you both back.

[@lynkerk320]

My father is very picky. My mother made wonderful leftovers but my dad rarely knew it. She made leftovers into other things or froze the leftovers.

[@kristiecox7350]

I just bought hamburger from Safeway last week at the store for $1.47 Pork was 99 cents I bought so much meat including ribs and steaks and chicken Everything was $1.97 a lb or cheaper I’ve never bought more meat in my life chicken, pork, and beef all kinds of cuts. It was awesome!

[@melaniegraham1413]

I had the same problem with leftovers going to waste. I started cutting down my recipes and cooking less so I have little to no leftovers.

[@terarosen7909]

I’ve been thinking even if the mom worked just on saturdays every week at $15 after taxes that’s about $100 a week or $400 a month to pay to cards or groceries ect. Was thinking of this for my own family member. But that could really help someone’s situation

[@KathyThomas1015]

I LOVED this video. I think we all think we are doing well on our groceries but even my husband said wow I never thought about it that way I cheered when Mike said get it together people! Thanks for doing this for us

[@kerrynwright]

Welcome back Tawra! Loved this... & your kitchen window!! Thanks for sharing your food bills, storage etc with us Kristine.... much appreciated! Tawra & Mike this was an excellent & informative live (though I watched it afterwards). Thanks for the free e-book too. I loved the tips & tricks mixed in with cooking demonstrations, recipe ideas etc etc! Truly fabulous & something to learn for everyone! I hope that the work involved in doing this doesn't wear you out, Tawra! Kristine, I hope & pray that you & your family found this super helpful & life changing. 🥰Blessings from South Australia💕🐨

[@shaeblackburn8228]

I’d love to see a follow up show to this to see if/what she applies to her grocery bill!

[@kathylovejoy2569]

Save your seeds from the peppers. Those seeds are expensive!!! Oh my goodness, I LOVE mike's hat. He has a great sense of humour!!!

[@conniebennett3378]

Kristine THANK YOU ❤

[@PetraHanner]

I can relate to Christine's issues with her spouse. I'm a saver and my husband's a spender on hobbies. He just doesn't get it and isn't willing to change. The only way I could cope financially was to return to work - not ideal but better than being broke with three kids.

[@cordeliav3055]

Left-overs often taste a whole lot better second time around. I always keep powdered milk on hand in case of a weather event (flood) which means we are cut off.,

[@eatiegourmet1015]

Chile, soups and stews especially.

[@marthashewey4006]

Cowboy candy is the bomb. One of the best ways to eat it is on a butter cracker with cream cheese. It can be used on lots of stuff. Hamburgers, hot dogs, taco's, pinto beans ect. Also the small peppers are patio snacking peppers. They turn red and are sweet. This is a super cool series. Loving it already. Love you guys.

[@creativelycountry1617]

Wowza! She needs some help on feeding her chickens…we have had chickens for 8 years (not the same chickens..) but we don’t spend NEAR that to feed them 😮 Have done the math

[@lisamaloof5772]

I loved this video. This is a great format. I liked the mix of you helping Christine and also throwing in some money savings recipes and tips. Thank you so much!

[@amyadamfrancis8726]

I love how you both share a pair of earbuds. So cute and romantic!

[@pamelafreeman4548]

Love seeing you again, Tawra! This is awesome!

[@ellenspn]

The lunchables are all about the kids being different than their classmates.

[@jessicaw2116]

I love this new series. I like that you don’t just audit the receipt/groceries/shopping habits, but also take us along with you while you learn something new and teach us what you know that’s relevant to help the shopper and us. Mike being the taste tester made me laugh too. Glad you’re back! ❤

[@bina3J]

I shopped at Aldi yesterday and found a lot of the products I normally buy at my regular grocery store, even had the same brands. Sometimes you have to pivot. Walmart is not always the cheapest. I spent $96 on two weeks of groceries for hubs and I instead of $175 at Publix.

[@brendamcnutt8163]

I wanna cry for her. I hope she takes your advice.

[@Lea2008-k8b]

So glad you are back Tawra, you were missed. Mike and Jill did a wonderful job while you were on a much needed and deserved break. ❤

[@cheriebolender8765]

Plus on the hunting, cost of equipment , wear & tear on your vehicle. It makes no sense!

[@kaylabrock3285]

I was really skeptical of this new format, however, now that I have seen it - I really love it! The BEST part is instead of saying over and over “why are you buying store brand you could buy generic” you cut to mini videos giving demonstrations! This is so helpful. I have to say after receiving your book and doing certain recipes I became frustrated because I could not find buttermilk anywhere!! Who knew it came in that tiny container🤷‍♀️ now I know ❤

[@pen5532]

Ok....we need follow ups on these. Maybe you can revisit these people in 6 months???

[@Chelle-kd1po]

Thank you, Christine! You're so brave, & I know your example will help other folks. Tawra & Mike, I absolutely LOVE the format of this video, especially the recipe demos.

[@user-bq1lt3kg1j]

I love howw shocked mike is with the luncables😂

[@bobbiwhite8889]

Does Christine and her husband have a written budget? Not just a food budget...

[@capecodder8655]

Loved this show!! Kudos to Kristine for reaching out, you can tell she was trying really hard to make it work!! Appreciate the glimpse into her shopping, pantry, freezers, and kitchen. With Tawra’s advice I know she will succeed!!

[@kathryndockrey1477]

Personally, I don't think earning more income would help. They don't have an income problem, they have a spending problem. I agree, make less food, and incorporate a dessert, if they don't want leftovers.

[@Myfavorites877]

Love Spam. Did you put the pickling spice in the Cowboy Candy? Tawra loved that you showed how to make things as the show went along. Great job Tawra and Mike.

[@deniesekline-thatcher8380]

Welcome Back Tawra you all make your lives Awesome 👏 👏👏😘💞💞💞

[@susanamariapereirasoares7188]

that is a small grocery store in Christine's home 😀

[@mgm2008]

As far as leftovers go I would have a leftover day once a week. They would pick which one they wanted. Also I would make something else out of it like stew from chicken dinner left overs. Tawra has those ideas in her books.

[@lateshachurney5965]

I am sure the fist thing you tell people is to shop the least expensive grocery store in there area ? My opinion I would not buy a lot of processed food. Whole Foods and produce should be the first thing to pick out.

[@helencantimagine]

Cowboy candy is an endlessly delicious condiment for meats, dried beans, and sandwiches. I love all the ways to save, and I've used many of them. Thank you for the "details" on how to save.

[@karincole6372]

I am loving this new format and topic!

[@jillbayer641]

I hadto take mine but no way did they get stuff. I let them fall on the floor and i walked away. I peeked from the next aisle. It only took once. I was lucky i think.

[@kimbarker7250]

Antelope resident permits are cheaper and antelope are VERY abundant. Plus, if they live in Casper-no overnight stay or long distance travel required!!!

[@Jeanie548]

I bought chicken quarters because of you! Other than bones they are great

[@nancybrewer8494]

My husband is a hunter and I've often wondered how much that meat actually costs. He bought a lifetime hunting license in the Seventies, so he doesn't have that expense. We do our own processing. He does have the expense of driving to the deer lease, and pays $1200 per year for the lease, which includes a cabin to stay in, so I guess we are paying about the same for the meat. He plans on continuing hunting for 4 more years.

[@bobbiwhite8889]

If all he paid for hunting in cash was the license and gas, it would be about seventy-five cents a pound for good meat...which isn't bad. If he cut the gas in half, meat would be fifty cents a pound. All the meat they need for a year- don't need to buy any at the store. Actually- 840 pounds of meat is 70 pound of meat per month- that is a lot of meat even for 4 people...he could hunt every other year and still have enough meat every month for 2 year. Alternate years get a fishing license. Kids fish free usually. Go fishing with the kids in the summer and freeze what you don't use immediately. She was very brave to share all this! Chickens live more than 2 years. They just lay less eggs every year when over 3 years yo. She needs a breed of chickens that lay more than 112 eggs per year...like isa brown which lays 300-350 eggs .. Her left overs can go to the chickens (ha!) but no really- scraps can go to them- they are the garbage disposal of the homestead. The 6 chickens will lay more eggs than you can eat March-October...trade or sell and then put up the extras for October through February. Also feed them grass clippings if the grass isn't sprayed, etc. One 40 pound bag of lay pellets is $13 in my area. Six chickens at 1.5 pounds of feed per chicken per week is 36 pounds of feed per month for 6 hens. So $160 a year for feed, 1800 eggs a year (150 dozen which is about a dollar a dozen) And way more than you would need- so get 4 chickens!! And sell or trade with neighbors. Plus there is the education factor in raising your own food and butchering your own meat, making your own sausage, etc... DIY food takes research and crunching the numbers just like Tawra does...just saying...good show. Thank you Christine! you gave us lots to think about.

[@shannonrose4916]

Leftovers are a God-Send!

[@creativelycountry1617]

Or, if you need buttermilk right away just add 2 tsp of vinegar per cup of milk and let it sit for 5 minutes….

[@indigobunting5041]

Lemon juice also works for this

[@MsEasyBeautiful]

I watched this whole thing and found it super interesting love the freebie at the end too for those of us who watched, you put a lot of effort into this and it was very interesting and informative

[@sandrakennah1087]

Kristine does a good job trying to not over spend in groceries. As far as milk goes I went through 6 to 8 gallons every week

[@charlettenitzsche1895]

I have 28 hens and pay about $30 a month to feed them. My girls lay from March to November here in the Midwest. I sell more than enough eggs each month to cover the annual feed cost and still have enough eggs left for my household and that of my son's family.

[@elsajenels3076]

This is your best video!!! Great info - thank you!

[@winterwoodcottage3657]

We also raise chickens and pay much less for feed because we free range. That said, the chickens also till the garden bed, provide nitrogen rich compost to fertilize the garden, calcium rich egg shells and are great for controlling many garden pests. We also call them " The Chicken Channel" since we don't have a tv and we find our flock very entertaining. Eggs do sell for $6 a dozen and it's a great project for homeschool kids to learn about animals, small business opportunities and nutrition. Chickens are great if you can see past the egg.

[@Jewelsquiss]

If she thinks her potatoes might not make it long enough before they go bad, I have been dehydrating potatoes when they are on sale. I do shreds like hash browns. They are delicious when reconstituted in soups and dishes or even fried like fresh or frozen hash browns. I just Googled how to do it.😊 If she can find a cheaper way to feed her chickens and maybe even grow green food or forage for green food to supplement the chicken food, we fed them our food scraps, even coffee grounds, also. If she could get the cost down to $3 a dozen, I think it would be worth it, because her eggs would be healthier than boughten eggs. OR If she can find someone to buy the chickens and the coop an supplies she might be closer to breaking even. When it comes to hunting, maybe look at hunting in a very local area. (I'm not sure where you live, here) Maybe hunt for Deer and/or Antelope, for cheaper licenses. Or even birds( pheasants, sage chicken, goose, ducks, turkeys, depending on what are in the area close to where you live) Also doing many close hunting trips work really well for teaching your children all about hunting, and the circle of life. The only way you save money with powdered milk is if you get it for free, like food banks or commodities. If that's the case, it does taste better if it's mixed with regular milk. 😊❣️

[@pam9426]

As far as the chickens go . You can get the ones that lay 300 eggs a year . The first year they lay all winter . I had a garden so they got lots of scraps . They free ranged a few hours a day . Dad helped me build the 12:12 chicken coop. Did have some scrap wood to save on cost. Also bought the chickens half grown , so didn't need heat lamps and stuff for chicks . Depends on which chickens you buy. Some are strictly layers, some are meat ( only 2 eggs a week) some are a mix 4 or 5 eggs a week .

[@lottepowell2481]

I live in Northeast PA. I have chickens for the first time. My chickens free range most of the year. It costs me $30 per month from December thru march, so 4 months or $120 per year. We have 7 birds. We get 7 eggs every 2 days during those 4 months, 7 eggs per day for the rest of the year. So, in the winter my cost per dozen is high at $4.61. However, if I spread my cost per annum it is $0.65 per dozen. The plus for us, our birds help keep down ticks, a variety of other bugs, plus other critters like snakes at bay. They sleep overhead in our 60 year old fenced in rhododendrons. So far we have found this experiment of chickens to work for us. Hint, I use the extra eggs for bartering throughout the neighborhood. I also use them to build community spirit with our immediate neighbors. Right mow, that has saved me $800 in out if pocket road work i would not have been able to afford. A lot also has to do with how you use your resources. I collect apples from one neighbor that has a nuisance apple and pear tree. She is thrilled to have a cleaned up yard, (my girls love the frozen sweet treats mid winter, i keep them in my shed), I give her eggs twice s month and her husband plows my long driveway for me. I hope this helps you with ideas of how to leverage what God provides you with. I am a widow raising my granddaughter. We have been on limited income for years, as low as $61 per month. I chose to take on chickens to help my granddaughter get over a fear of chickens.

[@itstocaanna1991]

The lunchable visuals were really eye opening. That was interesting

[@MJ-qq8qw]

I really like the added cooking segments. I am going to try the whipped margerine.

[@christinewilson7785]

So glad you're back. Really enjoyed the video and learned a few tricks along the way.

[@susanwilliams1881]

Thanks for explaining

[@VirginiaRockwood-fg3np]

After that when we pulled up to any store I would let them know, this store is for food only, this store is for a treat, this trip you can get a toy or something

[@lateshachurney5965]

Mike is correct. That is a hobby. Not to turn this into a Dave Ramsey episode but they need to pay off the debts and increase their income. Hunting needs to not happen this year. My advice: eat leftovers, buy in bulk, batch homemade cooking, less milk, more water, no food waste, lots of produce. Also they have got to both be on the same page or none of this will ever work out. Good luck hun. Prayers.

[@brendahere]

Mac and cheese. There is plenty of sauce to add more noodles and stretch it further. Ps, be aware of the very low food value. This means it should be a side, not a meal.

[@pattycakespantry5783]

Spam=1.5 I like it, but it's not a must have pantry item. Chicken leg quarters=2 Re:chickens--In our household, we get about 300 eggs per year from our hens for the first two years, then they slow down egg laying. Our longest lived hen was 16 years. Our hens serve other purposes that you didn't factor in. They dig up all the plants that need to be pulled out of the garden, and they aerate the soil with their digging. They also eat a lot of the spent plants which cuts down on my end of season work.

[@kathleenjohnson8731]

I just bought the volume one dining on a dime. So excited to start. I thought in one of your videos you said there was a section on making and preparing food from your stockpile. Such as dried beans and rice, dehydrated food etc. or is it in another book? I have a wonderful stockpile started and I plan on canning this year the food from my garden. Thank you for all your wonderful advice. I really enjoy listening to you guys

[@debbywelchel3893]

I commented right after the show but for some reason my iPad won't let me get on any midstream so I have to comment when the rerun starts. I do agree with all your points. I will do the margarine mixture. I really appreciate your wisdom. I learned a lot even though I have no credit cards no mortgage .

[@ellenspn]

So it's a debt problem not a grocery issue.

[@barbieogden6132]

Oh Lord the price she pays for many things is off the charts ! I shop at Giant Eagle and buy sales only . For ground meat 80/40 I pay 1.69 to 1.99 depending and I pay 69 cents a pound on leg Quarters in Ohio .

[@VickiBeckerDesigns]

The lighter peppers look like Italian Pepperoncini to me. Loved seeing your garden! Great show I really enjoyed this one. I bought your books last year. We had beef and broccoli from volume 2 tonight for supper! Thank you for all you do.😊

[@kristiecox7350]

He could even just work at Costco and make more money than that a year, plus benefits

[@brightstarr57]

Welcome back! Great show! Christine did a great job presenting her situation!

[@DeniseWills13]

I miss the day to day lessons. I miss the thrift shopping and general savings ideas

[@eatiegourmet1015]

Why? They were all there in this video, except the thrift stores. It was only the first one they've done, give it a chance. Just extrapolate a little bit -- make it apply to your own situation.