Grocery Shopping on a Budget

[The Mean Lady 604]

What type/brand of milk are you buying? I usually drink lactose free or organic local milk in America and it seems to last forever! I don't know why, but lactose free milk usually has an expiration date weeks past the regular milk and I've never had a container go bad on me.

Or maybe we just use a lot of milk - maybe a liter a day?

That's is a lot of milk.

That's almost an entire bag of milk and (3) come in the set.

I buy 2% and typically it expires about 3-4 weeks later sometimes even a full month later (which is a long time, I think US milk expires in around 2 weeks typically)

I was just in a major hurry trying to get milk and I didn't do the calculation right in my head or I would have just bought the (2) liter.

[N-o-l-a 7,167]

I must admit we don't use a lot of milk. I generally buy skim or 1%- whatever has the longest expiry date on it. I use it in my tea and my husband uses it for breakfast cereal. I've actually started drinking the unsweetened coconut almond milk by Blue Diamond as my staple now for cereal and drinking. It tastes incredible, although I haven't developed a taste for it yet in my tea .My husband doesn't drink it (the coconut almond milk) at all, so it is mine, all mine!!

I tried to get into goat's milk but I just prefer the fat free lactose free cow's milk. My daughter will drink soy, but prefers cow's milk. I drink tea sort of non-stop all day, so I think that might account for a lot of it.

That's is a lot of milk.

That's almost an entire bag of milk and (3) come in the set.

I buy 2% and typically it expires about 3-4 weeks later sometimes even a full month later (which is a long time, I think US milk expires in around 2 weeks typically)

I was just in a major hurry trying to get milk and I didn't do the calculation right in my head or I would have just bought the (2) liter.

It happens. Actually that didn't include the chocolate milk consumption which is quite sizeable too. My husband drank at least a liter a day on his own growing up. He doesn't drink it straight that often now, but him being a 6'6" man of big build with a physical job means we go through a lot of food. My four year old is also shooting up like a weed and eats maybe twice what I do. I swear with us trying to add to the family, I don't know how we are going to do it without our own dairy cow and flock of chickens.

[The Mean Lady 604]

I tried to get into goat's milk but I just prefer the fat free lactose free cow's milk. My daughter will drink soy, but prefers cow's milk. I drink tea sort of non-stop all day, so I think that might account for a lot of it.

It happens. Actually that didn't include the chocolate milk consumption which is quite sizeable too. My husband drank at least a liter a day on his own growing up. He doesn't drink it straight that often now, but him being a 6'6" man of big build with a physical job means we go through a lot of food. My four year old is also shooting up like a weed and eats maybe twice what I do. I swear with us trying to add to the family, I don't know how we are going to do it without our own dairy cow and flock of chickens.

Hope you're looking for a farm in the states =P

I would have less milk right now if I didn't run out of cereal on Friday

No one here uses milk for straight drinking. Just for cereal, mashed potatoes, creamy pasta dishes, etc.

My husband FINALLY just started drinking tea again last night.

I literally said to him 'Oh so you Finally decided to attack the tea?'

He usually goes crazy with it in the cold months but he's been on a hot chocolate binge for 3 months now.

[Marilyn. 340]

I must admit we don't use a lot of milk. I generally buy skim or 1%- whatever has the longest expiry date on it. I use it in my tea and my husband uses it for breakfast cereal. I've actually started drinking the unsweetened coconut almond milk by Blue Diamond as my staple now for cereal and drinking. It tastes incredible, although I haven't developed a taste for it yet in my tea .My husband doesn't drink it (the coconut almond milk) at all, so it is mine, all mine!!

I drink the coconut almond milk out of necessity. My body can't handle regular milk I have tried almond milk and coconut milk but the combination of the two is good I still miss real milk though .

I don't mind it in my tea

[The Mean Lady 604]

I drink the coconut almond milk out of necessity. My body can't handle regular milk I have tried almond milk and coconut milk but the combination of the two is good I still miss real milk though .

I don't mind it in my tea

Have you tried Hemp milk?

It's quite tasty.

[indiana_sweetie 120]

Never heard of milk in bags but that would be great! I love goat's milk but it's expensive, so I don't buy it. Our plastic milk cartons here in the US leave a lot to be desired. Yeah, spoils fast. I try to look behind the milk in front, because the newer ones are in the back. I've frozen a carton of milk that isn't all the way full. I open it, squeeze the sides slightly, put the lid back on, and freeze. It has more room to expend that way.

[Marilyn. 340]

We buy organic milk and it seems to have a longer shelf life then regular milk

[EminTX 131]

It sounds like you are new to cooking in general. Look for recipes/cookbooks that are geared to kids -- they are typically very easy and crowd pleasers. Don't be afraid to experiment. Keep hot sauce on hand or cheese to modify disasters into things that are more palatable. Talk to grannies who have lived through all economic situations for tips. The ones in your area will have the best suggestions for the stuff you can get your hands on. (I work in a hospital and food is a great topic that is non-emotional to distract my patients while I am doing "uncomfortable" things. People love to talk about their favorite recipes and foods and such. I have picked the brains of people from all over the world for 15 years..heh heh heh. Very mutually beneficial.)

This website is one that my son used when he was learning to cook. The "recipe file" link at the top gives you a good selection of a variety of options with photos along every step to guide you. The comments give gobssssssss of alternatives and ideas.

http://www.cookingforengineers.com/

If, at some point, you can get a job working as a cook in any restaurant, it will serve you for the rest of your life. I worked in a Mexican restaurant when I was 19 and my salsas and guacamole are famous amongst my friends. My son worked in a small Italian restaurant where he learned to make everything from incredible seafood soups to gelatos. This has certainly increased his value when measuring popularity and for his future "job" as husband and father. It really doesn't matter what kind of food you learn to cook as long as you have the time to practice the skills and get comfortable tearing things up in a kitchen. The skills translate across all cuisines and appetites.

[The Mean Lady 604]

It sounds like you are new to cooking in general. Look for recipes/cookbooks that are geared to kids -- they are typically very easy and crowd pleasers. Don't be afraid to experiment. Keep hot sauce on hand or cheese to modify disasters into things that are more palatable. Talk to grannies who have lived through all economic situations for tips. The ones in your area will have the best suggestions for the stuff you can get your hands on. (I work in a hospital and food is a great topic that is non-emotional to distract my patients while I am doing "uncomfortable" things. People love to talk about their favorite recipes and foods and such. I have picked the brains of people from all over the world for 15 years..heh heh heh. Very mutually beneficial.)

This website is one that my son used when he was learning to cook. The "recipe file" link at the top gives you a good selection of a variety of options with photos along every step to guide you. The comments give gobssssssss of alternatives and ideas.

http://www.cookingforengineers.com/

If, at some point, you can get a job working as a cook in any restaurant, it will serve you for the rest of your life. I worked in a Mexican restaurant when I was 19 and my salsas and guacamole are famous amongst my friends. My son worked in a small Italian restaurant where he learned to make everything from incredible seafood soups to gelatos. This has certainly increased his value when measuring popularity and for his future "job" as husband and father. It really doesn't matter what kind of food you learn to cook as long as you have the time to practice the skills and get comfortable tearing things up in a kitchen. The skills translate across all cuisines and appetites.

Lol I made a better waitress than a cook.

I'm not "new" to cooking, I'm just BAD at cooking.

My husband doesn't let me when at all possible =X

[Nina~ 431]

We buy organic milk and it seems to have a longer shelf life then regular milk

Agree. We also have a glass milk container that we dump our milk into before putting it in the fridge. It helps keep the milk about a week longer than if it were in the original plastic container it comes in.

http://www.containerstore.com/shop/kitchen/foodStorage/specialty?productId=10033439

[The Mean Lady 604]

Alright I did it.

I broke down and froze 6 cups of milk in individual bags for pulling out for cereal or cooking.

That was the most I could bring myself to do.

I have just over a half a bag of milk left which should mostly be gone after 3-4 days (sell by is today)

I feel ridiculous. This milk better taste the same when I pull it back out!

[indiana_sweetie 120]

Alright I did it.

I broke down and froze 6 cups of milk in individual bags for pulling out for cereal or cooking.

That was the most I could bring myself to do.

I have just over a half a bag of milk left which should mostly be gone after 3-4 days (sell by is today)

I feel ridiculous. This milk better taste the same when I pull it back out!

When I froze milk in the carton the only thing I noticed is I needed to shake it up because it would separate some.

[The Mean Lady 604]

When I froze milk in the carton the only thing I noticed is I needed to shake it up because it would separate some.

Interesting.

Okay.

Shaking must occur post defrost.

Check.

[N-o-l-a 7,167]

Alright I did it.

I broke down and froze 6 cups of milk in individual bags for pulling out for cereal or cooking.

That was the most I could bring myself to do.

I have just over a half a bag of milk left which should mostly be gone after 3-4 days (sell by is today)

I feel ridiculous. This milk better taste the same when I pull it back out!

You gave in!

[The Mean Lady 604]

You gave in!

My husband came home and I said 'don't judge me, I froze milk'