Accepting Rising Costs and Expenses

Yesterday, I was moving throughout the grocery store and for some reason, the prices of the items on the shelves and in the cases were really catching my attention. While I am a fairly budget-minded single mom and I do keep close watch on where all the money goes, I have not really given much thought to how much so many of the daily needs and basics have increased in price. As tempted as I am to make a big ruckus over how challenging it is for the average family to make ends meet, I realized that there really was … Continue reading

Why is Kosher Food so Expensive?

With the price of food and gas continually rising, my husband and I had a discussion yesterday as to why kosher food particularly, kosher meat and chicken are so much more expensive than regular meat. My husband tried to convinced me of the expenses involved in the maintaining and regulating the diet of what the chickens and cattle eat.Well, that makes sense in light of the rising prices of feed. But I’m suspecting that it is also the halacha (law) of services that it takes for maintaining Kashrut. My husband also said that there is extensive monitoring and inspection involved … Continue reading

Do We Spend Too Much on the Iraq War?

No doubt, Iraq is a hot topic right now. With more than half of the country wanting us to pull out yesterday it seems, well wrong, that congress could pass a bill of that magnitude when so many voters are against the Iraq war. What the Bill Does The bill provides expanded benefits for military veterans as well as providing monies for college tuition for military veterans. It also provides $2.7 million dollars in flood relief to help victims of the recent flooding in the mid-west. The spending will bring the grand total to $650 million that the U.S. Government … Continue reading

Anticipating Rising Costs in Your Budget

Budgeting is an act of guessing—careful, researched guessing, but guessing nonetheless. When you are budgeting for your home business, it is important to look at expenses and revenue as it is now, but we also have to anticipate the areas where costs will go up. In an unstable economy like the one we are experiencing now, anticipating cost increases can be a challenge. There are a couple different ways you can work to anticipate and prepare for where your costs will be a few months or a year from now… If you have a history of budgeting or have been … Continue reading

Where to Get Free Food

If you are in a desperate situation with your food budget, there is hope. Here are some ideas that you can use to get free food. Barter your services for food. Rather than work for money, work for food. Someone who may be reluctant to hire you for money might be happy to feed you instead. Babysit, cut hair, mow a lawn, change someone’s oil, tutor a child, help with a resume, clean a house, mend some clothes, pick up someone from the airport, do laundry, etc., all in exchange for home cooked meals or groceries. I have a pantry … Continue reading

Loving Less Expensive (and Junky) Food

Are the rising food prices killing your budget? Why not make some changes to adapt your family to more home cooked meals. They are generally less expensive and offer better nutrition. This is the third article in a series today in which I talk about how our food palate can influence our food choices and our budget. By training your pallet, to less expensive food, you can seriously reduce your food bill. If you missed the two earlier articles, click here: The Frugal Palate Phenomena and Training the Frugal Palate. Let’s continue. My own kids tend to prefer home cooked … Continue reading

Our Changing Grocery Prices

Have you had to adjust to rising food prices? Of course we all have. One thing that has to be adjusted is those price books. Trends in higher prices can make your price book obsolete, since grocery food prices are rising across the board. So how can you adjust? I have a frugal confession to make. I don’t actively keep a price book. Yes, I know that they are a way of monitoring prices. So how do I even know that food prices are rising when I don’t have anything to compare them to? Okay, I have another confession. I … Continue reading

Avoid These Foods

All over the country, people are starting to pay more attention to the food they buy. The price of groceries has climbed to record-breaking heights, forcing people to get creative on budgeting on this very necessary expense. You really have to be a smart shopper to make your food dollar stretch far enough to feed your family. But, let me make it a little easier. If you can cut out or at least reduce the following food items, you can make a significant difference to your grocery bill. Soda Soda is basically, water, high fructose corn syrup, caffeine and carbonation. … Continue reading

One Food Group that Isn’t Rising…Yet

When I write about food lately, I keep feeling as though I am always bearing bad news or being a person of “doom and gloom.” But unfortunately, rising food prices are a reality. Food prices are rising at an alarming rate, and analysts say that they are very unlikely to go down. Just to give you a hint of food prices here, just yesterday, I visited Acme Markets online to do some price comparison. Butter is selling at its regular price for $4.99 a pound! Can you believe it? I am used to paying $2 a pound. Jonesx6 tells me … Continue reading

How Much Are Food Prices Really Rising?

If you are wondering exactly how much food prices have been rising, let me share with you some U.S. federal date. Compared to last year, wholesale egg prices have risen 60 percent, pasta has risen 30 percent and fresh produce has risen by 20 percent. Unfortunately, this data is a little old. It doesn’t take into consideration recent months when food prices have really been soaring. Overall, prices for food have risen by 5.8 percent above last year. And, they are expected to increase by 7.5 percent every year for the next five years. Other resources report that baby formula, … Continue reading