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Well my kids were released from school for the summer today. All I can say is thank goodness my husband is getting paid on Friday because that grocery bill is going to triple as they won't be getting breakfast and lunches at their school Mon-Fri.

I've always shopped cheap for groceries with the eception of a few items and with them in school I am able to scrape by on about 450 dollars a month.

While I love my kids being able to have their break I will miss the luxery being in school provided for my pocketbook.

I am going to have to think of some new fun things to do around the house. Any ideas?

As is with the gas prices and grocery prices we won't be able to take our yearly trip to Schlitterbauhn.

Posted: Thu May 29, 2008 5:32 pm Subject:

I am not looking forward to school ending next Friday. Since we both work full time, Andrew has to go to day camp..This costs us $160 a week.

Posted: Thu May 29, 2008 5:40 pm Subject:

I know what you mean about the grocery bill, FYI - I have two growing boys, and both are the "bottomless pit" types! They get free breakfast/lunch at school, so when they are out, the bill goes way up.

The only "good" thing about summer is that normally both boys are gone for most of the summer. The utility & food bills go way down...but I miss them so much that it's hardly any consolation to have a lower food & utility bill. I'd rather have them here! This summer, only one of them is going, so my bills won't drop that much.

Posted: Thu May 29, 2008 5:47 pm Subject:

I do not remember the name of the specific service, but someone recently (1-2 months ago) posted the name of a church-based food program that sells boxes of restaurant quality food to a large number of people.

Posted: Thu May 29, 2008 6:36 pm Subject:

Mine got out of school last week and I am suffering terribly. Mine is 11 but is already 5'6". I am trying to keep him busy so he stays out of the cabinets and fridge. My trick is to stock the fridge and cabinets with fruit, veggies so atleast when he is feeding the bottomless pit, it is healthy. Confused

Posted: Thu May 29, 2008 6:49 pm Subject:

Morningstar - I think that would be the Angel Food program?

A box of food provides about 2 weeks worth of meals for a family of 4 - not complete meals, but enough to get by, for about $30. Additional packages can be added on to the basic $30 box for $20 each package, and contain extra meats - like steak, chicken, etc.

Our church is a participant, and we're doing our first distribution this weekend.

My only problem with the program is that you are required to pay for the food allotments 2 weeks before you get it - these days, if I had $30 to $50 to spare, it would be going directly towards groceries we could use right now, not in 2 weeks.

But it's a good program for those who can make use of it.

Posted: Fri May 30, 2008 9:59 am Subject:

The school system in the next town does a wonderful program. The kids can eat breakfast and lunch ther, even in the summer! I wish all kids could have that option. I know when I was teaching, sometimes that would be the only meal they would get.

There are churches around here that also have food banks that are open to anyone, they just have to be in need.

Sue that angel thing is around here too. I need to look them up for my brother and his wife, do you know how to do this?.karen

Posted: Fri May 30, 2008 10:57 am Subject:

angelfoodministries.com/
I FOUND THIS PROGRAM HERE AND I DID NOT KNOW ABOUT IT.
IT IS A GREAT PROGRAM MORNINGSTAR AND SUEBEEHONEY.THANKS!!!
FYI I WISH THE BEST FOR YOU AND YOUR CHILDREN FRIEND WITH MANY BLESSINGS OF GOD FOR ALL
OF YOU!!!

Posted: Sun Jun 01, 2008 1:47 pm Subject:

I know exactly what you guys mean. My daughter is almost 16 and I can tell a huge difference in the grocery bill when school is out. She is really bad about eating when she gets bored which according to her she's bored all the time lol. This summer howeever we have gotten a pool and so far she's spending most of her day outside in the pool which may help the grocery bill a tiny bit. I've also started stocking up on veggies and fruits that way at least she's eating healthy.

Johnita

Posted: Sun Jun 01, 2008 3:11 pm Subject:

I've had to revise my idea of what to do with that stimulus payment (when it finally gets here, hopefully in about 3 weeks). I was planning on taking a trip with my boys for a couple of days, since we've never gotten to go on a vacation together. But, since it won't come until after the planned date of the trip, and one of the boys will be gone with his dad for most of the summer after that date, I will be using it to pay off bills and to stock up on groceries. My hope is to have the fridge in our garage (left by former tenants of our new home) up and running so we can stockpile meats, etc. in there for the coming fall and winter. We've already tested the fridge, it works fine - just need to clean it out.

Posted: Sun Jun 01, 2008 7:28 pm Subject:

FinsFan....

If you have a day care flexible spending account through your employer it will cover the camp expense.

If not,its still a deduction!

Posted: Sun Jun 01, 2008 8:03 pm Subject:

I know what you mean. My 18-year old comes home from college on 6/13 and my bill is going to shoot up...I just went to the store for me and hubby this week--and the bill was only $58. Sweet....