How To Eat on $10 A Week

The focus for 2012 on this blog is going to be filling our pantry on a tight budget.  I am going to use the word pantry more than the word food storage because we are counseled to have a 3-month supply of food that we normally eat.  Food storage isn't about mysterious #10 cans in the basement for "just in case" scenarios.

With getting food storage for less on my mind I was so excited to see that Honeyville Grain was having a free class on "How to Eat on $10 A Week:  A 10 Step Guide to Living on Less", taught by Cindi Van Bibber.  Cindi has written a few books on cooking with wheat, eating more vegetables and sprouting, but eating on $10 a week is her new book.  You can get more information by checking our her blog HERE.

Cindi teaching her Veggies With a Side Of Fruit Class at Honeyville Grain.

 The whole idea behind Cindi's guide is to work hard for 6 months at building up your food storage and after the 6 month mark you'll be able to use that storage for daily living.  Once you have stored food and supplies for 6 months the shopping you do will be to maintain the storage you have.  That's how you can get your price point down to $10 a week per person for food.  

A 10 Step Guide to Living on Less: By Cindi Van Bibber


Step 1:  Find Your Average

• Go through every bill you pay in a year.  Make a budget by dividing the money coming in by 12, subtract the bills you pay and this will be your monthly average. Now you will need to make a list of everything you would probably purchase in one year.  This includes household supplies, food, snacks, toiletries, etc.
• Looking at a list of everything you buy will allow you to cross off the unnecessary items.  Cindi suggests that you quit buying snacks.  Think of how much a box of 10 granola bars costs.  I know they are around $2.50 on sale.  I have 5 kids and that box of granola bars would last 2 days at my house if they ate one a day.  I can make a whole tray of granola bars that last a week or so for much less!!
• By making a list and setting a budget you can see where your money is going and also where you can cut out the extra spending.

Step 2:  Work With Half

• In step one you should have come up with a number for your household budget, the monthly average.  This will include food and household supplies.  Say you have $600 a month for that.  You are going to cut that budget in half and work with it.  The first half ($300) is going to be for groceries and the second half ($300) is going to be for getting food storage, birthday/wedding gifts, and saving.  
• You're going to live like this for 6 months and build up your food supply.  If you need more money for groceries you can use some money from the second half of the budgeted money.  After 6 months you will have built up a livable supply and now you can go into maintaining mode.  
• Watch the grocery store sales and use the case lot sales to buy food in bulk for the lowest price.  Having a price point list of the food you use along with the lowest prices you have paid listed will help you stay within budget. Also if you come across a good deal or a great clearance buy more than one to have on hand for birthdays or wedding presents. This money can come out of the second half of your household budget.  If you find a great price on chicken, use the second half of the budget money and not the grocery money.
• After 6 months the second half of your household budget money can be used to start saving for bigger ticket items like a food dehydrator, wheat grinder, mixer, etc.  Or for emergency money.

Step 3:  Make A List

• Make and use a weekly calendar of the meals for the week with the cookbook page numbers or where the recipe is found.  Knowing what you have on hand will save you from running to the store and spending more money.  The stress of making dinner every night is also eliminated. 
• Make a yearly list of birthdays etc. and have the money set aside for the gifts.  Or buy toys or generic gifts on clearance and save.  

Step 4:  Plan Ahead

• Plan your meals around your food storage.
• Have gifts on hand for unexpected birthdays or weddings.  Finding gifts on clearance and thinking ahead for an event will save you money.

Step 5:  Learn To Cook

• Know how to use your kitchen and the items in it.
• Know how to cook with your stored food.
• Have the correct utensils to make cooking easier.  If you need a whisk or spatula go get it!
• Do whatever it takes to know how to cook!!  Look online or take a few classes.
• Learn to sprout to have fresh veggies when your budget is tight.

Step 6:  Implement Your Learning

• Don't just learn about food storage...use it in your everyday life.
• Store what you eat....eat what you store!!

Step 7:  Share What You Learn

• When you share something you are learning about it becomes a part of who you are.  You take ownership over it and it becomes a part of you.
• Be excited about what you are doing and others will too.  (the kids included)
• Others may have problems or questions just like you and together you can find answers.  (I personally wouldn't know half of what I know with out the information I get from attending classes at Honeyville Grain.)  They don't pay me for the name dropping, I really do learn so much from the classes.  Look online for information if there isn't a local resource. 

 Step 8:  Rotate & Replenish

• Writing the date on a can will make it easier to see when it expires.  Keep track of what you have and don't waste your hard earned money.  
• Keep replenishing what you use.

Step 9:  Save

• After you have been storing food for 6 months with your budget from step 2, start saving for emergencies.  Don't use  your $$ for extras like boats, cars, TVs, etc.  
•  Use the extra money for saving or to help you live.  (wheat grinders, dehydrators, Bosch mixer, extra food storage, emergency supplies)

Step 10:  Refinement

• There is always room for improvement. 
• Keep progressing!!

"Have Faith, Unencomber Your Life, Lay Up In Store."  -Keith B. McMullen

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