America's Cheapest Family...

[Ettienne]

I just came across this book...
America's Cheapest Family by Steve and Annette Economides

A family of 7 living really well on less than 35,000 a year I think...The book from what I've read of it so far is not about living cheaply but living frugally; the info seems practical and sensible stuff that anyone could do...info on budgeting, groceries, the home, saving money on utilities, clothing, teaching kids about money...and lots of other info...

Just thought I'd pass it on...

[animallover7249]

Sounds really interesting! What is their diet like?

[SuperChicken]

They were on some news magazine show not too long ago. I recall that they are big coupon users and when they find something on sale, they buy enormous quantities of it and store it. They have multiple deep freezers in the basement & part of the show was the husband and wife using walkie-talkies at the grocery store. The hubby got all excited about finding turkeys on sale and bought something like 15 whole turkeys.

[eggplant]

Yeah, I saw them on TV too. Regarding their diet, they seemed much more concerned with saving money than with being healthy. Lots of on sale meat and frozen vegetables. Well, I guess frozen veggies is better than none at all...

A lot of what they said is common sense (ie. buying clothes at thrift stores instead of new), but some, like using coupons, to me is dubious. Most coupons are for packaged, processed foods. Being truly frugal would entail not buying such items at all. I don't.

[Tofu-N-Sprouts]

I admit I have had to choose between healthy and quantity before (i.e. 1 lb. of organic potatoes vs 10 lbs. of 'regular' potatoes) because my family has to live very frugally as well.
But I wouldn't choose meat regardless of how cheap an option it was. I still think a veg*n can live cheaper than an omni.

[danakscully64]

I saw the video on Yahoo a few weeks ago. It's amazing how they do it. I was facinated by their system. They only grocery shop once a month (planned meals ahead of time) and save a ton using coupons. I guess if you have the time to do it, it's a great idea (although wouldn't work for most of us as we prefer fresh foods). It's awesome that they're not in debt, but they need to start thinking about their health.

Tofu-N-Sprouts, there is no proof that organic is healthier than regular, so you'd be making a wiser decision to get the 10 pounds of regular potatoes :)

[Marie]

Yeah, I saw them on TV too. Regarding their diet, they seemed much more concerned with saving money than with being healthy. Lots of on sale meat and frozen vegetables. Well, I guess frozen veggies is better than none at all...



I thought that frozen fruits and vegetables were just as healthy as fresh.

[Iria]

I thought that frozen fruits and vegetables were just as healthy as fresh.

But fresh tastes better. :lick:

[Marie]

But fresh tastes better. :lick:

That is true.

:yes:

[greenheart]

I saw them on TV, too.

They have a Web site: http://www.homeeconomiser.com/

[eggplant]

I thought that frozen fruits and vegetables were just as healthy as fresh.

Fresh is best, followed by frozen, and then canned.

[Tofu-N-Sprouts]

Fresh is best if picked yourself, or directly from the grower... However, fruits and veggies in the regular supermarket aren't so "fresh" but have usually been sitting out for several days, losing a large percentage of their valuable nutrients, especially antioxidants.

How many of us have seen wilted greens or moldy berries in the supermarket? Even a high-end one like Whole Foods?

Almost all frozen produce is flash-frozen within a few hours after picking (thus preserving the just-picked nutrient-levels), it is not being exposed to light and room temperatures and constant "misting" that depletes nutrients...

In many cases, frozen has proven to be higher in nutrients than "fresh".

[AJH]

That is impressive. I am single and can't live on that. I guess if I had to I would though.

[Skylark]

That is impressive. I am single and can't live on that. I guess if I had to I would though.

Where do you live? If you live in a major city, and the people who wrote the book live in small-town or rural Midwest, your expenses are going to be a lot higher than theirs from the get-go.

[Ettienne]

What is their diet like?
From what I am reading in their book their diet is omni-they have a small meal plan example of lunch and breakfast...page 24 and 25...that has everything from cereal and fruit and eggs in it to yogart, tunafish, ham and pickles so yea no vegetarians here as far as I could tell...
They do talk about shopping once a month - they use use use coupons, they look for sales - stocking up on things so they freeze alot of stuff including milks and cheeses...shopping and buying foods in season, forgetting brand loyalty; they use leftovers and combos of leftovers for subsequent meals...their big on meal planning a month ahead of time...and they mention the problems that can come up with impulse food shopping and fast food cravings and picky eaters...their solution is don't allow it...encourage everybody to try new foods...and that parents should set the example...they also mention making extra of whatever their cooking to take to work that kind of thing...

[danakscully64]

How many of us have seen wilted greens or moldy berries in the supermarket? Even a high-end one like Whole Foods?


*raises hand*

[Tofu-N-Sprouts]

They do talk about shopping once a month - they use use use coupons, they look for sales - stocking up on things so they freeze alot of stuff including milks and cheeses...shopping and buying foods in season, forgetting brand loyalty; they use leftovers and combos of leftovers for subsequent meals...their big on meal planning a month ahead of time...and they mention the problems that can come up with impulse food shopping and fast food cravings and picky eaters...their solution is don't allow it...encourage everybody to try new foods...and that parents should set the example...they also mention making extra of whatever their cooking to take to work that kind of thing...

Yeah, but every one of those suggestions is obvious, common-sense stuff that everyone shoud know about already. :think:I don't need to buy their book to figure out that sort of "frugal" living... same as the interviews I saw... nothing new. I was hoping for some amazing breakthrough tip that was way different and life-changing...

Oh, and I don't think anyone ever said they WERE vegetarian did they? Maybe I missed that.

[MrsKey]

In many cases, frozen has proven to be higher in nutrients than "fresh".

True. Now if only they could find a way to keep the freezing process from totally destroying the texture. *Sigh* Frozen broccoli, cauliflower and carrots are just gross. There's not crunch left in them. Just mush. They may be more nutritious but they don't taste as good.

[animallover7249]

That's why I like to grow my food! :D

[Wolfie]

I like frozen veggies. I don't believe the "all brands are the same" line though. There are definite differences between some brands anyway.

It's the same with canned goods. Some of the store brands are just gross. I've bought several brands of veg baked beans, for example, and some I can't even eat. The best by far is Bush's. Now if only that Golden retriever would sell me the recipe. :p

Spaghetti sauce too. Brand does matter. I guess I won't be living as frugally as these people any time soon. :p

[danakscully64]

Mmmm.... Bush's Baked Vegetarian Beans :drool: Best ever! I like to add cut up soy hot dogs in it. It's great!

[Tofu-N-Sprouts]

True. Now if only they could find a way to keep the freezing process from totally destroying the texture. *Sigh* Frozen broccoli, cauliflower and carrots are just gross. There's not crunch left in them. Just mush. They may be more nutritious but they don't taste as good.

Weird... what brand are you getting? the Cascade Organics and Safeway "O" Organics frozen brocolli and cauliflower we get is a really nice tender-crisp texture. Still a nice bite to it. I don't care for my veggies with an actual "crunch" unless they're raw, but these are definitely not "mushy" at all... haven't tried the carrots - I will ONLY eat carrots raw.

[FafaFrappy]

I go for certain brand loyalty. Guess to live frugally you don't necessarily account for taste. I like certain vegetables fresh, some I don't mind frozen (like spinach and corn). And I turn my nose up to other pasta sauces in favor of Newman's Own..

Not to mention the taste of certain tofus, soymilks, and nutritional yeasts! :D

[ghelfling]

newman's own -- my favorite is sockarooni.

i always buy frozen broccoli, cuz i never know when i'm going to have it. i tend to spend more when i make frequent trips to the store. i do love fresh fruit, i don't buy that frozen or canned.

[Ettienne]

Yeah, but every one of those suggestions is obvious, common-sense stuff that everyone shoud know about already. :think:I don't need to buy their book to figure out that sort of "frugal" living... same as the interviews I saw... nothing new. I was hoping for some amazing breakthrough tip that was way different and life-changing...
Oh, and I don't think anyone ever said they WERE vegetarian did they? Maybe I missed that.

I didn't see a need to buy their book either - I got it from the library...
I think the thing that sets these folks apart was that none of what they were advocating doing was astonishing or new - that if a person wanted to succeed they would have to just actually do the normal things in the book...sort of like the difference between talking about some new innovative weightloss exercising program and just actually doing something that isn't innovative or exotic but gets the job done...

No they aren't vegetarian - in their book its pretty obvious from their their meal plans they are omni's - one of the posters early on in this thread asked about that as well...