Last Monday I went to Costco and bought just enough to get us by for a while.

Milk, bread, eggs, cheese, veg, meat, etc.  A couple other things, I’m sure.  Canned tomatoes, toilet paper and a pineapple from what I remember off the top of my head.

It came out to $300, which was more than I was expecting…but that is about what we spend for a  shopping trip.

It’s just that it used to be $300 for a big trip, when we stock up on everything; and now it is $300 for a “cover the bases” trip.

Well, that $300 has gotten us almost 2 weeks…which is pretty good!  I froze a gallon of milk, and it has yet to thaw entirely, and the kids aren’t exactly thrilled at having milk slush in their Cheerios.  Personally, I think it’s pretty funny and they aren’t complaining enough to not eat the slush.  So it can’t be that bad.

But this morning I made the terrible discovery that we are out of coffee….which means things are going to happen.

Dwight knows what’s up.

 But here’s the thing: I don’t want to spend $300 today.

I know, call me crazy.

And even though I have looked at those “I only spend $50 on my grocery bill, and we have +30 people living in our house!  Click here to find out how!!”  And they’re just a waste of time.  Buy a couple cans at one store, buy a few things at another store; everything is boxed or bagged, which doesn’t jive with my Celiac diet.  Plus, time is precious, and I really don’t have time to waste.  Nor gas.  So those lists just aren’t going to happen.

On the other hand, there are a couple families I know who hit farmer’s markets and take the leftovers at the end of the market…but I am going to be very clear with this: I have never seen anybody, ANYBODY, suffer through more food poisonings than that family.  My kids have gotten food poisoning from eating food they bring to potlucks, and they are forbidden from touching anything they bring.  I am not subjecting my children to that kind of carelessness.  It is unbelievable how reckless they are with their health in order to fulfill their frugal-ego. (/soapbox)

We are blessed to have a paycheck that will support us.  This means I am not going to sacrifice my family’s health just to satisfy my own frugal desires, and it is therefore my responsibility to provide them with healthy and life-giving food to my family, while also not sacrificing our budget in order to feed them healthy food.

It is a tough balance, but that’s my job, baby.

So, I was thinking, as I was writing my grocery list looking for some deals before I head out, and I run into this.

Wine is in the Fruits & Vegetables.

THANKS.

Okay, so I’m not going to get much help here.

I’m going to have to think outside the box at this point.

How much would it cost to just eat some good food, healthy food, that everyone likes, somewhere we all love?

What is the price difference between grocery shopping and eating at Disneyland?

(link)

New Orleans Square
Disneyland

Menu Date: July 2014

Dinner served 4:00 p.m. to 10:00 p.m.

Louisiana Lemonade – Minute Maid Light Lemonade and Sprite with flavors of Mango and Raspberry, served with a Souvenir Glow Cube. $6.29

Mint Julep – Refreshing Traditional Mint Julep. $3.49
— Also available with a Souvenir Glow Cube. $6.29

sidenote—>I would love a Mint Julep with a Souvenir Glow Cube for dinner.

Surf & Turf – Petite Pacific Northwest Lobster Tail and Broiled Filet Mignon, Blue Bayou Au Gratin Potatoes, Seasonal Vegetables, Bearnaise Sauce. $45.99

Royal Street Seafood Jambalaya – A robust combination of Shrimp, Sustainable Fish, Tasso Ham, Andouille Sausage and Chicken, tossed with Cajun-style “dirty rice” $32.99

Tesoro Island Chicken Breast – Pan-Seared with Boursin Cheese Mashed Potatoes, Sauteed Spinach, Fennel Confit, with Roasted Shallot Reduction. $34.99

 

Okay, so if we had 7 people to feed, and we paid ~$40/person, it would cost $280 for one dinner.

For. One. Dinner.

One dinner.

So.

I guess I’m spending $300 for 2 weeks’ worth of groceries, which will cover 14 dinners, 14 lunches and 14 breakfasts.

Which isn’t that bad.

Sorry, Disneyland.