Food Budget Help!

[Sonoran Silkies]

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Farmer's markets here cost at least 3X grocery stores. Shop advertised sales and use coupons whenever possible. If your grocery stores have sale areas for almost expired products (be it meats/poultry, produce, etc.) take advantage; just be aware that you will need to use the items almost immediately.

 

[Sonoran Silkies]

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WHY? I'm guessing that your tastes and hers are not quite aligned, and you cook for your taste, not hers. Not all that different than me and DH. There are things I adore that he dislikes, and some of his favourites are things aI am not overly fond of. If it is anything like this, find compromises and take turns. Figure out what you both like, and cook variations on that often, then ccoj the things that only one of you adores occasionally, leaving out ingredients that are controversial, preparing them as as optional "add-on."

 

[Sonoran Silkies]

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I'm wondering the same thing.. I don't see where food is more expensive here then any other state especially in the south. Florida & Mississippi to name a couple. Been to each in the past couple of months at bought groceries at Wal-Mart. Plus our seafood is cheaper than most any place. I hate to say this but why worry about someone that is so picky that they won't eat your cooking?? I'd make them cook their own meals!! But hey that's just me!!

Sometimes the food in small towns is far more expensive than in larger cities.

 

[dewey]

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Hey, just noticed...

 

[Sonoran Silkies]

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Oh yeah. We have a weekly farmer's market down the street. Food at AJs (extreme high end gourmet grocery store) is less expensive. And the Farmer's Market produce is nothing special.

 

[Sonoran Silkies]

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Go to bed and cry? Not trying to be harsh here, so don't take this the wrong way, but you need to make her start cooking. No way in the world I would go to bed and cry because I didn't like something my husband cooked. But, I grew up really poor, and learned early that I ate what my mom could afford. I think it's awful generous and thoughtful of you to do the cooking. My husband cooks every Sunday morning and his special dishes, and I am grateful to him that he would work all day and half the night and still cook for me.
Maybe, she is just trying to get you to take her out to eat. Some people sometimes do not take into consideration that it isn't affordable.

Set her down and ask her, what would like for me to cook tonight. If she doesn't like it after that, let her cry herself to sleep, or let her do all the cooking. If there really isn't anything that she dislikes, then I have a feeling it isn't really your cooking.

I think I said what you said in five words.

Regardless of the number of words. Something more is going on.

 

[dewey]

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Oh yeah. We have a weekly farmer's market down the street. Food at AJs (extreme high end gourmet grocery store) is less expensive. And the Farmer's Market produce is nothing special.

Exactly. I love AJ's and would shop there over the markets to save money if it were between the 2 choices.

Some of the ethnic markets also have really good selection at lower costs.

 

[Sonoran Silkies]

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Oh yeah. We have a weekly farmer's market down the street. Food at AJs (extreme high end gourmet grocery store) is less expensive. And the Farmer's Market produce is nothing special.

Exactly. I love AJ's and would shop there over the markets to save money if it were between the 2 choices.

Some of the ethnic markets also have really good selection at lower costs.

Haven't really tried any of the ethnic markets--I have both Safeway and Basha's within a mile, with a Fresh-n-Easy a slight bit farther. If I can't find affordable food at one of them, I'm not looking hard enough.

 

[dewey]

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Exactly. I love AJ's and would shop there over the markets to save money if it were between the 2 choices.

Some of the ethnic markets also have really good selection at lower costs.

Haven't really tried any of the ethnic markets--I have both Safeway and Basha's within a mile, with a Fresh-n-Easy a slight bit farther. If I can't find affordable food at one of them, I'm not looking hard enough.

There's really a great savings to be had on many items at the ethnic markets and they are usually the least expensive places to get produce, duck, fish, 20-50 pound bags of rice or beans, and offal proteins. Lee Lee Oriental on Dunlap, Ranch downtown by China Center but worth the drive when stocking up, and even Food City has great produce deals along with good meat prices. Most of their produce is cheaper and they have prickly pear pads for cheap & cheap sun chokes & yucca root. Along with cheaper flour, etc.

 

[MeatKing]

Everyone cooks to their own taste.. I add garlic, onions and mushrooms to everythng.. No such thing as to much fresh garlic..

It must be really hard on you to deal with that.. What kind've things does she order when out? Maybe you can try replcating some of those things at home? Would love to help you with trying that...

What about, sending her somewhere for a few hours, and you try to make her fav. resturaunt meal at home... Set the table with some fresh picked flowers from somewhere.. Romantic music.. Maybe even a handmade card that says, Honey cause I love you so much, and we now can't afford to eat out every day like before.. I did all this for you...
Maybe she's feeling like the honeymoon period is over.. And just doesn't understand the way life has to flow..
When I first started dating DH we ate out every meal, cause we could... He would always let me pick the resturant, even order matching enteres.. Now that's over, It happens... We can't afford to eat out anymore, things change..

What do you make that she isn't liking? I don't buy the there's nothing she doesn't really like, it's just my cooking..

When making a stir fry, I like what my hubby calls mush vegatables, he likes what I called burned vegatables.. Who ever is cooking makes the choice of how they make them.. (I have been known to add just a little garlic, when no ones watching

It would be really nice to see you both cooking together.. Do you have a used book store in the area? Maybe you can go together and pick out a new cook book, I know you said you don't use a recipe.. Maybe it's time to start? Pick a ethic cusine you both love, then post on here for cheap easy recipes..

Ask her to honestly tell you what she doesn't like about your cooking, to much oil, not enough.. Tell her you really want to know/ need to if you are gonna move forward together.. you love her, and hate to see her cry.. Even if it does hurt your feelings you need to know..

sorry that got kind've long.. Just brain storming

Please let us know how it's going