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A lower food bill in the summer?

One of the first things that was on my mind with the end of the school year was feeding the kids and not wanting to spend a fortune. I was really afraid of what I might encounter. Strangely, it has been costing me LESS with the kids being out of school. I didn't think it was possible but I figured out why... When school is in session I always have to be sure that the kids have a variety of quick options for breakfast since we leave the house at 7. This means no time for home-cooked big breakfasts. I buy things like bagels, cinnamon toast, granola bars etc... Both girls took lunch from home as well as extra snacks. I am one of those moms who goes above and beyond to make sure they have quality things to eat. This is where it costs me a whole lot. Yes, school lunch would be cheaper but my kids don't eat it plus I don't want them to. There would also be the numerous times that they stayed after school for sports, activities and projects so I always made sure they had extra snacks and drinks.

Being home makes it so much easier. I can cook a good breakfast and even make ahead items like pancakes, waffles and bacon. Lucky for me my kids can eat just about anything so they tend to have whatever was leftover from last night's dinner for lunch. They drink water ALL day long (not that they don't ever drink anything else).

I think I am spending about $30-$50 less per week in food. Not bad huh? I really did not think it was possible! Perhaps since they are so busy they are not thinking about eating as much.

Has you food budget changed with school being out?
Shelly, Mom Files
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4 comments

  1. I am the same way! I make the lunches, I pack the snacks, and when you add it all up, it really adds up!! They are home most of the summer so we eat lunch at home and make easy (and cheap things) like pizza, hot dogs, and fruit salads. I go to the store less. Whoo hoo!

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  2. Great tips Shelly! I've been making sure I don't over buy & only purchase fruit for snacks. Out of site out of mind. However, I still have to purchase their things for sports. Sports drinks, water, snacks etc. We don't eat out often so that's not a problem.

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  3. Yup I agree i dont have to really supply all the quick breakfast options that I would during the school year, nor the same stuff they take for lunch. I can actually make lunch and eliminate all the extra snacks and stuff.

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  4. That is great! I would have actually assumed the opposite - that the bill would be higher since they are around the house more. But what you said makes perfect sense.

    Omg, when my boys are teenagers, i can only imagine the amount of food and drinks they will consume (if they're anything like their dad!). I suspect I'll finally understand the meaning of that expression "eating you out of house and home."

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