Re: Budget Help!
2 adults, one toddler: $40 per week for everything including diapers & pet food (1 cat, one dog) with the exception that we get 2 gallons of milk and 2lbs. ground beef "free" in exchange for labor at a family dairy farm. $40 for all of us, not PER person.
Almost no prepared foods and all baked goods (breads, rolls, cookies, cakes, etc.) are from scratch including granola. No chips, soda, or crackers. I occassionally like to get fish sticks and jenny-o turkey burgers.
We grow a lot of peas and eat one meatless meal per week. We can corn when it's in season and cheap.
Our staple luxuries: Sam's club shredded cheese & disposable diapers.
The biggest key here is that we have more time than money. I enjoy cooking & baking, so I do not resent it. I do not suggest that anyone attempt this budget unless they really like spending time in the kitchen. At times I feel overwhelmed, but mostly it is a source of peace and joy for me.
Also: we only use baking soda and vinegar as household cleansers. Try a google search: "baking soda and vinegar". I switched when I was pregnant and I'm never going back again to dangerous fumes!
Health tip: Use baking soda or oatmeal as exfolliants. While skin is still wet, moisturize with mineral oil and pat dry. Mineral oil is super cheap and it's in just about every skin care product anyway, but minus the drying alcohol they put in "moisturizers". Drink plenty of water to moisturize skin from the inside out. This works for my skin type, at any rate. I've heard almond oil instead of mineral oil works well, too.
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