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Written by:
Darleen McCullen, REALTOR®, Broker
Keller Williams Realty
Phone: 919.454.8864
Email: darleen@darleenmc.com

Money House

I am saddened when I hear from individuals who dream of owning a home, but they're having trouble saving an adequate down payment.

These days, it seems that each time I turn on the television or read the news, there's doom and gloom everywhere! If it's not a report on how Americans are being squeezed at the gas pump, or at the grocery store, it's a story on how unemployment is on the rise.

Are we heading into a recession? Some folks seem to think so. Hopefully, they're wrong!

I thought it would be a great idea to put together some money-saving tips that can help all of us make our money go a tad bit further. As I learn of additional tips, I'll post them here.

Here's a way to help stretch your monthly food budget...

Woman Eating AppleAngel Food Ministries: This program allows individuals in many states, including North Carolina, to order discount food through local churches for as little as $30. (NOTE: These are some of the same foods you'll see on your grocery store shelves -- only cheaper!)

Also...There are absolutely no restrictions. Anyone can participate.

Angel Food Ministries says that it should be enough food to feed 4 people for a week - or an elderly citizen for a month!

Each month the menu changes. The February 2008 menu for North Carolina follows:

1.25 lb.
 Sirloin Strip Steaks (4 x 5 oz)
2 lb.
 Salisbury Steak Dinner Entrée
2 lb.
 Split Chicken Breasts
2 lb.
 Breaded Chicken Breast Fillet
1.5 lb.
 Meaty Beef Ribs
1.5 lb.
 Pork Chops (4 x 6 oz.)
12 oz.
 Philly Steak Portions
12 oz.
 Peanut Butter
4 oz.
 Chicken Noodle Soup (makes 64 oz.)
9 oz.
 Frosted Corn Flakes
16 oz.
 Frozen Fresh Corn
16 oz.
 Frozen Fresh Carrots
2 lb.
 Fresh Onions
2 lb.
 Fresh Potatoes
15 oz.
 Sliced Pears
1 lb.
 Black Eyed Peas

Dessert Item

In addition, with the purchase of the above "unit" of food, it's possible to buy the following:

FEBRUARY SPECIAL #1 - 6.5 lb. Steak and Meat Combo Box - $20.00
(1.5 lb. Bone-in Ribeye Steaks (2 x 12 oz.), 1.5 lb. Bone-in New York Strip Steak (2 x 12 oz.), 2 lb. Lean Hamburger Steaks (4 x 8 oz.), 1.5 lb. Mild Italian Sausage)

FEBRUARY SPECIAL #2 - 3.75 lb. Prime Rib Steak Box - $19.00
(3.75 lb. Prime Rib Steaks (6 x 10 oz.))

FEBRUARY SPECIAL #3 - 10 lb. Chicken Combo Box - $18.00
(2 lb. Breaded Frying Chicken, 2 lb. Chicken Tenders, 2 lb. Chicken Wings, 2 lb. Grilled Individually Quick Frozen Chicken Breasts, 2 lb. Chicken Breast Chunks)

So...Do you have any money-saving tips to share with the AR Community?

 

Darleen McCullen, REALTOR®, Broker
Keller Williams Realty
Phone: 919.454.8864
Email: darleen@darleenmc.com
Website: http://www.darleenmc.com/

Photos courtesy of www.RealEstateClipart.com and www.Microsoft.com

Disclaimer: Opinions expressed by those who are part of the ActiveRain community, including those providing comments relating to this blog, are their opinions and their alone - and do NOT reflect the opinions of Darleen McCullen and Keller Williams Realty. Darleen McCullen and Keller Williams Realty are not responsible for the accuracy (or lack thereof) or content provided by others.

 

21 Comments on Saving for a Home? Start by Lowering Your Food Bill!

FEB
02
2008
 Food is a great area of the budget to look for flexibility. It can be tough to stay disciplined in any area, but particularly food. Taking a list to a grocery store is a must.
6:38pm • #1
6 Featured Posts
Greg ~ Excellent tip! Many of us (including me!) sometimes go to the grocery store hungry (a big No-No) and without a list. A terrible combination!
6:50pm • #2
135,001 Points 2 Featured Posts
Darleen - Here are a couple of tips I use to save on the grocery bill. (1) Cook. (2) Base your weekly menu on the grocery specials.  As time goes on, you'll get a feel for what's a good price and what isn't.
7:41pm • #3
6 Featured Posts
Jackie ~ Cooking definitely does save money. Great idea to base menus on grocery specials. Cooking can be time-consuming but can help those trying to save money quite a bit.
7:47pm • #4
403,919 Points 6 Featured Posts Localism Sponsor Outside Blog Hit Router Called Shot Master
Good tips. I have been cutting back, not sure how I started doing it but it is working for me.
8:14pm • #5
FEB
03
2008
Outside Blog

Don't just shop at the grocery check out places like Fred's or Dollar General sometimes you can still get name brand for a lot less.  We also get a lot of the toiletries and laundry items at these stores stocking up on thos items can help in a big way on the budget.
12:20am • #6
304,169 Points 15 Featured Posts Localism Sponsor Outside Blog
Hi Darleen,
What are the restrictions for people to participate in this?  I have not heard about this prior to your post.
1:10pm • #7
6 Featured Posts
Cynthia ~ Hi. Great question! I'll add a "note" to my blog so that others will know as well (even if they choose not to read the comments). :-) There are absolutely no restrictions. Anyone can participate.
8:59pm • #8
FEB
06
2008
1 Featured Post
Thank you for introducing me to this organization. Since I am a regular volunteer at a food bank, I am also aware of the fact that food pantries will hand out food to those in need with no questions or stipulations. It is something to think about, when the bills are too much to handle one month.
10:30am • #9
6 Featured Posts
Frank ~ You are welcome. These days, many of us are trying to stretch our dollars. As they say, every little bit helps.
11:35am • #10
FEB
08
2008
 Some additional food savings tips: (1) use coupons; (2) use the grocery store membership cards and get savings available only to those with the cards; (3) start a garden and grow your own food; and (4) make your own meals and eat out less.
1:00pm • #11
6 Featured Posts
Max ~ Excellent tips. A garden is a great idea.
9:56pm • #12
FEB
09
2008
579,208 Points 61 Featured Posts Localism Sponsor Outside Blog Called Shot Master
Food is an area that is difficult. Too many people economize the wrong way....by eating fast food! It was interesting that when I worked at Albert Einstein, the doctors I worked with in the lab said one of the biggest problems with getting people to eat a good diet was money - or the lack of it.  My food bill has skyrocketed.  In part its due to the fact that I've made a commitment to organic fruits and veggies since my father's cancer diagnosis. But a good part of it is that shipping costs a lot more - so go for LOCALLY GROWN if possible.  But we all could do better by being careful. Certainly eating out less is one major option as well. 
2:31am • #13
1 Featured Post
What a great find. I had no idea something like this was available. That is wonderful that they are offering a service like this. I will share this information everyone as well.
9:21am • #14
6 Featured Posts

Ruthmarie ~ You raise interesting points. I noticed that eating well does cost money. And sometimes lots of it! I try to get as much organic food and locally grown in my diet as possible. We're fortunate here because we have several farmer's markets in the area.

Charity~ There are so many resources out there! I, too, didn't know about it, until someone from a volunteer group posted it to our listserv.
9:40am • #15
FEB
21
2008
1,601,817 Points 154 Featured Posts Outside Blog Attended Rain Camp Called Shot Master

This is what should happen instead of Government stepping in. Remember when churches used to do this all the time and the community would get together to help. Now, people expect the Government to help like a communist country.

Good for your community and church to go back to the old ways and helping the community!
12:03am • #16
6 Featured Posts
Todd ~ Thanks for stopping by. I think this is an excellent idea and will hopefully assist individuals around the country to stretch their food dollars.
9:17pm • #17
FEB
22
2008
453,374 Points 15 Featured Posts Outside Blog Called Shot Master

One more idea I don't see mentioned here...

Farmer's Markets can be a terrific way to buy low-priced, local fruits and vegetables.  A few items cost more, but I find that tomatoes, greens, onions, and other seasonal produce is usually much less than the same items at the grocery store.  They're also fresh, haven't been shipped, and buying them supports local farmers.   There's a big farmer's market in Raleigh, plus I know there are smaller, half day weekend farmer's markets in a quite a few other towns, like Chapel Hill and Holly Springs.
8:49pm • #18
FEB
25
2008
6 Featured Posts
Penny ~ Our local Farmer's Markets are great. Thanks for adding the information. I think that there is one in Cary, too, isn't there?
8:43pm • #19
Attended Rain Camp
Wow!  I would have never thought.  Everytime I look at my bank account, I can't believe how much I spend on food.  Great tip!
10:45pm • #20
6 Featured Posts
Brittany ~ Food is definitely a huge part of our budgets. In NC, our food is even taxed - making it that much more expensive. Go figure!
10:59pm • #21

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Darleen McCullen, Broker-Raleigh, NC Real Estate

Raleigh, NC

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Your "REALTOR® on a Mission...NOT Just Seeking a Commission™!"

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