Comments on: ‘Real Money’ Secrets for Making Groceries Last Longer

By: Ross Hill

Ross Hill — Fri, 12 Apr 2013 15:11:21 +0000

In my kitchen very little food is wasted. Grocery store portions are always cut in half or even into thirds and served on a plater. Portions are sold for the average consumer and are either too large or too small for most people. I plan meals with an eye towards leftovers that will be used for a different recipe at another meal the next day. A roasted chicken oe day becomes sliced chicken and gravy the next day and the carcase is next cooked for soup. The meat is carefully picked from the bones and the bones are dug into the garden for improving the soil. For two moderate size people our monthly food bill is averaging 237 dollars with careful shopping and cooking.

By: Lori

Lori — Thu, 11 Apr 2013 00:31:08 +0000

I heard the comment about food being the largest percent of waste. Everyone has some food waste- even if it’s just potato peels and strawberry stems, etc. Is it better for the environment to put these wastes down a garbage disposal or in the trash?

By: Sunnysouth

Sunnysouth — Wed, 06 Mar 2013 20:39:36 +0000

We spend on average about $400 for a whole MONTH of groceries. These people must be even more wasteful than they thought.

I would just like to know how to keep fresh produce in good shape for more than a week. Have tried all the boxes, wraps, etc.

By: Ken

Ken — Tue, 26 Feb 2013 06:50:04 +0000

Frost-free refrigerators with the freezer compartment on top are coldest on the TOP shelf, where the air from the fan blowing on the freezer coils between the freezer and refrigerator compartment cools the latter while keeping the coils “frost-free”. In an earlier age of ice boxes and refrigerators with frost buildup, it was true that the coldest part of the refrigerator compartment was below (where the ice box ice was stored and the fact that warm air rises).
Also go to Europe and see eggs stored/sold in the supermarkets from unrefrigerated shelves – that’s why most US fridges keep egg and/or butter storage space on the door, the warmest part of the refrigerator compartment. (see Janel’s post of 29JAN13)

By: Tracy Asanuma

Tracy Asanuma — Tue, 19 Feb 2013 02:09:04 +0000

While I found this story interesting, I was shocked to find that some folks could afford a food budet of $300 week! I have been feeding our family of three on $80-$100 a week. We eat very little process food, lots of fruits and veggies, and lean meats. I make my own granola, cakes, cookies, yogurt, laundry detergent, and handsoap. During the summer I put up salsa, jams,jellies, and some preserves. I shop once a week at three stores and get all of my grocies within two hours.
Imagine if that “average family” was on our budget. They could save $600 to $700 a month!!!!

By: Rebecka

Rebecka — Mon, 04 Feb 2013 20:36:15 +0000

I am stunned that a family of four that only eats dinner at home 4 nights a week spends “more than $1400″ a month on groceries. Our family of 8 eats three meals a day at home (we homeschool, hubby packs lunch). We eat out maybe once a month. We eat lots of healthy produce, have meat at every dinner and avoid processed foods. Our monthly grocery bill is $800.
This family has a bigger problem than throwing out food that is still usable…they are spending too much to begin with. I’m sure she could cut her food budget down by at least half with more careful shopping and menu planning and also following the recommendations about throwing away less food. I, too, would like to see a segment on helping a more “average” family…one with a tighter budget…manage their food costs.

By: Halee

Halee — Sun, 03 Feb 2013 02:44:32 +0000

Eggs should not be in the coldest part of the fridge.
They can freeze up and then be rendered unusable.

By: Janell

Janell — Wed, 30 Jan 2013 02:26:47 +0000

Perhaps this story could be revisited with a another “average American family”. Our a “average” in the tri-state area is far different from the rest of the country. Learning that $300 a week and more than $1,400 a month is normal for a family of 4 with 2 small children just seems crazy. To many Americans, $1400 is a paycheck for 2 weeks of work. Please consider revisiting this story with a different family.

By: George

George — Tue, 29 Jan 2013 17:32:51 +0000

Maybe you could do a follow up to get the refrigerator manufactures to redesign based on the zoning recommended in this article.

By: b.b.

b.b. — Tue, 29 Jan 2013 16:29:02 +0000

I saw the segment last night…that soup would have done well frozen in gallon freezer bags, to save for another night. Also, leftover veggies (even a tablespoon) get tossed into a freezer bag. After a month or so, you’ll have enough mixed veggies for a casserole or vegetable soup. Bread also freezes well. I’m a stay at home mom also, so nothing goes to waste! Even chicken bones are used for homemade crockpot stock. You’d be amazed how much you save if you try to use every bit of food you paid for.