I was recently browsing titles at the library when my eye landed on Rhonda Barfield's book, Feed Your Family for $12 a Day. As you can imagine, I quickly scooped it up and added it to my pile of books to check out.
Although the prices in this book were outdated and most of the recipes looked very uninteresting, bland, and even downright bordering on unsavory, there were numerous practical tips, hints, and ideas in this book making it every bit worth the read.
I appreciated the author's understanding that not all of her ideas would work for every family. We're all in different seasons and situations so what method of cooking and grocery shopping works well for one family could be completely unpractical for another family. Feed Your Family for $12 a Day acknowledges this and offers a plethora of ideas which can be implemented to lower your grocery budget.
The book also addresses many common misconceptions regarding eating healthfully on a budget and walks the reader through a full year of ideas on how to make little changes to not only eat more healthfully but to greatly reduce your grocery bill in the process.
If you are just beginning to attempt to lower your grocery budget, Feed Your Family for $12 a Day would be a very helpful book to add to your reading list. And even if you're like me and have been shopping on a small budget for years, I'm quite certain you'd find inspiration and fresh ideas in these pages as well. At least I know I certainly did!
Have you read any helpful books on frugality or money recently? If so, tell us about them! I'm always looking for new book ideas to add to my reading list!
I’d love to hear more about what Little Miss Know It All’s family (Cincinnati area) has been doing…it sounds interesting!
Eating Economically Is Just Plain Smart ~~ Very good. Every recipe in this book has been scary to make b/c it’s so lacking ingredients and every one has turned out delish! I checked it out @ the library and now it’s on my wishlist on PBS. However, if I don’t get it soon I’m probably going to order it.
I have also enjoyed The Tightwad Gazette Series. Some things are a little too extreme for me, but there are TONS of great tips in those books.
Ellie Kay…. she is fantastic!
I also found this book ‘The Little Book Of Thrift’ to be really helpful. http://www.thelittlebookofthrift.com.au
Five years ago I picked up a copy of Miserly Moms on a whim for a quarter at Savers. I had not ever even tried to be “frugal” and that book changed my/our life! The copy I got was an old one so the prices are off, but the recipes, tips, and suggestions are excellent. It is one of my most valuable possessions! All that for a quarter!
I’ve found the Tightwad Gazette to be the most helpful book I’ve come across. So much may not be helpful for my particular situation, but I find just going through it to be encouraging. I also liked the stocking the pantry explanation in the book for ways to keep grocery costs down.
MARY HUNT – Anything written by her is solid, frugal advice and help.
Miserly Moms is a good book.
I haven’t read any books lately, but I’ve been doing a challenge for the Cincinnati paper. We put our family up as a test–can a family of four eat healthy for under $300 a month? We’ve been doing it since January 1st, and have kept it around $275 each month! Its really been easier than I thought it would. I’ve lost 12 lbs and my husband has lost 10.
I LOVE your website! And I would love to win one of the great prizes.
Jill
I read this 3 years ago when I first quit to stay at home. We were desperate to lower our grocery bill! I don’t remember much about the book except that the recipes were as unappetizing as you described. My husband said he’d rather go over budget than eat some of them! 🙂 I’ve found your blog & The Grocery Cart Challenge to be of more help.
Amy