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12/3/08 9:38 A

I say planning mama.. try that.. use that crockpot and see if that helps! Try some legumes and rice a couple times a week.. maybe even a tofu meal! I hate to push veggie diet, so don't take me wrong.. but I do know since switching to veggie.. our grocery bill went down so much that we could afford organic!

current weight: 151.0

183 174.75 166.5 158.25

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12/2/08 11:35 P

There are the exchange select brands for things other than food (cotton balls, etc.) never seen it for food items though. I get the exchange brand whenever it is an option though.

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12/2/08 11:31 P

well, there weren't a few years ago.. do they now Amy?

current weight: 151.0

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12/2/08 11:25 P

been YRS since I was in a commissary (dad was in the navy)... so I can't remember, but are there "store brands?"

I buy nearly everything GV (great value aka walmart brand) I save alot by not buying brand names on things.

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12/2/08 11:15 P

I tell you what.. this is my second day using it and I forgot how awesome it is!! I put everything in it during bugs first wanna be nap, and let it go.. no more.. "Honey, grab mexican for dinner today, I can't get dinner done" here! (oh that sounds so good right no.. no.. no it doesn't!)lol.. I have a 300 page book of weight watcher recipes that I drug out and am planning my meals from it.. sooo saving on our grocery bill! Have you checked out my blog or blogger? This week, we are using up what we have and all I have to buy is some lettuce! the rest is from those meals I had planned but never got around to actually MAKING!

current weight: 151.0

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12/2/08 11:09 P

Lol, yeah I have one....need to start using it more often

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12/2/08 10:59 P

do you have a crockpot?

current weight: 151.0

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12/2/08 10:57 P

Yeah, I have 6 weeks worth of menu's planned out and I rotate them throughout the months. I work out all the dinners for the week before I go shopping, but I am bad about buying the stuff for a meal and then not making it because it has been a long week and I don't want to cook so we order out. Not helping my waistline or my pocket book.

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12/2/08 10:45 P

I understand mama.. although the name brand prices are awesome, it can get frustrating! I know you have to plan your meals.. I am assuming you are...brain went blank.. FCC? provider? and therefore HAVE to turn in your menus, but do you plan all your meals ahead of time?

current weight: 151.0

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150

Posts: 1,055
12/2/08 10:26 P

I LOVED the coupon thing in England, it took me a while to get used to the whole looking at the experation date when we came back to the states. I try to go with the cheapest per unit value, but I admit I am bad about buying something that doesn't have a generic version (the kids fruit snacks). I also feel stupid trying to see under items that are down low (toilet paper) I feel like I am crawling around on the floor and everyone is staring at me. lol! I read about using a price book and writing it all down, I think I need to do that. I honestly don't know when they are having a sale or not....well except for the caselot sales but those are only once a season.

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12/2/08 10:19 P

wait, do you buy things by looking at the price thingy.. like it will say this is so much per ounce?

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12/2/08 10:18 P

Ok.. let me go back to my base days.. humm.. does the ACS office still have coupons? I remember when we were stationed in Germany (awesome as they were good 6 months AFTER expiration date!) They would have double coupon day. I would get like $700 worth for about $100! I know meat is way cheaper on base, but have you thought about perhaps a couple meals meatless? Beans and rice are super cheap! and oh soo good for you! Lentils, split peas.. they are also a staple here! Let me do some thinking and ask dh.. lol.. I don't think he will be much help, when he was in he shopped at the shoppette!

current weight: 151.0

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12/2/08 10:10 P

I admit I have no tricks when it comes to shopping for groceries. I shop at the commissary on base and it is the cheapest place around (they don't make a profit off of the sales it all goes back to the store), but I would still like to shave some off of my grocery bill (who wouldn't!). So anyone got any tricks or tips? As I said shopping around isn't really an option for me, everything off base is 2 times as expensive as on base (example: waffles on base $2.40 off base $5.05). I currently spend about $220 a week to feed all 4 of us all week and my daycare kids 3 meals a day (breakfast, snack, lunch).

Thanks in advance :D

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