Looking to reduce costs!

[superfun]

Wouldn't the kids get 2 meals at home? Breakfast and supper?

[5 Little Monkeys]

I'm not really sure what we're discussing?? LOL. Are you saying they aren't getting enough fruit or too much?

I agree with superfun, I know my kids have breakfast, supper and at least one snack at home before bed.

Also, it's really hard to gauge a "piece" of fruit unless it's an apple, orange or banana since we eat a lot of melons and berries so they are cut up or tiny pieces already lol. I think I'm tired because Im really not sure what the point is we're discussing haha!!

[daycaremom9]

I love the PC Points at Superstore. I was annoyed when I saw they were bringing in a member card, because the last thing I wanted was another card in my wallet. But it is pretty much a monthly thing that I get money back against my grocery bill.

One thing I've noticed with Superstore since they brought in the member card is that if you have a credit amount on your card they will not tell you. Only if you ask, so I'm getting into the habit of asking whenever I shop there.

[ebhappydc]

Make sure you PAY ATTENTION when groceries are being scanned or check your bill just after. I can't tell you how many times I've been double scanned by various stores. Cashier is always sorry. Perhaps there are sensitive scans but I get this least a few times a month. I never thought to check the receipt but I had to return something once and noticed I was scanned twice for cream and another time for chicken! BE AWARE! It all adds up

[superfun]

Make sure you PAY ATTENTION when groceries are being scanned or check your bill just after. I can't tell you how many times I've been double scanned by various stores. Cashier is always sorry. Perhaps there are sensitive scans but I get this least a few times a month. I never thought to check the receipt but I had to return something once and noticed I was scanned twice for cream and another time for chicken! BE AWARE! It all adds up

Along the same lines as that, also watch for prices. If it scans at a different price than posted, you can potentially get that item for free. Any store that participates in the scanning code of Canada (I think that's the name) will give you the first item free if it's scanning wrong.

[kindertime]

Looking at the Food Guide, children 2-3 should have 4 servings of fruits and veg. per day. 4-8yos should have 5 servings. If I'm reading it right, they still consider 1 banana or 1 apple= 1 serving just like with adults. Its just that their examples consider that children won't necessarily eat a whole serving in a sitting.
My group these days aren't big fans of raw vegetables so we just have them cooked at lunch mostly. Fruit is reserved for snacks. Mostly apples, oranges and bananas because I know they will get eaten quickly before they spoil, that can make your costs go up too, having to throw out food. I have also found that it is better to give smaller portions at first and allow seconds for those who want it. Instead of giving lots to start with and then throwing a lot out if they don't eat it.

[5 Little Monkeys]

http://www.babycenter.com/0_age-by-a...ler_1736045.bc

The above link is what I have posted in my dc kitchen and look to it for reference from time to time. Like it says, it's a rough guideline. I've almost always had small eaters though with just the occasional child who would eat double what the others would. Thankfully I've never had more than one big eater at a time lol.

Yes, scop and watching the prices at the till has saved me lots! My husband puts the groceries on the belt and I watch prices like a hawk! The times he's not there and I've had to do both are the times I usually miss something lol. Price matching has saved me some gas too

[torontokids]

Thanks for the input. I do some batch cooking however we don't have a chest freezer as we don't have the space. I am curious how you cook and freeze potatoes though. I have made and froze sheppard's pie and the potatoes were still great. I have also froze cooked quinoa, rice etc for fast side dishes.

My kids here are all big eaters. I have kids who could easily eat 1-1.5 bananas during snack in addition to the other food I serve. I have started limiting the fruit a little more to watch costs but also to decrease the amount of fruit they are eating as it was crazy.

I guess I was also getting a sense if my food costs are inline with others. The $150 a wk I spend on DC food is in addition to the $150 I spend a week on my family's food. That being said, we never eat out aside from ordering pizza 1-2 times a month and all the food is unprocessed for the most part.

I agree with watching the scanners but it can be hard, especially if the store is busy. I already have 2 orders from an over flowing shopping cart, price matches etc...sometimes I am just trying to pack as quickly as I can to free up the belt. Plus I shop on my own.

[5 Little Monkeys]

Wow, I can't even eat 1.5 bananas!! Lol

Honestly, I probably would never even give that much not only due to cost but also because I don't think a toddler needs that much. I guess it would depend though...if the child didn't eat much lunch I might be more inclined to allow it...

It's tough because some kids will continue to eat even if they're full but on the other hand, you don't want a starving child!!

[torontokids]

Yeah, I wasn't consciously giving 1.5 bananas. It was more like I break off a piece of banana, they eat it, eat the rest of snack, ask for more banana, I give it. Then they ask for more banana and I have half of one sitting there in the peel so I give it only to realize after "hey, they just ate 1.5 bananas!" I think the kids aren't eating a ton at home for dinner so I have greatly reduced my end of day as well.