Comments on: The Other Costs of Making Homemade Food http://www.bloggingawaydebt.com/2008/09/the-other-costs-of-making-homemade-food/ Our Journey to a Debt-Free Life Sat, 07 Nov 2009 20:44:47 -0800 http://wordpress.org/?v=2.8.4 hourly 1 By: EliGab03 http://www.bloggingawaydebt.com/2008/09/the-other-costs-of-making-homemade-food/comment-page-1/#comment-518149 EliGab03 Sun, 28 Sep 2008 18:57:55 +0000 http://www.bloggingawaydebt.com/?p=1508#comment-518149 Thanks for the info. I've recently started an all effort to not only save money where possible but to document how much I'm saving. I've been a little unsure how to account for the costs around cooking, so these figures are quite helpful. I'll start using these figure on my <a href="http://www.saversecrets.com/members/eligab03.aspx" rel="nofollow">savings blog</a>. Thanks! Thanks for the info. I’ve recently started an all effort to not only save money where possible but to document how much I’m saving. I’ve been a little unsure how to account for the costs around cooking, so these figures are quite helpful. I’ll start using these figure on my savings blog.

Thanks!

]]> By: MVP http://www.bloggingawaydebt.com/2008/09/the-other-costs-of-making-homemade-food/comment-page-1/#comment-517345 MVP Wed, 24 Sep 2008 01:46:47 +0000 http://www.bloggingawaydebt.com/?p=1508#comment-517345 Don't forget, you can make several loaves at a time or just prepare and freeze the dough. That will also save time and money. You can also buy ingredients, like flour, yeast and sugar, in bulk, which will save. Also, look for bread pans at places like Goodwill or another thrift store or garage sales. They're pretty inexpensive and easy to find. Don’t forget, you can make several loaves at a time or just prepare and freeze the dough. That will also save time and money. You can also buy ingredients, like flour, yeast and sugar, in bulk, which will save. Also, look for bread pans at places like Goodwill or another thrift store or garage sales. They’re pretty inexpensive and easy to find.

]]> By: djc http://www.bloggingawaydebt.com/2008/09/the-other-costs-of-making-homemade-food/comment-page-1/#comment-517126 djc Mon, 22 Sep 2008 15:29:45 +0000 http://www.bloggingawaydebt.com/?p=1508#comment-517126 I buy the 2lb bag of instant dry yeast from Smart and Final, and I put it in a plastic jar with a tight fitting lid in the freezer. I just spoon it straight from the freezer into the rest of the ingredients no problem. I've probably been working on the same jar for over a year now and the yeast is still active. I buy the 2lb bag of instant dry yeast from Smart and Final, and I put it in a plastic jar with a tight fitting lid in the freezer. I just spoon it straight from the freezer into the rest of the ingredients no problem. I’ve probably been working on the same jar for over a year now and the yeast is still active.

]]> By: danielle http://www.bloggingawaydebt.com/2008/09/the-other-costs-of-making-homemade-food/comment-page-1/#comment-517079 danielle Mon, 22 Sep 2008 04:56:22 +0000 http://www.bloggingawaydebt.com/?p=1508#comment-517079 I would use the little packets just to teach yourself how to do it, and then get the big jar once you mastered it. I would use the little packets just to teach yourself how to do it, and then get the big jar once you mastered it.

]]> By: Mrs. Accountability http://www.bloggingawaydebt.com/2008/09/the-other-costs-of-making-homemade-food/comment-page-1/#comment-517053 Mrs. Accountability Sun, 21 Sep 2008 23:55:09 +0000 http://www.bloggingawaydebt.com/?p=1508#comment-517053 Tricia - it just occurred to me, are you using those little yeast packets? Or the tiny little 8 ounce jar? Oh, if you want to make bread and save money, you need to invest in the 2 pound bag of baking yeast that Costco sells. We just bought some recently and it's $3.39 for the bag. Costco also sells bread flour much cheaper than you can buy from the grocery store. I bet your cost per loaf will plummet if you at least buy your yeast in bulk. BTW, I did make a loaf of bread to go with dinner, thanks for the inspiration! Tricia – it just occurred to me, are you using those little yeast packets? Or the tiny little 8 ounce jar? Oh, if you want to make bread and save money, you need to invest in the 2 pound bag of baking yeast that Costco sells. We just bought some recently and it’s $3.39 for the bag. Costco also sells bread flour much cheaper than you can buy from the grocery store. I bet your cost per loaf will plummet if you at least buy your yeast in bulk. BTW, I did make a loaf of bread to go with dinner, thanks for the inspiration!

]]> By: Emmi http://www.bloggingawaydebt.com/2008/09/the-other-costs-of-making-homemade-food/comment-page-1/#comment-517052 Emmi Sun, 21 Sep 2008 23:44:15 +0000 http://www.bloggingawaydebt.com/?p=1508#comment-517052 Ah, as to the stove issue, it's 43¢ no matter how many loaves are in there. And bread freezes really well. If you do feel the need to economize farther, just do 4 at a time and freeze two of them. Also, time not spent at the store, is time not spent risking buying something you don't really need. And the more time spent in the raw material aisles the less temptation. I've noticed that there are aisles I never go down, and when I do as a shortcut they are full of pushy promotions. There is some inherent truth in that about who shops where in the store. I myself consider making food from scratch to be part of living well. I'd give up the TV in a heartbeat before I'd give that up. Like you said about your son being thrilled, you can't buy that satisfaction from your family, nor the better health, long term. There is no price tag you can put on it, period. Ah, as to the stove issue, it’s 43¢ no matter how many loaves are in there. And bread freezes really well. If you do feel the need to economize farther, just do 4 at a time and freeze two of them. Also, time not spent at the store, is time not spent risking buying something you don’t really need. And the more time spent in the raw material aisles the less temptation. I’ve noticed that there are aisles I never go down, and when I do as a shortcut they are full of pushy promotions. There is some inherent truth in that about who shops where in the store.

I myself consider making food from scratch to be part of living well. I’d give up the TV in a heartbeat before I’d give that up. Like you said about your son being thrilled, you can’t buy that satisfaction from your family, nor the better health, long term. There is no price tag you can put on it, period.

]]> By: Mrs. Accountability http://www.bloggingawaydebt.com/2008/09/the-other-costs-of-making-homemade-food/comment-page-1/#comment-517022 Mrs. Accountability Sun, 21 Sep 2008 19:05:55 +0000 http://www.bloggingawaydebt.com/?p=1508#comment-517022 Sure it's easier to run to the store and buy every single thing you ever eat! But that takes time and costs money, too. You know what is going into this bread - no preservatives - and it's fresh. Fresher ingredients give you more nutrients. I think I'll go through the ingredients into our breadmaker for a loaf to go with dinner! Sure it’s easier to run to the store and buy every single thing you ever eat! But that takes time and costs money, too. You know what is going into this bread – no preservatives – and it’s fresh. Fresher ingredients give you more nutrients. I think I’ll go through the ingredients into our breadmaker for a loaf to go with dinner!

]]> By: Sherri http://www.bloggingawaydebt.com/2008/09/the-other-costs-of-making-homemade-food/comment-page-1/#comment-517019 Sherri Sun, 21 Sep 2008 18:33:38 +0000 http://www.bloggingawaydebt.com/?p=1508#comment-517019 Oops, sorry they make 14 bars not 16. :) Oops, sorry they make 14 bars not 16. :)

]]> By: Sherri http://www.bloggingawaydebt.com/2008/09/the-other-costs-of-making-homemade-food/comment-page-1/#comment-517018 Sherri Sun, 21 Sep 2008 18:32:12 +0000 http://www.bloggingawaydebt.com/?p=1508#comment-517018 I will start by saying I made up this recipe by combining information from some recipes online and a fruit and nut bar I liked at the store. I'm a vegetarian and I've been trying to incorporate more good fats, omega 3's, and proteins into my diet, which is why this bar is heavy in nuts. It meets my needs! I love them, and so do others who have sampled them, but they may not be your cup of tea. You can rearrange the recipe to include oats, puffed rice, soy protein, or exchange different nuts you like better. Peanut Butter Bars Ingredients: 1 cup all natural peanut butter 1/3 cup honey 1 cup raisins (I use a raisin medley for Trader Joe's, they are nice and big and juicy) 1/2 cup peanuts 1/2 cup walnuts 1/2 slivered almonds Put peanut butter and honey in a pan and heat on low until creamy and melted. Add remaining ingredients and mix together well, making sure the peanut butter/honey mixture coats the nuts and raisins. (If there are untouched nut/raisin clumps your bars will fall apart.) Place into a 9X9 or 8X8 cake pan and press into a level flat shape. Refrigerate for several hours and then cut! This recipe makes 16 bars. I cut them up and put them in tupperware in the fridge for at home use. When I want to take one to work I wrap some up in foil for travel. They don't melt (just get a little softer) after a full day in my bag. The approximate nutrition facts for one bar are below. Note that they are high in fat, but it is all good fat from peanut butter and nuts! Thus, they keep me nice and full. If you exchange some oats for some of the nuts you can lower the fat content. 10g of the sugar comes from the raisins, so you can also make adjustments there to lower sugar. Again, these bars might not meet everyone's dietary needs. I encourage you to look around the internet for homemade bars, if there is a particular type of bar you like and want to imitate. Calories: 260 Fat Calories: 151 Total Fat: 17g (26% DV) Sat. Fat: 3g (15%) Sodium: 6mg (0%) Total Carb: 21g (7%) Fiber: 3g (12%) Sugars: 16g Protein: 7g I will start by saying I made up this recipe by combining information from some recipes online and a fruit and nut bar I liked at the store. I’m a vegetarian and I’ve been trying to incorporate more good fats, omega 3’s, and proteins into my diet, which is why this bar is heavy in nuts. It meets my needs! I love them, and so do others who have sampled them, but they may not be your cup of tea. You can rearrange the recipe to include oats, puffed rice, soy protein, or exchange different nuts you like better.

Peanut Butter Bars

Ingredients:

1 cup all natural peanut butter
1/3 cup honey
1 cup raisins (I use a raisin medley for Trader Joe’s, they are nice and big and juicy)
1/2 cup peanuts
1/2 cup walnuts
1/2 slivered almonds

Put peanut butter and honey in a pan and heat on low until creamy and melted. Add remaining ingredients and mix together well, making sure the peanut butter/honey mixture coats the nuts and raisins. (If there are untouched nut/raisin clumps your bars will fall apart.) Place into a 9X9 or 8X8 cake pan and press into a level flat shape. Refrigerate for several hours and then cut!

This recipe makes 16 bars. I cut them up and put them in tupperware in the fridge for at home use. When I want to take one to work I wrap some up in foil for travel. They don’t melt (just get a little softer) after a full day in my bag. The approximate nutrition facts for one bar are below. Note that they are high in fat, but it is all good fat from peanut butter and nuts! Thus, they keep me nice and full. If you exchange some oats for some of the nuts you can lower the fat content. 10g of the sugar comes from the raisins, so you can also make adjustments there to lower sugar. Again, these bars might not meet everyone’s dietary needs. I encourage you to look around the internet for homemade bars, if there is a particular type of bar you like and want to imitate.

Calories: 260
Fat Calories: 151
Total Fat: 17g (26% DV)
Sat. Fat: 3g (15%)
Sodium: 6mg (0%)
Total Carb: 21g (7%)
Fiber: 3g (12%)
Sugars: 16g
Protein: 7g

]]> By: jaye http://www.bloggingawaydebt.com/2008/09/the-other-costs-of-making-homemade-food/comment-page-1/#comment-517012 jaye Sun, 21 Sep 2008 17:24:00 +0000 http://www.bloggingawaydebt.com/?p=1508#comment-517012 Eileen, you bring up a good point, however, I think that additives are generally more of a negative than a positive. Think about the preservatives that create that insane shelf life! Tricia-You can do other things while baking bread. If you have a timer, you can work or cook dinner while you wait for it to rise. There are recipes that can be made at night and will rise over night in your fridge. Then you are just looking at the time it takes to throw the ingredients together. I almost never buy baked goods--they're not nearly as good as home-made. Once you get used to the real thing, it's hard to go back to the chemical taste of many store-bought baked items. It's also about control--you decide what goes in your body! Eileen, you bring up a good point, however, I think that additives are generally more of a negative than a positive. Think about the preservatives that create that insane shelf life!

Tricia-You can do other things while baking bread. If you have a timer, you can work or cook dinner while you wait for it to rise. There are recipes that can be made at night and will rise over night in your fridge. Then you are just looking at the time it takes to throw the ingredients together. I almost never buy baked goods–they’re not nearly as good as home-made. Once you get used to the real thing, it’s hard to go back to the chemical taste of many store-bought baked items. It’s also about control–you decide what goes in your body!

]]> By: Eileen http://www.bloggingawaydebt.com/2008/09/the-other-costs-of-making-homemade-food/comment-page-1/#comment-517008 Eileen Sun, 21 Sep 2008 17:04:27 +0000 http://www.bloggingawaydebt.com/?p=1508#comment-517008 Don't forget about all the nutrients that the store bought bread is fortified with! Typically that can't be replicated in home made breads unless maybe the flour itself is fortified. Don’t forget about all the nutrients that the store bought bread is fortified with! Typically that can’t be replicated in home made breads unless maybe the flour itself is fortified.

]]> By: My Debt Refinance http://www.bloggingawaydebt.com/2008/09/the-other-costs-of-making-homemade-food/comment-page-1/#comment-516998 My Debt Refinance Sun, 21 Sep 2008 15:16:54 +0000 http://www.bloggingawaydebt.com/?p=1508#comment-516998 I suggest to make this kind of activities a part of the family activities. So if you don't know what to do during the weekend, maybe cooking can be a good entertainment. Maybe is a matter of adding more benefits and savings to these kind of activities. I suggest to make this kind of activities a part of the family activities. So if you don’t know what to do during the weekend, maybe cooking can be a good entertainment.

Maybe is a matter of adding more benefits and savings to these kind of activities.

]]> By: Connie http://www.bloggingawaydebt.com/2008/09/the-other-costs-of-making-homemade-food/comment-page-1/#comment-516988 Connie Sun, 21 Sep 2008 13:34:23 +0000 http://www.bloggingawaydebt.com/?p=1508#comment-516988 I have a full time job outside the home, but make breakfast before, come home for lunch, and make dinner from scratch most days. While I typically don't bake my own bread, I do cook those three meals from scratch almost every day. Maybe it's because I grew up eating home cooked, but it doesn't seem to me like it takes any longer to eat my way vs Hamburger Helper or Pasta Roni, etc. I think it's a matter of getting your cooking groove down: learning how long stuff takes to cook, which items go in first, etc. so that your time is well utilized. For instance, w/bread, you spend a lot of time waiting for it to rise. If you were preparing say a pot roast while the bread rose, you're making full use of your time. Plus it's relaxing and of course healthier. Kids love cooking, its kind of like science for them, and kids who learn how to cook are in short supply! I have a full time job outside the home, but make breakfast before, come home for lunch, and make dinner from scratch most days. While I typically don’t bake my own bread, I do cook those three meals from scratch almost every day. Maybe it’s because I grew up eating home cooked, but it doesn’t seem to me like it takes any longer to eat my way vs Hamburger Helper or Pasta Roni, etc. I think it’s a matter of getting your cooking groove down: learning how long stuff takes to cook, which items go in first, etc. so that your time is well utilized. For instance, w/bread, you spend a lot of time waiting for it to rise. If you were preparing say a pot roast while the bread rose, you’re making full use of your time. Plus it’s relaxing and of course healthier. Kids love cooking, its kind of like science for them, and kids who learn how to cook are in short supply!

]]> By: Tricia http://www.bloggingawaydebt.com/2008/09/the-other-costs-of-making-homemade-food/comment-page-1/#comment-516983 Tricia Sun, 21 Sep 2008 12:54:05 +0000 http://www.bloggingawaydebt.com/?p=1508#comment-516983 Sherri - you have me curious about your energy bars too :) Sherri – you have me curious about your energy bars too :)

]]> By: Tricia http://www.bloggingawaydebt.com/2008/09/the-other-costs-of-making-homemade-food/comment-page-1/#comment-516982 Tricia Sun, 21 Sep 2008 12:53:08 +0000 http://www.bloggingawaydebt.com/?p=1508#comment-516982 Tracie - Aaaaaahhhhhh! You just made my head spin with the extra costs LOL. But you are right. I only had foil bread pans and I have been looking into buying some actual ones. So, there is absolutely some cost there. Ken - I am limited in hours with my day job, but there's always part time jobs and working on our business. So technically, I could be making money or working towards making money at a future date. I guess it's all about balance. Tracie – Aaaaaahhhhhh! You just made my head spin with the extra costs LOL. But you are right. I only had foil bread pans and I have been looking into buying some actual ones. So, there is absolutely some cost there.

Ken – I am limited in hours with my day job, but there’s always part time jobs and working on our business. So technically, I could be making money or working towards making money at a future date. I guess it’s all about balance.

]]> By: RTS http://www.bloggingawaydebt.com/2008/09/the-other-costs-of-making-homemade-food/comment-page-1/#comment-516980 RTS Sun, 21 Sep 2008 12:42:05 +0000 http://www.bloggingawaydebt.com/?p=1508#comment-516980 Sherri, How do the homemade energy bars taste? This sounds like a great place to substitute homemade if the taste is comparable. What recipe do you use? Sherri,
How do the homemade energy bars taste? This sounds like a great place to substitute homemade if the taste is comparable. What recipe do you use?

]]> By: Sherri http://www.bloggingawaydebt.com/2008/09/the-other-costs-of-making-homemade-food/comment-page-1/#comment-516939 Sherri Sun, 21 Sep 2008 06:02:19 +0000 http://www.bloggingawaydebt.com/?p=1508#comment-516939 I find (and it seems you do too) cooking and baking can be relaxing. So I don't count my time in the "cost" of making it either. It's fun! The food I make usually tastes better than what I could buy in the store. I also like knowing *exactly* what is in it, and being able to change something up if I am in the mood. Ex: I recently started making my own energy bars at home. They cost $0.33 a bar (including only cost of ingredients) whereas a somewhat equivalent bar at the store is $1.69-1.99. They take ~20 minutes to make, and they don't have *any* ingredients I don't want (no high fructose corn syrup, glucose, wheat, puffed rice, etc). Oh, and they're delicious. :) But the best part is I find making them fun and my dog likes to "help" (he eats stray peanuts). My boyfriend won't eat them, but he likes seeing me make them because he can tell it makes me happy! So even if they were to cost more if I factored other things in, I'd still do it. Can't put a price tag on some experiences. Happy bread making! I find (and it seems you do too) cooking and baking can be relaxing. So I don’t count my time in the “cost” of making it either. It’s fun! The food I make usually tastes better than what I could buy in the store. I also like knowing *exactly* what is in it, and being able to change something up if I am in the mood.

Ex: I recently started making my own energy bars at home. They cost $0.33 a bar (including only cost of ingredients) whereas a somewhat equivalent bar at the store is $1.69-1.99. They take ~20 minutes to make, and they don’t have *any* ingredients I don’t want (no high fructose corn syrup, glucose, wheat, puffed rice, etc). Oh, and they’re delicious. :) But the best part is I find making them fun and my dog likes to “help” (he eats stray peanuts). My boyfriend won’t eat them, but he likes seeing me make them because he can tell it makes me happy! So even if they were to cost more if I factored other things in, I’d still do it. Can’t put a price tag on some experiences.

Happy bread making!

]]> By: Ken Deboy http://www.bloggingawaydebt.com/2008/09/the-other-costs-of-making-homemade-food/comment-page-1/#comment-516931 Ken Deboy Sun, 21 Sep 2008 05:32:26 +0000 http://www.bloggingawaydebt.com/?p=1508#comment-516931 "The cost of my time put it way over the top." You're kidding, right? If you weren't baking bread, you would have been doing something that paid? Cheers, Ken “The cost of my time put it way over the top.”

You’re kidding, right? If you weren’t baking bread, you would have been doing something that paid?

Cheers,
Ken

]]> By: Tracie http://www.bloggingawaydebt.com/2008/09/the-other-costs-of-making-homemade-food/comment-page-1/#comment-516924 Tracie Sun, 21 Sep 2008 05:04:40 +0000 http://www.bloggingawaydebt.com/?p=1508#comment-516924 There are many other costs that go into the cost of buying or making bread - fraction of car ownership and maintenance costs for the car you use to go to the store to either buy the bread or the ingredients to make the bread. The fraction of the cost of the appliances and utensils, bowls, etc you use in preparing the bread. The pans, the water, heated, to clean up after. A person could go crazy figuring in every possible related cost! The pure satisfaction of making your own bread and having it piping hot from the oven trumps all those other things. If you plan the baking so that other things can be baked in the oven along with the bread, its even more economical. The nice thing about making your own, you can choose the type of flour that goes into the bread. Bake the bread, enjoy! There are many other costs that go into the cost of buying or making bread – fraction of car ownership and maintenance costs for the car you use to go to the store to either buy the bread or the ingredients to make the bread. The fraction of the cost of the appliances and utensils, bowls, etc you use in preparing the bread. The pans, the water, heated, to clean up after. A person could go crazy figuring in every possible related cost!

The pure satisfaction of making your own bread and having it piping hot from the oven trumps all those other things. If you plan the baking so that other things can be baked in the oven along with the bread, its even more economical. The nice thing about making your own, you can choose the type of flour that goes into the bread. Bake the bread, enjoy!

]]> By: Rich http://www.bloggingawaydebt.com/2008/09/the-other-costs-of-making-homemade-food/comment-page-1/#comment-516922 Rich Sun, 21 Sep 2008 04:51:26 +0000 http://www.bloggingawaydebt.com/?p=1508#comment-516922 Thanks for the shout-out, Tricia! I have fallen into the "do it myself" trap quite a few times and most always it turns out that the value of those things is not what I wanted it to be. But you are absolutely right. If it brings you and your family happiness AND it is something that you enjoy doing or relieves stress, it can replace other down time in your schedule. Just don't get too worn out baking that you need to take more time for rest. It takes discipline...which throughout this process you are showing that you have a lot of! :) Thanks for the shout-out, Tricia! I have fallen into the “do it myself” trap quite a few times and most always it turns out that the value of those things is not what I wanted it to be.

But you are absolutely right. If it brings you and your family happiness AND it is something that you enjoy doing or relieves stress, it can replace other down time in your schedule. Just don’t get too worn out baking that you need to take more time for rest. It takes discipline…which throughout this process you are showing that you have a lot of! :)

]]> By: Retire at 40 http://www.bloggingawaydebt.com/2008/09/the-other-costs-of-making-homemade-food/comment-page-1/#comment-516921 Retire at 40 Sun, 21 Sep 2008 04:41:49 +0000 http://www.bloggingawaydebt.com/?p=1508#comment-516921 I'm the same. I just like the smell of fresh bread. Unfortunately, I used to bake my own but have stopped - I'll certainly be getting back into it soon. I’m the same. I just like the smell of fresh bread. Unfortunately, I used to bake my own but have stopped – I’ll certainly be getting back into it soon.

]]> By: Claire in CA, USA http://www.bloggingawaydebt.com/2008/09/the-other-costs-of-making-homemade-food/comment-page-1/#comment-516916 Claire in CA, USA Sun, 21 Sep 2008 04:27:21 +0000 http://www.bloggingawaydebt.com/?p=1508#comment-516916 I'm trying to cook more here at home, and make more nutritional meals; something you can't put a price on when it comes to your family's health. If it costs a little more than buying it in the store, that's okay. The way I look at it, it's either pay for good nutrition now, or pay for the medical bills resulting from bad health later. I’m trying to cook more here at home, and make more nutritional meals; something you can’t put a price on when it comes to your family’s health. If it costs a little more than buying it in the store, that’s okay. The way I look at it, it’s either pay for good nutrition now, or pay for the medical bills resulting from bad health later.

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