Dollar Stores and Food Warehouses

[wakyzackmom]

Being a single mom of a preteen boy, isn't easy. He is starting to eat me out of house and home. When his friends come by, well-we won't go into that!:eek:

Anyhow I shop at food warehouses. The stores we have here in the
NorthEast are Save-A-Lot and Price Rite. Their prices are much lower
than the national chains I have found.
The bigger markets here are Shaws and Stop and Shop-too expensive for me.

I also LOVE the local dollar stores.
Family Dollar and Dollar Tree stores.
Cleaning supplies and paper goods are bought there.

[DeBora4BobbyL]

My DS was just like that. He has hollow legs and at 26, he still does. lol We only have Albertson's, Walmart, and Sam's. I also like to get food at farmers' market's too.

[wakyzackmom]

I have a farmers market here in the rural area where I live also.
They are only open til 4:30pm and I usually work til 5pm.

My garden is small-tomatoes-few strawberry plants(they spread out quick),
herbs, onions, carrots, etc.

[DeBora4BobbyL]

You just can't beat fresh picked veggies.

[ajrsmom]

Do you have an Aldi store near you? I do a lot of shopping there.

The Dollar Tree has a few good deals but you have to know your prices at other places to know if you are really getting a deal. Their canned gravy is 2/$100 and cheaper than I have found it anywhere else. Their Little Debbie Snack cakes are usually cheaper than even WalMart.

Just a couple more ideas......

I know that I am headed that way with a "hollow" teenager too. My son is 8 and very tall and skinny and can already eat like a champ!! :eek: :p

[DeBora4BobbyL]

Tami, I remember when my DS was 5, just prior to us homeschooling him and he was in kindergarten. His teacher said he was eating everyone elses lunches. I was shocked and told her that I would go up and buy him extra food for each day! She said not to do that because he was eating all the stuff that nobody else wanted and was about to throw away. They were just amazed at how much he could eat. He is 26 now and ppl still come up to me after eating with him and are amazed. lol So, your DS may not grow out of it. lol

[lindaljh1]

I've gone through 2 sets of growing boys and my grandson is 13 so I'm helping my daughter get through it.

Real food is the cheapest and healthiest way to go. Make sure you have lots of milk and leftovers (spaghetti, chili, stew, refried beans & tortillas, etc) in your fridge. We also went through many loaves of bread and jars of peanut butter and jelly because the boys are literally starving as they go through their growth spurts. Pancakes and eggs are filling and frugal and can be eaten anytime of the day.

Don't buy chips, have popcorn and peanuts in the shells instead.
Don't buy candy, cakes, or cookies, have plenty of fruit in the fridge and on the counter. If they want sweets let them help you make healthy ones from scratch, much cheaper and better for them than store bought.

Keep lots of fresh veggies ready to grab and eat on the run. Homemade dips can make veggies fun and filling. Try to stay away from fried food, homemade oven fries can be as much fun as french fries and are so much better for them.

Remind them that they are growing more than bones and muscles, this is when they build their adult heart, lungs, and brains.

These boys are hungry!!! They will eat healthy if that is the only food you provide. This is a great time to set up healthy eating habits that will last through their adult life.

Love & Prayers,
Linda

[cat lover]

Welcome to MomsMenu lindsljh1! Follow the link below to the Introduce Yourself thread so others can get to know you!


http://www.momsmenu.com/forums/showthread.php?t=252&page=15

[DeBora4BobbyL]

Good to see you here Linda and welcome to MM. Those are excellant tips! Thanks for sharing. Follow Cat lover's link to the Welcome thread so that others may get to meet you.

[pag36]

Hello all I too love the warehouses and dolloar stores especially Dollar Tree. I know what you mean about kids with hollow legs or bottomless pits for stomachs as Adam my 17+ g-son is just like that. He lives with me and can not keep anything around. I have threatened to padlock the freezer lol.

[DeBora4BobbyL]

I never go in those dollar stores, but I need some small containers for school lunches. I am going to have to find where one is and try it out. (Don't look at me weird. It's because I HATE shopping and DH does most if it when he can because I loathe it so much. lol)

[Coll]

I too have one of those hollow legged boys. I honestly don't know where he puts it sometimes.
When he was in grade school he'd eat breakfast at home, eat breakfast in school, eat lunch, come home starving, eat a snack, then dinner and some nights cereal before bed. I keep telling him GOD must have given him those big feet for a reason, LOL.
I LOVE The Dollar Tree.

Coll

[ewriggs]

I remember when DS #1 was putting down 5000 calories a day! One time we went to McD's. He ate: 2 Big Macs, 2 shakes, 2 Biggie fries, and 1/2 of his sister's left-over fried pie. 1/2 hour later, he complained, "Mom, I'm hungry - isn't there anything to eat in the house?"

If they had had those eating contests back then, I might have been able to support his "food habit" better! LOLOL!

Cheerio!
Elizabeth

[DeBora4BobbyL]

My DS is 26 and he still has hollow legs. He called me the other day and complained that he cannot gain weight. He told me what all he is trying and asked me what I tried to eventually gain weight. I told him that once he hits his 30s he'll wish he could eat anything and everything he wants and still keep weight off. He got excited about that. lol

[wakyzackmom]

I never go in those dollar stores, but I need some small containers for school lunches. I am going to have to find where one is and try it out. (Don't look at me weird. It's because I HATE shopping and DH does most if it when he can because I loathe it so much. lol)


www.familydollar.com

:D

[wakyzackmom]

For those that have never been to the Family Dollar or the Dollar Tree stores-
here are the links.
PS Dollar Tree stores-EVERYTHING is a dollar!!:p

www.familydollar.com

www.dollartree.com

Happy Shopping.

[DeBora4BobbyL]

Thank you so much! I HATE shopping and this is a wonderful way of finding out what they have before I go there or send my hubby.

[barbszy]

Just be careful with Dollar store food items. I've seen a lot of "expired" things being sold in our local Dollar stores. So be sure to check dates CAREFULLY! It's not a bargain if it makes you sick.

[DeBora4BobbyL]

Thanks for the warning. I have to get out today to pay for my speeding ticket and talk to my old boss about writing letters of recommendation for my grad schools. While I am out, I may pop in to one of them and see what they have.