|
Re: Groceries
Originally Posted by BristolUK
(Post 11651772)
But we did manage to get some lamb shanks a few weeks ago.
Lamb may be back on the menu :) The lamb shanks were magnificent and the boneless legs are back in the Superstore flyer this week (loblaws too?) @ $7.99 lb but we still have a couple of joints left from last time. I've just been making up a batch of mint (from the garden) sauce ready for Sunday. I've never done that before. |
Re: Groceries
2 Attachment(s)
I know someone who has cases of this wonderful Portuguese chorizo shipped from Vancouver to Regina on the bus, his son sends him 30 or 40 rings several times a year. I'm going to heat some up right now, and tomorrow possibly get a few more rings to take home with me.
|
Re: Groceries
Originally Posted by BristolUK
(Post 11695829)
Lamb continues to be on the menu :)
The lamb shanks were magnificent and the boneless legs are back in the Superstore flyer this week (loblaws too?) @ $7.99 lb but we still have a couple of joints left from last time. I've just been making up a batch of mint (from the garden) sauce ready for Sunday. I've never done that before. Sat down and did a thorough budget as we really need to cut costs, and groceries are the 3 largest expense and only cost that can be cut, rent is the highest. It's astonishing how much food costs these days, you can drop 140 dollars and come out with so little. Could be a BC thing but prices are climbing fast and across everything it seems, meat and produce being the big price climbers. Every week less and less sales, and higher prices. |
Re: Groceries
Originally Posted by caretaker
(Post 11695952)
I know someone who has cases of this wonderful Portuguese chorizo shipped from Vancouver to Regina on the bus, his son sends him 30 or 40 rings several times a year. I'm going to heat some up right now, and tomorrow possibly get a few more rings to take home with me.
|
Re: Groceries
Originally Posted by Jsmth321
(Post 11696020)
Still not on sale here...lol
Sat down and did a thorough budget as we really need to cut costs, and groceries are the 3 largest expense and only cost that can be cut, rent is the highest. It's astonishing how much food costs these days, you can drop 140 dollars and come out with so little. Could be a BC thing but prices are climbing fast and across everything it seems, meat and produce being the big price climbers. Every week less and less sales, and higher prices. When times/budget are tough, I can eat for 20$/week: no meat, but still eat healthy & reasonably well. Usually, my food budget for 1 comes in at around 40$/week, without depriving myself. In fact, that includes spoiling myself/luxuries. I do cook from scratch, don't eat dessert/cookies/biscuits/sweet stuff. I used to feed 5, well, on less than 100/week. Is BC really that much more expensive ? (Sincerely curious, not judging). I have noticed that grocery shopping when I visit TTO is significantly more expensive than here, but put that down to being in a city. |
Re: Groceries
Originally Posted by Shirtback
(Post 11696943)
I've been having a think about this.
When times/budget are tough, I can eat for 20$/week: no meat, but still eat healthy & reasonably well. Usually, my food budget for 1 comes in at around 40$/week, without depriving myself. In fact, that includes spoiling myself/luxuries. I do cook from scratch, don't eat dessert/cookies/biscuits/sweet stuff. I used to feed 5, well, on less than 100/week. Is BC really that much more expensive ? (Sincerely curious, not judging). I have noticed that grocery shopping when I visit TTO is significantly more expensive than here, but put that down to being in a city. I make as much as I can from scratch. I'll try and find the receipt from last week and post tomorrow. |
Re: Groceries
Originally Posted by Jsmth321
(Post 11696951)
We buy very little meat, cans of beans, cans of tomatoes for chilli, milk, cereal, some fruit and frozen veggies usually, meat if on sale.
I make as much as I can from scratch. I'll try and find the receipt from last week and post tomorrow. |
Re: Groceries
I can't find any recent receipts (i'll save the next one) but here are some of the prices from this weeks flyer. (Save On Foods, best store we have overall.)
Strawberries 2.50 for 16 oz Banana's 95 cents lb (organic, we buy non-organic which run about 78 cents lb) Last time we did buy a small roast for 8 dollars which was 4 dollars off, managed 4 meals from it in total. Regular sale price is 4.99 per pound. Bread is running about 2.50 a loaf for a cheap brand/store brand. (unless on sale.) Milk 4.79 4/liters Cans of beans (store brand) vary week to week, generally anywhere from 1.99 to 2.99 per can. (tried to get dry but they never have kidney beans in dry form.) Canned tomatoes runs about 2-3 can. Frozen veggies if not on sale run about 3-5 dollars per bag for 500 grams, sometimes store brands can be had for 2.50 each for 1kg. I stock up when I can but we have a tiny freezer so can't buy too much frozen. I can't remember everything from the last shop, and a lot of what we buy is never in flyer and what is really isn't a great deal meat, junk food. Yogurt anywhere from 3.99 to 6.99 for 800 grams, depends on the week and whats on sale. We do have slightly inflated prices due to lack of competition and being a small town, but driving to Vancouver isn't worth the time just for groceries as the savings isn't significant enough. |
Re: Groceries
Ok, going to try to compare like-for-like, prices from Maxi (No Frills, I think, outside Qc) unless otherwise mentioned:
Originally Posted by Jsmth321
(Post 11697372)
I can't find any recent receipts (i'll save the next one) but here are some of the prices from this weeks flyer. (Save On Foods, best store we have overall.)
Strawberries 2.50 for 16 oz 2.99 for a small punnet - didn't buy them because I know they'll be cheaper at Bourassa (wholesale place open to the public) but couldn't be bothered to trek up the hill today Banana's 95 cents lb (organic, we buy non-organic which run about 78 cents lb) (We've had the banana discussion before ;) ) 67 cents/lb non-organic Last time we did buy a small roast for 8 dollars which was 4 dollars off, managed 4 meals from it in total. Regular sale price is 4.99 per pound. that sounds similar/slightly more expensive to here, I only buy beef on special/sale markdown. Forgot to look at it today. Bread is running about 2.50 a loaf for a cheap brand/store brand. (unless on sale.) Similar I think - usually make my own. Milk 4.79 4/liters Same Cans of beans (store brand) vary week to week, generally anywhere from 1.99 to 2.99 per can. (tried to get dry but they never have kidney beans in dry form.) 99 cents - 1.50 for cans; frequently on sale so I stock up at 99 c Canned tomatoes runs about 2-3 can. regularly on sale somewhere (I have Maxi/Iga/Walmart/Giant Tiger in walking distance) between 1 - 1.50. Again, I stock up. Frozen veggies if not on sale run about 3-5 dollars per bag for 500 grams, sometimes store brands can be had for 2.50 each for 1kg. I stock up when I can but we have a tiny freezer so can't buy too much frozen. Ouch! 2.50/kilo here. 1.99 on sale. I can't remember everything from the last shop, and a lot of what we buy is never in flyer and what is really isn't a great deal meat, junk food. Yogurt anywhere from 3.99 to 6.99 for 800 grams, depends on the week and whats on sale. 3.99 here for the regular stuff, 5.99/500 grams usually for the Fancy Greek stuff I like ;) We do have slightly inflated prices due to lack of competition and being a small town, but driving to Vancouver isn't worth the time just for groceries as the savings isn't significant enough. Bacon at GT is 2.50/lb; eggs on special there this week @ 2.00/dozen. I'm small town too, but I think we have a lot more competition than you do, which helps. |
Re: Groceries
$5 for a cauliflower. That's all I have to say.
|
Re: Groceries
Originally Posted by bats
(Post 11697402)
$5 for a cauliflower. That's all I have to say.
|
Re: Groceries
Originally Posted by bats
(Post 11697402)
$5 for a cauliflower. That's all I have to say.
Originally Posted by BristolUK
(Post 11695829)
The lamb shanks were magnificent and the boneless legs are back in the Superstore flyer this week (loblaws too?) @ $7.99 lb but we still have a couple of joints left from last time.
|
Re: Groceries
Originally Posted by Shirtback
(Post 11697394)
Ok, going to try to compare like-for-like, prices from Maxi (No Frills, I think, outside Qc) unless otherwise mentioned:
I also bought 10lb potatoes @ 1.99; bag of 4 peppers @ 2.97; fresh spinach, 2 lettuces, a punnet of cherry tomatoes for 5$ at the market. Bacon at GT is 2.50/lb; eggs on special there this week @ 2.00/dozen. I'm small town too, but I think we have a lot more competition than you do, which helps. Then Save On which has the best selection and overall pricing, and service. The last one is Extra Food's a Loblaws franchise, rumor is they are turning it into a no frills though, so maybe we will see lower pricing, right now they are no cheaper overall then Save On, but their store is old, smelly, and the service stinks. They are having difficulty expanding as 2 of the 4 other tenants of the building refused to relocate, so they have far less space to expand then originally planned, but still hasn't been officially approved by town council from what I can tell as the sign still says proposed development and nothing has started yet. If Wal-Mart was allowed, I am sure they would have their typical grocery store, but the town council at the time when they approved the Wal-Mart store, they restricted how much food, and what kinds of food they could sell, and the current council is more anti-bix box so nothing is going to change there anytime soon most likely. |
Re: Groceries
Originally Posted by caretaker
(Post 11628236)
Would it be like mixing mayo and salsa verde the same way you make faux tartar sauce with mayo and sweet green relish?
Originally Posted by BristolUK
(Post 11628338)
Now that's an interesting idea. I shall have to try it.
I bought a pot of salsa verde but then forgot about it until I came across it the other day. I mixed it with mayo. It had a slightly different appearance but it really is almost identical to what I've been missing. It went brilliantly with spud. :thumbsup: |
Re: Groceries
ketchup, mayo & relish = a great taste. Vary the amounts of each in the mixture for a different concoction
Use on fish, meat even salad Italian salad dressing (store bought or home made) as a marinade for fish or chicken In all of the above always store brand or no name brand Early morning shop at the local grocery store into the produce section where the guys filling the produce shelves opening boxes of produce are cleaning off the outside leaves or sorting produce which they throw into a box on their cart. Ask for discards for your rabbit [of course no rabbit], sort at home & use yourself. Free produce Same as going to the 'marked down' produce shelf that a cauliflower was found [small black spots on it] for $1.99 which is what I got yesterday at No Frills. At home I cut of the black spot, the rest was good to eat for two/three meals. Similar with potatoes usually when not on special can be found sorted & poly bagged on the marked down cart ~3kg for $0.99 Yes, I still do those things My favourite is getting the FREE beet top laves which are better tasting than spinach or swiss chard In the fish section of the local Chinese market a section with lots of bagged fish sections for soup, which sorted is edible for a meal, anything over into the soup pot Food is the lowest cost of all of our expenses, followed by clothing. Utilities & property just does my head in . |
Re: Groceries
Originally Posted by not2old
(Post 11703087)
ketchup, mayo & relish = a great taste. Vary the amounts of each in the mixture for a different concoction
Use on fish, meat even salad Italian salad dressing (store bought or home made) as a marinade for fish or chicken In all of the above always store brand or no name brand Early morning shop at the local grocery store into the produce section where the guys filling the produce shelves opening boxes of produce are cleaning off the outside leaves or sorting produce which they throw into a box on their cart. Ask for discards for your rabbit [of course no rabbit], sort at home & use yourself. Free produce Same as going to the 'marked down' produce shelf that a cauliflower was found [small black spots on it] for $1.99 which is what I got yesterday at No Frills. At home I cut of the black spot, the rest was good to eat for two/three meals. Similar with potatoes usually when not on special can be found sorted & poly bagged on the marked down cart ~3kg for $0.99 Yes, I still do those things My favourite is getting the FREE beet top laves which are better tasting than spinach or swiss chard In the fish section of the local Chinese market a section with lots of bagged fish sections for soup, which sorted is edible for a meal, anything over into the soup pot Food is the lowest cost of all of our expenses, followed by clothing. Utilities & property just does my head in . I have never seen them stock anything during store hours. The other one, food is never marked down, they donate that sort of discards to the food bank instead, best you can do is get meat $2 off a few days before its date, as the food bank doesn't take meat. Our biggest is rent, car, food. Clothing is bought so infrequent, I don't even consider it when budgeting...lol.. Hydro our only utility is dirt cheap, 40/month average in summer, 30/month average in winter. |
Re: Groceries
Originally Posted by BristolUK
(Post 11695829)
Lamb continues to be on the menu :)
The lamb shanks were magnificent and the boneless legs are back in the Superstore flyer this week (loblaws too?) @ $7.99 lb but we still have a couple of joints left from last time. I've just been making up a batch of mint (from the garden) sauce ready for Sunday. I've never done that before. Stretched, enough for two people for three meals after taking out the bone. Yum, served with those low cost potatoes, cauliflower & carrots. Wife wont let me make dumplings saying they are too fattening. If still hungry, then its dipped bread to mop up, either calabrese or Rye. One 500g loaf last us one week, sometimes we end up giving to the birds cos its moldy & no we don't keep it in the fridge or freezer. For sarnies, its always on special cuts or end cuts from the deli tray. Usually can get Mortadella for $0.66/100g or Prosciutto ham for $0.99/100g |
Re: Groceries
Originally Posted by not2old
(Post 11703121)
Goat for dinner tonight, from the bought at the local ethnic shop 'Goat shoulder' $2.79/lb this week
Wife wont let me make dumplings saying they are too fattening. |
Re: Groceries
I've lately been putting together my own charcuterie platters with some nice cheeses from GI market. Doing it yourself makes it pretty reasonable, I can do a real quality one for four people for around $80 thats including bread, olives, pickles and mustard. With a 4L box of claret it makes for a nice break when out fishing or just watching the sunset.
|
Re: Groceries
Originally Posted by Oink
(Post 11703130)
With a 4L box of claret it makes for a nice break when out fishing or just watching the sunset.
You could probably get away with a lower quality platter if they're drinking that much. :blink: :rofl: |
Re: Groceries
Originally Posted by Oink
(Post 11703130)
I've lately been putting together my own charcuterie platters with some nice cheeses from GI market.
Doing it yourself makes it pretty reasonable, I can do a real quality one for four people for around $80 thats including bread, olives, pickles and mustard. With a 4L box of claret it makes for a nice break when out fishing. |
Re: Groceries
Originally Posted by BristolUK
(Post 11703128)
I wouldn't let you make dumplings as they're 'orrible. :p Yum.... |
Re: Groceries
Originally Posted by not2old
(Post 11703137)
a value meal trade off for the free fish ......
|
Re: Groceries
Originally Posted by not2old
(Post 11703138)
potato dumplings with sauerkraut & polish sausage (or smoked ham on the bone on special $0.99/Ib) & a couple slices dark rye bread... brew of choice;)
Yum.... Oh well, that's different. Recipe? |
Re: Groceries
Originally Posted by BristolUK
(Post 11703143)
Oh well, that's different. Recipe?
|
Re: Groceries
potato dumplings with sauerkraut & polish sausage (or smoked ham on the bone
Originally Posted by not2old
(Post 11703149)
post 262, its Canadian ...
|
Re: Groceries
Originally Posted by BristolUK
(Post 11703154)
Recipe? potato dumplings
on post 262 I'm afraid I need more than that. :unsure: The google recipes don't work for me, I simply throw it together no measurement, its all in the feel. On post $262, the Canadian comment is 'anything or any food' goes that meets the palate pleasantry. Fried lettuce tempura style, even oven baked spinach. A pasty could be simple as a cold water pastry. Simple flour, water light olive oil mixed to a dough, covered & wrapped in the fridge one hour. Roll out, fill with water (bubble & squeak or chop suey leftovers)... bake in the oven 375'F for 35 minutes. Add in the mixture to the pastry recipe...fish, beef or pork. If you want straight veggies, then so be it - or maybe a cheese one Make your own dumpling with a filler, what about egg rolls with your own filler, even Eccles cake with your own filler.Boiled, fried or baked. No Frills last week 'boneless pork loin' piece $1.50/Ib. What a deal & what one can do with that. Shishkababobs, boneless chops, hammered flat schnitzel, small piece for roast, curry pork, rolladen... endless cooking & substitute with Chicken, beef or fish - even veggie style with egg plant, beet leaves, add in rice what ever is around. We are not the meat & tatty Brits from way back when - just Canadians now Food can be delicious & cheap - just need a bit of creative I couldn't make any of that up because its all Canadian from the 48 years that we've lived in Canada .. |
Re: Groceries
Originally Posted by not2old
(Post 11703166)
dumplings my way ... cooked mashed potatoes, flour, egg, salt... play around with the amounts per unit (dough style - mix, let sit in a bowl for 30 minutes, in a pot of boiling water, turn the heat down after 5 mins, let cook for approx 10 minutes.
Where does the sauerkraut & polish sausage come into it? |
Re: Groceries
Originally Posted by Jsmth321
(Post 11703120)
Our biggest cost is rent, car, food. Clothing is bought so infrequent, I don't even consider it when budgeting...lol.. Hydro our only utility is dirt cheap, 40/month average in summer, 30/month average in winter. NB minimum wage $10.30/hr A two bedroom apartment rental for less than what you pay in BC example $645/mth MONCTON, NEWLY RENOVATED 2 Bedroom | 2 bedroom | Moncton | Kijiji http://www.kijiji.ca/v-2-bedroom-apa...ationFlag=true Maybe Bristol has a vacancy in one of his places? Moncton has a wide range of grocery stores, google the flyers |
Re: Groceries
Originally Posted by not2old
(Post 11703609)
have you considered moving to some place else to lower your costs?
Purely from a financial POV - the bare bones - they could probably lose the disability income, just have their wages, rent somewhere in NB and have more cash left than presently. If JS doesn't mind me saying, there are a few other complications though, such as proximity to other family and medical issues which make a move to a different province problematic. And those two places look nice but something nice can be had for a fair bit less too. |
Re: Groceries
Originally Posted by BristolUK
(Post 11703733)
I think you could say he has ;) :rofl:
Purely from a financial POV - the bare bones - they could probably lose the disability income, just have their wages, rent somewhere in NB and have more cash left than presently. If JS doesn't mind me saying, there are a few other complications though, such as proximity to other family and medical issues which make a move to a different province problematic. And those two places look nice but something nice can be had for a fair bit less too. As a landlord would you take twelve months lease payment up front at a reduced rate... example, 10 months rent paid up front for 12 month lease? As a renter, would you pay 10 months rent in full up front for a twelve month lease? |
Re: Groceries
Originally Posted by not2old
(Post 11703819)
Is that Bristol offering a place to JS for lower rent
As a landlord would you take twelve months lease payment up front at a reduced rate... example, 10 months rent paid up front for 12 month lease? |
Re: Groceries
No Frills has a good sale on pork tenderloin and ribs so I bought a pack of each. I may go back for another since it freezes so well.
|
Re: Groceries
Originally Posted by BristolUK
(Post 11703733)
I think you could say he has ;) :rofl:
Purely from a financial POV - the bare bones - they could probably lose the disability income, just have their wages, rent somewhere in NB and have more cash left than presently. If JS doesn't mind me saying, there are a few other complications though, such as proximity to other family and medical issues which make a move to a different province problematic. And those two places look nice but something nice can be had for a fair bit less too. maybe JS could look at going with something along the line of the following in St John NB?..... just saying;) As an example, a duplex for $29.900 (link below), live in one half & rent out the other. With $6,000 down the outgoings for the mortgage is $111/mth, taxes $100/mth, utilities $150/mth = $361. Renting out one half with the owner living in the other half they'd have free accommodation plus some cash flow. Money at risk is minimal, ROE is not too shabby. 52 KENNEDY Street , SAINT JOHN, New Brunswick  E2K1C4 - SJ151363 | Realtor.ca |
Re: Groceries
Originally Posted by not2old
(Post 11704062)
from post 269
maybe JS could look at going with something along the line of the following in St John NB?..... just saying;) As an example, a duplex for $29.900 (link below), live in one half & rent out the other. With $6,000 down the outgoings for the mortgage is $111/mth, taxes $100/mth, utilities $150/mth = $361. Renting out one half with the owner living in the other half they'd have free accommodation plus some cash flow. Money at risk is minimal, ROE is not too shabby. 52 KENNEDY Street , SAINT JOHN, New Brunswick  E2K1C4 - SJ151363 | Realtor.ca |
Re: Groceries
Originally Posted by Jsmth321
(Post 11704364)
Assuming it's in good shape, and not in the worst part of town, doesn't seem too bad, although I know nothing about that area.....
But I have read of many ramshackle rentals in Saint John and when I was considering the place before Moncton became the target, the areas I was warned off were never easily defined. |
Re: Groceries
post 275 & 276
I suppose so, then again its all relative - relative to how much money you have, where you want to live & work, what kind of rents one can get renting out half the duplex. Moncton duplex below 28 FLEET Street , MONCTON, New Brunswick  E1C1R9 - M12531 | Realtor.ca maybe the 3 bedrom unit would fetch $850/mth at a cost of $70,000 with 20% down ($14,000) a mortgage would be approx (source TD Bank) For a 25 year mortgage for $56,000.00 at the rate of 2.84%, your Monthly payment is: Mortgage Payment:$260.44 Insurance Payment:$0.00 Total Monthly Payment:$260.44 |
Re: Groceries
Originally Posted by Jsmth321
(Post 11704364)
Assuming it's in good shape, and not in the worst part of town, doesn't seem too bad, although I know nothing about that area.....
|
Re: Groceries
Originally Posted by not2old
(Post 11704477)
post 275 & 276
I suppose so, then again its all relative - relative to how much money you have, where you want to live & work, what kind of rents one can get renting out half the duplex. maybe the 3 bedrom unit would fetch $850/mth |
Re: Groceries
Alex @ post 278 & 279 thanks for the input & feedback
Are you saying the rental on that 3-bedroom duplex Moncton in post #277 is not a good investment or just that 'the unknown shady' tenant & location as you mentioned? Since you live in the Moncton area, what about this expensive duplex in Riverview in the link below - for investment purposes only, what kind or rents could be on that one? 38-40 WATERFALL, RIVERVIEW, New Brunswick  E1B3C4 - M11458 | Realtor.ca or the Triplex/duplex on the other side of the river? http://www.realtor.ca/Residential/Si...unswick-E1E1J5 . |
| All times are GMT -12. The time now is 6:33 pm. |
Powered by vBulletin: ©2000 - 2026, Jelsoft Enterprises Ltd.
Copyright © 2026 MH Sub I, LLC dba Internet Brands. All rights reserved. Use of this site indicates your consent to the Terms of Use.