Eat Well: For $50 a Week

I picked this book up at a thrift store for $.79. Initially I chuckled at the $50 a week idea, as my copy is 15 years old, but always the optimist, figured it couldn't hurt to give it a going through. The concepts and ideas are still valid. I was also impressed by how she reviews many money saving techniques - even those she does not use - with the acknowledgement that while some of those might not be right for her and her family, they may work for others. Great job!!!!!

This book is a great resource for the beginning cook. If you are a seasoned homaker,you might be dissapointed. I have found it to be a great tool at figuring out how much a dinner/week of dinners will cost. Of course, the prices you pay will vary from the book. Use it as an example or planner.

Even though this book was written in 1993 and you'll have to factor for inflation, you ought to be able to cut your grocery bills drastically if you use this book. I bought mine years ago and it is still one of the most-used books I have. Here's why: 1. Shopping lists that are easy to use and family friendly. Weekly menus and tips for saving even more. 2. Healthy foods, plenty of fruits and veggies but nothing exotic that kids won't touch 3. Good, basic recipes, including a GREAT, kid-friendly stir-fry recipe, excellent (and usually healthy) desserts, plenty of main meals. I LOVED the baked pudding, using milk, eggs, vanilla, etc. Easy and healthy! 4.Lots of the main courses can be doubled or tripled and frozen, so you don't have to shop as often. 5. A realistic plan. Although you may not want to, the author serves dessert every night. If you cut that to 3 times a week or so, you'd save even more money. Also, Barfield (author) isn't perfect and doesn't expect the reader to be, either. She admits to eating out once in a while, etc. Even so, the savings are impressive...and, of course, eating out doesn't mean expensive restaurants but more like the nearest Taco Bell or something.

I use many of the recipes in this book each week. It has saved me money and time over and over again. My son loves the mom-whiches and the sweet and sour meatballs. My entire family loves the cinnamon raisin bread. I have used that recipe weekly for over a year and my family never gets tired of it. For the first time I actually made bagels and my kids enjoyed them. I do shop carefully, buy meat on sale and keep a stocked pantry. This book can keep your grocery budget down. Other great recipes include the french bread, popovers, potato chowder, and the simple pudding. I think your family will enjoy this book if you actually try the recipes. To save money shop the sales in your area instead of just shopping with a weekly list and keep your pantry stocked.

Barfield shares her personal system for providing nutritious, tasty meals for her family of six, complete with sample menus, shopping lists, and recipes. This book is chock full of painless, practical tactics to slash your grocery bill -- even if you have a sweet tooth, a pile of kids, and not a lot of time.