Comments on: When is Convenience Worth the Money?

By: Jenny in CG

Jenny in CG — Wed, 24 Mar 2010 22:25:30 +0000

I do what I call Half-Scratch. I will use box mac-n-cheese but I improve it. Gravy mixes are cheap and quick (my10 yo makes it in the microwave) and can really improve a meal, especially cheap mashed taters – butter is way more expensive than gravy packets!
I have also found certain package mixes to be both good and convenient. for instance, McCormick Beef Stroganoff is really very good (passes the hubby test) and rice-a-roni-style (store brand & on sale) mixes can be a great shortcut to half-scratch meals.

the trick is to be honest with yourself about why and how you want to use the items, try a few different brands to find what fits your tastes best and don’t rely too heavily on the short cuts. For the most part, your family will be happier with a simple meal and a happy, healthy mom than they would with extravagance and variety.

By: The Saved Quarter

The Saved Quarter — Sun, 21 Mar 2010 17:03:35 +0000

This is the premise of my weekly posts, Scratch vs. Store Bought. I compare the home made version to the convenience food version, and I’m surprised to find that home made doesn’t always win on taste, and convenience doesn’t always win on price. Sometimes, I’m finding, it’s worth it to buy store bought, especially on sale. Bisquick was cheaper than my home made mix, for example. That surprised me! Most of the time, though, I’ll continue to make it from scratch for the health benefits.

http://thesavedquarter.wordpress.com/category/scratch-vs-store-bought/

By: Jennifer

Jennifer — Sat, 20 Mar 2010 23:29:49 +0000

I am not a fan of convenience foods. It has nothing to do with the price, but instead the health aspects. Most if not all convenience foods has too much salt, sugar, white flour, perservatives, corn syrup, etc. I make as much as I possibly can for us to eat. In my opinion what we put in our bodies is very important so I will cook and look for other ways to save time such as not taking the kids to as many activities as before, freezer cooking, giving the kids more responibilities around the house, and not keeping the house spotless. I have choosen my priorities – homeschooling so I spend quite a bit of time with the kids teaching, playing, and taking field trips, my relationship with my husband, and cooking so that I know I am doing the best that I can in helping the kids to not struggle with weight and health problems in the future and that I know they will be able to cook for their families when they grow up as well. The rest I try not to stress about as much so that I can save time on things that are not as important.

By: Val

Val — Sun, 14 Mar 2010 18:47:00 +0000

I usually try to cook from scratch because it tastes better. However, I buy pre-washed greens (mustard, collards, etc.) because washing them are so difficult. I also buy bread products, although I try to get them on sale at the local bakery or outlet.

By: Tammy

Tammy — Sun, 14 Mar 2010 03:38:15 +0000

Generally I only buy “convenience” foods in the form of pre-washed salad leaves mix. Makes it easy and so quick to throw together a healthy salad for dinner when we are really time-poor – and it is still cheaper (and sooooo much healthier) than buying a takeaway

By: Lanna

Lanna — Fri, 12 Mar 2010 23:20:22 +0000

Right now being on my own (hubby at least has a job, but it’s an entire state away) with a 3 week old, 20mo, 3.5yo and 6yo, convenience is the name of the game, and I didn’t have a chance to get a bunch of freezer meals going on this time around since this last pregnancy kicked my rear end. It’s just easier to pop things in the oven/stovetop/microwave when 2-3 kids are screaming at me when mommy never gets a break. We’ll get back to better (less processed) food at some point this year, but for now? It is what it is.

By: Jaime Davis

Jaime Davis — Fri, 12 Mar 2010 18:51:28 +0000

I shop at Trader Joes, so I don’t feel bad about buying their convenience items:

I always buy prepacked spinach. I agree, to wash it would be a chore, and I would rather have it than not eat a healthy meal.
I buy their whole wheat pizza dough and shredded cheese.

I buy some spices premade, mostly taco spice (It’s just so cheap to get it at Costo) and chilli spice. I don’t have the time to make my own jerk, curry, or garam masala seasonings, so I always buy that (I get the organic kind at the farmers market)

When I had my daughter I said I would not give her processed foods, but she has turned out to be such a picky eater, and she is in the low percentage of her age range in weight, I would rather she just eat, so yes, I bought TJ’s chicken nuggets, chicken egg rolls, and potstickers. I just bought their mini tacos and I hope she likes those.

I dont know what I am doing wrong, but she would rather eat Krafts mac and cheese than my baked version So I admit I will buy that when its 3/1$. I am going to try to make another homemade version for her with whole wheat pasta and cheese sauce and see how that goes.

By: Karen R.

Karen R. — Fri, 12 Mar 2010 13:30:56 +0000

I buy salad at Sam’s club premixed. I can get a 2.5 pound bag of the Romaine blend for $2.67. If I were to buy everything in the blend, it would cost a lot more. Plus it’s a good filler to start the meal.

By: Sarah Cassill

Sarah Cassill — Fri, 12 Mar 2010 01:07:48 +0000

Is Iowa just WEIRD?? Here shreeded cheese goes on sale for 99 cents an 8 ounce package every 6 weeks or so– WAY WAY cheaper than block cheese. And it freezes great. Another CHEAP convenience thing I buy at Fareway is the frozen diced green onions and the frozen diced green peppers. They’re a dollar for a 1 pound bag. Which makes the peppers at least CHEAPER than fresh. Plus there’s no waste (stems and seeds) and no finding half a rotten veggie in the back corner of the fridge. Not to mention no tears chopping onions!

By: Kristine

Kristine — Thu, 11 Mar 2010 23:12:49 +0000

I am not ashamed to say that I will buy almost any convenience food that tastes good, especially if it’s on sale or I have a coupon. Why not save on time whenever possible?!