The Struggle To Survive

With gas prices that are high and the cost of all foods still on the rise, it is becoming harder and harder to feed and support a family. I go grocery shopping every other week. Two years ago I spent about $80 every grocery shopping trip, now every other week I find myself spending $120 to $130 on groceries. I haven't add more items to my shopping cart, and I still by the cheapest of brands that are available. If anything I cut items out of my shopping list and by cheaper cuts of meat. I realize that my monthly gocery bill may not seem much compared to others, but the raise in prices has definitly effected us.
I also try to have my kids eat nutritously, which isn't and easy task in itself. But with prices being so high I find it hard to. I would love to be able to buy only organic foods and the best of the best quality of foods, unfortunately I can't though. However, here are some things I do and buy for them:
I buy whole wheat. In my grocery store whole wheat is only 20 cents more.
I always have celery and peanut butter on hand for snacks.
I buy whatever fruits and vegetables that are on sale that week.
I buy soy milk when it is on sale or when I have coupons for it.
I buy low-fat or less-fat with everything I can.
I buy dried fruit instead of "fruit" candy snacks since they are almost the smae in price.
I buy a box of plain regular oatmeal and add honey and cinnamon to it, instead of buying flavored and individual sized packets of oatmeal.
And this year we grew our own garden in the backyard. So we didn't have to buy tomatoes, peppers, squash, spincah, watermelon, and a couple of other things. My husband even canned salsa, so we shouldnt have to buy any for a year.

Even though it has become a struggle to feed a family sometimes, it is still manageable. You just have to get creative.

Mom and a Job

So I have recieved my Associate degree in Medical officce administration, now it is time to get a job. I have been having mixed feelings about working a regular 9 - 5 job though. I have stayed home during the days and working nights for so long now. I also feel that by working during the day, I might miss out on some event that happens in my childrens' lives. I'm not going to be there everyday to make lunches and put them down for there naps. In away I feel that I am abandoning them in some way. I realize that I am not the first nor last mother to feel this.