I understand the struggle to balance cost vs quality. As prices have increased over the past few years, friends and I have discussed the two paths restaurants have followed: keep the price steady while sacrificing the quality of products used or maintain the quality and increase the price accordingly. Most of us prefer the commitment to quality, but realize this means less dining out. And of course shrinkflation is universal.
3 Likes
One reason we stopped ordering from a very good Pakistani place in town. Instead of raising their prices and providing the same quality and quantity of food, they decided to skimp on both while keeping the prices the same. Meh.
1 Like
It’s a difficult balance. I’m sure whichever path a restaurant chooses it loses some portion of its customer base.
2 Likes
Sunshine and her friends really liked “dining out” (girls night).
Unfortunately, they had to discontinue that activity due to cost. So, each one takes turns hosting a “girls night” and everyone brings a dish (kind of like a pot luck). I’m usually in charge of dessert, so Sunshine takes one of my creations. They still seem to laugh and have fun, but at a fraction of the cost.
When its our turn to host, I set everything up and go hide in my garage (man cave) until its over. And yes I have a small TV and ROKU in my garage.
As far as stocking up… I have plenty of flour, yeast, sugar, beans, rice, canned vegetables, etc. in stock. We’ve been eating on a rather tight budget for a while – so that will just continue. I’ll keep baking and making meals from whatever is on sale. I can’t tell you the last time I purchased bread – when we get low, I bake up a loaf or two.
I got a 5 pound bag of potatoes on sale for $1.54 – I’ll probably make a potato & vegetable soup (next week or the week after).
5 Likes
My GFs and I have started alternating our ladies nights ‘out’ and my hosting them for a movie night at our place. Much cheaper than going out (especially for them hahaha), we can choose our own soundtrack, and can hang out in our PJs if we want. Win/win.
6 Likes
Love potato-leek soup! I also add sautéed onions, shallots, garlic. What a great price.
Low income seniors where I live can get a free weekly produce delivery; I share it with my neighbor. Is anything like that available in your area?
2 Likes
Having health insurance tied to your job keeps you there too. I was self employed and used to pay $650 month + $40 co-pays for insurance, a friend was paying $850 month before he was eligible for Medicare.
Years ago, first time in Europe, with rail pass, arrived in Venice for the day. My ankles were very swollen so people showed me how to take a vaporeto (ferry) to the Emergency Room of a public hospital. There was no waiting! Handsome Italian doctors who didn’t speak English. They gave me Rx for water pills. Everything was FREE.
9 Likes
I don’t think so, but I’ll look into it.
I don’t have any leeks, but will add onions and other vegetables. I think there might be a lone chicken breast in the bottom of the freezer. I might cook and shred it – add it to the soup.
Yes, that particular store puts a 5 pound bag of potatoes on sale every two weeks or so. I think its their “loss leader”. I grab one when I go for my bike ride, throw it in my backpack and bring it home.
1 Like
We all have to use our best smarts now. You’re doing an excellent job of stretching your pennies and you’re being very creative finding new ways to do things, like making bread.
I’d love it if you tried the EASY Woks of Life Milk Bread recipe I’ve posted.
2 Likes
I had a motorbike accident in Mykonos in the mid-80s, half-ripping off my pinkie nail 
and ramming a handlebar into my right thigh. Good times.
The hospital fixed me up for free.
1 Like
I haven’t tried it yet, but will go print it out and give it a whirl.
Thanks.
I kind of like making bread and I’ve really gotten into making our own flour tortillas. I’ve been adding cayenne pepper to the mix and it adds a nice “Southwest” kick to them.
I recently grew some alfalfa sprouts (using the mason jar method) and loaded them into this cayenne pepper flavored tortilla wrap – really good and the cost was just pennies.
4 Likes
A few weeks back my local grocery had BOGO 5lb potatoes. I wasn’t sure I could handle that many, but potatoes are so versatile–mash them, roast them (with a variety of seasonings), fry them, and on and on.
Soups, salads, sides. Breakfast, lunch, dinner.
This week the baby potatoes were BOGO. I got one red and one gold. Now to find some new recipes.
4 Likes
Some inspo 
2 Likes
One of my “go to” recipes for potatoes is this Potato, Onion & Carrot casserole.
I imagine you could add some (cooked) shredded chicken or (sauteed) ground turkey to it, if you wanted to.
It is a bit of a project, but I make a big one and it makes 6 servings (3 meals for the two of us). It does freeze well in individual servings, also.
1 Like
Thanks! Believe it or not onions were BOGO this week (so I have 6 pounds now) and baby carrots were the freebie this week. Is there a particular recipe? It looks like there may be cheese? (And I have a drawer full of that as well.)
I’ll check out the thread. Everything in the intro looks delish.
1 Like
That will have been because most European countries have reciprocal agreements to offer visitors the same level of service as their own citizens. Even though the UK has now left the European Union, we still have agreements with EU countries .
I used to volunteer at our local hospital and treatment for non-European visitors would be chargeable - although often the paperwork wasnt worth the hassle for relatively minor injuries treated at the Accident & Emergency unit.
2 Likes
That’s quite a thread. I can’t say I read all 200 posts, but I did bookmark it so I can read a few at a time. My general rule for all recipes? Mayo bad, cheese good.
How do you feel about recipes that have both? 
Yup. Although I remember purchasing something like a ‘travel health insurance’ back in the day (along with bringing traveller’s checks!). Never needed it.
