Favorite Foods

When it comes to buying food- we go through a lot!  I haven't even hit the teenage years, and two of my kids are still mainly milk consumers.  I can't imagine what is yet to come.  My kids are bottomless pits and would eat everything in the house regardless of the amount I spent to keep it stocked. In attempt to stick to a budget I try to steer clear of the overpriced snacks, name brand cereals, specialized, pre-made, processed foods, and out-of-season fruits/veggies.  I don't want my kiddos to feel like they are deprived of these things because I tell them "No" more than I do "Yes".  So I decided I would spoil them just a bit by letting them choose their favorite food item and I would buy it for them($5 limit). Their food item can't be junk food (pop, chips, treats, etc.). I do this at the beginning of each month, because by the end of the month the money has dwindled and we are doing good to keep milk, eggs, and bread in the house. 

 My kids have absolutely loved doing this.  They think way in advance about what they are going to choose for the next month.  Once I buy it, it becomes theirs and only theirs.  They are so proud of it.  They write their name on it.  They calculate how many days it will last and what days they will eat it on.  Often times they will trade a portion of their item for some of their siblings.    It has been fun to see what they choose and how excited they are when I bring it home.  Some of the things they have chosen are: strawberries, favorite name brand cereals, jerky, hot pockets, chicken-in-a-biscuit crackers, cashews, etc.    I do occasionally buy these things, but just not on a regular basis.  What makes it fun for them I think is that they are the owner's of their favorite food-something yummy to eat on their own.