Hopefully you told 'em to mind their own d@mn bidniz.
Beyond the issue of whether it is money saving or not, I think that doing such activites are good for families for many reasons. Least of which is the teaching of self-reliance.
Just make sure the gov't doesn't get the land your tomatos are on, if you can.
I know this is true (time/effort/cost of seeds/water, etc.) but my family is in the garden as much as they can be and it's become a source of infinite pleasure. My son-in-law even covered part of the garden with greenhouse plastic last fall and we had fresh goodies until Christmas (Midwest) and have already pulled garlic and eaten kale.
I know what you are saying.............
Beyond the issue of whether it is money saving or not, I think that doing such activites are good for families for many reasons. Least of which is the teaching of self-reliance.
I agree completely on both counts, family activity and self-reliance. As a family we actually have a tremendous amount of fun in the garden and while out fishing, even if we don't catch dinner :)
Good luck with keeping the gov's at bay now!
It is so good for kids to learn how to be self reliant today. My hubby marvels at how many of his coworkers do not know how a motor works or how to repair something basic in their home. They think my hubby is the strange one for doing stuff himself. My hubby thinks the coworkers are idiots for paying some goofball who has no vested interest in making sure he has done the job perfectly, money to do something my hubby can do. And, my hubby knows he will do it well because he and our family has to use it.