ITA with your first paragraph. We’re 6 here - 4 kids (we were 7 until my mom died). It’s especially expensive in the summer when there are usually a bunch of their friends over, too. Then the flip side is during the school year and sports with all the sending snacks for the class or team, etc.
I let the kids buy lunch at school 1 day per week. They can pick the day - and I’ll pay for it - it’s a treat for them, lol.
We shop at BJ’s once a month and still have to shop at the grocery store once a week. We’re very meticulous with our budget, including the food budget.
I don’t know what point the story was trying to make - most middle class families have it tough today and we also have to work for our income while paying for those who can’t or won’t work.
My 16 and 15 year olds have jobs so we don’t have to pay for their very active social lives, lol.
I do the same. Get most of my non-perishables at BJ's, then weekly see what meat's on sale in my local supermarkets. Generally, if it's not on sale, I don't buy, and if it's a really good price I buy a lot and freeze. For veggies and fruits we have this bulk produce place nearby that's a lot cheaper than the supermarket
I think we forgot the mark-up on inner city groceries. Sometimes I stop at the supermarket in the city and — just as a for instance — cake mix that usually costs 89 to 93 cents a box elsewhere costs $1.23 there. Mark-ups on every item would add up. Also, she mentioned some items were cheaper at the drug store. Well, let me tell you, that is like an alternate universe to think some things are cheaper at the drug store!
That said, I agree with everyone that said she’s using too much meat per meal; the older kids need to get jobs; and over all her home economics skills need a tune-up.