Customer Reviews

Eating Economically Is Just Plain Smart

5 star:		(4)
4 star:		(4)
3 star:		(0)
2 star:		(2)
1 star:		(5)

 

 

I first read about this family in a women's magazine. There have been some disappointing reviews written in regards to this book but I have to stand up and say congratulations to this brave family! I enjoy collecting cookbooks on frugal cooking. This, I must say, was one of the best. Other frugal cookbooks have recipes that must be improvised in order to make a good recipe, have recipes repeated in their menus either too often to appeal, or plan unhealthy menus. I am not a health food junky nor a meat-and-potatoes-nightly mom! This book finds a healthy balance between both worlds. That is what I especially appreciate. In regards to including simple recipes, it is astonishing how many young families do not know how to cook at all. While some recipes may seem too simple for those who are experienced in the kitchen, including these is a must for those just starting at an entry level with a desire to save money. I have a family of six and have been cooking frugally for years. Having new recipes to include in our meal planning is a joy. I also commend this family for taking on a large family and evening putting away money for higher learning. Their basic, simple approach may seem simplistic to those who are involved in the world of living simply, but their desire to share their lifestyle with others in the hope of aiding others is commendable. I highly recommend their book. My family has found all of their recipes very delicious. And yes, you will definitely feed a large family for $50 a week. In fact, I plan to send a copy back to college with my son. Just think how long a college student can stretch that $50 cooking just for himself!

This is an all around GREAT basic guide to feeding a family. I'm a professional mom who has relied too many years on eating out and convenience foods due to lack of time and picky eaters. Other cookbooks I tried were filled with recipes my family didn't like and ingredients that were sometimes hard to find. Most everything in THIS book, my family WILL eat and I CAN cook, plus there is the money saving feature. There are plenty of good ideas to answer that nagging question of what to cook. I made a shopping checklist on my computer based on the pantry item list in the introduction of the book. The shopping list helps me insure that I will most likely have on hand whatever I need for last minute cooking needs.
Since the book covers everything the authors feed their family, a few extremely basic recipes are properly included; but this is not the rule and definitely not a reason to discredit the book.

We were apprehensive when we ordered this book figuring it would just be hints on shopping, etc. We were pleased to see that it included an actual shopping list, recipies, etc. and it includes things that can be made with real ingredients without buying lots of name-brand junk. We have been trying the recipies and so far our kids have liked them all and even more interesting is that we are now eating Tofu! We will soon see if our actual shopping comes in at $50/week or less....

I read the reviews for this book and was a little hesitant so I checked it out at my library. Wow! What a good starter book for economic, healthy cooking!

As many reviewers mentioned, it has some good basic recipes and a good basic shopping list of items you should have at all times. One reviewer said that the prices for items were questionable. The list (which appears on pages 9 and 10) is preceded by a paragraph in which the authors state that these are the prices at a discount grocery store which sells no name brands. Also, this was in 1997. The list looks accurate to me as I know of several such stores (the only reason this is not a five-star for me is that I wish the prices were updated). As for readers who didn't like the scarcity of red meat, the authors explain their reason for not using meat (nutritional, environmental, etc) but also add that this is a personal choice and that they do, in fact, eat other kinds of meat on occasion. I think this is difficult to take in our country where meat is consumed at nearly every meal!

Other reviewers were bothered by the simple recipes. I, however, wasn't. A lot of nutritional food is really quite simple and I believe that the author wanted to keep it this way to avoid promoting the buying of more and more ingredients. The end of the book mentions that many people don't cook at home anymore because they believe it is too time consuming or too hard. Simple recipes that still taste great are a good inducement to stay at home!

Overall, I think this is a great book, put out by real people who have lots of kids and don't want to spend a lot of money. This is a good read for those who are not brand-obsessed or focused on gourmet cooking but rather healthy, tasty home cooking with little bother.

I have had this book for a long time, and while it is no longer useful to me (I've learned a lot since then) I think it would be good for someone just starting to learn to save money, cook healthy, etc. I have learned to be frugal, shop wisely and cook almost everything from scratch. BUT -- for 12 years I was a single working mother with absolutey no idea how simple it was to shop, cook and eat this way. I would have loved for someone to give me an alternative to fast food and convenience foods way back then. Not everyone knows all of the 'simple' recipes or even how to cook - especially when you are overloaded with work, kids, etc. If you don't know better, cooking from scratch can seem overwhelming and time consuming. I think this is a great book, simply written, with the intention of sharing what they've learned.

I was surprised this book even got published. It is way overpriced and altogether a disappointment. It was more of a "very" basic recipe book than how to save money on food. Mary Hunt's "How to be a Cheapskate" had tons of ideas how to save money on food and cut cost. If you want to save money or get ideas get Mary Hunt's book-don't bother with this one.

Who in the world doesn't already know how to make these?? I must say this was the worst book on this subject. Miserly Moms or any Tightwad Gazette are a much better buy. I bought this because someone told me it was great--let's just say I returned it.

This is only a recipe book. I have been a parent for ten years and know most of these tips by heart, and could add to the repertoire! Families interested in saving money more than likely already eat these foods, shop at discount grocers and cook with inexpensive ingredients. For those interested in a book on saving money in the kitchen, this is not the book.

I thought that the amount of information given in this book did not justify the price. I found the Tightwad Gazette books and especially Miserly Moms to be better values. I was disappointed to see recipes for baked potatoes, oatmeal and french toast. These recipes are so fundamental, I couldn't believe that they were included (you can always read the directions on the oatmeal container).

In addition, if the type on the introduction wasn't so large, the intro probably would have taken up only 10 pages. It seemed as though they were trying to take up space to generate more pages.

I use many of the recipes in this book and they are very good. If this book cost closer to $10, I would give it 3 or 4 stars, I simply think it is overpriced for the info you get. Considering that the book was written for an audience that is trying to save money, it is a shame that it doesn't deliver more.

I just got it out today to look up a recipe I could make on the fly. Apple bars it was. Easy to make, and very good nothing fancy, it just works.