# What does your household consume more of than usual? **URL:** \ **Category:** In My Humble Opinion\ **Created:** [March 26, 2024, 3:50pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-does-your-household-consume-more-of-than-usual/999396 "2024-03-26T15:50:01Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 5
**Author:** ![TRC4941](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/trc4941/32/6792_2.png) [@TRC4941](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/TRC4941)\ **Post date:** [March 27, 2024, 2:32pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-does-your-household-consume-more-of-than-usual/999396/81 "2024-03-27T14:32:21Z")
Dog food Potato chips My husband uses paper plates and paper towels like crazy! I am now marking on the calendar when I buy the massive packages from Sam’s Club so I can show him how ridiculous his use is. ---
**Author:** ![Railer13](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/railer13/32/9742_2.png) [@Railer13](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Railer13)\ **Post date:** [March 27, 2024, 2:47pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-does-your-household-consume-more-of-than-usual/999396/82 "2024-03-27T14:47:31Z")
Bananas Cinnamon-Rasin Bagels Honey Nut Cheerios This menu, or a variant thereof, has been my breakfast for the past 30 years. ---
**Author:** ![Procrustus](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/procrustus/32/2994_2.png) [@Procrustus](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Procrustus)\ **Post date:** [March 27, 2024, 3:28pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-does-your-household-consume-more-of-than-usual/999396/83 "2024-03-27T15:28:18Z")
> [@Whack-a-Mole](#): > > Mine is a lot less ($200-350) but I suspect my place is much smaller (1100 sqft). Per square foot that is a lot > [@needscoffee](#): > > > [@Procrustus](#): > > > > Electricity. > > In the winter it’s about $900/month > > Whoa! What’s up with that? Combination of things. We do have a larger house, over 4800 sq feet. Also, in the winter we have space heaters going in our greenhouse and storage shed. Plus radiant floors in three rooms that take a lot of power. Two water heaters, five refrigertors of vavious sizes, two electric cars, and two heat pumps. Plus, we pay extra for “green power” so I can feel _a little_ better about all this. ---
**Author:** ![ZonexandScout](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/zonexandscout/32/544_2.png) [@ZonexandScout](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/ZonexandScout)\ **Post date:** [March 27, 2024, 4:19pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-does-your-household-consume-more-of-than-usual/999396/84 "2024-03-27T16:19:39Z")
When COVID struck, we had a hard time finding paper towels in our local store. My BIL works at a restaurant supplier and he suggested buying white multifold paper towels instead. (They were readily available.) Since then, we’ve bought the multifolds by the case (4,000 towels per case) and use them for just about everything we used to use roll towels for. They’re about $40/case. Rather than try to deal with a dispenser, we purchased a loaf pan and keep the towels in that on the kitchen counter. Just grab as many as you need. At one point, we were a little concerned that they might not be the best thing to allow to come into contact with food, but we then realized that we seldom have any need for them to do that. In our opinion, they are just as good, if not better, than roll towels for most tasks. ---
**Author:** ![suranyi](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/e36b37/32.png) [@suranyi](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/suranyi)\ **Post date:** [March 27, 2024, 4:37pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-does-your-household-consume-more-of-than-usual/999396/85 "2024-03-27T16:37:40Z")
Blueberry Chex cereal. It’s getting hard to find, so when I do I buy five or six boxes at a time. ---
**Author:** ![ParallelLines](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/parallellines/32/3575_2.png) [@ParallelLines](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/ParallelLines)\ **Post date:** [March 27, 2024, 6:25pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-does-your-household-consume-more-of-than-usual/999396/86 "2024-03-27T18:25:52Z")
> [@enipla](#): > > I envy you too. Can’t grow them at my house. Well, even here in the (comparative) lowlands, it isn’t easy for her. She buys seedlings in pre-spring, raises them at home in a small scale fiberglass greenhouse, then transplants them in later spring to small outside planters while hoping we don’t get ANOTHER late snow, and then finally into raised, soil filled beds (what passes for “soil” in Colorado Springs is laughable) at her garden, under a tight woven enclosure that helps mitigate the sun and extremes of temperature. Colorado foothills are a semi-challenging location to garden, especially compared to some of the lush valleys around Salida, or the open plains covering much of the rural parts of the state, but a whole lot better than the extremes you see in a lot of the mountain communities. ---
**Author:** ![enipla](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/e/54ee81/32.png) [@enipla](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/enipla)\ **Post date:** [March 27, 2024, 7:00pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-does-your-household-consume-more-of-than-usual/999396/87 "2024-03-27T19:00:51Z")
> [@ParallelLines](#): > > but a whole lot better than the extremes you see in a lot of the mountain communities. Yeah, I’m sure Colo Spngs is challenging. All I grow is rocks up here. ---
**Author:** ![Tride](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/tride/32/13907_2.png) [@Tride](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Tride)\ **Post date:** [March 27, 2024, 7:35pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-does-your-household-consume-more-of-than-usual/999396/88 "2024-03-27T19:35:41Z")
You said “beer” twice… For us it’s cheddar–recently discovered the Costco “Coastal” english cheddar which has supplanted the Cabot “Seriously Sharp” in our repertoire. ---
**Author:** ![Mama\_Zappa](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/71e660/32.png) [@Mama\_Zappa](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Mama_Zappa)\ **Post date:** [March 27, 2024, 7:37pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-does-your-household-consume-more-of-than-usual/999396/89 "2024-03-27T19:37:31Z")
> [@Tride](#): > > Costco “Coastal” english cheddar I shall have to check for that next time I hit Costco - we tend to buy the big bricks of Cabot there. For us: baby-cut carrots. My husband’s doing, really; he uses them instead of other, less-healthy snacks. He goes through at least 6 pounds a week. ---
**Author:** ![Tride](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/tride/32/13907_2.png) [@Tride](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Tride)\ **Post date:** [March 27, 2024, 7:40pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-does-your-household-consume-more-of-than-usual/999396/90 "2024-03-27T19:40:00Z")
It’s really really good–very sharp, flecks of salt. Not really a melting cheese, though, although we use it for everything. The Costco Gruyere is phenomenal also! ---
**Author:** ![DrDeth](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/b487fb/32.png) [@DrDeth](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/DrDeth)\ **Post date:** [March 27, 2024, 8:26pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-does-your-household-consume-more-of-than-usual/999396/91 "2024-03-27T20:26:07Z")
> [@dolphinboy](#): > > We go through a flat of Costco eggs a week for two people, but I don’t know if that’s more than usual, Thats 30 eggs a week, or 15 eegs per person per week, and yes, that is unusual. Not weird, mind you, eggs are good, but unusual. > [@Machine\_Elf](#): > > Years ago I bought a 2.5-pound jar of mixed nuts from Costco. I’ve been reusing the jar ever since, but I mix my own nuts in it now, roasted but unsalted. It sits on my desk at work, and I eat a lot: I refill this thing about once a week. I love Blkue Crab co "Sea Salt nuts’- which are gourmet peanuts with salt. Crunchy and good. ---
**Author:** ![Sam\_Stone](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/ecccb3/32.png) [@Sam\_Stone](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Sam_Stone)\ **Post date:** [March 27, 2024, 8:41pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-does-your-household-consume-more-of-than-usual/999396/92 "2024-03-27T20:41:34Z")
Pet supplies. Two medium sized dogs, a cat, and until recently a 36 gallon aquarium. Our bags of dog food went from $63 to $73 to $85 to $93, and the last time I was in, $103. We go through one every 3 weeks or so. The cat gets wet food that costs $3.18 per can, plus dry food that costs $65 a bag. Then there’s treats, medicine when needed, grooming, accessories… We’re probably spending $300-$400 per month on our pets. ---
**Author:** ![Treppenwitz](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/treppenwitz/32/3445_2.png) [@Treppenwitz](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Treppenwitz)\ **Post date:** [March 27, 2024, 10:24pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-does-your-household-consume-more-of-than-usual/999396/93 "2024-03-27T22:24:15Z")
Healthy: Salad (in season, part home-grown, every day); Charlotte potatoes (home grown - the best); high end sourdough bread; fish. Less healthy: Beer, whisky, cheese. Uh - I dunno: French mustard. j ---
**Author:** ![NegativeZer0](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/negativezer0/32/14307_2.png) [@NegativeZer0](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/NegativeZer0)\ **Post date:** [March 28, 2024, 4:16am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-does-your-household-consume-more-of-than-usual/999396/94 "2024-03-28T04:16:21Z")
Sparkling water & Diet Coke. I’m constantly just guzzling a different beverage. If it’s not making my throat tingle with bubbles, it’s not for me. ---
**Author:** ![Gatopescado](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/gatopescado/32/5711_2.png) [@Gatopescado](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Gatopescado)\ **Post date:** [March 28, 2024, 6:25am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-does-your-household-consume-more-of-than-usual/999396/95 "2024-03-28T06:25:09Z")
Tires ---
**Author:** ![Beckdawrek](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/beckdawrek/32/3647_2.png) [@Beckdawrek](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Beckdawrek)\ **Post date:** [March 28, 2024, 6:41am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-does-your-household-consume-more-of-than-usual/999396/96 "2024-03-28T06:41:07Z")
You need to get them dogs on Ol’Roy. That’s crazy expensive dog food. Are they on special diets for some reason? ---
**Author:** ![scudsucker](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/scudsucker/32/14101_2.png) [@scudsucker](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/scudsucker)\ **Post date:** [March 28, 2024, 8:22am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-does-your-household-consume-more-of-than-usual/999396/97 "2024-03-28T08:22:39Z")
Surprisingly, that combination is delicious. Saute the mushrooms, add a little water to steam the spinach (with a closed lid) then stir in a tablespoon or two of peanut butter. Serve with starch of your choice, though my experience with [sadza](https://thecoddiwompleexpress.com/sadza/) does it best. ---
**Author:** ![kayaker](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/kayaker/32/441_2.png) [@kayaker](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/kayaker)\ **Post date:** [March 28, 2024, 11:48am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-does-your-household-consume-more-of-than-usual/999396/98 "2024-03-28T11:48:34Z")
> [@Beckdawrek](#): > > You need to get them dogs on Ol’Roy. Heh, among dog people Ol’Roy is a joke. It is super cheap. I feed our dogs Merrick, which is expensive but worth every penny. ---
**Author:** ![Dung\_Beetle](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/dung_beetle/32/7945_2.png) [@Dung\_Beetle](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Dung_Beetle)\ **Post date:** [March 28, 2024, 11:53am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-does-your-household-consume-more-of-than-usual/999396/99 "2024-03-28T11:53:31Z")
We’ve been feeding 4Health, but I’m sick and tired of the bags splitting. Once this load is gone, I’ll find something else. ---
**Author:** ![ThelmaLou](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/thelmalou/32/390_2.png) [@ThelmaLou](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/ThelmaLou)\ **Post date:** [March 28, 2024, 2:01pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-does-your-household-consume-more-of-than-usual/999396/100 "2024-03-28T14:01:40Z")
> [@scudsucker](#): > > Serve with starch of your choice, though my experience with [sadza](https://thecoddiwompleexpress.com/sadza/) does it best. Thank you for that thoroughly fascinating and informative article. I loved this: > “…the fine granules of the cornmeal that would stick in small clusters on a couple of Ndaba’s _[African guide]_ fingers and his palm, would find their way up my arm, into my lap, in my beard and in my hair. For Ndaba, washing up after eating _sadza_ was a straight forward affair, but I would need to have a shower.” That would have been me, too. Except for the beard, that is. ETA: That guy’s whole site is incredible! Worth a look. [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-does-your-household-consume-more-of-than-usual/999396.md?page=4) [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-does-your-household-consume-more-of-than-usual/999396.md?page=6)