# 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:** 6
**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 28, 2024, 2:29pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-does-your-household-consume-more-of-than-usual/999396/101 "2024-03-28T14:29:02Z")
> [@Sam\_Stone](#): > > 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. I can’t believe how much dry dog food has gone up! We have a Great Dane, German Shepherd, and boxer. The boxer (as most boxers do) has allergies and stomach issues. The two biggest boys get Diamond Naturals for Large Breeds and the boxer gets Diamond Naturals Skin & Coat because the meat is salmon. I think he’s allergic to chicken. Diamond Naturals is probably the best food at the lowest cost. The large breed version is a 40# bag at around $45 and the other one is a 30# bag for about the same price. I always check out the Dog Food Advisors website to get ratings. Diamond Naturals has a very high rating. We go through a large breed bag every 3 weeks. The boxer’s food lasts quite a bit longer, probably 6 weeks. ---
**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, 2:34pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-does-your-household-consume-more-of-than-usual/999396/102 "2024-03-28T14:34:12Z")
> [@TRC4941](#): > > Diamond Naturals is probably the best food at the lowest cost. That’s a strong statement, but I agree totally. I used to fed Diamond, but it is no longer sold around here. Plus, it is a family-owned and privately held company. ---
**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 28, 2024, 3:03pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-does-your-household-consume-more-of-than-usual/999396/103 "2024-03-28T15:03:36Z")
I guess that is a strong statement, but in my research that’s what I’ve come up with - and I did say “probably” 😉. The only place I can get it locally now is Fleet Farm and a feed store. Menards used to carry it but for some reason doesn’t anymore. Amazon and Chewy carry it also. ---
**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, 3:05pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-does-your-household-consume-more-of-than-usual/999396/104 "2024-03-28T15:05:30Z")
> [@TRC4941](#): > > in my research that’s what I’ve come up with - and I did say “probably” I’ve also done independent research and I’m happy that we came to the same conclusion. ---
**Author:** ![Left\_Hand\_of\_Dorkness](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/left_hand_of_dorkness/32/7156_2.png) [@Left\_Hand\_of\_Dorkness](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Left_Hand_of_Dorkness)\ **Post date:** [March 28, 2024, 3:14pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-does-your-household-consume-more-of-than-usual/999396/105 "2024-03-28T15:14:04Z")
My wife and daughter and I all love to bake and all have different specialties. It means we go through flour and butter like crazy. When butter goes on sale I’ll buy 5-10 pounds and stash it in the nooks and crannies of our freezer; and we use about a 5-pound bag of flour about once a month. ---
**Author:** ![snfaulkner](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/snfaulkner/32/433_2.png) [@snfaulkner](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/snfaulkner)\ **Post date:** [March 29, 2024, 12:01am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-does-your-household-consume-more-of-than-usual/999396/106 "2024-03-29T00:01:35Z")
> [@Tride](#): > > You said “beer” twice… Awe shit, you’re right! Here, lemme rephrase… Beer, tamales, beer, burritos, tacos, beer. ---
**Author:** ![Kimstu](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/k/ecd19e/32.png) [@Kimstu](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Kimstu)\ **Post date:** [March 29, 2024, 12:15am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-does-your-household-consume-more-of-than-usual/999396/107 "2024-03-29T00:15:08Z")
> [@Beckdawrek](#): > > You need to get them dogs on Ol’Roy. That’s crazy expensive dog food. To be fair, Sam\_Stone is in Canada, so maybe he was quoting prices in Canadian dollars. $103 Canuck is about $76 Yank. That still sounds high for a bag of kibble, but not as high. ---
**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 29, 2024, 12:16am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-does-your-household-consume-more-of-than-usual/999396/108 "2024-03-29T00:16:43Z")
I LIKE beer… Cue Hedley Lamarr. ---
**Author:** ![Dr.Strangelove](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/dr.strangelove/32/6613_2.png) [@Dr.Strangelove](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Dr.Strangelove)\ **Post date:** [March 29, 2024, 12:26am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-does-your-household-consume-more-of-than-usual/999396/109 "2024-03-29T00:26:59Z")
> [@Kimstu](#): > > That still sounds high for a bag of kibble, but not as high. At PetSmart, a 30-lb bag of Science Diet dry dog food is $82 USD. And that’s not even the most expensive. A 16-lb bag of Science Diet cat food is $59, so it’s even worse per pound (at least cats don’t eat as much as large dogs). ---
**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 29, 2024, 5:15am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-does-your-household-consume-more-of-than-usual/999396/110 "2024-03-29T05:15:38Z")
We feed our dogs Nutro Lamb and Rice, which we’ve been buying at the Petland outlet near us. I just checked Petsmart, and it’s $69.99. A few years ago they were the same price as Petland. This might be a Petlnd thing as much as a general inflation thing. In any event, this thread just saved me about $40/mo. So thanks! ---
**Author:** ![Die\_Capacitrix](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/die_capacitrix/32/9_2.png) [@Die\_Capacitrix](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Die_Capacitrix)\ **Post date:** [March 29, 2024, 1:35pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-does-your-household-consume-more-of-than-usual/999396/111 "2024-03-29T13:35:07Z")
> [@Hermitian](#): > > Oh yea, probably milk as well. We got though about 3 gallons a week. Hubby and I go through about 1/2 gallon of milk per day, so about 3.5 gallons a week. If we’re home during the day, we’ll use more milk, as we’ll often have lattes after lunch. ---
**Author:** ![wguy123](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/wguy123/32/3161_2.png) [@wguy123](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/wguy123)\ **Post date:** [March 29, 2024, 3:57pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-does-your-household-consume-more-of-than-usual/999396/112 "2024-03-29T15:57:49Z")
![](https://i.giphy.com/1qdfo8GJRXRevQpXjW.webp) ---
**Author:** ![DrDeth](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/b487fb/32.png) [@DrDeth](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/DrDeth)\ **Post date:** [March 29, 2024, 8:36pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-does-your-household-consume-more-of-than-usual/999396/113 "2024-03-29T20:36:00Z")
> [@NegativeZer0](#): > > 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. Yep, but it’s Diet Pepsi here, and I make my own bubbly water with Sodastream. ---
**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 29, 2024, 8:43pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-does-your-household-consume-more-of-than-usual/999396/114 "2024-03-29T20:43:35Z")
> [@DrDeth](#): > > I make my own bubbly water with Sodastream. I just got one and I love it! Besides being cheaper and creating less plastic/metal waste, you can control the level of fizziness. I use the cola syrup, but I also use 1/2 liter single serve Crystal Lite flavors. Or just drink it plain. They sell the whole unit (the Sodastream Terra) at HEB and you can also swap out the CO2 canisters there. Very simple. ---
**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 29, 2024, 10:03pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-does-your-household-consume-more-of-than-usual/999396/115 "2024-03-29T22:03:40Z")
I tried a Soda Stream once and just didn’t like how quickly the fizziness seemed to dissipate. I love hard, crisp bubbles; and even infusing the water with as much fizziness as I could get it, it didn’t seem to last long enough for me. Is there a secret? Maybe I should give it a try. I still have the Sodastream somewhere around… ---
**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 29, 2024, 10:18pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-does-your-household-consume-more-of-than-usual/999396/116 "2024-03-29T22:18:49Z")
I’m happy with the level of fizziness I get. At first I was doing three pumps (the most you can do). I didn’t need that much fizz to be happy. Now I just do two pumps. Also, I only use 1/2 liter bottles. I have four of them and keep them full of water in the fridge. When I fizz them, I drink them right away, usually within an hour or so. I don’t fizz the water and then expect it to stay fizzy in the refrigerator like commercial soda. That’s about all I know. Anyhoo, there’s a Sodastream sub on reddit. Maybe you can find out what you want to know there: [https://www.reddit.com/r/SodaStream/](https://www.reddit.com/r/SodaStream/) ---
**Author:** ![TruCelt](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/trucelt/32/523_2.png) [@TruCelt](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/TruCelt)\ **Post date:** [March 31, 2024, 1:44am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-does-your-household-consume-more-of-than-usual/999396/117 "2024-03-31T01:44:26Z")
I made boiled eggs yesterday and realized I’d forgotten to mention them here. I do them in the Instant Pot because I can stack 30+ eggs into it. They’ll be gone before the week is out. Not that it’s a bad thing, they are a high protein, low calorie snack, so convenient = consumed. The scary thing is I’m pretty sure only two of us eat them. . . ---
**Author:** ![DrDeth](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/b487fb/32.png) [@DrDeth](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/DrDeth)\ **Post date:** [March 31, 2024, 3:33am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-does-your-household-consume-more-of-than-usual/999396/118 "2024-03-31T03:33:56Z")
> [@NegativeZer0](#): > > I tried a Soda Stream once and just didn’t like how quickly the fizziness seemed to dissipate. I love hard, crisp bubbles; and even infusing the water with as much fizziness as I could get it, it didn’t seem to last long enough for me. Lasts overnight for me, but you have to screw the lid on tightly. ---
**Author:** ![mixdenny](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/mixdenny/32/2962_2.png) [@mixdenny](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/mixdenny)\ **Post date:** [March 31, 2024, 5:13pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-does-your-household-consume-more-of-than-usual/999396/119 "2024-03-31T17:13:51Z")
Rambutans. My wife buys out the store every time she finds some in season. ---
**Author:** ![DrDeth](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/b487fb/32.png) [@DrDeth](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/DrDeth)\ **Post date:** [March 31, 2024, 7:22pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-does-your-household-consume-more-of-than-usual/999396/120 "2024-03-31T19:22:25Z")
Not only did I have no idea what those are (before a Google search) but I don’t think I have ever seen one! [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-does-your-household-consume-more-of-than-usual/999396.md?page=5) [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-does-your-household-consume-more-of-than-usual/999396.md?page=7)