It used to be a lot cheaper, but not anymore, or here anyway. I buy it now to use in various mixes, but locally it's $7.95 for a box that makes 8 quarts. $4 a gallon for that stuff??? Just a side note on powdered milk - I recently learned that the reason it's always non fat is because it would have to be refrigerated if the milk fats were left in. Makes sense that the fats would go rancid.
Iris, I agree on the rice. El cheapo rice is pretty lousy in texture and taste. My favorite is Jasmine. My daughter and I used to split a huge bag that we bought at an Asian store. Super cheap that way. The last time we bought a bag, it was so unbelieveably bug infested that we never bought there again. It might have been just that one shipment, but it left a lasting impression...ick.