I have two kids and I can honestly say that I don't like babies.
When they get about 2 or so, they start to get a bit cooler. Before that, they are cute, but kind of a pain in the ass.
I suppose I don't shop enough to know how much things cost at other places.
Comparison shopping takes time and gas like you said, neither of which I seem to have an abundance of.
My wife's mom is like that, she never says it or gives hugs. She's a wonderful lady who did a great job raising her kids by herself, but it is the total opposite from my parents.
I always cut up about 4-5 pieces of bacon and fry chopped onion in the grease.
I add the beans and fry them in the grease until they start to wrinkle and the cover them in water and add about 4 beef bullion cubes and cook for a couple hours.