FOOOOD

ritzvin

LahrysaTebo2015 wrote: »

18 eggs ($2)
Oats ($3)
10 yogurts ($7 60 cents a peice)
5 apples ($5 one dollar each)
Celery ($3)
3 cucumbers ($3 one dollar each)
Onion ($1)
Lettuce ($3)
Spinach ($3 have to get fresh for salad)
2 big cans tuna ($5 $2.22 each)
Wraps ($3)
Chicken ($20 feeding 2 people 7 nights a week)
Veggie chips ($2)
Rice cakes ($1)
Broccoli ($5)
Aparagus($5)
Bananans ($3)

Salad is going to be expensive if you live in the north (that stuff is all out of season). Also asparagus and fresh broccoli,.. Soup vegetables (carrots, potatoes, turnips, beets, ..) will be dirt cheap, as are beans, split peas,... Chicken breasts are going to be expensive compared to other cuts, and you may be portioning out more per meal than you need to (it can possibly be stretched further). veggie chips are optional, rice cakes are optional. There is probably a much more economical food delivery item than the wraps (like cheap sandwich bread or tortillas). Yogurt is usually cheaper in a multi-serving tub (especially if you don't need to eat the full listed serving size)(also usually more likely to find the cheaper generic brands in the tubs instead of single servings). Frozen bags of spinach/collard greens/green beans/broccoli will typically be $1-2 for the generic/store brand. Apples: buy the local variant.

TheJourneyToFabulous

Thats crazy $3 for bananas I am around £1 here which I think is just over a dollar in US. I buy a lot of frozen veg as its cheaper and last a lot longer and maybe try larger tubs of yoghurt

ritzvin

TheJourneyToFabulous wrote: »

Thats crazy $3 for bananas I am around £1 here which I think is just over a dollar in US. I buy a lot of frozen veg as its cheaper and last a lot longer and maybe try larger tubs of yoghurt

They are typically 49-59 cents per pound here (Buffalo, NY).

susanp57

Lahrysa,
You can buy chicken thighs, legs or wings much cheaper than breasts. Occasionally one of my local grocers sells a 10 lb bag of quarters at .49 a pound. I wrap them individually, put them in a big bag and freeze them. & they come with a handle to eat them with.
Use whole wheat tortillas rather than wraps. Wraps are pretty much the same thing as the tortillas, they just charge more cause they call them wraps.

I remember you said you were in Mass, but don't remember where. Was it Worcester? There is an Aldi there.

cwolfman13

LahrysaTebo2015 wrote: »

18 eggs ($2)
Oats ($3)
10 yogurts ($7 60 cents a peice)
5 apples ($5 one dollar each)
Celery ($3)
3 cucumbers ($3 one dollar each)
Onion ($1)
Lettuce ($3)
Spinach ($3 have to get fresh for salad)
2 big cans tuna ($5 $2.22 each)
Wraps ($3)
Chicken ($20 feeding 2 people 7 nights a week)
Veggie chips ($2)
Rice cakes ($1)
Broccoli ($5)
Aparagus($5)
Bananans ($3)

Are you buying broccoli already trimmed and bagged...if so, you're paying for convenience. Broccoli is usually pretty cheap. Asparagus just depends...it's pretty cheap here at the moment, but can be quite expensive at times...there are other vegetables you can buy. Same question for the celery...is it already trimmed and pre-packaged...I've never seen a bunch of celery cost $3...it's like $.75-.99 usually here.

What kind of chicken are you buying? Maybe buy whole chickens or parts instead of boneless, skinless chicken breast...again, you're paying for some convenience here.

I would not buy cucumbers for $1 each...i would find something else. Also, are they English cucumbers or the regular garden variety...I find the regular garden variety to be cheaper. I would also not buy lettuce for $3...is this coming in a bag or is it loose? Same for spinach. I've also never seen an onion that cost $1...I typically buy a bag of 5 for $1 at my local Sprouts Market. I also wouldn't spend $1 per apple...I'd find something else.

As yogurt goes, I buy it by the tub, not individual packs...you're paying a premium for individual packs of yogurt.

I wouldn't bother at all with veggie chips or rice cakes...veggie chips really aren't any better for you than regular old potato chips...I've never understood how people eat rice cakes or why...

LahrysaTebo2015

susanp57 wrote: »

Lahrysa,
You can buy chicken thighs, legs or wings much cheaper than breasts. Occasionally one of my local grocers sells a 10 lb bag of quarters at .49 a pound. I wrap them individually, put them in a big bag and freeze them. & they come with a handle to eat them with.
Use whole wheat tortillas rather than wraps. Wraps are pretty much the same thing as the tortillas, they just charge more cause they call them wraps.

I remember you said you were in Mass, but don't remember where. Was it Worcester? There is an Aldi there.

I don't eat meat off of a bone, unfortunately so it's always been a struggle. I looked it up and saw there was one here !

susanp57

500 Lincoln St.

kayeroze

I would look up cheaper grocers like Aldi and Sprouts if it's available.

Meal plan what you're going to make for the week instead of just buying what you think you might eat to reduce food waste and cost. With that, reduce the number of meals you make per week.

Pick out cheap snacks like boiled eggs, cheese and crackers, and fruit, etc.

Pick vegetables and fruits that are in season or usually cheap like greens.

Buying frozen is an option.

Never buy pre-cut vegetables and fruits.

Whole wheat bread lasts longer and tastes better than wraps usually.

$80 is not that terrible for 2 people, I spend somewhere between $50-60 for one person shopping at 3 different stores. But if it is too much, consider eating out less, investing in soup and sandwhich supplies, making dinners with similar ingredients, and making bulk foods to store and freeze for later (including seasonal fresh fruit for smoothies).

TheJourneyToFabulous

ritzvin wrote: »

TheJourneyToFabulous wrote: »

Thats crazy $3 for bananas I am around £1 here which I think is just over a dollar in US. I buy a lot of frozen veg as its cheaper and last a lot longer and maybe try larger tubs of yoghurt

They are typically 49-59 cents per pound here (Buffalo, NY).

Ours are about 13p on their own here I think about 16 cents

gamerbabe14

$80 a week isn't that bad. That's less than $11.50 a day. Less expensive than buying take out. I suggest not shopping once a week though. Try twice a week. The reason is because some of your produce may go bad and then it's a waste of money. Also, you can then take advantage of other sales that way. Also someone mentioned chicken thighs. They are so much cheaper than breasts and taste better (IMO).

AliceDark

Spend some time walking around a grocery store and looking at the prices. In-season produce is cheaper, so start buying whatever is cheapest for whatever day you're there. $1 per apple is insane, as is $5 for broccoli. Stop buying things that are pre-washed, pre-cut or individually portioned. Buying yogurt in a tub is cheaper than buying individual cups, and buying a head of broccoli is usually cheaper than buying a package of cut florets (and you get more food that way too).

LahrysaTebo2015

gamerbabe14 wrote: »

$80 a week isn't that bad. That's less than $11.50 a day. Less expensive than buying take out. I suggest not shopping once a week though. Try twice a week. The reason is because some of your produce may go bad and then it's a waste of money. Also, you can then take advantage of other sales that way. Also someone mentioned chicken thighs. They are so much cheaper than breasts and taste better (IMO).

Great suggestion ! I notice I throw away a lot of produce ! I don't eat meat off bones ):

cwolfman13

LahrysaTebo2015 wrote: »

gamerbabe14 wrote: »

$80 a week isn't that bad. That's less than $11.50 a day. Less expensive than buying take out. I suggest not shopping once a week though. Try twice a week. The reason is because some of your produce may go bad and then it's a waste of money. Also, you can then take advantage of other sales that way. Also someone mentioned chicken thighs. They are so much cheaper than breasts and taste better (IMO).

Great suggestion ! I notice I throw away a lot of produce ! I don't eat meat off bones ):

You can get boneless/skinless thighs...and they will be cheaper than breast meat...and much more delicious...

brookielaw

You can save a bit with frozen asparagus and broccoli. The oats and rice may last longer than a week. Seasonal berries will also save you $$. Legumes / chick peas can stretch out the tuna too. Still, that is a great list.

amandaeve

Years ago I had a food budget of $100 a month (for just me). I only did my big shopping once a month, and I'd take the time to get things that were a good value (checking the price per __ with other items and comparing from month to month). I bought:

-bags of frozen veggies, whatever was on sale
-in bulk (cheaper) a variety of dried beans, lentils, rice, oats, flour, pastas
-potatoes
-when it was on sale I'd stock up on canned tuna, flash frozen chicken, and bread/tortillas
-occasionally I'd go to the farmer's market and ask for "2nds" (bruised produce which they practically give away)

I made soups, stews, casseroles, lots of crock pot meals because I worked long hours.

fitoverfortymom

I'm a huge fan of food. I'd highly recommend it. Daily.

ConnieT1030

I put meats over rice all the time, works well and is cheap/filling. One of my favorite dishes used to be
boiling a chicken, pulling the meat off, and tossing it back in the pot with rice and then cooking the rice in that same water. Its much stronger if you have a couple cubes of bouillon to toss in, but you can make it without if you have to. You can always use a packet of top ramen chicken flavor in a pinch
Put some cooked chicken in with some frozen veggies, or veggie/rice.
The important thing for you is getting something more well rounded than a few mcdonalds meals every day. Plus when you cook that way, there's usually leftovers.

livingleanlivingclean

I'll save you $1

10 yoghurts at 60c each is $6, not $7.

Juggernautpint

LahrysaTebo2015 wrote: »

I just made a realistic grocery list and it is way too expensive. It's nothing crazy, eggs, oats, apples, celery, cucumber, salad, tuna, wraps, chicken, rice, brocoli, and asparagus and it rounds to $80!!!! For ONE week worth of food?! WTF AM I DOING WRONG !?

Eating Healthy.

Sadly, it is cheaper to eat junk than whole foods.

Side note worth watching 'Food Inc.' (Netflix)

Ocean_Breezy

I meal prep everything and my food lasts longer. I make grab and go containers - everything is weighed.

LahrysaTebo2015

livingleanlivingclean wrote: »

I'll save you $1

10 yoghurts at 60c each is $6, not $7.

I rounded up because its not exactly 60 cents it's like 65 cents

ritzvin

ConnieT1030 wrote: »

I put meats over rice all the time, works well and is cheap/filling. One of my favorite dishes used to be
boiling a chicken, pulling the meat off, and tossing it back in the pot with rice and then cooking the rice in that same water. Its much stronger if you have a couple cubes of bouillon to toss in, but you can make it without if you have to. You can always use a packet of top ramen chicken flavor in a pinch
Put some cooked chicken in with some frozen veggies, or veggie/rice.
The important thing for you is getting something more well rounded than a few mcdonalds meals every day. Plus when you cook that way, there's usually leftovers.

Rotisserie chickens are only $5 from the local supermarket, so I typically buy those, but otherwise do largely the same thing. Then carve off a few pieces to serve with roasted veggies and potatoes (and freeze until I make next batch of those); then pull off all the rest of the meat like you (and throw in a freezer bag). Some of it goes in the next time I either make a batch of soup or a batch of rice & beans with vegetables. (There is always a giant bowl of soup and a giant bowl of rice & beans with veggies and meat in my fridge; and freezer baggies of rotisserie chicken bits, chopped sausage,..).

ritzvin

Ocean_Breezy wrote: »

I meal prep everything and my food lasts longer. I make grab and go containers - everything is weighed.

same here.