Eating on a budget

mandymack14

What sort of place do you live in? If you have a yard, or even a balcony, it might be time to become a gardener! You can grow heaps of things to eat, even in pots on a balcony. If you're interested I could find some links for you. It's possible to grow many vegetables in pots. You could grow the fresh veg and use your $$ for staples like lentils and bread.

autumnkuske

I know this is going to sound harsh OP, but if you are already working 55 hours a week, and $35 is all you have for food, perhaps it is time to look at how you spend your money. Might be time to check your priorities. Do you have cable/internet etc? Maybe get rid of the things that are not really needed to make more money available for the things you need to survive (food).

I wish you the best OP

I appreciate the good thoughts from you All my money goes towards rent, car payments/loans I'm paying off, electric bill, car insurance. There really isn't much left after that, two minimum wage jobs don't go very far. No cable, but I have internet. I need it for the classes I take online...Which is really the only luxury I have at the moment. I'm hoping that someday I will be in a better situation where I don't have to budget my food so hard.

autumnkuske

Maybe rather than starving yourself on 90 cents a day, you should try looking for a cheaper place to live. Rent is usually where most money goes to.
I have had to do the same, because I am on minimum wage and I just couldn't afford proper nutrition with my old room's rent.
Now I may not live quite as "luxurious", but at least I am able to feed myself properly and I am much happier and feel much better for it.

I don't actually have very high rent for where I live, but in the winter it gets high because of the heating costs. I don't know about where you live but it's hard to find a place under 400 where I live. And in the winter it goes up to 700 because of the heat. The hardest part for me about trying to find a different place to live is trying to come up with the security deposit and first months rent right off the bat.

It's great that you found a way to improve your situation! I'm sure I would be much happier if I didn't have to budget my food so hard right now! I also have two minimum wage jobs so I definitely know what you mean about it not going very far. Thanks for the reply!

autumnkuske

What sort of place do you live in? If you have a yard, or even a balcony, it might be time to become a gardener! You can grow heaps of things to eat, even in pots on a balcony. If you're interested I could find some links for you. It's possible to grow many vegetables in pots. You could grow the fresh veg and use your $$ for staples like lentils and bread.

I live in a duplex, where I have a small yard, but no where for a garden. Is it possible to grow vegetables in pots indoors? I don't have any experience with growing anything so any insight would be much appreciated I do have a patio door that gets pretty good sunlight in it, so if I could keep my plants inside by a window do you think that would be a possibility?

autumnkuske

My friend works at a soup kitchen/food pantry and she has taught me (and my Girl Scout troop) that $2 a day is the absolute minimum to effectively feed one person. If you cannot manage that right now, you really need to look into food assistance. There are several programs available and things like soup kitchens and food pantries do not have income limits, but strive to provide healthy foods. $35 is just too much to stretch to really eat healthy!

Yes, that's the problem I've been having, I have enough to eat, but can not eat healthy. Fruits and vegetables stretch my budget way too far. We do not have any soup kitchens or food pantries around my area, but some other repliers have suggested orchards and things and I was going to look into that Thank you for your reply!

FitFroglet

Wow, that's really low...

You might find some recipes and shopping tips on here to help you: http://agirlcalledjack.com/category/recipes-food/page/7/

The woman who wrote the blog had £10 per week to feed herself and her son, so learnt to budget and cook cheap and healthy meals. Her early recipes use lots of cheap veg and tinned beans etc. The goal was obviously not weight loss, just survival, but they're generally pretty healthy.

Generally, you need to fit the following things into your diet:
-Carbohydrates - for energy. Pasta, rice, potatoes, bread. All reasonably cheap especially if you buy a large pack. People who are trying to lose weight often limit these but on your budget, keeping your body fueled is going to be the priority so I wouldn't worry too much (so long as they're not the only thing you're eating).
-Protein. Most meat is not going to be an option on your budget, so focus on pulses (beans, chickpeas, lentils) and maybe some tinned fish (tuna, sardines). Look out for meat that's reduced to clear (on its expiry date) as it may be much cheaper (I've bought things for 1/4 of the price) and freeze it.
-A range of vitamins and other nutrients - try to eat a few different types of veg. Buy things that keep well (like carrots) so you don't end up throwing things away. Also use frozen veg. Buy cheap tinned tomatoes to make sauces so your food has a bit more flavour. I wouldn't worry too much about fruit because it's not very filling and you don't want to waste money on things that will leave you hungry. Maybe a banana a day as they're cheap and filling.

Another vote for this.
Also
swap canned beans for bulk-bought dried beans
vegetables are usually cheaper than fruit (in the UK at least) but offer similar nutrients
consider frozen out-of-season veg (in the winter I could buy 4 frozen corn-on-the-cob for 10p in my local supermarket)
learn to make soups and casseroles - they make food go a lot further.

Best of luck - it sounds like you're in a tough place at the moment.

ETA: If you ever have some extra money and want some spice to make bland foods more palatable try the ethnic aisles. If you buy cumin in the spice aisle here it's £2 for a tiny jar, If you buy it from the Asian foods aisle it's £2 for a 500g bag.

autumnkuske

Another vote for this.
Also
swap canned beans for bulk-bought dried beans
vegetables are usually cheaper than fruit (in the UK at least) but offer similar nutrients
consider frozen out-of-season veg (in the winter I could buy 4 frozen corn-on-the-cob for 10p in my local supermarket)
learn to make soups and casseroles - they make food go a lot further.

Best of luck - it sounds like you're in a tough place at the moment.

Yes, it sounds like making soup is going to be something I definitely start trying. A lot of people have suggested that. Is 10p similar to 10 cents in the United States? I'm just curious because that seems incredibly cheap! If I could get 4 corn on the cobs for 10 cents that would all I would eat! And yes, soups and casseroles are something I will be trying. Do you have any recipes for soups or casseroles with a small amount of ingredients that aren't very expensive that still taste good? Thanks for the wishes!

I have never really shopped in the ethnic food aisles because I always thought that would be the expensive aisle. I will have to try and scope that out more because you are the second or third person that has mentioned things to be cheaper in that aisle compared to the other areas of the store. Thanks

FitFroglet

Yes, it sounds like making soup is going to be something I definitely start trying. A lot of people have suggested that. Is 10p similar to 10 cents in the United States? I'm just curious because that seems incredibly cheap! If I could get 4 corn on the cobs for 10 cents that would all I would eat! And yes, soups and casseroles are something I will be trying. Do you have any recipes for soups or casseroles with a small amount of ingredients that aren't very expensive that still taste good? Thanks for the wishes!

I have never really shopped in the ethnic food aisles because I always thought that would be the expensive aisle. I will have to try and scope that out more because you are the second or third person that has mentioned things to be cheaper in that aisle compared to the other areas of the store. Thanks

10p is approx 15c - I was amazed and ate a lot of corn!
this is lovely:
http://agirlcalledjack.com/2013/01/30/spiced-carrot-and-lentil-soup/

This is good - just omit the yoghurt/cream and use whatever fat you have if you have no butter (leeks are often cheaper frozen or substitute onions):
http://www.bbcgoodfood.com/recipes/4852/honeyed-carrot-soup

Again, frozen veg is your friend for this recipe and omit the cream to save money:
http://www.bbc.co.uk/food/recipes/broccolisoup_76607

If you don't have a blender, don't worry - a potato masher does a reasonable job and often I prefer to have texture in soups anyway. It's what I did before I had a blender.

steinsopp

I live in a duplex, where I have a small yard, but no where for a garden. Is it possible to grow vegetables in pots indoors? I don't have any experience with growing anything so any insight would be much appreciated I do have a patio door that gets pretty good sunlight in it, so if I could keep my plants inside by a window do you think that would be a possibility?

I grow vegetables year-round in the Arctic (with no sunlight for several months), so it's definitely possible to grow them indoors if you get good sun. You should be able to grow enough to occasionally supplement your meals, at least. It's a long-term project though.. even the fastest growing vegetables take a couple of months before you can harvest anything.

Large buckets make great pots for vegetables, and you can move them out/indoors depending on weather. I recommend looking up "indoor gardening" or "bucket gardening" online, there's lots of helpful information. Root vegetables like potatoes, sweet potatoes, carrots, beets, turnips, and radishes are very easy to grow and give good yields. Salad leaves grow quickly and can be planted around other plants.

It may be worth checking out any local ethnic or farmers' markets.. some foods are more expensive, but others may be much cheaper.

rainrain83

i just want to say i feel for you.
your situation just
really sucks.
hopefully things get better for you soon

also another idea is to make your own yoghurt.
you can make a never ending supply.
once you make your first yoghurt you
only need a spoonful of that to make more
yoghurt and so on....

trisH_7183

Dried beans,any of your choice will make great bean soup.Soak 1 lb beans overnight,drain,cover with water,bring to a boil,then simmer on low,covered. Sauté onion& celery....if you have it.Onion is needed.Pepper....add to beans.Add meat if you have it.
If not,use a couple Tbl of any flavoring you have.Even Ramen:laugh: A can or two of broth adds more flavor.Even better reheated.Keep in fridge,eat till it's gone. No reason you can't toss in any veggie you have.Not broccoli tho.It looks nasty when cooked/ reheated.


Potato soup.....no meat needed.Use on line recipes.

My fav soup is veggie. I like to simmer the cheapest beef I can find,or soup bones if cheap.Just adds flavor. You can start with 4 C water,any & all veggies,fresh,frozen or canned......a can of tomato paste or large tomato sauce. Add more veggies,simmer on low for an hr or 2. BTW,you can usually find dried onion in cheap spices,same with garlic.
The beauty of veggie soup,you can eat some,then add more veggies.Freezes great.

Use a couple cans or dry packs of noodle soup as a base. Add a couple cans or cups of water,then veggies. You can do the same with other canned soup.

Add sliced hot dogs to canned baked beans,along with any type onion,a squirt of catsup,mustard a dab of sugar.Tsp or 2.Keeps in fridge several days.You Prob need just a couple spoons of water to reheat any beans.

Add veggies to Ramen noodles.Make egg salad with those eggs. Make egg drop soup.Make rice,then a big pan of rice with a veggie,onions,garlic & scrambled egg.French toast using bread & eggs.......a bit of water should work.Fried potatoes with eggs scrambled in.if you have a grocery,some meat depts will sell you meat by the piece,one chop,bacon slices etc. BTW,save the bacon grease. add just a Tbl of bacon fat to beans,egg & potato dishes for a ton of taste.Just a Tsp makes fried eggs Sooo good.

You can add whatever to Mac & cheese.Hot dogs,bacon grease (Tsp) for a serving,Boil the pasta (till almost done) in Mac & cheese. Drain.......add veggies,couple hard boiled eggs,well drained,onion,relish,dill pickle,what ever seasoning you have. Add what you like & will eat.You now have macaroni salad.

Look up budget soups on line.You can use recipes & omit meat. Hey,you won't starve.Kudos for budgeting. Also,go to search in MFP ,look for low cost food.
Didn't mean to write a book,but have been thru lean times.You can come thru it . :flowerforyou: Ppl on here will help you out. You are doing great. Hope you will let us know how it's going. Pat

Fit_Housewife

My heart goes out to you, I wish you lived close you could come eat at my house . Maybe look into switching one of your jobs for a restaurant that offers employees a free meal.

As others have said soup is a good route. Most of my soup bases are carrot onion and celery. I usually buy a rotisserie chicken and use the bones for broth. Any bone in chicken will do, there is a lot of nutrition in the broth when you make it this way. So if you can get any cut of meat on sale roast the chicken, eat the meat and then save the bones for broth. I'm sure any type of meat will do with bone in, pork is usually very cheap. If not bouillon will do for flavor, then add beans for protein. Dry beans are cheaper. You could do a meat free chili with beans and canned tomato, I'm sure you can google a vegan chili. Like others have said oats, yogurt, milk ( I would actually buy the full fat since your not eating so much), pasta, rice, Canned fruit and vegetables or frozen. Check if your store has a reduced for quick sale section I have gotten very ripe fruits and vegetables dirt cheat. They sometimes have dented cans and boxes as well. If they don't have a reduced section ask the manager what they do with stuff that's about to go, they may sell it to you for next to nothing. If you won't eat it before it goes bad or stock up on an excellent deal you can freeze a lot of fruit and veg.

Eggs are great nutrition, so try to get as much of those as you can.

You can make overnight oats with milk oats and canned fruit it's delicious.

Soups are good for lunch and dinner. So are pasta and rice and beans.

With coupons you can get a lot of boxed and canned items as well as condiments for free . Just stick to the healthier options like pasta rice canned veggies. Keep an open mind sometimes I get baby food for free, I have babies but a jar of sweet potatoes is nutritious and if is free why not. I've also added puréed veggies like carrots and peas to sauces to hide veggies in meals. Check out living rich with coupons.com if they have your store.

If you eat the ramen noodles I would at least try to cut the flavor pack in half, there is a lot of sodium in that.

Best of luck to you I will keep you in my prayers. I'm going to send you a for request, I grew up in a pretty frugal family, and have been on all different budget levels, if you have any questions I would love to help you. If I think of anything else ( I'm sure I will once I click post reply). I will msg you lol

Fit_Housewife

Also if you haven't already google ways to cut down on your utility bills. There are a lot of tips and tricks for electric and heat. Also you can try to negotiate the interest rates on cards/ loans or refinance a car loan.

daniwall94

I like to buy bulk meat when it's on clearence (about to expire) then I make a couple different kind of freezer meals. such as precooked your groundbeef with taco seasoning and freeze it or homemade meat pies are delicious and if you make your own pastry it's time consuming but cheap

daniwall94

just make sure you do it the day you buy it

FaatSara

Chicken and tuna in a can are very inexpensive, high protein foods. Chicken in a can really isnt that bad either, IMO. I make chicken salad and eat it in a wrap or with veggies. Peanut butter is high fat, calorie and protein... but not very horrible for you. It's really tough with such a small budget. Most cheap foods are FULL of sodium.

I'd say check out local food banks maybe? At least you can supplement with that.

Remember, you don't have to eat like a rabbit to lose weight. Just watch the numbers and portions.

skinnyforhi

Dried rice, beans, and lentils. Large containers of rolled oats. Frozen vegetables. Fresh bananas. Eggs. Peanut butter. Loaves of whole wheat bread (peanut butter and banana sandwiches). Ground chuck (drain the fat out in a colander and saute with frozen vegetables and spices to serve over rice or use the chuck to make meatballs for pasta). Cheap cans or jars of tomato sauce for spaghetti and meatballs. Shop the expired bins- a lot of times the food is still fine. Gallons of milk, twin packs of cereal, served with bananas.