I have $7 for groceries.

AMYJK7110

I noticed in your profile that you are a full time student. I am assuming it is a University...? If so, please contact someone through school. They can lead you in the right direction so you don't have to go hungry.

Britton12

I agree check out your local food pantry's and church food banks. Also for the future couponing is a great way to get things for FREE!

michelle7673

www.sandiegofoodbank.org

In the short term, I would buy 5lbs of brown rice and a dozen eggs, or a big jar of peanut butter, or a gallon of milk. That isn't likely to last three weeks, but it should cover a week and change, during which time you might be able to work something else out.
In the longer term, if this is a temporary rough spot, I would stockpile a few staples. Your profile says that you are a full time student, so I am not sure what your living conditions are (as in, can you bake, etc)...you can make really good bread out of nothing but flour, yeast and water.

pseudomuffin

Get some rice (mahatma often has manufacturer coupons you can find on the internet, you can get a bag for very cheap/almost free, I suggest jasmine to go with your curry sauce, buy the smallest bags you can with the coupon if it says "any product" because you might be able to get it free), buy a flat of eggs (2 dozen for around $2-$3 and a good source of protein, you can add to curry or ramen for more substance), $1 for a box of a dozen ramen, and look for "manager's special" at the supermarket on the biggest pack of meat you can afford. The meat you can cut into slices and freeze, cooking as little as possible to add to your meals. I also suggest buying few oranges (navel are in season right now and really cheap) and some potatoes (always cheap) and a large onion.

Also, I agree with the church pantry suggestion, LOTS of churches have donation services like this and you can get some canned goods/pasta to supplement your $7. You should do this before you go shopping so you know what to get and don't waste money buying doubles. If you can get all of the non-perishibles from the food pantry, focus on buying fresh stuff like potatoes, onions, some fresh fruit and vegetables, and if you can afford it get a pack of meat on manager's special (make sure your freeze it though, it'll keep it from going bad), so you don't make yourself sick.

Don't be ashamed to ask for help, everyone needs it from time to time. If you're on good terms with your parents, see if they'll give you a loaner until you get back on your feet. See if friends will help you out, in college I'd invite friends over to dinner a few times a week if I knew they were low on grocery money for the month. Good luck! Things will get better.

s07civic

Shop sales at your local markets and find some lettuce and other veggies for cheap. I say this because veggies will fill you up...more bang for your buck :-)

peasantsong

How many people do you have to feed? I hope it is just yourself.

Lentils - $1.00
Potatoes - $1.50
- Make a large pot of lentil soup and it should last you at least 3 days.

Any dried bean - $1.00
a bag of brown rice - $1.00
- Make a large pot of beans and rice and it should also last you at least 3 days.

A large bag or box of noodles - $0.50
- Use the marinara sauce to make the largest batch of pasta you can. There's another 3 days.

A large bag of frozen vegetables - $1.00
- Add to the the curry sauce and the rest of the potatoes to make a large batch of curry. There's 2-3 days.

6 Bags of Ramen - $1.00
- Add some of the frozen vegetables and make enough soup to last 3 days (2 bags of ramen a day)

That's $7 and 15 days food. You can probably stretch that out to the 17 days that you need it to last. I got the prices from what I usually pay for these items when I shop at the dollar tree or at Walmart.

Lastly, if you don't have enough food to eat, please don't be afraid to ask for help. One thing I learned in my life growing up poor is, if nothing else, there is ALWAYS someone willing to feed you if you're hungry and you ask.

sally_jeffswife

I would buy canned beef broth, hamburger,cabbage,stewed tomatoes....make a cabbage soup. It will make alot and is pretty low calories. And then I would check out where your local food shelf is and just make sure to donate yourself when you have more money. Or talk to your church alot of them are willing to help out alot and same thing just donate money back when you have it.

iggyboo93

$7 will not last you for 3 weeks. At best you could buy a bulk box of ramen noodles and a couple dozen eggs. Concur with the other posters - get to a food pantry. The food banks in my town offer quite a variety of fresh produce, dried beans, pasta, peanut butter and tuna. I've been in a place where I had more month than money. Rice, boullion cubes, and eggs got me through some dark days.

rumplesnat

Tuna, eggs, oatmeal.

erg2013

Just wanted to say that I think it is wonderful that so many members put so much thought and care into the responses posted.

ashleyb2000

ramen is cheap and filling, but its super bad for you!!!! my grandma was reading on it and it has the same type of wax as candles, not a lot but some. and its loaded with carbs, starch and salt. get regular spaghetti noodles instead.

Buzymomof_3

If you don't feel like going to a food bank (where you probably will have to answer questions), don't forget about soup kitchens! I've volunteered at some and they don't ask questions, just serve whoever is in line.

Google San Diego and soup kitchens. There are lots and you can supplement your budget by going there. No asking or anything, usually you just show up, eat and leave. Might be easier to take. Some even send sandwiches home with you for later.

http://sandiego.networkofcare.org/veterans/services/subcategory.aspx?tax=BD-5000.8300
I know it says for vetrans, but a lot of the places are for everyone

http://voices.yahoo.com/san-diego-area-soup-kitchens-free-meals-7686108.html

Remember - hunger is not an option, you need to eat.

Good Luck!

jackiecamarena

A friend of mine pointed me in the direction of a food bank I can go to tomorrow. Thanks, everyone!
I have never been to one, so I don't know what I will get, but I just want to stretch out my food as long as possible.

And no, this is not a joke. I literally have $7 for a few weeks.

michelle7673

I also wanted to echo a previous poster-- if you are a college student, I would suggest that you go to the financial aid office and see if you can get on a meal plan. Even if you need to go to another office, they will know where to point you to.

Janelle173

Definitely if you have an Aldi, go there! He is a link to their ad! What you could do is go to your closest local grocery stores and get their ads and see what you can get the most of with your money. You could even try breaking it up between weeks.

http://weeklyads.aldi.us/aldi/default.aspx?action=entryflash&

ETA: Def go to your local food pantries though, like others suggested. They may be able to help you with a lot of staples. Which can help out a ton. So try and go to the food pantry before shopping with your 7$. That way you know what you can get to make your 7$ go further with the donated food you get.

monicalosesweight

Rice is dirt cheap....beans will get you protein....find the biggest bag of green veggies that you can add to the beans and rice and you might be able to live on that for a while. Either way, go to your schools financial aid office. They may be able to help you out by directing you to help or they may know of charities that help kids out while they are in school.

mrfrodogetdown

I'm actually pretty much in the same spot as you, just I have a bit more in my cupboards.

As for what to get that you might not (want to) get at a food bank-

Bread and eggs. Cheap, and will do quite a few meals.

Fill in the gaps from what you get at the food bank with what little $$ you have. Maybe a head of lettuce or a pack of meat or something.

sandylion

Beans, pasta, canned soup... You could easily make pasta with sauce several times, have a can of beans (try cannelini or kidney) and maybe put the curry sauce on it? You could make a bean salad with chickpeas and feta (if it's in your budget, maybe get a tomato and a cucumber). Canned soup is an easy dinner as well.

I think bananas are also pretty inexpensive and they're a great snack. A big 42 oz tub of Quaker oatmeal is about $3 where I live and it has about a 30 servings in it I think so that will also last a while.

DO NOT BUY CANNED SOUP! What a waste of money!! You can make a giant pot of soup that will last you a month for the price of 2 cans.

EmilyJackCO

I wish my mom were still here ... she spent several years on the streets in San Diego and then in low income housing, and knew all the wonderful places to go for food. I know there was a church near by her off of 11th & J that brought her boxes of food twice a month once she got a studio. Check out the resources posted, and I wish you the very very best of luck. Never be afraid to ask for help, honey - that's why those of us can give back, do. *HUG* And if there's anything I can promise - it does get better.

Erica262

A friend of mine pointed me in the direction of a food bank I can go to tomorrow. Thanks, everyone!
I have never been to one, so I don't know what I will get, but I just want to stretch out my food as long as possible.

And no, this is not a joke. I literally have $7 for a few weeks.

Yes, definitely go to a food bank! They'll probably provide you with canned and boxed goods. You can use the $7 for fresh things like eggs, milk and fresh fruit or vegetables. Good luck! Definitely don't hesitate to ask for help again. A lot of us have been there and would be more than willing to help if we can.

Janelle173

Also, a big value size (usually big bags on the bottom shelf) of the off brand cereal.

sgv0918

a dozen eggs, dried beans, rice

this....and contact the local food bank

laddyboy

And they have to last me til March 11th or as long as possible.
I have currently: condiments, feta cheese, marinara sauce, and Indian curry sauce.

What should I buy?

If that's really all you have I'd be happy to send you some money. Let me know.

NanaWubbie

You need to get protein. Eggs and breans are good choices, like the others said. You can buy a chicken! I have 10, and I always can depend on them for eggs, Time to go fishing! Barter with friends....I'll babysit for $20 bucks.....take some clothes to The Clothes Mentor for cash on the spot! Where there's a will there's a way.

jmmcs

Have any unused games/electronics/computers/etc? You won't get much for them, but you could sell the used games to gamestop, sell computer scrap on ebay/cragislist etc.

Also, a pawn shop might be worth a shot.

You probably won't get a sustainable amount of food with 7 bucks

brittrose33

Beans, rice and eggs. I once lived off a cup of rice a day for over a month since my work had barely any shifts to give me, and rent was expensive. I feel your pain. You'd be surprised how many different ways you can make beans and rice! Good luck. :flowerforyou:

WBB55

I could do a week for that amount. But no more. Just rice and beans for all my calories would cost me about $0.70 per day.

Some stores throw out perfectly good food. Don't take this as an insult, some people who _could_ buy food, dumpster dive to supplement their budgets. I didn't read every response here, but if you're interested, some people see it as a very "green" thing to do. http://freegan.info/

StaceySuperfly

Get to the food bank! There is nothing to be ashamed of. I have been on L&I for over 2 years and finally went to the food bank in September. I was shocked at how much food I got, an entire cart full! I thank every one of the volunteers every time I go. I can go 2x a month and it has been a life saver! I am lucky, our community has Safeway, Fred Meyer, Costco, Walmart, Winco, Target, Haggen, Starbucks and Albertsons and they all donate! Don't struggle and be hungry, get the help you need and if you feel bad about it just know that you can volunteer your time and money when circumstances change for you. GO!!

Keto_T

You are also young and cute....let a guy take you out to dinner. Show up at your friends' houses if they can help. You can babysit. wash cars, wash windows, clean houses, iron, tutor, do whatever to make a few dollars to tide you over if you cant go to a food bank or dont qualify.

jadethief

Check with your school to see if they offer emergency loans. . . . usually $50 to $100 that has to be paid back by the end of the semester.