In need of serious motivation

I can see where you are coming from, and I think all you really can do is the best you can. If you can even buy a few healthy things and make a few healthier choices a week they will start to add up. You have already made a big step coming onto this site, and I would be more than happy to support you throughout your journey!! Anyone please feel free to add me for support and motivation!!:happy:

Frozen bags of chicken are cheap and healthy, get a surplus of it and freeze em.

My husband and I used to have a really tight, shoestring grocery budget that was $50/ week, so I can appreciate your challenge!

One of the things we would do is buy bulk items that wouldn't go bad and could stretch into multiple meals. We would buy a bag of rice, and then use that for stir-fry dinners that are not only healthy but taste good (and we could mix and match so there was some variation and we weren't always eating the same thing....) Frozen vegetables (such as peas, green beans, and corn) don't go bad and can be used in the stir-fry or as sides by themselves.

My husband also used to buy a whole chicken and then learned how to cut it down into pieces, which saved us a ton of money. We would break it up and re-package it into Ziploc freezer bags to be used for multiple meals (You can wash and re-use the ziploc bags, instead of buying new ones each time for cost saving,) We'd use the chicken either as the meat in stir-fry (it doesn't take much!) or as the main course. After the chicken was cut down, we wouldn't throw the carcass/ bones away! Instead, we would boil it and make homemade chicken soup out of it. Throw in a couple stalks of celery and carrots. They're healthy and they'll last longer in the soup. Makes great lunches and a few extra dinners.

In fact, root vegetables such as carrots and celery will usually last a few weeks if properly refrigerated. Buy whole carrots (not pre-skinned,) wash them when you get home and store them in a bag that will keep them dry. Actually, a lot of veggies and fruits last longer if you take the time to clean them and process them when you first get them.

We would also keep an eye out for those 10 for 10 boxed pasta grocery store specials and stock up. Spaghetti sauce is pretty healthy and usually goes on sale around the same time. You can split the jar in two and make them stretch.

Frozen or canned fruit works well, too for breakfasts, lunch sides or even as a healthy dessert.

The other thing I would suggest is sit down and make out a meal plan before going shopping and try to have a couple of meals that will use one item. That way you can use everything efficiently. It requires a little effort, but it IS possible to eat healthy on a budget. I hope some of these tips help...good luck!

*edited for spelling and general grammar*

My husband and I used to have a really tight, shoestring grocery budget that was $50/ week, so I can appreciate your challenge!

One of the things we would do is buy bulk items that wouldn't go bad and could stretch into multiple meals. We would buy a bag of rice, and then use that for stir-fry dinners that are not only healthy but taste good (and we could mix and match so there was some variation and we weren't always eating the same thing....) Frozen vegetables (such as peas, green beans, and corn) don't go bad and can be used in the stir-fry or as sides by themselves.

My husband also used to buy a whole chicken and then learned how to cut it down into pieces, which saved us a ton of money. We would break it up and re-package it into Ziploc freezer bags to be used for multiple meals (You can wash and re-use the ziploc bags, instead of buying new ones each time for cost saving,) We'd use the chicken either as the meat in stir-fry (it doesn't take much!) or as the main course. After the chicken was cut down, we wouldn't throw the carcass/ bones away! Instead, we would boil it and make homemade chicken soup out of it. Throw in a couple stalks of celery and carrots. They're healthy and they'll last longer in the soup. Makes great lunches and a few extra dinners.

In fact, root vegetables such as carrots and celery will usually last a few weeks if properly refrigerated. Buy whole carrots (not pre-skinned,) wash them when you get home and store them in a bag that will keep them dry. Actually, a lot of veggies and fruits last longer if you take the time to clean them and process them when you first get them.

We would also keep an eye out for those 10 for 10 boxed pasta grocery store specials and stock up. Spaghetti sauce is pretty healthy and usually goes on sale around the same time. You can split the jar in two and make them stretch.

Frozen or canned fruit works well, too for breakfasts, lunch sides or even as a healthy dessert.

The other thing I would suggest is sit down and make out a meal plan before going shopping and try to have a couple of meals that will use one item. That way you can use everything efficiently. It requires a little effort, but it IS possible to eat healthy on a budget. I hope some of these tips help...good luck!

*edited for spelling and general grammar*

So organized ... Love it.

I feel your pain with the limited grocery budget. My husband and I recently signed up for a co-op in our area which provides locally grown produce. Since it's locally grown the cost is cheaper. I usually get about 15 pounds of produce every two weeks for $17 ( And it's all organic which is amazing! ) Aside from the produce I usually stock up on hummus which I get on sale for about $2, Perdue's simply breaded frozen chicken is really good as well. As it was mentioned before definitely stock up on Barilla pasta the ones in the blue box. Go for whole-grain. It's not 100% whole grains but unfortunately the best things for us tend to be the most expensive. And if I ever see a good proteins or fruit & nut bar on sale I'll usually stock up on those for when I don't have time to cook.