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How to make $100 last all week?

Ilovepeppers
Ilovepeppers Posts: 396 Member
edited September 2024 in Food and Nutrition
I have only $100 for groceries for 7 days. I already have:
Butter
Cooking spray
Corm meal
Splenda
Water
Frozen corn, peas, carrots
2 bags dry beans
3 bags brown rice
Cooking spinach
Mashed potatoes
Tortillas
Diced tomatoes
Tostadas

... Basically the foods I dont tend to eat because I have other foods.

Any how, ideas for affordable foods that will last? Any ideas at all! =)

Replies

  • RunningAddict
    RunningAddict Posts: 548 Member
    The only thing that comes to mind for me is to buy off brand foods, they are usually cheaper.
  • Athena413
    Athena413 Posts: 1,709 Member
    Oatmeal is cheap and goes a long way. I usually just get a big container of the old fashioned oats for about $1.50 and they last forever. They're boring by themselves, but you can add splenda and a little butter to make it taste better.
  • you can get water from a tap :)
  • RocheleLynn
    RocheleLynn Posts: 265 Member
    Do you have an Aldis near by? My husband and I always shop there.. $60 bucks can last us about a week and half... the food is just the same... :)
  • red01angel
    red01angel Posts: 806 Member
    Scour the ads and budget accordingly.
    I used to live off of frozen chicken breasts and frozen veggies.
  • photorific
    photorific Posts: 577 Member
    http://www.poorgirleatswell.com/ has great recipes and shopping ideas... Check out her $25 shopping cart posts http://www.poorgirleatswell.com/search/label/$25 Shopping Cart
  • aejbx4x7s
    aejbx4x7s Posts: 111
    How many are you cooking for? Beans and rice go a long way. I buy eggs often, as they're cheap and full of protein. You have tortillas, too, so you could make veggie tacos with beans, rice, corn, and tomatoes. I like to add spinach to mine and maybe some cheese and onions (both cheap). Tostadas with veggies and beans are good, too.

    Often, I'll just choose the meat on sale. I got some frozen tuna today that was pretty inexpensive and delicious. Maybe having a protein bar for breakfast or lunch. I also buy cheaper produce; I stick to things like bananas and carrots rather than berries, for example.
  • bethdris
    bethdris Posts: 1,090 Member
    How many people are you feeding on that? I feed a family of 5 on less than that a week. (granted the 3 kids are ages 4 and under, but they sure eat their fair share). I cook mostly from scratch, no frozen dinners. Buy ONLY in season friuts and veggies as they are usually cheaper. If you have a farmers market near by, hit them up.
  • heather62803
    heather62803 Posts: 266 Member
    I don't know, but if you can get $100 of groceries to last all week I want to know the secret!! We usaully spend $150 per week for our family of 4, but that also usually includes other essentials like toiletries and cleaning supplies.

    Our main staples are
    milk
    chicken
    ground white turkey
    frozen vegetables
    fresh fruits
    Cereal for the kids
    Oatmeal for me
    peppers
    onions
    whole wheat bread and/or sandwich thins
    eggs
    low fat cheese

    In order to save money on groceries and cut down on un-needed items we buy generic, check coupons and sales ads, and try to plan 3 or 4 big meals for the week then work off of left overs for the rest of the week.
  • Jenlynphi
    Jenlynphi Posts: 183 Member
    I have only $100 for groceries for 7 days. I already have:
    Butter
    Cooking spray
    Corm meal
    Splenda
    Water
    Frozen corn, peas, carrots
    2 bags dry beans
    3 bags brown rice
    Cooking spinach
    Mashed potatoes
    Tortillas
    Diced tomatoes
    Tostadas

    Buy a couple of packages of boneless chicken breasts and you can make several meals with some of the foods you already have. Chicken fajitas, make a grilled chicken green salad........ Veggies and fuit are cheap if you go to a farmer's market or fruit stand. Ground beef can go a long way too. You have most of your sides already. :)
  • PJilly
    PJilly Posts: 22,527 Member
    I'd go with eggs and oatmeal.
  • SueInAz
    SueInAz Posts: 6,592 Member
    Look at the sale ads and budget from there. You already have some great starters, you just need some meat and some veggies to round things out. This is a great time to buy some nice vegetables for a good price.
  • curvygirl512
    curvygirl512 Posts: 423 Member
    I have only $100 for groceries for 7 days. I already have:
    Butter
    Cooking spray
    Corm meal
    Splenda
    Water
    Frozen corn, peas, carrots
    2 bags dry beans
    3 bags brown rice
    Cooking spinach
    Mashed potatoes
    Tortillas
    Diced tomatoes
    Tostadas

    ... Basically the foods I dont tend to eat because I have other foods.

    Any how, ideas for affordable foods that will last? Any ideas at all! =)

    Beans and Rice are supercheap, but they end up tasting bland unless you season them up well. One onion and a small head of garlic won't kill your budget, but they will make your foods taste better. I've also made beans and rice with stir fried pork and some kind of fruit like pineapple. But stick to peaches or plums,as they are in season now. Veggie stir fry with lean pork, chicken or fish is always a good bet, and you already have the rice. For lunch, I'm a big fan of the meal size salad, with some kind of protein, like packaged tuna. For me it is worth it not to have to drain it. Is your "cooking spinach" frozen? If it's fresh, I'd use with the tuna and orange wedges as a salad. If the spinach is frozen, I'd add it to an omelet. Finally, use the corn meal to make polenta as a side dish. You can make it savory with herbs, or sweet for breakfast or dinner.

    So, here's what I'd add to your shopping list for one week:

    1 vidalia onion ($.99/lb here in PA)
    1 sm head of Garlic (@ $1.29)
    Boneless pork chops, 1 lb (7.99) (about 5 3-oz servings)
    Various fresh vegetables, about 1 1/2 lb (4.00)
    1 lb peaches (1.59)
    1 3 lb bag of boneless, skinless chicken breasts (5.97)
    1 bag of hearts of romain (3.99)
    1 navel orange (1.00)
    1 doz eggs (1.89)
    Other fresh fruits and veggies
    Whole wheat bread (4.00)
    Skim Milk (1.89)
    Skinny Cow Ice Cream bars (3.99) cuz everyone needs a treat

    Total: 38.59 plus the cost of other fruits and veggies

    Stick to in season fruits and veggies, and stay away from most prepackaged foods. Good luck and good eating!
  • Scour the ads and budget accordingly.
    I used to live off of frozen chicken breasts and frozen veggies.


    use to live off frozen chicken breast ?
    I still do, every now and then i get a roasted chicken from cosco.
    Untill i started buying a roasted chicken , i did'nt know what i was missing. But i rather have frozen chicken breast, than not have it.
    the difference is clearly juicy verses tuff, but I make alot of chicken salad and use a food processor to mince it up. Untill recently i use to think it was how i cook it in water as oppose to being roasted. But there is a difference between frozen and fresh, and if your on a budget, do what you can to make it tasty. Whoo i feel better now. Can't wait till i get a better job so i can spend more on food as well. O'ya clip coupons
    and GO ANGELS
    i know your losing tonight but,
    GO ANGELS.
This discussion has been closed.