$13.30 for three days of food
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sarahaflood
Posts: 8 Member
Hi everyone!
I'm a college student and I am currently in a class that addresses all different types of inequality. For an upcoming project, I have $13.30 (around $4.43 per day) to use to eat for three days (mirrors average assistance in my area).
I cannot use any food I already have, I cannot eat any free food (from friends, promotions, etc.), and I cannot buy from any restaurants. Unfortunately, I am also not allowed to buy in bulk (even though it would equal out to the correct cost for day).
For this time period, I will not be too worried about my calorie count or my particular fitness/health goals. I was just wondering if anyone has any ideas or sample meal plans for me?
Thank you in advance!
I'm a college student and I am currently in a class that addresses all different types of inequality. For an upcoming project, I have $13.30 (around $4.43 per day) to use to eat for three days (mirrors average assistance in my area).
I cannot use any food I already have, I cannot eat any free food (from friends, promotions, etc.), and I cannot buy from any restaurants. Unfortunately, I am also not allowed to buy in bulk (even though it would equal out to the correct cost for day).
For this time period, I will not be too worried about my calorie count or my particular fitness/health goals. I was just wondering if anyone has any ideas or sample meal plans for me?
Thank you in advance!
0
Replies
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To figure that out yourself... that's sort of the idea of the project, isn't it?75
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I'd suggest a dozen eggs, a carton of old-fashioned oats, a bag of dried beans, and a box of rice. Then add fruit and veg with whatever money you have left. You'll eat similar meals all three days, but it would also let you cook once and then reheat. Good luck!37
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You could make a big pot of goulash, it makes a lot and you could have plently of leftovers.
Shopping at a store like Save-a-lot:
-Cheap ground beef at a pound would be maybe $3-4
- a box of rotini $1
- spaghetti sauce $1
8 -
Beans and rice, cabbage, a dozen eggs, a whole chicken.7
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I bought 9 boxes of oat crisps on sale for $3 the other day, lol. Also got 2 bags of beans, 2 big bags of rice, for 10. Could have gotten one each of those, plus a container of taco seasoning, and I'd have a week of meals. I could gather and boil some dandelion leaves to get some greenery in.
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When you say you are not allowed to buy in bulk do you mean wouldn't be allowed to say buy a packet of pasta or a box of cereal that would make more than one meal?
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kommodevaran wrote: »To figure that out yourself... that's sort of the idea of the project, isn't it?
The purpose of the project is to live off of $13.30 and recognize the difficulty of doing so. My professor actually recommended doing research online and to plan everything ahead of time. I thought this would be a great resource. I understand if you do not want to help because you believe that it is cheating, but I do not.
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kommodevaran wrote: »To figure that out yourself... that's sort of the idea of the project, isn't it?
Yes. Isn't this an exercise in displaying how resourceful you have to be in order to manage such a small budget? I mean, sure I could point you in the direction of all sorts of resources and tell you how I have kept going on very little but I feel you need to work this out for yourself. Your fellow students and probably you will make some bad decisions and will be used in the analysis when the project ends.
Grown up teachery speech over.19 -
@nikkit321 and @Cuddlebearjay Thank you so much for your help! I will definitely be using some of your suggestions!3
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I would start with the protein, that is usually the most expensive item on the plate. Chicken thighs, hamburger, some beans? Maybe a roasted chicken? You can stretch those out for several meals. Eggs are good too, can be breakfast, lunch or dinner.
Dollar Tree can be a great resource, the one near me carries eggs, bread, pre packaged cold cuts, non refrigerated milk, small jars of mayo and mustard, cheeses and even snack foods, nuts, cookies and such.6 -
I could also get a loaf of bread for 89 cents, a head of lettice for 99 cents, a pack of cheese for a dollar, and a little lunchmeat and have sandwiches for a week. Add a smallish bag of oatmeal for $3, and a box of raisins for $1.50, and I'd have breakfasts for a week. But I have access to really cheap groceries.
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Good luck on YOUR project!15
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I would go meatless for 3 days probably.
Dry beans and lentils are inexpensive. Beans and rice or lentils and rice are basic dishes in many cultures.
Onion, celery, garlic, carrots, potatoes are used in many dishes.
Pasta is inexpensive.
Eggs are good for meals or snacks
Canned tuna
Peanut butter, jelly, bread
Cabbage
Powdered milk
Oatmeal
Frozen vegetables may be less expensive.
Soup is a good dollar stretcher. You could make a big pot of cabbage, lentil or minestrone soup for example.
Buy generic/store brands. Buy fresh produce that is in season. Look at store ads.
http://www.hillbillyhousewife.com/40dollarmenu.htm may give you some ideas.11 -
Cheap eats -
Pasta and sauce. My niece is in college & shops the $ day sales. This is a really common meal for her. Some frozen pizza (brands) are always cheap. Recipes using Raman noodles.
Look for vegetarian meals......dried beans and lentils are cheap. If you are willing to soak your own....you save money. The same with rice.....uncooked rice is cheaper than minute varieties.
Breakfast - eggs and/or oatmeal.
Bananas and (bagged) apples are going to be the cheapest fruits right now.
Potatoes, cabbage, and carrots (peel your own) are going to be cheap veggies.
Canned tuna & pasta. Make your own sauce....or used boxed Mac'n Cheese.3 -
I'm not sure why @kommodevaran and @VintageFeline have had their posts flagged... But I agree you should be doing the work yourself! Research isn't asking others for the answers - I'd be scouring catalogues for specials and making a plan for meals that fit my budget. If you're in the states, they are big on coupons from what I understand - that might be a way to make your dollar go further...15
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check out Cheap Lazy Vegan on youtube, she has great ideas on how to eat well for little money, she has a series on (If I remember correctly) $20 a week or something along those lines too.3
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tinkerbellang83 wrote: »When you say you are not allowed to buy in bulk do you mean wouldn't be allowed to say buy a packet of pasta or a box of cereal that would make more than one meal?
No, I'm sorry, that is not what I meant. I should have make it more clear. I am not allowed to buy in excess bulk. For example, I cannot buy a 50 lb bag of rice and only use rations that fit in my daily budget. I have to stay under $13.30 overall.
Thank you @wellthenwhat !!2 -
Where I live you could hit the dollar store and get a loaf of bread, a small thing of peanut butter - $2 = 3 days of breakfast (PB toast). Lunch... sandwiches. Deli meat and cheese.... $6? So there's $8 total. $5 left... I would say you could get a bag of pinto beans and cook in the crock pot with chicken stock and an onion ($3 ish) and a small thing of cheese to shred on top.
Or Ramen. Lots of Ramen
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Beans and rice. That's how a lot of cultures eat. Plain and simple. Carbs and protein. Some oil for fat but one container of oil will last a long time.4
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