Price of food and lack of money...Help needed!

Eating healthy doesn't have to cost a lot. I like checking out the farmers markets and seeing what is available locally. Frozen is a great way to go. you might want to see if there is a "outlet store" in your area. we have hostess a few blocks away and it is a great place to get the breads, however, they do need to be checked to make sure they haven't started going bad.

Soup/stews are always a good option and the nice thing is if anything is left over you can freeze. I wish I had a better answer, I'd love to hear your responses you get.

Sorry to hear of your situation. While I cannot claim to be in the same situation as you I can tell you that my wife and I shop the sales. I know it sounds silly, but we shop the sales and buy more during the sales and use it for a couple of weeks. For example, I was at shaws the other day and they had ALL chicken on sale for 99 cents per pound. I filled our freezer and we won't have to buy chicken again this month. We also look for the pasta that is 10 for $10. There is always something on sale, they just rotate through different companies. Also good to buy things that you can reconstruct at home, rather than pre-made meals. Frozen section for anything other than veggies is too expensive. And buy store bought when you can. Today we got 2 pounds of carrots for $1 just by shopping the sales. Best of luck to you and your family.

Buy cheap cuts of meat and use a crockpot / slow cooker

I agree...farmers markets tend to be a very cheap alternative to the grocery stores and I find that the quality of my fruits and veggies are so much better. And they don't have the hormones and pesticides that can cause cancer. Also, if you don't mind frozen veggies, they save you a lot of money as well. Compared to canned veggies, the price can be so much cheaper.

Eating vegetarian more than once a week would save money, as vegetarian sources of protien (beans and nuts) are much cheaper. Also, eggs are a good cheap source of protein. Omelet's are a filling, nutritious dinner than most kids love.

Some other suggestions that have probably already been mentioned are plan your meal around what's on sale. Stock up on non-perishables when they are on sale. Grow your own when possible. Many vegetables will grow in containers (pots) if you don't have the room to till up a convential garden. During harvest season check farmer's markets or local farm stands for affordable fresh vegetables and fruit.

http://www.foodonthetable.com/?trackid=mealplanning&gclid=CMnV25aBmKsCFYWo4AodbHmUeA

http://family.go.com/food/pkg-budget-recipes/cheap-dinner-recipes-pg/view-all/

http://www.cheapcooking.com/articles/cooking-on-a-budget.html

One other thing is that, although the food available is not always the healthiest, the local food pantry is one place that could help with finding a few of the essentials: rice, noodles, etc. The food pantry is there to help. Just remember them when you are back on your feet. If you can't pay it forward, at least pay it back!

I think a lot of us are in the same boat to lose weight you need to eat right HOWEVER to eat right is cost more money so I feel strapped as well and your right normally the groceries are the easiest to cut. Not sure in your area but we have a farmers market that I use instead if the grocery store for most of my fruits and veggies. The farmers market saves me a ton of money and my family still gets good fruits and veggies to eat! Hope this helps some and good luck

buy whole chickens and break it down, instead of buying already cut up breasts and thighs. then use the carcass for stock

This is a great idea. We are actually doing that today.

I haven't read all the replies so this may have been mentioned, but I find several coupons on the Thick and Chunky soups and things similar with veggies and meat. You can get lower sodium types and pour them over rice to make a pretty good meal...brown rice even better!! Sometimes we will find small whole chickens that are already seasoned on sale and we'll buy those and shred them and use them for sandwiches and different things!!

I struggled with the same question for a long time until I realized I just had to make it work. I am not sure the size of your family but for a household of three I was able to get my grocery budget down to 50-60 a week and that includes toiletries. I strictly shop sales and all meal planning goes around what is on sale. I will however go over budget by 20-30 bucks if a meat goes on a very low price and stock up and put it in the freezer. Meal planning is key for me to be able to stay in the budget and cooking from scratch. We rarely eat anything from a box or frozen. It does require more time on my part but knowing what is in my food is my way of being able to eat healthier. As for fresh fruits and veggies I do the same thing....we eat what is on sale that week. We rarely eat canned or frozen of these items either. I coupon alot as well and often travel to multiple grocery stores that are within a reasonable distance of my home to stay in budget. Eating healthy can be done rather easily on a tight budget just takes planning and dedication. You can do it girl!

I agree...farmers markets tend to be a very cheap alternative to the grocery stores

Really? The farmer's markets here are at least as expensive, if not more so, than Whole Foods. I still go, but I can afford to do so. I don't believe they are necessarily cheaper. I find going to the farm stands on the sides of the road save me money.

Check at your local grocery store where the "gotta go"rack is. Most grocery stores and Wallmart have one for meat product. It is where you find the food which has today's date for expiration. This is the only way I buy my meats. We have had incredible meals for pennies. Just last week I bought Alaskan King crab legs for 4.99/lb instead of 19.99 which I cannot afford. Ask the meat manager what time and where to find these items. Usually it is out quite early in the morning but it is well worth it. My local grocery store also has a rack for vegies, Wallmart has a bakery rack also.