Eating on a Budget
LilithReigns
Posts: 225 Member
I am single and currently have had to cut back on spending money, what are some ways to stay within budget when shopping for groceries? With prices increasing I find it a real challenge....
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Buy in bulk when possible. Rice, beans, lentils are all pretty budget friendly. Shop produce in season and on sale. You can cook up a pot of dry beans and then freeze in portions for later. Meat is usually cheaper when purchased as a "family" or "value" pack. Once again, portion and freeze. Buy frozen fruits and vegetables if unable to use fresh before they go bad.2
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Rice, pasta, and beans are inexpensive and can help fill out a dish. If you can buy them in bulk, they are even cheaper.
Frozen fruit and vegetables are usually less expensive than fresh, and they last longer.
If you eat meat, that's where I've noticed the biggest price increases. Dark-meat chicken parts...legs and thighs...tend to be much cheaper than breasts. Consider cooking an entire turkey breast or pork loin. They will be kind of expensive initially, but as a single person, you can freeze individual portions and get a lot of meals out it. Your per-meal cost will be really low. My grocery store often sells 6 large pork chops for $10. My husband and I get 3 meals out of that.
Other than that, look for coupons, loyalty programs, and sales. If you have multiple grocery stores in your area, do some research missions to find out who has the best prices on which items.1 -
Also, don't discount (hah!) the There Are Still Some Things That Are 99 Cents and the They Should Change The Name To The $1.25 stores. They sell fruits and vegetables and eggs and stuff like that along with canned goods and cookies (real and knockoff) and stuff like THAT
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Figure out when your store(s) pull the almost-out-of-date items and put them in the sale area (especially for meat in my experience) and shop on that day and get those deep discounts before other people grab them.
Check out the discount stores - not sure where you are, but around by me that would be Lidl and Aldi - I checked out Lidl the other day and found some great deals, and the food was pretty good too! Just watch them though, I did get some fresh asparagus in bags that ended up being bad (not worth returning the less than $3 I spent on it though). Walmart also tends to 'in the end' cost less than most chain grocery stores - I hate shopping there, but if there's a bunch I need that other places don't have, it's a worthwhile trip.
Like mentioned, bigger packages, portion, and then freeze. Pain, but something I definitely do with things like chicken breasts.
Watch alternative shopping methods - for example, for me, Amazon Fresh actually hasn't really raised their prices, and some of their products (egg in particular where I'm at) are WAY better than anything remotely in a similar price range in the grocery store - plus saves me a trip. As a prime member it's free shipping over $35, just the driver tip extra.
Cut out/back on drinks - sodas, alcohol, flavored drinks, etc. It's boring and more work, but tea and water do what they are designed to do.
Make coffee at home - decent ground isn't cheap, but it's WAY cheaper than buying from a coffee house. Make a full pot, and put the leftovers in a container for iced coffee the next day (or I will heat it up if it's cold outside lol). I use creamer in mine and I honestly don't mind the flavor at all the next couple days if it's in the fridge after the pot shuts off.
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Grow veggies if you have room. You could grow a tomato plant in the corner of a balcony or on your front stoop, if you have a pot and a sunny spot.
Do you have a bread outlet store nearby? I never pay the store prices for bread items, they're so expensive. A package of Lender's bagels goes for 4.59 at our store but I buy them at the bread outlet for 1.79. Everything else is much cheaper there too, hot dog or hamburger rolls, english muffins, breads. Our store has certain days where things are .99 each or 3 for $4. Stock up and freeze.1 -
Thank you everyone for all the great advice, the most affordable store here is Aldis so I am going to make a short list and see what I can do today.0
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Hiiiiii new bestie
I'm the brokest of broke people. Coming here to steal some ideas while I share some.
So my first ideas are casseroles/baked psya dishes and skillet meals. People get scared they will be hard to cook, or too boring, or too high calorie or too expensive. They're legit the cheapest, easiest things in the world.
Whatever meat (or mushrooms or tofu or whatever) is cheapest, seasoned to taste + whatever grain-type product is cheapest + any sauce + 2 veggies.
Toss it in a skillet or a baking dish. Top with cheese or something crunchy or nothing at all.
Casseroles tend to make 8+ servings which can be refrigerated (my choice since with 2 of us, it's gone in 4 days, and we don't mind leftovers) or frozen. And depending on the casserole, mine end up being around 400-500 calories per serving.
Skillet meals ... depends on the size of your skillet, but I tend to do those individually. Same ingredients just... use 1/4 as much and put half away for the next day.
For lunches, I have done a lot of soups (I don't have a crockpot, I just use my big stockpot I usually use for boiling pasta) just... water and seasonings, then toss in the soup ingredients. Or wraps... right now near me, bread and tortilla prices are about the same. And I can get a loaf with 22 slices of bread (11 sandwiches) or 20 tortillas (20 wraps or quesadillas) plus the tortillas can last practically forever in the fridge, which means I can buy more in advance, get the lower prices early on (prices are expected to continue going up for at least a year), and reduce the number of restocking trips (saves on transportation).
People say that grating your own cheese is cheaper. Ounce for ounce the cost is pretty similar. But shredded cheese does a lot of settling, and you have to end up using more to get the same flavor, so that one is true.
Soft white cheeses are creamier (again, so you use less), lower calorie, equivalent price.
Throwing a small amount of cheese and a bunch of veg in a tortilla is reaaally satisfying. I didn't think it would be.
It's like half a full size dinner plate!
Breakfast is hard with the price increases. I've been doing a lot of hot cereal-based breakfasts this year. Some manufacturers have caught on to people buying in bulk. I found a store brand the other day where the big container of oatmeal actually cost more per ounce than the box of individual packets.
I second what was said above about walmart being cheaper. Depending on what you buy it can be even cheaper than Aldi.
What I have been doing is making an online shopping cart on walmart . com, then going to compare prices by making the same shopping list at Aldi on instacart. (I don't actually use instacart anymore, sadly).
If you can only go to one store, or if the gas to get between them would be more than what you can save, choose the one with a cheaper total. If you *can* do both, remove items from whichever cart they are more expensive in. Built in shopping lists for both.
The cheapest grains/starches I have found right now are potatoes and rice.
Penne and angel hair have been cheaper than othe pastas (by weight).
At my local walmart, instant mashed potato flakes are, unfortunately, cheaper than whole potatoes.
Frozen veg here is cheaper than fresh or canned.
Also, a lot of food banks have changed their income limits in response to... everything. And a lot more churches are opening food pantries too. It's okay to need to ask for help. These prices aren't normal or natural.
I had a bunch more ideas but they fled my head as soon as I started typing. I will be back with more soon !6 -
Look around for alternatives like buy-in co-ops, too. In the Midwest there’s a program called Ruby’s Pantry where you can get $100+ dollars worth of groceries for $20/ share. You might not eat all of it (preferences or fitting in your diet) but you can share with a neighbor, donate, or learn to be creative. There is no income limit for Ruby’s Pantry, it’s for anyone who eats. They have a religious affiliation but do not push that upon participants other than pickup sites are often at church parking lots. There are other buy-in co-ops like this, some with income limits but many without.
Ask the parents of a large family if they know of any discount programs, or ask a social worker in the area (try calling your county health and human services) if they know of any “second food harvest” programs that capture food excesses between producers and distributors, or from the government distribution programs. There are sometimes programs from local farm excess, too, during or after harvests, that might offer deep discounts.1 -
Depending on where you are prices of produce can be very different. Rice is very expensive here, cheap beans? Don't really exist. Candy is cheap though
Seriously if you happen to be in the UK then have a look at the website of Jack Monroe/bootstrap cook. They really manage to cook on a super budget and spends about 20GBP on groceries per week, including child. But again, what's cheap in the UK might be expensive elsewhere.1 -
I've found that while the Randall's in my area is more expensive for just about everything, they have GREAT deals on meat. Lots of "Buy One Get One Free" or "Half Off," and they regularly do mark downs to get rid of meat before it goes bad, more so than any of the other grocery stores nearby. I haven't worked up the courage to try their fish selection, because I think the H‑E‑B fish market has a prettier selection, but it's a good place for that.
The biggest problem I always find with cooking on a budget is that you have to trade money for time. Cooking cheap, couponing, going to multiple grocery stores, hunting deals and scouring prices... It takes a lot of time, especially when you're getting started because you haven't learned any shortcuts and don't know what's normal for your area yet. You have to plan ahead, and you need to have enough executive function after your hour long (or more) grocery shopping trip to actually prep that food, whether to cook it now or just put away, clean and freeze for later. Your time and energy are valuable, so figure out what costs the least FOR YOU to do in terms of time and energy (some people can meal plan for a month without a sweat, but if I sit down to try to plan out that far ahead, I'll panic, and panicking takes up time and energy that I then won't use to cook, and that's how vegetables rot in my fridge). But I can make time for a bi-weekly run to the grocery store for produce, which means I spend money more often but the bill is small and I waste less.2 -
LaBellaHarris wrote: »I've found that while the Randall's in my area is more expensive for just about everything, they have GREAT deals on meat. Lots of "Buy One Get One Free" or "Half Off," and they regularly do mark downs to get rid of meat before it goes bad, more so than any of the other grocery stores nearby. I haven't worked up the courage to try their fish selection, because I think the H‑E‑B fish market has a prettier selection, but it's a good place for that.
The biggest problem I always find with cooking on a budget is that you have to trade money for time. Cooking cheap, couponing, going to multiple grocery stores, hunting deals and scouring prices... It takes a lot of time, especially when you're getting started because you haven't learned any shortcuts and don't know what's normal for your area yet. You have to plan ahead, and you need to have enough executive function after your hour long (or more) grocery shopping trip to actually prep that food, whether to cook it now or just put away, clean and freeze for later. Your time and energy are valuable, so figure out what costs the least FOR YOU to do in terms of time and energy (some people can meal plan for a month without a sweat, but if I sit down to try to plan out that far ahead, I'll panic, and panicking takes up time and energy that I then won't use to cook, and that's how vegetables rot in my fridge). But I can make time for a bi-weekly run to the grocery store for produce, which means I spend money more often but the bill is small and I waste less.
yes all of this! I work an office job from 8-6 everyday, I meal prep on Sunday. It has been very helpful but I often spend more than necessary and hate food waste. I am trying to find the easiest ways to cut down on cost and waste so this week I froze half of my fresh produce both veggies and fruit and will be meal prepping some easy soup bags since I find soup to be relatively cheap and easy to pack veggies into.2 -
If you're in the U.S. and are low-income you may qualify for an EBT card (SNAP.) It's a federal program to help with food.
https://www.fns.usda.gov/snap/supplemental-nutrition-assistance-program0 -
cmriverside wrote: »If you're in the U.S. and are low-income you may qualify for an EBT card (SNAP.) It's a federal program to help with food.
https://www.fns.usda.gov/snap/supplemental-nutrition-assistance-program
I make too much to qualify for assistance, I am just seeking ideas on how to cut my costs down. Though I am sure this will help many others so thanks for the link!!1 -
One of my favorite cookbooks for learning to cook on a budget is the “More with Less” cookbook. It’s a Mennonite cookbook with recipes from all over the world, many of them are meatless or “meat stretching” so they’re pretty cheap, and they tend to make large batches that fit into the cook-once-eat-often mentality that will save you time and energy if you’re single, too.1
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Is there someone in your life that you can share bags of things and split the cost, such as apples or potatoes?0
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LilithReigns wrote: »Thank you everyone for all the great advice, the most affordable store here is Aldis so I am going to make a short list and see what I can do today.
Yeah if you have an Aldi and have a wholesale club like a BJs, Sams, or Costco you should be set. Just make sure when you go to the wholesale clubs that you make a list and stick to it, otherwise it will be an expensive trip! Not sure if you have a farmers market close to you. I know we do and one trick is to go about an hour before they close and many of the vendors will deeply discount produce because they don't want to haul it all back and have it spoil.
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From the UK, check out Jack Monroe's recipe website for budget meals. Before she became a food columnist for a national newspaper she was a single mom on benefits (=welfare).
https://cookingonabootstrap.com/
Also from the UK there is a show called "Eat Well for Less" from the BBC that is available internationally on YouTube. It's main themes are cook from scratch, aschew all processed or partially processed products (ie washed and bagged salads, grated cheese), and try no name brands.0 -
You might also want to check out your local Asian markets. Not only will you get great prices on bulk rice, spices, and fresh and dried mushrooms, but I've found that the fresh greens are about 1/3 of the price as at the supermarket. Plus, you get to sample new-to-you fruits and veg that you may just come to love.3
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OP, I see where you said you're not eligible for all the low-income programs where you are, but for other readers who may be eligible: My state (Michigan) is not the only one IMU where there's a program (called "double up food bucks" here) where you can multiply farmers market buying power - you can buy tokens for a dollar that are worth multiple dollars on eligible farmers market purchases.
Here, farmers markets can be expensive as a generality. However, there are some that have particular vendors or products that are much more affordable. If you're brave, look at things you've never tried before, that are not the usual fare in your area. In my case, there's an Asian family (Hmong, I think, but I haven't asked) who sells some specialty produce that's extremely affordable, like a dollar for a big bunch of nice greens, or a couple bucks for a nice bundle of Asian long beans. People on average get scared off because they've never had (say) red amaranth greens, but, y'know, greens are greens. Beans are beans. (Well, actually, I think long beans are tastier than regular green beans, but that may just be me.) Once you figure out which greens can be eaten raw, which need to be cooked (if you have a smart phone and a data plan, you can do it on the spot; if not, ask the seller) . . . try them. Ask them what things you've never had taste like, how to use them. For me, some of these once-unfamiliar foods have become new favorites.
Also, if you're truly in difficult circumstances, don't be afraid to check out food pantries and similar community food distribution programs. If you don't feel like you're *that* strained, but could use some help, here's a (sad to me) thing I learned from an MFP friend who staffed such a program: Often, in some places, when people get a thing they don't like to cook or don't know how to cook, they discard it outside the distribution point. She specifically mentioned people discarding dry beans/peas. I'm not advocating dumpster diving necessarily, but visiting, watching, intercepting - that might work, if lucky.0 -
First of all, look into Asian style cookery as they have so many recipes where food goes a very long way and it's not usually expensive to purchase the base ingredients.
If you have access to an Asian supermarket check that out. You can often get things there for a steal -- not only the food items and condiments but cooking implements and utensils are also very well priced.
Some staple items in my household are Thai curry pastes and tins of coconut milk. These can be used to make a simple simmer sauce that you cook veggies and protiens in which can then be served up with rice or noodles.
You can freeze curry leftovers for months if you make in bulk.
Stir-fries are also a good option and you can make large batches which reheat pretty well.
Outside the Asian sphere soups are always an excellent option which can make pasta, veggies, beans and meat go a long way. If you need more Americana on a budget check out the WolfePit as this YouTuber has lots of very cheap meal vidoes here:
https://www.youtube.com/hashtag/budgetmeal
https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCnJm8wC-ABOvOn2piAt2WYg
When I have been in hard times I often purchased meaty soup bones. I would boil up the bones for several hours, take the meat off and then use the broth and flaked meat for a number of meals.2 -
One of my favorite cookbooks for learning to cook on a budget is the “More with Less” cookbook. It’s a Mennonite cookbook with recipes from all over the world
I second this cookbook. Not only are the recipes affordable, they are nutritious. This cookbook also has a lot of tips on frugal living.0 -
Your local outdoor market might be useful as well close to closing time. Depends. In the last country I lived you could get masses of fruit and veg at the end of market day for very little. I went to two markets here though on Saturday, and found all produce to be A LOT MORE expensive than in the supermarket, and prices weren't reduced by the end. It was all organic farmers. Oh well... the only good thing: I could get starchy potatoes in tiny amounts there (they aren't popular around here, and come in 2.5kg bags, if at all - which is far too much for me alone), and single eggs while I need to buy at least 6 in the supermarket.0
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If you buy many spices/herbs, check out to see if you have a natural food store that sells bulk products. I save a bundle by buying from there as opposed to buying McCormicks or anything else like that at the regular grocery store.0
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My best advice is not to assume that one store is always the cheapest. Get the store apps and spend a little time checking prices on the items you buy. Look at the weekly ads. Etc.
For example, I'm making a quick stop at a store today that is generally not inexpensive. However, they have deals on milk (1/2 gallon for 99¢), mangos (3/99¢) and Oreos (99¢). Yeah, 99¢ is the theme! They also have a couple coupons "just for u" on items I've bought there before that are good deals.
I also use the Ibotta app to get some money back on items I buy, but I have to be careful not to buy something just because it has a good Cashback deal.2 -
Oreos for .99???? Wow! Haven't had those in years.
I have 2 stores that I shop between and always comparison shop. The bigger store I go to only when they offer great deals because, being an impulse buyer, I can be tempted by their wonderful bakery department.
I know my niece shops Shaw's sometimes and has been known to grab fresh pineapples for .99, along with various weekly freebies. I only shop locally, within a 4 mile radius, especially with current gas prices.
Grocery shopping is getting depressing though, all the prices are getting ridiculous! 1 -
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$10 meals from Walmart? I eat on about $7 a DAY. I hope that video is for a family meal.0
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cmriverside wrote: »$10 meals from Walmart? I eat on about $7 a DAY. I hope that video is for a family meal.
These meals are very, very limited I think. And I always question real cooking on a budget but actually using electricity for nearly every meal, especially cooking beans for an hour or longer. On the other hand, $7 sounds a lot. I spend about 90-120 Euro per month on groceries, including too many snacks. However, I only cook one meal a day, and the rest is muesli that I mix myself, bread, and banana with milk or something like that.0 -
cmriverside wrote: »$10 meals from Walmart? I eat on about $7 a DAY. I hope that video is for a family meal.cmriverside wrote: »$10 meals from Walmart? I eat on about $7 a DAY. I hope that video is for a family meal.
It's not $10 per meal. It's $10 for the whole week of meals (for one person).
Title's also exaggerated: She updates the total at the end to $14 and change. I assume that's because she used more eggs and tortillas than in her initial grocery buy, but she didn't say.
She also used pantry staples that she maybe didn't count: Oil, cinnamon, soy sauce, parsley were the more cost-meaningful ones.
For those not curious enough to watch the video but wondering, the core substance foods (from memory) were oatmeal, eggs, brown rice, pinto beans, tortillas, with some fresh carrots, bananas, jalapenos, an onion and an apple. No meat, no dairy.
She made oatmeal/fruit for breakfast; for lunch/dinner, scrambled eggs/tortillas, rice/egg/carrot stir fry, rice/beans, with onion/jalapenos in small amounts in those. Repetitive meals through the week.
I don't know how outdated the prices are. Some, though.2 -
It probably varies depending on where you live, but my budget staples back in the day were oats, bulk beans, bulk rice, canned tuna, hardy bread, eggs, potatoes, and a cheddar cheese block. Condiments and spices I kept pretty basic...ketchup, mustard, mayo, salt, pepper, Italian herb blend, and Tony Chachere's (cuz it's pretty good on just about anything).
As veggies go I usually just kept hardy veggies on hand like green cabbage, broccoli, carrots, and onion. For meat I would definitely just watch for sales...but typically chicken friers or whole chickens, ground beef, and pork chops.0
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=iPou4EmLqxI
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