$53 Grocery Haul for 3 Adults • Realistic Budget Cooking • Dinner Ideas

Hey y'all! Join me as I take you along to see what groceries we got during a week in September 2024, how much those groceries cost, and what I ended up cooking for my household's dinners for a full week. I purchased my groceries from Food Lion, Harris Teeter, and Aldi, and prices are for Raleigh, NC. Hope you enjoy my little budget friendly grocery haul and that it gives you some meal ideas!
As always, I appreciate you all so so much!
Maangchi's Korean Fried Chicken recipe: www.maangchi.c...
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You can find me online at:
/ thatlisadawn
/ thatlisadawn
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That Lisa Dawn
PO BOX 99383
Raleigh, NC
27624
Some of my favorite things that you see in my kitchen.
Instant Pot Duo Plus 6qt
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Aroma Rice Cooker
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KitchenAid Stainless Steel Wire Masher
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Rainbow Regular Mouth Mason Jar Lids
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Rainbow Wide Mouth Mason Jar Lids
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Heavy Duty Egg Slicer
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Lodge 12" Cast Iron Skillet
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[@ThatLisaDawn]

Sorry for such a long video (unless you like extra long videos, then you’re welcome 🤪). Andrew and I are going on a trip to see one of my oldest childhood friends get married, so I rushed the editing a little so I could get it out to y’all!

[@thruErinseyes]

Love the long videos from you! ❤🎉❤🎉❤

[@GoldenFarmLife]

Have a great time!

[@MichelleMC6067]

Good morning from Nashville tn 🎉 Love the longer videos 🎉 Have a Great day 🎉

[@MyHeroMacademia]

I ❤ the longer videos! Ur voice is very soothing, sometimes I play ur videos to fall asleep to.

[@ilinoisy]

No complaints from me! Have a safe trip. Congratulations to the newlyweds!

[@ilessthan3cats]

My jaw dropped at the finished cake!!! Woah!!! If a friend brought me that I would be speechless, this is wonderful!!

[@KarisaKitty]

FOR REAL! You are too modest girl! Lol😂😂

[@LighthouseKpr]

MIne too! I wasn't expecting that! Soooo cute----she did great!

[@sealfan1000]

complete agreement. Beautiful

[@b3thamphetamine]

I just have to say I am a pastry chef who has made cakes professionally for a very long time now. Your cake is absolutely beautiful and the care and love that went into making it really show. The design is really cute and you clearly have a strong grasp on the fundamentals of baking and decorating. I hope it tasted as good as it looked!

[@mes9766]

You are less than 1/3 of the usda thrifty food cost. Its about $60 per adult per week. You're doing 3 people for the cost of one!!! Great job!

[@nolekatie]

They also don’t eat as much as most people do, it seems. She uses small salad plates, which brings the cost per serving way down

[@arraybabe8514]

I love how relatable you are! Your fridge looks just like mine lol. A real lady making real videos for real folks!

[@ThatLisaDawn]

😊 thank you

[@ayronsmama05]

Amen!!

[@eileenroberts1952]

" that penguin has seen some things" That's so funny and no one will ever say it again!

[@anitafoss2133]

I love the "extended version" and the bread not coming out perfectly is just one of those things, you could have cut it out but you didn't and that's just one of the things I enjoy about your videos, ...they're real. Thanks so much!

[@rileyj5491]

Your grocery budget challenges are some of the most thoughtful, and well-done videos of everyone who also films them!

[@leighanneboles6609]

Those are the cuuuuuuuutest penguins EVER!!! And everything is as AWESOME as usual ❤❤❤

[@MeloyKimberly]

You are so talented! Not just the adorable cake, but your ability to transform leftovers and typical ingredients into something new! I appreciate your videos and ideas and always look forward to a new one! I don’t mind the long format one bit 😊

[@MerryBee707]

I would be over the moon if someone made me a cake like that! It is adorable!!

[@mamadoom9724]

That penguin cake is too cute 🥰 Edit: one of my favorite things lately is making homemade pizza dough, rolling it out, slicing with a pizza cutter and baking then brushing with garlic butter, Parmesan, and Italian seasoning for breadsticks.

[@ellen3883]

I understand about your friend not wanting to cut your cake - it was adorable!!

[@danielintheantipodes6741]

Personally, I really enjoy long videos. It all depends on the content being worthy of the length and it is in your videos! Thank you for this one!

[@DRNMD12161]

I MUCH prefer a real person in the kitchen, mistakes and all. I have made tons of kitchen mistakes in my many years of playing chef for my family so I personally can relate!! And also, I appreciate that you don't go run to the store for 4 dollar buns but instead try to make your own! It really inspires me!!! Your videos are some of my favorite on youtube!!!

[@missyhubbard8227]

😊 I truly believe your Friend was BLESSED! THE CAKE WAS SO PERSONAL, MADE WITH LOVE...& LOOKED FANTASTIC 😂😂😂😂❤!!😂❤

[@melisaclark3110]

That cake is so cute! You are both creative and innovative. I like your videos because you are authentic and relatable.

[@Kimberley_Black_White_TV]

Lord, girl! If you had seen the mistakes I have made! Once, I "tried" to make biscuits, and my husband and his friends were tossing them around like baseballs! I was crying! LOLOL You have only shown us once again, that you are JUST LIKE US. And that is why we love you Lisa Dawn! xo

[@saraellis8648]

I gasped at the finished cake! You did such a great job!!!

[@inmimisday]

Omg the penguins have made my day! How absolutely precious 🥹 my favorite is the middle one, I’d keep him forever 😭🖤😂🎂

[@zara6673]

I love that you don't fret people trying to say that the chorizo was low quality. You clearly eat in a more "pure" way - very little that you use is processed & your focus is primarily on meats & veggies - that occasionally having a cheap meat isn't the end of the world. And scrapple is GOOOOOOOD stuff!

[@peachcobbler1211]

The cake 🎂 is absolutely beautiful..have a blessed and wonderful day ❤❤❤😊

[@rachel_3730]

Thanks!

[@ThatLisaDawn]

Thank you so much! 💙

[@KimberlyKuharik]

Love the cake! If someone brought me that for my birthday, I'd be a happy girl. What a thoughtful gift.

[@donnabarton6419]

The penguin cake is adorable! What a nice gift for your friend.

[@mandabean.2405]

What a great garden you have going! FYI, the less you water peppers, the hotter they will get. I love your videos!

[@ireneroy8820]

Great Video! I bought my 50lb. Box of sweet potatoes 🍠 from a local farmer for $25 They last all winter with the 8lbs of sweet potatoes we grew in my tiny garden. Also bought very sweet corn from a local farmer and cooked it down with diced tomatoes, onions and green bell peppers, 36 quart bags in the freezer, when I’m ready to cook, I just add 1/2 cup water, black pepper and a few tablespoons of butter 🧈 and cook for 10 minutes, it’s done.

[@ThatLisaDawn]

I’m excited to try out growing sweet potatoes next year!

[@VioletJoy]

Lisa, your channel is so valuable to society for many reasons. I'm always blown away by what you come up with on a shoestring budget!! 🐧 💙🐧💙🐧

[@CatMom4704]

Beautiful garden. Wish you could send some of that rain to nebraska. It’s been dry. You are an excellent cook. Your family is lucky to have you

[@sabrinamendez6223]

No need to apologize sweetie. I love your long videos. It's funny cuz I just made meatball sandwiches for the first time , couple days ago. Let me tell you , they came out way way better than I expected.

[@annethompson2212]

I would love to see you do a cook book, you have such great ideas 😊p.s. that cake looks amazing

[@nancyanne1402]

So happy you are coming on consistently again. I’ve missed you and your ideas/tips/ tricks! Hubby thanks you for coming back too. He likes when I get ideas for different than my norm meal ideas!

[@Chronicmom68]

For those of us who have been around for awhile, we know you're a bread queen! No worries!! I'm sure it was all fabulous!

[@ericaluna00]

I love your videos. The longer the better! The penguin cake was so cute, I love penguins and that would be my dream birthday cake too! I really appreciate that you showed us the bread that came out not as perfect looking as your usual. It’s much more realistic and it shows that even if something doesn’t look ‘perfect’ it can still be delicious.. as Andrew said as well! Thank you for your videos and all the recipes and tips. 🙏💓😘

[@Olive_O_Sudden]

Lovely work with the cake. I especially loved the penguins.

[@TraceyIson]

That cake was so cute. How creative. Happy birthday

[@GuenevereSlater]

I think you did awesome on the penguins. Also a good color on the cake.

[@tyleradams6048]

I love how well you season your food. I can tell you're not afraid of flavor!

[@SparklyDogs2]

Hey Lisa Dawn! Love to see you’ve dropped a video and Yes, I love your long videos.

[@SabrinApollo]

I enjoy all of your contents, and it’s a treat to have an “extended play” video. ❤. That penguin 🐧 cake was so cute!!!

[@heathercollins6464]

Your cake looks so good!!! I chuckled at what you said the hubby said 😂😂 Super cute! Your videos are so inspiring & you are obviously a very genuine person. It shows ❤️

[@michellehorning2216]

Enjoyed this update so much, and the glow you are sending out, Hailey, is so wonderful. I love these moments sharing bits and pieces of your day. So relatable and real. Your dress is so cute! Have a great week!❤😊

[@l.chelseegobin7853]

You bring such JOY to KZbin! ❤❤❤ Thank you for all the work that goes into these videos. 😊

[@rocknroller77]

That cake is amazing!! And the penguin does look shell shocked 😄

[@debbrarose9969]

What a lucky friend you have.I would be thrilled to get this cake.

[@auntrowdy]

I love that brand of chorizo too! I use it to make a chorizo eggs Benedict with a chipotle hollandaise sauce. So good! 🤤

[@shawnkay8747]

I absolutely love your channel! I'm excited when you download a new video!

[@sarahwarlady]

Your cake was super cute!

[@HeyItsJamiLee]

So excited for the long video! It's nice to see you more often too

[@gladysfenick993]

You did a great job of cleaning out your refrigerator . The meals looks great . Good job Lisa, have a great week :)

[@thruErinseyes]

Omg I love these videos. I cannot believe how amazing that cake looked. I hope she ate it! You worked hard on that for her! And I am totally going to make that cabbage and cucumber thing this week. 🎉🎉🎉🎉

[@stone.durfey5862]

What a cute cake, and that first meal looked super yummy. I store some of your ideas away in my head to use later.

[@sarab9332]

That cake was pretty and fun. I literally laughed out loud at Andrew’s comment on the penguin. 😂

[@crazycandi]

That penguin cake is ADORABLE!!! 🐧

[@ZeldaKelly]

That cake is so adorable! I would be thrilled to receive that! Great video, thank you! xx

[@patriciajones4130]

Your cake is so cute! Really enjoy the longer videos, and always fun to see what your making! Cabbage and cucumber snack looks delicious! May have to try!

[@rms5489]

As soon as I see a notification of your videos, I quick click the "like"! I appreciate your videos. Thanks!

[@vernareed2692]

The cake is SO adorable!! Just darling! You are so talented!! And quick! You have way more get up, energy, and speed than me!! I could never do a layered cake,it was always lopsided,broken,or whatever!!

[@sharmaineburnside9154]

I’m so glad to see you posting! Miss your smiling face and budget friendly ideas!

[@Fanofkarma]

You’re very creative Lisa, love your channel!!

[@djz5456]

I loved your cake, Lisa! It was adorable! I love the way you budget your food and time! Your ideas are so “doable”! ❤

[@Miner-49]

I love showing your videos to people who don’t believe I can eat on 35 dollars per week. Of course I’m single and that helps. Thank you

[@dharma6481]

Loved this format. I like your challenges, but your creativity and variety with your everyday budget (which is super low for 3!) is fantastic. Gave me many excellent ideas. I loved the pork with gravy and the cheese stuffed meatballs. Great ideas.

[@julieseidel8258]

I love longer videos. Thanks for sharing, Lisa!

[@sophiarochelle]

Hi, Lisa! I was wondering if you might be willing to do a video on budget travel meals? Like things that keep well at room temperature a bit better after cooking for during long drives (if there's a recipe that readily comes to mind 😅), or even just what you pack on road trips or eat in hotels/similar places. Thank you, and I love your videos!!

[@abagail_]

I love your food content but also wanted to say you have the best hair 💗

[@Northernnine8878]

Excited to see what you come up with 😊

[@victoriasugent6288]

Your cake is adorable! You really are quite talented! I look so forward to your posts. Thank you!

[@angelika_munkastrap4634]

That cake turned out so beautifully / it looks store bought - great job Lisa

[@sheilahanna8768]

Well done, Its so good to watch a cook that knows how to cook! Minimal prepared items. Thoughtful use of ingredients and left overs. Cooking by heart, experience, and creativity more than recipes. Cake looked great!

[@chloesophia9445]

Omgosh the cake is so cute! Everything looks amazing!!! Thanks for sharing ❤

[@underground97]

I love longer videos, and a perfect early birthday present for me!

[@ThatLisaDawn]

Happy birthday!

[@littlebungalowinthewoods858]

Thanks for the inspiration. I stopped the video to make supper using my garden tomatoes and then stopped it again to make a salad when one of your other meals had one! I appreciate the ideas

[@Trish5]

Your penguin cake is adorable!! I love your channel very much, gives us great ideas!!! Keep up the good work 👍🏼🥰

[@jennikahle2848]

You are SUCH a good cook! I love how thrifty you are too!

[@ld5307]

Loved the longer video and your cake looked very professional! Great job! ❤🐧AMAZING!!

[@honestyk4894]

Lisa, I cannot thank you enough for your videos. You have inspired me (more than once) to create amazing meals out of simple ingredients I find on sale. I just made the meatballs and they were so delicious! Never apologize for long videos, as they are so beneficial to so many of us. Thank you, thank you, thank you! Enjoy your trip and I look forward to the next video.

[@pattyborden5400]

It took me years to decide to refill anything liquid over my kitchen sink---much easier cleanup if I miss! Very impressed with your savvy shopping/meal preparation.

[@deannealbrecht774]

I really look forward to your videos and get excited wheen a new one drops. Even if this was longer, I just broke it into a couple of viewing sessions. The Maynard look terrific. I saw on a cooking show that you should scoop your flour into your measuring cup with a fork. Yes, it does work, but it basically sifts the flour, where scooping can often give you too much flour. I started using my stand mixer and it's made such a difference. Whipped cream, TBSP of pwdered sugar, 1/4 tsp cornstarch. That's my favorite frosting.

[@deniseredman4565]

I thoroughly enjoyed watching this longer video. Many comments to the hubby while watching! You just make all these simple ingredients look so freeaikin delicious. THANK YOU!

[@JennyOSunshine]

I have never once in my life had a friend bring me over a birthday cake, much less such a cute thoughtful cake!

[@jasminesjourney9318]

I was really impressed to see your harvest! Goals!! Also your bread looked good. I also have never tried putting grape tomatoes in my rice before so thanks for all the ideas!

[@sallygordin2869]

The cake is darling!! You did a great job 👏

[@sheilaspaulding8812]

I love Maanchi! She’s who I turn to in order to make tasty Korean food. If you like Kimchi, there’s a big container at CostCo and it’s really good!

[@tracybrown8868]

Love all your videos, especially the long ones!!

[@ThatLisaDawn]

Glad you like them!

[@janapinson8665]

Your cake turned out so cute!! Love the penguins!

[@GoldenFarmLife]

You're the best. Many blessings to you and your family

[@mrs.ruthven4125]

Thank you for the inspiration. Our food and beverage budget each month is $362. We are two adults. I've just started watching you, but I think you will be very helpful. I appreciate it.

[@xingcat]

Great stuff, as always! I have to remember to get a small pork shoulder at some point and replicate some of these recipes, because they're delicious-looking. I loved the penguins on the cake! Very cute.

[@karenmcelyea154]

I always love to watch the things you cook. Great meals!

[@jennyt7612]

The penguin cake is wonderful- am sure it was a hit for your friend

[@borderlinebarbie3]

Just found u last night and have been binge watching! I really enjoy ur content.

[@ritasanders7499]

You are so relatable and love your videos and caring nature. My daughter is 27 and she loves you too. Thank you for the list of charities.

[@kerrijones719]

Hi Lisa Dawn, I really enjoy your videos. You cook really delicious meals and do it so economically. Here in Australia, our grocery bill would be at least double what you paid. Still far more affordable than buying all the extras though. Have a fantastic week and I hope you weren't affected by the hurricane. 😊🎉❤

[@nu5045]

I want to give this video a thousand likes! It's awesome. The long videos are great and if it takes you even less time to edit, all the better!

[@shannonwhite7605]

LOVE this long format video, Lisa!!! Awesome!😋🍽🌶🥦🍅🧡👏🏻🤗🙏🏻

[@lolaloves6574]

Love your videos so much, they are very calming and inspiring. God bless you and your loved ones. 🙏🏻

[@peppermintpeggy658]

Girl no problem on the long video!!! I LOVE that you leave the skins on carrots & potatoes...more minerals! And that cake was spectacular!

[@jamiekruger5517]

I love the cake!!! Those penguins are cute… if I got that for my birthday from a friend I would be so happy!! 😊

[@Gravy314]

Love the long video! I have so much respect for the way you stretch your grocery budget and how little food waste you have. I learn a lot from you - thank you for what you do.