Aldi Frugal Dinner Challenge//32 Meals for $20

Extreme budget cooking is still possible in 2022 - and one dollar can still buy you dinner! Aldi is still a clear winner when it comes to beating inflation and saving money on food costs. Inspired by a video from Homestead Tessie, I created this frugal meal challenge to spend no more than $20 at Aldi and then create a menu plan to feed my family of four dinner for an entire week. The twist is: no ingredient could cost more than $1.00. Head to Aldi with me and my 18 year old son, Daniel, as we shop and plan meals for under $20.
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[@T24780]

LISTEN! Im a 30 year old black man, I LOVE. THIS. VIDEO!!! I LOVE how they kept it real and kept their shopping REALISTIC with the store being out of items, the prices of items being raised and then they IMPROVISED!! Not even finished the video yet and just HAD to leave this comment I’m gonna keep watching now!🤫

[@UndertheMedian]

Thank you, kindly!

[@Justin38762]

You are amazing for posting this !! Here in Memphis , food is allot !! However , this video giving me hope to start working on the channel!! I went to the store and for $140 I tried to shop all month . I am Going to come up with my recipes now and then I am Going to go back and do some figuring .

[@mammavic1]

Get the boy some pudding!

[@helenmorgan4003]

I agree

[@mandy3486]

And coolwhip to mix with it. I think that's 99 cents at aldi and my kids love that

[@ArristonWorthyVFX]

Lol

[@harrychutney4618]

I’d rather give him a pounding…

[@Tiffycha1982]

Yes they had enough to go grab that

[@lizadivine3785]

Daniel is a natural! He’s got a great personality and laugh! I would have got him the pudding!!

[@ellefson1]

100% I can't believe she said no to Daniel's pudding request!!!

[@MegaBpop]

Poor kid, I am sure he survived, but hard to say no to that face. ha ha .

[@JengiX]

He's the reason I kept watching - his reactions are so cute!!

[@electrodynamicorb6548]

Pretty sure they got it just not for the camera

[@julesann1773]

This video is so adorable!!! Daniel has the best personality, sense of humor and public speaking skills. What an amazing and sharp dressed young man! Your 3 sons are impressive. Well done, Hope and Larry!

[@NuggetFarm2011]

I echo this!❤️

[@mostlyirishkevin7928]

Adorable! High carbs, low protein. This is a horrible diet!

[@julesann1773]

@@mostlyirishkevin7928 what about all the beans!? Lol :-) its just meant to show how to stretch $20, not intended to be a sustainable diet im sure.

[@NuggetFarm2011]

@@mostlyirishkevin7928 when people have little income or are very hungry they need to eat. I personally eat a very high carb low fat plant based diet and lost 40lbs. I am very healthy, way more healthy than most so this isnt a horrible diet. The adorable part is the family working together. This is a frugal channel and they are giving others ideas on how to eat in 2022 on $20. Have some grace!

[@mostlyirishkevin7928]

@@NuggetFarm2011 I find it unbelievable that you lost 40lbs on a high carb diet. Carbs are sugar and unless you exercise a lot those carbs turn into fat.

[@sugarloaf10]

I would love to see the finished meals along with these type of videos. Your son is a great teacher just like yourself.

[@tammyarnold5976]

I agree

[@jadedgramma]

Me too!

[@feliciagaffney1998]

Yes. I'm surprised we didn't see the meals. I'd like to see their black bean burgers. I'm not sure how they stay together without eggs.

[@user-ko2tu3ss3o]

What a fine man you have raised in Daniel. He is a delight.

[@pen5532]

You can extend that avocado a little bit more by mixing it with a little bit of tomatoes and a vegan mayonnaise inside of a blender and you'll really fluff it up and then you could spread it over a lot more recipes than just slicing up the avocado

[@CarmindyOnline]

I just found this randomly on my recommended videos and this kid Daniel is cracking me up. He's definitely got the right attitude. Love his energy. Brilliant.

[@Emery-Coffey]

As a family of three (I also have a son) on a tight budget, I find this video so wonderful, inspiring and helpful. I never thought to do such a challenge. I just go day by day, but this challenge is such a novelty, definitely trying it! I usually go for dry legumes, that I buy in bulk, it's more bang for my money, and might get a few veggies for what I save, like carrots, broccoli or some lettuce. So that's my tip for people who want to do this for even less!!!

[@jennifersanchez4245]

Your son is such a debonair, handsome dude! Great confidence and a presence on the camera! We are homeschool (just started) and are so blessed to see the amazing job you have done in your homeschool journey as well! God bless, thanks for the videos!

[@jamesbott3788]

He looks like an amish though 💀

[@kmom452]

@@jamesbott3788 That's funny I was thinking Frank Sinatra. Haha

[@carollandrum678]

I love it when your sons join you!

[@UndertheMedian]

Thanks. We have so much fun hanging out with them.

[@kmichaelle]

“Dont forget the avocado…. Or I will find you” Daniel I like your style! 🥑

[@UndertheMedian]

I had NO idea he was going to say that. It was just too funny not to leave in the video. It was late by the time we were filming in the studio and we were getting a little slap happy.

[@AEvans36977]

Have you guys thought about actually writing a book on frugal living? You have more than enough material to cover the topic. It would be convenient to have a guide people could lay their hands on or reference quickly when they don't have time to watch the videos or are working out their plans. Just a thought🙂

[@SarahatTheParmFarm]

I would love to see a video of Daniel’s best tips he has learned from his parents about being frugal. It’s fun to see a young person’s perspective. I learned nothing about being frugal growing up and have learned a lot since being on my own at 17.

[@moomoocho1196]

You guys should write a Frugal cook book…it would be great! Great video keep them coming…

[@melanieveloso82]

Yes that will be amazing

[@daviddeininger2938]

I love Daniel's hat. So fun when he shops with mom. And I bet Larry was running the camera. Good job everyone. Lorraine

[@UndertheMedian]

You are right. When Daniel helps with food videos Larry does the camera work for us.

[@angelicanevarez7143]

Daniel is so kind. Get him some pudding and his own grocery trip. Great person!

[@lorie_g]

Daniel has a lot of charisma! He's great on camera. I love this type of video. Thanks guys!

[@vjl8689]

Watching you interact with your son gives me hope that me and my 8 year old will still be close when he grows up ❤️

[@rebeccastanley3152]

I am able to feed two adults and two children on $230 per month by shopping at Aldi or Lidl. Breakfast, Lunch, and Dinner. Good prices! Love these types of videos. Thanks.

[@UndertheMedian]

Well done! That's a great food budget. Glad you liked the video.

[@melissavazquez2953]

We have nine children and our monthly grocery budget is $300..I love a challenge and being creative.

[@weescotties]

@@melissavazquez2953 That's amazing you feed so many for $300! Great job!

[@davidortiz3094]

​@@weescotties It can be done. Especially with rice & potatoes.

[@melanieroberts2221]

I remember in the 80s we spend 150 every 2 weeks on food, cleaners, toilet paper ect. Plus a carton of Marlboros was 5dollars.

[@traceyobrien8410]

RE: The Great Pudding Debate. Daniel looks like he already knew -- or, at the very least, was hoping -- to receive positive survey answers. 😉

[@gingerludtke8503]

The bread- there's your dessert- Bread pudding, the cheapest of cheap!

[@lindag.9429]

I have added black beans and drained diced tomatoes and added taco seasoning but it on tortilla shells add cheese, lettuce and salsa. So delicious.

[@claudiagutierrez7218]

I love Daniel's hat!

[@stephanieneuber6824]

I tried with the Lipton brand onion mix putting it on chunk cut potatoes and roasting them. It was on their website. Really good and kind of comforting which would be nice during the winter months.

[@georgewagner7787]

MSG?

[@rebeccar.7499]

I do this too!

[@carrottopsrgreen124]

I love these frugal challenges! You made it extra hard on yourselves with the $1 or less per item requirement. Great job...keep 'em coming!

[@returnofthereasoner3200]

Daniel is such a natural in front of the camera. He is handsome and has a pleasant voice, and I love his sideburns!

[@cgt6497]

I'm impressed! Great job!!! You and Daniel are a great team!

[@ceciliaruns72]

Daniel is a gem! 💎 He definitely stole the show! 😁

[@warrior5203]

Thank you for Daniel taking the lead and being example among men! Guys! Men have to know what’s going on wit kitchen work!

[@Mrsmadison45]

Love how you both think outside of the box. Excellent job

[@kathyw.9447]

What a wonderful, smart, handsome son, Daniel you have! Loved the video!❤️

[@emmawilkins5755]

Love this video, Daniel is great! I really like the emphasis on being flexible. So many times recently I have been to the store and they have totally run out of what I wanted. If you have a back up plan it is so much easier to deal with.

[@fluentblueesl]

Tell me your son is going into journalism...he was born for the camera! Love all your videos

[@UndertheMedian]

He is a teaching assistant for 2nd-4th graders and is studying elementary education. He loves teaching so much!

[@bridge7528]

Been teaching 2nd grade for 27 years. They are the cutest. They make me laugh and smile every day!

[@teddibear1850]

Never saw your son before. What a fine young man! You are blessed!🙂.

[@karenfaries5056]

Daniel is learning so much from you and I love it ❣️

[@LythaWausW]

This is very similar to depression era cooking. I doubted there would be any meat product at Aldi for less than 1$, so I assumed it would be all bean and pasta based meals. I love the creative use of spices, and I wish I could see the meals you prepared. Your Aldi has such good prices!

[@RustyRoosterLife]

Loving all these creative and frugal vegan recipes ideas!!

[@cathyeller5722]

Sandra Lee's cookbooks come in really handy when your trying to put things together. Her whole cookbooks are about using pantry items together. Kroger has bags of fruits and veggies on shelves in the fresh fruit and veggie part of the store. They are in red bags, I always look there first and make my meals around them.

[@lm9753]

Daniel has the BEST chuckle!

[@silviahernandez8949]

Great video and the ideas are very smart, thank you all for making these wonderful videos!!!

[@almutimkerbell88]

Another great video, thank you! I am so happy today, because I've spent less than 30 euros in the weekly shopping! After weeks trying It, I was able to do it! Thank you for the great tips, I always feel like you are cheering on us when we are able to cut on spending money🤗

[@jacquemartinez8333]

This is my first time here. I just turned 57 & I've never been never known how to use bread for anything but sandwiches. A video would be wonderful on all the ways you can do bread. I have no oven in my small trailer. My mom never taught me how to cook

[@danettemckinnon7251]

First off I love all of your videos and I love the fact that you add your son to so many of them. He is an extra added bonus.

[@samanthabarron8481]

Loved it! You guys have great energy. I love that you’re showing people how to make plant-based meals on a budget. I save a lot more money since I started eating plants.

[@lynnchristensen5510]

I love and appreciate all the help from your videos. Your family is awesome. I especially love the food challenges with your kids. Thank you

[@austinianmelim]

I love this video. So many great ideas. Most of these kinds of video's all make the same ol stuff so I'm glad to see some different ideas. It would have been nice to see all the dishes you ended up or will end up making at the end of the video. Thanks for sharing great great video

[@HermaeusM]

I really love seeing your family be so close! ❤ that’s great to see

[@lola8590]

Great video! Very creative. The son is very articulate and has a good voice.

[@apg7639]

Daniel is a natural and his outfit was great!!!!

[@diana1096]

I love black bean burgers! Make your pudding from scratch.

[@barbchumbley9142]

Great video! Love the interaction with Hope and Daniel.

[@sandrabryan9106]

Great team work. Well done!

[@pineyforkpress]

Daniel loves the camera and vice versa!

[@danielintheantipodes6741]

I am sorry there was no pudding for Daniel but full respect for following the rules!

[@sal2032]

Great ideas, thank you!

[@mariahsmom9457]

"Hi, I'm here, too" Ha! You all are the nicest, sweetest family.

[@kakelinga]

I love when you guys get the kids in on the videos too. I love when Daniel and Hope get in the kitchen and cook together. I am dying to see Daniel and Hope prepare a holiday meal. I would like to see the courses you would both prepare for fancy occasions.

[@UndertheMedian]

Every Christmas Eve Daniel and I do a 4-course candlelight dinner for the family. Every year we pick a different main ingredient and build the dinner around that ingredient. Two years ago it was cranberries. We've also done butternut squash as the theme of the meal. We have a seriously good time planning that meal every year.

[@Hey_nat]

So exciting that I found your channel! Very helpful tips, thank you

[@shess1640]

I Love your son's style, delivery and confidence!!!

[@heatherj3030]

You did a great job! I watched Tessies video when it came out. If I'm remembering correctly, she did get a few things that were slightly over a dollar. So, you gave yourself an even tougher challenge! Way to go!

[@creativelauri]

This was fantastic you guys! You're both naturals at being innovative in the kitchen.

[@jimmiepatrum]

Amazing! Loved seeing you and Daniel together. I'm not vegan, but I could see how I might add a bit of meat to several of the dishes without increasing the per serving cost very much at all. Thanks very much for this video. I'm now going to watch your Dollar Tree video for more ideas. Diane

[@sandymullally4812]

Really enjoy and just luv ur videos you have so much to offer that helps me though these hard times . TFS!!!!!!!

[@celestejohnson9227]

Great ideas, The sprouts I keep in my pantry would add the fresh element to many of these dishes.

[@pnwflipper2089]

Love the “Hi, I’m here too.” I’m going to use that next time I’m with someone real chatty and I just sit there quietly 😂

[@gloriapeel6887]

Very good ideas!

[@pamp212]

Love it! “I will find you” LOL. Avocados are that serious, I agree! 😂

[@lcm4him]

Loved it! Thank you!! 🌺

[@valeried2941]

Daniel is wise young man thanks to incredible parents!AmazinG tips! Thank you!

[@melodyreeder9762]

Try grabbing frozen vegetables at 1.00 a bag and canning it . This will give you 2 points of vegetables for 50. Cents a jar which is cheaper and more healthier for you than buying a cans from your store. Me I buy the great big bags at Costco on my frozen vegetables at 8.00 a bag and end up getting 12 points of vegetables. Only preservative that I add is a pinch of salt and hot water and pressure can them

[@donnasnell5250]

“Ingenious” was my favourite adjective when I was 8. I haven’t used it since. How’d I leave such a great word behind? I’m bringing it out of retirement-thanks Daniel!

[@Snackboii]

The moment this started I knew she was going to give us some good meals!! Love this thank you 😊

[@tbee2653]

Please do more of these videos…love them.

[@ellenwhite9595]

Daniel seems like the sweetest guy!

[@CFord-wu3in]

Great video! Thanks! And Daniel did an awesome job too!

[@patriciajacques7653]

Great video love these ideas! I wish it would have shown the full execution of the dishes and your family enjoying the meals but I will definitely be taking some ideas from this.

[@Ashleyjohnson397]

Loved this video! I would have loved to see the meals made too. Great video. Thank you!

[@andreabeth]

You guys are awesome! 😄

[@juliecampos9842]

Aww mama let him have the pudding. Lol 😂

[@BCGirl822]

KZbin suggested this video and I subscribed within the first few minutes of watching. Such an informative, fun video and I LOVE your personalities!

[@tamaranicoleofficial652]

Yassss. I love this video!!!!! Thank you!!!!

[@monirice4099]

Thank you for your helpful videos ❤️

[@lindakelly3164]

Great haul for $20! Great job pre-planning!

[@sixfigurebookkeeper7588]

Ok, that was so fun going with you to the store to see how you shop on a budget and how creative you are to substitute items. I really appreciated being a fly on the wall and watching the process. And wow! Did you get a lot of items for 19.87!!! I’ll watch the rest of the video now…can’t wait to see what you whip up with your ingredients.

[@4thefuture3740]

This is going to be great, 32 meals, I can't wait!

[@rochellethundercloud346]

bread. french toast croutons stuffing bread pudding bread crumbs hotdog/hamburger buns sandwich thickeners rice. rice and beans rice casserole soups stews rice pudding stir fry pasta pasta salad soup stew casserole a dessert. with sauce with just oil and seasonings. veggies soups stews salads casseroles stir fry cold veggie salads. veggie broth. now,hope,I know you guys are vegan,but,if possible,get meat bones.boil it down with a bit of vinegar to make bone broth for pennies.high in collagen. bone broth in stores is insanely expensive and loaded with all kinds of additives. just a thought. you can make a layered taco casserole with potatoes,too. or frozen french fries. I did that for Thursday night dinner.

[@lynnchristensen4439]

With all the things going on today I needed some comforting videos. I chose this old favorite to see if it will still work. Love you guys❤

[@sarahheaberlin3762]

I would love to see more videos like this. These are so fun 😊

[@stevegorkowski3246]

You did a great job! Wow,the price for basic canned foods is high. I never noticed the price because I just use the bulk beans I have on hand. When I was at a loss on what to make I always liked the simple 7 ( 7 ingredients or less) cookbook to get good basic recipes to do basic meal plans. I recommend that you try to grow herbs. Plant them with your flowers, they also flower and blend in. I now have herbs in the house drying ready to use all winter long. Home grown herb tastes so much better and adds a more complex taste to basic dishes than store bought herbs. Daniel did a great job!

[@KatsLivnLarge]

Love Daniel’s hat. Great video.

[@traceydufault297]

Great little haul

[@susankearns9083]

Love to watch your videos. Love Homestead Tessie, too

[@truthseeker6370]

In a pinch I use a can of refried beans, add a drained can of store brand Rotel, and some cheese in a flour taco size tortilla. Did this last night. Might add some mexican rice and drained corn to stretch it further. Y'all are vegan and that is not my dietary preference. I'm completely okay with having some meatless meals, and I don't don't eat a lot of meat at all, but definitely not interested in being vegetarian or vegan as a life plan. I believe the complete amino acids and complete protein in meat is important for me.

[@KC-dr3cg]

Another option is to cook either ground beef or ground turkey with the crumpled up ramen noodles: stew everything in ketchup, onions, garlic ,black pepper and celery Make enough for 6 meals in one pan When you dish out the serving for 1 meal simply put that pan in the refrigerator so you are not creating more dishes to wash .Saving on soap /water and effort.

[@lindapearson2376]

Great meal ideas!

[@Cam_vr17]

All of these are great ideas! I’m going to have to try making your bean sauce, I’ve never thought of turning them into a purée. I recently went vegan so this is very helpful! Thanks for all of your great money saving advice- I have been watching your videos for about a year now :)

[@UndertheMedian]

Glad you enjoyed it. The link for the bean sauce recipe is in the video description.

[@lizhyrkas3989]

I add roasted butternut squash, liquid smoke, garlic and onion powder and it is delicious. My son-in-law (who is not vegan) came home early for lunch one day when I was visiting and yelled up the stairs that he got dibs on it. I also use beans or potatoes to make my soups into cream soups (like asparagus, wild rice, etc).

[@UndertheMedian]

@@lizhyrkas3989 , great story! I love it!

[@bria2596]

First, I am so jealous of your rain. Love this video. Thank you for bringing hope to so many.

[@adellababb8150]

Adorable! Love that this is a family event! Add the pudding plz. LOVE THE HAT!

[@sarahivilla9728]

Great Video , Daniel is a natural like his parents 👍🏼👍🏼