Eating For $1 A Meal: Cheap And Easy Meal Ideas! Grocery Budget Audit

Join us for today's live grocery budget audit show, where we'll explore how Janet feeds her family for just $1.00 per meal and we will look at her smart grocery shopping strategies!
We'll also share valuable tips and ideas that will benefit anyone looking to save money on groceries and make the most out of their budget. Don't miss out on these amazing insights! Join us for this live event today at 4:30 PM Mountain Time and remember to subscribe and click the bell icon for more money-saving tips!
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Welcome to Living On A Dime To Grow Rich, your go-to source for money saving grocery ideas and practical tips to lower your food bills and credit card debt. Our mission is to make it easier for you to save money, reduce stress, and live a more financially secure life. We understand the challenges of managing a tight budget, especially with rising inflation and increasing grocery costs. Our videos provide actionable advice, frugal living tips, easy-to-follow recipes, and easy solutions to help you stretch your dollars further. money saving grocery ideas,grocery saving ideas,acre homestead,dave ramsey,inflation 2023,cut my grocery bill,spend less on groceries,grocery saving,emergency stockpile,hyperinflation,food stockpile,tired and broke,how to budget,grocery shopping,inflation,save on grocery shopping,money saving grocery tips,finance,financial education,personal finance,dave ramsey,the dave ramsey show,financial independence,budget,ramsey,budgeting,dave ramsey show,dave ramsey live,caleb hammer,frugal fit mom, grocery budget frugal living, living on a dime videos
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[@LivingOnADime]

❤ Labor Day Sale! ❤ 35% Off Dining On a Dime Print Cookbooks and eBooks NOW! shop.livingonadime.com/ 👍❤ Watch Next: Unbelievable! Uncovering the Hidden Costs In This "Frugal" Grocery Bill | Grocery Budget Audit kzbin.infojzY1v5E6RTs 👍❤ 👍 Apply To Be In A Grocery Audit Here! forms.gle/RwAw5U5DuSSnzZks

[@louisetorres4262]

I know this is a little late but when I saw her chest freezer I was reminded of something I do to easily find stuff(mostly meat) in my 5 cu ft chest freezer. I use double differently colored grocery bags to keep similar items together. Gray Walmart/Lowe’s/Dollar Tree bags contain beef products(mostly ground beef but also sausage & the occasional roast). White grocery bags contain chicken, tan bags contain pork and green bags(the fewest we have) contain seafood & fish. I usually have more than one bag of each, except seafood. When I need a pack of bacon or chicken breasts, I just pull out the whole bag by the handles, pull out what I need and put the bag back in the freezer. It takes less than a minute to find what I need, even if the bag is at the bottom of the freezer. I also keep a running list of the freezer contents on my phone. Even without the list it is easy to see what I have in the freezer.

[@grannyinthekitchen.2079]

1, always after holidays. Santa sometimes finds his way into Easter baskets. 😅😊

[@marilynpeppers1356]

I’m so impressed with Janet’s budgeting and shopping skills even before Tawra’s “makeover.” I love the idea of assigning a certain type of dish to a certain night of the week!! That is helpful on so many levels…menu planning, shopping, prepping, storing. And when the kids are a bit older, they can assemble the meal by themselves. ❤

[@heatherj3030]

Tawra, I love your new series!❤ I struggle with the same thing as Janet, about the meals when life gets crazy. One thing that's helped me lately is when I make spaghetti sauce, chili beans, beans, or soup, I get out my huge pot and make an enormous batch. It really only takes me a few more minutes of chopping. Then, I portion in into freezer bags in family meal sizes and freeze it flat on a cookie sheet. I can defrost it in minutes, and I'll just need to cook up noodles or sides for those nights. When I make enchiladas, or casseroles, I'm going to try and double or triple it, so I can freeze one or 2. I have very low energy, and this will help with dishes and time spent cooking, and I'm excited to try Tawra's tips too.

[@colleenconrad7968]

About defrosting a freezer...my mom used to put pots of boiling water in the freezer and close the door to speed up the ice melting. I also did this when my frig/freezer was not self defrosing. WOrks great!!

[@mgm2008]

I'm always catching Walmart not having the right price! I used your idea and took a picture!! 🤩🤩🤩🤩🤩

[@kerrynwright]

Thank you, Janet, for sharing your life with us so we can all learn. Tawra, I absolutely LOVE this new format & I'm learning even more each session & can't wait for the next one each time. Thank you, Mike, for all you're doing in the background for this too. Another way to have extra meals for those nights when you need it is to make 1-2 extra serves of the meal you make each night & freeze it. Tonight we had those meals, just reheat! Usually 1 night per week we do this!🥰Blessings from South Australia💕🐨

[@normamason3185]

The "pantry" in the kitchen I have now is even smaller than hers. I improvised by buying 2 of the shelving units (with the wire racks) and I keep the canned, jarred, and boxed items there. I am more organized than she is, but stuff is still stacked several high and several deep. Yes, I buy stuff like you were showing, at yardsales, thrift stores, bin stores, etc. I am in Jacksonville FL, and defrost both my freezers. I remove everything from the upright freezer in the garage, put them in shopping bags, and set them around the floor of the garage. I unplug the freezer, and put some small towels on the floor of the freezer and throughout the different shelves. I walk away, and the freezer thaws within an hour. No need to worry about stuff defrosting. I have never had a problem, and have had this upright freezer for several years. The chest freezer is in my dining room and I do the same thing. For me, Monday evenings are pasta (spaghetti, ravioli, baked ziti), and Friday night is egg night (scrambled and toast, fried egg sandwiches., poached). Leftovers are eaten throughout the week, for any meal. I am having an eggplant parmesan sandwich for breakfast now. As I said before, she could simmer bl/sl chicken, then slice horizontally for sandwich meat, cook a roast on sale, let cool, and slice for sandwich meat, the same with a pork roast.

[@wolchfam]

We paid off our house and a second house (a rental), and it has made such a difference in our lives without those mortgages. Makes it seem like we have money available for vacations, and whatever we want. I highly recommend paying off home mortgages as fast as possible.

[@pigoff123]

My mom used to cook her entire meal in her pressure cooker. Only one pot to wash. Love it. I clean the kitchen and do the dishes and my brother puts the dishes away.

[@dianehaskins8640]

One of the beautiful things about a crock pot too!

[@cheriebolender8765]

One thing you can do, is sit buckets of water, through out your garden, to evaporate around your plants. To help put more moisture in your air, around the garden

[@lateshachurney5965]

Here is my take away for this video. 1. Need to get organized, labeling pantry, food prepping, menu planning. I would suggest buying a label maker. Mine is from Amazon. 2. Needs an entire day to herself to get this all started ( I would suggest sending the kids off to another location for the entire day. Whether it’s with family, setting up a play date. Whatever ) Needs uninterrupted time to get this all done. 3. Meal prep freezer meals. 4. Keeping a running list on the frig of when items need to be replaced. 5. Decide when and where to shop and shop alone. Me I go shopping once a month on Saturdays at 7 - 7:30 am. Best thing ever. I have been doing this for years. I highly recommend it. When stores start getting busy you are going home with all your stuff and you have the whole rest of the day.

[@corinephew1370]

Interesting video. Thanks for all the time and effort you guys put into these. Speaking of mis-charges...Recently, I bought a camisole at Walmart from a whole rack of them marked down to $1, but was charged $3 for it. I didn't notice til I got home. Next time went to town, took it back, and they not only gave me the $2 difference, but an extra $5 for their mistake! Apparently, that is their policy here. What a nice surprise!

[@carolbrownell950]

Making a list in the parking lot is better than no list 😂

[@carolbrownell950]

"I don't want any trouble" lol!! 😂😂😂😂

[@GypsysMom]

When I buy clearance items at Wal-mart, I always group them together on the checkout pad and then I can watch to make sure they all ring up correctly. Clearance items that don't ring up the clearance price are no bargain!

[@akbouton]

Tromboncino squash are the only ones we had success with this year! One plant actually took over the hillside and has been producing for two months! It is still going strong!

[@bina3J]

She could also water down the juice. I used to do that. Plus, I only bought frozen juice concentrate and only make a quarter of the container freeze the rest.

[@marilynpeppers1356]

I used to watch HGTV’s makeover shows, many years ago. They were the 30 minute shows that mainly made over one room. (They don’t do these any longer😢) This format is so fun for the same reasons!

[@irenehw.6776]

When I was homeschooling plus everything else ,I usually made at least 2 meals a week that I doubled or tripled. Then freeze extras for those super crazy days .

[@pigoff123]

I have old metal fridgerator containers and old wooden boxes that I keep mixes and other small baking mixes in. I also have a wire rack on the back of the laundry room door that I keep box mixes one.

[@greyhatdone]

I bought a ham for 99 cents a pound. Cut it up myself. Great lunch meat and now I have a bone for beans 😃

[@CraftyComeLately]

Clear containers and lazy Susan's help see more if what you got!

[@Lea2008-k8b]

Take pictures of your pantry, refrigerator and freezers. You can keep pictures on your phone for grocery shopping.

[@terarosen7909]

I do this same thing. It’s much easier than writing a full list and how many I can fit.

[@lifebeyondthesalary2458]

& for meal planning, especially if you are somewhere with down time & not at home & you can use your pics to “plan out your meals” 😁

[@marilynpeppers1356]

I’ll be including a soup night and a breakfast dinner in my meal planning assignments. I’m curious to see if I can feed us for $1 a meal!

[@jackiec9285]

I made yogurt once and then couldn’t find the strainer so I just put it all in a container. I haven’t strained it since. It’s thick enough for me Saves lots of time

[@christinewallace9251]

I agree. Plus when you strain and throw away the whey, you miss a lot of the protein.

[@Stephbee79]

Enjoying this series. Later down the road it would be fun to see follow up videos on the improvements implemented:) Kind of like a where are they now:)

[@cindyjones920]

Watching the replay. Great video. I always wait to buy after holidays for sales on seasonal merchandise to make "caregiver baskets". My friend and I buy: candy (to use in the next month or two), seasonal handtowels, Plates, napkins, etc(store for next year or season). The markdows are so helpful when you are donating to others. And, lots of people are doing this. Making their own decorated baGs and used baskets to re-do to give.

[@LivingOnADime]

Love that!

[@brightstarr57]

Great show! I have been cooking up chicken after I buy it and freeze in portions! Thanks for the great tips! They are time savers!

[@alexandrabasti1484]

At first I was sceptic, but I really enjoy the new format! Thank you Tara!

[@paulawilliams1474]

I always buy after Christmas for the bath and body sets. Still using shampoo and conditioner that I got after Christmas last year. It’s was the big pump bottles of Pantene shampoo AND conditioner for $4. Those are almost $9 per bottle regular price

[@lifebeyondthesalary2458]

When one of our Beauty supply places went out of business a few years ago, I stocked up on LITER bottles of shampoo & conditioner. STILL working my way thru them. & it this was before 2020. 😆😆😆

[@momofmany6619]

That is such a great idea!!!

[@akbouton]

Wicked prepared on KZbin has amazing meals for freezer, dry in jars and meals in bags. Another thought: could you designated several baking dishes for frozen meals, and when the baking dishes get to stacking up, make sure you make more!

[@connieportlas8169]

Great show! She is doing well - but your points were very on point!. I am a financial coach. I see this all the time. People stay hyper-focused until they pay off their debt and then lifestyle creep starts to set in. Nothing you spoke about is a so called budget buster but when you add it up it might be keeping them from attaining their next list of goals.

[@SusannB]

Could Janet redo her shelves in pantry. I noticed space above and thought maybe she could move them closer together and add one more shelf. Just a thought

[@akbouton]

Definitely, even if you create more shelves out of boxes or wood that can sit on the existing shelves.

[@terarosen7909]

A piece of wood under the plastic containers that open for more storage or a wire rack they fit on with room underneath to put extra. and containers all labeled. I think they’d still be great to use.

[@cynthiajudkins2250]

My dinner for tonight was actually $4.00 for three people

[@arod191]

I definitely with Janet, I also have guilt buying those little convenience items. OMG Janet we have the SAME PLANNER ❤.

[@saundrajohnson1571]

Hi Tawra! I just found this new series yesterday and I can’t get over how struck I’ve been about something… Your demeanor! You are so much calmer, gentler, and seemingly happier now. In your older videos, you seemed so tired, frustrated and impatient (no offense). I missed 2 or 3 months worth of your videos recently, due to “life”, but I must say, this new format looks good on you. It’s so nice to see you genuinely smile. I do miss seeing Jill, but I love seeing you so much more relaxed. 🙂

[@maxibake9323]

This new format is Great, learned alot of tips. 👍 TFS LOAD, take care & keep busy everyone. ❤🙂🐶

[@LivingOnADime]

Glad you enjoyed it

[@maxibake9323]

@@LivingOnADime 👍🤗❤️🙂🐶

[@carolbrownell950]

A big enough GOAL with a big enough REWARD ❤ yes!

[@waterbuckethomestead]

Watching the replay. The transitions were much smoother this time. I am enjoying this style video. Thank you for sharing!

[@LivingOnADime]

Glad you enjoyed it! Yes it's a learning curve for us. Thanks for your patience!

[@SototG]

For pantry shelves, old metal roasting pans are common at thrift stores. Good for grouping items, pull out easy to find items in the back, plus have an old farmhouse look. Also great for starting plants, etc.

[@Nanasknoll72]

I make yogurt in the oven. 1 quart jar, 1 cup dry milk powder, in some water in jar. then add 1/2 cup yogurt. Fill jar rest way-leaving with water 1 " head room. Stir carefully. I place a cut up piece flour sack cloth on jar and rubber band it. Place in oven with light on in oven over night. In the morning I always have yogurt. I do buttermilk the same way only use 2/3 cup dry milk powder. I use it mainly for baking and cooking. Here in AZ the fat free dry milk powder is the same price per serving as buying milk.

[@silveroriginal]

I ALWAYS buy after holiday chocolate! My eldest was 6, and for Valentines Day, he got Christmas chocolate. He was VERY upset, and said he wanted Valentines chocolates, so I showed him with the Christmas chocolate how much chocolate he WOULD have gotten if I bought Valentines chocolates because I only allot only so much money for it. Needless to say, he responded with "I LOVE Christmas chocolate!", since the difference was substantial. I also use Halloween candies/chocolate for my Christmas baking, because why would I not for 50-75% of the price of chocolate!

[@pigoff123]

I half the meat in my skillet and casserole meals. My brothers never notice. I try to reinvent leftovers because nobody eats them except me. I cook from scratch more now too. I don't have any of those fancy gadgets. I just have my mom's old pressure cooker and a crock pot and my grandmothers blender. I also have a ronco set it and forget it that I love that my brothers got me.

[@carolbrownell950]

We do soup or chili Monday, taco Tuesday, Pasta Wednesday, leftover Thursday, pizza on Saturday. Helps so much to have those decided!

[@gammgammx3174]

I am loving these videos

[@Chelle-kd1po]

Thank you, Janet! I just moved away from Charleston. Charleston, SC, is an expensive place to live. I commend you for doing a wonderful job! I agree with you about thrift stores in the area -- not great. I love the grocery audits!

[@SototG]

Air popped popcorn stored in bins is SUPER cheap and wholesome. Add butter and flavorings per serving. Cinnamon or parmesan cheese are favorites of mine. Making caramel corn isn't hard either.

[@monique1163]

I am really enjoying the grocery audits! Please keep them coming!

[@beckyshell4649]

I live alone ,I use my freezer a lot .I make double or triple batches of meatloaf ,Chile ,taco soup,taco meat ,BBQ and broccoli and cheese soup.I use glad-ware to freeze individual servings and pull out when I need a no cook meal. I also buy chicken breast on sale and cook them in a crockpot and package up enough for a small chicken casserole.

[@dianehaskins8640]

Cost a lot more money but we had plexiglass cut for those wire shelves at our local hardware store. Doubles your space and nothing falls over. Never thought about the options you talked about!

[@claudiagutierrez7218]

I love these videos!

[@cynthiajudkins2250]

Yes I would buy the air fryer liner at a yard/thrift store

[@sabrinadevol1210]

Loved this video! Question: Do you have a recipe for almond milk? I use a lot in my smoothies.

[@nancyquarella6709]

I used to do that, made my own almond milk for smoothies. Now I just use water in my smoothies, and can't really tell the difference. It cuts the cost and the calories, too.

[@terarosen7909]

I feel like crock pot meals would be good for their family in busier days. Whether prepared the day before of frozen ahead of time.

[@eclairtreo]

Great idea about the floor tiles to line the wire shelves. I have the same problem here.

[@terarosen7909]

Shoe organizers for vertical storage can keep spices and smaller packages. I’ve cut them to hang up in cupboards and or closets. She could hang sone in her laundry room/pantry right on her metal shelving.

[@marilynmyers9119]

Yes

[@WhiteOwl6769]

Ohio has some of the best thrift stores in the country!! And we have yard sales!!

[@Nanasknoll72]

Wonder if you can buy some products ( like maybe crock pot liners) cut up and put on plates. Just wondered if you could just throw them away after eating a covered plate. Not sure if cheaper than paper plates. I have to take a seizure med that some days just wipes me out for any energy.

[@Anne-ly1fv]

I ❤️ this new format of shows!!! This girls pantry and freezer looks like mine! 👍

[@christinewallace9251]

Wow! She is doing awesome.

[@lynhead52]

I buy stuff that makes my job easier in the kitchen, baking bags etc. I use placemats in my refrig, keeps shelves cleaner. I got a bunch for .01 at dollar general.

[@lynhead52]

Thinly sliced zucchini sprinkled with spice dehydrated in your air fryer is good substitute for chips.

[@SusannB]

Charleston my favorite place. This video hit closest to home and helped the most so far. Good job Janet

[@gingerhawkinshills]

🥰If Food Lion has butchers, I would buy the pork loin at $2 a pound and have them grind them into burger. I LOVE using ground pork in place of ground beef and it saves SO MUCH money.

[@deedeesmith3073]

Oh I agree with Janet I LOVE chips .

[@melissaporterfield2732]

I would love Tawra's opinion on Azura standard bulk foods and grains in bulk. I see lots of KZbin family's ordering from there these days. I think its high. What do you think?

[@LivingOnADime]

Waste of money. Might be a good product but does not save money.

[@mgm2008]

Make sure that the extra money for your house goes to the principal and not the interest!!!

[@atlanticalilly]

Tip for saving on meat. If u can afford it, buy 1/2 or 1/4 a cow from a local farmer. That's all the cuts of steak and ground beef. It averages out to a LOT Less than the store, and it's far better quality. Plus you are not buying a ton of meat. We just get other meats on sale and freeze them including: Chicken, Kielbasa, Ham, & ground sausage rolls from Aldi.

[@Brattyanne1231]

I buy clearance Christmas/valentines candy use it for Easterbaskets

[@dianneshelton4515]

Unfortunately, our Kroger in MS, does not cut or slice meat for us anymore. Most of their meat comes in prepackaged and they refuse to cut. Thanks for these great videos, full of wonderful knowledge.

[@chrislear6676]

One of the major problems of living in Florida is possible long term power outages due to hurricanes. We have 2 freezers that using

[@kimberlycera8695]

If you can get a generator backup just for fridge and freezer during outages that will solve your problem. You may need to store a small amount of fuel to have at the ready so it can be set up quickly. We have experienced about 5 or 6 outages this year and all food was kept frozen or cold without skipping a beat.

[@bina3J]

I do the same with my chicken as well. I cook it all ahead of time.

[@juliafayeconner594]

I always get stuff at yard sales or second hand stores.

[@susandavidson635]

I always used to buy after holiday candies, but since we moved and live very far from stores, I don't want to drive 2 hours each way to buy it!!

[@SototG]

Re any loans, mortgage, car etc. Always print out amortization showing principal, interest amts for EACH payment. Interest at the beginning of any loan is almost the ENTIRE payment. Pay as much additional principal as possible on every payment as possible. The length of the loan will diminish like you won't believe. No wonder refinancing is pushed so hard. That amortization record will totally tick you off, how it's set up.

[@bettysprong9908]

I'm a Momaw and I make a gallon of sugar free mint tea and a gallon with sugar and a couple flavors of koolaide in my fridge all the time if the family walks over to my house they have a cold refreshing drink that doesn't break the bank. And I always make homemade popcorn on the stove or if it's hot outside I'll make in the microwave. And they all love it . I feel like I'm a good host and still not breaking my Budget.

[@ragdollpreppers2648]

I love this ❤❤❤❤❤

[@dianehaskins8640]

Congratulations on the debt free scream! So cool...

[@juliafayeconner594]

I usually don’t buy chocolate candy. Every now and then I will get a candy bar for a snack.

[@dustyfuller5632]

When you are prepping a meal you can always make enough for 2 meals 1 can go in the freezer labeled and dated

[@dustyfuller5632]

Also if the ingredients you are using can make different dishes you can multiply meal prep by making them when you are prepping the meal you are going to eat that day

[@shannonscrazyhouse877]

Hope your feeling better

[@lateshachurney5965]

Love the new shows. Great job everyone !

[@suebryant1188]

1. In California!

[@nicolecoburn8365]

hi thanks for the video my lactose interolerance is so bad that the tablet did not work

[@terarosen7909]

Tawra, your pantry now has shelves of food? Haven’t seen an update on that since it was installed. Very nice

[@LivingOnADime]

It's just like it was in the reveal.

[@terarosen7909]

@@LivingOnADime awe, maybe I didn’t remember the whole thing. I know I watched it! Great show!!

[@wellman867]

Thanks it’s so good to see you again ❤

[@LivingOnADime]

Thank you too!

[@orchidgarden2553]

1yes

[@ragdollpreppers2648]

Great format I’m loving it❤❤❤❤❤

[@carlasenecal3434]

1 all of the time!

[@barbaracampbell7747]

Is it possible not to sacrifice quality with food so cheap

[@christyhansen9342]

1& 2

[@debbiegilbert1961]

Awesome show👏👍

[@hudsonsgamingchannel334]

You never want any spice close to the stove.

[@juliafayeconner594]

I also get stuff for free. We have a couple of places where all donations are free.

[@Nancy19808]

There is a childrens chewable lactose tablet (sold on Amazon). I have a child that takes them. I have the supplement on auto delivery. If it will help this lady.

[@joculp-yq3qh]

What is her annual income?

[@dianehaskins8640]

2

[@terarosen7909]

Hmm maybe there was frozen fries on a huge sale?

[@pamt3915]

Regarding the supplements, go to the pharmacy department. The Pharmacist can better assist with recommendations.

[@jonicadavenport5117]

#2