Eating for $5 a Day from Dollar General | Trying Your Suggestions! What I Ate Today | Day 3

Yesterday was day 3 of eating for $35 a week from Dollar General and this feels like one of my best budget grocery weeks ever, the meals are satisfying and delicious, and I am very happy with my overall choices this week.
Today's Menu:
Hot Coffee with a pinch of salt and french vanilla creamer
Breakfast: 1 slice of toast topped with pork and beans and a fried egg
Lunch: hot ham and cheese sandwich with spicy mustard and sour cream and onion chips
Dinner: Chili Cheese Hash Brown Casserole with Green Beans
Chili Cheese Hash Brown Casserole:
Rehydrate hash browns per package instructions (if extra liquid, drain off)
Mix hash browns with 1/4 cup of cream of chicken soup and 1/4 cup of sour cream. I also added in some cheese powder from the mac and cheese but you can use shredded cheese as well. I split this into 3 containers to make 3 different meals.
For todays meal I spread a layer of hashbrown casserole in the bottom of a small baking dish, top with a layer of chili, some sour cream, and shredded cheese. Bake at 350 for 30 to 35 minutes until bubbling.
My $35 Dollar General Haul:
Eggs $1.50
Bread $1.50
Breakfast Sausage $2
Instant Coffee $1.00
Vanilla Creamer $1.00
Deli Meat $3.50
Mustard $1.00
Beef & Barley Soup $1.00
Ham & Bean Soup $1.00
Hashbrowns $1.00
2 lbs of white rice $1.65
Condensed Broccoli Cheese Soup $1.00
Condensed Cream of Chicken Soup $1.00
2 Boxes of Macaroni & Cheese $1.70
2 pouches of ranch tuna $2.00
Chili $1.65
Broccoli $1.50
Canned Corn, Green Beans, Peas 3 for $2.00
Diced tomatoes and green chilis $1.00
Pork N Beans $1.00
Cheddar Cheese $2.75
Sour Cream $2.75
Taco Seasoning $0.75
Total (pre tax) $35.26

[@barbellboy63]

Mixing the creamer into the coffee while it’s hot will make it blend better because of the fat in it. Then refrigerate for iced coffee.

[@jazzy3120_]

YES THIS PLEASE!!!!

[@BrowneyedGirlmjd]

Those syrups last forever so I would keep them. Plus it makes your counter look like a fancy coffee bar. This series totally has me craving beans on toast! I can’t believe you have chips left over and I mentioned I have no willpower for salty snacks?

[@tanyamckinnon5376]

I had some for years and threw them away because I thought they had gone bad😢

[@tonidill5197]

I would keep them too just to make yummy summer drinks with ice and those squirty Mio things

[@jennherscap136]

My aunt was from England and used to make us beans on toast with cheese. After, she but the beans on top the toast she but a slice of cheese and then broiled it until the cheese was melted. Loved it as a kid and still do as an adult

[@lisesolberg5301]

I like to put the cheese on top of the toast and pour the hot beans over the cheese. This way it melts. It's so delicious, especially if you use sharp cheddar!

[@m.flores9957]

It sounds amazing! Thanks for a great idea to try, I can't wait to taste it!❤

[@muttersmenu2422]

As an ex-Pom who resides in Oz, that was a great lunchtime meal. The cheese from my era was always grated/shredded. Very yummy and easy to fix.

[@anniecbee]

My mom did the same thing, but always canned navy beans, drained, topped with a slice of cheese. If she was feeling super fancy, then also thin sliced tomato and 2 slices of bacon, cross-crossed on top. Now I’m craving it. She was born in France but her father was from a line of Brits.

[@anti-ethniccleansing465]

@@lisesolberg5301 That definitely would only work for British style beans on toast, due to the beans being in a tomato-based sauce. Melting cheddar cheese with our sugary baked beans here in the USA would not be a good mixture lol. I do love our sugary baked beans on toast though! I only buy the vegetarian kind.

[@Anon0missX]

That middle section preparing the ham n cheese sandwich was unexpected ASMR 😁

[@coal.sparks]

The smiley mustard... I do that with peanut butter and pretty much anything I'll be spreading. :D

[@lindabader-acosta7808]

Why throw the syrup away when you can add it to your iced coffee with those sugar free creamers for a differ flavor & have a bit of sugar in it. I use them all the time it saves on constantly buying different flavored creamers.

[@LittleRockQueen14]

she literally said its fruit flavor and not for coffee. maybe she doesnt want her coffee to taste like watermelon etc.

[@heartrose6088]

Bcuz they’re fruit syrups like she said multiple times..

[@lesliegibbs6296]

Love the idea with the chili & hash browns. Sometimes I struggle with thinking outside the box with simple items. Thanks!

[@DollarTreeDinners]

You are so welcome! I'm sure you'll enjoy it!

[@cziegle3794]

Yay top 70 comments. Love this channel. Best to you and your family. Thanks for making this video.

[@DollarTreeDinners]

Thanks so much!

[@lynn2574]

My parents are Dutch, and we had a dish growing up that was boiled potatoes, onion, and either cabbage or carrots all mashed together (both ways are delicious). Mom always served it fresh with a polish sausage. But the leftovers! We’d heat the mashed veggies up, and mom would ladle chili (sometimes a beef stew) on top. This dinner would have similar tastes as my old childhood favorite leftover!

[@btolson66]

You got to save the syrups!! Snow cones and fruit pops are awesome with those. Love beans on toast👍👍☕☕ All these looked good today 😋😋 of course I haven't eaten and EVERYTHING sounds good 😅😅

[@DollarTreeDinners]

Snow Cones are a great idea to use them up!

[@LynnLeclerc]

​@@DollarTreeDinners11:13 +QAA

[@amiegamble1678]

Make some mocktails for Christmas. If you have family or friends over. Maybe a game night. Even if you're just flavoring Sprite. I'm sure kids especially will think this is fun

[@DKilnerScull-wu1gn]

Use the flavoring syrup making lime frosting and a lemon cake mix and match

[@tauna8941]

My granma always use a splash of cold tap water to smooth her instant coffee. Also you can use the salt trick when brewing coffee as well

[@burtmcgurt3584]

Thanks for these!

[@Jaimiegoesrawr]

The beans 😂 You’re so wholesome. Love your videos 🥰

[@Lolabelle59]

Everything looked yummy. Thank you.

[@evelynealfieri9396]

Morning ! My Dad always put salt in his coffee for stronger coffee taste . Try making grilled cheese by spreading mayo on the bread instead of butter . I make a pot of coffee and let it cool all night in the fridge and then make my ice coffee . You do have some great ideas . Thanks for Sharing ! Have a great Wednesday 😄

[@steverino474]

Just the way I eat my beans and toast.

[@Babsonthego4]

My friends Son is a Filmmaker who was at that place you went to. “Hogman” is the movie he produced and directed.

[@nottoday9303]

Bit late to the party, but thoroughly enjoyed the subtitled portion.

[@JayBow-lc8ek]

Awesome I love the casserole idea a lot of times i make small ones in a toaster oven like that only feeding one or two people.

[@huskerjpg]

Beans on toast is quite good, but I think Van Camp's are a poor choice. Also, I like to add syrup (sweet) on the toast be adding the beans. Alternatively, I like to heat up some chunks of summer sausage (savory) and add those to the beans.

[@laurie3196]

I love your show!!..TY!!!

[@mikeallensonntag]

Lmao the amount of beans on that toast 😅

[@leeuwestein101]

watching you make that hashbrown dinner was incedible😍

[@andreagriffin8437]

You are an angel 😇

[@allyrooh3628]

I'm having a Mom/Daughter sleep over with my adult daughter this week. I was looking for a good dish to make up for the hubby to have while I'm gone, and I think it's chili potato casserole for the win! I had a thought for an alternative coffee creamer--protein shake. I use a milk chocolate or vanilla protein shake in my coffee every morning instead of using creamer. It's delicious and nutritious. Good video as usual!

[@DollarTreeDinners]

I would LOVE to hear how it goes because honestly it's one of the best budget meals I've ever made

[@laurac5451]

If its crumbs I'm seeing...I don't want to be negative but that toaster oven might catch on fire if you don't clean it out soon. Stay safe. If its not crumbs and you don't know what to use on it bar keepers cleaners will get rid of that.

[@patbuegeler7770]

❤❤❤Have you ever nade meals for Diabetics?

[@apriltownsend8463]

My nephew "butters" his grilled cheese with mayo and it's really good lol

[@DollarTreeDinners]

it's good! I've done it before but I don't have mayo in the budget for this one, I get a lot of suggestions to make my own mayo with oil and eggs, but I try to limit my use of appliances and making it by hand is more work than most people are willing to do. I try to only use common household appliances/tools

[@coloradopackratprepper]

I had chili n cheese over frozen fried potato wedges yesterday and today reheated in microwave!!!! Also used stokes green chili with pork!!!!

[@dwilloughby1969]

I thought the salt was too take away the bitterness of the coffee.

[@inezwalls1899]

No butter use mayonnaise

[@carolynturk7368]

Btw Heinz beans has 12g sugar includes 9g added sugars for 19% daily value, so....... You THINK Campbell's is sweeter great! What you wrote back about the tomato paste(sauce), made no sense, go back and read the lists again. In the meantime keep using what you LIKE. But look at nutrition, ingredients, etc. Before you compare products!

[@ellelouise7335]

Calm down lol 😂 uk beans don't taste sweet is the point

[@terrancethompson5184]

No disrespect to your husband but you’re Beautiful

[@kakylong2]

That chili cheese hasbrown bake sounds delicious. I'm vegetarian & my Hubby just made vegetarian chili. We could also sub the cream of chicken for cream of mushroom. We may have to try this. Yum! 😊

[@beckystone7994]

Even cream of celery would be delicious and add more flavor too!!

[@rbirkheimer59]

Remember you can use mayo instead of butter for your grilled cheese. That food looked so good. You should make a book with all the recipes. I would buy it! Have a great day! God Bless, Rebekah

[@druelia9485]

That's a great idea! I'd absolutely buy it too.

[@kristinialyons5230]

Omg yeees. Dollar tree dinners (and more)!! We need this!!

[@jeanineruby]

Rebecca Chobat

[@tonidill5197]

mayo is soo freaking expensive here but at the dollar generals there is a mexican mayo, McCormick Mayonesa, it's a little yellower but it tastes amazing. And it's cheaper than that Kraft Real Mayo stuff

[@1lmp1]

Yes, mayo works well. If I make grilled cheese sandwiches, I never use a pan anymore. I use airfryer. To get a nice crispy bread outside, butter or mayo must be spread on the outside of the bread, then put it over a rack on the airfryer. It is much faster than using a frying pan.

[@j4d7s8]

I need to get one of those small casserole dishes. I’m a party of one and it’d be perfect.

[@squisitissima2810]

You should use your Torani syrups in iced tea. I do that all the time and it is super refreshing. 😀

[@michellemiller1027]

You can also use the Torani syrups in lemonade as well.

[@DollarTreeDinners]

Tea sounds like a great way to use them up! I just feel so bad that they sit there

[@salutations5749]

The salt thing works on a lot of stuff. Melons, beer, and citrus to name a few. It really brings the flavour out. Thanks !! Lotsa cool tips !!

[@sw3et24x7]

Thanks for using my idea! I hope you enjoyed it. It looked delicious 😋 Great video!

[@DollarTreeDinners]

Thanks for the idea! I definitely did!

[@Olive_O_Sudden]

I wonder if the casserole would be less soupy--but also cooked through--by not re-hydrating the hash browns, but instead relying on the liquid in the other ingredients to provide the needed moisture? Perhaps letting it sit a while, covered, after baking would result in well-hydrated potatoes without pre-hydrating them. I'm really enjoying this series, and I appreciated that you used your toaster oven. When I was 21, I moved into my first apartment that I didn't share with roommates, a tiny one-room place with the smallest of all possible bathrooms and a fridge-stovetop-sink combo unit in one corner instead of a kitchen, no countertop and no oven. I bought tiny baking pans and made all sorts of things in my toaster oven.

[@betsyb3870]

It's the captioned commentary for me 😂

[@DollarTreeDinners]

haha thank you! I had a lot of fun with that :)

[@PeggyParrish-sg1eu]

I know when it's good because your eyes kinda roll back in your head like mine do when im eating something delicious!!lmao Love this series!!!❤❤❤

[@zombiejedimaster]

I have learned so much from watching your channel. It's been a life saver! I recently made a mock shepherds pie using ingredients from Dollar Tree. For the filling I used chopped up Steak'umm that I browned and seasoned. Added a can of mix veggies and a can of cream of mushroom soup. Mixed well. Added it to a casserole dish. Topped it with 2 packs of instant potatoes and shredded cheddar cheese. Baked for 30 min @ 350° and I put it under the broiler for a couple minutes to get it browned a little bit. It is soooo good! Using the chopped up steak'umm for the protein really works well! I highly recommend it!

[@Purple0fairy0bunny]

Mayo instead of butter for any sort of grilled sandwich is amazing. It adds creaminess and doesnt burn as quickly as butter. Plus it spreads easily

[@nancycarney]

I love my small casserole dish from Aldi. There are only 3 of us. Perfect amount of all casseroles with leftovers for hubby to take to work. That chili cheese looks amazing. Hubby is a real chili man. I work from home and eat re-invented leftovers all the time.

[@DollarTreeDinners]

haha I'm surprised you recognized it from Aldi! it's great I've had it for so long. It's perfect for small meals like this one

[@-mr3puttz-310]

What size is the pan?

[@sandyjolley9810]

What brand is the best tasting chili? I don't like spicy! Thanks

[@sonyavincent7450]

I'm in nz and baked beans on toast is a standard basic lunch here. Or even dinner if you cant be bothered cooking.

[@jessicca0726]

I’m betting a fried eggs over the chili cheese casserole would be nice

[@DollarTreeDinners]

I bet! I have to ration the eggs because everybody has so many great egg based ideas haha

[@merposs35]

You should definitely use up syrup and make ice water recipes

[@jacquelinejamesx5049]

I'm glad that you went to a cons. My 14 year old daughter just did one Saturday in Richmond va she won first place in her category. Whoop whoop😊

[@Brandy1998]

Do you have any recipes for children who may have autism my child is very big on texture I want to incorporate more vegetables ❤❤

[@DollarTreeDinners]

Have you ever seen the cookbook deceptively delicious? not sure if that would work for your child, but it's centered around pureeing vegetables or grating them to add to various things like pancakes, cakes, and cookies. it's a really interesting concept, and it might help you incorporate more vegetables

[@Brandy1998]

@@DollarTreeDinners ok awesome sauce thank u so much about to check it out .

[@markkritzman4963]

I buy the 32 oz pack of raw chicken breast from Tyson's for $8 I can make chicken with broccoli using Dollar General's frozen broccoli I can make fried rice with the Frozen bird's-eye vegetable mix I can make crispy fried chicken sandwiches chicken parmesan buffalo chicken strips using Dollar General's buffalo sauce there are Kraft blue cheese dressing you get about five or six big meals out of that bag if chicken...... Also I get their frozenhamburger patties... you get six for $9 (sometimes they are on sale for $8) but with their cheap $1.50 buns it only comes out to about $1.70 per hamburger... and they are quite good sized

[@annzamora6943]

You should take the cream of broccoli. Add some water (because no milk) and some of your broccoli cuts. Cook on Medium until tender then stir in so cheese. A quick, easy, & filling soup. Don't forget to check for the seasoning. It's great to add a turkey sandwich with the soup. Yum! If you don't want to eat a sandwich with your soup. Add in some of your cooked sausage chunks or dice up some of the ham and add it to the soup when u add the cheese. It will heat the meat and not overcook it. And to take it over the top baste 2 Slices of bread in oil and garlic salt and pepper and cut into big chunks and toast in oven or skillet. Build the perfect bowl of soup, cheese add the: 1. Soup 2. Extra cheese 3. Homemade croutons 4. (optional) sour cream Enjoy.

[@rebeccaramsey1274]

I do the grilled ham and cheese thing for my husband all the time. Sometimes with an egg because we love breakfast food. Its also good if youve got some smoked cheese(provolone, gouda, etc) and just an egg, no meat. Delicious and pretty cheap!

[@markkritzman4963]

Get the tasters choice coffee packets instead of the folgers... More per tiny envelope and much stronger.👍

[@1lmp1]

I am new to this KZbin site and realized, was informed, that there are many areas that do not have good grocery stores available. I like food that is the least amount processed. I have also allergies to some preservatives and artificiaI additives. I would be in trouble if I had only Dollar Tree as a choice. I saw Rebecca make coffee with regular Folgers ground coffee. She ran the coffee twice through the filter. I have French press pots, but if they are in a dishwasher, I take any pitcher, even Atlas jar, and put the coffee grounds in it, poor the water over and let it seep about 5 minutes. After that, I run the coffee through the filter , it will have better, have stronger taste.

[@makingd.o.123]

Another great video and I have to try that hashbrown casserole

[@evedallas2271]

Instead of getting rid of your syrups buy a 1 lb container of plain quick oats. You can add syrup to it and have a different flavor every day. I make the quick oats add my protein powder then use a flavored syrup. My favorite syrups right now are English Toffee (DaVinci sugar free syrups) and Maple Bourbon Pecan (Jordans Skinny syrup)

[@jerrieanderson2245]

Great video! The recipes don’t feel like eating on a tight budget.

[@dreamscape405]

Agreed! Comfort food always works for me~ and have actually lost weight too🎉

[@lindanizamoff7981]

my parents always a touch of salt when they made their drip coffee and perk coffee. My mother said it took the bitterness out of the taste.

[@cindykimmet4411]

Hi Ues your syrups in ice tea

[@kittyface7kat327]

Great video Rebecca. :) I love the fact you try everything you promote. :) You can do a light spread of mayo on the outside for grilled cheese to make the bread crispy.

[@lilithlove7]

Your captions lmaoooo

[@DollarTreeDinners]

thank you, i try to be funny ;)

[@tanyamckinnon5376]

Salt is a flavor enhancer

[@wilmasantos3255]

Your videos are the best! You're so down-to-earth and humble, making your videos so enjoyable to watch. Thank you for sharing such great recipe ideas!!

[@kippytx]

Excellent!! Good job

[@DonnaSmith-ff2wu]

I think the hash brown casserole would have been really good if you baked the hash browns first to get crispy then topped with the other ingredients. These ideas look good!

[@kathleendonnelly6077]

The grilled ham and cheese was perfection!

[@ImperfectlyhappytobemeMichelle]

You can use some fruit flavors for coffee I loved mocha Valencia it's and orange mocha, you can make white chocolate with strawberry or orange and other fruits. It taste good like a raspberry mocha. The sausage sandwich also good with and egg on it. Or with mozzarella and marinara. Green beans and rotel cold with Italian dressing would be a good cold salad for side.

[@karensimmons5892]

U continue to blow me away with ur creative mind and cooking skills...seriously I wouldn't think of all the possibilities ur mind comes up with!

[@DuchessOfQuilt]

I’m really enjoying your videos. Can’t wait to see what you do with the rest of the hash brown mixture!

[@bernadettechute7998]

The grilled ham & cheese sandwich sounds good!!

[@tanishahogan9396]

How does the coffee do if you don't boil the water but leave it in overnight...more like a cold brew?

[@DollarTreeDinners]

I'll try it for tomorrow!

[@j4d7s8]

My mom would always sprinkle a little confectionary sugar on each side of the grilled cheese when I was a kid. Shockingly it’s delicious and I still do it today. The pickle thing sounds delicious too though!

[@amybarrmlinar7824]

OMG Rebecca I'm late to this party but every time I see you drink that instant coffee with that powdered creamer, I wince!

[@BladerBabez]

The beans part 🤣🤣🤣

[@dysfunct1on4l]

i don't know if it's just cause it's 3am but the "rebecca that's plenty of beans 😀" is making me lose my mind LMAO i watched it like 4 times and laughed every time 😭

[@TT-de7wb]

Ohhhhh! What about some different drink recipes using up your Torani syrups - I have some and would like some new ideas. Also, the syrups are economical because they go a long way and last so long!

[@wendyboglarsky9309]

That's a cute pan for the toaster oven where did you get it from

[@-amosc.presley-7192]

You like “Beekmen World” in ya Kitchen by figuring out different ways to Eat. 😱🤣

[@jacki-m9t]

I'm puzzled. I don't think I've ever tried a can of pork Nd beans without tomato in the sauce. Can you tell me a brand that is sugar sauce?

[@selenamoreno7689]

if you had it i grew up with rice with butter and sugar as a meal for a breakfast or you could use some oil....same thing eith noodles for african culture from whag my partner does....they have oil and sugar for noodles and its a sweet treat and a meal for when you dont have much

[@kathygist6488]

I fix scrambled eggs, then add pork and beans. I usually ccut up pieces of bacon before scrambling the eggs in the bacon fat for flavor

[@RockyMountainHoosier]

we do rice with cheese and some runny yolked eggs on top here I don't remember if rice was part of your initial buy or not.

[@kathleenhardwick7650]

Great ideas. Will try them all

[@latanyafrancois6108]

You could have used the flavor for your coffee in the back round 😜 to give it a bit of a boost but your amazing food's 😋 but not the egg thing my dad likes his eggs like that when he makes grits but keep on sharing with the world

[@bigdog51]

Sweetheart give potted meat and scrambled eggs with cheese a try just scramble a couple of eggs and put a can of potted meat in them a piece of cheese and mayo salt and pepper is delicious.

[@destinycaptain247]

4:41 - In Texas it’s not uncommon to eat pinto beans or refried beans with eggs, bacon, sausage or even chorizo for breakfast.

[@RebeccaStanley-w4j]

I am a diabetic and all sugar free things taste different but I found when I use Splenda I only use half the amount as sugar I am not sure if you’re cream for your coffee is that way I drink homemade tea everyday

[@queenofswordspodcast]

Mayo for grilled cheese is an absolute game changer!

[@RosemaryGrimes-rl1mp]

When you are boiling something on the stove, put a solid wooden spoon across the top and it will NOT boil over.

[@usernamedam]

I guess I haven’t been watching long enough, what do you guys do for/sell at the shows?

[@aprilcoxxx96]

You should fix your coffee in the coffee maker machine and you shouldn't fix food that is going to be gross and nasty together you should start fixing that does go with the category not with stuff don't sound good together.

[@LizFaith-sv4ng]

Those flavored syrups are absolutely expired and should not be used if they are years old.

[@sugaredwitch]

I’m new here! What do you do exactly at these conventions?

[@adamnbryant]

Mayo instead of butter on the bread of butter is both cheaper and easier to spread and browns insanely good

[@josephpate]

Chilli and tater tots was one of my all time favorite meals before the 'beetus. I used to make "tot waffles" (thaw some tater tots or those rectangular hash brown patties, mush them up in a bowl with an egg (optional) and cook them in the waffle maker. You can also just put the whole thawed tater tots directly into the waffle maker if you don't want to make a mess.)

[@anti-ethniccleansing465]

‘Beetus?

[@nicolejones9117]

My Aunt makes shepherds pie with leftovers

[@vikihoover6632]

Hi. I'm not understanding what you're going to do with the hash browns in the three separate containers. Are you going to make three more chili casseroles with it, or are they just leftovers that you'll use somewhere else? I listened to that part of the video twice, but I seem to have missed this part.

[@vikihoover6632]

I love your videos, by the way.

[@DollarTreeDinners]

I used 1/3 of it to make my dinner casserole, I'm going to use the other 2/3 in different ways. I'm thinking a breakfast casserole and a ham, broccoli and potato soup :)

[@vikihoover6632]

@@DollarTreeDinners, ok. That makes sense. I'm interested in what you'll come up with next.

[@beckyblevins9095]

What size is casserole baking pan. I got the same trost oven.