Frankie Goes to the Grocery Store with ONLY $3 | Struggle Meals

In this Struggle Challenge, Frankie Celenza gets creative! Given only $3, an iron, and a roll of tinfoil, he sets out to make a delicious - and filling! - panini.
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[@kippy7883]

People don’t realize Frankie’s here to teach us how to make “creative, nutritious, and inventive dishes that won’t break the bank.” It’s not the most food for the least amount of money. I’ve been watching Struggle Meals for years and it’s helped me so much.

[@FleaChristenson]

I get that. But Whole Foods? Not the most efficient use of flavor.

[@kandy1643]

Someone that’s struggling financially wouldn’t want to spend that much on 1 sandwich. Dollar store is your best friend, may not be healthy but it gets you fed the longest

[@Jennifr1966]

Whole Foods might offer better quality meat.

[@lilamontoya5609]

👏🏼

[@HadassahHaman]

I ❤️ ❤️ ❤️ ❤️ ❤️ ❤️ ❤️ Frankie!!!! He's my next husband!😂

[@wiltonya87]

Dude shopped at Whole Foods. He can get rice beans and canned tomatoes at dollar tree for exactly $3 and eat for a few days.

[@thomasbeebe-wurzer3061]

For real

[@jewlzt7331]

But you can't cook that with an iron... That was as part of the challenge. Also, DG's and DT's frequently round up their items. So, that same item could be .89 at Walmart. That extra covers the sales tax.

[@donnamarrillo4234]

Thankyou thats what I was thinking. Rice and beans all the way. Beans are 42 cents in Walmart.

[@ClorissaThompson5]

He could only use foil n the iron.

[@carmenwheatley7316]

I would have bought one or two of those rolls you can get in most grocery bakeries for .25 cents each and had more money for extra toppings.

[@annieno6848]

This video was made for flight attendants! We always layover near fancy grocery stores and only have an iron in the hotel room, lol

[@jutde]

I have lived on this budget for a week at a time for a long period of time. $0.99 loaf of bread, $0.99 pack of bologna, $0.99 pack of sliced American cheese, and a pocket full of condiments from the gas station. Flavorful? No. But I got by.

[@scott917]

there is a fast food place that asks - "how may i serve you" - they have a nice self serve condiment counter. ;)

[@donnamarrillo4234]

Hella yeah been there

[@jeanlujan6129]

Yep

[@drunkenkot]

Hoard the mayo packets. You can live on that alone.

[@nicoleraheem1195]

I survived in peanut butter and jelly sandwiches for 90 days because they state kept denying me food stamps and the soup kitchens didn't serve good in the Chattanooga. I really didn't know how to survive out there but I got by.

[@kjo6256]

Sad reality, $3 for a single sandwich is already a luxury for more people than you'd expect. 😶😶

[@The_Other_Ghost]

Welcome to the channel. Glad you understand reality.

[@garlicgirl3149]

Yes, we are learning how our great grandparents survived.

[@The_Other_Ghost]

@@garlicgirl3149 When they were privileged and struggling!

[@The_Other_Ghost]

@Almost blank that used to be my budget for JUST three days... But hey, he had a packet drawer!

[@cgt6497]

That's exactly what I was thinking.

[@beondhuman]

I could've done around 10 grilled cheese for 3 bucks by shopping at my local Dollar Tree.

[@cleotaylor1860]

The thing is snootie people wouldn't be caught dead in a dollar store, so he is teaching them to look for the cheaper side of life in the higher end of town. Where people on the real side of life have already been stretching their money for a long time. I have a family of 4. I do feel a bit fortunate because I live in the country and we raise & grow most of our food, but I do not take it for granted.

[@R.M.3.14]

Wal-Mart or Aldi would have been even better. 78¢-88¢ loaf of bread, $1.50 or less for the cheap cheese, and had more than $1.50 left to splurge on bananas or a small container of applesauce 😅🤦🏻‍♀️

[@nicolenunya984]

@@cleotaylor1860 well they should pick between being snootie and eating. I would go where I could get the most out of my $3

[@sillyrabbit367]

Unfortunately, this type of shopping is a way of life for some. Thank you for showing that it can be done and be healthy and tasty.

[@_-JR01]

But people should also know there's no shame in asking for help, whether that's from family/friends or charities in your area! I wish Frankie had touched on that

[@docpepperclassic]

Man, y’all are spoiled AF if you think $3/meal is some kind of roughing it. Turned 18 and moved out in the middle of the financial crash, so I learned how to keep an average of about $1/meal my entire adult life. I pinch pennies like nobody’s business (and I’m still flat broke). A $3 sandwich is 100% luxury where I come from.

[@_-JR01]

@@docpepperclassic there's a difference between averaging out a meal to $3/each(which Frankie does literally every other video) and only have $3 on hand for a single meal

[@oabuseer]

@@docpepperclassic could I ask where you're from? Whilst I agree $3 a meal isn't cheap I wouldn't class it as a luxury either.

[@docpepperclassic]

@@oabuseer Originally from Portland. Now live in Seattle.

[@amandah9205]

Can of tuna, slice of cheese, bread of choice, packet drawer Mayo/salt/pepper/mustard + Iron= Tuna Melt

[@docpepperclassic]

Thank you! 100% what I was thinking.

[@jb6712]

As long as the tuna was the poptop lid kind---he was using only what the questioner had....an iron, aluminum foil, and $3.

[@GtierGoes]

Frankie, you basically brought a really nice hammer and struck the image of budget meal and home meal prep. The average price of decent meal in Malaysia is RM5. At least, that's my budget while eating out. I can make it down to RM3.50 for dinner if I get something marked down; some rice, a small savoury meat/fish and a little side of veggie. These days, everyone wants to go for fast food and that means small value but high expenses. This series is really helpful and you, Frankie, your expression and storytelling about you feel about the food, tidbits of your own life, fun twists here and there (plus amazing editing team as well as sound editors) really light up the video. Keeping things cheerful and wonderfully informational. Keep being you, Frankie and crew. You all are inspiring. Also congrats with having your own channel. Fingers crossed that you (Frankie or crew) read this.

[@MinXuanNg]

Which part of a Malaysia do you stay in? In JB I doubt you can keep such a low budget

[@GtierGoes]

@@MinXuanNg I stay in Puchong, Selangor, Malaysia. Studying in Petaling Jaya, Selangor. So, RM5 from food trucks. RM3.50 is from Aeon. It's a supermarket with its own foodcourt with outside and its own vendors. After 8pm or 7:30pm, the leftover foods will be marked down by either 30% or 50%. Another supermarket that does this is Isetan.

[@joselynjoseph9954]

I love this show! Frankie really does make cooking a lot less intimidating and more enjoyable for me. I'm so glad this show got a channel of it's own. It deliveres what it promises.

[@NazriB]

Lies again? Cheap food

[@Sagealeena]

This is still too expensive, $3 for one sandwich is a lot. It makes sense for a challenge though as buying in bulk for more sandwiches would be cheaper

[@cugglymonster]

Right? Even at McDonald’s he could have got a whole kids meal for that price.

[@jayamilapersson4030]

@@cugglymonster and there you dont even need the iron.

[@robynsummers1603]

I love how they’re all smiling. Like they have absolutely no idea how it really is.

[@tayloralcantar8613]

I wish he'd done this at any store but a Whole Foods

[@ancarter22]

3 dollars at whole foods. Bahhahahhhaah. They set you up for failure.

[@SaminSays]

It makes me sad how food insecurity is a very real thing on this planet. This is the reality of so many people, thanks for all the work that you do Frankie

[@LIVEINPEACE2023]

I don't know how your channel came to my feed , but I'm grateful. 😀

[@jillygirl2024]

I ask to see the " ENDS " basket in a deli of a grocery store. It is a very affordable way to try new meats/cheeses & still save. For those who may not know what it is , when deli meat, and cheese are sliced most people do not want the ends. So, they are wrapped, priced accordingly and placed into a basket to be sold to a more frugal person such as myself. Same quality as sliced but lower price.

[@mrswilliams3639]

Nice tip who would have known 👍

[@jillygirl2024]

@@mrswilliams3639 Depending on what I am making ( example a pasta dish ), I am often able to get 2-3 meals from an " end".

[@jb6712]

I've never heard of that....thanks for the tip!

[@jamietanksley3113]

That's kind of a Biblical principle, When the wheat was gathered, They left the corners for the poor to gather so they could have bread 🍞🥪😮

[@rosegroshek1218]

In Wisconsin, we have kwik trip gas stations, they have loaves of bread for fifty cents pretty often and super cheap eggs. There’s options out there for cheap meals, you just have to look for them

[@Arkylie]

Yeah, and my mom took one look at the video and said "Oh, he's in Haagen's" -- which is a store near us that is known for having specialty foods and high prices. I'm pretty sure that we could find bread for cheaper than a single bagel there (not to mention, if you have a bagel, why not slice it thinner and get two sandwiches instead of one?). Cheese is often luxury, but our local Costco has some low-cost variations, and offers a whole pack of bologna for just a buck (I'm not sure if you could get a better price from the deli counter). Now I'm wondering what Frankie could do with a trip to the Dollar Store (any dollar store, brand-independent). And pointing out when options at the Dollar Store are better bought at a regular store, because there are times when a dollar is actually too much for the product! But it's interesting to be able to buy tinier boxes of Suddenly Salad or lower-cost alternatives to brand-name foods and such.

[@FrenchToastedSouls]

@@Arkylie I'm personally a big fan of 99 cents only stores. They are like a $5 and under grocery outlet since they get inventory through store overstock but their fresh produce is really great and US grown and you can get great deals on fresh fruit as well. I normally pop in there before my trip to regular grocery to get everythng from pantry staples to produce. I just don't purchase meat there unless it's smoked sausage like kielbasa

[@feliciango7508]

As a struggling college student I use to shop at the dollar store, I'd be able to get bread, some kind of protein, and a dollar left for a condiment or some cheap sliced cheese. Depending on where you shop $3 can buy a meal or a few days of food. Like if I went with dried beans, rice, and hot dogs or something $3 can almost be 5 - 6 meals.

[@lkjkhfggd]

I think if you're at this point of desperation, it's not about flavor anymore, it's about the most calories/carbs for your buck. Go buy a bag of rice or potatoes (you can find a bag of either for under 3.00). That bag will feed you for multiple meals in the form of boiled rice/potato. You do need a pot and a way to boil the water though (an iron won't cut it).

[@Ollie7707]

lkjkhfggd and you can use free condiments from the gas station to season your rice or potatoes:)

[@Arkylie]

It depends on whether the low money is due to having an incredibly low income, or just trying to squeeze a couple meals out of the day or two before payday (or before relatives can bail you out, whatever). In the latter case, it makes sense to go for something more than the most calories per penny. Also, I've heard that McDonalds cheeseburgers can be some of the best calorie/cost ratio, if you're really that desperate.

[@lkjkhfggd]

@@Arkylie Well, I would argue even on your scenario where you're about to get a paycheck, your bank account being down to $3/day is still a major red flag. Besides, if instead of making that sandwich frankie made, you buy a bag of potatoes, and the next day buy a bag of rice, and the next buy bulk dry beans, eventually you'll have enough ingredients in the house to make multiple decent meals. This is a far superior strategy.

[@MitzyNonaka]

Rice can actually be rehydrated by putting it in water and soaking for a long time, sort of like oats. If you buy a bag of rice and a bag of frozen veggies, I think you could soak the rice overnight, defrost the veggies in some water, stick them together in a little aluminum envelope, and toast it the same way.

[@WilletteB]

@@lkjkhfggd Somewhere in there, a dozen eggs or a half dozen would be helpful to supply protein. We could be in that situation. I keep dry beans of all kinds, rice, noodles, and a well-stocked pantry with as much as I can afford and restock often. 👍

[@Exiled_Rouge]

$3 in my local grocery store? I'd get... bag each of rice ($1.49) and beans ($1.29). Not "iron" friendly, but I could easily live off that for 3-4 days. Just an iron though, a sandwich seems like the best way to go. Often, stores will have their own house rolls at a deep discount. Locally my store sells rolls for $0.33 each about 1.5 times the size of a King's Hawaiian Roll. That would be prime iron/struggle meal fodder, IMO.

[@joannk.2557]

Totally agree! At Walmart or the local grocery store, he could have bought beans and tortillas, possibly one thin slice of cheese from the deli, (and added some drawer packets of taco sauce), and made pressed burritos or tacos....and had leftovers for more meals. :)

[@stoverboo]

Sure, but you need a stove to make rice and beans, and a fridge to keep stuff in between times. You're forgetting that his only cooking option was the iron.

[@Exiled_Rouge]

@@stoverboo I didn't. Read my whole reply, I admitted just having an iron would be tough and made a suggestion for such.

[@JennTheRebel456]

Boy...that’s bougie struggle😂 Talk to me when you have to literally pray your way through feeding a family of 4 on $2.85 a day...not per person, but for the whole family.

[@jb6712]

My parents fed a family of six, plus two foster kids, on less than that per day, and they kept us all healthy with the right foods. We didn't usually have dessert, but since we weren't used to it, it didn't matter. Our entire neighborhood was pretty much in the same boat, so yeah, very much used to something like that. I still have to do it from time to time---now that it's just me, I can just not eat at all if I don't want to (and I sometimes don't want to).

[@HannaSasmiitaofficial]

I’m lowkey impressed 4 people for $3 that’s mad skills tbh

[@av201]

Go vegan. Eat weeds. Look using Seek app. Plantain, medicinal and edible herbs like dandelion. Dried pasta, lentils, black beans n rice. Add Tabasco. Salsa fresca.

[@av201]

No ROUNDUP on your prperty. If u life in the city, purify ur soil with alkaline. Use baking soda aluminum free. Compost. Black gold. 🙏

[@BlankRev]

So im like not allowed to say im struggling when im legit living off the same budget just because im not AS bad ad that

[@blackjesus4685]

He in the wrong store... that look like Whole Foods

[@ChefBelmont]

stuggle meals hard mode lol.

[@garlicgirl3149]

I like that he proved it can be done anywhere.

[@mizv4043]

i got an easy one. a tuna sandwich but without the hard boiled egg. can of tuna: 79 cents, onion: 10 cents, jalapeno: 2 cents, kaiser roll: 50 cents. use mayo packet and seasonings at home. use leftover money for side fruit like a banana or apple and make it a full meal

[@lesliewinchester8225]

I love Frankie. So many other food shows demand strange concoctions to challenge people. This guy makes real food on the cheap that tastes great.

[@shuvanidev]

Many have been critical of the shopping venue saying you can get cheaper at a dollar store - yeah, you can, but it's nice to know that you can have something better quality that both tastes good and is somewhat healthy on 3 bucks (that also included using foil and an iron :)).

[@TheHunter128]

I love this it would be cool if he made a series with this premises where his budget ranges from 1-10 dollars and any he can use any funds he saves in the piggie bank from other episodes.

[@jb6712]

???? That was nearly impossible to understand.....

[@constancefaulkner9002]

Exactly! Beginning of the show, he would open an envelope containing the funds for the show. He would then consult his pantry (which would only contain the barest of essential staples) and the packet drawer. Then he would go to the grocery store. Whatever money he has leftover, goes into the piggy bank. Points are given for how many meals he can create with no more than the budget he was given at the start of the show.

[@LilyGarden528]

He did really well for the amount of money he had. Meat and cheese are expensive. But in reality when your on a budget $3 dollars for one very small meal is it a big blow to food funds. I mean seriously you can go to somewhere like the dollar tree and get a loaf of bread, a pack of lunchmeat, a package of cheese for that amount and make a lot more than 1 sandwhich. Then theres the ramen and soup options. The sandwich he made looked good but not really a struggle "meal" more like a struggle snack.

[@joannk.2557]

I agree, he shouldn't have chosen the natural market that was equivalent to Whole Foods. He could have stretched it a lot farther at the local supermarket or Walmart.

[@36cowboysintotalatramranch]

The trick is, what’s accessible? If he’s on the wealthier side of town but is a student, like a lot of people I knew in college, dollar tree was too far away but there were 2 natural food type grocers. Plus, if he’s in an urban environment, food costs are higher anyway. I don’t have a dollar tree here and the “budget” grocer is still 2.48 for basic loaf of bread.

[@LilyGarden528]

You got a good point about accessibility. And seasonal is another consideration

[@jackietucker8942]

THIS was pretty darn good on the cash. Should remind folks of HOW MUCH we are wasting on a daily basis. You inspire me.

[@teeadvocate]

Considering the majority of people I work with spend $10-12 for one lunch, $3 is a steal!

[@adrenirushxaudri]

We need more of THIS content! ❤ This is reality for so many.

[@patriciaoffer9585]

Everyone here should plant soybeans unless they're allergic, learn about foraging, and get at least one bag of soil (store-bought or found, etc.), along with pepper seeds/cucumber seeds.

[@jayamilapersson4030]

To spend 3dollars on only one serving of food isint cheap. I might live in Sweden but I live on about 50usd per month. That 3 dollars should have been a struggle if there was 3 meals or better yet for 3 days which is possible but hard and reduced prices where okay.

[@TheBestRoseinTexas]

I love how the comments were better and more realistic than the challenge. I'd love to see a cooking show competition with chefs having to shop at the dollar store and in the discount sections on $10 to make at least two courses of a meal. That would help a lot of get creative in the kitchen while highlighting the reality for many people.

[@NBK1122]

Depending on where you go, you can probably get 1/2 dozen eggs, 3 or 4 packages of ramen soup and some frozen vegetables for that much. All you need is a microwave (or make friends with the nearest 7-11) Okay, skip the ramen. Get some cheap cheese. Take one or two beaten eggs, add a little bit of cheese, a bit of butter and some thawed frozen vegetables into an aluminum foil pouch and iron it. It's kind of a frittata.

[@jb6712]

But he was asked to work with an iron, aluminum foil, and $3🙄

[@jamietanksley3113]

Hot water from the tap will cook the Ramen noodles

[@scott917]

my cousin had to live on a 50# bag of oatmeal because his financial aid came up short one year at college. he hated oatmeal for a long time after than.

[@jamietanksley3113]

I hope some one gave him an invite to a meal during that time To give him and his body a break ❤ That would have been so kind 🎉

[@carolynkatri9]

This looks like a great idea to pack up for for a road trip hotel meal as most hotels do have an iron. Thanks for the inspiration!!

[@theresedeleon456]

Yes I thought the same thing!

[@jb6712]

Oh, yeah, they do! And I'm going to be staying in one for eight days in October, with nothing more than an underpowered microwave available for cooking. Thank you for that reminder! I see a couple of grilled meat sandwiches in my future! 😊

[@shaunaleessnackidies]

Discount huge loaves of French bread are 75 cents at most stores near me. Also you can get a huge bag of beans, rice and some salsa or frozen veggies at the dollar tree.

[@CarGirl713]

I'd love to see more videos like this! Would be cool to see how far you could stretch $20-$30 and see how many different meals you can make

[@effytraveler6155]

He could do well getting spices at dollar tree and family dollar. It would be a great change outside the packet drawer.

[@jb6712]

You might want to check out the vlog "Frugal Fit Mom." While I got really tired of her 'daily life' stuff, her budget stretching skills are absolutely incredible, and she explains, and often shows, how she stretches the food by making casseroles, stews, etc., and then freezes them (or puts them on the table that night for dinner).

[@Jwcounselor77]

Where has this show been? He normalizes the struggle for the rest of us. I can’t tell you how many times I’ve walked into a grocery store with five dollars or less and felt absolutely humiliated and for him to go in there and show us what you can actually get that taste good I love this show.

[@RoughingItWithRuth]

This was really interesting. At the current exchange rate, 3 USD is about R50 in South Africa. You could easily make a meal for several people with R50. An entire loaf of sliced brown bread is only about R13, and you can buy bread rolls for around R3 each. It has made me realise how much I am probably saving by making home prepared meals during our country's lockdown. Thanks for the video!

[@Cory989]

people forget eggs are a great food item you can eat everyday for cheap.

[@dman1115]

I bought a bag of penne pasta, a can of mushroom spaghetti sauce, ricotta cheese and frozen green beans for $2.97. Baked Penne and Cheese, with a side of green beans. Leftover pasta for three more meals.

[@zyqx4365]

Damn, didn't realize that Struggle Meals is.a channel on their own now. Been wondering for weeks what happened to Frankie...

[@AmandaLovesOldFords]

Should have bought a slice of cheese from the deli, a single thick slice of meat, and asked the baker for discounted/day-old bread.

[@jlotus100]

You gotta shop at a real struggle place, like a Dollar General or an Aldi. Three bucks can get you a pretty good meal at those spots.

[@TheTabby03]

For vegetarians, a block of tofu is $1.50 or less. I would have gotten tofu, .99 cent loaf of bread, and .99 cent veggies (spinach, maybe) Voila, veggie sandwhiches for a week.

[@Termiic]

This is fantastic! Im really enjoying this form or [true] reality show! Frankie never says impossible, he just faces the situations presented to him and comes up with solutions. A skill to learn and envy for.

[@patriciaoffer9585]

The title of this video would be a great spoof band name. Everyone here should plant soybeans unless they're allergic, learn about foraging, and get at least one bag of soil (store-bought or found, etc.), along with pepper seeds/cucumber seeds.

[@auditi14]

This was so entertaining! This is reality for a lot of people, so great to see content like this 🙏

[@thereforeayam]

Can of beans, two apples plus a small grocery store 25 cent or 50 cent coffee, if they have them. Won't starve. Beans can be stretched out into a 2nd day. Or one apple plus a large plain whole wheat kaiser bun or similar. Good enough to find a days' work & make it through.

[@Arkylie]

Oh, man, you missed out on the ability to slice a bagel thinly into multiple sandwiches! Bagels are thick, man! You could easily transform it into 4 slices instead of just two. And it'd cook more easily/thoroughly, too! (Having watched the full video now, yours was cooked beautifully, but I always have a hard time getting the heat to go through and melt cheese or heat fillings without making the bread burnt. Of course, I'm not using an iron!)

[@johnhammond6248]

great video! alot of great tips from this series, i have to move out soon and i find all of these very helpful

[@DrakethNamikaze]

Can one of these channels get real and not shop at a Whole Foods or Trader Joe's or New Seasons? How about a Kroger or Food Lion or Aldi's? How about the Dollar Store? Let's see some real struggle food for a change. It reminds me of that time a few years ago when Gwyneth Paltrow tried to take a food challenge and spent her budget for a week to make guacamole and beans.

[@AyNay246]

They don't always shop at the pricey stores though. You should watch more episodes.

[@ChefBelmont]

Aldi for sure!

[@youareabsolutelyright2579]

You said all the stores in my area. You must live in or near the Northeastern region of the US (NC, VA, DC, etc....)

[@DrakethNamikaze]

@@youareabsolutelyright2579 West Coast. 😝

[@Sirzacharia]

You can make a decent 4 servings of jambalaya on $3-4. $1 sausage, $1.50 for tomato, pepper and onion, ~$0.50 cup of rice. If you can afford a cup of chicken broth then it’s even better. You should use paprika and cayenne but you don’t need it.

[@tonimorgan4258]

I’ve spent $3 at Walmart on fresh vegetables and a box of noodles and fed myself and my roommate lunch for an entire week! We made stir fry. 🤓

[@SodaSiren]

$3 for one sandwich is a lot when you’re struggling. Taco Bell $1 burrito is going to be 66% cheaper, still flavorful and more filling.

[@Juleru]

Could as well go to McDonald's and get stuff off the dollar menu... Is it going to fill you up though? Nope! Is it even remotely healthy? Double nope! Want semi-healthy and filling? Buy rice, beans and frozen vegetables (e.g. peas) in bulk! That stuff doesn't go off and it'll last you a while.

[@SodaSiren]

Juleru McDonald’s doesn’t even have a dollar menu where I live anymore

[@effytraveler6155]

A dollartree I went to had bread. The other one I have gone to doesn't have that. It wasn't real bread, but I can buy hero bread cheaper in the outer boroughs and freeze what I don't eat. It is about looking around outside whole foods and having to drive or take a train in a different neighborhood.

[@td4812]

Costco hotdog and a soda $1.50

[@jb6712]

Is nobody paying attention????? He was asked to use an iron and aluminum foil as his cooking tools, and the budget for food to be cooked with those was the $3. One doesn't survive long on soda, either, so Frankie's sandwich came in far ahead of a hotdog and soda, neither of which is food.

[@Jennifr1966]

I literally hollered WOW when I saw how well you did on $3, and it included spinach, bagel, and meat! My mouth watered when you opened the sandwich! As a person who has VERY little per week, I can tell you that FREEZING the part of the loaf of bread that you won't be using for the next few days helps with your budget, and getting pre- packaged meats will also save you per week. Unfortunately, bagel is a luxury usually.

[@denialara8464]

I love your show and yourself 💓 thanks for bringing happiness and hope while dealing difficult times

[@TheBlockUniverse]

Thanks for keeping us inspired !

[@carlabales5187]

Parboiled rice at dollar tree and a coffee pot or electric kettle. Rice and beans always cheaper than meat and cheese and more filling and nutrient rich.

[@kpazsoldan]

The challenge was to use an iron. If they had a kettle, he would have made something else.

[@gamefamexandfood]

Thank you this has given me some ideas 🙂

[@rayradiance666]

That’s awesome! Just pair that with a bowl of tomato soup and you’ve got a great filling lunch for $5, although I’m sure you could’ve gotten more meat and filling if it was a budget grocery store or local supermarket, Whole Foods is expensive in general.

[@user-wv2bn2cb1i]

My local Safeway and another local grocer have a discount rack of breads, bagels , crossiants, pastries. I freeze the bags of bread and bagels.

[@SimplyBeautiful516]

This is definitely NOT STRUGGLING. This is “ I have more dollars than sense”.

[@TheLicktysplitz]

Great idea if you only have an iron. Pasta $1 or less, can of sauce $1, less than a $1worth of meat from butcher. Take out half the pasta noodles to where they're par cooked and then put them aside for meal preps and then eat the other half of the pasta for part of the week.

[@theFatgirlchronicles]

Love these videos ❤

[@jenniferspeers2453]

Stumbled on the channel. Entertaining! Loved it.

[@Kontra201]

And I’m over here spending $20 on a burrito on DoorDash

[@evelynle9154]

4:47 “Hey, hey, hey” Bokuto enters the chat

[@1rachp]

We need a 2023 version of this.

[@cambridge5770]

yess! i didn’t even realize you had your channel! love it man

[@garlicgirl3149]

Keep on teaching us!!!

[@crystalblizzard8594]

You could do small Spanish tortillas if u have a stove and frying pan for 3 dollars if you go to Walmart to get ingredients

[@drunkenkot]

Wal-Mart, Dollar Tree, Aldi, the dented can/ out of date food shop.

[@comet969]

Thank you for your video. Love your little cardboard fridge that’s awesome .

[@michelegreen4430]

You are amazing thanks for sharing

[@beshiny1801]

Just learned about this show! I love him!! He has great energy!!!

[@trojanrebel5802]

People watching this show out of curiousity Vs me watching this show to survive

[@Jess-jt9fb]

A lot of people are complaining about him shopping at Whole Foods. But I think it shows more creativity. Anyone can hit a dollar store and make a meal from a couple things. I don’t wanna waste five minutes watching someone buy pasta and sauce and act like they taught me something.

[@dsmith7684]

Been there- food shopping with a few dollars 🥋

[@hello-vs4me]

Love 💘your videos thanks 😊

[@naedatanner8832]

I live in Ontario. Can't drive out my driveway for 3 bucks!! Crazy!!! Love from Bobcaygeon, Ontario 🇨🇦😂✌💖

[@wordman3624]

Another idea might be day old bread cheap or for free at the store or try the local food pantry/bank for free food. Or ask a neighbor or friend for some bread and thank them by sharing a meal with them.

[@maiahobx7375]

Someone please help this man. 😂😂

[@TheOrganicGypsy]

Looks amazing! Now i am hungry! 🤤

[@jessievaughn5467]

Should have gone to a cheaper store lol. Can get a loaf of bread for .75, sliced cheese for .99, and some ham or bologna for .99... Then get some ketchup packets, hot water, and make some "tomato" soup. Hot sammiches and soup for days. Or ramen noodles, a pack of eggs, and some spinach from the salad bar. Lived super poor for a while. :)

[@nicoleraheem1195]

2:04 Definitely a scripted interaction. Nobody at Whole foods smiles that brightly.

[@amitisshahbanu5642]

That container probably cost more than 30 cents. Nice press, but too much foil.

[@crissycrosby5986]

The brokest point in my life I lived off Ramen noodles. Breakfast lunch and dinner. After a couple weeks, a family member pointed out I was tired cuz I didn’t have any protein. I started adding a can of tuna to the top of my dinner Ramen. It wasn’t the best idea but it was delicious at the time.

[@Anna-ud8gc]

Who, on a $3 budget, would go to Lazy Acres? Maybe they set him up to go there but realistically dude should've gone to Aldi or Dollar Tree!

[@charlesbannon6909]

I love frankies vids in fact preallergy I tried a few of his things. However my food can cost quite a bit dependant on what I get. I can't follow the exact recipes but the ideas that come from this show are fantastic. Thanks Frankie and crew. (IE Struggle Meals)

[@kristymichas7015]

YOU NEED A TELEVISION SHOW !! Love this content thank you for sharing !!!!!!!!!🙏🏼🎉

[@HollehhMarie]

Okay but try this challenge at Aldi though lol a loaf of bread is like $.89

[@olivialopez9641]

You can also check the reduced food aisle. Bread, fruits and vegetables for .99 cents.

[@thetorturedreader]

This is great!

[@49_Chay]

Love the iron idea!

[@richgurney3610]

You are AWESOME, my first ever subscribe.

[@erikag.5705]

a Lovebsolutely it!!! Great job and please keep it going

[@bethanygeorge4359]

You can make a grilled cheese with an iron, Vietnam war classic! They didn't have foil! Rinse and steam out the borax in your iron until it doesn't smell any longer Butter will wreck your iron so will mayo! Spray your iron with pam! Take 2 pieces of bread and cover in olive oil Pile cheese, meat, cheese and vegetables of your choice! Heat iron with no water Press down sandwich flat Flip with a spatula Press sandwich flat on other side Tip: make roasted garlic olive oil in a pan, cook on medium heat until garlic is caramelized! Garlic can pureed into mayo to make a garlic mayo!

[@bethanygeorge4359]

Bread in Oklahoma at Aldi is 1.19 a loaf but I have to buy premium because of barley allergy! Bage!s are 1.69 a pack & the Pepperidge farm white bread I bought was 5 bucks! Spinach is 1.69 a bag we don't have non bulk lettuce! Onion is 2.19 a lb Bell peppers are 2.69 Cheese ranges from 1.50 to 4 bucks a pack! So yeah then I don't have an iron 👀

[@philippejoiris313]

I consider myself a Herb Tarlek (WKRP) before I would consider myself a herb garden, but here I am with a “Ciboulette” plant and a Coriander plant. The Coriander plant is wilted but still there. Next step is parsley and Basil ….