Eating for $2 a Day: Cheap and Healthy Meal Ideas You Need to Try

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HOW TO EAT FOR $2 A DAY | EMERGENCY EXTREME GROCERY BUDGET | CHEAP MEAL IDEAS
If you're on a budget and want to eat healthy, then you need to check out these meal ideas! Can you eat for $2 a day in 2023? Let's check out the grocery store and find out!
In this video, I'm sharing some of my favorite budget meal ideas that you can try out on your next $2 a day. From quick and easy meals to healthy snacks, you're guaranteed to find something that's perfect for you! After watching this video, you'll have a collection of delicious and healthy meal ideas that you can use on a regular basis!
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[@princessdumbarton9877]

It can totally be done. You have a banana and oatmeal for breakfast. You make a big pot of rice and beans. You make soup from lentils, cabbage, onions, carrots, potatoes. Pasta, etc. It's very doable.

[@iHeartAmySue]

Can you please do a video too? 😂. Please? That sounds good!

[@RTCPhotoWork]

​@@iHeartAmySueAll of those things are basically on this channel.

[@princessdumbarton9877]

@@iHeartAmySue lol sorry, I don't make videos Just find a recipe for basic lentil soup and add whatever cheap vegetables you have.

[@babss943]

Sure it can be done. But it’s not sustainable. And many of us who can’t do carbs would be SOL.

[@princessdumbarton9877]

@@babss943 Actually it is a very healthy diet and is quite sustainable. I've been eating like this for decades.

[@cherylspencer9667]

I used to do this forcefully. Before my divorce, I was only left with $ 6.00 for a week, several ,several times for meals. I binge watch you daily and I love your IDEAS. I EVEN HAVE OTHERS WATCHING YOU AND TAKING TIPS. KEEP IT. UP , A FAN FOR LIFE !

[@laurenastudillo3216]

Your amazing! I hope your in a better place now.

[@Mrsmetamorphosis2012]

How did you manage on $6 weekly. Did u go to a good bank?

[@luciaroncoroni1916]

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[@luciaroncoroni1916]

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[@notspecificjustartistic7531]

Wow, I’m so sorry you had to go through that it sounds horrible. I hope youre doing better now 🥺💕

[@MsBebegurl0212]

I lived with Mexicans over 20 years. Our staple meals were rice, beans, potatoes, tortillas, and eggs. We actually put buillion, onion, jalapeño, and diced potatoes to cook in with the beans (of course, salt and pepper to taste, and a bit of sazon). Those would be a full on meal. A bowl of beans and tortillas (fresh cut onions to garnish). I will take that over a cheeseburger any day!!

[@lisahinton9682]

@MsBebegurl0212 And you probably weigh 250 lbs and have diabetes, too!

[@CS-uc2oh]

And Mexicans suffering by the millions from metabolic disease...

[@user-tv8ns7lj4u]

That's what I was going to say - I'm Mexican, and all those staples are easy to find, relatively inexpensive if you buy them in bulk, can be the base for a ton of different recipes. The cost of meat is always the problem: but I"m a vegetarian, so never have to worry about that! I can eat beans and eggs every day - mmmm!

[@nancybrewer8494]

When I was really broke, I would make a big pot of vegetable soup with a half pound hamburger, canned tomatoes, beef bouillon, potatoes and carrots. I could eat soup for many days. Very good with corn bread. Add other vegetables if you have them.

[@deannaboyles8597]

I still do that. I use Rotel tomatoes and add cream corn. I eat it 4-5 times that week or freeze it.

[@barbhuber7502]

I make vegetable soup with a roll of turkey or regular breakfast sausage, some cabbage, potatoes, mixed vegetables, chicken bouillon and a can of fire roasted tomatoes. It’s delicious and freezes well. If I have a can of beans around that stretches it even further. I love it, it’s cheap and low calorie as a bonus.

[@ghostlyMostly1]

Yes! Soup is a win for a cheap bulk meal.

[@to1drlandthrift]

I would buy the $5 rotisserie chicken (when on sale or at Sam's/costco), bag/box of egg noodles or other pasta, cream of chicken soup, 1lb rice, a bag of frozen peas & carrots, 1 lb bag of black beans, small block of cheese, salsa, eggs and tortillas. Used to make chicken and noodles (w/ chicken, stock 1/2;the frozen veggies and cream soup), chicken fried rice (w/1/2 the veggies, chicken, egg & seasonings you have on hand) , chicken quesadillas (chicken, beans , salsa and cheese) and black beans & rice (with chicken & salsa added). All of these made enough for lunch leftovers. I split that chicken up into 4. Used the breast pieces for the quesadillas & fried rice, and the dark meat for the noodles and beans & rice dishes. Simmered that chicken carcass to make some fabulous stock for the chicken & noodles and the beans & rice dishes. Used remaining beans, eggs and cheese for breakfast tacos & quesadillas (my nephews love to do the egg and cheese tortilla "sandwiches") I love the challenge of making things stretch and being creative at the same time. You truly inspire me to shop with an open mind!

[@psymompa]

Same with beans and lentils instead of meat. A big pot can feed my family of four for at least one dinner and several lunches with rice and/or homemade cornbread muffins.

[@Midwestmomvolunteer365]

Good morning - I want to add something in after reading the comments. I do a lot in the volunteer sector, in the food insecurity and hygiene insecurity sector. I am seeing a lot of comments about gas and time and effects on health from this type of diet, all with a level of validity. However, please indulge my soap box moment. This budget is becoming more realistic by the day for people. It is important that people look to develop basic cooking and sales finding skills. Which should be the takeaway from this video in my opinion. If some one was able to take this list of items and pair it with a food pantry box for example they could add in any vegetables or fresh items they might receive, but they would have a base and a base understanding of how to stretch that food. Please be mindful that many are walking this path right now.

[@csandst1]

I agree. When you’re living on “pennies” ya gotta do what ya gotta do to survive.

[@kamloopscruiser874]

I agree too!

[@annjames1837]

Hygiene insecurity?? 😅

[@Midwestmomvolunteer365]

​​@@annjames1837I founded and operate a 501c3 non profit, we provide hygiene items at no cost to those who need them. Seven years running, it's not funny, period products are expensive.

[@evelgreytarot8401]

​@annjames1837 yeah. I don't have running water. The pipes broke one winter. I can't afford to fix them and I couldn't afford the water bill anyway.

[@rinamorgan8795]

When I see multivitamins in the clearance section, I always grab a bottle even if I'm already stocked. It really helps on the Living Off Potatoes kinds of weeks.

[@jessip8654]

Yeah, though honestly, compared to a lot of "what I eat in a day" videos I've seen, this is still a lot healthier than what I see way too many people eating.

[@dianasimplifies]

​​@@jessip8654I agree! I would actually love to see the what I eat in a day from everyone on here complaining 😂

[@rinamorgan8795]

@@jessip8654 Totally agree. The All Potatoes diet was my fault because I didn't want to walk to the store. XD Now we got the car fixed and have more variety again!

[@rinamorgan8795]

@@dianasimplifies This wasn't meant as shade to the advice being given. Just something that helped in the past when we couldn't eat balanced meals.

[@dianasimplifies]

@@rinamorgan8795 oh I know!! 🥰😍very good idea!!

[@tenthz]

Ham is something that I always stock up on around the holidays. A whole ham on sale at Christmas time can last me 6-9 months. I cut it up into 1/2" cubes, 1" cubes, slices, etc, package them up and freeze them. I pull out the slices for a hardy breakfast meat and I use the cubes in a lot of different recipes. I also make ham & bean soup or pea soup with the ham bone. You can freeze the bone, too, if you're all ham'ed out around the holidays.

[@JRush374]

A vacuum sealer is a good investment for this. Your meat will last considerably longer.

[@marybratton5514]

Hot tip…buy it early January when it’s on super sale. I got 2 two-pound ham steaks with bone for less $2.00 , then popped into the freezer for soup love later

[@JRush374]

@@marybratton5514 and save those bones for a bone broth. Last time I made some I got like 6 gallons of broth. If you have bones you can just buy some chicken feet and veggies to add to it. I like to use the broth in soups and my rice cooker instead of water. I got a big bundle of deli containers to keep it in small portions in the freezer.

[@lisahinton9682]

"..if you're all hammed out." Ha! That made me chuckle!

[@kerim.peardon5551]

I know ramen is over-recommended when it comes to cheap meals, but I was craving some tonight and made myself a double helping for supper. I find it's a great way to use up random leftover veggies because just about anything works in a pot of ramen (and soup is very forgiving for veggies that are going limp). Tonight I added some leftover canned spinach and tiny bell peppers (which were starting to go a bit soft) to my usual onions and celery. It's just a great way to clear out that veggie crisper and keep from wasting.

[@CMarie404]

Ramen can be super satisfying, especially done the way you mention. Lots of noodle bowl recipes, plenty focusing on ramen. Great way to use stuff up.

[@CatherineGoodrich]

My kids love Ramen noodles. They often drain the broth, add leftover protein like chicken, some broccoli, and teriyaki sauce. It's a great way to use up odds and ends and you can switch up your add-ons and sauces to make very different feeling meals. The Ramen seasoning packets get tossed most often in our house.

[@yvonnepalmquist8676]

If you add an egg as well, even better. You can make an egg drop, temper it and make a sauce, or soft/hard boil it.

[@gentronseven]

Ramen is 12 for $3.68 at my walmart, so you need 5.5 packs per day for 2000 calories so you can get the entire challenge as ramen noodles and a multi vitamin, ramen and some pork and you'd be there. Pork but roast is $1.94 a pound at my walmart, so you could cut in some pork in your ramen or make some beans if you absolutely can't afford pork, although it's nowhere near the fat or protein, also at 260 calories per 4 oz, pork shoulder is a crazy cost efficient meat right now. Even sausage is not as cheap as pork shoulder here, it's an incredible deal.

[@jackiebridges7138]

My friend had heart attack because she eat Ramon every day and it has huge amount of sodium in it and she 44 doctor told her never ear Ramon.

[@user-ir2mn2jj1n]

OMG! I have NEVER thought about weighing the "pre weighed" bags of veggies!!! LOVEEEE this tip!

[@SheilaR.08]

I do it with apples, and often find that some bags are nearly a pound over the posted weight. I started doing it when some of the bags had come open and I didn't want to buy an underweight bag, but I still do it now because there is often a measurable difference.

[@lynningram9171]

At my Aldi yesterday, 10 pounds of potatoes were $.99, and you could get 2 more bags free. They were definitely moldy. I went through my bag and threw away 3 potatoes. Still a good deal!! Our eggs were $1.16. Yes, I love Aldi!!!!

[@leslie6938]

Thank you for mentioning this, that is an AWESOME potatoes price (eggs too)! I'm going to check Aldi's website after I finish reading the comments here, was planning on going there tomorrow anyway. Everything Christine made looked good and is making me hungry. Maybe because she and I are from the same area of Texas and her style of cooking produces the same kind of cheap comfort food I love too (I just add jalapenos to everything I can, and as a TX girl I wouldn't be surprised if she did too, lol!).

[@user-nb4vg9qb1x]

Mold will ruin all the items in the bag whether you see it or not

[@bethsmith8720]

Yeah, our potatoes in Canada, Canadian potatoes...$10.00 for 10lb. Rediculous

[@Figgyplum]

I love Aldi, too!!! I find some great deals there and I buy their pizza dough and I don't have to pay expensive prices for a frozen pizza or pizza delivery!!!

[@greatwhitenorthtreasures3606]

⁠​⁠@@bethsmith8720 seriously, it is ridiculous. $5 for 5 lbs potatoes is now considered the "sale price" at one of my stores here in Vancouver. Insanity. But even worse, our very large (BC based) grocery store here in Vancouver is at least $3.99 for 1 lb (454g) dried beans - all kinds - black beans, navy beans. Unbelievable. (That's $2.98 USD for 1 lb dried beans) Olive oil in "bulk" for 3 L is up to $53.99 ($40 USD) for the generic store brand at that same store. I'm boycotting buying it because olive oil is just too expensive right now.

[@samslate7011]

Absolutely amazing for what you have done for $2 a day. If you have $3 more for your week, I recommend a 16 oz bag of Walmart rice because rice and beans make a complete protein and a $1 dollar bag of frozen broccoli and a $1 bag of frozen spinach that you could incorporate into almost any of the recipies for some green vegetables.

[@WillChil466]

Wash that rice several times. Poison naturally occurring.😂

[@dollhouseq1530]

Tortillas won't make it a complete protein?

[@lisahinton9682]

@samslate7011 There are no dollar-bags of rice, broccoli, or spinach anywhere anymore.

[@audreykillingsworth2169]

Hey mom, I’ve been watching you since 13-14 and I’m turning 19 soon. I wanted to tell you I really appreciate your videos, by 17 honestly I felt so prepared because of you. 🥲 I wasn’t prepared for the increase in price, but just wanted to say thank you for doing what you’re doing. I grew up in a Filipino household, a lot of our foods already are cheap and filling, meant to last days since they’re such big batches. Turns out, Florida is much more expensive than Tennessee, and even the meals that got me and my family through rough financial situations, aren’t really cutting it and are turning out to be more of a “mid” priced meal that I can’t really afford like that. Being that that’s the food I grew up with, where we really only rotated through 6-10 dishes in our household, it’s hard for me to explore other cost effective meals that are filling enough for me. Also mom, turns out, this adult life is way too costly and you should adopt me or something. 🥲 I love you and your videos, I’m always hoping you and your family is doing good, have a great day ma.

[@strawberrylove5684]

I hope everything gets easier for you soon, love 💖

[@erinsokolowski2739]

I recently have seen videos on this craze of canal fishing in florida. .(like roadside/park canals!) Apparently the canals are FULL of tilapia and other highly edible fish. Can you borrow a fishing pole and fish a few times a week for a half hour to try and suppliment free protein into your weekly mealplan? Also there are lots of wild fruit trees that have been geomapped. I live in a medium sized city in NY and a I networked with others on social media and we all shared where local unowned fruit and nut trees were. And if you volunteer at a local weekly church food pantry they will often let you pack a bag for your household as well.

[@jenniferhendrix2851]

I hope things will get better for you sweetie❤

[@ryannparker477]

You seem like a smart kid who has learned some hard lessons already. She talks about Dave Ramsey in her videos, too. He’s not for everyone, but his story could help keep you on the right track when things are hard and things like credit cards, etc. seem like easy solutions. Good luck and hope you and your family do well.

[@vlmellody51]

For Thanksgiving, my local Safeway/Albertsons stores had a 5 pound bag of russet potatoes for $.69 each, a Cook's brand spiral ham for $.99 per pound, and whole chickens for $.66 each. I am bedridden and I have to rely on grocery delivery services, but I have found that closely scrutinizing the sale ads and combining them strategically with digital coupons usually saves me quite a lot of money every month.

[@FrugalFitMom]

Those are AMAZING prices!!!

[@Homegrown_Hillary]

Way to go! I can’t remember the last time I saw prices that low. Amazing!

[@yankeemom3579]

Holy moly!!!! Haven’t seen anything close to those prices here!!!!

[@nancyshrout-wankowski7147]

What fabulous prices!

[@tenthz]

Bedridden thrifty folks unite! I use walmart+ and am fortunate that I have family nearby. For thanksgiving, my host graciously gave me their trash - they were going to throw out the turkey bones! I took it home and threw them in the crockpot to make 2 quarts of turkey stock + enough meat was still left on the bones to add to soup. Now they are in the freezer for the next time I have a little extra energy to cook.

[@kev7161]

The only things I'm missing in these meals are greens: frozen broccoli or spinach is not very expensive (store brand) and could be mixed into those potato and ham casseroles, a little in the tacos, etc. I tend to gravitate more toward spinach because it's more versatile.

[@francihenderson8526]

Spinach is a great addition. I would say those tacos were missing cumin and chili as well.

[@MissTamma]

Exactly 💯

[@MissTamma]

I 💚 greens

[@elledix3575]

It's not just greens that are missing it's a whole rainbow of food. I know it's a survival bare necessities menu video but you'd get scurvy if you kept that up!

[@abbyed6039]

She did say in the video that you could add vegetables to the meals.

[@kathleenvickroy450]

An onion or two would be a game changer here. I love onion in all of my food, but amazing job on the extreme budget meals.

[@kimbare7434]

My favorite grocery game is .. how cheap was this meal😅. I love to be able to tell him we're eating this delicious meal for less than 75cents per serving. YES, we eat leftovers..... and I'll make a different meal out of leftovers. Example: leftover taco meat becomes chili and if there are leftovers from chili, ill blend it and its sauce for hot dogs. Have a blessed week and thanks for all your videos.

[@thefunfam1433]

I use a simple seasoning and when I make another meal I add the extra spice for that meal. It really helps to use up everything

[@helenfanning5821]

I always make a huge pot of chili. Then, with the leftovers, I mix in a pot of spaghetti or macaroni. It makes a wonderfully filling meal.

[@ImranZakhaev9]

I love using leftover taco meat for breakfast burritos

[@Groovechic1]

I never thought of blending the chili! Love that idea!

[@AprilLee1996]

I went into a grocery store I don't normally go in last night and found 10 POUNDS OF POTATOES FOR $0.98 😱😱😱😱😱 I was just wondering how the heck I'm going to use them all!! This is perfect timing!!

[@FrugalFitMom]

Amazing!!!

[@brg2743]

Blanch them for 5 minutes after cutting them the way you want them. Drain. Put in ice cold water to stop cooking process. Dry them off. Flashfreeze them on a tray in frig. Next day put them in a vacuum seal bag, date and freeze them. That is how we bought potatoes on sale and had them on hand. Cheaper that way. None get wasted. Better fries. Coat wih a touch of olive oil. Throw in your favorite spices and yay. Enjoy.

[@kimbare7434]

Potato, eggs, milk freeze well.

[@brg2743]

Flash freezer in the freezer I meant to say. Not the frig.

[@janeadams5207]

love it! Same here and last week made olive garden copy cat potato sausage kale soup, loaded baked potatoes, cheesy potatoes au gratin, potato skins, mashed potatoes and breakfast oven baked potatoes.

[@rangerannie5636]

A quick, cheap substitute for fast food is a microwaved baked potato. I top mine with sharp cheddar cheese and Herdez Guacamole Salsa (my favorite)... delicious! 🥔 🥑 🧀 ❤ Sacramento, California USA 🇺🇸

[@FrugalFitMom]

Sounds great!

[@mamat1213]

Yes this is part of our weekly meal plan! “Baked” Potato with cheese, onion, sour cream, bacon bits OR broccoli and cheese OR chili and sour cream!

[@janehobson2355]

The skins are all soggy like that - if you have an airfryer, part-'bake' them in the microwave, then coat in oil and salt and finish them in the airfryer to get a nice crisp skin.

[@idalily3810]

Add a fried egg, and you've got your protein.

[@karlastein3186]

I shop at ALDIs, grocery outlet, Walmart, and Winco, Dollar Tree , and Dollar General plus the $.99 store. I’m on a fixed income, so every dollar counts.You Go Girl.!!!!!

[@WillChil466]

I so love the dollar stores. Ours has day old bread once a wk , all kinds, even Franz donuts which I adore .

[@smartin5888]

Love the budget content as our corporate overlords have increased prices and decreased package sizes. So many people struggling.

[@karynstouffer3562]

I work in a grocery store. Every time a customer says something political about prices and the economy, I remind them that prices are set by corporations. It's purely corporate greed.

[@zoewilkins2896]

@@karynstouffer3562 And the decision whether to allow those corporations to charge whatever they want , or alternatively to try and control the profits that can be made, or to try other market interventions or even to control prices of essential foods , is a political one. It’s a political choice to leave things as they are. One people may agree with or not - but pretending that governments have no powers at all over these things is also a political choice. Politics is important because it absolutely affects the choices and rules that are followed and made by us as individuals and by businesses.

[@karynstouffer3562]

@@zoewilkins2896 I respectfully, if only partially, disagree. The people I'm talking about are trying to lay blame at the feet of specific government entities. Individually, none of them are responsible for prices being what they are.

[@angelabacker1177]

@@zoewilkins2896 Corporations cannot exist without profit. they do not control inflation or global events. Believe me, Communist countries do not have better selection, value or availability than the US.

[@miekaash6831]

@@karynstouffer3562I say. If the government can take credit for “good” economies. They can take the blame for bad ones too.

[@Rohvannyn]

Save any sprouted taters, plant in bucket of dirt. 😃 Oh, by the way, add some cumin and cayenne to those beans and mash them with immersion blender or potato masher and you can have a fantastic refried bean substitute. Cheaper and tastier than canned, black beans are my favorite.

[@nancybrewer8494]

You can make a sauce from the black beans as well. Add taco seasoning and chicken or vegetable broth to thin when pureeing. Google enfrijoladas for detailed recipe. They are delicious!

[@RobinwoodFarmLLC]

I plant my sprouted potato peels and they grow!

[@mightyrrt]

Your chowder recipe blew my mind. I tried your cream cheese technique yesterday to make a seafood chowder using a combination of canned fish (sub vegetable stock). It turned out amazing. I might not serve it at a dinner party, but it'll be a few hearty meals for me. Will definitely do it again.

[@higgybulin]

Girl! My all-time favorite breakfast, made wonderful by my great grandfather when I was a kid, is white toast with butter, 2 scrambled eggs, lightly browned, and the crown jewel.. green onions! Best. Thing. Ever.

[@sherryk30]

Do u use raw green onion tops or do u saute them?

[@SarahBo]

Girl, I just love your channel. I have for years. You’ve helped me through hard times, and I just know you’re helping struggling families, which I admire so much. These videos are truly so good and necessary. ❤️

[@leilanispeck2655]

These are great! Thank you for the additional ideas. I’ve been able to eat pretty cheaply, so I love when I get more ideas for one person meals. You killed this one! ♥️

[@reginalindner9683]

Fried Potatoes and an Over Easy Egg Is Absolutely Delicious....

[@jessicapatton8189]

What I love about your videos is the inspiration it gives me. I can watch a couple videos and shop my pantry, fridge and freezer…then cook a few simple meals with what I have on hand. Our typical weekly budget for a family of 3 is $150-200 including household items. You have helped me stretch every single dollar, and cut back.

[@aurorasanchez7922]

Use your creativity se the video of Rawana eating w$10a week.

[@donnamullins2089]

Good meals. Well you did it. Been there, done this. I named my meals for my son to make it exciting. We had Breakfast Surprise. 1 Egg scrambled with 1 hot dog sliced. (because it was a surprise anything was in the fridge). He would go to day care telling everyone he had breakfast surprise. Most of us have been there. Thanks Christine.

[@judykski4916]

I made the Meat/Potato Casserole. Since I had frozen hash browns that needed to be used up, I added the equivalent of three medium baked potatoes. I used frozen ham (leftovers) and Canadian bacon as the protein. I added 1/2 c. frozen diced onions and used milk as my thinner/expander. This came out of the oven tasting just like scalloped potatoes. I served it with broccoli and cauliflower and we loved it.

[@d.st.2198]

I’ve luckily never been in a situation where every penny counts, but I have followed your advice and it has helped me be more creative with the food I have and therefore waste much less. The bacon fat thing is really useful, because it makes food taste like bacon even when you don’t have any. I always have garlic and bullion cubes in my cupboard and I always keep yeast in the freezer. Thank you for the useful tips 😊

[@busieizzy7983]

Love the simpleness of the potato soup using basic ingredients. Thank you for sharing!

[@terirachelsims8928]

As always, I enjoyed your video. Thankfully I'm not a picky eater and cook just for myself, so always go by sales, and take advantage of my freezer when there are good prices on chicken, etc. It's amazing how much money you can not spend when you're careful!

[@kamloopscruiser874]

For those who worry about the gas costs don’t let people scare you off from picking up the best deals. Every area is different. Shop once a week and use a loop route to avoid backtracking and save gas. My main grocery stores: Costco, Walmart, Superstore and SaveOnFoods here in a small Canadian city are all in a 5 minute radius that I can visit in a loop beginning and ending at my apartment building. No back tracking necessary. The loop is slightly larger than just going straight to one store and back. Our family members are 45 minutes and 2 hours out of town so when they do a “town day” they can do the shopping loop to score the best deals without a lot of backtracking. It’s worthwhile plotting out the best loop to avoid backtracking because the savings add up and far outweigh the actual gas costs which are a LOT higher here in Canada 🇨🇦 than the 🇺🇸 USA. If your own energy is limited- do an online grocery order at the cheapest store- scoring the weekly deals there plus your main shopping, letting the store staff do the physical shopping for you. After pickup there, you go around the loop and cherry pick the best deals at the other stores. If you do that grocery loop only once a week you will save gas, time, energy and money! Stay out of the stores the rest of the week.

[@dianasimplifies]

I agree with you. ❤

[@Mrs.Silversmith]

This is a great strategy. I do something similar.

[@dionnejoseph]

I agree. I had a family member basically say I was “ running around town” to get deals. No maam! All the stores r minutes from work n I can hit on my lunch hour or on my way home. No running around! Nobody has time for that!!!!!

[@storieswithGrammy]

Have been watching your channel for a while but these budget videos are coming in really handy right now as prices are going up. Even people who normally would not be struggling, are right now. Thank you for all of the great ideas!

[@marysusa6985]

Love these videos. My mom has always shopped at multiple stores to get the best prices. Great job and yummy meals. It shows what can be done. Thank you for sharing.

[@wunderwriter1]

Loved this one! I may never make any of these dishes, but I will definitely print out the recipes and list for my arsenal when the budget gets tight, also a great help to some struggling relatives. Thank you so much! Can’t wait for the next one.

[@cindydaniel6125]

I think this was great. And all things my family will eat. Having a good basic spice cabinet helps so much. And it is not expensive to build one. I have a kroger, piggly wiggly, $ tree, aldi and a Walmart within in a 2 mile or less drive..also a family dollar. Gas is not an issue..except for the price. Sales and store hopping are the way to save. Thanks for your videos. Looking forward to the series 😊😊😊😊

[@tamie5550]

I appreciate your channel. You inspire me to be more mindful of my shopping. I can see what's possible. I'm to cut out waste. You know food going bad from leftovers or just simply unused vegetables and fruit. Thanks for the inspiration.

[@lindabeard488]

You are absolutely amazing. You can put together a meal together with almost nothing. Gave me great inspiration. Love 💕 and Hugs. ❤❤❤

[@apricotsandpeaches1]

Love and obsessed with the meal plan! TY for the video!

[@oliviagreen8853]

Remember to take a cheap multivitamin if you’re going to be eating super simple with not a lot of variety 😊 that’s what I do, I take a flinstones multi everyday because I suck at pills lol

[@HillbillyYEEHAA]

Or eat liver. Liver where I am is cheap.

[@ronlasiere4114]

Yes!! I was wondering why this isnt mentioned... Aldi brand comes out to like 15-20 cents per day!

[@connieburns4837]

@@HillbillyYEEHAA I ❤ liver! And chicken livers. Cheap meals too, depending on what you cook with them. I fix liver and onions with mashed potatoes and whatever veggies we’re in the mood for. Yum! What state are you from hillbilly? I was born and raised in WV but hubby was in USMC (retired in 1999). We have lived in AL since 1995.

[@sherryk30]

Cheap multivitamins are typically synthetic and the body doesn't know what to do with anything synthetic so you're peeing them out plus the questionable "inactive ingredients". Just saying. Id use the money for a nutrient dense food like kale. It's loaded with vitamins and minerals. I'm an herbalist so I know all of my local "weeds". When I tell you that some of these plants are delicious, I'm not kidding you! Believe it or not, stinging nettles (itch weed) puts spinach to shame both taste and nutrient wise. You have to be careful harvesting them and always wear gloves. Once u put them in a pot of boiling water, the little hairs that sting are no longer a problem. I pick them in the spring when they're still small and tender and cook and freeze them. Zero cost and more nutrition! Get to know your local plants!

[@zealbell7817]

No this is not great advice, people should have their none negotiable for certain things… you never buy cheap multivitamin you are barely getting anything from those vitamins.. I read the ingredients it’s laughable….

[@z.norton3326]

Thanks so much for showing this as even though it is not expensive, it is easy and delicious. I love potato soup so I will be doing that for sure this winter. I love soups, chili, stews in the wintertime anyway!

[@tammymyer5347]

Well done. If you’re hungry, and you only have a little bit of money, those meals would feel like a blessing for sure it’s not just beans and rice, which I could eat three times a week honestly but my family would complain.

[@yvonnepalmquist8676]

To add a little variety, you can almost always switch up your carb. Wherever potato can go, usually rice or pasta can be substituted.

[@sonyaberry9805]

If I have alot of cooked beans I like to make nachos with them or breakfast burritos

[@cherylvargas8861]

I love this video!! I'm kinda the same way... I challenge each week to shop on a frugal budget at these times. It's so smart to have a go to routine meal that is simple. Don't need to be overwhelmed with decisions.

[@user-ex9zk8od8m]

I love your videos, you inspire me to be more aware of my spending

[@happygardener28]

I love how you strive to make the most of nutrition in the meals ideas you share. You're correct that for some the cost of fuel/transportation means that the savings can be wiped out. Planning, awareness of stores on the routes to and from work, appointments and classes as well as ridesharing maybe as important as sales. Also I've bought veggies on sale to find they were mishandled and spoiled quickly, requiring batch cooking to prevent waste. About batch cooking: if people have access to a large enough freezer (consistent power) and ice trays or meal prep trays making large batches as you showed in your freezer meal video can save more. By investing our time in food prep, planning/organizing and learning skills to move up to better paying jobs there can be a light at the end of the tunnel.

[@amywright2243]

My reminder to get up and meal prep the week. Thanks!

[@tamaraliscia3408]

Good video! Cooked black beans are really good on baked potatoes too, with a bit of grated cheese and sour cream.

[@ileneglenn845]

I said that out loud! lol. Why waste money on the taco tortillas when you can put that on a baked potato 🤷🏻‍♀️Grab a fresh veggie in place of the tortillas.

[@doveandolive1153]

Eggs in my town this week (CAD$) Walmart online 2.88 or other stores 3.49 - Fresh produce prices are horrible, too pricey and quality is not great. Utilizing freezer and pantry veggies helps fill in the wholes. We have grocery stores literally 5 mins driving distance so we shop the sales where it makes sense. Finally made Christine's No Knead Artisan bread - easy and delicious😋

[@sherrywoodrum7577]

Great, great video! And great advice to people about reaching out. Thank you❤

[@franziagirl]

Loved the quickness and budget friendly!!!

[@debswall]

Thank you for the inspiration!!

[@Robbenl1]

It's amazing how you created these great meals on 2 bucks a day. I bought the ingredients for the black bean potato tacos, can't wait to make them. Thank you so much for even more ways to make delicious meals at an Incredibly low cost!!!

[@Robbenl1]

I made the black bean potato tacos tonight, absolutely delicious. I have extra fried potatoes, so those will go with my breakfast, along with the two scrambled eggs and toast cooked in the pan, as you showed in your video!! Just loving these very simple, few ingredients meals. If someone has the means, they could add some onion powder, along with the garlic powder, I did add that and some paprika to the potatoes. Next time I think I will fry up some onions and throw that in, also. But just the way you showed it is absolutely delicious, healthy and very filling, as is. Thank you again, this will be a quick, delicious, regular recipe in my household!!

[@robinswan5831]

YAY! These are my favorite favorite videos! I plan on sending them to my kiddo once she starts college ha! Thanks so much Christine!

[@laurenbreslin6125]

Greatly appreciated! My family of 7 needed the creative ideas! Thanks!

[@Nancy-ch3vx]

You have inspired many to think about what other combinations can be created for a little cash. I enjoyed the quick meals. I thought of my brother when he was in college, almost half his meals were Romen noodles. This would be an awesome week for him.

[@JDoors]

It's a relief to hear someone not trying to gaslight about food prices. DOUBLE what they used to be, not that long ago. A note about charitable food pantries: If you live where there is a large influx of immigrants food banks have been running out sooner than they planned. I don't know what the solution is for those who need extra help -- but if you have extra to give, now would be a particularly good time to help them out.

[@annjames1837]

The solution is close the border.

[@peggypeters6676]

@@annjames1837 absolutely!!!

[@Yesica1993]

THANK YOU!!!@@annjames1837

[@Yesica1993]

Wow, feeding illegals before citizens. It's disgraceful.

[@Ethereal_glamgirl]

Loved this sooo much!! Loved All your extreme groceries videos

[@nolaa.1815]

i love watching your budget content because i learn advanced techniques sometimes, not just the same old advice. i would not have thought to weigh bags of potatoes to get the heavier bag

[@MichaelJohnson-vi6eh]

I realize that with a mortgage of 1200 and and car payment of 250 saving $20 a week on food may not seem like a lot, but you can be frugal and still eat pretty well. Thabks for plugging food pantries. My church gives out 30 bags of groceries a week.

[@susanmolnar9606]

So great! Finally meals for 1 person. Eggs are about $3. When I cook I always have leftovers for the week. That’s cool with me. Yay ❤

[@juttadestiny6810]

Decent eggs in australia are approx $7 20 💚❤️ per dozen!

[@louhoggard2822]

Great for an end of the month budget. Thanks.

[@dianasimplifies]

Hey Christine! Thx for the budget meal ideas. Hope you are doing well! ❤❤

[@leahsiemens1424]

You. Are. A. Legend.... Thank you for doing these extreme budget challenges to show us what is possible, even with today's crazy insane prices.

[@ashesfall4]

THANK YOU this is just in time!!! My fiancé and I just got an accepted offer on a house and I've been binge watching your videos to get frugal meal ideas!!!

[@kamloopscruiser874]

Congratulations 🎉 on your new home!!! All the best!

[@ashesfall4]

@@kamloopscruiser874 Thank you!!! 💚

[@sism3028]

Hi there.. I just found your channel. And I already love it! Your videos are so well done and you are so pleasant to listen to! Thank you for your channel!

[@CynthiaAva]

Paying for college on one income. It's been tough, esp with the cost of groceries rising so rapidly. New subscriber here and so very grateful. Taking notes on your videos and writing down the recipes. Thank you. You're an angel.

[@elizabethelliot6913]

One of my favourites soups is lentil. Really any vegetables can be added too. 'Shepherds pie' with lentil filling instead of beef is really yummy.

[@tinadavis9796]

I happened to be wondering what to do with a bag of potatoes that I need to use...perfect timing! Oh, and some sour cream and tortillas, too. I like the idea of chicken bullion in the black beans. I usually just cook for myself with an occasional family meal, so this video was great inspiration for me! Thanks as always for your time and effort.

[@Franciso-so1bg]

That was a great video! I'm older and retired now and it's hard to manage a food budget at times. I also love a good fried bread and egg sandwich. I often have that for supper as well. Thanks for your ideas.

[@carolwhisenhunt7504]

Well done! I give you a bow. Awesome Christine.

[@ninafletcher123]

These ideas are amazing. I am blown away by how cheap your food is in the USA. I am in New Zealand and our food prices are extreme currently... potatoes of the same weight here would be approx $7... a dozen eggs (caged chickens are illegal here, so colony raised is the cheapest option) $7.50... frozen corn $4... i just find the price differences so fascinating. it's still incredibly helpful having these ideas.

[@pennyrasnake1401]

Thanks so much for the squash suggestion! I will try it. But, even doing it with just one potato 🥔 occasionally will not hurt me. So I am going to make this soon!

[@theresahanson-rf4id]

Thank you for these great reminders of recipes! I had shredded potatoes cream of celery and cheese and a splash of hot sauce with green beans…. So filling and plenty!!!

[@misspaula7542]

Just found your channel tonight 🎉 Thank you for all these ideas!!!

[@janeadams5207]

A few more ideas for these ingredients- we could stretch it across 2 weeks and strain the chili solids from the “sauce” in the canned chilli, then stretch the sauce with .35 tomato sauce and make some black bean enchiladas. We could also buy a single piece of chicken from butcher then base a chicken pot pie off another can of soup, the chicken another can of frozen veggies and some potatoes. buy 3 loose carrots and make some black bean carrot patties topped with cheese. on the big bread. We could also make a giant egg salad sandwich on the bread and cut into 5 pieces for lunches. Add some flour - then breakfast can be apple or banana topped pancakes. I like to make dutch baby baked pancakes and cut into slabs (could reheat all week and takes only 1 cup flour plus 3 eggs.

[@michellechapman7281]

I've had to cut back heavily on my food budget over the last year (I'm single and living in Australia) The cheapest eggs I can get near me are AUD$4.5/USD$2.99 for a dozen but they aren't very good so I splurge for a higher quality egg. I'm glad that I'm one of the people who can eat the same food 7 days in a row and not get bored, it makes meal planning so much easier.

[@Zeus-rq5wn]

Me too. Another single Aussie eating the same thing every day. I love it because it takes the stress out of decision making.

[@Amanda-kd3cm]

Same here❤️🇦🇺

[@aussiemouth747]

Our food in Australia is so expensive now. 😢

[@angelal6700]

YT and Pinterest are the 💣 for ideas. DIY restaurant food recipes. Same for grocery store convenience foods. There are ingredient substitutes--eggs, cooking oils, etc. When you do splurge on something, like bacon , save the grease for frying potatoes or eggs or breakfast bread. Leftover /stale potato chips or corn chips or crackers--these make a great crumb topping for a casserole. Stale cookies ir a slice of cake on the freezer? Make pudding and use it up. Every time open a can, a jar ...use everything. Veg h2o can go in gravy , fruit h2o or syrup is a sweet drink. Tea bags can be used 2x. Cook the perishables b4 they go bad, make up meals from your stocks, and package as single meals & into your freezer. Salad stuff and fruits? I wash ASAP, spritz with a 50/50 mix of vinegar and h2o, any bad bits are tossed ASAP. And they last longer in vege containers with removable grid racks to keep from sitting in liquid. [[Lettuce. 3-4weeks in a Rubbermaid Freshworx container.]] Meal planning, meal prep, saves time and $$. 😊

[@DaughteroftheKing67]

Oh my! We have been paying nearly $9/dozen when in Arizona, cheaper in South Carolina where we are now but still a good $5/dozen I believe. 😬

[@elaineash1557]

Excellent video. Very entertaining. Thank you.

[@lauracarpenter5283]

Good job! Reminds me of meals I used to make back in the day when there were 7 of us st the table. I also like using biscuits and gravy or tortilla chips with chili and cheese on top as an effortless meal.

[@veronicaortega8863]

I love to watch your videos, even though I'm in Australia and our prices are MUCH higher than this . But it still gives me cheaper recipe ideas and also is just entertaining to watch. ❤

[@KS-jf2jf]

Christine, I love these videos 😍 Our family of three and a dog spend about $200-$300 CAD / month on food in a large metropolitan city, Toronto. It can be done! We shop only loss leaders, clearances, factory & grocery outlets, liquidation stores. When a super deal lands we stock up like no tomorrow🎉 We use store coupons, digital coupons and store loyalty points. Price match stores. We also talk w friends and exchange foods that we may no longer like and in return get some from friends. This year our lowest spend was $180/ month. People don't believe it, but it is totally possible. Takes a bit of effort, but so worth it! Found 10 lb bag of potatoes for $1.77 CAD this week, stocked up and wow, your potatoe base recipes just came at an awesome time. That chowder looks sooo good! Thank you for the inspiration 🙏💞

[@justicedaicy]

Great idea to make a sling with items you have on hand. Thanks for sharing.

[@juliafunk6312]

Love your video's I chuckled as I watched this I have everything already in my house. Might give some a try.

[@colleencook9149]

OK this is really great ❤ and I love that you went to different stores because I think sometimes people forget that they don’t have to do all their shopping at one store! For someone like me I don’t eat meat or dairy so I would’ve not had to buy eggs, cheese, sour cream, or meat I would’ve had like extra five or six bucks to get some cereal or a different bread a pack of tofu, extra beans, extra rice, salsa there’s so many more options when you don’t have to pay for meat and dairy!

[@mrs.higgins3055]

I have 3 teen sons and baked potato with chili and cheese is one of my favorite go to easy meals to fill them up.

[@trinity2504]

I love watching these videos! Thanks for the vegetarian dinner inspo!

[@digital_mixtape]

Thanks for showing us!

[@cynthiarios5331]

Growing up on pinto beans, smother fried potatoes an biscuits , plus gravy an biscuits. Lunch was a splurge to have bologna. I'd say

[@anitab6436]

Great ideas! If I did this I'd do a couple of "tweaks": I would switch out the sausage for a bag of lentils. That would be healthier and provide more protein. I would switch out the sour cream for carrots for more vitamins and fiber.

[@NN57143]

I love your videos and I admire you so much! These meals were fantastic and I love that you left sugary stuff completely out of the equation. That's one way to stay healthy when you're eating simply on a budget.

[@christinarodriguez7642]

Love watching your videos. My hubby used to work in the film industry in a Union position and always made really good money. Over 42 years I can’t even begin to imagine how much money we wasted just never giving a thought to grabbing a product off the shelf. Fast forward to today and now this guy is retired ( I have been retired for awhile ) and we are having to get very serious very quickly on how we are spending our money! Some of what you talk about I remember from my ( prior to marriage poverty days ) but just the same I am all ears now. I am now shopping with a meal plan, evaluating my stash before heading to the store, and signing on to my Albertson’s grocery app. So thanks for all of your efforts, I have learned so much. Keep up the good work. 🤗🌺

[@yvonnepalmquist8676]

I've never been a pan toast person. I don't know why, I've just always enjoyed my toast with butter and never gave thought to trying it any other way. I tried pan cooking my toast for the first time about two months ago when I made a simple egg and toast meal. OMGosh, Christine is right. It is life changing. I will always pan toast for eggs and toast from here on out.

[@NotMe-st8qc]

If you think that is good you have to try an egg in a frame. You tear out a small round hole in the bread about big enough for the egg yolk to fit in. You start a pan toast and get some butter on both sides of the bread but don’t cook it until brown, just get it warm. Then break the egg into that hole you made in the bread. Cook until the yolk is how you like it, flipping the egg and bread over once to cook on both sides. I like my yolk a tiny bit runny. The egg cooks into the bread and the yolk is almost like a gravy you want to sop up with the toast. It is delicious.

[@dollhouseq1530]

I've always pan toasted for the most part since I was 16. I'm 45 now lol

[@nomad7540]

Thanks. You got me thinking about casseroles. We are just 2 in the house now so I’m thinking freeze in serving size portions.

[@heatherjohnson2511]

Thank you for sharing this, you did a great job, love the breakfast sandwich! Your videos are very appreciated! ❤

[@jamio3708]

Omg! Loveeee that chowder recipe! I made it tonight and just made a few tweaks for my taste preference and it was amazing! Was able to use up a bunch of leftovers

[@Sara-mg3iw]

Thank you so much for these videos. Newly single mom here, and I am struggling. These ideas help me soooo much. I am really grateful for you and your content. I have been watching you for years and never knew how much these videos would actually end up helping me. Please keep making them ❤

[@melindalachapell4478]

Some tips that help us is repurposing leftovers. We had a rotisserie chicken that was on sale last night. Tonight, I made A pot pie from the leftovers. I found A sale a while back that was BOGO on pork tenderloin. I grilled One and used the leftovers to make pork enchiladas. Then I made Chili out the other one and sandwiches too.

[@tinashort9098]

I don’t have the luxury of multiple stores in my crappy town. Food Lion, the most expensive store on the planet, is my only grocery store other than a little locally owned one. That’s where I get most of my meats and occasionally fresh produce. They also sell locally milled flours and corn meals. They’re more expensive but I find them to just be better and they come in bigger bags. They have a fantastic biscuit mix for $3.98 for a 6 lb bag and it makes much more than biscuits!! I’m excited for this video!!! I love these budget challenges!!!

[@amandasnailtasticnails9657]

While I was home over thanksgiving weekend, my mom and I went into our little local grocery store. She only came in to get a newspaper but I wanted to walk around and look. She found some marked down bread and donuts. We were gonna have pizza so I picked up the one item I needed. We headed over to the meat counter. I saw some marked down meat. We both didn’t like the look of the pork, however, we did like the ground beef. I first saw the one pound pack while my mom saw the two pound packs. Between the 2 two pound packs we got she was able to make 9 half pound bags to put in the freezer. It depends sometimes my mom can find something within her budget but sometimes at the local grocery store in town.

[@iHeartAmySue]

I used to live in an area like that. I’d make monthly trips to town 1:20 away to the ALDIs and Sam’s club. Then just buy meat at the local butcher and shurSave. I kinda miss it but it was a beautiful forest and a little cabin I could heat with wood. Take me home country roads!

[@tinashort9098]

@@iHeartAmySuethat’s sounds lovely❤

[@qa3990]

Just buy flour salt baking soda a buttermilk starter butter and make ur own biscuits or what ever else u would like

[@abbyed6039]

Food Lion is NOT the most expensive. In our area, Ingles and Publix are a lot higher, unless they have a good sale.

[@samanthadalli6572]

I love all your videos Christine you do such amazing job on of them but this one was pretty impressive that’s for sharing some cool cheap recipes !!

[@samanthadalli6572]

Thanks*

[@Nicole-zv7ee]

This video was impressive! Thank you.

[@mrseliephant]

Ideas for other meals with what you bought...breakfast tacos, bean soup, grilled cheese, potato soup, taco soup, sausage with potatoes, sausage and potato soup. A box of 5 dozen eggs, from HEB, is $7.26 in my area.