Starting From Scratch | How to Save on Groceries

[@FrugalFitMom]

Go to Gabb.com/FFM to get a huge discount on a Gabb phone or watch - no contract required! New customers only.

[@valeried2941]

4.29 here outside Phila!

[@kathybelanger6988]

A great idea for a wedding shower gift is to put together a basket of some pantry basics … my grandmother did that for us and it was awesome.

[@EvelynSaungikar]

My son is moving to his own place this month. I have been shopping sales and setting aside stuff for him, pantry basics like rice, oatmeal, peanut butter. I also made a starter box of rags, rubber bands, washed out yoghurt tubs, bread bags, a notepad made of recycled paper held together with a fold back clip, and an old toothbrush for cleaning. Things you can’t buy, but every household needs!

[@LizaCisneros]

That is a good idea!!

[@chelseafailla9887]

I love that you're sharing about the reality of your early days and aren't complaining about it - it just was what it was and you did what you needed to do to make it work and move towards your financial goals 😍

[@FrugalFitMom]

Thank you so much! 😊

[@apriltownsend8463]

Tuna sandwiches are my go-to. 5 pack of tuna for 3.22, mayo for 2.12, a whole white onion for 90c, bread for 1.42, and you can get a jar of pickles for 2.26 be it whole pickles or spears and you can use them to chop up in your tuna AND have a piece on the side of your sandwich. That's 9.92 for a whole week's worth of sandwiches plus a side pickle.

[@3_16]

Mmmm, now I’m craving tuna sandwiches … thanks 😊

[@vickikendricks1605]

Watch out for mercury poison

[@denisemusicnut]

I love Brussels sprouts! My favorite way to prepare them is to fry a couple of strips of bacon until it is crisp. Reserve the bacon grease and pour it into a 9 X 9 inch baking dish. Add a 2 tablespoons of honey, and one tablespoon of sriracha sauce (more if you like it really hot) and mix to combine. Add a single layer of baby Brussels sprouts, and turn them to coat them with the sauce. Bake at 400F for 10 minutes, stir and bake for another 10 minutes, or until Brussels sprouts are tender and the sauce has caramelized. Remove from the oven and top with the crumbled bacon. This makes two servings, so multiply accordingly for a large family of Brussels sprouts lovers. For the enormous “nose-sized” Brussels sprouts, parboil them until they are softened, drain, pat dry, and then bake them in the sauce as directed.

[@karmagirl314]

Last year I went to Target after Christmas and I found a gift set of spices on clearance, it had everything seasoning, lemon pepper, garlic and herb, chili lime, and cinnamon sugar seasonings in 3.5 oz jars, I think I paid less than $4 and I thought how spectacular of a deal that would be for someone just starting out building a pantry or learning to cook. I'm going to look out for some more this year on clearance and maybe donate them. I'd be so interested to see a week two or even a week three for these types of videos, where you're starting with the same amount of money to spend but you have incrementally more leftover pantry items to work with, it would be inspiring to see how your options expand week by week.

[@effiecross2008]

I agree, I would love to see this done for 4 week in a row. I bet you would have the beginnings of a pretty awesome pantry by the end!

[@TarrynOneil09]

Tortillas & refried beans & a jar of salsa is my go to. Shredded cheese if you can afford it. Easy, simple and cheap.

[@lethiapage4767]

I crockpot a huge batch of beans, seasoned of course however you like them. I use some fresh jalapeno, garlic, couple onions in with some chicken soup base, and my homemade taco seasoning, I have added rice before to stretch the beans. Let it go super long and then puree in the crockpot with an immersion blender. Freeze flat in zipper bags. This is a very cheap and lower fat version of refried beans that works fine for thickening a soup or using in any type of burrito, quesadilla. Etc. Bonus flavor is piggyback the beans in a freshly emptied crockpot that you used for a beef roast, or after batch cooking chicken or bacon. Then the meat drippings end up in your beans.

[@olasarts]

I do rice and beans all the time

[@contancesholl3833]

It was so good of you to do this to show young people how to get started. Most don't have a clue. You are such an amazing inspiration. Hugs 🫂

[@graciegee6317]

I would have bought ground beef, tinned tomatoes, an onion and a garlic bulb, which I would make into a basic "bolognaise" type sauce with half of the beef. I would then build meals from that. With add beans & chilli, have with rice. With pasta with some mushrooms. On a baked potato...and so on. The other half I would make in a rich brown stock gravy, add some diced carrots, frozen veg top with mash potato. Make authentic Cornish pasties filled with beef & gravy, diced potatoes, diced carrots, made with home made pastry. Both versions can be bulked out with veg or beans. Both can even be eaten with home made bread or crackers. I think eggs go further if made into omelettes, rather than scrambled or fried, a small amount of cheese or ham or even just some bell peppers or mushrooms, makes a good meal.

[@lmelior]

Ground beef is expensive, so I like to stretch it with brown lentils as well. The fat is where the flavor is, so the cheaper 73/27 ground beef is your friend here in more ways than one! Another decent stretch option from Walmart is their Festive brand ground turkey chubs. They recently dropped back to $1.98 for a 1 lb chub after being stuck at $2.54 for the last couple years. Not as good of a price as they were 3-4 years ago, but I'll take it!

[@lisaphares2286]

Greek yogurt will be a more nutritious than sour cream and do everything that sour cream can. Put it on your baked potatoes, on tacos, make a creamy pasta sauce with the chicken or add jelly to it to eat as yogurt. 😊

[@donbirkholz6842]

Today I am eating fried potatoes (free from the garden), Fall Sweet squash (free from the garden), catfish (free from the river), and later on I might have some pancakes with black currant jam (free from the garden). There are some costs such as sugar, flour, oil, fishing license, etc, but not many.

[@SharonYang-u8r]

i honestly love how you reference back to when you and your husband were saving up! it makes everything feel more realistic and it helps us know youve been through it too! maybe one day you can do a video trying your past meal plans or things you would do now if you were on the budget of back then?? that might be fun! unless youve already done it haha

[@vcneveroski]

I scored some great deals this morning at my local grocery store. I went in for milk and a block of cheddar that was on sale for $1.99 with a $1 off digital coupon. I found 1lb. pkgs of Hatfield ground chorizo, ground Italian sausage, smoked sausage links marked down to .99/lb. and meatloaf mix (beef, pork and veal) reduced to $1.95/lb. Its all about how you shop because even though prices have been up my grocery budget hasn't moved. I'm eating a better variety and have been trying lots of recipes I had never even thought of before.

[@Yveswife]

I remember when my husband and I got married. We had very little money, we had this little calculator that strapped to the shopping cart so we would stay on budget. I still only buy most items if they are on sale.

[@Teresa-wq6gb]

I'm glad you post these videos, and you are a joy to watch. With the price of food today this video may be my meal plan as well for the week. Thank you for taking your time to share your knowledge..

[@allyrooh3628]

We are busy & tired 3 nights in a row every week. I make 2 large meals at the beginning of that & we eat for 4 days. Works for us! Thanks for sharing!

[@HeatherBuchanan-x2j]

Nothing better in plain oatmeal than a little coconut oil and a spoon of peanut butter, like a warm bowl of deliciousness 😊

[@whitwhitsworld]

$4 for eggs? Makes me want to go hug my chickens! 😂

[@kimberlyweddel2505]

7 in Oklahoma

[@whitwhitsworld]

@ 😲 WTH are they made of gold? How can anyone afford that, that’s insane!

[@kimbarbeaureads]

Give them a kiss for me. Deviled eggs were a splurge this Thanksgiving.

[@janaimaughan3599]

I’m so grateful for mine. 🐓 Getting more in the spring.

[@jonlouis2582]

$6 and up here in Connecticut at Big Y.

[@greenpurl8482]

When I first moved to the big city I now call home and was not familiar with any of the grocery stores, I would prepare a spreadsheet with my grocery list and ride my bike to 4 stores, noting the prices at each store. At the last store, I would only purchase items that were the least expensive on the list, then go to the other stores to complete my list on the ride home. I learned so much about the stores this way - where the clearance items were located (if any), how the weekly promotions worked, types of products and brands available and general impressions of the stores. While my core grocery list has changed a bit over the years, I am still aware of where the bargains live and how to improvise where it makes better sense.

[@graceperez1281]

love brussel sprouts now ,,, I used to HATE them as a kid. I like to bake them in the oven with a little garlic and olive oil or butter. Thanks for another great video, I hope you enjoy the upcoming holidays in good health with your family and friends!!!

[@CHSwildcats19]

The one thing I would have done differently - if starting from absolutely nothing - is buy some Uncle Tony's 😆 because that is exactly what we did when we started our daughter's pantry after moving her across the country for college ❤ P.S. We are from South Louisiana, if you couldn't tell, lol

[@Vangirhl]

Are bone-in chicken thighs less per pound? Take the bone out and use the meat for meals and bones and skin for simple stock.

[@tinaking6833]

I did not realize how Brussel sprouts grew until about 2 summers ago when a guy at our local farmers market had the whole big thing of brussel sprouts still intact. I bought it just because it was so cool looking. I have a very well stocked pantry/fridge/freezer, but I still find value in these videos. Thank you for the time you invest into helping others thrive.

[@christengardner1466]

Same I have very stocked pantry and deep freezer mainly because I want to do a no buy year tbh. But absolutely love these kind of videos

[@mariayelruh]

We didn't use to be big rice eaters and still aren't. However I now buy rice in 20 pound bags when it's on sale. Last January (2024) I got 40 pounds of parboiled for $15 or 37 cents a pound. This week it's on sale for $8.40 (20 lb) so not much higher 42 cents a pound. Because we have it in the pantry it makes for a low cost addition to a meal. Fourteen cents for a cup of rice vs. a lot more for potatoes or pasta. We still have those, but rice is a go to.

[@flowercatsmeowmeow4744]

I think you did a wonderful job! My friend and I have a $20 Christmas challenge. I chose to buy him food. I bought him meals that he just needs to add the 'luxury' items - ground beef, butter, cheese. But I did it! I got all the vegetables/broths to make hamburger soup, refried beans (dried pinto beans) tortillas, Taco sauce, dehydrated hash browns and spam to make a casserole and even jello with fruit cocktail! All for $20 bucks. Our goal is $50 groceries for the month in the new year. It can be done!

[@katv1195]

If your 15 year old has any complaints about the hassles of getting a driver's licence, let him know that - he'd have to be 17 before he could get L-plates where I am in Australia. And then he'd only get a provisional licence for 2 years with rules about how many passengers he could have, P-signs on his car, rules about night driving and having to drive 20% slower than the speed limit on freeways and highways.

[@inkenhafner7187]

And I think it's very good the way you do it in Australia.

[@alisonfraser8231]

Nobody said he complains.

[@katv1195]

@@alisonfraser8231 I know no one said that he complains. But all teens have the occassional small complaint about something. I thought it sounded better than "tell your kid he's lucky" 😁

[@CassieDavis613]

@@katv1195 I like the way Australia does it. Smart.

[@Gardeningchristine]

I love breakfast sausage in my spaghetti. It’s sweet, savory, adds the protein that you want, and goes really well with the flavor of the spaghetti.🍝

[@rachelr589]

Brussel sprouts are cold weather crops! I grow them in Wisconsin! They taste way better than store bought. But any brussel is better than no brussel.

[@lcn706]

You’re the internet mom we all need right now. ❤

[@wallashakalla]

Brown sugar and raisins on oatmeal (chefs 😘)! I tried to cook meals that I could stretch out like meatloaf and spaghetti, so we could have them two or more times for leftovers. Goulash became a staple

[@hannahsox12]

This is such a helpful video! I have a lot of the basics already but still find myself spending $70-90 a week for my husband and I 😢. This plan helped me see the more simple options for meals!

[@McGiggleBicky]

If you can put apps on you might want to add What Three Words. Brilliant for helping emergency services find you when you don’t know where you are. Helpful for outdoor trails too as EVERYWHERE in the world is mapped into 3sq meters and given a unique 3 word combination! Genius!

[@marygrott8095]

Some other tips; The peanut butter can ve added to the oatmeal for more protein. I agree with the egg purchase because you could make egg bites as a grab and go breakfast!

[@dianasimplifies]

That is the only way I will eat oatmeal 😂 lots of PB 😂

[@BettyHorn]

Love brussel sprouts! Never had them as a kid. And they will grow in Idaho, you just have to start early enough and hopefully you won't get a spring freeze. I grew them in northern Utah, but the bugs got to eat mine before I did.

[@Forfrodo-m4m]

We can buy sprouts like that here in Scotland every winter . Not always so big a stalk though. Par boil them a couple of minutes, slice then fry with bacon and cooked (fresh not packaged ) chestnuts. Delish.

[@meganmanson6488]

I made canned tomato soup, added white rice and leftover Parmesan cheese packets from pizza takeout. Still do sometimes but add half a can of white beans.

[@marieholzwasser9224]

Walmart in my area is actually expensive. Kroger is far better for prices. If you can find the Great Value products that's the way to go; however, our Walmart purposely doesn't stock a lot of those types of things. Sooo you end up buying the name brands at exorbitant prices. Wish we had a WinCo in my area but we live on an island to pickins are slim.

[@jackieheaney8246]

I honestly cannot believe how cheap the food is in America. Omg $4 for eggs amazing!! Bread $7 Eggs $8 Butter$9 lb Cheese $10+ / kg It's so expensive here in Australia 🦘

[@davidneal6920]

New Zealand is about the same. Possibly slightly more expensive

[@jackieheaney8246]

@davidneal6920 it really is hard at the moment America has dropped their interest rates we are still waiting. 3 years!!!

[@christinabryant5725]

Our house burned in January 11 this year and we did have to start over. We absolutely did not cook from scratch. You provided some excellent guidance in quick foods that are budget friendly and reasonably healthy. We did not do frozen, processed foods that put a deep dent in our wallet.

[@reesesbabycakes]

My 1st marriage 34 yrs ago, we were on a very tight budget, I would make $30 stretch so thin the doll-hairs were see through 😂 LOVE Brussels, rest of the family not so much..His friend grows them every year. I never knew they grew like that either until last summer he brought some home. Love your videos.

[@EvelynSaungikar]

I make a big pot of veggie chili every month, and freeze it in meal portions. I make it from dried beans. We have it a couple times a week, it’s about 40 cents per serving. Great over a baked potato too!

[@Cookie-sr5ob]

Veggie chili recipe please..

[@MaryWoodworth-d4i]

Tell people if friends or neighbors have chickens the people usually have extra eggs...I give them away but some people sell them and they are usually cheaper and fresher than store eggs

[@ChristopherEvans-650]

Looks like much of what I have purchased over the last year. Did bulk buy a 50 lb bag of rice and black beans. Was able to average a bit over $120 a month for 2024.

[@abcjerilee]

When I first got married I would buy chicken backs for 5 cents a pound. (1974) I made chicken and dumplings a LOT!

[@mariayelruh]

By shopping sales and stocking up you can have variety at a low budget. We aren't having as much beef in the past but we aren't eating just rice and beans. Aldi a couple of miles from me has the cheapest eggs ($2.15) so I buy 6 dozen at a time when I'm near them. That saves me $6 over closer stores.

[@dianasimplifies]

Wow they are almost $4 at my Aldi. It was cheaper to buy cage free recently which is what I buy anyway but I always check prices

[@yanak7159]

Awesome videos. I would have bought flour and pack of yeast instead of bread, to bake the bread, make muffins and have variety. You always have great tips 🙌🏻

[@teacherstreet]

Memories! Did so many of those when first married! ❤ from Iowa

[@mariayelruh]

We don't do deli meat, I plan on using the turkey, meatloaf of chicken in sandwiches as part of my meal planning.

[@jackieo2403]

For more protein add a can of white beans (great northern or cannellini) to pasta sauce, You can mash them to make the sauce thicker or to stretch it or leave them whole as we do. Delicious and adds satiety and fiber!!(very important). Love Brussel sprouts!

[@wjb-wi6dt]

My mom was a packet kind of cook. I didn't realize until I grew up that it's because she doesn't actually like to cook! It was just what "the mom" in the house had to do, so she went with convenience wherever she could fit it into a tight budget.

[@anniepeach2417]

I love that you said “cheese is a luxury” ❤ because it really is. If I eat it, I eat it plain 98% of the time. In salad or on tacos, I feel like you can’t even taste it anyway.

[@MrsPink64]

We had brussel sprouts in our garden when I was a kid. It’s easier to push down on the sprouts to get them off when they’re still in the ground. They are my favorite vegetable, but I don’t grow them as I can get them cheap.

[@randimochamer6284]

I would buy one or two spices a week to get going… that’s what my mother suggested when I was first married and loving on campus with my Air Force husband. It worked. That and buying one Christmas baking item from August on… by December, I was ready to bake without a big hit to the budget.

[@Red-ej6he]

I get 8 or 9 eggs a day from my chickens, I thought they would be really expensive to take care of but finding inspiring ideas on bedding and what to do when low on feed, I actually save money and eggs get eaten pretty fast.

[@saltrivercrafts]

Growing up my parents were broke until I was around 4-5. We had popcorn for dinner some nights. I had no idea it was all we had. It was exciting as a kid. Even though my parents became fairly wealthy we often had "broke" meals. Red beans and rice occasionally with smoked sausage. SOS never with extra meat only what came in the soup. Peanut butter with mashed bananas was another.

[@shlf2615]

What soup did you use for SOS? I learned to make it with a white sauce and dried beef.

[@saltrivercrafts]

@shlf2615 cream of chicken.

[@saltrivercrafts]

@shlf2615 now I use cream of chicken and add ground beef usually.

[@HugoDahl]

Brussel sprouts! OH HECC YEAH! Simply steamed through, smidge of salt, and I'm happy as can be. Though they are quite fibrous, so might be sleeping on that couch that night, but so so good!

[@gaylesmith2328]

Another educational video! Thanks!! Just sharing a small local Canadian channel you may enjoy. Adventures in Groceryland. Prices are similar and she uses a lot of math. She does a lot of challenges where she starts with nothing and builds a pantry over time. Thanks for sharing your skills, I am sure you are making a difference to a lot of young people. Many youth are growing up without the life skills needed to make a healthy society. Your reach may start out as just the viewers but that will spread to the viewer's families and on and on.... a better world!

[@kettleisalwayson]

Starting in January my girls are going to doing some of the cooking which includes being given a budget for whatever they are cooking. Both are teens but one will be leaving home in the next couple of years and I want her to be budget aware.

[@oliviafox6745]

Budget stocking up was similar to your method. Oven stuffer which I cut up, bones made into broth. If pork was cheaper, pork. Oatmeal or corn meal for breakfast. Oatmeal made into granola for my husband. Cabbage, onions and carrots for vegetables. (Stir fry, soup, side veg). Frozen green beans instead of mixed vegs. Flour and baking powder to start instead of bread. (Biscuits, muffins, pancakes, tortillas). Eventually buying yeast when there was some wiggle room.

[@PumpkinLiz]

Points for Eddie Izzard reference, love that bit!

[@davidneal6920]

When I was a boy standard lunch was two sandwhiches with either peanut butter or Vegemite. Not much protein. Man I was skinny

[@robinholbrook8296]

Fried bologna sandwich with homemade fries…. Pinto beans and cornbread with fresh onion….stir fry veggies…..grits you cook with butter and toast….banana…. Apple sauce

[@gamingpenguin5244]

I remember those days. We only ate out once a year, on our anniversary, and that was In n Out. But, when our pay increased, and we could afford it, we started buying more quality food. Living on cheap food sent me to the ER and I ended up with a health condition that is sooo expensive. Now I'm on medication that costs my insurance $50,000 every two weeks!

[@charlenecastaldo3602]

Thanks Christine! Butter is less expensive at WinCo. Kroger has it on sale often. I'm sure you already know this. (Though I like Walmart butter better) Store brand canned Italian diced tomatoes or stewed tomatoes can be used in place of pasta sauce and of course with rice and beans. Potatoes are the best! ❤

[@PaulaRosedale]

I love homemade soups. Granted I live alone, and I do like lots of flavor in my soup, like having some ham in a pea soup and use beef cubes or some smoked sausages if I make lentil or or any other beef based soup. the trick is, yes, it is to save your bacon grease .lol A table spoon is all you need to flavor the soup and give it a nice hardy flavor. I make a huge pot of it, because like I said, I love it. I'll freeze some of the soup, and the rest I can get 3-4 meals. I do at times, depending on the soup I make, aside from eating the smoked sausage, will have either a grilled cheese sandwich or garlic toast with it. A soup that might cost you $10 dollars to make for 3-4 days of enjoying with some put away into the freezer for a quick supper some other night, is very inexpensive. For myself I love these earthy soups taught to me by my mom, since past and of German decent, and I would say one of the best soup makers ever, I enjoy them and if I can save big bucks while I enjoy them, even better!

[@SweedaFish]

I'm actually starting my freezer over from scratch... it popped open while I was gone for a few days, and I lost everything. Meats, veg, premade meals. Everything. What I did was cook a couple of meals to freeze, and shred a couple of rotisserie chickens so I could freeze their meat in 1 cup amounts for recipes. I'm disabled, so having food prepared and easy to grab is essential for me. It's still very bare. I need to get a few more things.

[@libbyreed8588]

My starter eat kit was as follows. Peanut butter Jelly Bread Rice Popcorn kernels Jar salsa Refried beans Tortillas And a piece or two of fruit if I could afford it. I had a hot air popcorn maker.

[@pauln9549]

Christine, could you please do a video specifically on HOW to season foods? I am learning to cook for my young kids and would really appreciate some insight. Thank you ma’am!

[@peggiescraftcafe7117]

All great ideas. And yes I LOVE Brussels Sprouts. tfs

[@michellemoon3900]

My mom told me to start with the 10 lb bag of chicken, rice, pasta and the same Hunts sauce. We lived around the corner from a bread outlet so we got the bread for 25 to 50 cents a loaf for our PB&J, but that was 25 years ago.

[@jacki6301]

We lived on chicken leg quarters, potatoes, oranges, bananas. We could never shop the aisles. Oranges were 20/1! Walmart didn't sell groceries back then and the other stores were expensive!

[@carlahayden2461]

I wouldn't have splurged on the brown sugar, but to each their own. Probably would have switched for cheese of some sort. I also would have skipped the oatmeal and traded bread for tortillas. More versatile. Breakfast burritos, pizza, quesadilla, roll ups, etc. You already know you overdid it on the bananas. 😂 I used to get whatever small, discounted protein was available, and a bag of frozen California blend vegetables and make a cheap stir fry served over rice. Fed three people on a single chicken breast.

[@Eph1-4]

The hair color change is super cute!🤩 Hope your finger is finally back to normal, mine only has one deep spot that is still a little tingly. No brown sugar, jam etc for me so savory oatmeal (leftovers can help) or refrigerator oatmeal if I was to do oatmeal. Peanut butter, lettuce, and mayo sandwiches solve the sweet issue and are delicious 🤩 Brusselsprouts are awesome, a little lemon juice, salt, and white pepper makes them pop when steamed or roasted. They’re great thinly sliced for salads too. I skip the butter at current prices and buy lard to render in my crockpot. I think my last batch was 2.39$/pound. Honestly, I am not paying current butter or egg prices but do hunt down cheese deals (meaning less than $4/pound currently and stock up). I also buy eggs direct from chicken ladies (ask, someone you know has a source for eggs/ask on fb if not) still paying 2.50$ per dozen during laying season and doing very few eggs (aside from mayo making) in the off season.

[@marjoryvick1179]

In the past I have seen whole chickens at our Wally world ( 2 to a bag for what you paid for that one package) I buy them and then cut them up and plan my meals for the pieces and then froze the carcass until I either cut up the other chicken or roasted it and then shredded the meat or whatever and then I would make chicken bone broth with the carcasses and pieces that we would not eat. It was way cheaper and I got several meals (like for more than a week) Soups, chicken and dumplings, for an example. Chicken tacos etc.... I am NOT dogging you for what you did, just saying how I saved money. Love your channel.

[@wrecklisseve]

If I were starting from scratch, I'd try to find the following seasoning spice/herb blends in small jars: chili powder or taco seasoning, Italian herbs, and pie spice blend (apple or pumpkin pie). More variety of herbs/spices and complexity of flavor for the minimum separate item purchases. Uses up faster than individual spices and herbs, with the plus that they don't go stale/lose flavor before you can use them up. I haven't done a cost comparison, but I haven't found a prepared spaghetti sauce that I like better than a can of crushed tomatoes. I think you can even find crushed tomatoes with basil and/or garlic included. Use as is or heat up with a bit of olive oil and some Italian herb blend for a sauce like no other.

[@susanharper2881]

Yes,, I love Brussels sprouts, and I used to grow them. But boy, they are hard to find in the stores. In my area, they can mostly be found in winter around Christmas time.

[@lindahendricks1868]

I love brussel sprouts covered in butter or cheese. Preferably both. Those are huge. Thanks Christine I love you and your family. Love from Indiana.

[@NothingToNoOneInParticular]

Loved spotty dotty at 12:20 wandering in the background. 💕🐶

[@melissawright4040]

There is nothing wrong with just the pasta sauce and pasta. I still do that often. I take a medicine for one purpose but it also helps with weight loss. I have done well

[@karenbergeron4734]

Brussel sprouts are great. I grate (or thinly slice) to put mix in salads in the summer. Roasted are the best, though. When I was a single mom, tuna cakes for dinner was something I made a lot.

[@sandragoodman2059]

Brilliant, Christine! The only change I would make would be to switch the chicken breasts to thighs, saving enough money to get another fruit or vegetable.

[@PinkRose0910]

I’ve found the price on eggs seems to vary weekly. So I like to look online before shopping to see who has the cheapest eggs. Sometimes Kroger has a $1 off digital coupon. Other times Fresh Thyme or ALDIs have the cheapest eggs without a coupon necessary.

[@kathleenhill5838]

Thanks again Christine!

[@Janicealcock]

With the cost of living go higher in January, we maybe eating like this again.

[@holdinon7719]

When my youngest was first on his own, he called to tell me he found boxes of frozen veg dirt cheap. I was so proud.

[@LadyBug..Reseller]

Disparate measures calls for (what’s works) I found if your hungry your not picky (hunger is a real things )this ia an awesome vd.. the struggle is real … for all ❤❤❤❤❤❤❤

[@Goldieforeverisme]

I wish they had these back when my kids (gabb) were in school! Luckily I did get my kids phones but no internet, and I’m glad I did! The school had a scary incident with a boy who brought a gun to school and had made a threat to shoot up the school. The police and swat showed up and told the teachers to lockdown the students but not why, so they weren’t taking precautions for a shooter. I had a police friend who let me know what was going on, I texted my boys and they told the teachers and they were able to hide the kids from windows. It was a scary situation and I’m glad I could reach my kids!

[@martinadams7949]

Had friend on disability loved the bean and bacon soup. She could spread a buck. I took her first time to Costco and bought he a full cart.

[@Lcshell]

Well here’s a different way to unintentionally save money I’d like to share. I had a fraudulent charge on my debit card so I had it cancelled. This cancels all automatic debits! All the monthly subscriptions I’d been paying for and not using popped up in my email as having been declined! Yay!!! I got those charges to stop without the hassle of having to contact each one lol I’m a little embarrassed to say I saved almost $200 in monthly debits!

[@dianasimplifies]

Yikes! I can't believe how many unused subscriptions people have. I pay for one $15 subscription lol 😆

[@kendratai]

The mistake I made at the beginning of our marriage was not buying things that were filling. We ate out way too much cause we were HUNGRY. I was looking for cheap food...and also, now we are paying for it now that we are older 😂 Some cheap easy swaps would be brown rice instead of white, chicken thighs or drumsticks instead of breasts, wheat bread(also I feel like this is so much cheaper and healthier if you know how to make it and more FILLING) instead of white, old fashioned oats instead of quick cooking. Another option for protein is egg whites, I don't know how they compare price wise but they are a cheap protein. The other thing I would say is to shop in season fruit and veggies and cook with cabbage more(it's a super cheap veggie). Did you talk about beans? Beans are an amazing food and cheap

[@desireelovell8440]

Brussel sprouts are one of my favourite vegetables. As for weight loss, become a widow (Really would not recommend.). I lost 30 kg / 66 lbs in a year, without trying.

[@susanmolnar9606]

I know exactly what you mean. I lost my husband 32yrs ago at a young age and I’m the only one left of my family. I still struggle with no appetite and bouts of malnutrition. And I love brussels sprouts for a meal. Happy holidays.

[@bcase5328]

I would have added oil, and powdered milk. That would add to your long term variety of dishes. Eggs, Milk, Salt, Oils, Flour, and Baking Soda can make many different things.

[@wendidawnmoore9844]

When we married in 1989….joe made 100.00/wk. I was pregnant. Had my little sister and brother living with us. Lived in $50.00 a month in food stamps. Shopped multiple stores. Bought 30 lbs of hamburger meat and patted into 1 pounds l, placed in zip lock bags and froze for the month. Lived on hamburger helper and Spegetti (only thing I knew how to cook, lol). After many years of basically the same…Joe hates Spegetti and anything that may resemble hamburger helper. lol. He says whoever invented hamburger helper should be shot (jokingly). Now I’ve retired and he quit his job that made more than my nursing job (but retired from original job in 2018…so we draw a pension). Going back to the beginning but without kids. It’s better than going back to work in nursing. I would rather stay home to take care of my grandchildren and live on love and beans. ❤❤❤❤ thank you for your videos!

[@theminimalprepper1455]

Have you tried pasta with a jar of pesto and a tub of hummus? It’s so easy! Hummus adds protein and is super creamy! Super cheap when you find the clearance pesto and hummus at Kroger, which freeze wonderfully! My kiddos love it! You can also add some grilled chicken, but I often just keep it as is.

[@lorelei9393]

I've seen Brussel spouts like that before but never so large! Thhis was a great video to help someone get started.

[@kimberlyharrigan9218]

Another idea with Christmas coming up.... ask parents or grandparents to fill your Christmas stockings full of spices, vanilla extract, and a few extra specialty sauces. Or parents make up a box for young adults out on their own with 3-5 meals that they can eat, but try to make it meal items that are a step above what they can typically afford.

[@randimochamer6284]

OMG… this brought back so many memories!

[@SleepyHead76]

I made some pickled Brussel sprouts and they were amazing! I added garlic and chili flakes.

[@debbyferguson5638]

Loved all your simple ideas. 😃😃

[@psymompa]

Oats are great because they can be used to make flour and make great pancakes and muffins. Hope folks are on their local Grocery apps. This week at Randalls, baby carrots and 🍍 are 99¢. A bag of 7 🥑 showed up at $3.5.