How I Spent Just $50 on Six Dinners For My Family Of 5

Looking to save money and still feed your family healthy, delicious meals? Check out my budget-friendly meal plan that only cost $50 for six dinners for a family of five!
In this video, I share my top frugal living tips and ideas for making the most out of your grocery budget. Follow along as I show you how to shop smart and cook delicious meals without breaking the bank. Learn my frugal habits and tips that have helped me save money and feed my family on a budget.
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[@julielewisizame]

I swear you're my daughter. I have always thought of cooking like this and have passed it on to my kids whom are now grown. You can make some tasty meals by doing this. Are you sure you're not my daughter? 😉😀

[@MealsWithMaria]

Haha I can be your KZbin daughter ❤️

[@j4d7s8]

“And don’t worry if you don’t have fresh garlic or onion, you can always use powder.” Should be a t shirt! #newmerch No but really- if you think about it, it’s a great mantra for life too, not just the kitchen. Use what ya got!! 😊

[@MealsWithMaria]

Hahaha I love it!!!!

[@cookshackcuisinista]

Refried beans shortcut, take your can of beans take the lid off put into a bowl after rinsing add a little water with some onion powder, chili powder, cumin and some garlic and pulse the beans up to a chunky or fine paste And serve. You can mix the kinds of beans, and then salt and pepper to your liking. Add a teaspoon of oil if you like! I like to add some caramelized onions before I puree it.

[@AxlezBubby]

I bought that exact brand of dumplings 3-4 different times at my local Dollar Tree. They were $1.25 the first 2 times, but then was $3 after that. It's well worth DOUBLE the $3 price!!😊 They are delicious (and beautiful as you said) but the sauce packet is the real secret star! I'm sorta hooked on teriyaki flavred things at the moment, so I added a tbsp of sugar (love the sweeter side of life too😂) and a tsp of soy sauce and prob 1/2 tsp of cornstarch mixed with 1/2 tsp of water to the sauce packet in a little microwave safe bowl and nuked it for 40 seconds stirred well, back in for 15 seconds and it made the most delicious sauce I've ever dunked a dumpling into!!!😂😂 I'm a firm believer in finding the little niblets of happiness in everyday things! Like watching your boys grow up before our eyes!! It certainly happens too fast and is truly a precious gift, so thank you so much for sharing that with us. 😊

[@MealsWithMaria]

😀😀 thank you for the tips! And they grow so fast, it’s true!!!

[@destrygraves]

Sa sha ray. Sa pronounced the way you say savage. Sha rhymes with spa. I know you couldn’t guess that from the spelling. I had the privilege of being neighbors with a son of Tony and his beautiful wife for a little while. Fantastic common sense video. Thank you.

[@KKreate101]

My son hates ranch. But I think the ranch chicken looks amazing lol

[@MealsWithMaria]

You don’t need to put it on. You can use any seasoning you like or leave it plain 😀

[@luckaty]

Tony Sa(short a) shur ee (long e) Louisiana native in Cajun Country here.

[@phyltorkelsonp9268]

Nice to see you on here, again, Maria!! Thanks for the recipes!!

[@MealsWithMaria]

You’re welcome! Happy to be back!!!

[@bkj2508]

Thanks for your videos!! I appreciate them bunches!!!!!!!

[@MealsWithMaria]

You’re welcome! I’m so glad they are helpful!!!

[@venusgal2706]

I am someone who can eat the same meal for most of the week and it is a major budget saver. I do switch the meal each week and always haev some easy food on hand to switch it up if need be for a night midweek or if I just want a change. Chicken and rice and beans all week isn't one of my go tos but lol but it does save the budge. This week for instance is Italian beef I have all made up. I've had it on a baguette, I am going to have it over mashed taters, then noodles and thinking about over warm biscuites or draining some of the juice and doing some nachos. I don't have provolone but am changing up the cheeses from mozz, to I think jarred queso and shredding some cheddar for the nachos and also have some pepperjack. Last week I made an enchilada mixture and I've actually started to turn off to most available burger so I used hot ground sausage in them for the first time and each night I used it differently. Some weeks I don't change it up at all but will make for instance a pot of Cajun sausage pasta and eat it all week as I love it. Or spaghetti. Stew. Chili. When it is just me I more commonly do that, when it is everyone I do something that can be used in a variety of ways. It is one of the biggest budget savers in my opinion one can do and time savers too. A big pot of omething. Something versatile even better.

[@christinatareski8882]

If you have access to a Costco, they have those dumplings a lot. So good.

[@lziniti]

I like this kind of video! So very helpful!

[@MealsWithMaria]

Thank you!

[@leewillers4621]

I love those dumplings! We make stir fry about once a month since my husband and I both love it. Thanks for the ideas Maria!❤

[@MealsWithMaria]

The best! You’re welcome’

[@rosajackson4370]

Where can I buy the same dumplings

[@Superpsychandie]

Thank you for always sharing such amazing and easy budget-friendly meals! Unfortunately, grocery prices are so much more expensive in Canada, where I live. I calculated the cost to buy your exact grocery list (or as close equivalent as I could find) at my local Walmart and taking the exchange rate into account, it came to US$70 for me 😮

[@ruthannhendricks7614]

I love all of your meals!

[@MealsWithMaria]

Thank you!

[@user-vx7hg3nn4v]

Your boys will be great helpers to their wives! Awesome you are starting them so young!!

[@MealsWithMaria]

😀 I hope so!!

[@user-vx7hg3nn4v]

Keep up the good work! @@MealsWithMaria

[@cookshackcuisinista]

Or when they go to university or college they'll at least know how to put a meal together!

[@christeenprice5637]

Awesome video, thanks Maria 👍👍

[@jillgott6567]

Great meal ideas. Nice to see kids helping out in the kitchen..

[@MealsWithMaria]

😀😀

[@wandavillar3260]

Smart meal plans

[@nicolette6327]

Thanks for the great money saving recipes. We eat a lot of these regularly. I haven’t tried the refried bean recipe. That looks delicious! ❤

[@MealsWithMaria]

❤️😀 enjoy!

[@danielintheantipodes6741]

Thank you for the video.

[@MealsWithMaria]

You’re welcome!

[@TragicElegance]

So I live in Louisiana. I'll help you out. 😅 Tony Sash-er-ree's. But we all just say Tony's anyway. 👍

[@MealsWithMaria]

Thank you!!!

[@michellemorris8943]

Thank you

[@MealsWithMaria]

You’re welcome!

[@robertabrien845]

Glad your back missed you

[@MealsWithMaria]

😀😀 happy to be here!!

[@debgordon6542]

I don't know how you did it, but you gave us balanced, tasty meals with variety. Thought it would be a bunch of beans and rice, ugh :-) btw Your step by step instructions are the best.

[@MealsWithMaria]

Aw thank you so much Deb! I think I’m going to do more of these!

[@christinatareski8882]

Tony Sash-er-ray. I saw a pronunciation video on it once.

[@christeenprice5637]

The cream cheese struggle 😂

[@y3rbat3ra]

@4:05 Sash-er-ees aka Uncle Tony's #lesbontempsrouler

[@greenrockgarden2851]

Ugh! Wish Walmart gave a option for “ nothing” if they don’t have what you specify to buy.

[@cookshackcuisinista]

I think they do you just have to specify do not replace in your account shopping list

[@greenrockgarden2851]

@@cookshackcuisinista thank you.,

[@wandahall4435]

🐈 and Ben and Julian and Tommy and Dan and Maria ❤❤❤😮😮😮😊😊😊

[@MealsWithMaria]

❤️❤️❤️ hi Wanda!

[@crus5112]

Was the price for the curry powder figured into the amount? Myself curry powder is not a standard spice as I'm sure it is not with most.

[@MealsWithMaria]

I was surprised that at Walmart it’s $4.12 but at my local grocery store it’s $1.79 😀

[@robinjones2415]

I found taco plate at Walmart

[@MealsWithMaria]

Oh that’s awesome!!

[@laurac5451]

beans and rice would be way cheaper with some vegetables the title i first saw was a meal for 5 for fifty dollars

[@MealsWithMaria]

That’s good too!

[@thenubalicious]

😷💚

[@MealsWithMaria]

😀

[@thenubalicious]

@@MealsWithMaria 🤗💚