*NEW SERIES* Episode 1- Low Budget Meals At EVERY Store, Meals To Make When Money Is Tight

#budgetfriendlyfood #cheapmeals #familymeals #frugalliving #tightbudget #budget #grocerybudgetchallenge #brokebudget #mealplan
Hey y’all! Hope you like the new series!
Love Brooke
PO Box 299
Talbott, TN 37877
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[@countycalling]

I think it would be fun if we send a box of food items to Brooke and see what she makes out of them, kinds like a random box if items…..

[@dagmarhimes7541]

Awesome idea 💡 👏

[@rebekahhansen1112]

Like you would send a care package to your kids in college or their apartment.

[@yvonnepalmquist8676]

People could list the items they're receiving in food boxes and she could create videos on what she would do if she were receiving the same food box.

[@Jewelsquiss]

​@@yvonnepalmquist8676 I like this idea😊❣️

[@refrich2729]

That should be the series for May! , I think it would be amazing.

[@bonnietomlinson6259]

I love you Brooke. You make my day with your cooking genius. You have made a real difference for us. We are an elderly couple living on social security. Bless you for your hard work and dedication.

[@suefleming]

BROOKE !! YOU ARE SO REAL AND GENUINE !!! ALL OF YOUR FANS LOVE YOU SO VERY MUCH !!!❤❤❤❤❤❤❤

[@JT-el2kg]

I use paper plates because I don't have running water. I live in Appalachia.

[@tnliz1448]

Paper plates and such is very helpful for me and my family. Don't let people's criticism bother you, you're doing a great service for a lot of people. Thank you so much and keep em coming.

[@mysticmom616]

Feeding 3 growing boys has to be expensive!! Great video

[@tammygonavy5717]

I have a fantastic idea for future videos!! You like picking little papers from a bowl. How about one bowl a meat, one bowl a veg, one bowl a starch!!! The rest of the details up to you obviously. But i just think it simulates real life looking into the freezer and desiding what to pull out. It also simulates what you pick at the store on a budget but still have enough to get whatever is on sale/markdown. Just an idea for you.

[@janieloyd7795]

I think you should be able to use salt and pepper from pantry as well....

[@bigk5203]

Here's a suggestion Brooke, instead of random dollar amounts pick a fixed amount, say $8, for each store. This way we can see what is possible for each store and maybe which store has more bang for the buck.

[@brendaatkinson1965]

I love how Dusty closes his eyes like he's savoring the taste of the dinners

[@kimthompson1618]

The boys do too. They take after their daddy for sure.

[@SouthernFrugalMomma]

He stood in the kitchen tonight, never sat down, and ate his dinner with his eyes closed til the plate was empty 😂 I was like you wanna sit? He was just silent.

[@Myfavorites877]

I love it too!

[@allyrooh3628]

People get upset when I talk about getting hot dogs for 25c from DT when they are getting end of date. They are several meals for us, and it fills our bellies. Looking forward to the videos in this series!

[@nanaof792]

Get them and freeze them. I buy meat up until the sell by date and freeze it.

[@godschild401]

There is nothing wrong with that. They stay good way beyond date.i keep at least 10 packs in freezer for emergency

[@joycef8443]

Allyroo, people need to check themselves! Sounds as though you are smart and practical!

[@melissavazquez2953]

Just jealous people..I would be grateful to find a deal like that.Good job!

[@ohiofarmgirl3384]

I can’t be the only grown adult that still likes beans & weenies!😂. I give it an extra kick by adding a squirt of BBQ sauce & ground mustard. Regular mustard will be fine in a pinch or just leave it out.

[@shelzp7272]

I think the Pede Ravioli is one of the best things the Tree sells. I like to take a can of both Alfredo and Tomato Pasta Sauce and mix them together. Toasting the ravioli in the oven is good too. I worked for a major food company and they have different tiers for their food. As an example, take the canned Prego Alfredo Sauce from the Tree, it has less expensive ingredients than Prego Alfredo in jars like you’d buy at a major grocery store. In the canned, cream won’t be listed in at least the five first ingredients (if at all) while the jars of Prego Alfredo will have cream and butter as the first ingredients. There’s a place for both products, I’m just explaining how it works from the manufacturer’s cost perspective.

[@shellyturner2766]

Thank you for sharing this behind -the-scenes information! Very interesting.

[@anneroland6388]

Very interesting!

[@wendymcbridemarinecorpscom8811]

Good info. I'm a Nurse in the ERroom, and I'm shocked how some people weren't taught in school that ingredients go MOST to LEAST in order of the amounts included!! I'd bet LOTS these viewers didn't know that until today....😊 when you taught them!❤

[@mousemeat1352]

Noce vlog never even been to a zDollar Tree will have to give them a try ❤❤❤❤❤

[@melimarval]

I love how you apologize for the noise... girl yall live there! No need to apologize, thank you for inviting us over❤

[@jenniferwang3489]

I just had an epiphany! I'm actually sort of doing this, but I have actually got ground lamb. Roll with me on this.... Shepherds Pie! Well, technically Cottage Pie. But you could take those burger patties and cook them and separate the meat so it represents ground beef. Then, you can use the instant mashed potatoes (maybe 2 packs) to do the top layer. Grab a pack of the mixed veg and warm in a skillet with the meat. Get a few bouillon cubes to add and make it a sauce. If you have flour, you can thicken it, but it's not completely necessary. Put the meat and veg mixture in the bottom. Then you top with the mashed potatoes (which only require water, but you can add milk and butter if you have it on hand). I think it would be pretty good, better if you also had Worcestershire sauce and soy sauce at home. But I think you can leave it plain and it would still taste decent. What do y'all think?

[@TaraannBudgetsandSelf-Care]

You really are amazing. You help so many low income families

[@mallory1989]

I would love if you could do a series on entertaining on a budget. Summer is coming so there's family BBQs, birthday parties, pool parties...I would love your take on how to do these on a small budget.

[@bosslady1234]

That’s a great idea!

[@kam2162]

I have a request/suggestion for you Brooke and it would make a great collab with Dusty's channel. Those of us who are trying to be prepared for emergencies usually stock a lot of beans and rice. The only beans I grew up eating were baked beans or green beans 🙃. I have seasonings for rice and beans, but it is mostly all taco-esque. I would love to see a series on a variety of ways to seasons beans and/or rice. If we are eating beans and rice numerous times a week, it would be nice to give them a different flavor profile or present them in a different way. Thanks for all you do Brooke & Dusty!

[@gloriapeel6887]

Great ideas!

[@yvonnepalmquist8676]

Remember, anything you would make with pasta is going to work with rice... you can make a cheddar rice to mimic mac and cheese, meat sauce on rice to mimic spaghetti, lemon and parm on rice, beef and mushrooms on rice. It's easy to get inspirations from the side dishes and make a homemade version of it. Googling rice recipes returns many articles of 20+ recipes an article.

[@Jewelsquiss]

Yes do this idea!👍😊❣️

[@glendastump5701]

Yes!! Beans n rice flavored with pantry staples!!

[@dianethoroughman9541]

Cold rice with milk, sugar, cinnamon, and sometimes raisins makes a great breakfast!

[@paulaflatt2936]

I love the idea of sending her ingredients and have her make a meal from it just like Chopped on TV. I really like your ideas and series.

[@Sandiastef]

You should do a $5 staples/ seasoning stock up one week and you can use any of those ingredients in your challenge series:)

[@annikanygaard7443]

These videos that you are doing are helping my family a lot. It's even more helpful that I have a working pantry and things that I've stocked up on.

[@SouthernFrugalMomma]

Yay! I’m so glad!

[@cherylvaverka9042]

Girl, sending a big hug from Oklahoma. For too many families the struggle is “real” with the inflation. My kids are raised. I can’t believe what it cost to feed my husband and myself. My heart breaks for large families. I grew up on beans and cornbread and potato soup. I made a lot of that when my kids were growing up. Now the price of ham( for the beans) and bacon ( for the potato soup) are skyrocketing!

[@BrowneyedGirlmjd]

What great idea for a new series! And please don’t apologize for the noise. That “noise” is one of the best things about your family and this channel. Along with spontaneous dancing in the grocery store and fainting dead away if a meal is particularly yummy. I don’t suppose for one of the videos on the stories you could send the Dusty and boys into the grocery store. They buy the groceries but don’t tell you what they are until they get home. Then you get to make the meal like the mystery basket on Chopped!

[@SouthernFrugalMomma]

Oh lord I’d have so much cheese 😂 I might do this!

[@helenr6299]

Cheese! Have you ever heard of Welsh Rarebit (pronounced rabbit). Once when it was The End of the Month, Mom served us, her 4 little children, this for dinner. Well we all burst into tears and couldn't eat a bite because we didn't want to eat some poor little rabbit. I think we went with pancakes...😅

[@johnettehaines6291]

That would be so cool to see what Dusty and the boys come up with

[@deannadickerson9505]

Looks delicious. Yummy

[@dagmarhimes7541]

Morning, I can't wait for all the other ideas u come up with..hugs from Johnson City, TN

[@robinswan5831]

If they made paper pots and pans I would use those too!

[@susanprather5962]

Same 😅🤣😂

[@dhtarget]

I have a dishwasher and we still use paper plates every day!

[@patriciahagedorn5694]

The dinner looked yummy. Another budget dinner idea: Brown up some Texas Toast in the oven and set aside. Cook up some ground beef or ground sausage and add marinara or spaghetti sauce (be careful not to get the mixture too soupy) Cook until bubbly. Add your toasted bread to a casserole dish and pour the meat mixture on top. Add cheese on top and bake until browned. These are so good! You could probably get all the ingredients at Dollar Tree. Also, try frying up some cabbage, potatoes and onions and adding some of those cut up sausage to the pan. This makes a quick, yummy meal.

[@sandrafrancois2609]

Brooke, you could use seasonings. Even those on a fixed income have garlic powder, salt, and pepper etc. I am on a fixed income and I always have seasonings. Cajun cooking with no seasoning is unheard of. Lol

[@maurinadittenhaffer6140]

Brooke The dollar tree near me does not sell cold or frozen food so it was interesting to see what you got. I would eat this meal in a heart beat. Yum.

[@GiraffeLaugh]

You've helped so much, not just with food but with your kindness and positivity!

[@lindaelmore1223]

We use that garlic bread to make pizza. The pieces make great crusts and the garlic butter gives it so much flavor. That ravioli would sure make a good meal with red or the Alfredo sauce. I’m going to check my store.

[@Makingmehungry]

I love these budget meals! Keep em coming. Very yummy and of course, affordable!

[@tinabow3812]

It's like clockwork at 10:20 a.m. I get your video every

[@kmcollins84]

“I’m more honest, because I judge myself hardcore.” 😂 giiiiirl, same! I’m my worst critic lol

[@shannonschell482]

I love little bugs dance breaks so 😎 cool

[@tammyjones8102]

The birds chirping in background are hilarious. My cats ears perk up and he's on the hunt. Also he's in love with Mandy in the makings cat gracie

[@jenniferf3704]

Brooke and Dusty and Mandy and Steven are absolutely my favorite!

[@happyrapture1370]

Thank you Brooke for making these series so fun. While they are so filled with ideas, and helpful knowledge, they are fun and exciting to see. We all are struggling in some way in today's world, there is so much heaviness going on, but these videos are not dreary, and bleak, but light, entertaining and enjoyable. I enjoy coming up with my own ideas while you are shopping. I love them! Thank you, Dusty and the boys. God bless you

[@SouthernFrugalMomma]

You are so welcome! Thank you for being so amazing and kind!

[@jeanlujan6129]

If you go to the dollar tree and you see the package of egg rolls grab them they are really good when I go I get as many as I possibly can because they disappear that fast because they are really good they’re cold spring rolls I do believe they’re in the freezer section do either egg rolls or spring rolls really good the next time I go I’ll get a picture of them for you

[@aprilhaywood3306]

What about a low budget cheap meal series with a cheap desert? That could be interesting

[@lynnchristensen4439]

I never thought of Alfredo for raviolis. Looks delicious. As far as paper plates,I have 4 kids and it makes life easier. Love you Brooke❤

[@SouthernFrugalMomma]

It makes it sooooooo much easier! Thank you! Love you!!

[@lauriesheppard3394]

In Washington state, no tax on food

[@susanprather5962]

I'm calling it... I forgot, hold on. 😅🤣😂

[@Vaari1117]

Absolutely love your channel, watching everything 😂….so interesting as I live in Scotland 🏴󠁧󠁢󠁳󠁣󠁴󠁿 Lots of love to you guys ❤

[@SouthernFrugalMomma]

Thank you so much! How cool! Scotland is on my bucket list of places to visit!

[@janieloyd7795]

Yay!!!

[@brendafordyce5696]

You are my mini me!! OMG!! Got to tell you that I get a kick out of your family and you make my days!! Love what you're doing because you are helping soooo many people eat very well cheaply!! You go girl!!! 😊

[@danielldukro4128]

I just love your videos.❤

[@deannacaudill5515]

You are so creative! I swear no one else on the internet comes up with these ideas! Love you Brooke!

[@ericastout4552]

Hi Angel girl and everyone else 😇 God bless you and your family ❤️ Have a blessed day 😇 Love you guys 😇🥰😇

[@sylviavanuden2114]

Love your videos, fijne pasen 🐤. Groetjes uit Holland. Nederland. Sylvia 🌷🌷🌷

[@jodiesmith9576]

Kylen is adorable ❤

[@marshamitchell6967]

I make them with spaghetti sauce mozzarella cheese bake in oven it's delicious . I love your videos

[@stephaniedry4687]

I love this series. Please keep doing them. 😊

[@beefreelady]

My pantry is full of cheap meals so I mix cheap meals during the week with high budget, freezer meals on the weekends.

[@stephaniegranger8295]

Love all your videos from Louisiana

[@christinatareski8882]

I am SO excited for this series! Excellent idea!

[@danasandlin2435]

Dollar Tree has some good stuff in their freezers, depending on the store: individual burritos; appetizers--jalepeno poppers and mozzarella sticks; egg rolls; pocket sandwiches (hotwiches); jamaican beef patties (empanada type sandwiches); plus butter, eggs and cheese--some of them have packages of fish sticks; salmon; and shrimp...(plus an ice cream section for dessert)...dts/usa

[@bobbieseright5117]

Your hair cracks me up! I'm rocking the same do. I'm going to make this. But with 2 packs of ravioli and 1 broccoli! No tax in Montana except resort tax at a tourist town close by.

[@theonlymyst1]

The ravioli from DT is good. My family loves it

[@Becka034]

Yay! A new video! I am so here for this!

[@flawedfabulous]

Your family warms my heart. They're just so supportive..❤

[@sunniertimer598]

Our town is limited. We don't have an Iga, an Aldi, or a Sam's club. Instead, we have a Grocery outlet and a Trader Joe's. We also have a winco.

[@susanlance8179]

I would like to see as you buy the budget meals, figure in a few pantry extras. Because well... You know that is how life is. Maybe a third bowl with numbers 1 to 3 building a pantry. For the month you can only use from this pantry. Any left over from your budget dinners can be added to pantry fund. Every penny counts when you have nothing.

[@carolyn3543]

LOL I like your version of "weird"! Love watching your videos! I'm on a binge today.

[@Pamzollman]

Yay! A new series! And it's similar to the "making it to payday" one that I loved so much. Can't wait to see what you do at IGA. I'm not familiar with that store.

[@Pamzollman]

I forgot to mention that SC doesn't tax the majority of food items. Prepared-for-you foods, like in a restaurant, have a hospitality tax.

[@rangerannie5636]

IGA's are independently owned grocery stores. (Independent Grocers Association) My grandfather owned one in Missouri.

[@wandamontgomery6030]

We had one years ago

[@leannedecandido254]

Your Kids are the best!! Very nice of them to do the taste test!!!

[@tikacalifornia7876]

Just a thought. I do not know how many of us have a box or drawer full of condiments that the folks at the drive through just throw into the bag. I have lots of things like ketchup, hot sauce, tartar sauce, ranch sauce, and so forth. Would you consider these items as a no-cost seasoning to your meals? I would love to figure out some ways to use this stuff other than the stereotypical - put ketchup on your french fries.

[@Back-handedLuck-ul7ms]

I always use paper plates (the Cheap non waxed kind) to drain fried food. Saves washing and they work better than paper towels.

[@joannemcvicar8543]

Keep dancing Ky😊

[@naynayspreppingkitchen7527]

You did great from the DT 😊. Ours don't have a cooler section, but it's still helps stretch the $. There is no food tax here in Michigan on food. 😊

[@ptcreations8947]

I have all of these ingredients minus the sausage! I do have hot dogs lol...trying this.for dinner!

[@kathleenjorgensen8350]

Good idea for show.I thought the ravioli was ok,used red sauce, maybe more white sauce added would be better 😊

[@jessicastump8999]

Great idea for videos!! I love this idea and it makes meal planning more fun, like a game, and affordable!! ❤

[@terrimosier4393]

Piece out ❤️

[@justjo7687]

For us here in Maine, we do not have taxes on food products unless they are fully cooked and hot.

[@suemullinix3135]

Went to dollar tree today and they had tons of food

[@kellylorang6845]

Great series! Not everyone has a "cheap" store near them, and, if low on funds, it may cost too much to drive across town.

[@annirvin6555]

That big ravioli looks great. All looked good.👍🙏

[@sjhirst3]

Awesome idea for a series. I think dollar tree videos are cool, and I'm very glad they're available to those who can get a lot of info from them, but I sometimes skip watching them because I never get the chance to go there. There's just not one close to me. Same with Aldi, Sam's, and Costco. The videos are still interesting and give me ideas, so I try to watch them, but sometimes I don't. Great meal idea! Even for someone doesn't like some of that, it's a great base idea to use to come up with something that fits your specific family.

[@moniquebradberry4370]

Thank you for making videos. I use these budget menu items every day.

[@lindacurran4179]

Your little guy is too cute but they are all so cute so r u brooke

[@rosearellanes5648]

I love Brooke! She is amazing! It has been my experience that u have to season Dollar Tree food

[@alexachenbach821]

Your middle son nice Looking too.little man look like mama.😊❤

[@justjess7616]

I love the dollar tree dinner ideas

[@rebeckia2902]

The ravioli looked delicious! I can't wait to see your IGA episode. We actually have 2 IGA stores close by. And they have the best meat section. 😊 Good series!

[@SouthernFrugalMomma]

Coming Monday! Thank you ❤❤

[@jillgott6567]

I ♥ your series videos. As for the store that charged an extra 10% @ the register UH NO ! THAT'S ILLEGAL ! One of our local Dollar Generals had a handwritten note in their store on the door as well as inside the store stating due to rising costs prices that had been increased were not always the same as those on the shelves ! I didn't say anything to them as I kept track of the prices on items I bought and other states were fining Dollar General for the same illegal practices so I knew my state would as well. Another time I went in and there was again a handwritten note at the registers this one stating " sorry but digital coupons are not working " I got out my phone to take a photo and explained to the clerk I wanted to let folks know that it might be a few days before the digital coupons could be used. The clerk called to the manager who said " oh they are working now." The employee said to me that sign was from last night when they were not able to use the system. YUH, okay, I wasn't born yesterday and recognize cheating when I see it but be aware you will be caught someday. I.E. both instances ARE ILLEGAL. I took the sign down for her and crumbled it up. If they were going to continue to cheat customers I thought they could write another sign.

[@joycef8443]

Ours has a sign “ prices. Ya be higher than those listed on the shelves”. Maddening!!

[@Holly-ys1me]

They doubled prices at Dollar General. Some stores are price gouging. I have to take a road trip to grocery shop and the Dollar Tree at one location was charging 9% sales tax on everything. The other Dollar Tree locations that I visit do not tax food but have the states sales tax on certain things.

[@Daisyj2560]

Girl you rock, I work at a Dollar Tree part time for my second job and I haven't tried the ravioli but I'm going to now.

[@ashleyadams6803]

I love your new series! You do a great job making balanced meals that your family likes!

[@robbieanderson5902]

It might be interesting to see a series based on SNAP benefits for a family of 5… one parent working at minimum or prevailing wage in your area. The other parent at home.

[@kathyscrazylife]

We use paper plates. My husband and I are retired. We cook every day, but always use paper plates.

[@kaelynnmartin6521]

WOW! The opportunity to shop at more than Walmart and the one local grocery store! I’d feel rich!!!

[@jennifers6845]

I like this new series. Can you do a series for the entire day. Not just dinner.

[@jacquemcarthur9783]

That ravioli looks great and really cheesy ❤❤❤

[@wandaknighten3518]

Hi Brooke and Dusty and boys That meal looks delicious !!!!! Yummy for the tummy . yum 😋

[@rs2343-o4e]

We love your videos, with that being said we want the recipes and instructions in the video description.

[@robertam.oconnell695]

so much fin! people could get their kids involved by letting them pick the papers :)

[@deana6633]

Video idea no pantry use 100 a week to feed the family and build a stockpile over the course of two months. Show the progress of pantry and stockpile

[@lovelife7249]

Hey sweet Southern friend. Your videos are awesome. Never know how you're going to surprise us, lol Every youtuber gets picked at no matter how good they are. Some of these people have a hard time just being kind to others. Does your honey boo boo give special attention to his beard? It's always so neat and perfect, lol TFS

[@greenlady43]

You could leave out the oil. Just start the sausage on low and as it releases it’s oil, increase the heat

[@christinabryant5725]

Love this idea 🎉

[@melanieroberts2221]

i like our UGO