Realistic Budget Groceries • $60 for 3 Adults • What We Eat in a Normal Week

*Heads up that prices and meals are all from January =]
Hey y'all! I love doing videos like "How to eat for $10" and other fairly extreme grocery budget challenges/demonstrations, but today I wanted to share what our regular grocery budget looks like, because I think it's still pretty budget friendly while being much more realistic than $10 a person. I purchased my groceries from Aldi, Food Lion, and Harris Teeter, and prices are for Raleigh, NC. Hope you enjoy my little grocery haul and that it gives you some dinner ideas!
As always, I appreciate you all so so much!
For business inquiries: [e-mail]
You can find me online at:
/ thatlisadawn
/ thatlisadawn
Or for the pen and paper type:
That Lisa Dawn
PO BOX 99383
Raleigh, NC
27624
Some of my favorite things that you see in my kitchen.
Instant Pot Duo Plus 6qt
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Aroma Rice Cooker
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KitchenAid Stainless Steel Wire Masher
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Rainbow Regular Mouth Mason Jar Lids
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Rainbow Wide Mouth Mason Jar Lids
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Heavy Duty Egg Slicer
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Lodge 12" Cast Iron Skillet
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This helps support my channel but does not increase the cost to you =)

[@She_Tried_It]

People who have someone to cook meals for them every day are so blessed and 95% are so ungrateful and don't even think about it twice. If you have someone like this, shopping, planning, cooking, storing, and saving money - make them feel appreciated for it often - weekly. Brag on them and how they take care of you to whomever you can - you could be eating cereal and ramen every day. Lisa Dawn, Andrew, you guys are a blessing! 🥰

[@scruffy281]

What a wonderful idea!! You are 100% correct......❤

[@puntinprincess7343]

My grandma was the best cook, EVER, and she enjoyed feeding people. Everytime you go to her house, she wanted to feed you, and NOBODY declined grandma Jo's cooking ever! I miss her and her cooking soooo bad. My mom was just as good as grandma, but shes gone too. What i wouldnt give to go home, one more time and have a big Thanksgiving dinner cooked by my grandma or mom.

[@Trjlal]

Beautifully said. Thank you 🙏🏻 ❤

[@bettypecoraro8104]

You should think about doing a cookbook. All of your recipes on a budget. With the cost of groceries it could help a lot of people put a tasty meal on the table at a low price point. I’m not a bean person, but you make everything look yummy.

[@thenostalchica]

I second this!

[@CrayolaCrack]

YES!

[@AmandalaRoo]

I don’t like beans at all but Lisa def makes them look good!!!

[@mjd2491]

Absolutely agree with a cookbook!

[@lyngf6707]

ur recipes/tips have inspired my own determination to do better with less & my fam has benefited more times x than i can count. Most heartily agree an ebook-cookbook would be amazing & will keep my fingers crossed 🤞

[@evelinharmannfan7191]

You take the shame out of poverty, and I love your videos for that. I also appreciate that you do not romanticize poverty, or scare the living daylight out of us. Instead, you treat food insecurity as a challenge, a difficult task to be tackled. It gives folks back the courage and self-respect that is needed to make it through difficult times. Thanks.

[@willythewave]

Whoa...$60 for three adults. You know what? I just paid $30 for ten pounds of hamburger meat that was marked down to half price. I normally paid that much for full price two months ago. Plus my electric bill has tripled. I`m single on disability and honestly don`t know how I`m going to make it. Thank you for your thrifty recipes...it really helps.

[@samibrady9212]

Me too on disability. Always trying to find creative cheap ways to feed my husband and myself

[@willythewave]

@@samibrady9212 Yes Ma`am

[@joycef8443]

Please utilize any food banks near you. That is what they are for. God Bless you.

[@raloufen4292]

@@joycef8443 you need transportation to do that

[@kathrynwitte3398]

Try your community dinners, pantries and food banks. Seriously, the income guidelines are way higher than I knew and although I was making it, my life is so much easier now. I still avoid sodium but I can work around most things.

[@SashaRed1]

Always a bright spot in my day when we get to see Lisa Dawn and her sweet demeanor. Love your videos and cooking techniques. Stay happy my friend!

[@christinatareski8882]

Yes! I reqatch videos as back ground because she has a very calming, soothing voice.

[@livinlavida4069]

Yes! My girls and I love watching her.

[@SashaRed1]

@@livinlavida4069 :)

[@alfredwigmore7057]

Anyone else sitting in the kitchen watching this and when her oven beeped did you check your own? Yeah me neither. Lol

[@robertsherman7978]

Don’t you dare touch that fridge! One of the things I love about your videos is that your kitchen looks like most peoples, including mine, and it gives me the courage to try your recipes! LOVE your channel!🤠👍📺🐕

[@marymprgan9066]

Please clean your stove top...the burners are atrocious in every video.... Keep the videos coming...everyone can benefit from your knowledge and creativity!

[@6kids3cats]

@@marymprgan9066 I agree, but I know some people think ya can't get that burnt on stuff off of a glass cooktop but ya can!! It's cheap and easy... spray with vinegar, coat with baking soda, lay a wrung out damp towel over it for a half hour. Wipe then scrape with a plastic scraper. Repeat as necessary. Lisa - keep those videos coming, I LOVE them!!!!!!

[@Benshe100]

@@marymprgan9066 Rude!

[@luciagonzalez4899]

Lisa you are so special, and your family is lucky to a have super smart woman at the helm of the family food budget!! Every dish was delicious and healthy!! Thanks for the inspiration!!!

[@NoTanDiarioChronicles]

It be neat to see what that regular budget looks like from just one store. $60 per week for 3 from Walmart $60 per week for 3 from Target $60 per week for 3 from Aldi $60 per week from Kroger Etc... 😊

[@rosegold-sc6fp]

I want to see that! That's a great idea!

[@roundstone2020]

In a tough economy, with crazy inflation, Lisa is a hero.

[@drianiashail5322]

Love your ideas, hints and thriftiness!!! Your videos help people who are struggling with making ends meet! Thank you for caring and sharing!!! 🤗😁👍

[@capricornfairy624]

I could watch you cook all day 😍 I absolutely love your content! I’ve watched all of your videos. I’m so grateful when you put out a new video.

[@ThatLisaDawn]

That means a lot to hear, thank you so much! 💜

[@stacygodfrey4939]

I totally agree!

[@janetleeharrison]

LOVE your videos! Its super inspiring to see how easily you stretch your money & yet have healthy/flavorful meals. I'm learning so many things from watching you. Especially how you incorporate "made from scratch" into your meal planning. That's something I need to do more often to be honest. Hope you all have a fabulous weekend! Watching in Jacksonville, FL.🌴

[@ronaldinglehart2172]

Excellent! I love this content. With gas and food prices rising, it seems like $60 per week is budget shopping when you have a couple kids these days.

[@Honebee80]

I had to stop in the middle of your video to just let you know, I’m learning so much from you! I have a family of 6 plus two cats and two dogs. Groceries get so expensive! Learning how to make my leftovers stretch is so needed at times. And making certain foods from scratch.

[@lisabrewer3472]

Lisa!!! You are a pure delight!! ❤️ Thank you for sharing, every meal looked amazing and love the perfect lunches too!! Big hugs of gratitude!! And sweet to see content kitty!! Thanks again for super ideas, Lisa!

[@ThatLisaDawn]

Glad you enjoyed! 💜💜💜

[@vintagetoycollector4983]

Always love seeing what Lisa cooks. I also love seeing the beautiful cat. Such a gorgeous, luxurious looking coat! Thanks for all of the inspiration!

[@JustKrista50]

This was sweet. When my family was young and money was very tight, I fed us all quite well using some of these very ideas. My children grew up eating plenty of beans. Pintos and Lima being the favorites. Veggies were always cheaper than meat. Many a chili and spaghetti sauce were chuck full of veggies, with half the meat. No one missed it. Besides, it was very good for them. I commented because your last recipe was a family favorite... Cupboard Surprise! 🙂 Basically taking whatever is in the cupboard that would go with whatever leftovers and make it new. The "Surprise!" part was because it always tastes so good.

[@theresamaeurer1892]

I just love your cooking style and how you simplify recipes that could be complicated. As others have suggested, please write I cookbook, perhaps a digital version that people would gobble up!

[@bridgetbowman2229]

I would love to just see more of these regular hauls. It gives me inspiration to cook and try something different. ❤

[@whitneytucker1224]

Agreed!!! 💞

[@dawnbrewer6646]

I’m a Cajun girl. Beans and rice is what I grew up eating and I’m so happy to know how to make some incredibly delicious dried beans of all varieties. With the rising grocery prices, being able to have that skill has really helped offset some of the costs as I am cooking more beans and rice lately. That and reducing the amount of meat we eat.

[@louisewilliams1258]

I discovered a good variation on rice and beans. Sauté scallion, yellow and purple onion, along with say an orange pepper and add that with pintos or black eye peas, black and kidney beans, a wee bit of garlic and spice to taste over white or whatever type rice. Very nice for a change.

[@hellooutthere8956]

You need to do a channel on cajun cooking.

[@ja5202]

I always watch your videos, they are so calming and I love watching you cook. I told my gf that we should try re-fried beans since it looks interesting. Keep up the good work! Greetings from Sweden

[@smolbunz]

Love your resourcefulness with buying groceries and cooking budget meals.

[@Julia-hd8ok]

Hiii Lisa!! So happy to see you and the video, missed ya😎

[@cindym7234]

I love your creativity with your meals. Everything looks so great and tasty! Love from Texas

[@nessauk2786]

I love this young ladies no waste approach to cooking and meal preps.This should be taught in schools.Very good informative videos.

[@Walter_Nicolas]

Hello Nassa how're you doing

[@Walter_Nicolas]

@@nessauk2786 It's my pleasure and I hope you're taking good care of your self .

[@Walter_Nicolas]

Am sorry about the late respond. I would like to know when are your less busy hours we can spend together knowing each other.

[@Walter_Nicolas]

What's your favorite hobbies outside working ?

[@Walter_Nicolas]

Hello how're you doing. Haven't gotten any respond from you i.i hope everything is going well

[@MzClementine]

The proper method of making refried beans is pork fat. Absolutely. I learned how to cook them whenever I was a teenager. I had a Cuban family that took care of me. I was so grateful for them. Because of them I could eat.

[@msladyk81]

Everything you make always looks so delicious 😋. I really love all the different ways you utilize the pressure cooker. I’m so glad I got mine. It makes cooking so much easier and I will never cook pork shoulder any other way now. The split pea soup looks amazing! I make a huge batch twice a year with the leftover ham and ham bones from Christmas and Easter ❤️ Now I’m hungry…lol. Time to go cook! ☺️

[@holdenbabyboy]

I love your videos . They are the best budget minded I have come across. Your grocery hauls are so good and I love how relaxed you are about your cooking.

[@ThatLisaDawn]

Thank you so much! 💜

[@danielintheantipodes6741]

Thank you for the video. it is always riveting to watch other people's grocery shopping choices! Have a fabulous weekend!

[@luvhallnoates]

Lisa is a hero and inspiration to all of us, no matter what station of life. Her meals are delicious, nutritious, and she is an awesome steward of resources! Love your content, bless you for sharing ❤️

[@bebebarr5074]

Challenges were fun and inspiring, but these videos are more helpful for week to week prep. I love how you change up recipes with the same meats so they don't seem like leftovers. I appreciate your cooking style and philsophy...plus your cat is gorgeous!

[@sonjakremer7073]

Lisa you are so sweet and down to earth! I love watching what your cooking and how you eat on a budget! You always inspire me!

[@KatieKitty2003]

The story about the sweet potatoes made me chuckle. I lose groceries all the time 😅

[@microbios8586]

Your way of cooking is so similar to mine - being practical and creative with what is available

[@moboulanger2036]

I think you are awesome! You have provided great ideas and make it look so easy. Thank you! Watching from Ottawa, Ontario, Canada🇨🇦❤️

[@highfashionwins]

I spend at least 4 x as much on groceries and don't eat this well. Genius.

[@andramack7859]

I just found your channel tonight and I can't quit watching. What an awesome channel and so many good ideas! You are helping so many people!

[@ThatLisaDawn]

Thank you! So happy you are finding it helpful! 💙

[@epiclifebudgets]

Just ordered a steamer basket for my pressure cooker. Thanks for the idea, I hate straining my broths! I have been watching your videos for a few months and I absolutely love them!

[@sarahandrews3454]

I recommend your videos to college students who are food insecure. They are the best!

[@kimberlyholbrook8742]

Hello I love your videos they have given me lots of inspiration in my personal way of cooking living on a budget and I only have a crockpot because we don't technically have a kitchen

[@Parsley96]

I’m so so happy for a new video from one of my all time fav KZbinrs!!! Love your channel Lisa!! Take care and God bless!!😘

[@nancymartin3441]

Thanks for the video, was getting worried about you, miss you when you're not on...have a great day!!

[@niftythrifty1229]

I’ve been waiting 3 weeks for this! Please do weekly videos! You’re absolutely awesome!

[@haleychapman4447]

Girl that pulled pork sandwich looks so good

[@athia37]

At the end of the week we usually had "train crash", my kids named it, we used all the bits of leftover food, fried up some onion and diced potatoes, and drowned everything in eggs and shredded cheese, flipped it out on a plate and cooked the other side till golden, and it was always great..

[@GenXtothe7thPower]

Sometimes I’ll soak beans a few hours before pressure cooking. I’ve found 2-3 hour soak only shaves off 7-10 minutes. If you soak them for 6+ hours, it can cut the pressure cooking time about half. I think It’s mostly helpful for large kidney beans.

[@beckyhelton5860]

You could make lomein using spaghetti noodles, leftover meats. Cabbege is a cheap veggie to use in recipes also. If you have a Chinese market nearby you may find some cheap food items there. Some oyster sauce would be a good addition to the lomein or other dishes.

[@nodramamama2490]

don't know if you guys ever plan on kids but I'm like these good dinners are a moms dream

[@emilywelch2101]

i love you’re content, and you seem super sweet wish we lived in the same state so we can be friends! you’ve helped me tremendously while attending college love you girl 💙

[@PatroncitaLaborde]

WOW 🤩 I AM JUST AMAZED.

[@stephaniegilbert9839]

Very well done. Wish you did more videos even though I realize you work full time. You’re so real and enjoyable to watch.

[@ThatLisaDawn]

Thank you! I'm planning to get on a more regular video schedule so expect more soon 🙂

[@janiedee6466]

Wow!! Everything looks yummy! I copied your recipes. still Winter here in Iowa.

[@Genna.K]

I love watching your videos. Thank you for doing them. I live in a small rural town in calif. We have one store. 1 chicken breast is $7, Kraft mac and cheese is almost $2, it's almost unobtainable. Luckily we have a good pantry. Could you do a video on meals made with typical food pantry items?

[@qiud6795]

Your food looks so good and budget friendly! I love watching you cook 😄

[@ambernazarenko1468]

I love watching your videos, very helpful and encouraging! Is it weird that I also find your content relaxing to watch?

[@obiwantzcanolisandmomgarde8490]

Really good info I get bored with same meals I fix Good to figure what to do with leftovers

[@tinablair2206]

Yay!! Glad to see a new video from you! I aspire to be making more beans n homemade tortillas like you!!

[@marlysmithsonian5746]

New sub! Boy I need these videos with prices going up with no end in sight!

[@nathantran7851]

Lisa youre so very real if you know what i mean haha, thanks for making content for the people! I always get joy from finding deals at the store, but since I'm in college and on the dining plan due to scholarship, I don't go shopping much anymore haha. These videos give so much joy, and the food looks great!

[@athia37]

We used to put barley in my split pea and ham soup..nice and rib sticking good !

[@kimvoorhis4481]

I was so excited when I saw you posted a video! Love all of them! Some great recipes! Thanks!! ❤️

[@heatherblanchard3456]

This was an excellent meal plan. I did it for my family and they enjoyed every meal. Thank you very much.

[@MsCraftyMonica]

I tell you what... You're the BOMB Lisa Dawn! You have revived my creativity for cooking!

[@debra2107]

Hi Lisa--I love your show! You've opened my eyes to new ways to save, plus, I am going to start saving scraps in my freezer for broth!!!! Do you use any apps to notify you of sales at your grocery store? Thanks--keep up the good work!

[@beverlyharward9631]

Debra, I don't have apps for such but I Google different stores and check their weekly ads.

[@debra2107]

@@beverlyharward9631 Thanks Beverly❤

[@atrain9042]

🙋‍♂🙋‍♂waving hello from Florida

[@nicholevannatta285]

Your refried beans always look so scrumptious. You go girl!

[@here4usa17]

The guac was good the next day on them tortillas?…. Very relaxing watching your videos, thanks for sharing.

[@kerrygordon1088]

I’ve watched so many of your videos and I LOVE that you know how to be extremely wise and frugal. And you don’t just save it for the extreme budget videos, you’re making those decisions in your normal life. I, too, keep a container of veggie scraps in the freezer for broth. I love that you reinvent the leftovers into new meals. Lastly, I love that you plan to have those leftovers as a strategy to reduce prep time on future meals. You’re hitting all the major points. You’re killing it. Thanks for being you!

[@RobinFlysHigh]

Girl kind of off topic, but can I just say, your hair is gorgeous

[@wardrobelion]

Good you🎉making your own broth👍! I’ve made it a couple of times but always forget about it, finding it in the fridge weeks later😢…maybe one day😂😂

[@cathypoags9054]

You’ve changed my mind about Dollar Tree. I think I’ve been in one maybe once in my life. No kidding but you make some delicious meals from there and I know these items r not from Dollar Tree. Great job.

[@scotlandfan79]

Yay, the first one like this is my favorite video of yours! So inspirational, glad you did another one!

[@susancerruti6410]

Love your recipes and watching the cooking process. Would like a closer up view of what you bought and maybe not so crammed together.

[@busybaldaufs896]

Another home run video! It's good to see that I'm not the only one who has a poor, helpless and hopeless little kitty who never gets fed Lol 🤣🤣🤣🤣

[@stacygodfrey4939]

My two Grandcats are such pitiful girls with such a hard life. They suffer through having to accept treat, food, toys and a 2 cat trees. They even deal with having to sleep in the bed. Maybe one day their life can be more fulfilling and they can learn what being spoiled is🤦🏻‍♀️

[@kimberlynw1799]

Glad you’re back on. Always look forward to your videos!

[@AbbyInTexas]

I so enjoy your channel! You cook things I would actually eat and with ingredients that are not difficult to find 🙂 Thank you so much for sharing!

[@LiaCooper]

i want to give you a huge shoutout for inspiring me to make my own refried beans! i watched you do it in a couple videos and they just seemed so straight forward (i appreciate the way you season to your own taste and use whatever fats youve got on hand) that i tried them and now theyre a staple! my bf even told his mother UNPROMPTED that mine were better than their favorite mexican restaurant (ofc i think that's just because i put cayenne in his ;))

[@rphomemovies]

I'm impressed by your scratch cooking and use of the pressure cooker. I don't like canned peas tho! I only buy the petite frozen peas. 🙂

[@thewickedwitchofse8998]

Well done on a budget and busy nights! I agree with some other commenters about you making a cookbook for budget conscious and busy young people! Great planning!

[@ThatLisaDawn]

Who knows, maybe a cookbook could be in the works someday!

[@thewickedwitchofse8998]

@@ThatLisaDawn You let me know! I'd by it for my girls who are learning "adulting" , lol! Especially important now with the inflation of everything, including housing and fuel. You do a great job!

[@owmeow]

I love your videos so much. they make me feel so cozy and warm! please make more

[@beatrizduran9937]

Great video like always. Food looks Delish! Thank you and keep up the great videos!

[@MyFavoriteColorIsBLUE]

If we have any Sam's club shoppers here, they have chicken legs and thighs for .99 lb. I just stocked up

[@tenthousanddaysofgratitude]

I keep the skins on my sweet potatoes too, but it’s for the fibre. Your meals look great. I do the stir fry leftover with pork chops too. Timely! We have pork shoulders on sale for 1.97 a pound which is an amazing price here.

[@RhondaTowanda]

I like this video! What did you put in the rice that made it turn orange? I want to make that rice! 🙃😊♥️

[@robintindall8469]

I love your channel and absolutely love to watch you cook!!!!!

[@PRTTYBTTRFLY1]

Hi I’m new here I’ve been watching all your videos so far I enjoy them thanks for different ideas.

[@tarshadavis5230]

I always look forward to watch your videos.

[@ThatLisaDawn]

I appreciate that so much! 💜💜💜

[@karenjones1897]

wonderful cooking and menus. you are so good at this! how challenging is it now with prices going NUTZ?

[@mlperkol8]

That red seasoned rice looked amazing. What was that spice packet you used? I really need to get my instant pot out. I rarely use it!

[@debbiesmith6703]

🤩🤩🤩🤩awesome video. I am new subscriber and Ive been Watching All your videos!!! Great meals love them. I live in Canada we do not have freezers in our dollar stores😭😭😭next best store for us would be Giant Tiger😉TRUTHFULLY I have not been to the grocery store since the COVID pandemic started 2 years ago😢😢😢no joke. Guess what! I just said OUT LOUD enough is enough Im going to start shopping again. Im bustin loose😷🙏I love your videos. Thank you for your inspiration✨✨✨🙏cheers🍾🥂 from Ontario Canada🎈

[@dianestevens5237]

I don't know what you do for a living, but you should be a home ec teacher.

[@sherilynalexnder897]

All your meals look delish!

[@getoffmydarnlawn]

Those pork shoulders are such a good deal, even though I live alone I always get one when they're on sale. When you break them down per meal it's crazy inexpensive. In fact I sliced a chunk off one I recently bought, cubed it and it's baking on top of Boston baked beans in my oven right now. And over the weekend I'll braise a chunk for sandwiches and the rest is in the freezer. Unfortunately by me they're not going on sale for .99/lb anymore, the best I get is $1.29/lb. And another vote for Pintos, when I make them I will often eat a good portion right out of a pan with a spoon. They're probably my favorite bean.

[@ricktalbott9611]

I'm in the same boat as you and I haven't seen .99 a lb pork shoulders in a whlie, but when I find a deal I grab one and bust out the crock pot and get some meals for the wife and I going.

[@getoffmydarnlawn]

@@ricktalbott9611 I’m not sure what it’s like all over, but by me (upper midwest) pork is consistently the cheapest of the American meat trinity, with chicken in the middle and beef more expensive than both by a long shot.

[@ricktalbott9611]

@@getoffmydarnlawn It's the same here in eastern PA as well. We normally use a good amount of 93% / 7% ground turkey and I really don't miss ground beef anymore.

[@Lisawhatshersname]

@@getoffmydarnlawn I just read chicken is going up by 70%, I'm guessing that will change certain diets.

[@stacygodfrey4939]

@@Lisawhatshersname 😳

[@mitzithomas8346]

Love your video,s , you should write a cookbook !!!!!!!!

[@agneslaufer9579]

What a great content. I also do it, as a single person around $ 40 for maybe 2 weeks.

[@joycef8443]

That is impressive, Agnes!

[@wendoxia]

I was so happy to see you… I was a little worried! Here’s an incredible hack that I got from Jane and Michael Stern the famous cookbook writers ! do a double Kraft mac & cheese! two packets of cheese sauce one packet of macaroni it’s delicious

[@katthefantastic]

Darlin, you are helping so many people, especially young folk who need to learn economics. Blessings to you and your family.

[@lisakaye2110]

Sweet Baby Ray's and A1 steak sauce are the 2 things that I will not stop buying. I try to buy generic of everything else. But you can not get any better or even come close to those two sauces. Great video!!! I love your channel!! Can I please ask what y'all do for a living? Thank you!!!

[@Suzanne1999]

Your channel just came up in my feed, and I am loving it! Dawn, you have so much ingenuity when it comes to cooking on a budget. I'm always wondering what other people eat lol. I love your channel because it's so REAL, and I can totally relate to the budget thing. I'm not a good cook; I'm learning a lot from you. Thanks for a great channel! ❤❤❤

[@christinascleaning]

when i made homemade refried beans i also used chicken broth and they were better than the restaurant to me ! God Bless, i LOVE your budget videos