✨NEW✨ $20 Budget Meal Plan in 2024!

[@SeeMindyMom]

*Download the FREE Upside App at upside.app.link/mindy to get an extra 25 cents back for every gallon on your first tank of gas.

[@MrsAlmaTrumble]

Your budget meals are about to come in clutch for my hubby and I. I have my surgery coming up. We found out last night that my hubby was finally approved for total shoulder replacement surgery, my youngest grandson gets tested next week for Autism, and my hubbys cousin was told he needs a kidney transplant and goes next week for an evaluation. I appreciate all the hard work you have put into your videos and prayers you and this community has already given. I ask y'all to please keep them coming. Thank you, again Mindy for all you do.

[@rg-mi5hh]

Best wishes.

[@CWood-bn4kr]

🙏

[@SeeMindyMom]

Thank you for keeping us posted, Alma, I was just thinking about you today. A shoulder replacement sounds like a huge undertaking for all. I will keep praying that you have the care you need all around.

[@MrsAlmaTrumble]

Thank you, everyone for your prayers and kind words. They're greatly appreciated.

[@VioletWithey]

❤

[@wadly312]

Really love the calculator going around the store as a fab visual reference point while watching the video.

[@SeeMindyMom]

Thanks! I'll keep that in mind to do again in future videos. :)

[@hberrysc3517]

I loved that too

[@rogerwillis7692]

I try to do that, but the phone calculator always dies, or the memory of each number gets deleted somehow. I should use "old school" pen and paper!

[@Olive_O_Sudden]

Just a note: if anyone in a household has digestion issues, drain and rinse those chick peas. The aquafaba is very high in oligosaccharides, which your stomach and small intestine don't break down, leaving them for the bacteria in your colon to feast upon, producing gas, and can cause cramping, bloating, pain, and other bowel distress.

[@theresaduffy8222]

Learning how to make a good soup is of one of my favorite things about getting older. (And has proven to be such a literal life and money savings skill many times in my adult life.)

[@SeeMindyMom]

Me too. It’s very budget friendly and a good way to use things up in my kitchen, I find.

[@cooker-q4x]

I love when you do my meal planning for me 😜 20yrs of meal planning has me chasing my tail lately. Nothing sounds good and yet everyone still wants to eat 🤷‍♀️

[@SeeMindyMom]

Oh yes, I know that feeling. I have totally been there!

[@tiffanyalberti2029]

Please do a video like: Extreme Grocery Budget Haul for people with IBS. I cannot eat beans or hot and spicy food because of this condition. I used to be homeless. I just got my own apartment. This is what I have: Refrigerator, Microwave, Hot Pot for tea, Portable stove top, one frying pan, one pot and some dishes and bowls. Some food storage containers. Forks and knives and spoons and a spatula.

[@agirly1503]

The clearance bread at Walmart is always a win!

[@SeeMindyMom]

I agree. I actually cringe a little when I pay full price for french bread because there are no loaves on the discount rack! :)

[@hollyfink6168]

@@SeeMindyMomMy son brought me home a loaf of bread for $.32 the other day! Was so proud of him! He has learned his Mom can make something good out of it😊

[@mfarley252]

Mindy your original video using one whole roasted chicken and making 3 meals has become a staple rotation for me! And made me a forever viewer! Thank you for your hard work! I am getting ready to head to the grocery and this came just in time! I live alone so this will feed me most of the week! God bless you! ❤

[@SeeMindyMom]

Oh yeah, that was a fun one! I might have to do another one soon with a whole chicken. I can't do it for $10 anymore, but I bet I could still do something pretty frugal, and it's so easy to make those whole chickens in the crockpot!

[@janetdowning1443]

For cost cutting I would have used a sachet of French onion soup, cheaper again than canned. Some lovely low $ ideas. Would like more like this please Mindy 😊

[@wowjwalters]

This is a phenomenal idea! Today is January 1, 2025 and I live in California. I’m not sure what the cost will be on this $20 budget, but even so,it’s very easy to do and it will still cost less than what we normally spend on groceries.

[@rg-mi5hh]

While celery and carrots were that cheap, we got three and chopped and froze most of it for later.

[@SeeMindyMom]

Great idea!

[@theresaduffy8222]

I love having freezer scraps for making soup too.

[@lynnhager6328]

The alphabet chicken soup looked so delicious! I love creamy soup

[@MsCharliesNails]

i buy my frozen broccoli from walmart.. picked up some yesterday.. i like the florets not the pieces as they have more stalks in them.. going to make some broccoli cheese soup saturday and they will come in handy.. picked up some ciabatta they had on clearance.. i love their discounted bread, i keep lots in the fridge.. their garlic knot rolls are so good

[@ej3016]

rice pudding for the win - plump some raisins then combine with brown sugar cinnamon cloves and add to rice milk & egg before cooking in the toaster oven - I have small Pyrex oven bowls so I make individual servings - ok - now I’m confused 😂🤣 pumpkin pudding or rice pudding for this wknd’s treat 🇨🇦🙏

[@dmmrad54]

Rice with milk and sugar was a breakfast when i was a kid.

[@desertfamilyhomestead3127]

My mom would sprinkle some cinnamon on mine.

[@Iamlitagalindo]

Same! It was my Dad’s fav to make for us.. we called it rice cereal and I make it for my kids too🎉 delicious especially with golden raisins!❤

[@denafreeborn424]

I just made that last week, with cinnamon, after a bout of GI stuff. It tasted so good and brought bad some warm memories.

[@tammyleins9317]

My kids love "breakfast rice"- hot cooked rice with milk, a little butter, and cinnamon/sugar.

[@mikeward7290]

I eat my breakfast rice with a little bit of butter and brown sugar. Kinda like oatmeal, don’t knock it till you try it.

[@judytieger8976]

Of all the budget meal plans I have watched yours are the best. Economical, practical and tasty.

[@shawnbyars3618]

I agree with you!

[@SeeMindyMom]

Wow! Thank you! That's high praise, I know there are a lot of us in this space. Thanks for watching! :)

[@Mamamommommy]

Your hair looks fantastic (it always looks great), but the color and style on you are gorgeous!

[@bnbtemple5936]

Just just going to comment the exact same. Love the length and style, Mindy.

[@SeeMindyMom]

Thank you so much! I’ve been trying to grow it out some. I loved my short hair, but I just wanted something different for a while. :)

[@jourdahnwilliamson4984]

Your videos are really helping me and my boyfriend so much thank you

[@aprildawnwilkerson]

I really loved the first half of the video! I was surprised that the next half was only 3 meals…

[@styxlover21]

If each meal made 5 servings, which I think is her family size, that’s $1.33 per meal. I don’t know how much more someone could stretch a budget without having to sacrifice nutrition. I know some people have to do that, but $1.33 is less than half of what is budgeted per meal for persons receiving SNAP. This seems pretty awesome to me.

[@aprildawnwilkerson]

@@styxlover21 Julia Pacheco 4 Servings per Meal 7 HEALTHY MEALS FOR $25 It’s interesting the differences and similarities.

[@HeatherB81]

These are my favorite videos you do!! I do not know how you come up with such great ideas for cheap meals!

[@SeeMindyMom]

Thanks, I'm glad you like them! It does take a lot of time figuring out how to fit all the pieces of the puzzle together, but I’m glad I can give some creative ideas. :)

[@Mclure2023]

Thank you for such an informative and fun video! Any ideas for low carb Diabetic Diet? Thank you for sharing your talent and wisdom!

[@cindydaniel6125]

I love sweet rice...a snack, a breakfast or a dessert...😊

[@SeeMindyMom]

My son really liked it, too. Which is interesting because he doesn't like oatmeal that well, but the rice was a different enough texture and flavor he enjoyed it.

[@laurenashley7]

I'm glad I'm not the only one with the calculator out in the store. I kept getting over charged by some of the girls at register just because they didn't know what vegetable I had or they would double scan something.

[@melissavazquez2953]

Notebook and pens,😂

[@Kymom776]

This is why I always use self check out some people don’t like it but I like knowing what I have scanned is what I am actually getting. And I’m very picky about how my stuff is bagged 😂

[@janeulness2119]

On your phone? For a calculator.

[@s3kita84]

I will make the chicken and rice with french onion soup this week! It looked yummy but the way you kept saying, " really good"....sealed the deal! Thank you for your recipe!

[@rg-mi5hh]

Our local store had soup based flavoring for ham, chicken or beef boullion flavoring in a small jar for $2.99 on sale. We bought a couple and wish we had gotten more. So much better than just boullion. Made veggie soup with it and no tomato sauce and it was better than with it, and much cheaper. Tomato sauce is ine thing now that we don't buy much. With soup based flavorings, you only need a couple of teaspoons. It may have been you that talked about this before and it has really helped us save.

[@annea.4173]

I love your budget challenge videos. It would so cool to see one that also had to deal with a food allergy, like being gluten-free.

[@michellesunshinestar]

My favorite things are those Yukon gold potatoes with baby carrots. I'm having that tonight.

[@meloshea7895]

I will slow cook potatoes and carrots with beef bullion cube and celery seeds, which makes a hearty side.

[@SusanRichards-m7f]

Love your recipes. Chicken with rice without cream soup? I am on that!

[@LovelyMrsLong]

I got 2.99 a pound, 93% grass-fed yesterday.And today I found 1.99 a pound seasoned bonless chicken thighs. 💪

[@danielintheantipodes6741]

I don't remember ever seeing tinned French Onion Soup here. I only use the package ones for making dips, in a tub of sour cream it is delicious! Not budget, but not ridiculously expensive. I have always wanted to make French Onion Soup from scratch, but have never got around to it. Maybe a good project for this winter or autumn! Thank you for the video!

[@cherokee9667]

Hey there Mindy, you are the Beeesst!! I love ❤ you!! You are brilliant 🙂 I so so enjoy your voice and amazing ideas,I kinda go crazy food shopping, I I love love to cook,it my favorite hobby, creating amazing yummy homey meals,thank God for you,I don't spend my entire pay anymore,thank God for you wisdom ,you are the real deal ,the Proverbs 31 babe, yah!! Bless you sis big time and love to your beautiful family too!! ❤❤❤❤ Merry Christmas 🎄🎁🎁🎄 🎁🎁🎁🎁🎄🎄

[@SeeMindyMom]

You are too kind! Thanks for watching. I appreciate the encouragement!

[@bnbtemple5936]

Mindy! We have almost the same Christmas dishes!!! Mine, tho, are the octagonal-shaped ones. Using them is one of the season's joys for me. Wishing all a blessed and magical one.

[@SeeMindyMom]

That’s so cool! Mine belonged to my aunt, and I decided a few years back I would use them all season instead of for just a few special meals. :)

[@bnbtemple5936]

@@SeeMindyMom ... Yes, same here. Starting with Thanksgiving meal thru Epiphany.

[@Krisarooooo]

I absolutely love rice pudding! Yours looked delicious! Cooking with rice intimidates me... you make it look so easy... I'm going to try again...thanks for the confidence!❤

[@SeeMindyMom]

You got this! I’m glad you feel inspired.

[@anitab6436]

Great ideas! For myself I would have divided the ingredients in that alphabet chicken soup into two different soups - a creamy chicken vegetable and a pasta chickpea, just for some variety. Everything looks delicious, though! 😋

[@lizmiller2341]

Always enjoy your budget menu ideas. This one is definitely a home run. Your recipes i can see my family actually enjoying as well. The use of the calculator while shopping really i really liked the visual.

[@SeeMindyMom]

Thanks! I’ll try to include the running total in future videos, glad you liked the visual.

[@jamieobryan9772]

I use these as inspiration! Thanks for posting!!

[@SeeMindyMom]

I'm so glad! That's my hope, just to give some ideas. :)

[@tonipancoast5491]

Mindy, home run!!! Love love love these videos!

[@Am-xforce]

All looks good! You can also use golden mushroom soup instead of a cream of soup in the rice dish.

[@melann7380]

everything looked delicious, especially that rice pudding

[@maryegerton6848]

These are my favourite types of food videos. They are so so helpful. Thanks so much, Mindy. ☮️💟

[@SeeMindyMom]

I'm so glad! That's my hope with these, that they'll give some easy ideas that are accessible to lots of people. :)

[@truthseeker6370]

Mindy- keep doing whatever you've started doing. Your eyes are brighter and clearer, and your face is radiant! I'm very happy for you 😊

[@SeeMindyMom]

Thanks! I think it was just the natural lighting that day. :) When I wear certain colors and when the light is just right it makes my eyes look really green (as opposed to hazel).

[@lindagrimmett6564]

Tasty looking meals! Oddly enough, I made chicken and rice tonight also. Your plates caught my eye, I have the same ones!

[@SeeMindyMom]

The plates were my aunt’s. I decided I would use them all Christmas season instead of just a couple of meals. :)

[@janetdwyer1867]

Thanks Mindy they looks delicious I will try the chicken and rice i not a creamy person the one you made is good❤

[@SeeMindyMom]

I hope you enjoy it! Thanks for watching!

[@jesssss352]

Love the budget meal plans

[@VioletWithey]

I grew up eating cooked rice for breakfast. I still eat it sometimes.

[@BabsAmato1]

Excellent video and very helpful in these expensive times.

[@SeeMindyMom]

I'm so glad you found it helpful!

[@VerveVarle]

Your "stir stir stir, cook cook cook" song made me smile :D it was cute. I even rewinded it a couple of times :D

[@SeeMindyMom]

haha! Yep! It's the music teacher in me... :)

[@melissafagan7003]

My Dad told me about upside a while ago. I never did it till I watched your videos. Thanks. You do lots of dishes on here on a budget. I love it. Keep it up! 🥰

[@jenkovy]

This is a great video. Lots of good ideas

[@SeeMindyMom]

Thanks! I'm glad you liked it.

[@rp9248]

I love your channel & I loved the video that was $100 for a party of 25 people. You made 3 soups, a salad bar, dessert. I loved it & replicated it. I’m curious if you can replicate it in today’s economy or do something similar.

[@hello-vs4me]

Ralph's march has the best mark down

[@stschubs]

What in the sims is this new music? lol Really appreciate that you didn't just do creamy or cheesy soups and meals, we really don't do a lot of that so that chicken and rice dish hit so good for us

[@charylliss3741]

Tight budget I buy frozen mixed veggies and separate them.

[@melma5910]

I do the same. This helps with variety at meal time

[@appletinImom0f5]

Festival ground turkey $2 Walmart- ground sausage also cheap goes far

[@DavidBrooks-mq6js]

(Posting as Joyce) Thank you for another great video! These budget meals look tasty, and I will try to make them soon! I hope you are warmer in OK than we are in NY!! 😉

[@lisaremy4817]

Great video Mindy!

[@StyleGaragecc]

Can you do something like this but for lunch meals?

[@christeenprice5637]

Awesome video, thanks Mindy ❤❤

[@SeeMindyMom]

I'm so glad you liked it!

[@KP-us5pq]

That rice pudding looks good! I would add raisins! Love your videos!

[@SeeMindyMom]

I wanted to add raisins, but I couldn't find a small enough package to stay within my budget for this video. But with a few extra dollars I would definitely do raisins or cranberries, or a salad topping that has nuts and dried fruit in it.

[@thetaekwondoe3887]

I used to work at a grocery store, never saw a two-stick pack, but that triggered some memory of some little old ladies who would come in and only buy a stick or half a stick of butter (maybe that's because that's all they could afford, because, why not have extra butter on hand if you can afford it?), and they'd also have the dairy guy cut a carton of a dozen eggs in half and only buy the six.

[@meloshea7895]

Little old ladies know how to pinch a penny/ pence to make it scream. 😊😉

[@shaunaleessnackidies]

Yay, thanks for doing this!❤ The canned green beans are more ounces for only 50 cents right now at Walmart.

[@SeeMindyMom]

Yes, I thought about that actually. I wasn’t sure how it stacked up oz for oz once you account for the liquid in the can. What do you think? I might have to actually figure that out (I’m such a nerd!)

[@deannafurrey7675]

Hey is that a purse from Shona Congo? I have a few of their things, they are great! Love your content!

[@angelafleming3328]

I want to try the chicken and rice I have to be dairy free so using the onion soup would keep it dairy free I would have to use plant based butter. It has been so hard trying to get use to dairy free so I am definately going to try this chicken and rice dish. Thabk you for all you do.

[@abbers9542]

Your hair looks great!

[@SeeMindyMom]

Thank you! I’ve been trying to grow it out some. I loved my short hair, but I just wanted something different for a while. :)

[@debrabowen4276]

Excellent!

[@SeeMindyMom]

Thanks for watching!

[@mrskimmieg]

So many good ideas! Thank you, Mindy. Are you going to do another stocking stuffer video this year? The toilet lights you suggested last year were a huge hit with my family. 😂

[@FrugalCraftyVegan]

Great video!! If you have never given plant butter a try, I promise it isn't the same thing as margarine. It is far superior to margarine in taste and quality - more like the butter people are used to than margarine.

[@RevDanXP]

Nice job

[@SeeMindyMom]

Thanks!

[@jaket8947]

Plugra is great.

[@kayburris8464]

I love this channel. Thanks...

[@Fiery154]

Do a $25 in ‘25 Meal Plan !

[@dmmrad54]

That is my way of shopping. Go to the meat sectìon first, then you work around whats on your list. Grocery stores are designed to make you spend more. Bakery in the front, meat all the way in the back.

[@PhilipDonna1982]

I’m always surprised when states charge sales tax on food. Thankfully in Ohio food is not taxed. We often will shop in a county that is just a few miles away that has lesser sales tax by 2% when we know we’ll be buying a large amount of taxable items. I really enjoy these challenge videos as they make me think outside the box which often results in some pretty interesting and tasty meals. Also one can thicken soups with beans if all or some of the beans are puréed or mashed first. Just be aware of the salt content in the beans if adding more beans for thickening purposes.

[@SeeMindyMom]

What’s funny is OK just lowered their sales tax on groceries. It used to be the full sales tax at over 8%!

[@brandijordan9969]

I’d like to see a video of like $10 per meal, using the sale ad. Like a Kroger sale ad and $10 per meal maximum. 5 dinner meals.

[@madelineeverritt8874]

I always thought adding meat to cooked veggies, was cross contamination. Can you add it together if the veggies aren't cooked? ❤

[@ebonymurphy-root9564]

But you are COOKING the meat

[@mylittlepony-s1m]

cool

[@DianeMario-ct9tf]

Could have added a single jalepeno or two

[@michellesunshinestar]

Ms. Mindy, you know it's interesting, food stamps (SNAP) went up 3 dollars because of inflation.

[@galedobschuetz4007]

😊

[@marshamagic8551]

I’ve never bought bouillon.

[@robs824]

Love the Upside commercial. It seems you “make” money by sharing your shopping habits from their offers. Do they sell your data and purchase history to retailers or marketers?

[@arthrodea]

Yes, thats how all those apps work (like Fetch rewards, Rakuten, Retailmenot, etc) They gather data on what you purchase and your demographic information, area you live in, stores you use, etc.... and then sell that data to other companies. They give you a discount of some sort in exchange for being able to use your data.

[@LeahCary78]

❤❤❤

[@debbiekerr3989]

Where in the United States do you live that you have to pay taxes for food? Pennsylvania and Delaware don't charge tax on food neither does New Jersey. I was shocked when you said before taxes were added. 😢

[@debbiebarnes4688]

Oklahoma! But no tax on food here in Texas.

[@hollyfink6168]

Illinois you pay taxes on food! Makes a difference!

[@kristins2078]

Florida none either

[@nicolette6327]

Alabama and Tennessee do.

[@SeeMindyMom]

I live in OK. They just lowered tax on food. It used to be over 8%.

[@christeenprice5637]

Awesome video, thanks Mindy ❤❤

[@terry5749]

❤❤❤