Help me come up with cheap meals

[Anonymous]

I had budget for one cooking item I think what I will do is go to good will and look and see what they have perhaps I can get more then one going that route.

We do have yard space and Im hoping to get a grill at some point and that will give us more cooking options(I basically gave up a kitchen but gained a large studio type walk out basement with yard space in a nice single family home subdivision within a decent school district. Do this move is great for us I just have to overcome the kitchen obstacle.

ITs also way within my budget. Once I get the initial items we are smooth sailing. Moving even with very little is way to expensive.

[Anonymous]

why not post on DCUMs that you need a crock pot and foreman grill? Maybe somebody will give you one. Theres a forum underneath for sale.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:http://www.dchunger.org/pdf/getfood_dc.pdf
See if any of this applies to you. It will help, do it for your kid.

Well since Im not a lazy bum and I work my ass off I make to much for snap according to social services.

mind you I make 11.37 an hour

[Anonymous]

McCormick has a line of mixes specifically for slow cookers. It's a $1/pack so not cheap, but you can at least get recipe ideas off the back then use your own spices. I really like their chili recipe - 1 lb beef + 2 cans red kidney beans + 1 can tomatoes (you can get the kind already chili flavored) _ a few spices (bay leaf, tumeric, a little chili pepper, salt, pepper) = summery delicious and you can eat it for days. Day 1 - in a bowl topper with raw union & cheese. Day 2 - on top of microwaved baked potatoes. Day 3 - on top of steamed veggies. Day 4 - On top of hot dogs.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:$50/week for groceries for 2 people in the DC area is absolutely impossible unless you eat carryout A LOT.

This person is just flat out wrong. I can get by on $75-100 for my family of four (two adults and two 2-yo) for a week if needed. You have to be careful where you shop and what you shop for. One of the problems here is that too many people think you need to have meat (and large portions of it) for every meal. But, you can easily make a lb of meat last for 2-3 meals for 2 if you do things right.

I agree with those who recommend against a crock pot. I think you'll find a lot more versatility getting a portable double burner like this one: http://www.walmart.com/ip/Deni-Tabletop-Burner-Double-Plate/12188087?findingMethod=rr which will cost only slightly more than the crock pot.

Also, the person who suggested shopping at Aldi was right, you can easily extend that $50 for a lot more food at Aldi.

But, some suggestions if you have the above double burner and some pots/pans from Goodwill:
- Stir fry, You can make a stir-fry with about 1/2 lb of meat (chicke or beef) that is sliced thin and in bite size pieces, plus an assortment of inexpensive veggies like green pepper, onion, cabbage, mushrooms, carrots, zucchini, broccoli that will easily last two of you for 2-3 meals. Add in a cup of rice and you can have about 3 meals for about $8.
- Spaghetti and meat sauce. 1/2 lb of ground beef, some veggies and a can of tomato sauce, plus a box of pasta, about $3 for a couple of meals. I can make a lb of gr beef, plus a couple of bell peppers, an onion, a handful of mushrooms and garlic, which costs about $4 in supplies and will last for about 6 adult meals and 4 toddler meals.
- eggs and toast are an easy an inexpensive meal. A loaf of bread and a dozen eggs for about $3 and you have breakfast for the week.
- if you need, omelets (breakfast for dinner) are also inexpensive
- Stew. Look for the discounted meats at the end of the day and you can also save money. But you can get a lb of the less expensive cut of beef or some chicken thighs and brown them, then add onions, carrots, peas, potatoes and tomatoes, and make a stew. A stew and a pound of wide noodles can last you 3-4 meals for 2. It's slightly more expensive, probably $10-12 but as I said, will last you 3-4 meals.

The key is to spread the meat out by combining with starch and vegetables.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Mom w/ one kid age 8.

The crock pot is a waste. Makes too much and who wants the same thing 5 days in a row for lunch/dinner.

We spend btw $50 - $60 on groceries. About half is spent at Whole Foods on basics. We do minimal amounts of processed food. I buy more fruits than veggies and stick to in season and on sale as much as possible.

I try and coupon but its time consuming so every few months I might score a good deal on something boxed or canned and stock up.

She doesn't have an oven or stove. She basically NEEDS a Crock Pot if she's going to have anything hot that isn't microwaved. And if she's trying to keep her grocery bill at $50/week for two people, leftovers are going to be pretty necessary.

+1!!

And nobody normal can live off mostly fruit. I stay away from much fruit other than bananas because it's too expensive. We eat lots of rice and beans. That is by far THE CHEAPEST thing someone can eat other than cereal.

Cereal is RIDICULOUSLY expensive. For the number of meals you get out of a box of cereal you can have a chicken breast and veggies or rice for much cheaper and much more nutritious. Ramen is about as cheap as you can go.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Mom w/ one kid age 8.

The crock pot is a waste. Makes too much and who wants the same thing 5 days in a row for lunch/dinner.

We spend btw $50 - $60 on groceries. About half is spent at Whole Foods on basics. We do minimal amounts of processed food. I buy more fruits than veggies and stick to in season and on sale as much as possible.

I try and coupon but its time consuming so every few months I might score a good deal on something boxed or canned and stock up.

She doesn't have an oven or stove. She basically NEEDS a Crock Pot if she's going to have anything hot that isn't microwaved. And if she's trying to keep her grocery bill at $50/week for two people, leftovers are going to be pretty necessary.

+1!!

And nobody normal can live off mostly fruit. I stay away from much fruit other than bananas because it's too expensive. We eat lots of rice and beans. That is by far THE CHEAPEST thing someone can eat other than cereal.

Cereal is RIDICULOUSLY expensive. For the number of meals you get out of a box of cereal you can have a chicken breast and veggies or rice for much cheaper and much more nutritious. Ramen is about as cheap as you can go.

No - cereal is cheap as long as you buy it on sale. It is on sale every week at an area grocery store or CVS, Rite Aid, Walgreens under $2 a box. If you print some coupons, all the more better.

[Anonymous]

Join Freecycle and I bet you can get some of the kitchen items you're looking for for free.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I can make without a kitchen :shock:

I just moved into a basement with my 5 year old and we do not have a kitchen.

I own a food processor, a ninja, and a microwave.

I have largish mini fridge.

I am going to buy a crock pot but any other purchases will have to wait atleast a month (I hope to buy an electric grill or something)

I need the meals to be cheap and healthy.

so ideas? Id love to keep my food budget to about 50 a week.

$50/week for groceries for 2 people in the DC area is absolutely impossible unless you eat carryout A LOT.

For 2 ppl, it will be more like $75-$125/week.

Put de-skinned checken thighs in the crock pot with water, chopped 1/2 onion, and either a) Adobo (red top), or b) McCormick Lemon Pepper (lots of it) and a dash of Allspice.

You're nuts! We use thefresh20.com and the meal planning there works out at $50-60 a week for 5 evening meals for four adults. If you make the same amount for one adult and one child you have enough for leftovers for lunch and the other two days. And you're eating really healthy unprocessed food. Or reduce the amounts a little and buy some bread and cereal for lunch and breakfast. Carryout is likely to be more expensive and much less healthy.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Don't be discouraged. $50 per week for you and your 5 yo son is not going to be impossible as the prior pp suggested. It can be done. I've done it.

1st - I suggest shopping at Aldi where your $50 will get you ALOT of food.

2nd - I would suggest purchasing and electric skillet. My mom and I were homeless when I was growing up and we had our stuff in a storage facility. We used to go to the storage facility each day to plug up our electric skillet and cook meals. On the special days (maybe once per month) we fried up and steak in the skillet and it was yummy!

We had one of these which cost about $20:
http://www.amazon.com/Presto-06620-11-Inch-Electric-Skillet/dp/B0000BYD65/ref=sr_1_10?s=home-garden&ie=UTF8&qid=1374500785&sr=1-10&keywords=electric+skillet

3rd - If you have access to a backyard or open space you can cook as though you are camping, with real pots/pans over a can of sterno. My mom and I used to go to a public park and set up the sterno and cook up some delicious meals.

Here's a link to the sterno:
http://www.walmart.com/ip/Sterno-Gel-Fuel/14913075

You will probably want to also get the portable folding stove. You can put the can of sterno inside and then set your pans on top to cook your food:
http://www.walmart.com/ip/Sterno-Portable-Folding-Stove/20434298

4th - Look for websites or blogs that are dedicated to making cheap meals. Here's a good blog for you to check out: http://www.thesimpledollar.com/2010/10/21/20-favorite-dirt-cheap-meals/

When all else fails refer back to # 1. Aldi needs to be your best friend. You can get tons of good quality food within your budget from Aldi. I'm not sure where you live but I go to the one in Alexandria, VA down Richmond Hwy (Rte.1 ). I usually spend about $50 per week on average for myself and my 3 year old.

Also, if you are ever in a bind don't feel bad about going to a food bank or even a local church they will be able to give you food to supplement your needs which will help you to stretch your budget even more.

Right now it sounds like you are in an adjustment period. The goods news is that with creative solutions you CAN make it work.

My mom and I lived homeless in her car for at least 7 years from when I was about 6 years old to when I was 13 years old and the electric skillet and sterno w/ portable stove that I outlined above were lifesavers for us in terms of still being able to cook our own healthy meals and not having to eat fast food everyday.

Well that would be an "ask me anything" that I'd be interested to read. Glad that all turned out okay for you.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Mom w/ one kid age 8.

The crock pot is a waste. Makes too much and who wants the same thing 5 days in a row for lunch/dinner.

We spend btw $50 - $60 on groceries. About half is spent at Whole Foods on basics. We do minimal amounts of processed food. I buy more fruits than veggies and stick to in season and on sale as much as possible.

I try and coupon but its time consuming so every few months I might score a good deal on something boxed or canned and stock up.

Our breakfast are smoothies or fruit and yogurt currently

snacks are always fruit, fresh veggies(cauliflour, celerey, etc), or greek yogurt with some sort of berries or honey.

If I dont buy a crockpot and use it what other cost effective options do I have to make lunch and dinners.

HI, I replied up thread but invest in a toaster oven and maybe a single burner so you can cook things like scrambled eggs, pancakes. Look on craigs list - always cheap kitchen appliances available from people moving.

You can cook meals in a microwave also including chicken. Crock pots can be a pain to clean out unless you use a liner, the $5 rotisserie chicken is a good bet and a time saver, also frozen chicken breast portions are available for $6.99 a bag at TJs and on sale at Giant /Safeway for $8.99. Thaw a few at a time and cook in the microwave or toaster oven. A loaf of white bread is always on sale also - $1 at any of the major grocery chains. I alternate between that any better bread.

Other quick meal ideas - yogurt mixed with granola (I am cheap and smash up granola bars and store them in a tupper ware type container instead of buying pricey granola - every now and again I make my own granola), pancakes, scrambled eggs, egg salad, quesadillas. cold pasta salad,

[Anonymous]

We just gave about a toaster oven and a toaster for free on craigslist - I hope you can find some free kitchen appliances as well! My neighborhood mom's listserve also has daily "curb alerts" - free stuff on the curb.

[Anonymous]

If I didn't have a stove/oven, the two inexpensive things I would get first would be a toaster oven and a multi cooker like this :

http://www.walmart.com/ip/14321003?wmlspartner=wlpa&adid=22222222227000433921&wl0=&wl1=g&wl2=c&wl3=30062140150&wl4=&wl5=pla&wl6=34444587070&veh=sem

That multi cooker cooks everything. I've had one for years.

Too bad you don't live closer to me. I could give you a microwave and all kinds of kitchen stuff. Heck, you could come over to my house and eat daily. I cook way too much.

Good luck boo.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Don't be discouraged. $50 per week for you and your 5 yo son is not going to be impossible as the prior pp suggested. It can be done. I've done it.

1st - I suggest shopping at Aldi where your $50 will get you ALOT of food.

2nd - I would suggest purchasing and electric skillet. My mom and I were homeless when I was growing up and we had our stuff in a storage facility. We used to go to the storage facility each day to plug up our electric skillet and cook meals. On the special days (maybe once per month) we fried up and steak in the skillet and it was yummy!

We had one of these which cost about $20:
http://www.amazon.com/Presto-06620-11-Inch-Electric-Skillet/dp/B0000BYD65/ref=sr_1_10?s=home-garden&ie=UTF8&qid=1374500785&sr=1-10&keywords=electric+skillet

3rd - If you have access to a backyard or open space you can cook as though you are camping, with real pots/pans over a can of sterno. My mom and I used to go to a public park and set up the sterno and cook up some delicious meals.

Here's a link to the sterno:
http://www.walmart.com/ip/Sterno-Gel-Fuel/14913075



You will probably want to also get the portable folding stove. You can put the can of sterno inside and then set your pans on top to cook your food:
http://www.walmart.com/ip/Sterno-Portable-Folding-Stove/20434298

4th - Look for websites or blogs that are dedicated to making cheap meals. Here's a good blog for you to check out: http://www.thesimpledollar.com/2010/10/21/20-favorite-dirt-cheap-meals/

When all else fails refer back to # 1. Aldi needs to be your best friend. You can get tons of good quality food within your budget from Aldi. I'm not sure where you live but I go to the one in Alexandria, VA down Richmond Hwy (Rte.1 ). I usually spend about $50 per week on average for myself and my 3 year old.

Also, if you are ever in a bind don't feel bad about going to a food bank or even a local church they will be able to give you food to supplement your needs which will help you to stretch your budget even more.

Right now it sounds like you are in an adjustment period. The goods news is that with creative solutions you CAN make it work.

My mom and I lived homeless in her car for at least 7 years from when I was about 6 years old to when I was 13 years old and the electric skillet and sterno w/ portable stove that I outlined above were lifesavers for us in terms of still being able to cook our own healthy meals and not having to eat fast food everyday.

I think you are awesome.

[Anonymous]

I think the poster is super awesome too.