Only have $20 to spend for meals (groceries)through next Thurs. What should I buy?

[Anonymous]

I am a single mom with a child. Had I not decided to stock up on some sale items this week, I would have spent a total of $25 for groceries this week and that includes $17 at Whole Foods.

I buy a loaf of bread each week for $1 at the grocery store. By the end of the week, I have 3/4 of the loaf left after providing a sandwich with 2 slices 5 days a week plus making grilled cheese at least one night. With the left over loaf I could potentially make pbj, grilled cheese (cheese slices - can ask the deli for a $1 or $2 worth or any dollars amount worth or buy a thing of processed slices if that's the preferred type), french toast (needs one egg and a bit of milk ), or regular toast. And that was all from the same $1 loaf. ( I don't eat bread myself - only my daughter eats it.)

Other cheap and easy stuff - dozen eggs - $1.50 - scrambled, hard boiled, - small container of milk - $1.59, box of cereal that is on sale (Cheerios or Kix - $2.50), Yogurt (can get those for $.40 or $.50 each), bag of carrots sticks ($1.50), soup (always on sale), frozen pizza ($1), apples or clementines (in season so cheaper), juice packed fruit (usually on sale at Safeway for $1 a container), box of mac n cheese ($1), bag of frozen chicken tenders ($8 - $10 depending on what store), bagged salad ($2.50), salad dressing ($1 a bottle), box of pasta ($1), box of Bisquick ($3 - makes pancakes, waffles, biscuits). Throw in a thing a cookies or crackers or chips - that is another $2.

One just doesn't need the volume and quantity of food for two people - one who is a child - that is needed to feed a family of 4 that includes 2 adults.

Crock pots are not a good investment or use of food money. The amount of food made exceeds what is needed, leftover food that has been cooked and warmed 8+ hours doesn't taste that great then being frozen and reheated later.

Dried beans - waste of time and energy. Its more cost and time effective to buy a can of beans to make a recipe to serve two.

[Anonymous]

OP definitely think of setting up the Amazon wish list. You can hide your address/name. I buy from the one for Doorways VA and it is great. I get them stuff like toilet paper, feminine products, etc and when I had prime it was free shipping to boot!

Best of luck, so glad to see generosity on DCUM!

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

I buy a loaf of bread each week for $1 at the grocery store. By the end of the week, I have 3/4 of the loaf left after providing a sandwich with 2 slices 5 days a week plus making grilled cheese at least one night. With the left over loaf I could potentially make pbj, grilled cheese (cheese slices - can ask the deli for a $1 or $2 worth or any dollars amount worth or buy a thing of processed slices if that's the preferred type), french toast (needs one egg and a bit of milk ), or regular toast. And that was all from the same $1 loaf. ( I don't eat bread myself - only my daughter eats it.)

How does this work..if you make 5 sandwiches + a grilled cheese you are using 12 slices of bread. How is that only a 1/4 of the loaf being used? You buy loaves with 48 slices for $1?

[Anonymous]

OP, I just called the Brentwood Giant, spoke with a really nice clerk by the name of Karen, (I think) she said they receive mail once a day. The gift card will be coming through their "inter office mail" She asked for you call to see if your gift card is there tomorrow. Apparently, they lock them up in the safe and she didn't have the authority to open it now. I ordered it on Saturday and the delivery time is 4-7 days, unfortunately --- I hope you are able to get it soon.

I emailed the address you provided with the specifics on the gift card, hopefully you will not have any problem picking up. Also, my cell # is on there and they can call me to verify.

Good luck and hope things take a better turn for you, soon.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

I buy a loaf of bread each week for $1 at the grocery store. By the end of the week, I have 3/4 of the loaf left after providing a sandwich with 2 slices 5 days a week plus making grilled cheese at least one night. With the left over loaf I could potentially make pbj, grilled cheese (cheese slices - can ask the deli for a $1 or $2 worth or any dollars amount worth or buy a thing of processed slices if that's the preferred type), french toast (needs one egg and a bit of milk ), or regular toast. And that was all from the same $1 loaf. ( I don't eat bread myself - only my daughter eats it.)

How does this work..if you make 5 sandwiches + a grilled cheese you are using 12 slices of bread. How is that only a 1/4 of the loaf being used? You buy loaves with 48 slices for $1?

I think she meant to say she has 1/4 of the loaf left. I wondered where she was getting this amazing loaf of bread, too, before I realized

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:OP definitely think of setting up the Amazon wish list. You can hide your address/name. I buy from the one for Doorways VA and it is great. I get them stuff like toilet paper, feminine products, etc and when I had prime it was free shipping to boot!

Best of luck, so glad to see generosity on DCUM!

Yes, OP, if you set up an Amazon wish list, I'd also like to help you out through this rough patch. It would be a great way to stock up on toiletries and nonperishables.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Get a whole cooked rotisserie chicken ($5 at safeway on fridays) and a can of cream of chicken soup. Make a chicken and rice casserole, that should last you at least two days and maybe even be enough to take to lunch one day. Get some dried beans and maybe some salted pork and make a big pot of rice and beans - again enough for two days. And get some fruit, maybe a bag of apples or whatever fruit is on sale this week. $20 should be able to get you all this, I think...

OP here. $5 rotisserie chk?? I didn't know that, I always see them for about $8. I will def get this. I guess dried beans is the way to go since everyone is suggesting this. Never cooked them before, but I'll give it a shot. Really trying to keep my DD from realizing that there is a problem. She fights with me when I'm short on money (never been this bad before) and I'm really trying hard to keep us afloat. ((sigh))). Thanks everyone.

Yes, both Safeway and Giant have rotisserie chicken on sale every Friday. Good luck. I grew up like this with a single mom, and I never knew the difference. We ate a lot of spaghetti, tuna noodle casserole (can of tuna, box of cheap mac and cheese, can of peas), Hamburger Helper, chili (cheap ground beef, can of chili beans, can of tomatoes, chili powder). She would also buy those industrial size bags of pre-frozen chicken breasts on sale and casserole the bejeezus out of that stuff with cream of everything, canned or frozen vegetables and noodles.

Stay strong. Your teenage daughter will be an adult one day and she'll realize how damned hard you worked to give her a good life. Wish I could give you a hug.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:DCUM at its best.

+1. Rarely do I feel better after reading a thread!

Amen. Just please don't forget all the other hungry people out there, folks. Food banks are struggling and have higher demand than every. Any help you can provide them - donating the extras from your cabinets/pantries, money, gift cards, old coats - they will be so grateful. And there are so many wonderful charities in our area - SOME, Food and Friends, Miriam's Kitchen. Keep this generosity going - this is what the holiday season is TRULY about. Thanks to all of you for warming my heart and making me smile.

[Anonymous]

Why aren't you receiving assistance from the government? They help with a lot, food, bills, etc. How old is your daughter? What kind of work do you do? Can you get an advance? I am a (young) single mother and I know it can be hard but it can be done. You daughter should eat the school food and breakfast, I'm assuming she qualifies for free lunch.

[Anonymous]

OP have you picked up your GC from Giant?

[Anonymous]

OP, You haven't checked in a couple of days. I just want to tell you that Giant called; your GC is ready to be picked up. Sorry it took so long, but hope it's still in time to help with what you may need at this time.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:OP, I just called the Brentwood Giant, spoke with a really nice clerk by the name of Karen, (I think) she said they receive mail once a day. The gift card will be coming through their "inter office mail" She asked for you call to see if your gift card is there tomorrow. Apparently, they lock them up in the safe and she didn't have the authority to open it now. I ordered it on Saturday and the delivery time is 4-7 days, unfortunately --- I hope you are able to get it soon.

I emailed the address you provided with the specifics on the gift card, hopefully you will not have any problem picking up. Also, my cell # is on there and they can call me to verify.

Good luck and hope things take a better turn for you, soon.

OP here. I just called the Giant and they finally received the card. Thank you so much!! Going to pick it up now. Just in time too, things were getting a bit desperate. So grateful!

[Anonymous]

Thank you everyone for your assistance!! Going to pick up my Giant card and have a real meal tonight.

[Anonymous]

Yay for OP!

[Anonymous]

OP--good for you.

I'm the PP who originally asked about the Walmart card. If we send Walmart gift cards to you, will you use them? We can email Walmart gift cards and you can print them out and use them both on-line and in-store. If you answer yes, I'll send a Walmart gift card to you. I think at least one other PP is also interested in sending you one if you'll use it.