Something I'm generally intrigued with. Generally I'm still stuck in "student mode" so I try to spend as little as possible on food. Generally I buy pasta, brown rice, potatoes, some fruit, frozen juice, cabbage, onions etc. Spices aren't always high on the list but I do try and keep topped up, meat I'll tend to buy cheap cuts of chicken, occasionally some cheap red meat. I aim to spend less than £100 per month, obviously this doesn't always happen because I get a bit obred and splash out here and there, but when you're not earning much, I try to keep the costs down.

What about you guys? How much do you spend and what are you eating? Any reasons for it? I try to do this because I'm saving up to go on holiday to Canada and it helps me get usedto budgeting again..

Bulk foods are a must. Like you said, pasta, rice, potatoes, are all delicious and pretty cost effective. As are Beans, dried or canned are fine. Almost all beans are low in fat or even fat free and contain a list of needed nutrients, including Folic Acid, Zinc, Calcium and Fiber. You can use them in stews, soups, or whatever.

Canned Tuna, Peanut Butter, Chicken, Flank Steak, Ground Turkey or Pork. Whole Wheat Pasta. Oatmeal, Cereal, Frozen Vegetables/Fruit. Fresh Fruits and Veggies.These aren't always the cheapest option, but seek out sales and cheaper options. For instance, Bananas, apples, potatoes, corn (when its in season on the cob) lettuce, tomatoes, onions, and a variety of others are almost always fairly cheap.

You can survive pretty cheaply if you must, and sometimes you gotta!


Good luck.

I go crazy with food because not having a car, I've always had extra money. Still though I completely avoid fast food and sugary snacks at every turn. It's just not needed.

The store down the street I'll grab a week's worth of veggies and fruits (pears, apples, oranges, bananas, potatoes, carrots) for about 20 bucks. Meat is cheap there but I don't eat much of it these days, just tuna and chicken basically.

When I do a big shopping I'll get the major things. I've learned to do it this way because fruit and veggies start to rot in a week, and if the major things are taken care of, you never have to get them for another few weeks. So I'll go grab my meats (freeze em) and canned stuff (string beans, busch's beans), pasta, oatmeal, cereals, breads... A freezer is an amazing thing. Once in a while a relative of mine goes to this place called "Sam's Club" where it is this big factory place they sell stuff CHEAP in bulk. So if you have a car, I'd suggest going to one of those places. I probably paid 150 for what would usually be 325 easy (but the place IS way out there, so consider gas...?)....I think "BJ's" is another one.

Beyond that, the greatest thing about my new apartment is there is a convenience store RIGHT next door, literally. If I need milk, eggs, doritos, cheese, soap, detergent, sponges, canned stuff, etc, I go in and tell them to not even give me a bag. I love it, it seriously rules.

Oh yeah and for the athletes: I order ISOPURE protein powder off the internet. THey sell it for 70 bucks at the GNC here and online it's like 35... so. Yep, that's how I survive these days. It works well for me and I'm never hungry.

Oatmeal, peanut butter, cheese, toast bread, noodles, pesto, smokeys/sausages, chicken wings, multi-vitamins, and bananas. It doesn't break the bank and it keeps you healthy enough.

When I decide that it's time to save money, this is my general grocery list. There are plenty of different ways to eat cheap. If you're particularly concerned about it, I'd suggest getting a second job at either a restaurant or a grocery store.

i don't buy my own groceries because i still live at home during the summer and in a dorm room the rest of the time, but if you're willing to simply ride the sale wave, it's quite easy to save money on groceries. i've tried to get my mom to do such because she spends a ridiculous amount for groceries for this 4 person household, and she will find things we "need" and go to the store to get like fucking three times a week. but she's set in her ways and it's hopeless.

but i work at a store and just looking through the weekly ad, i can see how easy it can be to budget. i'll use chicken leg quarters as an example. we had them on sale for 0.69/lb in a 10 lb bag, so $6.90 for 10 lbs of chicken. for a family of four, that's the main course in two meals for the week right there, and they're versatile enough that you wouldn't have to make them the same way both times. for one person, you could eat that for dinner basically all week. add to that whatever vegetables are on sale that week and voila. you can also usually find a cheap pack of bologna for $1, but if you don't like eating mystery meat, either stock up when the good stuff is on sale (oscar meyer is actually $1 right now where i work) or go for the shit fresh from the deli and pay the $4/lb or whatever it is and enjoy your cheap, non fast food lunches.


then i would go to the bargain budget type grocery store across the street to get cheap as shit canned goods, various condiments, generic drinks and/or drink mixes, and other ingredients you might need. hell you can even afford a bag of chips or two for snacks.

and then finally, the bread thrift store is THE place to buy cheap bread. they'll have loaves sitting there marked $1.69 for whatever store they distribute them to, with a sign right next to it saying like $0.49. and i'm not talking about generic bread or anything. last time i went there i got good quality whole grain wheat. i'd buy two or three at a time so you don't have to make frequent trips and freeze the other loaves until you're ready to use them.

Try expanding your vocabulary?

What words would you prefer I used? .

http://www.totse.com/community/showt...t=budget+meals

Usually?