My $50 a week budget

[dean]

If the goldfish shaped flat bread is for a kiddo, try cutting their bread with a cookie cutter and saving the excess for stuffing, breadcrumbs, etc. it would save you alot and you would have more shape options.

[valerian]

If the goldfish shaped flat bread is for a kiddo, try cutting their bread with a cookie cutter and saving the excess for stuffing, breadcrumbs, etc. it would save you alot and you would have more shape options.

Yep, I did this for my youngest two boys when I made them bento boxes for lunch.

[Lindsey]

I think $50 a week is fine. I have been doing that lately to build our savings "slush" fund back up since we bought a house in Aug. It's been not our favorite meals(nor the most healthy), but they're cheap and filling- usually gotten on sale. Here are some of the things I have been doing, and it's usually under $3. for the meal and includes leftovers for the kiddos and I for lunch the next day (DH takes 3 sandwhiches and a snack to work with him everyday, plus breakfast which is usually muffins I have made and frozen);
Red beans and rice
Biscuits and gravy
boiled cabbage with cut up sausage thrown in
spaghetti
black beans and rice
qusadillas
Chilli
Chicken and yellow rice with steamed broccoli

...I can't think of anything else right now, but it can be done. Good luck. I would recommend planning though. I don't go day by day (like Monday will be tacos, Tues. spaghetti), but I do plan a certian amount of meals and then choose from that list what I am in the mood for. I also take into account on busy days, like Thursday has to be made by lunch or in a crockpot and on Wednesdays we have to eat in the car on the way from gymnastics to Church. It takes a lot of planning, but at least we aren't eating out. I also always have a cheap frozen pizza in the back of the freezer for my just incase meal Hope this "book" helps.

[Momto5RN]

i think everyone has their splurge areas not everyone has the same life happening and you did great .

to be honest i can buy waffles cheaper than making them if i wait for a sale - alot of times people assume stuff is cheaper when the cost of flour sugar milk etc has gone up so much that "old " calculations are no longer realistic .

i actually saw alot of ingredients less than half was premade stuff .

i know due to my kids activities and my fibro i have some premade stuff sitting around for bad days - in the end its cheaper than doing what seems alot in the non frugal world do which is running thru a drive thru.

a person can set up a challenge to be what they want it to be - and since most on the frugal train do have a pantry or freezer full of stuff

i work and have a illness many cant work with so a little processed food goes in my cart now and then . thats just my life . doesnt mean i am not frugal enough means i have realized what is more important than some frozen pre-breaded chicken for the kids or wings for my dh ( 0nly one who eats them )once in a while and thats health and time with my family .

[qsaver704]

[QUOTE=Paws;1567054
The parmesan cheese is MUCH cheaper to buy intact and shred yourself...only takes a few minutes-even less if a food processor is used.
As far as the dino shaped chicken, even with a coupon, usually regular shaped frozen chicken nuggets are less expensive, specially in a generic/store brand.
With the saving on the above, a 12 pk tp could have been bought instead of the 4 pk, and you would have still been way below your budget...[/QUOTE]

- block cheese in our area is the same price as shredded
-generic/store brand is cheaper, but name brand regular or shapes are the same price and if they are on sale with a coupon they are the same price
-some times you can't afford the 12 pack, so you buy 4 to make do

[Paws]

- block cheese in our area is the same price as shredded
-generic/store brand is cheaper, but name brand regular or shapes are the same price and if they are on sale with a coupon they are the same price
some times you can't afford the 12 pack, so you buy 4 to make do

I truly understand that, but I've found if I wait for a sale and use good coupons, sometimes, I can buy the 12pk almost as cheap as the 4 pk.

Block parm vs. shredded...I've bought both, and from my experiences, I got more from the block of cheese than the equivalent shredded.

[brenda67]

Making freezer meals will help you out when you don't have the time,tired or sick..Buying convience food can really drain your budget..btdt..I find that if buy that stuff my TEENAGE boy's have it all gone in a week or less..I wish you the best!

[LynnLC]

If the goldfish shaped flat bread is for a kiddo, try cutting their bread with a cookie cutter and saving the excess for stuffing, breadcrumbs, etc. it would save you alot and you would have more shape options.

Yes! I also made PB&J "uncrustables" with a cookie cutter. Use a fork to seal the edges and Bam! knockoff snacks. Lol.

[Missourimom]

I agree with Debbie (Momto5RN) on everything she said. If this is what works for your family, then that's wonderful. Not everyone has the time to make everything from scratch. Good luck with your new budget!

[Maine Girl]

This week i wanted to see if i could keep my budget to $50 for the week. No mind you there is just me. So Wednesday i went to Trader Joes and spent $28.31 and today i went to CVS with $6.00 ECB and spent $11.28.

a small bottle of dawn dishwashing liquid (stockpile)
2 loaves of bread
a pound of grapes
a container of minestrone soup
a container of chicken salad
a frozen pizza
box of chicken nuggets
bag of cheese puffs
bag of tortilla chips
bottle of vegatable oil (stockpile item)
a case of water
2 bags of chips (stockpile item)
container of sour cream

Hoping to do better next week.
Hoping to do better

[carlitasway]

I'm in no way criticizing you, because a $50 weekly grocery budget is really good. But in my opinion, the waffles, rolls, flat bread, and hot wings can be made at home much cheaper than the store bought products.
The juice is more cost efficient if you purchase the no sugar added frozen concentrate and make it up yourself.
The parmesan cheese is MUCH cheaper to buy intact and shred yourself...only takes a few minutes-even less if a food processor is used.
As far as the dino shaped chicken, even with a coupon, usually regular shaped frozen chicken nuggets are less expensive, specially in a generic/store brand.
With the saving on the above, a 12 pk tp could have been bought instead of the 4 pk, and you would have still been way below your budget...

Hot wings, cheese, rolls were free with combo deals and everything else you highlighted was on sale and had a coupon. Wow, I didn't know I was going to have to explain my purchases so much, lol. Anyway, still doing the $50 week budget but will hold off on posting what I bought. Thanks everyone

[Paws]

Hot wings, cheese, rolls were free with combo deals and everything else you highlighted was on sale and had a coupon. Wow, I didn't know I was going to have to explain my purchases so much, lol. Anyway, still doing the $50 week budget but will hold off on posting what I bought. Thanks everyone

Wow...sorry you took offense...didn't intend it to come across that way. :/
I DID state "I'm in no way criticizing you, because a $50 weekly grocery budget is really good."
I just gave my opinion on the items bought...maybe you weren't looking for that...if so, sorry.