HELP! Is it possible to live off of 25.00

[deadmort616]

A week for food for two people?

[Libby]

Yes I think its possible but it will be very hard.

If you have a well rounded and stocked stockpile then it will make it all the more easier. If you need to use that $25 to grocery shop (and where) then you must plan very carefully for the week ahead etc and truthlly stick to it. Lots of soups, stews, noodle casseroles, rice dishes etc.

I know many of the other ladies on here would be able to help provide suggestions on how to make the food stretch - but I still think its very doable.

[FrugalMomof3]

I think it is possible for sure with eating even top ramen, rice, pork n' beans, soups, spaghetti w/sauce and other stuff like that.

Try shopping discount food stores like Aldi's, Price Rite, or surplus stores where you can get alot for $25.

[Laurie in Bradenton]

Yes, it is. We done it before. I usually spent the bulk of the money on a hunk of meat (because we're meat eaters). I'll buy a ham and we'll have it all week. Baked the first night, scalloped potaotes the next, chunks in scrambled eggs the next, soup with ham sandwiches the next, then a hot noodle casserole (like tuna only with bits of ham), finally a cold noodle salad. I'll use up the veggies I've got on hand for side dishes along with canned fruits.
A small sack of potaotes will do the scalloped potatoes and the soup.

Lauire in Bradenton

[sunshine]

That's more than I budget for food -- we budget $20/week for 2 people. I buy very little convience or name brand foods. I bake everything from scratch. We use meats as a flavoring or side dish, not a main dish.\

It also depends on where you live -- I live in the midwest, where food is pretty inexpensive. It may be more difficult where you live.

There are all sorts of articles, menus, and so forth online right now about this. Several government officials did a challenge to live on food stamp allotment of $21/week per person. Do a search for some inspiration.

[wanderinggrandma]

Here is a site with lots of ideas for very cheap menu ideas:

http://www.budget101.com/$10_grocery_list.htm


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Good Luck!!

[cab54]

You guys are my heroes!

I think if it were just me (dh is pickier) I could get by on about $15 a week, or less.

[sunshine]

http://jdougall.typepad.com/dynamic_range/

Here is Rep. John Dougall's repsonse to the food stamp challenge -- granted this is $21/person for a week, but it shows that it can be done cheap and healthy.

[i.m.cheap]

I think it could be done for a few weeks, if you have some food already in your pantry and freezer. How long will you need to keep to this budget?

[dolphinlfier]

You all are the greatest, I mean yalls idaes are wonderful! I am learning so much!

[fuzzybunny]

Split pea soup veggie style!!! I lived on this stuff for quite a while 6 or 7 years ago, when I just started dealing with my debt and was making a low wage. I would pay my bills at the first of the month and literally have 15 dollars left.

If you only have to make it one week here's your recipe

1 pound split peas (in the bulk section)
1 carrot
1 celery stalk
1 onion
1 clove of garlic
2 bay leaves (from bulk section)
salt
pepper
optional: 2 slices of bacon chopped or 1 small ham steak
optional: 1/2 c white wine (It's good and I throw it in when I have it but don't buy it special.)

Stick the peas in a strainer and run them under cold water until they are all wet. Set aside.

Throw the onion, carrot, celery and garlic into a food processor if you have one, otherwise chop by hand, then sauté them for about 5 minutes in a bit of oil in a soup pot.

If you have meat, throw it in and cook a couple more minutes

Add peas, bay leaves, wine and water to cover.

Bring to boil and simmer about half hour till peas are tender. If it gets too thick add some more water.

Toss some of the soup into a blender, food processor or use a potato masher to give it smoother texture.
Makes 6 to 8 servings: Serve with bread... from the bread machine if you have one.
If you are going to be doing this long term then buy a big bag of carrots, big bag of onions and a big bunch of celery. You may need to sauté them up in batches and freeze them so they won't go bad. If it's just a get through the week situation and you haven't gotten a good pantry surplus then you will probably need to buy a single carrot, onion etc. The cost breaks down about like this if you have absolutely no surplus at home in my area:

1 carrott - .25
1 celery stalk .25
1 large yellow onion .50
1 pound split peas .52
garlic .50
2 bay leaves from bulk section .02
2 slices bacon from the deli section -1.00
Total cost - 3.04 or .38 cents a serving. If you leave out the bacon then it will be .25 cents a serving and even less if you buy the veggies in bulk bags rather than singly.

2 people should be able to get three meals out of each pot... possibly four.


Good Luck!
Christine

[deadmort616]

How long will you need to keep to this budget?

three months or untill i lose my mind.

See im moving and the secruity depost took away my abilty to pay half of my bills and to eat for the enxt three months. I can pay a litte here and there so stuff dosnt get turned off...

thanks all for the information

[Holly]

You could also get some chicken and veggies and make chicken pot pies.( or beef roast slice some for open face sandwiches and potatoes, then beef pot pie, or BBQ beef sandwiches. )
Put with a salad or cottage cheese and you have a great meal.
Get some ground beef and make some hamburg patties and freeze and use some to make meatloaf with mashed potatoes and veggie...
You'll find you have a great imagination to stretch your budget.
Good Luck