Eating well on $68.88 a week

[nancycg56]

That's the food stamp budget for a family of 4 Eating well on a food stamp budget: $68.88 - Diet and nutrition- msnbc.com

Interesting article and I KNOW many here could so better

So what would YOUR weekly meal plan look like? You can approximate the cost if you want

[pollypurebred39]

I spend FAR less then that a week for 4 people. Our diet could be healthier, however I suspect we eat healthier then most in America do.

I only buy meats that are $1 a pound or less. That may mean we have chicken legs almost every meal or pork shoulder but I try to switch it up a bit.

I buy whole grains only.

I purchase produce from a produce warehouse or farmers market.

Dairy from our local dairy.

Clearance racks for Gluten free products, and other finds.

And food thrift stores.

other then that I use coupons to get free items, or near free items, and pizza shop leftovers from my husbands work are mostly the only junk we have in the house. We have a garden and that helps. It's not been easy, I'd spend more on food if we had it to spend.

[Luckybustert]

I only buy meats that are $1 a pound or less. That may mean we have chicken legs almost every meal or pork shoulder but I try to switch it up a bit.

I do this too, and I stock up when the various types of meats are on sale.

[BeachBaby]

pollypurebred39- would you mind sharing some of your daily meals/menus? I really need to cut our grocery bill.

[baxjul]

Great article. I would like to see some meal plans also!

[AnW819]

I really wish they would have listed exactly what they bought and what meals they are making in this article because I cannot even make 7 breakfasts, lunches and dinners for me and DH on $70 bucks..

[SueAnne]

I would guess a lot would depend on the area you live in, also.

[lisaflex]

no way i could....i just went today and the only meat i bought was 3 prk chps, some frozen tilapia loins and frozen snapper filets. the rest was fresh fruit and veggies. there were rice cakes in there for dd though! and 2 bottles of wine @ 9.99 ea...but, still, i came out at $145!!! and this wont last the week..

i need to start reading more again on here!

but i did get seattles best coffee on sale for 6.99! yeah for me!

[AnW819]

I wish someone could give me a meal plan to last a week for under $100 bucks, lol. Even with coupons I still can't get it to last a week

[Maine Girl]

Ashley,

I live alone and i try to live on $128 a month on food.
here are some of my meals

breakfast is either
homemade muffins
oatmeal
cold cereal
yorgurt

For lunch
Sandwiches and or leftovers
crackers or chips
fruit
and a drink

for dinners

once a week i have quesdilla with chips and salsa
once a week a pasta dish
once a week a grilled cheese and soup or french fries
once a week i have breakfast for dinner like pancakes and sausage or french toast and sausage or eggs and hashbrowns
i always keep a box mac n cheese in the cupboard also.
I buy my meats on sale and work from there
I also buy some of my groceries at big lots and xmas tree shop they have really good prices on snacks and cereals
i also try to buy fruits and veggies that are on sale.

I hope this helps

[Maine Girl]

if i had $68.88 a week to spend i would be living high on the hog!!!

[nuisance26]

~I spend a bit less than that and we eat well with lots of extras. We spend $8 a week on coffee and ice cream alone, our major treats. I could also easily cut out the juice and iced tea($3 week) and non-essential baking supplies(cocoa, chocolate chips, powdered sugar,etc. $2 week). We even occasionally buy liquors,snack foods and fast food with the food budget($10 wk). So our essential food is about $35 a week for our family of four.
We have a great Menu Planning Challenge thread for those of you who would like to see frugal plans.
There are many strategies in use when living with a small food budget. Some good ones were mentioned in the article posted. Here are some of mine:
*Buy nutritious ingredients to keep in your fridge, freezer and pantry
*If it's a great price, stock up
*Plan menus based on what you have in the pantry and freezer
*Plan time to cook!
*Eat appropriate portions. Too little is a health detriment and too much is a waste of money.
*Buy packaged snack foods only as special occasion, rare treats.
*Always be thinking of food alternatives. You can replace that $5lb lunch meat with leftover roasted chicken, tacos can be made with the $2lb pork instead of buying this week's $4lb ground beef, or using less expensive dried milk in your baking/cooking instead of fresh.
*Wean yourself down to more simple food styles. It may take awhile but the day will come when your frugal meal of half a breast of grilled chicken, 2 cups of steamed frozen veggies and thick slice of homemade wheat bread will not seem simple but will seem simply delicious and satisfying.
~

[AnW819]

Nuisance---can you please take me grocery shopping??? South Jersey hates me!!

[AnW819]

Ashley,

I live alone and i try to live on $128 a month on food.
here are some of my meals

breakfast is either
homemade muffins
oatmeal
cold cereal
yorgurt

For lunch
Sandwiches and or leftovers
crackers or chips
fruit
and a drink

for dinners

once a week i have quesdilla with chips and salsa
once a week a pasta dish
once a week a grilled cheese and soup or french fries
once a week i have breakfast for dinner like pancakes and sausage or french toast and sausage or eggs and hashbrowns
i always keep a box mac n cheese in the cupboard also.
I buy my meats on sale and work from there
I also buy some of my groceries at big lots and xmas tree shop they have really good prices on snacks and cereals
i also try to buy fruits and veggies that are on sale.

I hope this helps

Thanks so much!!! I can still see myself spending more though. This is the type of meal plan I would love to have to!

[nuisance26]

Nuisance---can you please take me grocery shopping??? South Jersey hates me!!

~Aww, I think prices in your area are a bit higher than mine. I also get a lot of my stuff at Aldi and then just cherry pick the loss leaders from the big grocery stores. Do you have an Aldi or Save-A-Lot your way?~