We’ve all been there: pay day is still a week away and you only have $20 to your name. This might feel like a reason to panic, but the truth is, you have options. There are certain tips and tricks you can implement so you can make that $20 go its very farthest and get the most grocery bang for your buck.
Take a look at these tips on how to get the most groceries for your dollar. So you can be sure to stretch your food budget the best you can until pay day arrives.
Purchase rice in bulk.
A 2 kilogram bag of rice will cost you about $5, especially if you buy generic. Rice is perfect for stuffing in tortillas, adding to casseroles, or serving as a side dish. You can even add some milk and sugar to it for rice pudding, an inexpensive dessert idea. ($5)
Purchase beans in bulk.
Consider a 2 pound bag of beans, perfect for using as a side dish, in soups or stews, or add them to wraps. They are full of protein, taste great, and cost pennies per serving. Just soak them to soften them and then cook to your liking. ($3)
If you’re wanting to get the most groceries for your dollar, try out the 14-day free trial of $5 Meal Plan! If you decide to continue after your trial period, for just $5 a month, they will send you a delicious meal plan where every meal will cost about $2 per person, and in most cases less.
Frozen vegetables may cost less than fresh.
It can be hard to find fresh produce at a great price. If you can grab cucumbers or peppers for under $1 each grab them. If not, you may be better off buying frozen or canned. Head to a store such as Walmart or Superstore where you can grab canned tomatoes, frozen green beans, corn and peas for less than fresh vegetables ($3)
Apples and bananas are your cheapest fruit option.
If you thought fresh vegetables were expensive, fresh fruit can be even worse! When you’re on a budget, fresh bananas and apples are your best options. Lately, buying a big bag of apples can cost about $6 – $7, while bananas are around .70 cents per pound. This is a great way to get the fruit your body needs while staying on budget. ($7)
Yogurt for calcium.
Keeping in mind you’re close to pay day, a jug of milk might not be in the budget right now, but you could grab a tub of yogurt to get the calcium you need. ($3)
Chicken will be your most budget friendly choice of meat.
You can often find chicken wings, drumsticks or thighs for a low price so this is your most budget friendly option. Dress them up with salad dressing or simple olive oil and salt and pepper. Some other cheap “meat” 😉 options include deli meat and of course, hot dogs. ($5)
Opt for day old bread choices.
Visit the day old bread store or raid the clearance bin at your local grocer for bread items under $1. Bread is perfect for sandwiches, making garlic bread, making croutons, etc. Plus if you find a great deal on it, you can freeze it. ($3)
Don’t let pay day being days away keep you from eating well. Keep these tips in mind for how to make the most of your grocery budget between pay days and see how much they can help!
How do you make your grocery budget stretch in between pay days?
Around here we have 10 lb bags of chicken leg quarters anywhere from $4.50 to 6.50 roughly. I don’t know why chicken leg quarters are so cheap but it seems whether you get them in a bag or in the regular meat counter they’re always cheap. The bones make really good broth too. One other thing I’ve been doing is every time I have anything left over I freeze it and when I’m a little short I use them for a quick dinner.
Pasta is often on special. An onion cooked in olive oil, plus some crushed garlic, some chilli/paprika, a tin of diced tomatoes or some passata and a pinch of dried basil or oregano makes a cheap and nutritious sauce for cooked pasta, topped with parmesan or other hard/tasty cheese if you have it. Or cook up some crushed garlic (with chilli if you like it) in olive oil, then add steamed broccoli cut into small florets, then add cooked spaghetti, toss, add salt and top with parmesan if you have it. These two cheap meals are delicious and have got us through many a lean week.
I have found that u may be able to help out @ a pantry and be given food for the help. Contact churches and ask them what’s available. i have often created a pantry @ home throughout the year . Buying that extra can or tuna fish or that box o f when it’s cheap and placing things like that in a pantry can be very helpful.
Around here we have 10 lb bags of chicken leg quarters anywhere from $4.50 to 6.50 roughly. I don’t know why chicken leg quarters are so cheap but it seems whether you get them in a bag or in the regular meat counter they’re always cheap. The bones make really good broth too. One other thing I’ve been doing is every time I have anything left over I freeze it and when I’m a little short I use them for a quick dinner.
Eggs! For about $2, you have breakfast, lunch and supper options, high in protein!
Pasta is often on special. An onion cooked in olive oil, plus some crushed garlic, some chilli/paprika, a tin of diced tomatoes or some passata and a pinch of dried basil or oregano makes a cheap and nutritious sauce for cooked pasta, topped with parmesan or other hard/tasty cheese if you have it. Or cook up some crushed garlic (with chilli if you like it) in olive oil, then add steamed broccoli cut into small florets, then add cooked spaghetti, toss, add salt and top with parmesan if you have it. These two cheap meals are delicious and have got us through many a lean week.
Tuna in a can.
Also dollar tree is a big help
I have found that u may be able to help out @ a pantry and be given food for the help. Contact churches and ask them what’s available. i have often created a pantry @ home throughout the year . Buying that extra can or tuna fish or that box o f when it’s cheap and placing things like that in a pantry can be very helpful.