How would you plan a two week grocery list for one person with only $30?

Question

I have $30 to last me until my next pay check and little to no groceries (except coffee, but I can't live on that! *smile*) I need suggestions on how to manage $30 for two weeks of groceries.

Answer 1

I don't know where you live, but if you live in an area where there are Trader Joe's http://www.traderjoes.com/ (they have no middleman, thus groceries are cheaper) or discount bulk grocery stores like Costco, Sam's Club, Smart & Final, these places can be helpful in saving $$ if buying in bulk, particularly items that don't go bad, canned goods, pastas, rice, etc.

If not....try to look for coupons in the mail and for specials.

But do some homework at the store..... choose GENERIC brands for things .... everything from toilet paper and other paper products (storage bags and plastic wrap are your friend for leftovers so you don't waste food); to staples like beans, rice, pastas, milk, eggs, canned veggies/fruits, etc.,whenever possible.

ALSO - WATCH FOR FOOD ITEMS PRICE PER VOLUME........... if you stand in the food aisle where there are canned items - look at the ounces, look at the price..... doing a little math - to calculate sales vs. price per volume... sometimes you will find that the so-called 'sale item' is NOT the best priced, sometimes the generic is, and sometimes, the name brand sale item is.....but you have to do the math.

I know this sounds like a lot of work, but it is soooo worth it! You will save money.

Do cook meals that stretch (like others have mentioned great things like casseroles, spaghetti, chili, etc.) --- but also look for items that have versatility and use everything.

For instance, fruits like apples and oranges have greater 'life' than say, bananas which go bad in a few days, ditto for carrots and celery (they last longer than green beans and can be revived by putting them in a pitcher of ice water in the fridge - getting all crisp instead of limp. Don't throw away that ice water, either... use that vitamin rich water to make soup stock!), etc. You get the picture. Knowing which fresh products have longer life, not only helps you with your budget, but helps you so that you don't waste food either.

Canned goods (fruits/veggies) may not be as appealing as fresh, however, it will provide you with good options.

Canned tomatoes for instance not only last a long time, but you can do amazing things from sauces and salsa. Buy generic and you'll save money.

Also--- watch out for convenience foods (they cost more)...... you can save more money on food if you chop things yourself, or grate cheese yourself, instead of buying the 'pre-packaged/already prepared for you' items. The labor to do the 'extra work' - is passed along to you. You don't need to be paying for that - it really doesn't save a whole lot of time anyway and you can save hard-earned money which is precious right now by spending a few extra minutes doing the labor yourself. Buy chicken breasts NOT TENDERS, and cut them into tenders yourself. You will end up spending more money, just because someone cut it up. Ditto for hamburger (don't buy the patties, buy the 1 lb. packages or family value packs and divide into generic zipper plastic bags and freeze, taking out only what you want/need).

Learn about storage.... bread, butter, cheese - they all freeze well!!! So if you find a sale.... 2 for 1... say - go for it. You'll be glad you did.

Concentrated juices in the frozen aisle are cheaper than the ready juice; and things like plain yogurt and sour cream are interchangeable items - so go with the cheaper per volume and watch for sales and of course pick generics.

There are tons of tricks like this..... I had to learn all of it in order to graduate public high school.

As for 'inexpensive items' - the ones rattled off by others, peanut butter, tuna, ramen, rice, beans, pasta, etc. all work well to stay within a budget.

But don't feel you need to stick with these either, based on the tips I listed above....... watching volume, generic brands, using coupons, knowing where to shop, etc.... are also very key factors to saving money, making your budget stretch.

Hang in there - it will be okay. We've all had to do this.

Oh - and since you don't budge on coffee (I totally get this).... and you make coffee at home. Don't waste coffee still sitting in the pot you didn't drink. You can pour the remaining contents in the pot into ice cube trays and after they are frozen, put it in the blender (like a granita - makes a fancy gourmetish dessert), or have iced coffee!

Just because you're on a budget, doesn't mean you can't be creative and treat yourself with what you have, too! :)

Answer 2

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Answer 3

Check out the specials at the grocery stores that week and get creative.

Ramen may be loaded with sodium, but add some veggies and you have a quick and inexpensive soup.

Rice is a great place to start, and is inexpensive. Pasta is also cheap, most stores have packages of egg noodles for less then a dollar.

Peanut butter sandwiches are quick and inexpensive, and provide some protein.

As far as meat goes, get what is on special. You'd be surprised how far one chicken breast can go. If you cut it into thin strips and stir fry it with some veggies over rice, you can get two meals from one chicken breast. Be conscious about your portion sizes. You can also ask the butcher if they have anything they want to discount for quick sale. Some stores discount meat that needs to be sold that day. If you freeze it, it will still be good throughout those 2 weeks.

Check out canned or frozen vegetables. Most often the store brand is really inexpensive and are larger containers. A lot of stores sell 5 lb bags of potatoes for $2.00 or less(on special), which is a great staple. You can make baked potatoes, mashed, or roasted.

Also take a look at the ethnic food section or stores. A lot of time they sell the same products, or same quality for cheaper.

Answer 4

I shared a house with some other girls. We had all moved to a new city together and were so broke the first few weeks until we found work. It was fun, but HUNGRY! We made some great meals and would only spend very minimal amounts. We had rice with tinned tuna and cheese stirred through (actually quite yummy), instant noodles fried with a little herbs, we'd make a stew of potato and lentils with a little curry powder. We also ate a lot of peanut butter sandwiches. It was a good way to get skinny! It wasn't the best diet, but we survived and it is possible to eat ok without breaking the budget. Soup is also cheap and easy and you can have it with cheap crackers or instant noodles.
Good luck! Why not sell something you don't need on ebay to get a few extra dollars?

Answer 5

Grocery List For One Person

Answer 6

3 or 4 packages of pasta for around $1 each
a large bag of chix for around $7 or so. ( at lease 8 breasts in it)
bread, peanut butter and jelly totalling $5
some breakfast cereals They are about $5 for 2 weeks worth, if u buy the store brands.
Buy some milk, butter, and a loaf for week two with the remaining money. You may even have some money left over for a $1 little debbie snack!
Good luck
Good luck

Answer 7

Unfortunately, cheap food is bad food. But, I've been there, so I recommend:

Eggs and toast (or french toast) for breakfast,
Budget Gourmet (they're at the dollar store)
Hot dogs
Mac & Cheese (like 3 for $1)
Cans of tuna
A ton of ground beef to make Hamburger Helper
a big bag of chips or pretzels to go with dinner and lunch.
A few heads of lettuce for salads, throw some diced hot dogs in there and add dressing (not bad)
2 bags of noodles (not bad with butter)

I really have been there so I know how you feel. And these aren't the "best" foods but girl they will get ya through two weeks. Good luck!!

Answer 8

You're best bet is to make a list of meals that so that you can have enough left overs for yourself. Good inexpensive meals are:

Tuna casserole, spaghetti, chili, (goes a very long way and you can make alot at little expense), etc.

I would also consider buying soup because you can make quite a few meals with a bowl of soup and a sandwich such as grilled cheese, pb & j, etc.

Good luck!


Make sure you do make a list before going to the store. You're better off organized before you go.

Answer 9

Check out the ads for local grocery stores. Find the leader items and pick them up. Store-hop if you have to, but don't use up too much fuel drinving across town or you'll defeat your purpose. Don't buy fruit that is out of season, it's too expensive. Pasta is something that will fill you up for little money. Don't be afraid to take leftovers to work & nuke them.

Hope this helps!

Answer 10

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Answer 11

well, if you don't want to go the college route of Ramen soup, then you can go Mexican food. Tortillas, refried beans, bag of potatoes, eggs, cheese (but that's pricey). you can cut up and cook the potatoes and put them in tortillas. Same with the beans and eggs. Pasta noodles and spaghetti sauce always seem to be cheap too. You won't have much of a variety, but it will last you.