How can I get the most bang for my food dollar?

Question

I want to spend as little as possible but still get all my nutrients, suggestions

yes i plan on excluding fast food, looks for things to produce int he kitchen, potentially without heat or electricity, i am totally poor

Answer 1

First, sit down and make a list of foods that you like to eat. Now you've got the makings of a menu plan. Using that list, look through the flyers for your local grocery store and see what's on sale where. From there, you'll want to build up a plan for a weeks worth of meals-breakfasts, lunches & dinners (its time to start brown-bagging it to work/school if you aren't already).

Now, write out your grocery list. Try to stay away from prepackaged items, and shop the "perimeter of the store" These are where the cheapest and most nutritious items are. Get rid of any 'brand loyalty' that you can within reason. For instance, we don't eat brand-name cereal, we eat the store brand, which normally saves us over $3 a box! Most store brands are shipped from the same factories as the name ones, they just have a different label. Its understandable if there's certain things you just need name brand of (personally I only use name brand mac 'n cheese and chocolate syrup, for example) but what those will be really are up to your taste preferances. Shop *according to the list.* Before you hit the check-out, check over your cart for little "extras" that might have wound up in there (they always do!) and remove them.

Try to make meals that you can "morph" into other things--don't toss out the leftovers!

Here's an example from our family's menu plan for last week using a 4-5 lb. beef chuck roast (bought for $5.65 on sale):
Sunday-Pot Roast (made in the crockpot with sliced onions, carrots, & potatoes)
Monday-Beef & Noodles (Boil a package of egg noddles according to the directions. Shred left-over sliced beef, finally dice some of the leftover carrots, potatoes & onions, heat along with the lefover gravy in a saucepan; serve hot over noodles)
Lunches-Roast Beef sandwiches made from leftover roast

We easily had 4 satisfying meals for less than $8.00. Remember, you can always freeze leftovers as well to eat at a later date. Our family of two eats pretty damn well (better than our friends eating Ramen, etc.) on $40-$50 a week. But you can cut that back even more if you know how to do it!

Here's a few things cheap & filling ideas:
Spaghetti (Between sauce & pasta, avg. $2-$3)
Oatmeal (Buy the container of quick oats, follow the directions for microwave cooking. Prepackaged instant oats are a waste of money)
Eggs (don't rule out breakfast for dinner)
Soups (homemade is best--boil buillon cubes in water, add some noodles and frozen veggies and boil until veggies are tender & noodles cooked)
Salads
Sandwiches
Chicken legs (remove the skin. Boneless skinless breasts are much more pricey)
Ground turkey-based dishes
Homemade pizzas

Its just some ideas to get you started. You might also want to google "frugal recipes" "frugal menu planning" and "frugal meals" for some more ideas. I'm going to link you a few websites that you might want to try as well.

A little effort can stretch your dollar and still give you nutrious meals without feeling deprived. Trust me!

Answer 2

Hey, I live off the dollar menu. The cool thing is that you can get regular salad or cesar salads at Wendy's! You can get a meal and dessert at some places and not spend $4!!!! I think it's great! Taco Bell, McDonalds, Burger King, etc. have really come through for the thrifty!

Answer 3

The best thing to do is not spend any money on fast food or eating out at restaruants. Go shopping at your local grocery store, watch pricing and buy the food items that are on sale or not too expensive. This way you can buy, cook and eat whatever you want. The best thing is you cook and prepare the foods how you want. This can be healthier, cheaper and more fun!

Answer 4

Buy in bulk where you can.(find a friend to buy half)
Look for the bargains trolly
Look for the marked down stuff that is on the edge of expiry.
Check the weekly fliers and shop accordingly.
Get to know your prices. Many chains will sell products at a loss, to draw in the customers who will do their weekly shop there.

I go dailly to seek out those bargains, as I am also on a tight budget.

Answer 5

Bread
lunch meat
soup on a bowl that you just add Hot water to
lunchables
crackers and cheese whiz
salads
tomato sandwich's with mayo
Your Best bet is to shop at Aldies or Save-alot .

Answer 6

Shop wisely on a full stomach, check you local papers for sale items and coupons, which are on the net by the millions, some sites are fakes so be careful. shop careful , make a list of your needs first match it to your food budget, this is what my wife does anyway, like most men I go to one store buy whatever i feel like getting that day and she has to deal with it, that's why she doesn't let me shop for our food anymore. proceed from there, she goes to several discount grocers, but you got experiment with their brands as some of their stuff sucks.

Answer 7

cut out fast food, prepared foods, and frozen and canned foods, you will get the most for your money and the most nutrients by sticking with fresh and making things, eg, soup, yourself

Answer 8

shop for dollar store food deals

Answer 9

Beans and rice.
Make homemade salsa.
Eggs.
Tuna.
CORN Tortillas
Pasta

Answer 10

Simply go to CHIPOTLE!!!it's soooooo good