Question

How on Earth can y’all have meals for every day on $75/week? What are the meals like? What are your go to meal choices. I can’t seem to spend anything less than $100-130 a week and it’s only 2 of us! Edit: I live in California, and I don’t buy a ton of names brand. I don’t snack. I have to cook almost everything we eat. I cook a different meal M-F and Saturday. We eat dinner and take the leftovers for lunch. Edit Again: I’ve come to the conclusion that I may just have to accept my fate. California cost of living is much more expensive, even the dang food, but a girl’s gotta eat! Lol

Answer 1

Man. I spend roughly 200 dollars a week on a family of 7, 4 adults 3 kids. And that includes diapers, wipes, gas and any household items as well as drs visits. My spouse thinks it's enough but it definitely is not.  

Comments

IMOP - That's great!  

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@clarisclarisa I hate it. It does not give us much option but to cook every day. And honestly I'm horrible at that so. my kids eat alot of fresh foods and most meals obviously have to be huge in size. It's a struggle and definitely a stressor for me to figure out how to pull off.  

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@myca45714 I don't think I could do it. One thing that helped me is to make double and freeze one or freeze in individual serving sizes. Then I don't have to cook every night.  

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@clarisclarisa my spouse is extremely picky. Does not do reheated meals. Also does not do anything with any dressings, mustard, mayo, chocolate or peanutbutter. He also has to have name brand spaghetti sauce because he has a personal hang up there (I don't blame him) but it's hard to feed 7 and have it be something they all enjoy and have enough for whatever else we need.  

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@myca45714 are we married to the same guy?! Ugh. No veggies, hates fruit, and we can only eat ground beef, steak, and skinless chicken breast and the occasional hot dog. But the ground beef can only be in burger form, or taco meat. No sloppy joes or beef Mac or anything fun. No soups either. Family of 5, soon to be 6, $200 a week is a total disaster for us too.  

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@camus so so hard.  

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But yes sounds like him  

Answer 2

I go to a butcher for all our meats then our local grocery store for veggies it’s usually $85 a week but I buy organic if I didn’t it’d be way less. I also buy what’s on sell at the butcher I bought 7lbs of chicken breast for about $13 and I freeze them this gets us dinner and left overs for lunch or even another dinner. Just two adults though

Answer 3

Go plant based. Cheaper, healthier, better for the planet, kinder for the animals.  

Answer 4

I honestly spend 50 every 2 weeks on food. I am a family of 3. I buy meat and separate them. I cook them in different ways. Idk. Most we spend is snacks. On the go like granola bars and fruit snacks. I spend no more than 60 on food bi weekly.  

Answer 5

For dinner, we use meat more as a condiment than the main focus of our meals now. We'd plow through 2lbs of ground taco beef and maybe a dozen shells for dinner in one night, and now I can make 2lbs of taco meat stretch for probably 3-4 meals. Another great example- my husband and I would each eat 1-1. 5 chicken breasts for dinner each night (prepared in a lot of different ways) as a main dish, plus some kind of small side salad and an additional side veggie or grain. Now, we put our main focus on making a MASSIVE salad, with all the veg and grain inside it, and use the meat we prepared as a top layer to the salad. Our salads include all kinds of rotating things like carrots, roasted beets, quinoa, peas, tomatoes, pepitas, baby bell pepper rings, or basically any (healthy) topping you could think of from an all-you-can-eat buffet. The sliced protein just goes on top and adds to the overall bulk. An example of how the math breaks down- We eat chicken most nights, and get our chicken at Costco (~$2. 99 per lb when we don't buy organic), so just for my personal dinner consumption alone I've reduced my weekly chicken budget from $15 (on the low end) to ~$7. 50 (these are rough average numbers before tax). That may not seem like much, but that's a savings of $400 a year along JUST on my own personal chicken dinner consumption. If you use monthly compounding on that annual savings at 7%, that'll give you $17, 500 in 20 years!  

Answer 6

Switch to a monthly outlay spend - even tho you shop based on a paycheck - $50 one week $20 the next week - $80 the next week $50 but the total monthly outlay is $200

Comments

A fun app is supercook you enter items you have and it generates recipes

Answer 7

$160 a week for a family of 6. Lots of chicken and. hamburger meat meals!  

Answer 8

I spend 200$ biweekly for my family of 6. We have home cooked meals 7 nights a week, frozen pizzas on Sunday nights. I shop at Sam’s. We have stuff like air fryer chicken with homemade Mac n cheese, and a vegetable, roast and veggies in crockpot, pork chops with potatoes and a veggie, tacos, salsa chicken which is like 4 ingredients and taco seasoning cooked in crockpot, homemade beef tips and gravy over rice with a veggie. A different meal every night, along with things for their school lunches, and daily after school snacks

Answer 9

I do 120$ every 2 weeks per 3 people and I live in Silicon Valley. Just go to Walmart and meal planning

Answer 10

I spent $150 biweekly we are a family of 4. lots of frozen veggies Tons of frozen chicken from Trader Joe’s. The rest is from Walmart.  

Answer 11

We had this tonight. Added chicken ($5), mushrooms ($2. 50), spinach ($2), and 2 packets ($2). Ceasar salad ($4). This will last us 2-3 days.  

Answer 12

Mainly chicken, fresh veggies in season, eggs. $500-600 for family of 7. January was 531.  

Answer 13

When we looked at 3 months of past bank statements we discovered my boyfriend was paying $800/mo on food and I was spending $300/mo dining out. $1100! Then we got really serious over the last two months and have been working the budget. Here’s what we do. -We each set aside $200 for the two weeks. $400 total for two week. -Plan 7 days of meals out and list all items we need for meals and stick to the list while we shop. -we pick a lot of recipes that have some of the same items so we don’t end up buying random ingredients we wouldn’t normally use otherwise. -we pay attention to prices and where we shop. Our first week on the plan, we spent $70 at Winco and then I took my receipt yo Safeway where we have always shopped and I compared the cost of each item at Safeway and it was $130! That’s a $60 difference. It’s all on where you shop! -NO Dining out in a month! We’ve saved $700 a month doing the above. Any money left over from groceries rolls over into the “Dining out Envelope” for a special occasion.  

Answer 14

You definitely should have a well stocked pantry. I have various stocks, beans--canned and dried, various pastas, rice, etc. I also have keep frozen fruits and veggies for smoothies and stir fry. Weekly I'm usually buying fresh veggies, like carrots, salads and, fruit., tortillas, milk. Other stuff I may buy only once a month like bread, coffee, sugar. It helps to meal plan and be adaptable when cooking

Answer 15

Try switching up where you shop. I made myself really try Aldi after not liking it at first and now I’m addicted to how cheap it is and some of their meats and cheeses are the best! My kids love their Greek yogurt and cottage cheese. Savings like $30-50/trip

Answer 16

Dont compare CA prices to the rest of the world. my food cost in CA 250+/+ per week. my food cost in PA 100.  

Answer 17

Maybe only cook something different 4 days out the week

Answer 18

I’m with you. It’s 3 of us and our budget is $150 a week. I could probably get it to $120 but not lower.  

Answer 19

You also have to keep in mind of where you live. The grocery prices in California are going to be significantly more expensive than somewhere like North Carolina. I think your budget is great!  

Answer 20

I can't do it either. Two and a toddler. I usually go at least 120. 00. it's expensive here. Now if I lived 2 towns over, I could do it, but I would have to drive 45+ miles one way. Not worth the time and gas for me. It really depends on where you live.  

Comments

Oh, and we cloth diaper when he's not in Preschool.  

Answer 21

I spend $40ish a week on food for just myself. I meal prep 2 large meals (lunch & dinner) and eat them for the entire week. I don’t think I’d be able to spend so little if I was making a new meal mon-fri

Answer 22

I have recently discovered that cost of living differences can be DRASTIC, and that includes food. I have a friend in Indiana where milk is $1. 99 a gallon, here it is $5. I don’t even live in a super high COL area compared to when we lived in San Diego (Philadelphia suburbs, the cheaper ones ). I am convinced this plays a huge role in it - the drastic differences in food prices.  

Comments

@haberdasher yeah you can forget it then.  if you are in north park or near it, we used to go to Pancho Villa (a Mexican grocery store) and that’s about as cheap as we could get it when we lived there.  

Answer 23

I live in Nebraska and my food costs are about 150+ a week for 2 adults and one child. I have not idea how to lower the cost of food without living off pasta and beans everyday. I’ve just wrapped my head around having to spend more for how we eat. Fresh produce, gluten free, pastured meat and dairy. I’m not willing to buy cheap meat from Walmart that has been pumped full of hormones and antibiotics and treated inhumanly  

Answer 24

I live in California as well and budget $100/week for 4 people. Bread, veggies, fruits, grains, pasta, oatmeal, tofu, eggs, condiments, etc. We eat very minimal meat and dairy, which is costly and not good for you anyway. I’d suggest trying to cut down on meat and dairy products and you’ll notice a difference in how far you can stretch your budget!  

Answer 25

CA bay area here. it's brutal. I'm doing a $50/week challenge for 2 adults and 1 child and it is sooo hard. What helps us: • Plan 7 days of meals based on what's in the pantry/fridge/freezer, plus what extra ingredients/basics are on sale at our 3 staple local stores (Food Maxx, Sprouts, Trader Joes. Occasionally Target if they have something on sale). • Our basic dinners this month: 1) Macaroni and cheese, cornbread and chili, steamed squash 2) Spaghetti and canned green beans 3) Burritos (tortillas, rice w/ taco seasoning, shredded chicken and a can of beans mixed in) 4) Taco Soup 5) Noodle or tortilla casseroles (I have 3 I rotate through) 6) Mashed potatoes/cheesy potatoes, shredded chicken and steamed squash 7) Boxed pasta and green beans 8) Chicken and rice (small bite size pieces of chicken) I've been rotating those and a few others around. Plain, simple, but basic and cheap. • Stretch meat. This has saved us so much. I buy value size, on sale packs of ground beef, chicken breasts, and ham halves. I boil the chicken, shred it, and put about 1/2 - 1 cup portions into baggies, then into the freezer. Same with ground beef. I brown it, then divide into small baggies. I see how many meals I can sprinkle bits of meat into so we get some protein, but make it last as long as possible. • I only buy cheese on sale. And buy larger packs, shred and freeze. I also keep a log of how much each item costs at each store so I have a spreadsheet record and know exactly how much I am going to spend before I even step foot in a store!  

Comments

@sequestration I do the same. I keep all my receipts and pull them out while I’m writing my grocery list. I end up usually within dollars of my list. Extremely helpful.  

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We are in the bay area too. We're on $75/week and live off of Grocery Outlet and La Loma produce.  

Answer 26

I have a well stocked freezer or rather freezers. I buy meat when there is a sale and stock up, plus we usually get a whole beef a year. I shop this way for pantry staples also. Even some produce that I can freeze and use later. If there is a good sale I buy extra, so I rarely pay regular price. I also am usually just buying fresh stuff every week. So the majority of my shopping is inexpensive. Maybe once a month I have a 100 grocery bill. Otherwise usually 30-40 a week for the 2 of us. I am gluten free and cook or my spouse cooks every night. Leftovers are for our lunches.  

Answer 27

Girl, these people must be farming their own food or something or eating a crap ton of pasta. My husband and I spend $100-$150/week. And that’s “pushing it” for us

Comments

@tippett Same here in Houston just he and I eat leftovers for lunch one cat 100-120 week easy. Lower carb.  

Answer 28

Look for a boutiful baskets near you. I order my produce usually $30 and it feeds my whole family over a week.  

Answer 29

We are in San Diego and I spend about $100-150 every two weeks for the two of us and that is still adding in more quality meats, veggies, and snacks and other items I would consider a “luxury. ”

Comments

@haberdasher we live in mission valley area and I get amazon fresh groceries delivered. I pre-shop and that way I can make sure I stay within budget. If I need small things between orders then I go to the target which is down the street from work (ie for coffee creamer, hummus, yogurt if we run out). I make a lot of meals in the instant pot or I prep specific things on the weekend like chicken, potatoes, roasted veggies, etc so they can be thrown together easily during the week

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@haberdasher Check if you can do fresh for your area. It’s been so amazing because I get my groceries sometimes in as little as 2 hours. There is a lot of pricey stuff on there but also a lot of great deals. The closest normal grocery store we have is a Vons and it’s such a huge ripoff - not to mention they usually don’t have a lot of the specific brands/things I like.  

Answer 30

I wouldn't compare yourself. I spent this much too and I just accept it and budget it.  

Answer 31

Try aldi's if you have one nearby we went from 150 to about 80 by switching stores (walmart is good too) meal planning and making sure we are pantry shopping to see what we have and can use tmvs just making whatever meal sounds good. Are shelves are fairly bare come Friday afternoon but we go shopping Sat morning and never go without just not always getting everything that souds good. We do a lot of frozen chicken, rice, stews, tacos, frozen pizza for the our no cook night, salad, potatoes etc and a few snacks for kids.  

Answer 32

Cereal or pb+js counts as a meal here  

Answer 33

Bulk of cheap stuff, checking to see the cost per gram. (ie. A big thing of margarine is $0. 0044 compared to a medium thing of margarine which is $0. 0099, while a 30 thing of eggs at $7. 44 is about the same cost as 12 at $2. 48 - how many eggs per month am I actually using? ), cutting up veggies and tossing the ones I won't use right away into the freezer, baking filling muffins like morning glories, cranberry, use up what is in the pantry, only buy sale items of what I need, figuring out how to use alternatives that happen to be in my pantry (making oatmilk out of oatmeal when out of milk) etcetc.  

Comments

The cost-analysis really makes me double check where I am buying, too. I need the 30 eggs, but I can only get a flat at Walmart. If I only needed 12, I would pick up the $2. 48 carton up from No Frills. If I need bread I check No Frills first because they have a rack that tends to do 30-50% off old bread. Superstore has super cheap cast iron cookware that is the same quality as the expensive stuff, but I'll pick up the utensils from the Dollarama or Walmart. Etcetc.  

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@misfit I live in an apartment and couldn’t fit that in my fridge lol

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@sturgill370 Which? The eggs? Or the margarine? Lol. The margarine you can divvy up the freeze what you're not using, and the eggs won't take up my fridge for long. I used half of them today to prep. Tomorrow I'll be making some hard boiled eggs for snacks and egg curry. Lol. Obviously taking space into account is also a factor, though. I didnt think it would fit in mine.  

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Hmm. I shall ponder this theory and picture my fridge space lol.  

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@sturgill370 I've been lucky in that even my bachelor had a full fridge, tbh.  It has taken a year to get used to the one in this house though because the layout sucks. I still miss my fridge from 2 rentals ago. It was hands down the best both in set up, fridge/freezer space, and layout. Produce stayed fresh for 2 months.  

Answer 34

It really depends on the area you're in. we're a family of 4 and typically spend about $125 a week but i shop in cycles? i guess. like i'll buy proteins one week with produce, then the next week will do like pantry stuff and go like that. I get my proteins (mostly chicken, chop meat, ground turkey and ground chicken) all from BJs - its the cheapest there and great quality. I get certain produce there too over the colder months but always try to do farmers markets and the farm stands when they're open. Fresh produce i get weekly. i also get misfitsmarket delivered as well some weeks. my boxed stuff - i buy from either BJs or target depending on what it is. The annies mac and cheese for the kids? BJs unless they're on sale at target. Milk, eggs, cheese and butter? Usually Target because the good and gather brand is typically less money than the other grocery stores. i'm in NY so our prices are similar to CA from what i've seen in this group and another budget meals group. I also meal plan which helps a ton. I also do batch cooking for things like breakfast and lunches. budgetbytes is a great blog with recipes and it breaks down the meal by serving sizes and stuff. its got a lot of great meal ideas!  

Answer 35

$40-$60/ week feeds 3, some leftovers. Shop mostly Walmart. Food Lion if I’m lazy.  

Comments

I make a lot of one pot dishes - and the Walmart Grocery App helps so I don’t put unnecessary things in the cart bc that’s where I used to mess up lol

Answer 36

I think your area can play a huge part in your budget. I spent $60 this week with some fruit on my menu for two. I make sure to shop my pantry, fridge, and freezer first then make my menu from there. Sometimes I have things I can use and sometimes I’m buying everything I need. Portion control helped and I also cook daily as well, I cook just what is need for that day and for my husband to have some for the next day for lunch. I by no means spend over $70/wk unless I planned to like when I get back ups for common pantry items. I put all my item in my Walmart grocery app and see what I come out to, if it’s over I adjust. If that means one day needs to be replace with spaghetti or sandwiches then that’s what I do lol. This is my menu for this week. I have to keep simple meals being that I cook everyday lol

Answer 37

Same in NY. Food is just sooo pricey!  

Answer 38

Slow cooker meals? How about try eating the same foods 3 days in a row. It’s a little daunting but I find it helps cut costs down. When I’m sick of it I through it in the freezer. At the end of the day I usually have extra meals in the freezer for when I’m about the get paid and don’t have any groceries left.  

Comments

@arguello me to! Kinda of a life saver to if you are sick

Answer 39

It's going to vary depending on where you live. There's no way you could budget that low in an expensive area like alaska or hawaii but where I live in the midwest just groceries alone for 6 people I spend $50 to $100 a week depending on what's on sale and what I am cooking. Diapers and everything makes for about $100 to $150 trip to the grocery store.  

Answer 40

Same in Denver  

Answer 41

We live in Cali (San Francisco). We are on $75/week grocery budget for a family of 4. We eat pretty well, but requires us to be diligent about meal planning and shopping. As a sample of a few dinners from this week, tonight we had homemade fried chicken and waffles, we had Miko's teriyaki chicken with rice and veg, eggplant parmesan, chicken and veggie fried rice, salmon with penne and veg, turkey tacos. Our $75 also covers lunches for me and my partner and some school lunches for our son. (usually leftovers from dinner)

Comments

We shop at Grocery Outlet most weeks, and we go to our local (Asian or Hispanic) produce markets.  

Answer 42

I'm a Cali girl too. I feed s family of 3 and could probably do it on $100/week if I was more strict about it.  

Answer 43

Girl I’m 80-100 a month on 4 people (2 kids 2 adults)

Answer 44

Girl dont stress it. I have come to terms with it costing us $600 a month and a rare few times a year $700 for a family of 4 - 2 adults, a 20 month old, a 3 month old, 2 cats, 20lb dog. That's diapers, formula, food for animals, cleaning supplies, over the counter meds, rare trips to liquor store (2 to 3 times a year)

Answer 45

Give us an example of what you’re cooking.  

Answer 46

Our food budget is one of our biggest variable spends each month - I cut out other places (paid off credit cards, phone and cancelled monthly streaming subscriptions and we don't have cable) because I knew I didn't want to sacrifice food quality. I buy a lot of bulk items (beans, grains, some canned goods) and I stock our deeper freezer with frozen vegetables to quickly add to any meal. Once a week I buy perishables; fruit for snacks, fresh greens for salad, carrots, celery, onion and potatos for stews, soups and most recipes - unripe avacados keep in the fridge for a LONG TIME, meat for the week, and any pantry staples like sauces or spices. I use mostly sheet pan dinners, crock pot or instant pot recipes to keep meals simple and uncomplicated. Pinterest has been very helpful in this!