primitives extend food budgets

[franksolich]

http://www.democraticunderground.com/1284850

Oh my.

While waiting for the returns from New Jersey to start circa 7:00 p.m. central time, I went roaming around the further corners of Skins's island.  This one's kind of old, but I thought it interesting.

shadowrider (4,769 posts)    Fri Apr 1, 2016, 07:01 PM

So, I have a small break between jobs
 
I currently hold 3 jobs (yea booming economy) and am on a small break between them so I thought I'd post this question before I catch a few hours sleep then go to my "other" job.

My question is, I have $100 to last me for two weeks for food, toothpaste, gas, etc.

Does anyone have any suggestions on how I can extend my VERY limited food budget (right now $50-$60 for two weeks)? Eating rice/beans and canned soup is a bugger and I'm getting tired of it (but it's cheap enough). I do hit the food pantry but the options are limited.

Any food extending tips or cheap recipes?

pkdu (2,705 posts)    Fri Apr 1, 2016, 07:15 PM

1. Deep markdown sections at the grocery store. Always
 
Bargains to be had.

truedelphi (32,269 posts)    Fri Apr 1, 2016, 07:16 PM

2. BAKING soda is the only thing I use for toothpaste -
 
And an entire box of it costs under $ 1.20

It will last quite a long time.

When this household lived on rice and beans, I discovered a health food store that sold spices and herbs for extremely cheap. Suddenly eating pea soup four nights a week was not so bad, because I added lots of curry to it.

Sometimes churches have meals on Sunday. We got "adopted" by a RW Christian lady and she literally saved our lives, even though we never embraced her religion.

discntnt_irny_srcsm (11,543 posts)    Fri Apr 1, 2016, 07:18 PM

3. When money is tight...
 
...I shop mostly at discount chains like Aldi and Save A Lot. In my area a best price on mayo is usually $3 for 30 oz jar. Save A Lot has store brand mayo that's good and $2 a jar.

malokvale77 (4,879 posts)    Sat Apr 23, 2016, 09:50 PM

10. Aldi is my favorite.
 
A $9 ham will feed 3 people 3 full meals and have several packages of ham chunks to freeze for soups and casseroles later. The bone flavors beans or stock very nicely.

I have tons of recipes that accommodate left over ham.

Downwinder (12,803 posts)    Fri Apr 1, 2016, 07:21 PM

4. The Sr. center here has a low cost noon meal.
 
You don't have to be a Sr.

Curmudgeoness (18,076 posts)    Fri Apr 1, 2016, 08:00 PM

6. I have had to stretch food budgets to the extreme,
 
and I found that making my own meals is cheaper than canned soup. In fact, canned soup is really not cheat at all. I can make a giant pot of homemade soup with lots of veggies under $10. And although I end up eating the same thing for a week, it is at least good. If you have access to a butcher shop, you can get soup bones to use relatively cheap. Or make broth with chicken (the cheapest parts). I can find leg quarters, which have lots of meat on them for $.29 to $.49 a pound on sale. Just boil in the pot until the meat falls off the bones and pull the bones out. Add frozen veggies, which I get for $1 or less a package on sale. I add 2 packages of mixed veggies. I always try to have potatoes, carrots, and celery in the house, as well as canned stewed tomatoes. Add them all and cook until all is tender. This will last me a week or more.

Also, eggs are a cheap meal. Popcorn (the cheap bagged kind that you cook on the stove) is cheap and filling. 

zalinda (5,603 posts)    Sat Apr 2, 2016, 12:57 AM

7. I use the food pantry and am on food stamps
 
I am the one on food stamps, but must also feed my grown son. Here are some of the things I do. Beans and rice are a great go to, but many people don't realize that different beans taste differently. If you want to switch it up, get a bag of 13 bean (or what ever the mix is), I make my own now. Cook your beans, with salt (yes, salt). You may cook them with a slow cooker, or boil them straight out of the bag (just rinse them first) or bring to a boil, let sit and then boil them, your choice. The cheapest way to go is to get garlic powder and onion powder from the dollar store, add some of that to the beans to taste. If you can get bacon ends, great, if not thick bacon or what ever suits your taste ( it is for flavoring basically). Fry some up, save the grease and put some in the beans. Just before the beans are tender, add a couple of handfuls of rice. You can make this thick or thin, your preference.

Now, with the saved bacon grease, you can fry up a little more bacon and drain. Put to the side. Take a head of cabbage and thinly slice, fry in the bacon grease until tender, add onion and garlic powder to taste. Add in the bacon, and you can eat it this way or use it to make other dishes. If you splurge to get Hoisin sauce, you can put it on tortillas, add the cabbage mixture and you have cheap Moo Shu. If you have Chinese mustard, you can make a cheap version of egg rolls. If you put vinegar on the cabbage mixture you have a cheap sauerkraut. You get the idea.

I also make chili or a chili like soup. I always have TVP (Textured Vegetable Protein) on hand. It comes dry and will pick up the flavor of anything you want. To make chili, I cook dry kidney beans with salt, onion and garlic powder. I have some taco seasoning (at the dollar store you may be able to pick up something) and beef bouillon that I soak the TVP in (it will expand, so be careful). I add that to the cooked kidney beans. If I have veggies, I will add them, either cooking with the beans or cooked separately and added later. I've sometimes taken cooked potatoes and added chili over them, you can add raw onions or shredded cheese or plain yogurt, or whatever suits your fancy as a garnish.

The beauty of the above is that they can be frozen after cooking, so dividing them up and reheating makes sure you are not eating the same thing every night.

With the TVP you and be very creative. My son drains tuna fish in a bowl, adds some TVP so it soaks up the tuna water and after a few minutes, adds the tuna into the bowl and mixes it all up, it gives him about another 1/2 can of 'tuna fish'. He can now make his tuna sandwiches. Or you could make a tuna casserole. Or you could make a macaroni and tuna salad.

If you have chicken bouillon, you can make chicken TVP, and make chicken noodle soup. Boil any type of noodle, don't use a lot of water because you can throw in any type of veggie you have along with the chicken TVP and make soup. Depending on price and preference, you could use a can of mixed veggies or a box of frozen mixed veggies.

If you don't shred your own cheese, make sure you get the finest grate you can in the bagged variety. The fine shreds will actually last longer because you will use less. A pinch of the fine stuff will satisfy your eye as well as your mouth, and it will actually be less than the larger shred.

If you use butter or margarine for toast or veggies the spray on butter is actually the cheaper alternative. One or two sprays will do the trick, tastes good and it will also help with your waistline.

Oatmeal is the absolutely cheapest breakfast. Quick cooking oats will easily last you two weeks. We use a leftover scoop (from a drink mix, I think (less than 1/4 cup)) 2 scoops of oatmeal with 4 scoops of water, cook for 2 minutes in the micro. We add things to it, like dried fruit, nuts, jams, my son has even done peanut butter and chocolate, for a dessert. Again, be creative, you can even go savory rather than sweet, kind of like grits.

I hope this is helpful. If I knew what you get from the food pantry, I could be more helpful.

shadowrider (4,769 posts)    Sat Apr 2, 2016, 03:59 PM

8. From the pantry I get
 
some canned goods, fresh veggies when they have them, some meat when available, bread and so on.

I've thought about just making a big pot of stew of some sort to last for a week or so with the stuff I get, plus what I can afford to fill out two weeks.

I cut back on portions so what would be five meals for joe blow, would give me 8 or 9 meals.

grasswire (49,921 posts)    Mon Apr 4, 2016, 02:59 AM

9. the cheapest high-quality protein is eggs
 
A two egg omelet with a bit of cheese and salsa is a delicious meal. Poached eggs on whole wheat toast is delicious, too. A very big package of tortillas is under $2. You can wrap anything up in a tortilla and it will be good. 

grasswire (49,921 posts)    Sat Apr 23, 2016, 10:46 PM

14. another inexpensive dish to do with eggs is egg fu yung.
 
Dice celery, green bell pepper, green onion. Break 2-3 eggs into a bowl, add the diced stuff, a dash of soy sauce, and some bean sprouts. (You can even sprout your own). Stir it up, and then fry in patties with a little oil. Great with some rice. Protein, veggies, rice. You CAN add something else, too, such as canned shrimp or diced chicken. But that would be just extra.

malokvale77 (4,879 posts)    Sat Apr 23, 2016, 09:54 PM

11. Scalloped potatoes.
 
They're great by themselves or can be augmented to suit your taste or budget.

malokvale77 (4,879 posts)    Sat Apr 23, 2016, 09:56 PM

12. Tuna casserole
 
Most food banks have tuna.

grasswire (49,921 posts)    Sat Apr 23, 2016, 10:51 PM

15. there's an old dish called tuna chow mein casserole
 
....from the 70s, probably. Diced celery and bell pepper and onion, a can of mushroom soup, couple of cans of tuna, drained, and some soy sauce. Top with some chinese noodles and bake in the oven til bubbly. If you have some nuts, throw them in. Almonds are good.

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malokvale77 (4,879 posts)    Fri May 13, 2016, 12:36 AM

17. How have things worked out?

shadowrider (4,769 posts)    Mon May 30, 2016, 03:30 PM

18. Pretty good
 
I got a job that pays more than two of my part time jobs so quit those. I now have a few extra bucks per payday to put toward the loan my brother gave me to bail me out of a collection situation and a few extra bucks to get some better food.

I'm not out of the woods, but the prognosis is good.

Thanks for asking and sorry for the time to get back to you.

[thundley4]

Does anyone have any suggestions on how I can extend my VERY limited food budget (right now $50-$60 for two weeks)?

That DUmmie needs to share his wealth with the really poor and hungry.

[Chris_]

Plenty of good bean recipes on the Internet.

I'm partial to this one: http://www.bahamabreeze.com/recipe/black-bean-soup/prod2040224

[Patriot Guard Rider]

Here's a hint. Trash cans and Ramen noodles. You can get 45 packs for about $3.

[Patriot Guard Rider]

Plenty of good bean recipes on the Internet.

I'm partial to this one: http://www.bahamabreeze.com/recipe/black-bean-soup/prod2040224

I make a really good spaghetti casserole. Costs about $13 to make but will provide about 8-9 meals dependent on portion size.

Spaghetti, bacon, diced tomatos, cheese, chopped onion and mushrooms. Good stuff. NO spaghetti sauce.

My kids love it.

[thundley4]

I missed an important fact. If this is a typical DUmmie, meaning grossly obese, they could afford to skip a meal or two week's worth.   

[SVPete]

Big bag of lentils. Big block of low-cost cheese. Canned and frozen foods are convenient, but expensive compared to fresh. Use salt, pepper, and other seasonings/herbs/spices to enhance flavor (where I shop, name brand jarred seasonings/herbs/spices are expensive, but many common seasonings/herbs/spices are available and less expensive in plastic packages in the ethnic foods aisle. Buy veggies and fruit carefully, and only what is in-season locally (prices will be comparatively low).

No sodas, no coffee or tea, just tap water.

Check to see if a nearby church has a food bank

Walk when possible.

No entertainment except what is free at the public library (a good library will have a lot!).

[SVPete]

I missed an important fact. If this is a typical DUmmie, meaning grossly obese, they could afford to skip a meal or two week's worth.   

If so, skimp/skip the rice, breads, potatoes, and pastas (mostly carbohydrates).

[BattleHymn]

I do hit the food pantry but the options are limited.

This inflames me to no end. 

This person clearly does NOT need the services of, or understand the purpose of a food pantry. 

Thanks for taking food away from someone who TRULY needs it, you **** face.

[thundley4]

Big bag of lentils. Big block of low-cost cheese. Canned and frozen foods are convenient, but expensive compared to fresh. Use salt, pepper, and other seasonings/herbs/spices to enhance flavor (where I shop, name brand jarred seasonings/herbs/spices are expensive, but many common seasonings/herbs/spices are available and less expensive in plastic packages in the ethnic foods aisle.

The store we go to has a below store brand generic aisle, lots of canned foods for a buck. Vegetables, soups, even pasta like Chef Boyardee, mixed fruit and other stuff.

[98ZJUSMC]

Whatsamatter, functionally retarded?

This is the best economy EVAH!!!!!

[BattleHymn]

shadowrider (4,769 posts)    Mon May 30, 2016, 03:30 PM

18. Pretty good
 
I got a job that pays more than two of my part time jobs so quit those. I now have a few extra bucks per payday to put toward the loan my brother gave me to bail me out of a collection situation and a few extra bucks to get some better food.

I'm not out of the woods, but the prognosis is good.

Well, happy days are here again!!  Break out the FAMILY size bag of Cheetos and drink some craft beers!! 

//brokeagaininaweekorso 

[Carl]

They can`t afford food without handouts yet all manage to have a computer/tablet/smartphone with Internet service. 

[Big Dog]

My son drains tuna fish in a bowl, adds some TVP so it soaks up the tuna water and after a few minutes, adds the tuna into the bowl and mixes it all up, it gives him about another 1/2 can of 'tuna fish'.

Vegetable protein granules and tuna juice. That sounds like something NJCher would make into a stew.

[BlueStateSaint]

Vegetable protein granules and tuna juice. That sounds like something NJCher would make into a stew.

It's called "Cause Vomiting Stew."

[SVPete]

Whatsamatter, functionally retarded?

This is the best economy EVAH!!!!!

Obama cannot be reelected POTUS, and it's past his last midterm Congressional election, so it's "safe" to acknowledge reality. Now, in 2012 (BHO was up for reelection) and 2014 (midterm, with a bunch of House and Senate seats at stake) this DU-member probably wouldn't have criticized the Obamaconomy if you trebled his/her salary.

[freedumb2003b]

Obama cannot be reelected POTUS, and it's past his last midterm Congressional election, so it's "safe" to acknowledge reality. Now, in 2012 (BHO was up for reelection) and 2014 (midterm, with a bunch of House and Senate seats at stake) this DU-member probably wouldn't have criticized the Obamaconomy if you trebled his/her salary.

The DUmmies are praying for the bernie economy:

[Big Dog]

It's not "texturized vegetable protein"...

[DLR Pyro]

How did 7 1/2 years of hope and change work out for you DUmmy?

And how can you "hold" 3 jobs and be on a small break between all of them?  WTF does that mean?  You hang out in 3 different Home Depot parking lots hoping to get meager day labor jobs and you are taking a few days off?

[I_B_Perky]

They can`t afford food without handouts yet all manage to have a computer/tablet/smartphone with Internet service. 

Priorities. Can't expect the little darlings to go without electronic devices now, can ya? /sarcasm off

I hope they all starve to death for what these freeloading parasites have wrought upon this once great country.

[BattleHymn]

Hungry, DUmmies?  No money?  Let me help.  Scroll down to cure what ails you:


















There.  Now you're not hungry anymore. 

[Patriot Guard Rider]

How did 7 1/2 years of hope and change work out for you DUmmy?

And how can you "hold" 3 jobs and be on a small break between all of them?  WTF does that mean?  You hang out in 3 different Home Depot parking lots hoping to get meager day labor jobs and you are taking a few days off?

This is an obama economy. Three jobs can be done, but betcha none of them are full time. Three part time jobs for probably no better than 60 hours a week between the 3.

I ain't goin over there to ask, but if I had to bet.

[SVPete]

This is an obama economy. Three jobs can be done, but betcha none of them are full time. Three part time jobs for probably no better than 60 hours a week between the 3.

I ain't goin over there to ask, but if I had to bet.

My guess was each PT job was 2-3 hours a day at most. E.G. breakfast, lunch, and dinner rush at M or BK. Or maybe one is just 1 or 2 days a week (e.g. unloading and stocking at a store).

[Patriot Guard Rider]

My guess was each PT job was 2-3 hours a day at most. E.G. breakfast, lunch, and dinner rush at M or BK. Or maybe one is just 1 or 2 days a week (e.g. unloading and stocking at a store).

There is a lady here I know. She works a full time job as an overnight clerk at a local hotel, 10:30 p.m. to 6:30 a.m. She goes home, takes a shower and goes to her second full time job working custodial at a local hospital from 7:30 a.m. to 4 p.m. Goes home, eats, sleeps and does it all over again. On weekends she works two 10 hour shifts at the local walmart. 3 jobs, and she's no spring chicken.

I don't know how people do it.

[Ralph Wiggum]

Whatsamatter, functionally retarded?

This is the best economy EVAH!!!!!

4.7% unemployment!!!!!1111!!!!!😁