Can You Buy Food for $150 a Week or Less
OK, here’s the deal. From our informal research, we are going to assume that an average family of four eats somewhere else – at work or school – at least sometimes during the week. Of course, people can take lunches from home, which does save more money. So here are the requirements for the cheap groceries contents.
- Feed a Family of Four – Assume 2 adults and 2 kids.
- Spend a Maximum of $150 a week on food. This amount is well over the most restrictive USDA guidelines for a healthy meal budget, but does not approach the most liberal allowance. Of course, some raters will probably give you more stars for spending less!
- Please assume average cooking skills. Many busy parents will appreciate simple and quick food preps.
- Provide a balanced and healthy diet which includes 5 Dinners, 5 Lunches, 5 Breakfasts, and 5 Snacks! We want to see healthy food that also tastes good!
- Provide a basic grocery list with estimated prices, a weekly total, and some idea how this food can be used to prepare the minimum meals and snacks listed above.
- Don’t agonize over the food costs, but try to be realistic. We know prices vary by season and region.
Have fun and look at previous posts or our example (below) for an idea of how to get started, but please be original! Simply register for free to Frugal Mavens so you can post. These posts will be moderated for appropriate content, but we allow one link back to your own favorite website so its a great deal!
Example of a Frugal Grocery List for the Week!
I am estimating prices fom an average of store prices vs. brand names, and I know that your costs will vary by season, brand, and location. I am rounding prices to the nearest .50, but I think this is pretty realistic. Also note that some items, like oil, herbs, and ketchup, should last for more than 1 week – but to be fair I’m trying to start from zero.
- 1 Bag of Frozen Boneless Chicken (About 3 pounds) – $7.00
- 2 Pounds of Turkey Bacon – $5.00
- 3 Pounds of Lean Ground Beef or Turkey or Whatever – $10.00 (Yes, lean costs more but is worth it for so many reasons.
- 2 Dozen Eggs – Prices vary, but I’m going with $4.00
- Shredded Chedder Cheese – 16 oz – $3.00
- 1 Package Sliced Cheese – 16 oz – $3.00
- 1 Bunch Celery Stalks – $1.50
- 1 Head of Lettuce – $1.50
- 2 Green Peppers – $2.50
- Carrots – $3.00
- 3 Pounds of In season Fruit – Grapes, Apples, Pears, etc. – $6,00
- Average Bunch of Bananas – $2.00
- 1 Jar Peanut Butter – $3.00
- 1 Onion – .50
- Garlic Powder – 2.00
- Italian Seasoning Herb Mix – $3.00
- 1 Jar of Prepared Spaghetti Sauce – $2.00 (Store brands are even cheaper sometimes)
- Pasta – Pick your Favorite – The healthier kinds are about $2.00, but the package lasts our family for 2 meals.
- 1/2 Gallon Fat Free Milk – $3.00
- 1 Bag Tortilla Chips – $3.00
- 1 Package of Tortillas – $2.00
- Salsa – $2.00
- Ketchup – $1.50
- Mustard – $1.50
- BizQuick or Other Prepared Baking Mix – $4.00
- Pankcake Syrup – $2.00
- Margarine/butter – $3.00
- 1 Bottle of Vegetable Oil – $3.00
- 1 Can of Cooking Spray – $2.00
- Salt/Pepper- #3.00
- Carton of Orange Juice – $3.00
- Carton of Lemonade – You can find low sugar options – $3.00
- Coffee (OK, I’m an addict) – $6.00 (Be fair, this lasts me more than a week)
- Salad Dressing – $2.00
- 1 Bag Frozen Potatos (Fries, tator tots, etc.) – $3.00
- 2 12 ounce Cans of Tuna – $4.00
- 1/2 Gallon Ice Cream – Store Brand $3.00
OK Now here are the Meals:
BreakFast -
- Pancakes (baking mix, oil, eggs, butter, syrup) for 2 meals. Note that one morning I make enough for 2 breakfasts, and freeze half of the prepared breakfasts for the next day. I like to slice up a banana or other fruit into the mix for added flavor and health benefits. It is ok to improve upon a mix!
- Turkey Bacon, simple fruit salad (sliced up bananas, grapes, etc.), and toast. 1 Meal
- Breakfast Tacos (eggs, cheese, diced green peppers, tortillas, cooking spray, and salsa to taste). Migas is a popular breakfast too. You simple crumble up some tortilla chips into the scrambled egg mix. 2 Meals
- Orange Juice, Milk or Coffee can be served here.
- 2 Large Cans of Chicken Soup – $5.00 (Sometimes you can find this on sale).
- 1 Pound of Deli Meat (Turkey, etc.).
- 1 Loaf of Bread – $3.00
- Rice – $3.00
Lunch
- Improved Canned Chicken Soup – i.e. start with a can, but add some fresh celery, garlic, carrots, and diced chicken breast (make sure it is cooked well) plus Bisquits (Baking Mix) – 1 Meal.
- Quesadillas – (Tortillas with melted cheese, maybe salsa and onions). These are sort of like grilled cheese sandwiches, and are a family favorite! A can of prepared refried beans (vegetarian) adds protein and taste for those that like it. Heat it up and add a little of your cheese! Serve with milk or juice and a small salad (lettuce, celery, carrots, dressing). 1 Meal
- Tuna Melts (Bread, Tuna, Cheese, Cooking Spray, Butter/Margarine), Fruit Salad, and Potatos.(Half the Bag) 1 Meal
- Deli Sandwhiches (Prepared Meat, Bread, Lettuce, Mustard, Ketchup, etc.) and Salad (Lettuce, etc.) 1 Meal
- Leftover Pasta from Dinner Meals (DONE!) and salad (lettuce, etc.)
Dinner
- Spaghetti (pasta, 2 lb ground meat, can of saucegreen pepper, onion, herbs, etc.), salad (lettuce, etc.), and garlic bread (toast, margarine, and garlic powder). This should make a meal for one night plus have leftovers for one lunch.
- Turkey Bacon Burgers (1 lb ground meat, turkey bacon, lettuce, buns, condiments, etc.) Plus 1/2 bag of your frozen potatos and a fruit salad (sliced fruit). 1 Meal
- Breakfast for Dinner. OK, you may think I am cheating, but my family loves this. You can make pancakes, scrambled eggs, biscuits, etc. Serve with orange juice or milk and a fruit salad. 1 Meal.
- Stir Fry (1 1/2 pounds of Chicken, frozen veggies, cooking spray, and terryaki sauce make this a great one pan meal.) Make rice on the side. 1 Meal
- Chicken Fajitas – Here’s another family favorite. Simply cook chicken strips in some cooking spray with slices of onion and green peppers. Assemple the fajitas on tortillas with some lettuce, cheese, etc. Again, some rice and beans on the side make this a complete meal. 1 Meal
Snack (We’re Almost There!).
- Celery Stalks with Peanut butter or cheese.
- Fruit of Fruit Salad or Apples Dipped In Carmel
- Deviled Eggs or Egg Salad Sandwiches
- PB&J Sandwiches
- Ice Cream (Ice Cream is Good)
So there it is. I believe I have prepared family friendly and healthy meals that are simple and tasty. If my quick addition is correct, I spent just about $100 if you count tax, and I did use some convenience foods. Now please do your share and add your cheap grocery shopping lists and meal plans! Just subscribe for free!
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