Groceries on a budget?? A very tight budget for a family of 4...?

Question

We are a military family and are on a very very tight budget for our groceries. I am trying to think of some child friendly food on a tight budget. We have two children ages 3 and 1 year. They don't eat a whole lot, but are somewhat "choosy" on what they eat. My 3 year old loves things like PB&J, grilled cheese, fish stick, and chicken nuggets, macaroni,etc. As does my one year old, but is a little different because she can't chew alot of the foods. Can someone help me here? I am talking about dirt cheap, but somewhat healthy. I can always figure out some things for my husband and I, like beans and cornbread, rice, etc..but they don't always like what we have (totally different issue that we are working on) So anyway, my question is.....what are some cheap meal ideas for children to eat for lunch everyday? A variation of more than 5 would be great..Thanks!!

Answer 1

mac and cheese dirt cheap and enough for probably 2 lunches add frozen peas and cut up 2 hot dogs to every one box kids love it   1 yr old can have it  hint use powdered milk way cheaper

scrambled eggs with a little cheese leftover veggies and any left over meat or more dogs

spaggetti buy the little shells and a jar of meat flavored sauce

good for them and cheap one pound of noodles and a jar of sauce like 2 dollars that should be 2 meals at least

easy pizzas white bread sauce from above and some shredded cheese broil til warm cut in tiny pieces for the 1 yr old

tuna casserole

with two kids you could do a pound of noodles a can of mushroom or chicken soup and a can of tuna...probably 4 servings at least freeze the leftovers

chicken soup

homemade for two

boil a thigh in water cool pull of meat add spices chicken some carrots back to pot add a handful of noodles cook till noodles are done...can use rice too instead of noodles

i probably can come up with lots more let me know if it helps

you can freeze all but the eggs

Answer 2

Monday

Breakfast – A

Fresh berries (buy whatever is in season where you are – or use frozen)

Yogurt

Granola

Beverage Of Choice  

Mix Berries, yogurt and granola.  

Lunch – B

Stroganoff Stew

Apples

Beverage Of Choice

Stroganoff Stew



            1 lb stew beef, browned and cubed

            2 cups of water

            1 can cream of mushroom soup

            1 tsp onion powder

            ÃƒÂ‚¼ tsp garlic powder

            1 tsp worstershire sauce

            1 8 oz container sour cream

Cook beef in water until fork tender. Stir in remaining ingredients except for sour cream and warm over medium high heat until bubbly. Stir in sour cream and serve. May add cooked, drained egg noodles to make this recipe stretch for a larger crowd.  

Tuesday

Breakfast – C

Grilled Bulls-eye

Juice

Grilled Bulls-eye

For each serving, butter one slice of bread. Cut large circle out of the middle. Place bread in hot skillet or on hot griddle. Place one egg (can be beaten if you prefer scrambled eggs) in center. Cook until egg is set on both sides.

Lunch – D

Meatball Subs

Beverage Of Choice

Meatball Subs            

            1 lb ground beef

            ÃƒÂ‚½ cup bread crumbs

            1 egg

            1 tsp seasoned salt or herb seasoning mix

            1 cup meatless spaghetti sauce

            grated mozzarella cheese

            hoagie buns

Mix together ground beef, bread crumbs, egg and seasoning. Shape into 1 ½ inch sized balls. Brown in skillet over medium heat. Add in spaghetti sauce and heat thoroughly. Spoon meatballs and sauce onto split rolls, sprinkle with cheese and serve.

Wednesday

Breakfast – E

Maple Oatmeal

Milk

Maple Oatmeal

Cook oatmeal according to package directions except substituting milk for ¼ of the water. During final minutes of cooking, stir in 1 tbsp of maple syrup per serving. Serve while hot.

Lunch – F

Meat and Cheese Pita-Wiches

Apples

Beverage Of Choice

Open pita pockets and fill with your favorite meat and cheese sandwich fillings. Try to cook extra meat the night or two before and save for this lunch so you can have something fresh for these sandwiches. Add your favorite grated cheese, veggies and sandwich spread.

Thursday

Breakfast – G

Western Scramble

Beverage Of Choice

Western Scramble

2 tablespoons butter

6 large eggs

1/4 cup finely chopped green bell pepper

1/3 cup finely chopped onion

3/4 cup milk

3/4 cup chopped cooked ham

3/4 teaspoon salt

dash pepper

In skillet melt butter. Beat eggs and whisk in remaining ingredients. Pour mixture into hot skillet. Cook, stirring to cook evenly.  

Lunch – H

Chili Potatoes

Beverage Of Choice

Chili Potatoes

            1 baked potato for each serving

            Cooked chili (see week four for recipe - Wednesday)

            Grated cheddar cheese

            Sour cream

Split open potatoes. Spoon chili into potato cavity. Sprinkle with cheese and top with dollop of sour cream.

Friday

Breakfast – I

Banana Muffins

Milk

Banana Muffins

            2 cups self-rising flour

            2-3 over-ripe bananas, mashed

            2 eggs

            ÃƒÂ‚¾ cup sugar (may reduce if too sweet for your tastes)

            ÃƒÂ‚½ cup chopped walnuts or pecans (optional)

Using recipe from week three, prepare banana muffin batter. Pour into greased and floured or paper lined muffin tin. Bake 350 degrees for 20-25 minutes or until an inserted toothpick comes out clean.

Lunch – J

Teryaki wings

Cooked rice

Pineapple chunks

Beverage Of Choice

Teryaki Wings

            10-15 chicken wings or drumettes

            ÃƒÂ‚½ cup soy sauce

            ÃƒÂ‚¼ cup brown sugar

            1 tbsp oil

Preheat oven to 425° F. Toss wings in large plastic bag with soy sauce, brown sugar and oil until coated. Spread evenly on baking sheet and bake until juices run clear.

Shopping List

(Ingredients should be purchased in proper amounts for your family if an amount is not noted.)

Fresh Produce

(A) fresh berries

(B, F, G, J) apples

(F) fresh veggies for pita-wiches

(G) ¼ cup chopped bell pepper

(G) 1/3 cup chopped onion

(H) baking potatoes

(I) 2-3 overripe bananas

(J) pineapple chunks

Beverages

favorite beverage(s)

fruit juice

          

General Grocery / Cooking and Baking

(B) 1 tsp onion powder

(B) ¼ tsp garlic powder

(D) 1 tsp herb seasoning blend

(E) oatmeal

(I) 2 cups self-rising flour

(I) ¾ cup sugar

(I) ½ cup chopped walnuts or pecans

(J) ¼ cup brown sugar

(J) oil

General Grocery / Bakery and Breads

(C) sliced loaf bread

(D) hoagie buns

(F) pitas

General Grocery / Condiments and Sauces

(B) 1 tsp worstershire sauce

(E) maple syrup

(J) ½ cup soy sauce

General Grocery / Dry Food and Mixes

(D) ½ cup dry bread crumbs

(H) 1 pkg dry chili seasoning mix

General Grocery / Canned and Bottled

(B) 1 can cream of mushroom soup

(D) 1 cup meatless spaghetti sauce

(H) 1 can tomato sauce

(H) 1 can diced tomatoes

Dairy / Refrigerated

(A) yogurt

(B, H) sour cream

(C, D, G, I) eggs

(D) grated mozzarella cheese

(G) butter or margarine

(G, H) grated cheddar cheese

(E, G, I) milk

(F) slice cheese                            

Meat / Fish

(B) 1 lb stew beef

(D, H) 2 lbs ground beef

(F) sandwich meats (if not using leftovers)

(G) ¾ cup chopped ham

(J) 10-15 chicken wings

Answer 3

Well I have two kids and we are military and our grocery budget each week is $50-60 maximum.  The reason for it being that high is simply because I get diaper too.  So we basically spend about $40ish on food minus the diapers.

I always buy the lowest priced apples and bananas. Or if apples are marked up then I will get an alternative fruit like pears or peaches whatever. I try to stick to everything being around $1.

For lunches, I always get the 60 cent macaroni frozen meals like the Banquet brand which is cheapest. I get the macaroni one and my kids split that in lunch it fills their toddler bowls which is a perfect serving. Also pot pies and other frozen meals are just as cheap and just as good for lunch.

I usually spend the most on dinner meal. This is my weekly shopping formula for cheapest deals. Collect coupons ONLY for things you know you will buy and are a good deal. For instance, avoid buying two to get 50 cent off etc because its just a way of getting you to spend more and you only want ONE item, so be strict with that or you will go off track on the budget.

Rice is cheap and can be served with any 80 cent frozen/canned veggie along with a meat of some kind. So here is my formula.

Apples/whatever within 99 cent/lb, bananas, garden salad in a bag within $1 range. Breakfast meal such as pop tarts or cereals that come within $1 range.

Two loafs of bread ($2.24 or as low as possible)

Cheese ($2)

Lunch meat ($1)

Milk (get the 1% its cheapest)

Juice (Minute Maid or off brand within $1)

Crackers ($1.89)

Cookies ($1.12 at walmart?)

cleaning products within the lowest possible price

Spaghetti Sauce (mine is $1.19)

Spaghetti/pasta (.80) I add spinach into my spaghetti to make it stretch for two dinners and also its healthy with the spinach/iron in it. I serve toasted garlic (sandwich) bread slices. Just as good as any garlic bread. Parmesan in the can also adds flavor to the spaghetti and my kids love it.

Try to plan $2 dinners. You can do this by getting a few bags of frozen veggies within $1, some frozen turkey dressing slices/ meat patties, and some other side foods like mashed potato mix or those pasta sides that are lipton within 50 cents and stove top. This way you can mix and match them each night with different combinations. Fresh meat is usually higher, so its best that if you get 1.5 lb of ground beef that you divide it in half to stretch over two meals. Otherwise you'll be going way over budget just to have fresh beef/chicken.

I do the mix and match, I also buy the cheapest pizzas I think it's Tony's cheese pizza and its $2 at the commissary where I shop. Then before I bake it I put some spinach, garlic, onion, or tomato on it myself its cheapest that way. If you get a deluxe pizza its at least $5 so you are getting a same or if not better and fresher taste by doing the plain cheese pizza and inventing your own toppings from home.

I bake my own pies. Anyone can make their own pie filling without having to buy the filling which costs about $2 and up in the store. Last week I bought 1 lbs of pears and made a filling with it alone and baked a great pie that would usually cost $10 in the bakery. The same goes for brownies, and muffins they are 50 cents usually and work just as well.

I am sure you already have some idea as to what I am describing but it is frightening when every week things go up another 20 cents, at least it is for me. Today I almost cried in the ice cream isle because we haven't had real ice cream in forever. But I bought these little popsicle cups that you can make your own popsicles at the dollar tree. I put the minute maid juice in the cups and freeze them as pops and the kids love them a lot and have no idea how cheap their mother is.

Also sometimes its best to purchase some items in bulk even if its a little over the top because your paying so much more in the long run to get them in a smaller more cheap price. For example, Ketchup. Everyone eats it and you can get a 99 cent bottle but it wont last but for a week. If you get the bigger one for a dollar more it goes a lot further.

Another tip. Don't get the microwave bagged popcorn. Get the popcorn cernals in the big bag. Put 1/3 cup scoop in the bag and 1/3 cup will make one big bowl of popcorn. You can put a tiny bit of cooking oil just to coat the bowl so that it won't burn the popcorn and also season with salt and I use parmesan to make mine taste better. Its a perfect snack and you can make approximately 14 bowls of popcorn for that big bag and pay $1.19 for it as opposed to the bagged popcorn which is the same price but consists of only 3 bags. ITS A BIG DIFFERENCE. Hope I helped give you some tips but you should consider maybe shopping on the post if you can just to save more because commisary is cheaper for me and thats why I avoid Wal-mart thought it does have cheaper bread and snacks. Just depends but cut the coupons, and mix and match meals as well as try to maximize the servings at a minimum price. If you spend $2 for dinners you are on a good track.

Answer 4

mac and cheese, hot dogs, canned pastas - you can add veggies to the mac and cheese and the pastas.  Ground turkey is normally cheaper than ground beef, is better for you, and tastes the same in things such as hamburger helper and spaghetti.  

I hope this gave you some ideas

Good luck

Answer 5

I live on a tight budget and i dread going to do the weekly shop as it seems to cost more every time i go.

What i do is write out a menu for each week and stick to it.

I only buy what is on the menu.

Some cheap lunches could be pasta with some tuna, you could add some sweetcorn or tomato in it, pitta bread with cheese and cucumber or tomato, home made pizza is fun to make, you can add what ever the children like on top ( your 3 year old would love to help you), spaghetti bolognase is also a cheap healthy meal and you can blend it down for your baby.

Mince meat can be can be made into all sorts of things and is cheap, burgers, chilli ( for you and your husband), meatballs, the options are endless.

Freezer foods appeal to children but they work out so much more expensive.

Try making your own chicken nuggets rather than frozen ones, a whole chicken can be used for a roast and and then any left over can be made into soup.

Stick to what you have on your list and don't be tempted to buy extra.

Good luck.

Answer 6

I have 2 ideas that are tried & true (tried by ME!).

Check your local churches & Chamber of Commerce or whatever for FOOD BANKS.  They don't advertise much.  I found ours thru a friend--otherwise would never have known they existed.   Usually it's FREE FOOD (love donation if you can).  Some are based on income -vs- household size; some (admistered by churches) are just fee to anyone----you can be Bill Gates & get free food--Drawbacks:  you have to wait in long lines usually, don't get to pick & choose much & perishables are usually near or past expiration date. (But free, so toss it if you don't want it!).

Also ANGEL FOOD MINISTRIES....(link below) thru a local church--you don't have to be a member of the Host church--just have to place your order early.  Like it's July 8th at ours for July 26th delivery.  It's $30 per box & appx feeds a family of  4 for a week, so you can buy double or triple or whatever.  They also offer 'specialty boxes' with just meat or frozen dinners or something.  The food is fine--not pretty wrappings, more like restaurant, wholesale, rather generic, etc.,  But you do get some fruit or produce too & it's REALLY worth the $$.

I always shop at the discount stores --Aldi is fantastic.  Also Sav-A-Lot... not as nice for my tastes, but bargains nonetheless.

Answer 7

I don't do a menu.......I do sales and double coupons.....basically we eat whatever the 2 allow.....like today I got lean ground meat on sale for $2.29 per pound in the 3lb packs....so I bought that!  Pasta was on sale 10 for $10 so I bought FOUR of them because I had TWO $0.50 on two coupons that doubled to $0.50 off each....I got 4 boxes (2 spaghetti, 1 shells, 1 macaroni) for just $2.....I got the most generic sauce for $1 AND had a $0.75 off the name brand that doubled so it was only $1.50.......Pizza rolls are on sale for $1.50 a box (which is a HUGE deal) and I had $0.40 coupons that double to $0.80  so they were only $0.70 per box.......unheard of as they are usually closer to $3 each.

I could go on and on, but you get what I am saying...I once got Spahgetti O's for $0.10 per can, name brand baby wipes for $1.00 and FREE kid shampoo by combining sales and double coupons.....It can be a pain in the butt with all the planning and thinking, but SOO worth it!! I went to the store today and spend $49 and that will feed a famliy of three for 2 weeks, buying only milk and other perishables next week......

rather than focus on the menu, focus on what is on sale......and stretch the food when you can.......add extra water and boxed pasta to Hamburger Helper and you get way more (I only started that 'cause it was too meaty, now it feeds 3 of us for TWO days).....add rice to your tacos or chicken tacos to use less meat but still be filling...things like that......

good luck!!