Food budget for one

[MomToOne]

I've cooked a few things, but it seems every "simple," healthy recipe requires a bunch of spices or 2tbsp. of this 1tsp. of that so after I buy everything for it I've spent $100 at the grocery on only a few meals!

While the initial "build out" of spices can seem expensive, once you have them built up, you will find you only buy one every now and then. And soon you'll be to the stage where you find a new recipe and go "Oh - I have just about everything I need for that here around the house already!" So things won't be so expensive.

I suggest you start with simple things like stir-frys, tacos, soups, etc. Keep things like sandwich makings on hand so that when you are too tired to cook you at least have something to fall back on instead of going out or getting fast food. Stock up on stuff you know you'll use in the next month or two, but don't go crazy stocking up if it's just you - many things can go bad before you use them, so that's just a waste of money. Watch meat sales - I look at just the front page of the sales flyers each week - and get to know what a "good" price is and buy basic cuts that can be used for a lot of things (boneless chicken breast, ground beef, etc.) when those good prices come up. Compare the grocery stores in your area to see if one is cheaper than the others - try some in areas you might not normally try. I found a market 7 miles away from me that many people would write off because its not as "pretty" as the local markets but prices are generally 20-30% less than more the markets in my neighborhood. I don't need to watch for sales for stuff other than meat because this market's regular prices are better than the other stores sale prices!

Also, try a new recipe at least once a week - while many will be bombs you'll get a few gems here and there that you will keep going back to.

(I feed DD12 and myself on less than $200 a month - and that includes me taking lunch to work just about everyday.)

 

[GMU MOM]

My suggestion when buying meat/poultry/seafood is always look at your store flyer and see what's on sale that week and stock up. For example this week boneless skinless chicken breasts were 1.99/lb. I bought 8 pounds for $16 and divided them into four bags to go in the freezer. We are a family of 4 so that's only $1/person per meal. Same thing with ground meat.

An already cooked rotiserie chicken is around $5 and you can easily get 2-3 meals out it for only one person.

 

[canopynut66]

is your parents a time share or DVC at Disney and if so are you going when they could get you free dining while at Disney. If not then for you and a child you should be fine with $100 a day budget for food /snacks while on vacation. depends where you eat but with that amount could have a nice meal and a counter a day...seen where many have given you recipes for home. hope you get to at least go to one character meal with her..they pricy but 8 year old would love it.

 

[merbobear]

I feel your pain every time I go to the supermarket, here are some tips that changed the way I shop:

• Pick one signature spice blend (a bought one is fine or mix your own), a vegetable base (the cheap classic is carrots, celery, and onion), and a chosen fat (butter or olive oil). Then when you look at recipes, just use them for the basic idea, then use your signature fat, seasoning, and veggies. Voila, none of that endless series of exotic spices where you use one tsp and no more.
• Quick healthy dinner: take a filet or individual cut of meat, season it and throw it under the broiler. While it is cooking, use the microwave to quick cook a potato and some frozen veggies. Make a salad on the side. Have fruit for dessert, quick low handtime dinner!
• Learn to love hardboiled eggs. We put a whole carton worth in the oven, one egg per well in a muffin tin, at 350° for about 15 minutes. Hardboiled without boiling.
• Sandwiches save us a great deal in summer. We make a lot of "condiment" sandwiches with things like pesto, hummus or bruschetta (well drained) usually with a cheese like mozzarella or riccota. Tastes great, pretty healthy.

The 'signature' spice, fat, etc idea is great. I actually do that, but without having really thought about it. We have tons of spices that go mostly unused, I almost always use Goya Adobo for seasoning. I also use Italian seasoning, but not nearly as much as the Adobo (it's a garlic, salt, pepper blend..maybe one or two other spices. It's pretty versatile though!).

 

[CarolineB]

To make pasta for one in the microwave, I really like the Pasta Boat that I bought at Bed, Bath, and Beyond for $6. I was skeptical at first but it really is a time saver and a lot easier than heating up a big pot of water and draining it.

 

[pampam]

If you were eating out for the convenience of it, make sure you have portion controlled precooked food available. For example, if you like chicken, instead of cooking 1 or 2 pieces for a meal, cook up a whole package. When cooled wrap what you don't need label it and freeze it. Then next week, when you are rushed and feel like something quick, simply defrost it and while it is heating, make a quick salad. You have only made one mess, when you cooked the chicken, so clean up should be quick. You can do this with just about every meal you make, from roast beef dinners to casseroles or homemade soup.


Another idea I had, is using the internet to search for recipes. If you were looking for economical meals, google that. If you wanted quick meals, simple foods, or premade ideas, google that too.

 

[TDC Nala]

Make large portions of soups or stews (meat or veggie). Freeze them in individual portions.

is your parents a time share or DVC at Disney and if so are you going when they could get you free dining while at Disney.

DVC reservations are not eligible for free dining. You can get the dining plan, but paid, not free.

 

[pigletto]

Make large portions of soups or stews (meat or veggie). Freeze them in individual portions.

This is what I would suggest also. To keep costs reasonable I double most of these recipes for my family of four so we have portions to send for lunches as well. So it's the same principal. If you make spaghetti and meatballs, make extra sauce and meatballs. If you make soup, make a recipe to feed four or six and freeze the rest.
It will cut down on time you spend cooking, and provide something easy to pop in your lunch for the day, which will also greatly reduce how much you spend out.
I find for me to make anything like this stick it has to be easy. Find the simplest recipes you think you'll enjoy or you won't want to make them.

 

[pixiewings71]

I have spice staples as well, I find that most will work in a variety of dishes and they will work quite well. Also, if you purchase pre-packaged spices that claim to be 1 serving, many times you can stretch that as well. For instance, I buy packets of taco seasonings, I get them on sale either 2/$1 or $1 each, depending on the kind I get and when I get them. If you read the packet directions it says to use 1 packet per lb of meat, well I pour mine into a small spice jar and instead just shake it on until I think it's enough, I get may more than 1 use out of that packet!
I also like to pre-cook meat and freeze it, then if I'm pressed for time (I work 2 jobs a couple nights a week, I still have to feed the family before I leave for job #2 so easy meals are a must) I can simply pull out some pre-cooked hamburger or shredded chicken and throw together a good healthy meal!
Also, I like to buy big huge blocks of cheese, shred them all at once, put it in smaller baggies and freeze it, then you've got cheese on hand for a while and since it's frozen it will last. I tend to use that cheese for things like tacos, pasta, and even salads. I don't find it changes the texture if you pre-grate before freezing. It does change the texture if you freeze it in a block.
Fruits and veggies, the majority of mine come from the Farmer's Market we have downtown, definitely look into that!
Use coupons, this is hit and miss for me sometimes but I always look at the coupons I get on Wednesdays. I also sign up on my favorite grocery stores website(s), I get weekly coupons from the store I shop at the most, I always score 1 free item when I spent $20, this week it was a package of romaine hearts, my favorite for salads!

 

[Diz2012]

With the price of food going up (5 lb ground beef at walmart for $15 anyone?) it is hard to cut food prices down. But it can be done!

1st buy in bulk if you can. It will save you $ : I can buy a 10lb bag of boneless chicken breast at walmart which comes to about 20 pieces of chicken $10.

2nd plan each meal and make last it for 2 nights. So if you want to make spagetti for example, make enough to last for 2 nights instead of 1. Of course you dont have to do this with all your meals, but if you can do it for 2 or 3 meals, it will not only cut down the amount of cooking, but the amount of costs. Plus it will save you money on your electric / gas bill since all you have to do is throw it in the microwave and rewarm it up.

The other night I made Lasagna for dinner for me and my fiance, and it lasted for 3 nights! And only cost about $6 to make, compared to $10 for a stoffers lasagna that only last for 1 night.

And start using coupons, they will become your best friend. If your local store accepts them, not only buy a sunday paper for the coupons but print them out as well at places like pillsbury.com, generalmills.com, coupons.com, etc. Walmart DOES accept the printed out ones, so if you shop at walmart, you can use them there.

You can get some really good recipes at pillsbury.com, kraftfoods.com and familyfun.go.com

Pillsbury has an option for meals for 2 and an easy meal finder where you can enter up to 3 ingredients you have on hand and it will bring up tons of recipes. I use pillsbury.com all the time, and a lot of times I'll change the recipe up a little bit. Example: if it calls for can of mushroom soup and it's chicken, I'll use cream of chicken soup instead but that's because I'm not a fan of mushrooms. Or if it calls for something else, I may just leave it out all together or add my own spices I already have instead of buying new spices.

And don't buy the expensive brands like Campbell's or whatever. Get the store brand. 9 times out of 10, it will taste just like the expensive stuff. Sometimes I found store brand things to taste even better then the expensive brands.

A spice idea I use ALL the time is worchestire sauce. I use it every time I cook chicken, pork, ground beef. And you can get a big bottle just for a couple dollars and it will bring the flavors out. 1 bottle last's me for about a month and half and I use it all the time when I cook dinner just about. Its a cheap way to spice up your food and can be used as a marinade as well.

 

[Straitlover]

My grocery budget is $160 per month for a single. Shop the sales and get a stash of stuff going, and it is pretty easy to stick to the budget.

Any eating out either comes from any leftovers in the grocery budget or my miscellaneous line item if there's no grocery budget. My miscellaneous is non-food stuff (trash bags, soap, laundry detergent, etc), entertainment, blow money, that kind of stuff. It is also $160/month.

I will say that rotisserie chicken is your friend. I can get 4 meals easily from one, more depending on where I buy it from. Then you can boil the carcass and add veggies to make soup!

 

[nanienamou]

Make a large batch of chili with meat and lots of beans and freeze in portions.

Buy some whole chickens, cook them, remove the meat and boil the bones to make stock for soup. Then, you can just add some pasta and chicken meat and freeze in portions. Other chicken meat meal ideas: chicken casserole, chicken salad, chicken pasta with pesto...

Eggs! Make a big frittata with some eggs, brocolli, ham or bacon and a little cheese on top. The leftovers are awesome.

Quinoa is awesome too, and has lots of protein. Lentils, beans, and chick peas too, are great and cheap.

 

[cluvsdisney]

Just a thought with buying spices, I found the spices in the international foods aisle in the supermarket are frequently less expensive then the standard McCormack spices. I find I can get buy with salt, pepper, seasoned salt, italian seasoning, and garlic powder. I have added others as needed.

 

[mbsturgill]

Thank you all so much for your suggestions! I have been crazy busy at work this week but this weekend I will sit down and respond to your posts. I have read all of them and they are so helpful. Thanks for taking the time to give me tips!

 

[KennedyMcKenna]

I just filed for divorce last month from an emotionally abusive "man" who wouldn't hold down a full-time job and whom I had to support, along with his daughter, for three years. My step-daughter's mother only sees her once a month at the most, so for the past four years I have been her primary mother figure (she just turned eight last month) and before that her grandmother mainly cared for her. The divorce has been pretty nasty so far, due 100% to actions on his part, but I have been adamant that I will not abandon my step-daughter and will continue to care for her as my own. We had a family trip planned to Disney the end of July and he has agreed to "let me" take her. If this trip wasn't already planned, non-refundable park tickets purchased months ago and we weren't using my parents' timeshare for free, we wouldn't be going. I'm an accountant and very frugal and otherwise would never take a trip that strained the budget, but this is the only thing I've been looking forward to for months and it will give me a wonderful week with my stepdaughter whom I don't get to see as often anymore (not by my own choice).

Now to my question... My normal budget after the divorce is final and after the vacation will leave around a thousand dollars per month leftover in which I plan to payoff all debt within a year and then start saving for a down payment on a new house. With all the expenses involved with moving, last month about ran me dry and until the divorce is final I still have to pay $400/month of his medical insurance, car insurance and cell phone. So, basically, I'm cutting it close until after this trip. I just bought the plane tickets which were around $520 and if I budgeted correctly I need to take about $550 with me on the trip. The only discretionary categories in my budget are food and clothes, so I'm obviously not going to buy any clothes and let that one rollover a few months. So, I'm left with food. I'm not good at cooking and the thought overwhelms me, but clearly I need to stop eating out and figure out a way to spend as little as possible for the next seven weeks or so. Does anyone have any suggestions? My budget right now is $350 per month but I need to drop that big time. How little do you think I can spend and how can I do it?

Thank you!!!

First off, good for you for getting out of a bad situation and being such an amazing person to still care for this child. You deserve all the praise in the world. Secondly, I don't know if you coupon, or if this has already been said here, I didn't read through, but write companies and let them know (briefly) about your situation. I had lost my job about a year ago and the time where I was unemployed until I got a job things were VERY tight and we are a family of two. Write companies that make products you enjoy that are healthiful and let them know the situation and ask if they can help by sending you some extra money off or free coupons. I found that I had so many coupons just by being honest and asking for help that there were weeks we had free or cheap milk, bread, eggs and cheese. Also, Things like egg salad if you like it is really easy to make and stores pretty well for a few days. I hope things work out well for you and enjoy the heck out of your upcoming vacation.

 

[swandiverpatt]

A crockpot can be your friend. You can cook a lot of volume items (soups, chilis, chicken parts, pot roast) and freeze individual portions.

Also, I rely on the BOGO (buy one get one free) offers from our local grocery store. Sometimes, that's the only reason I go into the supermarket is to pick up the BOGO items for that week.

I also have found you can microwave popcorn using popcorn (seeds) in a paper lunch-bag. All you need to do is put a few TB of seeds in the bag, fold the top over a couple of times and pop away. A whole lot cheaper than microwave bags, for sure! (I spray the popped corn with a butter-flavor spray, then use Adobo spice or other spices on it).

If you have an Aldi's near you, shop there. Really. We have a new one about 4 miles from home and I pick up most of my produce, egg products, milk, frozen foods there. It equals out to a very large savings and their own brand is pretty much spot-on to brand name items. (They also do occasionally have brand name items on sale there, too). Only thing: Take your own shopping bags or boxes and be prepared to stand in line at the cash register.

Good luck!

 

[lovesmurfs]

Save the bits of leftover veggies from dinners in a gallon-sized Ziploc bag in the freezer -- just keep adding to it (I include leftover rice as well). When the bag is full, make soup! I've got a chest freezer and save the carcasses from roast turkey/chicken and ham bones and use one to make the soup.

I agree - spices are incredibly high priced -- my favorite go-to spice is the poultry seasoning blend -- it's good for chicken, pork, veggies, etc. If you have an Aldi's near you, they used to have these awesome grinder mixed spice blends (pasta, veggie, chicken, IIRC) very inexpensively. I need to go back and stock up.

When I went through my budget, I realized it wasn't so much dinner that hung it up -- it was lunches out. If you haven't already, get a nice insulated lunch box (one that makes you smile) and bring your breakfast/lunch to work daily.

Good luck and best wishes -- it sounds as though you're making lemonade out of some life lemons.