Frugal groceries for under $20

I have been getting an offer from SDM for No Name or Braeburn eggs, $1.49/dz, limit 2. That means protein for $1.12/lb or $2.98/2 dz.

I do not think all the carbs are a good deal though. People at the lowest income levels can get them from food banks for free. Small servings of rice or pasta or potatoes are more cost effective and healthier because they cost far less by pound for finished product, you can control the portion sizes easier by making less, they do not start with added fat like oven fries, & they are shelf-stable meaning there is no rush to power through your supply or own an additional freezer to have the space to store them. Also you can buy premium brands with fine flavours for less than the processed prepared equivalent. They are taster & more pleasant to eat.

There are many kinds of produce that are available throughout the year for less than $1/lb including fundamental Western cooking basics like onions, carrots - or even celery, which comes in big, multi-pound bunches that can stay in good condition for weeks at regular fridge temperatures. Buying tomatoes in the winter is a little crazy because they are never as nice in flavour as what is available in the spring, summer & fall, Ontario hothouse through harvest season.

Lentils are rich in protein and nutrients. They are great in rice dishes or even simmered in a tomatoey sauce.

You can accompany it with rice and chicken. Both also cheap. But you won’t have to eat as much meat with the protein rich lentils.

Eggs is always a cost effective protein.

Canned tuna is one too. Sometimes i make a green bean casserole with tuna and cheese.

Pork shoulder loin can get super cheap sometimes its $1.99 on sale. Probably $2.99/lb on sale these days... but thats lean meat!

I am in for the pork loin too.

7.5 lb chunk of pork loin = $15

= 3 X 2.5 lb roasts (20 minutes/lb = only 50 minutes roast time)

Each roast = at least 1 pig-out dinner for 2 with veg, potatoes & gravy, a day of sandwiches, & enough pork for a second dish like stir-fry or the aforementioned lentils that might stretch 2-3 days

= at least 12 days of meals averaging $1.25/day for 2 for the meat portion, & 1/2 those days are lax cooking.

Rice or pasta < $0.20 per cup cooked. That is 100g dry. Potatoes are running < $0.20 1/2 lb on sale still. That compared to < $0.17 per serving of bagels & muffins that are eaten without meat or produce.

Take the $7.91 spent on 7 x 710 ml pop and put it towards a big box of Tea India or Tata tea bags 216s for $4.99 and pay $0.28 for 14 servings. You have $2.92 to go towards 4L 1% milk at $4.69.

Yes you are laying out more money at 1X, but it will let you eat for close to 2 weeks rather than "a few days." If you shop like this every "few days" you are going to lay out at least $80 in the same period and have a lot less variety & eat a lot of diabetogenic stuff.

We do not need to "survive," we need to thrive.

Your grocery list reads like a teens when their parents are on vacation and left em grocery money.. 30% of the budget went to pop??

UrbanPoet wrote: ↑ Lentils are rich in protein and nutrients. They are great in rice dishes or even simmered in a tomatoey sauce.

This reminds me that I've been meaning to make some "lentil chili." Thanks!

No Frills is fantastic, started going there 6 months ago and found prices to be quite a bit less expensive than most other grocery store.

I do buy all our protein at Costco along with most staples for their quality and large quantities, No Frills for everything else like Sheppards Pie, PC Diet Ginger Ale, Ichiban noodles, fruit, etc.

It's 2021 why the F are people still uploading photos without rotating them so we can actually read it without turning our f'ing heads.

S14_Raven wrote: ↑ Your grocery list reads like a teens when their parents are on vacation and left em grocery money.. 30% of the budget went to pop??

lol

S14_Raven wrote: ↑ Your grocery list reads like a teens when their parents are on vacation and left em grocery money.. 30% of the budget went to pop??

This

Sorry but your haul is not what I would consider a GOOD DEAL

Cuz much of it is junk or processed foods.

The only thing I see worthwhile here are the eggs (we often buy them on promo also @ SDM)

And for nutrition ... the Apples & Tomatoes.

Other stuff ... figuring this is your basics for a few days ... I’ll give a pass. These items would formulate my occasional extras in a week vs staples to build meals upon

Assumption that the bagels are eaten plain? No spread?
IMO, if you were really frugal, you would be buying 10lb bag of potatoes for $1.88 instead of the fries, and make your own fries.

goofball wrote: ↑ Assumption that the bagels are eaten plain? No spread?
IMO, if you were really frugal, you would be buying 10lb bag of potatoes for $1.88 instead of the fries, and make your own fries.

OP has been banned since the day this thread was started.
Maybe he got caught shoplifting from RFD?

Not sure where op is but if any of you have a RCSS near you try the Flash Food app. It is for food that is about to its expiry date. It is great if you have a freezer and are able to use it when meat deals pop up. Basically the offerings are updated everyday, order through the app and pick up at customer service.

I once picked up a package of 8 hamburger buns for $0.50 that I needed and used immediately that day. A box of yellow potatoes (10-15 lbs) for $3.

App may not be for everyone but great once in a while when you can use something right away (or freeze it).

Yea, i got like almost a kilo or tortellini for $2.50

shikotee wrote: ↑ OP has been banned since the day this thread was started.
Maybe he got caught shoplifting from RFD?

Just wondering how do you get banned?

Too many downvotes in a short time that OP was a member?

french frys is a luxury item. So are the muffins. You can create potato wedges on your own, and make muffins or bread on your own. You asked, so I answered.

I bet you're hiding soda off frame of the camera.

crayola1 wrote: ↑ Just wondering how do you get banned?

Too many downvotes in a short time that OP was a member?

The account was created in January. If I had to guess, OP was likely someone who did something bad previously, then created a new account.

This guy is inspirational. I love his free condiment drawer but I don't eat out enough to collect that much. Also not $20/week but still cheap and accessible for most people, even those that don't know how to cook.

https://www.youtube.com/strugglemeals

evilYoda wrote: ↑ french frys is a luxury item. So are the muffins. You can create potato wedges on your own, and make muffins or bread on your own. You asked, so I answered.

I bet you're hiding soda off frame of the camera.

Why would they hide the soda and post the receipt? Doesn't make sense.

shikotee wrote: ↑ The account was created in January. If I had to guess, OP was likely someone who did something bad previously, then created a new account.

I noticed lots of new banned members lately, was thinking maybe they were fake shill accounts all opened by the same IP to build a presence before shilling.