Frugal grocery newbie needs some serious help.

[nahirean]

Hello,

I have recently found myself in a position where I have to support myself. I am a single guy in an apartment. Through budgeting I have determined that I can support myself on a grocery budget of $150 per month. (Remember, this is for one guy.) The problem is, I have never cooked/bought food for myself and have absolutely no idea how to do this and stay healthy. My idea was "30 packs of Ramen noodles, once a day, and a multivitamin to survive."

Can someone please help me create a grocery list that a human can survive on for a month with, perferably as cheap as possible. I love water, and have no issues drinking water - so I don't need soda or junk food. I don't mind using multivitamins for supplements, and eating simple lunches every day at work.

Please help!

Thanks in advance.

[locolorenzo24]

ROCK!! It's funny dude, I'm exactly the same way..(single, 75 every 2 weeks, at least now I have a kitchen (although my oven doesn't work)...You're better than I am though! I need to have a case of soda in the house...although beer too for dates..

What is your kitchen setup? Are we talking about ample freezer space, oven, stovetop, microwave, etc? Let me know then I'll be happy to help you out! Don't want to recommend something that might not be that good to store...or that you have to cook immedately...

[robby]

I'm a bit embarrassed to admit this (not so much here as to my other friends that just wouldn't understand), but I've sort of become a coupon guy. If you don't mind what you eat and shop with coupons for whatever is on sale, you can eat quite a bit for not a lot of money. I come up with some pretty interesting meals since my cooking sucks and half the time I have no idea how to cook what I have, but there is never an issue of not having stuff to eat. Check out Flashs blog - she is a coupon queen.

[nahirean]

Originally Posted by locolorenzo24

ROCK!! It's funny dude, I'm exactly the same way..(single, 75 every 2 weeks, at least now I have a kitchen (although my oven doesn't work)...You're better than I am though! I need to have a case of soda in the house...although beer too for dates..

What is your kitchen setup? Are we talking about ample freezer space, oven, stovetop, microwave, etc? Let me know then I'll be happy to help you out! Don't want to recommend something that might not be that good to store...or that you have to cook immedately...

I have a Microwave, Oven, Stove and Frig with Freezer. Here's what I did yesterday, but I am still VERY new to this and need help..

I bought 15 Hamburger Helper Packs (Which has 2 or 3 dinners for me).

I bought 7 lbs of ground beef.

I split the ground beef up into single pounds of meat and froze them.

I bought some milk/freezer bags and cheap tupperware storage.

When I want a meal, cook the whole box of HH and eat 1/2 or 1/3 of it, put the next in the fridge for the next day or two.

I have dinner for a month for around $50.00. Still more than I wanted to spend, and not a lot of variety - but I will live. I am sure I can do better than this.. anyone?

[Joan.of.the.Arch]

Who has cooked for you in the past that would understand what foods you enjoy? Your parent perhaps? I would start with asking the person(s) to give you some basic ideas.

But I recommend that you learn to use a lot of either rice, potatoes, pasta, beans, or whatever carbohydrate food is common in your style of eating. A lot of satisfying basic cookery is built around these things. If you like them all, so much the better. It will greatly extend what you can eat cheaply.

If you get at the public library a cookbook on frugal cooking or look up websites on it, you can find lots of info. Read through the posts here and you should get some ideas.

Whenever you eat with other people, give some thought as to what ingredients are probably in the dishes you are enjoying. Think about whether you could duplicate the dish at home. Even ask the cook for their recipe. It is a great compliment to the cook to ask for a recipe. They will probably be really happy to tell you how to make the dish.

[Thrifty Ray]

A crockpot is a great tool for frugal cooking.

An inexpensive roast and a few seasonings, potatoes and a vegetable and dinner is ready...left over roast makes great sandwiches, taco's, bbq beef, etc.

Soup...water, chicken stock, hamburger, some veggies and some tomato (paste, sauce, etc), pasta if you want.... a big batch of this is great for days!

I cook bonless chicken in olive oil and seasonings and keep it in the fridge...cut it up on salads, make teriyaki rice bowls, burritos, etc.

English muffin pizzas are great....

There are so many healthier ways to eat than HH. And most don't take much more prep work.

Heck, the crockpot is so forgiving...even if you forget to defrost...just put the meat in beffore you leave for work....and it is done when you get home.

Good luck!

[boefixepa]

This web site was recommended to be as I am on kick to figure out how to feed myself for $50.00 a month by cooking from scratch. Not there yet, still trying to figure it out. But this web site has some good cheap recipes and you can then cook and store.

http://snider.mardox.com/single.html

Good luck, and just dive in and start trying new things. Learn to cook simply takes practice and the fun part of it is you cook what you like. So you know you'll like it.

[poundwise]

Originally Posted by nahirean

I have a Microwave, Oven, Stove and Frig with Freezer. Here's what I did yesterday, but I am still VERY new to this and need help..

I bought 15 Hamburger Helper Packs (Which has 2 or 3 dinners for me).

I bought 7 lbs of ground beef.

I split the ground beef up into single pounds of meat and froze them.

I bought some milk/freezer bags and cheap tupperware storage.

When I want a meal, cook the whole box of HH and eat 1/2 or 1/3 of it, put the next in the fridge for the next day or two.

I have dinner for a month for around $50.00. Still more than I wanted to spend, and not a lot of variety - but I will live. I am sure I can do better than this.. anyone?

No offense meant by this... I was young and ate ramen noodles and fish sticks to get by before...

But that's a terrible way to eat! Do you know how much sodium (among other things) is in a serving of Hamburger Helper? Cheap (fatty) ground beef (or worse, 'hamburger') everyday? Wow. I'm no nutrition nut but that plan is a quick track to a coronary.

The suggestions to learn how to eat on-the-cheap with foods made from scratch (and from actual food) is by far the better route.

[PrincessPerky]

do you like pizza? might not be the most nutritionall sound food, but it is easy.
find a coupon for pizza dough in a can (or if you have a kitchenaid or lots of time, make it, is easy and relaxing)

Roll the dough thinner in ovals -roughly, no one but you is looking (one batch of mine makes 6 calzones)

top with sauce (buy it with a coupon, or make some from a can of tomato sauce and spices, borrow moms if you live near her .) then with cheese and pepperoni, or mushrooms and peppers, or sausage or spinach or whatever floats your boat.

close in half (like a half sandwich) twist and squish the edge poke witha fork, bake 450 for 10 to 15 minutes.

wrap extras in foil and freeze, eat one or two for now.

[Lori63]

Thinking back to college...
Ramen noodles: 9-11 cents each
Mac and cheese: 35 cents-you can skip the milk if you need to

[poundwise]

Originally Posted by PrincessPerky

do you like pizza? might not be the most nutritionall sound food, but it is easy.
find a coupon for pizza dough in a can (or if you have a kitchenaid or lots of time, make it, is easy and relaxing)

Good idea.

Also, Jiffy makes a pizza dough mix that sells at Wal-Mart for .33c, the Great Value store brand pizza sauce is also cheap. The cost comes in with the meat toppings and the shredding cheese but this can be mitigated by careful shopping, etc.

[nahirean]

Originally Posted by poundwise

No offense meant by this... I was young and ate ramen noodles and fish sticks to get by before...

But that's a terrible way to eat! Do you know how much sodium (among other things) is in a serving of Hamburger Helper? Cheap (fatty) ground beef (or worse, 'hamburger') everyday? Wow. I'm no nutrition nut but that plan is a quick track to a coronary.

The suggestions to learn how to eat on-the-cheap with foods made from scratch (and from actual food) is by far the better route.

I agree! I've never cooked for myself before! I literally need someone to hold my hand.. and say "Buy this, buy that.." etc.. I am cooking up some Ramen now. I didn't think Hamburger Helper was THAT bad..

[nahirean]

Originally Posted by Joan.of.the.Arch

Who has cooked for you in the past that would understand what foods you enjoy? Your parent perhaps? I would start with asking the person(s) to give you some basic ideas.

But I recommend that you learn to use a lot of either rice, potatoes, pasta, beans, or whatever carbohydrate food is common in your style of eating. A lot of satisfying basic cookery is built around these things. If you like them all, so much the better. It will greatly extend what you can eat cheaply.

If you get at the public library a cookbook on frugal cooking or look up websites on it, you can find lots of info. Read through the posts here and you should get some ideas.

Whenever you eat with other people, give some thought as to what ingredients are probably in the dishes you are enjoying. Think about whether you could duplicate the dish at home. Even ask the cook for their recipe. It is a great compliment to the cook to ask for a recipe. They will probably be really happy to tell you how to make the dish.

Thanks for the response. I love all of the foods you mentioned! With the possible exception of pasta.

Help!

[locolorenzo24]

Ok, coming from the same situation as you, at 75$ every 2 weeks....here's a average shopping list for me.... Also, where do you shop? Where can you go? You drive, take public transportation, etc? give us some details...

Produce:
Onion
Green Pepper
Bagged organic spinich
whatever veggies sound good/on sale (corn, asparagus, etc......)
Mushrooms
Tomatoes.
(You can easily make some good salads and eat for 2/3 days on one bag)
Also, you can look up any veggie you might have a problem cooking on the internet.

Meatremember, eating for one, you can eat the same for 3/4 meals...
Usually a whole frozen chicken or a chicken breast pack....(around 2/3 bucks)
A lb of sirloin as it's 93% lean......(a little pricey, but you can get it for around 3 bucks)
I occasionally buy a rotisserie chicken...it's fast, already cooked, and good addition to a salad for 4/5 bucks.
A pack of turkey brats or sausage
some cut of fish
Also, look into the roast idea. A good sized one can feed you for 4/5 days, just make sure to have something else on hand when you get sick of eating it after 3 meals....

Dairy:
Milk(usually 1/2 gallons cause whole ones go bad before I finish)
Cheese (1-2 bar varieties, and a bag of shredded for salads, toppings, etc....)
Yogurts (good for on the go mornings and snacks)
Ice cream (Once in a blue moon)

Drinks
Case of diet pepsi
water, water, water....gallons at .59 a piece
orange juice
Make iced tea for the summer/hot tea for winter
anything else you like

Canned/pantry staples
2-3 cans of kidney beans, tomatoes, tuna in water
Box or 2 of whole wheat pasta.
Frozen vegetable bags
Wild rice boxes
Whole wheat crackers

Bread:
Whole wheat,
french bread to make french bread pizzas

Snacks:
usually eat cheese, yogurt, crackers, or nuts, or a small portion of dinner....
Also, have chips and salsa once in a while.
Microwave popcorns good too.

The key is to think ahead a little. You can come up with some great ideas if you just strech it a little farther and experiment. After posting all this, I have some meal ideas that are my go to ones....I'll try to send them to you.

[nahirean]

Originally Posted by locolorenzo24

Ok, coming from the same situation as you, at 75$ every 2 weeks....here's a average shopping list for me.... Also, where do you shop? Where can you go? You drive, take public transportation, etc? give us some details...

Produce:
Onion
Green Pepper
Bagged organic spinich
whatever veggies sound good/on sale (corn, asparagus, etc......)
Mushrooms
Tomatoes.
(You can easily make some good salads and eat for 2/3 days on one bag)
Also, you can look up any veggie you might have a problem cooking on the internet.

Meatremember, eating for one, you can eat the same for 3/4 meals...
Usually a whole frozen chicken or a chicken breast pack....(around 2/3 bucks)
A lb of sirloin as it's 93% lean......(a little pricey, but you can get it for around 3 bucks)
I occasionally buy a rotisserie chicken...it's fast, already cooked, and good addition to a salad for 4/5 bucks.
A pack of turkey brats or sausage
some cut of fish
Also, look into the roast idea. A good sized one can feed you for 4/5 days, just make sure to have something else on hand when you get sick of eating it after 3 meals....

Dairy:
Milk(usually 1/2 gallons cause whole ones go bad before I finish)
Cheese (1-2 bar varieties, and a bag of shredded for salads, toppings, etc....)
Yogurts (good for on the go mornings and snacks)
Ice cream (Once in a blue moon)

Drinks
Case of diet pepsi
water, water, water....gallons at .59 a piece
orange juice
Make iced tea for the summer/hot tea for winter
anything else you like

Canned/pantry staples
2-3 cans of kidney beans, tomatoes, tuna in water
Box or 2 of whole wheat pasta.
Frozen vegetable bags
Wild rice boxes
Whole wheat crackers

Bread:
Whole wheat,
french bread to make french bread pizzas

Snacks:
usually eat cheese, yogurt, crackers, or nuts, or a small portion of dinner....
Also, have chips and salsa once in a while.
Microwave popcorns good too.

The key is to think ahead a little. You can come up with some great ideas if you just strech it a little farther and experiment. After posting all this, I have some meal ideas that are my go to ones....I'll try to send them to you.

I live in New Jersey, and I have a "Superfresh" close to me. That's where I got all the Hamburger Helper. I also have a "Shoprite" near me as well. I drive my own vehicle, but hate spending money on gas.. as you can tell I am on a very tight budget. There's also a "Asian Food Market" very close to me.

I'd also like to state that I would rather not spend $150.00 a month. $100 or less is even better. It's just me!

[locolorenzo24]

Ok....well there's quite a few recipes you can make that require a tad more cook time but are much better for you than HH. Here's three of my favorites.

French bread pizza
Slice bread, top with tomato sauce, kidney beans, mushrooms, cooked meat, whatever you want. Pop into 350 degree oven for 10 mins, then add cheese, cook another 3/4 mins or until cheese is bubbly...MMM yum!

Chicken & spinich pasta...
Marinate chicken in Italian dressing for 1/2 hours, bake at 350 degrees until done (45 mins). While chicken is cooking, make pasta, drain, add back into pot, add in spinich and mix to slightly wilt spinich. Mix in veggies of choice, put on plate, top with chicken.

Locolorenzo's chili tacos
Brown beef with green pepper, onion, garlic. Drain, put back into pot. Add 1.5 cups water, 1 cup domestic beer MGD, simmer 1 hr. Drain off liquid for tacos, leave for chili, but top with sour cream/cheese, serve with tortilla chips...pretty good.

Need any more? just ask.

[nahirean]

Originally Posted by locolorenzo24

Ok....well there's quite a few recipes you can make that require a tad more cook time but are much better for you than HH. Here's three of my favorites.

French bread pizza
Slice bread, top with tomato sauce, kidney beans, mushrooms, cooked meat, whatever you want. Pop into 350 degree oven for 10 mins, then add cheese, cook another 3/4 mins or until cheese is bubbly...MMM yum!

Chicken & spinich pasta...
Marinate chicken in Italian dressing for 1/2 hours, bake at 350 degrees until done (45 mins). While chicken is cooking, make pasta, drain, add back into pot, add in spinich and mix to slightly wilt spinich. Mix in veggies of choice, put on plate, top with chicken.

Locolorenzo's chili tacos
Brown beef with green pepper, onion, garlic. Drain, put back into pot. Add 1.5 cups water, 1 cup domestic beer MGD, simmer 1 hr. Drain off liquid for tacos, leave for chili, but top with sour cream/cheese, serve with tortilla chips...pretty good.

Need any more? just ask.

Aren't those quite expensive recipes? I wish I knew what cost what.. this is quite frightening for me. Also, since I am so new to cooking.. is there any simple things you suggest to start with? Like rice/potatoes, etc? haha

[locolorenzo24]

Ok, I understand the cost issue, but here goes..I will try to tell you best I can for each item....

French bread pizza (makes 4-8, depending on how big you cut it)
Slice bread (1.49), top with tomato sauce (.34), kidney beans (.69), mushrooms (1.67 fresh, .50 canned) , whatever you want. Pop into 350 degree oven for 10 mins, then add cheese (1.50), cook another 3/4 mins or until cheese is bubbly...MMM yum! (total cost....roughly 5-6 dollars, good friday night splurge, but eat 2 per meal...good deal.

Chicken & spinich pasta...
Marinate chicken (breast strip package for 2.00) in Italian dressing (.75, don't need much) for 1 or 2 hours, bake at 350 degrees until done (45 mins). While chicken is cooking, make pasta (1.50), drain, add back into pot, add in spinich (2.50) and mix to slightly wilt spinich. Mix in veggies of choice, put on plate, top with chicken. (6.75 total, feeds for 3/4 meals)

Locolorenzo's chili tacos
Brown beef (3, sirloin) with green pepper (.33), onion(.65), garlic (.23). Drain, put back into pot. Add 1.5 cups water, 1 cup domestic beer MGD (optional), simmer 1 hr. Drain off liquid for tacos, leave for chili, but top with sour cream (.99)/cheese (1.50) serve with tortilla chips (1.50)...pretty good. (roughly 10 bucks, feeds me for around 6/7 meals)

Gotta remember....it's not really any more expensive than buying HH. Plus better for your health, a whole lot tastier. You need to practice shopping. I remember when I was first here. I bought a lot of take out/frozen/microwave/quick fix box meals....promptly gained 20 lbs in 3 months! Now that I eat better, it's tastier, and better for me.
Question..........Do you have a good friend nearby that maybe could go shopping with you? Someone who has practice cooking? Remember, you're on the internet! whatever you want to cook, you can find tips online for. I didn't know how to hard boil eggs...figured that out real quick! Can you scramble eggs? Look it up! Quicker and easy! 4 minutes to cook a nice omelet.......
Also, make up an imaginary shopping list....don't limit to cost right now.....along with the list, put what you think it costs next to it. Post it here and we'll give it some feedback. Put anything you've ever seen or imagined being able to cook on there! Take your time, I think it'd be good practice for you.
And.........you have to spend money at first to stock your kitchen...after that, it's all maintenance.
Looking foward to seeing your list.......

[lrjohnson]

I think you're gonna need to be patient with yourself, too. Learning everything at once will blow all your fuses.

You've got Hamburger helper down, that's good. Now add one or two recipes, just once or two. It can be simple: fried egg sandwich. Baked potatoes. Pasta with a cheap canned sauce.

Your diet may not start super balanced but I am gonna assume that you'll get enough calories (most of us in the US do). I think if you worry about getting too balanced to start it might scare you off. If you have health issues watch the fat and sodium etc. closely, but if not, work for progress not perfection.

So just add one idea a week, maybe. Alternate a "healthy" idea with a "what the heck" idea.

If you add one idea a week, in two months you'll have eight, more than one for every day of the week.

I highly recommend oatmeal for breakfast, or yogurt with a healthy nugget cereal, or reguklar "box" cereal with soy milk (protein).

Shop the sales too, and use your coupons, only for what you would have bought anyway. Here is a link to Coupon Mom - hit grocery deals by state on the left,and then use the drop down box to see what the sales are for Pathmark and Shoprite in NJ, and see what coupons can be used for these sales.

Also check out the Virtual Coupon organizer right above that and use the drop down to see what coupons are in your Sunday Newspaper and whether it is worth it for you to buy it that week.

http://www.couponmom.com/index.php?cid=10

Then when the foods you like are on a good sale - stock up some so you don't have to pay full price for everything - not so much fresh vegetables or fruit.