Cheapism

[Iggy aka IG]

I read the menu from the OP.  I also wouldn't be able/chose not to eat most of the things listed at this time.  However, during difficult financial times I sure have.  That being said, a) I don't go through $50 worth of food a week now and b) if I were on that tight of a budget, I'd chose our regular store and shop the sales w/ coupons.  Heck, I still am and still do. 

If transportation were an issue, say I lived in the apartments next door to our local dollar store with no vehicle, then yes, I'd shop there.  Ours has a teeny tiny fridge/freezer section, but there are plenty of low carb/low sugar canned and shelf items to choose from.  However, the grocery store is a few blocks away, so it would still be the optimal choice.

[whispering17]

When my son was younger and lived with me, we ate on $30.00 a week and there were no dollar stores.  I'd buy the Sunday paper and sit outside the store and cut coupons for the things I needed or were a better deal with the coupon than I had planned.

I bought eggs every 2 weeks, oatmeal, fruit and veggies and the occasional loaf of bread (off the sale shelf only)

Dinner for the week was whatever meat was on sale that week....with either rice or potatoes(bought once a month) and some of the veggies.

It wasn't real gourmet but it was filling and healthy.

I live alone now and spend $85.00 a month and usually only go shopping once.  Unless a sale paper comes in with a real bargain that I cannot pass up.  Out of the $85.00 a month, I have managed to put together a small stockpile.  I do not eat processed food as a rule so most things are fresh and frozen till I need them.

[marvholly]

Whispering

I spend about what you do on grocery & household stuff BUT I do shop weekly to grab the good deals on store perimeter items.

[CCL]

Sept 11, 2015 15:09:09 GMT -5 Iggy aka IG said:

Sept 7, 2015 9:14:50 GMT -5 Artemis Windsong said:

No independent grocery chains here.

I know some peeps have posted they were short on funds for food in the past.  I usually recommend dollar stores as a start.  Here, a person needs to know their prices.  I bought green olives for a dollar then the grocer across the parking lot had them for 89 cents.

We have several dollar stores.  Only one has frozen foods.  None have fresh fruit/vegies.

I get my allergy nasal decongestant at dollar store.  Next door it's a $1.50 for the same thing.  Then stair step up in price at mass merchandisers like Walmart then grocers.

I was one of them.  Thank goodness for this SS board.  It wasn't too long ago I would have $10 for food and list out what I could buy that would go the farthest.  It also wasn't too long ago I had a few dollars worth of quarters to donate at the food bank in exchange for a few bags of food.

I'm glad things have gotten better for you. I have struggled a few times myself. Thankfully that was a long time ago.

[CCL]

Sept 9, 2015 13:44:43 GMT -5 NomoreDramaQ1015 said:

DH and I got in an argument once that I had to buy 5 to get the deal.   So I put one in the cart and then shoved the recipet under his nose after we checked out. I was right.

The ads usually specify if you have to actually buy X of whatever to get the discount price. 

Around here, once you buy 10 the 11th is free.

[alabamagal]

Different stores have different rules. At Publix when they have buy one get one free you can get one and it is half price. Other stores you get one full price and second one free