www.onceamonthmeals.com is the website I used to help build my menus, if anyone is interested in trying it out.
And of course if you have any yard/land space get a garden going...I think everyone should have a garden
In my household, the amount is kind of extravagant, but I'm the barkeep, and the boyfriend is the kitchen manager. We eat free a lot of nights or days because we're working. When we do cook at home it's about once a week and kinda a big deal. So given the fact that we only share 1 or 2 meals a week. I'm going with a budget of about $30 each once a week. That's a lot of money for one meal, I know, but again,it's some rare stuff. That figure includes wine and just the entire special experience of cooking together.
You can buy bulk online and the shipping may be less than the cost of gas and your shopping time. From there it's just a matter of storage.
-Turkey Franks are cheap and a bit healthier than beef franks. It also serves as another source of protein. -Sauerkraut goes great with them and you can keep it in the fridge for at least a few weeks (just make sure to keep the kraut in the liquid). -Pretty much any pasta on sale or mash potato flakes. Tasty, cheap carbs. I also buy garlic and onions to make with most meats and pastas. -Another source of protein would be peanut butter. And it lasts in the fridge. -Tuna fish or canned salmon -With the weather changing, soups are great. Especially with a grilled cheese. I tend to make my own soup. It's cheaper and they freeze well. -Check the prices on Turkey. It's a nice change up from chicken and can be cheaper if on sale (well till we get near thanksgiving). -Lentils, chick peas, and flax seed for those smoothies. Edit: Just the fax seed. Can't see Lentils going well with a smoothie.
slow cooker, 1/2lb dried beans +5 hours or 8 hours on low overnight or when you'll be out for a few hours. much cheaper than 3 or 4 cans of beans. save a few dollars. freeze the extra. you can find 3 qt slow cookers cheap
Food stamps aren't actually stamps, still, are they? In Oregon it's like a debit card that gets refilled every month. You can't really sell it to someone else without losing the whole card. And getting a replacement is a pain in the ass.
Yea, it's a debit card with a pin number. You just give the card and the pin to whoever gives you monies and they give it back....or you go to the store with em. Most of the time people buy from someone they know.
......go onnnnnn for real though, cooking and enjoying wine (or whatever your thing may be) with your chick or man is perfect time spent together. All I send people for birthdays or christmas anymore is a week of Blue Apron. I'd even order it for myself if I was doing date night. For the quality and convenience the price is amazing. https://www.blueapron.com/
Cool, my splurge meal is Vinces Pasta and Pizza all you can eat lunch buffet every Wednesday. Around $11, but some bitchin wings and pizza and pasta.