Name: 40 Cheapest Foods To Buy When You're Broke • Savvy Budget Boss
Brand: savvybudgetboss.com
SKU: savvybudgetboss-com-1
Availability: OnlineOnly

critic

40 Cheapest Foods To Buy When You're Broke • Savvy Budget Boss

preview

Skip to contentHave you found yourself with too much month left at the end of the grocery budget? Here are the 40 best cheap foods to buy when broke. (Or, when you’d rather save some cash to spend on something other than food).You may want to add the following foods to your grocery list even if you’re not broke.If you’re trying to cut expenses, these cheap food ideas will help you slash your grocery spending so you can pay off debt, afford a large purchase, make up for lost income, or simply help you break the paycheck-to-paycheck cycle.After all, food expenses account for the top third of all household expenses next to housing and transportation.Unlike housing and transportation, though, the grocery budget is a bit more flexible, so it’s a good place to start when you need to cut your budget quickly.If you’re looking to save more money on everything you buy, check out my list of 140 best frugal living tips!Just like kickstarting a diet with a juice cleanse, this list of the best cheap foods to buy when broke can help you reset your food budget, allowing you to stop bad food spending habits in their tracks so you can design a more realistic grocery budget going forward.One of the easiest ways to slash your grocery budget in a hurry is to reduce the amount of food you eat. Given the fact that the adult obesity rate in America is currently pushing 45%, I’d say we have a lot of room for improvement.Another, no-brainer way to save money on groceries is by using free money-saving apps like Ibotta whenever you shop for groceries and household expenses.To use Ibotta: Install the app on your mobile deviceClick on your favorite retailerAdd offers to your listGo shoppingScan your receiptIbotta pays out in cash once you reach $20 in earnings. You can choose to have your payment sent via Paypal, bank account, or a gift card.In order to save the most money possible on your grocery budget always shop with a plan! If you’d rather have a root canal than draft a meal plan every month, why not have someone else do it for you?In order to get the most for your money, you’ll want to shop around for the best deals on the cheapest foods.For example, even though bananas are on the following list of cheap foods, buying those bananas at a convenience store is a bad idea!If you have a discount grocery store in your area such as Aldi, WinCo, or Food4Less shop there first. Did you know The Dollar Tree store sells food?Otherwise, try and seek out a local Walmart, Trader Joe’s, or Costco in your area.*Tip: In order to stretch your grocery dollar, shop the clearance section first then the perimeter of the store.You can even save money when eating out if you know the best places to get cheap eats.If you find you have no money for food, seek help! No one should go hungry…EVER! Utilize one (or more) of the options below:If you’re a college student looking to score cheap food, you may be at a disadvantage when it comes to actually cooking and preparing that food. Due to the threat of fire hazards, not all dorms allow hotplates, toaster ovens, or slow cookers. If this is the case, you’ll need to get creative when it comes to preparing cheap healthy meals.The good news is, if you have just $10 and a microwave, you can eat like royalty!Ok, maybe not quite that good, but at least you won’t starve!Most bags of frozen vegetables can be tossed directly into the microwave and cooked according to the directions on the package.Ready to save some serious cash? Get Ibotta, it’s FREE! Ibotta gives you cash-back on groceries, health &amp; wellness products, pet supplies, and more! Click to learn more.While it’s tempting to head to your local warehouse club and stock up when times are good in order to prepare for lean times, there’s a right and a wrong way to buy in bulk.Trust me, you will not be a happy camper if your food stockpile goes bad before you’ve had a chance to consume it!Due to their long shelf-life, foods like oats, grains, frozen berries, nuts (in the shell), protein powders, peanut butter, coconut oil, and canned meats should be bought in bulk whenever possible. However, you should avoid purchasing large quantities of fresh fruits and vegetables, most oils (they go rancid), spices (they lose their potency), and condiments (they spoil quickly once opened) as they may end up costing you more money in the long run due to spoilage.Note: Prices listed below are based on a local Walmart in the midwest as of November 2020. Prices will vary based on geographical location and availability and are subject to change.Dried beans are the cheapest, however canned beans are also a frugal option. Beans are low in fat and high in fiber, protein, and B vitamins.Cost: Pinto beans-$1.48/32-ounce bagMeals Ideas: You can substitute beans in most recipes that call for ground beef, turkey, or pork. Also, beans go great in tacos, chili, hummus, and in many soups.Eggs are an excellent source of protein and B vitamins. Opt for brown, free-range eggs, and store them in the refrigerator for best results.Cost: $1.44/dozenMeal Ideas: Scrambled eggs with toast, stirfry, egg salad sandwiches, fried rice, omelets, and quiche to name a few.Loaded with healthy fats, niacin, vitamin E, and manganese, peanut butter is a very nutritious food when enjoyed in small amounts.Cost: $1.57/18-ounce jarMeal Ideas: You can use peanut butter in curries, sauces, spread on a tortilla and rolled with a banana, or just with a spoon straight out of a jar!If you or your family can’t tolerate beans, dry lentils are a healthy, cheap alternative. Lentils are chock-full of potassium, fiber, and zinc.Cost: $0.98/16-ounce bagMeal Ideas: Use lentils in soups, stews, salads, ethnic dishes (like lentil dal), and even lentil burgers!Admittedly, not the healthiest way to get your daily protein, however, bologna is an inexpensive and tasty add-in for many dishes. And, it’s healthier than spam!Cost: $2.00/16-ounce packageMeal Ideas: Fried bologna and egg sandwiches are one of my favorite comfort foods. You can also add bologna to casseroles, potatoes, or roll up with a slice of cheese for a quick, low-carb snack.Need your omega-3’s but don’t have a lot of cash? A simple can of tuna or salmon is a tasty yet healthy alternative to fresh (or frozen) fish.Cost: $0.68/5-ounce canMeal Ideas: Tuna or salmon cakes, casseroles, tuna melts, tuna fish salad, and sandwiches.While you’ll want to avoid eating a ton of processed meats if you’re trying to eat a healthy diet, a few hot dogs or smoked sausages here and there certainly won’t kill you.Cost: $0.98/12-ounce package (chicken &amp; pork)Meal Ideas: One of my favorite go-to cheap meals is called the ‘poor man’s meal’. Just dice up some potatoes and onions, fry in a bit of oil in a skillet until almost done. Then, add sliced hot dogs or smoked sausage and seasonings and fry until golden brown. You can also add-in some scrambled eggs in order to stretch the dish further.When you’re looking for the best cheap foods to buy when you’re broke, you can’t go wrong with chicken! In fact, if you plan it right, one whole chicken can provide you with a week’s worth of meals!Cost: whole-$0.97 per pound, boneless/skinless breast-$1.99 per pound, ground $2.97 per pound, (frozen) thighs-$1.18 per poundMeal Ideas: Roasted chicken, chicken and rice, tacos, soups, casseroles, stirfry, in pasta dishes; the possibilities are endless. Use the chicken carcass for broth.Stock up on frozen turkey during the holiday season when the prices are the lowest.Cost: $0.78 per pound during the holidays for a whole turkey, ground $2.58 per poundMeal Ideas: Same as the chicken ideas above.I always have a few pounds of ground beef stashed away in my freezer. I can cook up a batch super quick (no need to thaw it if you cook it over low heat in a covered skillet) and add it to pasta, or season it a bit and roll up in a tortilla filled with veggies. Add lentils or beans to stretch every last bit!Cost: 80/20-$3.55 per poundMeal Ideas: Burgers, meatballs, tacos, chili, enchiladas, beef stroganoff, meatloaf, and shepherd’s pie.Nothing sticks to your ribs like a good, hearty stew! The best thing is, the more veggies and grains you add, the less meat you’ll need to use. Serve with warm, crusty bread for extra comfort!Cost: Beef stew meat-$5.96 per pound, Pork stew meat-$3.44 per pound, Beef chuck roast-$5.47 per pound, Pork picnic roast-$2.14 per poundMeal Ideas: Stroganoff, beef stew, chili, pot pie, curry, and goulash.Brown rice is healthier than white rice, but it also takes longer to cook and costs a bit more. Brown rice also has a bit of a ‘nutty’ flavor, which can affect the end result of some dishes. White rice keeps for up to a year in the right conditions.Cost: white-$1.44/32-ounce bag, brown-$1.37/32-ounce bagMeal Ideas: Use in stirfry, casseroles, soups, beans and rice, and Oriental dishes.Whenever possible, choose whole grain over enriched.Cost: $0.82/16-ounce box on averageMeal Ideas: Spaghetti, fettuccine, soups, casseroles, lasagna, and mac &amp; cheese to name a few.You can save so much money by replacing cereal with oats for breakfast! Plus, oats are healthier and way more filling!Cost: $1.76/18-ounce containerMeal Ideas: Overnight oats, oat bars, homemade granola, and oatmeal cookies. You can also use oats as a filler to stretch ground meats.Did you know that quinoa provides more protein and fiber than rice? This means it fills you up faster. For the longest time, I avoided this grain/seed because I couldn’t pronounce it. It’s pronounced ‘keen-wah’. {You’re welcome!}Cost: $2.97/16-ounce bagMeal Ideas: Salads, tacos, side dishes, soups, and power bowls.Growing up, my grandmother always served bread and butter with our meals. She knew it was a good way to fill our little bellies up fast. Now, with (3) growing boys of my own, bread and butter (with a little honey) has become a staple at my own dinner table.Cost: $1.48/20 ouncesMeal Ideas: Sandwiches, serve with soup, french toast, bread pudding, as a side to any meal.My husband likes to play a game called ‘what can I stuff inside a tortilla’! The man will try virtually anything in a tortilla.Cost: $1.69/10-count bagMeal Ideas: Tacos, burritos, tortilla pizza, quesadillas, peanut butter and banana, wraps, really…anything.Crackers are a frugal chef’s secret weapon. They belong in every well-stocked pantry.Cost: $1.23/16-ounce packageUse In: Use crushed crackers as a filler in meatloaf, as a substitute for bread crumbs, a topping for casseroles, add-in soups, or top with your favorite meats and cheeses for a quick snack.If you have the freezer space you can turn one gallon of whole milk into two by mixing half and half with water and freezing it for later. Just make sure you leave a bit of room at the top because milk expands when frozen.Cost: $2.73 per gallonUse In: Quick breads, sauces, cereal, and oatmeal.If you’re looking to save money on your grocery budget, skip the pre-shredded/pre-sliced cheese and do it yourself.Cost: $1.83/8-ounce blockUse In: Around here, we put cheese on just about everything. Don’t judge, we all have our vices.Purchase the large tubs of vanilla greek yogurt or plain yogurt and skip the individual size pre-flavored containers. You can add in your own frozen fruit and toppings for a lot less. The good thing about yogurt is that it takes forever to go bad.Cost: $1.84/32-ouncesUse In: Smoothies, homemade bread, muffins, pancakes, and snacks.I’ve found that while margarine is cheaper, it’s also loaded with water which makes it inferior to butter when used in cooking. Margarine, though, is good for spreading over toast and flavoring dishes.Cost: $2.98/16-ouncesUse In: Homemade baked goods, panfrying meats, mashed potatoes, and toppings.You can pick up a bunch of bananas any time of the year for cheap. They are an excellent source of potassium and fiber.Cost: $0.53 per poundUse In: Banana bread, muffins, pancakes, smoothies, wraps, toppings, and snacks.Contrary to popular belief, not all apples are created equal. There are a plethora of varieties each developed with distinct flavors. The good news is, apples are relatively cheap, so you can try out different kinds without breaking the bank. My favorites are Granny Smith, Envy, and Pink Lady’s.Cost: Gala-$1.32 per pound, Red Delicious-$1.10 per poundUse In: Salads, snacks, desserts, and baked goods.Oranges, lemons, limes, and grapefruits are an excellent source of vitamin C. So ye won’t be gettin’ any scurvy, savvy?Cost: Navel oranges-$1.37 per pound, Lemons-$1.99 per pound, Grapefruit-$1.08 per poundUse On: Seafood, salads, snacks, and desserts.While sweet and white potatoes are technically a starch, you can base an entire meal around them in order to stretch your grocery budget. *Tip: Leave the skins on for added nutritional value!Cost: Russet potatoes-$0.33 per pound, Sweet potatoes-$0.67 per poundMeal Ideas: Loaded baked potatoes, potato soup, fried potatoes, mashed potatoes, sweet potato fries.Canned tomatoes are shelf-stable for up to 18 months. You may also want to stock up on cans of tomato sauce and tomato paste.Cost: Diced-$0.74/14.5-ounce can, Sauce-$0.74/15-ounce can, Paste-$0.46/6-ounce canMeal Ideas: Chili, soups, stews, casseroles, salsa, and Italian dishes.To save the most money, be sure to purchase large, unpeeled carrots. Baby carrots (while yummy) are a rip-off, they are simply regular-sized carrots that have been whittled down to a stub.Cost: $0.69 per poundMeal Ideas: Good for a quick snack, use in soups, stews, stirfry, and casseroles.The best time to buy zucchini is in mid to late summer when everyone has more zucchini on their hands than they know what to do with. Peel, slice, and freeze to use throughout the year.Cost: $0.98 per pound (in season)Meal Ideas: Zucchini pie, zucchini bread, side dishes, use in place of noodles, and in stirfry and soup.Same as zucchini, although, there are summer and winter varieties of squash to choose from.Cost: Butternut-$1.18 per pound, Spaghetti-$1.18 per pound, Yellow-$0.98 per pound (in season)Meal Ideas: Roasted squash, use in casseroles, soups, sheet pan dinners, and soup.Onions are a super-cheap way to add loads of flavor to any dish. Buy them in bulk if you can and store them in a cool, dry place away from potatoes which can cause them to spoil faster.Cost: Yellow-$0.55 per poundMeal Ideas: French onion soup, add to eggs, casseroles, soups, and potato dishes.Frozen vegetables are far healthier than canned veggies, and they usually cost the same. For example, a 14.5 oz. can of green beans costs $0.95 at my local Walmart, and a 10 oz bag of frozen green beans costs $1.00. Because I am not paying for half a can of water, the frozen green beans are a better deal.Cost: $0.84/12-ounce bagMeal Ideas: As a side to any meal, in soups, stews, casseroles, and stirfry.Celery makes the list of cheap foods to buy when broke because it helps keep your blood sugar stable which helps you feel fuller longer.Cost: $1.32 per poundMeal Ideas: Makes a good snack, also use in soups, stews, stirfry, and casseroles.You may notice spinach made this list of cheap foods over lettuce. That’s because it is denser (therefore, more filling), contains more vitamins, and can be eaten raw or cooked. Have you ever tried to eat cooked lettuce?Cost: $1.98/10-ounce bagMeal Ideas: Salad, soup, stirfry, sauteed, in egg dishes, and in pasta.A good head of cabbage will outlast virtually any other vegetable when stored properly. To store cabbage, wrap it in dampened paper towels and place it in a ziplock bag. Puncture a few holes in the bag and store it in the crisper drawer.Cost: $0.78 per poundMeal Ideas: Corned beef and cabbage, soup, sauerkraut, stirfry, and salads.Every frugal pantry should contain a bag of sugar (or sugar substitute).Cost: $5.00/10-pound bagUse In: Desserts, quick-breads, beverages, and to help the medicine go down.In place of shortening, I like to keep a jar of coconut oil on hand at all times. It adds a bit of fat and flavor to everything it touches and you can use it in place of lotion and conditioner.Cost: $3.14/48-ounce canUse In: Biscuits, pie crust, frying, and baking.While you can sometimes substitute mayo, applesauce, and melted butter or margarine for cooking oil, it’s still nice to have on hand when you want to fry up a pan of hashbrowns.Cost: $1.84/48-ouncesUse In: Frying, baking, and more frying.Flour and sugar go together like peanut butter and jelly. It’s just plain silly to have one without the other. If you are not a frequent baker, you can store flour in the freezer to keep it fresher longer.Cost: $2.24/10-pound bagUse In: Baked goods, and as a thickening agent.Here’s my list of go-to spices: salt, pepper, garlic powder, onion powder, parsley, oregano, taco seasoning, and chili powder.Cost: Varies-You can usually find spices at the dollar store.Use In: If you’ve been cooking without spices, you have my condolences.I sincerely hope this list of frugal foods has helped you get through another month!

Skip to contentHave you found yourself with too much month left at the end of the grocery budget? Here are the 40 best cheap foods to buy when broke. (Or, when you’d rather save some cash to spend on something other than food).You may want to add the following foods to your grocery list even if you’re not broke.If you’re trying to cut expenses, these cheap food ideas will help you slash your grocery spending so you can pay off debt, afford a large purchase, make up for lost income, or simply help you break the paycheck-to-paycheck cycle.After all, food expenses account for the top third of...

40 Cheapest Foods To Buy When You're Broke • Savvy Budget Boss

No article scores yet.

CRITIC REVIEWS

PUBLIC REVIEWS