Last night I had a few things I needed for the house so decided since I was venturing out to a store, I'd go ahead and try my 3 Meals for $3 each challenge. This is just the shop, mind you, and I wasn't doing any cooking at 8:00 when I got home. For this challenge, I am allowing myself, unlike my Dollar Tree challenge, to use basic spices and oils from my kitchen. Think of this as an interest post, entertainment, or perhaps something to do if you want to tighten your belt some week. It is in no way meant to say how anyone else should or could shop since prices and dietary needs vary. It also isn't, even though I had more options, the healthiest shop. As I had just bought a 2 pound bag of long grain rice, and a share of a 10# bag of basmati, I was trying to avoid rice. My intent was to make three meals that would serve at least three people, or two people and two children, or two people plus lunch leftovers, which is our families situation right now. Next week I'll share the results.
Here's what I bought, with prices (receipt picture at the bottom of the post):
- 8 pack hotdogs
- 2 can chili beans
- 1 can crushed tomatoes
- 1 pound white bread-sandwiches, toasties, and bread crumbs
- 1 box macaroni and cheese
- 2 pounds carrots
- 2 cans potato
- 1 can cream of chicken soup
- 8 ounces cheddar ( cubes were an in store special cheaper by a dime over the block)
- 1 can pork and beans
I think it sounds fun. With M on Keto, and general pickiness from one of the kids, this would never work for me, but I enjoy it! I instead often think about meals that can flex (e.g. can be served over a carb vs alongside veggies). I kind of think of the entree as a block that goes with either a carb or veggie, which gives me some flex as I'm adjusting for the various choices at our house.
ReplyDeleteI still do not really understand keto meal planning, but a challenge would be interesting. With just us two, I have it easy. Boredom is my obstacle so this at least had me thinking differently.
DeleteSometimes, even with cooking with what is at the house, I sub a bit according to what is on hand. So, changing things up as you shop is not much different.
ReplyDeleteYou're right. It took longer to shop than it should have though.
DeleteI think it’s fun and breaks up the monotony of cooking! Canned potatoes are tricky. Definitely rinse them and I’ve heard soaking them in milk takes away the tinny taste but never tried it. I’ve only used them for fried potatoes though. Once patted dry, they do crisp up nicely. You could also cube up the grilled cheese sandwiches and serve almost like a crouton on top of the chili to help thicken a bit. JoAnn
ReplyDeleteI rinsed, dabbed a bit if olive oil, then seasoning and they were really quite good. I've bought them before for simple curry.
DeleteVery interesting, Sam. I’ve not done a challenge like this before. Let us know how you both like it.
ReplyDeleteMeal one was a win. More to come.
DeleteI have to admit I could never do that kind of self-imposed budget challenge. I get half way there and then slip back into "sod it" mode and buy what I want!
ReplyDeleteTo be honest, I had other items we needed but paid in two batches. This was specifically for my challenge but not the extent of buying.
DeleteI've not had tinned spuds since the 1970s! There's a British TV show where two comedians (and real life friends) travel around the UK, fishing and cooking on campfires. One of the dishes involved trapped potatoes -tinned potatoes shallow fried with lots of garlic and rhyme - they looked rather nice! x
ReplyDeleteI actually will give these potatoes a high mark. They were a nice side dish. I drained and rinsed before roasting.
DeleteI think the self imposed challenges are great! It inspires us to think of what we could do with less money. SO many poverty stricken people buy fast food when they could cook at home.
ReplyDeleteLast night was meal one. Four people could have eaten! Yes, cheaper than fast food, and it was a fast meal really.
DeleteI LOVE self imposed challenges.
ReplyDeleteI don't really take into account what my family thinks of the meals offered, though I will allow them to make suggestions.
My current challenge is no food shopping for the rest of the year, unless there is a HUGE sale on meat. I have the turkey for Thanksgiving, a beef roast (or ham) for Christmas, the candied fruit and rum for fruitcakes, as well as plenty of baking supplies: Flour, sugar, butter, cocoa, chocolate.
You really are set. I'm not tied to specific meals and my kids were easy to feed too-relatively.
DeleteWhat a fun challenge, but I am STUNNED by how cheap that food is! A pack of cheese like that here would be close to $10!!
ReplyDeleteWow! That's $20 a pound. I'd skip cheese and I love it.
DeleteOk.. I looked at your list and shared it with Granddaughter.
ReplyDeleteShe thought (as I did) Chili over a slice of bread and topped with a bit of cheese aka open face sandwich. Half of the hotdogs in the baked beans served with bread I would have bought a box of corn bread mix to serve with it. Half in the pasta with cheese. Hubby at that point joined in and said he would have chopped up the potatoes and put them in the beans. The kids and him call that dish slop and garbage. Yes really.
Those are great suggestions, and technically, since just DH and I, I could probably get another couple variations and have 5 or maybe even 6 meals for the two of us for $9. For sure I'll have a good 1/3 of the loaf of bread left plus 4 hotdogs, and leftovers of both the chili and pasta dish-likeley some of the pork and beans too. DH devoured the potatoes though-that was a win, but was supposed to be a total of four servings. He at 3/4 of them. I was trying to stay somewhat aligned to the YouTubers that are doing this to feed their family, and not just a couple or individual. I love that people joined in the fun-thank you so much for sharing the ideas. I thought of corn bread, but the Jiffy required milk and an egg and that would have blown the budget since I was trying to stay true to what I bought, with the exceptions of basic spices and oil. I;ll let you know what else I stretch for meals for two.
DeleteI can't believe the Aldi prices!! We don't have one near us but I know they're pretty reasonable. It's a challenge some days just trying to use what we have without running out to the store or out to dinner (or take out).
ReplyDeleteAldi really is at least 30% less than our local store-even when thinking of only store brands. Walmart might be less on some, more on others, but I like Aldi as I don't have to think too hard-they have something or they don't. I have been struggling with kitchen fatigue and boredom. This challenge was as much to push me out of a rut as to save money. The women on YouTube seem to enjoy the challenge and I thought it was kind of fun as well.
DeleteIt's so interesting to see your food prices, so thank you for showing the receipt!
ReplyDelete