This type of diet is never voluntary. The money coming in does quite equal the money that has to go out for rent, utilities, and food. I don't know about you, but I tend to cut food first.
So much for filet mignon, or even a cheap prime rib dinner. Don't even look at fast food places. When you first get that layoff notice, take your final paycheck and lay in a stock of BASICS. This list assumes you already have a well stocked spice rack.
What | How Much | Cost Approx. |
What for |
---|---|---|---|
Rice | Lots (as in pounds of the stuff) | Less than $0.50/pound. Don't get instant (except for quickie jobs) | A basic staple food, rice provides some proteins, fiber, and starch. |
Tuna | By the case | $0.50/12oz can is a good price. Never pay more than $1/can. | Meat protein, versatile, albeit it can get boring quickly. |
Macaroni & Cheese | By the case | Only get the cheap stuff!! Don't bother with "brand name". If you pay $0.50/box, you paid too much. | Quick meals. Add tuna and you're set. |
Margarine, Butter | Multiple pounds - freezes well | I prefer to pay less than $1/lb for margarine, and less than $2/lb for real butter. | Fats and oils - needed for mac & cheese, toast, etc. If you are allergic to soy, don't bother with margarine. |
Boullion | Lots - Beef, Chicken | ?? | Meat flavors, gravy, sauces |
Oatmeal, Cream of Wheat, Grits |
By the pound - don't bother with the packets or cup sizes | Cheap | Fiber, breakfast, baking, etc. |
Flour | 10+ pounds | buy bulk cheap | baking, biscuits, gravy and such. |
Sugar | By the 20# bag | Should be ~$0.50/lb in bulk | Lots of things, including comfort foods. |
Yeast | Depends on how much you bake | ?? | Bread makers must have this |
Beans | Lots, in variety. Buy only in large lots. | ~ $0.50/lb or less | Stick to the ribs, put with rice for vegetarian proteins |
Split Peas | By the pound | Less than $0.50/lb | Soup |
Lentils | by the pound | Less than $0.50/lb | Soup |
Whole Grains | Wheat, Oats, etc, in bulk | Varies | These can be cooked as cereals or as fillers in soups |
Eggs | by the dozen | $1/dozen is a very good price | plain, scrambled, egg drop soup, biscuits & baking needs |
Frozen Veggies | By the big bag | varies | Eat your veggies! Quick to fix, not over processed, fairly cheap. |
Macaroni, Pasta |
10 lb boxes/bags | Cheap | Versatile, takes all kinds of sauces |
Tomato - Sauce, Paste, Puree | by the case of cans | Varies, go for cheap | a real good base for sauces. With cheap hamburger, you can make and freeze portions of spaghetti sauce |
Tea, Coffee | by the pound - freezes well | varies - avoid the pricey "gourmet" stuff | Get stuff to make into warm drinks for cold days |
Barley | by the pound | Varies | Soups, meatloaf, etc. A staple |
Canned Corned Beef | By the case | $1.50/can or less is a good price | Soup, with pasta or rice. |
Cream of Mushroom Soup | By the case | Watch the 2/1 sales | A versatile sauce base |
Instant Mashed Potatoes | by the pound | Varies | used for soups, stews, or a quick side dish. |
Hamburger | By the 5# chub | Buy this at ~$1 - $2/lb, split and freeze! | Meatload, hamburgers, soups and sauces. A versatile protein source, esp when put with rice/grains and legumes |
Sea Salt | By the pound, bulk | under $0.50/lb | Don't just buy the small box things, buy bulk |
Milk | By the gallon, in twos | under $2.50/gallon | If you have a household of milk drinkers, be sure to buy milk on sale in two gallon lots (the second one is usually heavily discounted. Be sure to keep it refrigerated, and watch the expiration date. |
Page built: October 19, 1998.
Page last changed/tweaked on 4/28/2004