• Nurse_Robot@lemmy.world
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    6 months ago

    … You’re spending $30 a week on groceries? That’s it? Are you being facetious, or have you been living on ramen, beans and rice for 15 years?

    • Vej@lemm.ee
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      6 months ago

      Not ramen, but rice and beans are definitely a staple. I figured it was a little low, but judging by the comments this is super low.

    • TheIllustrativeMan@lemmy.world
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      6 months ago

      I spend about that if you exclude my splurge on Soylent for breakfast (substitute oatmeal, for example). I eat wraps that are 90% veggies for lunch and the premix Birdseye veggie/chicken dinners where I can get 2 meals per bag.

      • Nurse_Robot@lemmy.world
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        6 months ago

        Soylent alone averages $3 each, so that’s already more than 2/3 of a $30 weekly budget on breakfast alone. Birds Eye Veggie Made Garlic Chicken is $7 for a 21 oz bag, if that’s what you’re talking about it’s (7*7/2) about $25 a week. So now we’re at $46, or more than 150% of a $30 budget, and we haven’t accounted for a single lunch.

        • TheIllustrativeMan@lemmy.world
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          6 months ago

          I literally said in my comment that Soylent is a splurge that could be replaced with oatmeal. I don’t get it to be cheap, I get it because I like it and it’s pretty good nutritionally. Make that change and you’re under $30, like I usually am outside of that.

          Here was this week’s cost, including splurging on a 1lb bag of nuts for snacking: https://i.postimg.cc/GmSJWVxp/Screenshot-20240509-111904.png

          More importantly I was replying to your “only ramen or rice and beans” comment, because I don’t eat either of those. I could reduce my costs further if I did, but I like what I eat and don’t need to save money on my food budget.

    • IsThisAnAI@lemmy.world
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      6 months ago

      Probably not buying pre processed garbage. I feed a family of 3, well not some rice and beans every night shit, for about $65 a week and I’m not out looking for ways to stay inexpensive.

      • Passerby6497@lemmy.world
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        6 months ago

        Honestly curious about what you’re cooking and what, if any, dietary restrictions you’re working with. I’ve got a family of 4 and we’re lucky to get out of a grocery run in less than $150-200.

        • Vej@lemm.ee
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          6 months ago

          Vegetarian, I edited by first comment explaining that and my grocery picks that week.

          • Passerby6497@lemmy.world
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            6 months ago

            Thank you!!! I’ll save your comment and check it out after work. I definitely appreciate knowledge to try to curb these grocery prices

            • Vej@lemm.ee
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              6 months ago

              Feel free to hit me up. If there is a community here on Lemmy to post cheap recipes I’m down for sharing them there.

        • IsThisAnAI@lemmy.world
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          6 months ago

          Wife is celiac and so the house is 98% GF. Once in a while I might grab buns for a hamburger.

          Lots of pork and chicken. I’m my local you can buy pork loin or chops in 3-4 lbs portions for like $7. Chicken, especially whole is inexpensive but breasts and thighs can also be bought in 4-5 lb quantities. Produce wise, nothing fancy onions or all types, green beans, ginger, peppers, broccoli, potatoes. We typically have beans of different varieties as well as jasmine and basmati.

          You add 30 or so spices, oils, flour, and a few other pantry items as well and you have the ability to do a wide variety of food.

          I did exclude gf frozen pizza and bread in my og pricing viewing it as an exception. Yeah that shit is fucking expensive and making your own is 40 different flours and praying to a god for success.

          I’m also considering just buying a few pigs each year in bulk but you need space for that which I understand you ain’t getting in a small apartment.

        • IsThisAnAI@lemmy.world
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          6 months ago

          I make my own I’ve cream. $2-3 dollars for a gallon of the best custard vanilla bean you’ve ever had.

          • Flying Squid@lemmy.world
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            6 months ago

            Is this along with the 2 pounds of pork for $6 you claim you can buy that doesn’t actually track with real pork prices?

            Edit: Also, “oh boy! Vanilla ice cream! My favorite flavor!” – no one

              • Flying Squid@lemmy.world
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                6 months ago

                I see, so at one specific smaller grocery store chain, if you are on food stamps, pork tenderloin costs more than you said it did.

                • IsThisAnAI@lemmy.world
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                  6 months ago

                  LMAO Wegmans known for how inexpensive they are. You can go buy an entire pasture raised pig and have it butchered to your preference and vacuum sealed for $800 , get the good cuts too and have it feed your family the entire year.

                  What rates are you referring to?

                  • Nurse_Robot@lemmy.world
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                    6 months ago

                    Assuming the average person has the storage capacity for an entire pig is either wildly ignorant or deliberate trolling

                  • Flying Squid@lemmy.world
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                    6 months ago

                    Cook. I’ll just drive to the nearest Wegmans.

                    Thanks for the money-saving tip. Which cooler brand is best for 2 pounds of pork?