Is it possible to feed properly a family of 4 for $100/week? (Katy: buying, schools)

[kfer]

Hello,

Some friends are going through some hard times right now and I'm trying to help; it's a family of 4: 2 adults + 2 kids both under 10.

Will it be possible to feed them properly on $100/week? They're not fancy or picky eaters, I'm talking about standard but nutritious meals. The wife knows how to cook.

Where will you shop to make your dollar go further? They live in Katy.

Thanks.

[quangp]

Make sure to checkout HISD free summer meals for kids. You don't have to be in HISD zones to get it.

Nutrition Services / FREE Summer Meals

[Rip808]

KatyISD is also doing the same program. All the schools that are participating are North of I-10 though. It can be anyone 18 and under.

[wintersbone]

1. No eating out
2. Do not buy snacks. Expensive and no nutrition.
3. No soft drinks. Drink water. Maybe buy orange juice or milk though.
4. Buy in bulk if your going to eat it all.

Yup it sounds boring but if you want to save money on food.

[Augiec]

Originally Posted by wintersbone

1. No eating out
2. Do not buy snacks. Expensive and no nutrition.
3. No soft drinks. Drink water. Maybe buy orange juice or milk though.
4. Buy in bulk if your going to eat it all.

Yup it sounds boring but if you want to save money on food.

I agree with all except #4. At $100/week, buying in bulk is simply out of the question. I can't tell you the last time I've been to Sam's or Costco and bought groceries where the bill didn't come out to $100+.

On paper, buying in bulk seems obvious, but when cash strapped, it's just not feasible.

[davidtk]

One way to look at is the cost per meal. 3 meals a day * 7 days per week = 21 meals per week. At $100 a week, that's allowing $4.76 per meal for the family. That sounds really tight although I've never tried it.

[scorpsman]

Here are several "beans & rice" recipes for family of 4 for under $5 a meal.

Rice and Beans Budget Recipes

[Harpaint]

Use powdered milk. If you make it in the evening and refrigerate overnight, it tastes fine either alone or combined with fresh milk.

Use Medium sized eggs. They're considerably less expensive.

Shop at Grocery Outlet if you have one nearby.

Marked down meat can be found if you shop early before it's all gone!

[moxiegal]

There are plenty of ways to eat well on $100.00 a week. Yes, I have done it.

Start with the basics. Rice. Potatoes. Dried Beans. Noodles.

Use meat as a flavoring, not the main entree.

Learn to plan menus ahead, and cook for leftovers. Dried beans as beans and rice, can be beans in chili for later that week. Use the rice for fried rice.

Buy veggies in season. Cheaper and healthier. Or learn to grow some. They grow fine in containers also.

Learn how to use things like evaporated milk, cornmeal, regular flour, etc...to cook from scratch. Much better, cheaper and tastes good too.

Oh, and the day old bread stores. Find them and use them. I did for years. Now I live where there are none.

[Oildog]

I grew up on powdered milk, cheaper and easy to make. Learn to make bread, its cheaper, denser and better for you. Also many casserole-hot dish type things. Crockpot meals.

Dried beans are great proteins, mix with rice and noodles. When at the grocery, look for marked down meat...means 'fresh' expiration in the next day....But its good for couple days if refrigerated right away. Also, whole or bulk chicken...not skinless breasts. Cans of cream of mushroom/onion and celery soup were often used as mix. Peanut butter.