Is it possible to feed properly a family of 4 for $100/week? (Howe: coupons, buy)

[trbstang]

Cooking from scratch is usually better and cheaper, but for quick meals, we've used the Tuna Helper boxes which are often on sale for $1. 2 boxes, two cans of tuna, and an extra frozen $1 bag of veggies is plenty for 4, and runs under $5. BirdsEye also has some good frozen pasta meals with chicken included in a family size portion for about $6 a bag. Two of those plus some bread feeds our family of 4 adults and 2 teenagers. Not gourmet food, but it is better than ramen, inexpensive, and easy to prepare.

Best of luck to your friends!

[usulbaggins]

Originally Posted by 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.

First of all, I am sorry to hear about your friends. I went through lean times years ago and it was not fun. I hope they get out of this fairly quick.

As suggested by others, they might want to look into programs offered by schools or other organizations. However, if my kids' school is anything to go by....I would not expect nutritious meals.

That being said, I have lived in Katy, have couple kids slightly older than your friends' and did have to budget for food years ago. So I can relate in more ways than one.

Of the major grocery supermarkets, I always thought HEB in Houston area had better prices than Kroger or Randalls. The HEB in Katy, on Fry across from Home Depot, opened about 5 years ago and had very decent prices and selections.

Moving on to food, I can tell you how I survived. Your friends' tastes might be very different and none of what follows might apply. In that case, let me apologize upfront. Anyhow, here goes...

First, stop eating out completely. Second, if it comes in a bag it is probably not the best choice. No chips, pretzels, cookies.....

That does not mean that they, specially the kids, have to live like hermits.

This is what I focused on:

1. Lean protein: Chicken, beef, turkey, pork....whatever's on sale. Lots of eggs. Cheap and hard to screw up.
2. Fruits/Veggies/Fiber: Apples/Oranges/Grapes/Berries....whatever's on sale. Bananas are always cheap. Beans. I know all the fart jokes but they are amazingly nutritious and never expensive. They also have plenty of protein. I also used lots of store brand frozen veggies.
3. Whole grain bread and pasta. Buy store brands. Most HEBs have fresh whole wheat tortillas made on site as well.
4. For the kids, get cookie/cake mixes like Betty Crocker. Bake at home and never buy Oreos again. Cheaper and healthier. Pumpkin pies and key lime pies are easy to make, never expensive and usually very popular. Buy some panko/breadcrumbs and you can easily make chicken nuggets and fish sticks at home.

I got a crock pot. It is indispensable. From chili to stews, nothing beats something that has been slow cooked for 6-8 hours. Millions of recipes on the internet.

Since I like Asian food, I got a wok and tons of Asian sauces (Teriyaki, General Tso's). Everyone loved it.

I learned to use eggs creatively....from casseroles to quiches. Believe me it will change your perspective on what is served at most chain restaurants.

I bought meat on manager's special and grilled it that very day. Add some potatoes to it and everyone's happy.

Finally, I had to keep reminding myself that the only unchanging universal law is that everything changes, that this too shall pass. That helped me keep going. An occasional wine on special from Specs for adults and pies/cookies for children will keep some semblance of normalcy in life.

Our current weekly grocery bill averages about 150-175 for family of 4. I know I can manage in 100 if I put my mind to it. On top of it, I am sure I would be eating healthier.

If only I was less lazy.

[oespinoza83]

In Katy, try shopping at Aldi or Fiesta (both on Mason).

[Dopo]

Here's my poor man's food = Arepa
It's made with "Harina PAN" found in almost every HEB and many store like Fiesta.
The flour cost about $3, I can make about 12 arepas with it and it would feed a family of 4-6.
Once it's made, you just put whatever you want it, if you want to go cheap, eat it with tuna and cut up onions and mayonaisse.

That's the easiest, cheap, nutritious meal you are gonna find.
If you are not sure about it, go to any venezuelan restaurant in town and try them


https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=GTx-M9w75i8

[crone]

Originally Posted by Dopo

Here's my poor man's food = Arepa
It's made with "Harina PAN" found in almost every HEB and many store like Fiesta.
The flour cost about $3, I can make about 12 arepas with it and it would feed a family of 4-6.
Once it's made, you just put whatever you want it, if you want to go cheap, eat it with tuna and cut up onions and mayonaisse.

That's the easiest, cheap, nutritious meal you are gonna find.
If you are not sure about it, go to any venezuelan restaurant in town and try them


https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=GTx-M9w75i8

Our east Texas granny made the same thing. She called it fried corn bread.

[PinkLadyK]

What are you people buying? I spend on average about $100 a week, and that is with very little effort made to keep the cost down. I buy mostly organic/natural when possible, so I KNOW I could cut my bill in half if I was cash-strapped.

Who CAN'T feed a family for $100/week?

[Failed Engineer]

My wife, kids and I actually do this without intentionally trying to do so. We do buy in bulk so I understand a cash strapped family can't do it.

Some of the factors that most help us, IMO.

Lentils, lentils and more lentils. Absurdly cheap for the power packed nutrients they provide. They take on the flavor of whatever you cook it in and can be prepared in so many forms.

Eliminate all liquid calories. Sodas, milk, juice. All of it. Not really necessary. Just drink water.

Marked down meat. Already mentioned but a big one.

No packaged cereals. Better to buy oats and make hot cereal yourself.

Eggs. Very cheap and filling. Eat a couple eggs for breakfast and you'll find yourself not eating as much throughout the day in general.

[Meyerland]

Shop north of I10. Find an HEB pantry. Also, shop the dollar stores.

-buy meat on sale and freeze what you don't use right away.

-use rice or potatoes as a meal base

-one night a week eat tuna sandwiches, one night grilled cheese and soup

-beans and rice make a complete protein. Add arepas or a salad.

-one night spaghetti

Eat seasonally.

[Houston321]

Back in the day I lived on Top Ramen, Hot dogs, Bologna, and bread for a few years.
Shoot! At $100 per week, that would have still left me money for plenty of beer and weed.

Oh wait, you said healthy.

[usulbaggins]

Originally Posted by PinkLadyK

What are you people buying? I spend on average about $100 a week, and that is with very little effort made to keep the cost down. I buy mostly organic/natural when possible, so I KNOW I could cut my bill in half if I was cash-strapped.

Who CAN'T feed a family for $100/week?

My excuse is simple. I live in Jersey. Everything's expensive here. That being said, I hear you. For us, its the meats/fish that add to the bill mostly.