All prices have been rounded to the nearest dollar to help allow for price fluctuations.
Essentials
$4 – 1 Gal. of Milk (purchased as two half gallons in weeks 1 and 3)
$1 – One Dozen Eggs
$6 – Two big boxes of off-brand cereal. (Covers Breakfasts)
$4 – Two packages of frozen burritos (makes 6-12 meals)
$2 – Two boxes of Mac n’ Cheese (makes 4-6 meals)
$3 – One box of Hamburger Helper Complete Meal (makes 4-6 meals)
$4 – Two 12-packs of Maruchan Ramen (24 meals)
$1 – One bag/box of Spagetti or other noodles (8-12 meals)
Subtotal: $25 Meals: 30/30 Breakfasts. 60/60 Lunches/Dinners
- Healthy Meal Additions
$3 – Four cans of veggies (Covers 8-12 meals)
$6 – Two 46 oz bottles of V8 Fusion (10 – 12 meals, usually breakfast)
$7 – Three bags of frozen veggies (10-12 meals)
Subtotal: $41 Meals: (Divide up so that veggies are eaten around once a day)
Wiggle room for the list below, price increases, or random craving: $9
- Additions You Don’t Need Every Month
$5 – Minute rice (LOTS of meals. I only need this about every 4 months even without budgeting)
$3 – Complete Pancake Mix (About every 3 months. Also, waffles freeze /really/ well. Just stick them in the toaster or eat them right from the freezer!)
$1 – Cookie/Brownie mix (Hey, even I still have a sweet tooth!)
$5 – Whole Roasted Chicken. (fresh meat, and freezes well. Lasts 6-8 meals)
$3 – Peanut Butter
$3 – Jelly
$3 – Loaf of bread
$2 – Box of tea
Other occasional essentials includes flour (can be stored in the freezer for years), baking soda/powder, white sugar, cooking oil, favorite spices, and salt and pepper.
Often Offered Coupons
V8 Fusion, cereal, and frozen veggies.
