In the face of rising food costs and increasing inflation, mastering the art of making do on very little has become a necessity. In this article, I’ll share my experience of feeding my family for a whole week on a $100 grocery budget, providing insights into the strategic choices and menu planning that allowed us to stick to this financial goal.
As I write this, there are 6 weeks till Christmas, and I am determined to set aside as much as possible for our little Christmas Holiday. So, this week I was determined to stick to our self-set challenge to spend $100 on the food bill, and make the food last the whole week.
The State of the Pantry:
Before embarking on the $100 grocery challenge, it is crucial to take stock of pantry items. Assessing you already have can make a significant difference in staying within the budget, and ensure you don’t spend money on what you do not need.
In my case, I still had a lot of ingredients in the pantry. Having essential items like beans, cocoa, eggs, and leftover coffee from the previous week’s shopping helped stretch the budget. We also had tuna, frozen vegetables, frozen strawberries and fresh strawberries from the garden.
Every item remaining in our pantry was a blessing and meant that we could stick to our $100 grocery budget without feeling utterly deprived.
What $100 of Groceries looks like:
On a $100 budget at the grocery store, every item requires careful consideration. Strategic choices are crucial to maximize the budget. Our approach included prioritizing essentials like:
- Flour – a cornerstone for this Sourdough Queen’s creations, supplying bread and other sourdough treats for breakfasts, lunches, dinners and snacks.
- Milk is a vital source of probiotics and protein for our family. Most of it gets converted into nutrient-rich yoghurt, which I sometimes strain for a breakfast treat.
- Tomato passata is our go-to for affordable flavor enhancement, versatile in curries, bolognaises, and chutneys.
- Oats is a cost-effective nutritional powerhouse. We replenished our stock at just $5.30, sustaining breakfasts for the week.
Our Menu for the Week:
Here is what a week of our meals looks like on a $100 grocery spend:
Wednesday
- Breakfast – oats
- Lunch – Tuna on Sourdough
- Snack – Strawberry Icecream
- Dinner – Baked Eggs
- Dessert – Chocolate cake made with black beans (won’t make that again).
Thursday
- Breakfast – yoghurt and fresh strawberries from the garden
- Lunch – Tuna on Sourdough
- Snack – homemade coffee frappe
- Dinner – baked eggs
- Dessert – Chocolate cake made with black beans
Friday
- Breakfast – yoghurt and fresh strawberries from the garden.
- Lunch – Tuna on Sourdough
- Snack – homemade coffee frappe
- Dinner – Baked eggs
- Dessert – black bean chocolate cake
Saturday
- Breakfast – Overnight oats with yoghurt, grated apple and strawberries
- Lunch – Fried veges on Sourdough
- Snack – Strawberry Ice Cream
- Dinner – Tomato Lentil Soup with broccoli and beans
- Dessert – Sourdough Chocolate
Sunday
- Breakfast – Yoghurt and fresh strawberries (from the garden)
- Lunch – Toast with fried veges
- Snack – Coffee frappe
- Dinner – Tomato Lentil Soup with broccoli and beans
- Dessert – Sourdough Chocolate cake
Monday
- Breakfast – Rice Pudding with yoghurt
- Lunch – Sourdough with scrambled egg whites and vegetables
- Snack – none
- Dinner – Tomato Lentil Soup with broccoli and beans
- Dessert – Sourdough Chocolate cake
Tuesday
- Breakfast – Rice Pudding with yoghurt
- Lunch – Sourdough with scrambled egg whites and vegetables
- Snack – none
- Dinner – Scrambled egg whites and vegetables
- Dessert – Sourdough Chocolate cake
Wednesday
- Breakfast – Rice Pudding with yoghurt
By embracing repetition in meals, we save significantly, steering clear of the costly pitfall of varied diets. From breakfast to dessert, our simple yet nutritious meals can be prepared with careful planning and repetition.
6 top tips for making do on a $100 Grocery Budget
Making do on a tight budget involves creativity, method, and careful planning. Here are my top tips for stretching such a small budget to nourish my family of 4:
1. Make Meals in Bulk:
Embrace repetition and make meals in bulk to stretch your budget. Buying ingredients for 7 different breakfasts, lunches and dinners is just not feasible on a $100 Grocery Budget. Having repeat meals not only saves money on ingredients but also simplifies meal preparation, making it more manageable.
2. Cook from Scratch:
Opt for homemade meals over pre-packaged items. Buying cereals, muesli, bread, pasta, and pre-made sauces will make your food shop super expensive. Basic ingredients like oats, flour, eggs, and tomato passata can be used in various ways, providing flexibility and cost-effectiveness. These are my staple pantry ingredients for nearly all of our meals.
3. Repurpose Leftovers:
Get creative with leftovers to minimize food waste. For example, use last night’s roasted vegetables in a frittata, turn leftover rice into fried rice, or repurpose cooked chicken into sandwiches or salads. This not only extends the life of the ingredients but also adds variety to your meals.
4. Avoid Snack Foods:
Steer clear of expensive and unhealthy snack foods like biscuits, crackers, and chips. These items not only strain your budget but also lack nutritional value. Opt for wholesome alternatives to keep both your wallet and health in check.
5. Buy in Season and on Sale:
Purchase fruits, vegetables, and other perishables when they are in season and on sale. This not only ensures freshness but also helps you take advantage of lower prices. Consider buying extra and freezing or preserving items for later use.
6. Grow Your Own:
If possible, consider growing your own herbs, fruits, and vegetables. Even if you have limited space, herbs and some vegetables can thrive in small containers. This not only provides you with fresh, homegrown produce but also reduces the need to purchase these items regularly.
Conclusion
Making do on a $100 grocery budget requires strategic planning, creativity, and a willingness to embrace simplicity. By assessing your pantry, making smart choices at the grocery store, and following practical tips for budget-friendly meals, you can successfully navigate the challenge of providing nutritious and satisfying meals for your family without breaking the bank.
Share your own tips on how you “Make Do” and feed your family in the comments below. Let’s build a community of budget-savvy meal planners!
