I generally find that a big bag of Russet potatoes is the cheapest option. Check the ad for your local store to see what fresh produce is on sale! I often see sales for green peppers, asparagus, and more.

Cooking a whole chicken and deboning it is a bit of extra work but it will save you money on your groceries! I like to cook whole chickens in my crockpot.

Chicken breasts are not the cheapest cut of chicken but if you stretch them ie: one chicken breast cut up with tons of veggies for stir fry they can be quite cost effective. Chicken thighs or chicken drumsticks are usually pretty inexpensive and are very flavorful. Change Your Life Chicken is a fabulous recipe for chicken thighs!

Who else grew up eating tuna fish sandwiches? I like it mixed with a bit of mayo and chopped tomatoes and served with crackers. I like to wait for a good sale and then stock up! Smoked sausage is a great meat to keep on hand for quick meals. A little can go a long way in dishes like a breakfast casserole for example, making it very cost effective, especially if you purchase it on sale.

Hotdogs could also be used in similar ways! Eggs can be a great cheap source of protein. I say can because lately in my area the price of eggs has more than doubled. So, take this one with a grain of salt and be sure to check your local prices for eggs.

Brown rice is a great alternative to white rice with a lot of health benefits and is still a great cheap food. I cook my brown rice with this method and it turns out perfectly every time!

I use them often for oatmeal, baked oatmeal , granola , cookies, muffins, and even in meatloaf! While the very cheapest bread is not going to have the most nutritional value, watch for markdowns on nicer loaves made with whole grains.

Check the different stores around you to see which ones have a markdown cart in their bakery section — many of them do! Store-brand tortillas are typically pretty inexpensive and you can use them for all sorts of meals.

At a dollar or less a box in my area pasta is a great way to add something filling to your meal without spending a lot of money. I always like to have a few jars of pasta sauce in my pantry. Peanut butter is an absolute staple in our home. Again, buy the store-brand or use coupons for the more expensive stuff.

Canned tomatoes are definitely an important pantry staple. I use them the most often for recipes like Taco Soup. Nothing like a bowl of cereal when you need a quick meal, am I right?

And it beats ramen noodles in my opinion! Not all cereal is cheap of course, but if you look for the store-brand you can always find some varieties that are very inexpensive. Store-brand pretzels are relatively cheap sometimes just a dollar for a bag and make a great snack option, especially if you have kids.

A well-stocked pantry should always include some basic baking goods like:. Make those inexpensive chicken thighs taste extra good by using some basic, inexpensive spices like chili powder, garlic powder, etc. Lots of Food Gets Tossed. These Apps Let You Buy It, Cheap. Springmann M, Clark MA, Rayner M, Scarborough P, Webb P.

The global and regional costs of healthy and sustainable dietary patterns: a modelling study [published correction appears in Lancet Planet Health. Lancet Planet Health. Healthy Eating on a Budget. Feeding America. Food Waste and Food Rescue. Food and Agricultural Organization of the United Nations.

USDA Food Safety and Inspection Service. Freezing and Food Safety. Leftovers and Food Safety. By Cara Rosenbloom, RD Cara Rosenbloom RD is a dietitian, journalist, book author, and the founder of Words to Eat By, a nutrition communications company in Toronto, ON. Use limited data to select advertising.

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Kristy Del Coro, MS, RDN, LDN. Medically reviewed by Kristy Del Coro, MS, RDN, LDN. Kristy is a licensed registered dietitian nutritionist and trained culinary professional. She has worked in a variety of settings, including MSKCC and Rouge Tomate.

Learn about our Medical Review Board. Table of Contents View All. Table of Contents. Set a Budget. Create a Plan. Look for Savings. I did go back later and finish baking the rest of the batter. I tried the piping bag, and well, the piping tip I chose was too small, and I was probably better off committing to the back-country aesthetic.

Nevertheless, the flavor was a hit! My daughter was also able to wear a costume to her school, so we were in full Halloween mode before 8 a.

Later in the morning, my youngest and I were able to participate in the preschool Halloween party. I used a pumpkin cookie cutter to cut out a festive quesadilla. My husband had an appointment over lunch, so in true mom fashion, I ate the scraps.

I really felt like I had so much to get done before my son's school got let out that I didn't have time to sit and eat a full lunch. I was definitely feeling that decision mid-afternoon. Normally, I try and fit my favorite brand-name items into my budget each week, but this time, I just couldn't get Rao's marinara sauce to work.

Instead of buying a cheaper brand sauce that I always find tends to be a bit too sweet, I decided to make my own sauce using a can of crushed tomatoes.

I followed this Easy Pasta Sauce recipe as a guide. We didn't have any eyeballs — err, meatballs — left, so we went ahead with a meatless option. By we, I mean my older daughter and I. I found my youngest trying to raid her entire candy bucket.

The piece of meat I had ended up being double the amount I needed for the recipe. However, I didn't have double the amount of vegetables. So, instead of doubling the entire thing, I just made extra marinade for the meat.

I also didn't pay enough attention to the amount of fresh parsley that was required. I ended up having to add additional dried parsley — but thankfully, the flavor still came through! During searing, I used my Frywall to help prevent oil splatters. Although this recipe instructs you to grill everything, I just didn't have it in me to do it that way.

Let me set the scene: I open the door to heat the grill, the kids follow me out, so do the dogs. The dogs start barking at every person, animal , and cool breeze that comes their way. I wrangle everyone back inside, I lose track of everything, and well, you get the idea.

I just put the vegetables in the oven during the last minutes of cooking. Everyone was so impressed with this recipe. Great flavor and fairly easy preparation! Both my kids have lunchboxes that contain thermal containers.

This allows me to have more flexibility with their lunches instead of constantly thinking of cold food options! I made the last-minute decision to have my husband add the rice in once it was closer to dinner time.

This way, it wouldn't get overcooked. However, if I had to be super picky, I think this Stuffed Pepper Soup recipe tastes better. I buttered the bagels, sliced some mozzarella, and scrambled a few eggs.

The bake time required was only 10 minutes after that! I was wrong! The good news was that I was able to get BOGO free shrimp. The bad news was that I thought I could make two separate meals.

Nevertheless, I moved forward — the current batch of shrimp finished cooking while I did a quick thaw on the second batch. Although this recipe required multiple pots and pans, it was nice that all the components could cooked simultaneously.

This ensured the meal still came together in a short time. I have a small corner of the pantry where I keep a box of crayons and coloring books. This allows me to have quick access to an activity when needed.

Sometimes, this also means the pantry becomes an obstacle course of booby traps. There wasn't quite as much shrimp leftover as I would have liked, but thankfully the rice helped bulk things up a bit!

This also allowed me to use the thyme that came in my poultry blend herbs. Due to me measuring out my beef broth for the stuffed pepper soup earlier in the week instead of just adding the entire container, I had the perfect amount of beef broth leftover.

17 Foods You Should Buy When They're on Sale · 1. Cheese: Can you freeze hard cheeses like mozzarella and Cheddar? · 5. Ground meat: · 9. Fruit 1. Beans. One of the best cheap foods you can buy when you're broke is beans e.g. black beans, kidney beans Find out 45+ healthy Cheapest Foods to Buy When Broke, on a Budget, or during a Recession. Get your Cheap Grocery List now and save money!

Budget-friendly food sales - Cheapest Foods to Live On: Oatmeal; Eggs; Bread; Rice; Bananas; Beans; Apples; Pasta. Fill me up 17 Foods You Should Buy When They're on Sale · 1. Cheese: Can you freeze hard cheeses like mozzarella and Cheddar? · 5. Ground meat: · 9. Fruit 1. Beans. One of the best cheap foods you can buy when you're broke is beans e.g. black beans, kidney beans Find out 45+ healthy Cheapest Foods to Buy When Broke, on a Budget, or during a Recession. Get your Cheap Grocery List now and save money!

They are one of the most affordable and cheap groceries when in season. Fresh apples can be eaten as a fresh fruit snack or added to a fruit salad, while cooked apples make a delicious and budget-friendly dessert like apple crisp.

When it comes to eating healthy foods on a tight budget, bananas are one of the best cheap foods to buy. They are packed with nutrients, including potassium, vitamin C, and dietary fiber, and they have a relatively low calorie count.

Oranges are one of the cheapest foods to buy for your grocery list, and you can eat them fresh, juice them, or even use them in recipes.

Broccoli is one of the best picks for fresh vegetables, and I love them with pasta dishes and just as a simple side when roasted in the oven.

Spinach is an excellent cheap food that is a source of vitamins and minerals, including iron and calcium. Here are some meal ideas for incorporating spinach:. Iceberg lettuce is one of the cheapest groceries that you can buy. Lettuce is a great way to get your daily dose of vegetables and is very versatile.

You can also use it to make wraps more healthy. Carrots are versatile root vegetables that can be used in various dishes and have a slightly sweet taste that goes with so many things. They are an excellent source of vitamin c for the kiddos too. Carrots are often used in a stir-fry with peppers, as it helps to retain their nutrients while also giving them a slightly crispy texture.

I like to cut them up small and roast them for an easy side dish. One of the most popular meal ideas for using peppers is stir fry, but you can add them to your pasta sauce or tacos or make stuffed peppers.

You can get them in a pack of frozen vegetables to get a little bit of everything for a bunch of different meal ideas, or buy them fresh on their own. Celery is also one of the most healthy cheap foods to buy — a great option for budget-minded shoppers. This crunchy, low-calorie vegetable contains nutrients like vitamin C, potassium, and fiber.

Some of our favorites include sweet potato fries, green beans, and carrots. Plus, you should grab a stir-fry mix for some variety. You can also save some money by buying frozen fruit instead of fresh fruit. Some brands add sugar or other ingredients to their frozen fruit, so be sure to read the label before you buy.

A few items will always be super cheap, no matter when you buy them. Potatoes fit the bill perfectly for an item to buy when broke and looking for cheaper foods with several meal ideas. You can do many things with potatoes. One meal idea is a baked potato with whatever you want on top of it, like cheese, broccoli, and chicken.

When it comes to stocking your pantry on a budget, proteins are often one of the most expensive items on your grocery list. Eggs can be used in a variety of dishes or by themselves. They are one of the cheapest foods to buy, especially when compared to other protein sources like meat or tofu.

Eggs can be boiled, scrambled, or made into an omelet, and they go well with various other ingredients.

Add an egg to brown rice and vegetables to make a quick and healthy stir fry. Ground meat is a cheap source of protein that can be used in a variety of dishes, from tacos to meatloaves, and it is typically very budget-friendly. When grocery shopping for ground beef , look for marked-down products close to their expiration date.

These products will be discounted and still fresh and safe to eat. One of the cheapest foods to buy is ground turkey. Plus, freeze ground turkey when you find good sales. Sausage is an affordable and delicious option for your cheap grocery list that can be used in everything from breakfast dishes to dinner casseroles.

If you are looking for meal ideas, consider using sausage in a frittata, omelet, or quiche. You can also add it to pasta, rice, or soups. For example, you could slowly cook it in a crockpot or Instant Pot for pulled beef sandwiches or tacos or simply dice it for beef stew.

No matter how you prepare it, chuck roast is delicious and affordable meat to add to your meal-planning ideas! Chicken thighs are another great source of protein and are usually one of the cheapest foods to buy- even cheaper than chicken breasts. You can cook them almost the same as you would chicken breasts, including cutting the meat from the bone to add it to soups or casseroles.

Bologna is one of the cheapest foods to buy. You can put it in sandwiches, dice it up and add it to salads, or even fry it up as a main dish.

Bologna is also made in different ways, so you can try various brands to suit your taste. Check the nutrition label before you buy, as some varieties can be high in fat and sodium. Hot dogs are one of the cheapest foods to buy that your kids will love, and you can cook them quickly for nights on the go.

You can enjoy hot dogs plain or dress them up with your favorite toppings. Canned fish, like tuna or salmon, is a cheap but nutritious option for your grocery list. Canned fish is better to buy when broke, and you can make cheap meals like tuna salad or casserole in a flash. Canned chicken is an excellent option for those looking for the cheapest groceries that are also healthy.

This protein-rich food can be used in various ways, from chicken salad sandwiches to casseroles. While the quality and taste of canned chicken can vary, some brands offer a good product at a reasonable price.

Anyone who has ever gone grocery shopping knows that dairy products are not some of the cheapest groceries to buy.

Milk is a staple in many households, but it can be expensive at many grocery stores. There are a few ways to save on milk for the budget-conscious shopper. Another way to save some money is to buy milk in larger containers and plan to use it all rather than waste it. A gallon of milk costs less per ounce than a half-gallon, so buying more saves you more.

When it comes to a cheap grocery list, there are a few essential items that you can permanently save some money on by opting for the cheaper option—for example, butter or margarine.

Margarine is typically cheaper than butter, though butter does have a richer taste. Use butter for some dishes that need that buttery flavor, but use margarine on others that have a lot of other seasonings to provide flavor. Plain yogurt is relatively inexpensive, making it one of the cheapest foods and an excellent option for budget-conscious shoppers.

Plain yogurt can be used in place of sour cream or mayonnaise in recipes or enjoyed as a healthy snack by adding honey and canned fruit to it. You can buy it in bulk to save money and have it on hand for other cheap meals on your list.

What makes cottage cheese one of the best cheap foods to buy? It can be used in dishes like dips, salads, sauces, and baked goods, such as muffins and pancakes. Try pairing cottage cheese with whole-grain bread or crackers or adding it to your favorite soup or chili recipe for a budget-friendly meal.

Sour cream is a versatile dairy product that can be used in various dishes. While it is often used as a topping for baked potatoes, it can also be used in soups, stews, and casseroles.

In addition, sour cream can be mixed with other cheap foods even frozen vegetables to make a dip or spread. You pay for convenience with shredded and sliced cheeses, and you can do the same stuff with block cheese for a lower cost! With Capital One Shopping , you can save on your grocery list when you buy online.

Simply install the extension and start grocery shopping as usual. One helpful tool to help you save more money is Honey , a free app that you add to your browser. It helps you save money on your groceries by looking for price drops and coupons for your food orders.

Ibotta is another app to save money when you need to buy food. It offers cashback rewards on certain items, which can help you save money on your overall grocery bill. Ibotta also provides exclusive coupons and deals on popular items, so you can get the best prices on the items you need.

By signing up for Rakuten , you can instantly start receiving coupons and discounts on your groceries. Example: What is the unit price of a 6 oz. Find savings in your area and discover new ways to prepare budget-friendly foods.

Build healthy eating habits one goal at a time! Download the Start Simple with MyPlate app today. Learn more. The site is secure. Shop Smart. Shop Smart To get the most for your dollar, follow the tips in this section as you shop at your favorite food store.

Back to Healthy Eating on a Budget Tips for Every Aisle Use the tips below to buy budget-friendly and healthy options from each food group. Fruits and Vegetables Find fruits and vegetables in the produce section, frozen foods, and in the canned and pantry food aisles.

Buy only what you can use before it spoils. For more info check out the Seasonal Produce Guide from SNAP-Ed Connection. These products are just as nutritious and fresh, and often cost less. If you have the freezer space, stock up on frozen vegetables without added sauces or butter.

Frozen vegetables are as good for you as fresh and may cost less. Grains Find grains in many areas of the store, including the bread, cereal, snack, and pasta and rice aisles. Make half your grains whole grains. Types of whole grains include whole wheat, brown rice, bulgur, buckwheat, oatmeal, whole-grain cornmeal, whole oats, and whole rye.

While shopping, check ingredient lists and pick the items that have a whole grain listed first. Rice and pasta are budget-friendly grain options. Choose hot cereals like plain oatmeal or whole-grain dry cereal.

Try new whole-grain snack ideas, like switching to whole-wheat crackers or popping your own popcorn. Protein Foods Find protein foods throughout the entire store. Some low-cost protein foods include beans, peas, and lentils such as kidney beans, lima beans, split peas, and garbanzo beans chickpeas.

Beans, peas, and lentils cost less than a similar amount of other protein foods. To lower meat costs, buy the family-sized or value pack and freeze what you don't use.

Choose lean meats like chicken or turkey. Try buying canned tuna, salmon, or sardines. These items store well and are a low-cost option.

Dairy Find dairy foods in the refrigerated and pantry aisles. Choose low-fat or fat-free milk. Buy the larger size of low-fat plain yogurt instead of single flavored yogurt.

Then add your own flavors by mixing in fruits. Choose cheese products with "reduced fat," or "low-fat" on the label.

Budget-friendly food sales - Cheapest Foods to Live On: Oatmeal; Eggs; Bread; Rice; Bananas; Beans; Apples; Pasta. Fill me up 17 Foods You Should Buy When They're on Sale · 1. Cheese: Can you freeze hard cheeses like mozzarella and Cheddar? · 5. Ground meat: · 9. Fruit 1. Beans. One of the best cheap foods you can buy when you're broke is beans e.g. black beans, kidney beans Find out 45+ healthy Cheapest Foods to Buy When Broke, on a Budget, or during a Recession. Get your Cheap Grocery List now and save money!

You guys, it may be time to break up with your go-to grocery store. Find the cheapest grocery store in your area. Go where the sales are! The more times you pop into the store, the more opportunities you have to overspend.

By the way, remember how I said to meal plan and stick to your grocery list? I love a deal. Plant your own garden! You can start small by planting herbs like parsley, cilantro and rosemary right on your kitchen windowsill. Ibotta, Receipt Hog, Checkout 51 and Target Circle are just a few of the great apps that can help you save.

So instead, find some meatless recipes to whip up on Meatless Monday—or whenever! Also, look for cuts of meat that are cheaper alternatives to what you usually buy. Skip the sirloin and grab ground chuck. Pass on the pork chops and pick the pork loin. That way you can have your meat and save money too!

Technically this is a way to save on your overall food budget because restaurants are not groceries. I repeat: Restaurants are not groceries. Pro tip: Check out these cheap lunch ideas for even more ways to save on your midday meal.

Are generic brands really as good as the name brands? Buy some generic groceries , even if you just start small. Get this: When it comes to staples like salt, sugar and baking soda, a lot of chefs buy generic too. So, listen to the pros when it comes to how to save money on groceries.

Every rotten cucumber and moldy peach is like a little stack of cash going right into the trash. Remember: If you buy the bananas, have the kids eat the bananas. Waste less and save more every month by being super intentional here. But if you like supporting local farmers and buying fresh foods, shop at the end of the day.

When ingredients are overflowing at the farmers market or in your garden , buy in bulk and preserve them for the winter.

You might spend more during the summer with the extra produce and canning jars. But think of it as an investment for a meal a few months ahead. In the winter, you can buy a box of pasta for a couple of bucks and pull a container of your homemade tomato sauce off the shelf.

Mix it all up and you have a super cheap, homemade dinner on your hands. Shop the outer edges of the store to find fresh fruits and vegetables, grains and beans. Your food budget will thank you later.

A prepackaged bag of lettuce with a dressing packet and fixings will cost double what a head of lettuce with some simple homemade dressing would.

Go for the unpackaged fruits and veggies whenever you can. A word to the wise—if you find that your kids are the culprits of adding all those not-on-the-list items to your cart, you might want to leave them at home. Or you! Everyone else—Stay.

A few new habits can help you lower your monthly grocery bill, stick to your budget, and meet your money goals faster. By the way, I keep talking about having a budget. You should really check out EveryDollar.

This is the budgeting app my family uses to plan our spending for groceries and everything else in life. And you can download EveryDollar today for free!

Okay, now you know how to save money on groceries. Making a few changes can add up to big savings, so start going through this list.

Like, now! Get EveryDollar: the free app that makes creating—and keeping—a budget simple. Yes, please. Rachel Cruze is a 1 New York Times bestselling author, financial expert, and host of The Rachel Cruze Show. Rachel writes and speaks on personal finances, budgeting, investing and money trends.

Through her shows, books, syndicated columns and speaking events, Rachel shares fun, practical ways to take control of your money and create a life you love.

Learn More. What is a budget? But why do people do it? And why do you need to do it? You can do both. Try these 21 ways to eat healthy on a budget and make it happen. Trusted Services. Free Tools. After apples and bananas, I look for fruit that is on sale or the lowest cost per ounce.

This week that is pineapple for me. It may be different for you depending on the time of year and your location. Applesauce is a great inexpensive snack to keep on hand. You can get a large container for cheap and it feeds a lot of mouths.

Stay away from the squeeze pouches if you are on a budget. Although they are very convenient, they are much more expensive per ounce than the large jars.

Remember that convenience costs money. A bag of carrots is incredibly cheap and an essential vegetable to keep on hand. It is the base for many soups and sauces. It also is a cheap side dish and a great snack. Onions are another cheap grocery staple to always have in the pantry.

They add flavor to just about every dish. I find a bag of onions to be more economical than loose. I buy a 10 lb bag of potatoes every two weeks. Not only are they a favorite at my house, they are incredibly cheap and versatile.

When prioritizing what foods to buy with my grocery budget, potatoes are at the top of my list. READ: 16 ways to use leftover baked potatoes.

Although they aren't as cheap as white potatoes, sweet potatoes are still inexpensive. I love baking them, stuffing them with bbq, making sweet potato fries, or using them in a hash. There's a reason peasant food included cabbage and lots of it.

It's so cheap and there is so much you can do with it. Put it in vegetable soup , boil it , make an Italian ground beef and cabbage skillet , use it in a cabbage roll casserole , sauté it, or make a slaw.

One cabbage can stretch for a couple of meals and it is packed with nutrition. They are one of the most economical vegetables in the grocery store and great for snacking or using in salads.

A bunch of celery is also a great versatile vegetable to buy. Use it in soups, casseroles, or stir fry. It is also a cheap snack to cut up at the beginning of the week to use for dipping in homemade sour cream dip or slathering in peanut butter.

If you have ever had a garden, you know how squash grows like crazy from one single plant. That is one reason it is so cheap in the store. Squash is excellent in the summer sautéd, fried, grilled, in a stir fry, or in a casserole. Zucchini is an excellent cheap nutritious vegetable in the summer.

Sauté it, fry it, make stuffed zucchini boats ,. Corn in the summer is dirt cheap. In the summer when fresh corn is not readily available and inexpensive, frozen corn is very cheap as well. Frozen peas should be a staple of every kitchen.

Throw them in a pasta, put them in a soup, fried rice, or as an inexpensive side dish. I love frozen peas! Fresh broccoli is fairly inexpensive, but frozen broccoli is even cheaper. The best part is that the broccoli is also already chopped for you which makes it super convenient.

Roast it, use it in a stir fry, or make broccoli cheddar soup. Frozen green beans are an absolute staple in my home. While canned green beans are also cheap, I prefer the crisp and freshness of the long thin frozen green beans.

Use them as a side dish like garlic green beans , in a soup, a stir fry, or Cowboy casserole. Frozen mixed vegetables are great to have on hand for casseroles, stir fry, fried rice, or a quick and easy side dish. Spinach is an excellent versatile green. You can eat it as a salad, in a soup, blended in a smoothie, sautéd with eggs, or on top of a sandwich.

I often sing the praises of how economical a whole chicken is. Watch my video and read my post on how I get multiple meals from one chicken. It is a great way to stretch your food. Not only do you get the meat, you also get the bones to make broth!

As far as beef goes, ground will be your most budget friendly option. To get the best price, wait for it to go on sale and stock up on the sale price. Chicken thighs are one of my favorite meats. They don't dry out as easily as breasts and they are more flavorful in my opinion.

Try my grilled chicken thighs or sheet pan herb roasted chicken thighs with vegetables. Out of all of the cuts of chicken, drumsticks are probably the cheapest.

They are also very kid friendly. Try my oven baked bbq chicken legs for a great cheap meal. Pork is often less expensive than beef and is very delicious. I often find large pork roasts on sale for a great price which can be stretched for multiple meals.

Also pork chops often go on sale which are great for grilling or for skillet pork chops. Canned tuna is great for tuna salad, but there is so much more you can do with this frugal protein.

Canned salmon for salmon patties was a frugal staple in my childhood home. When we were broke, we ate salmon patties and I think they are delicious! Eggs are an excellent cheap protein source and incredibly versatile.

Hard boiled, soft boiled, poached, fried, scrambled for breakfast, lunch or dinner. Make a vegetable frittata or egg casserole. Make a fried egg sandwich, French toast, or egg salad.

Even if you buy high end eggs, they are still one of the least expensive protein sources around, second to legumes. If you enjoy them, lentils should be in every frugal pantry. They are high in fiber and full of nutrition. They are great in soup, sloppy Joes, curries, and my favorite lentils and rice.

White beans, pinto beans, garbanzo beans, black beans are all super cheap and a definite buy if you are on a budget. I love a big pot of slow cooker pinto beans and cornbread. Total comfort food and ultra cheap. Dry beans are more economical than canned, but they do require some time to prepare.

Read: WAYS TO USE LEFTOVER BEANS. For emergencies and when you need something super fast, canned beans should be another cheap pantry staple. You can make inexpensive crispy black bean tacos or chickpea curry. Both are very delicious and frugal. Read: 30 AWESOME RECIPES WITH BEANS. There's a reason why when people talk about cheap food they call it a rice and beans budget.

Rice is very inexpensive and filling. It is also extremely versatile. Read: 20 DELICIOUS RECIPES USING RICE. Oatmeal is a very inexpensive breakfast option and much cheaper than cereal.

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