I'm a single female teacher. My weekly budget is $40 so $36.65 before tax. I must keep some of that for Sunday lunch at restaurant after church with friends. Thus, I must be careful shopping at Walmart. I would love your suggestions and keep in mind easy lunch to take for work with only 20 minutes available.
Wraps are a great option for lunch! You can use chickpeas, tuna, chicken, or lunch meat and add tons of veggies (spinach, kale, cucumbers, carrots, tomatoes). Or you can do burritos - beans, cheese, rice, etc. I just saw that ALDI has 6 wraps for $1.89 so that could work well for delicious lunches. For really small budgets, I like to buy things like beans, rice, lentils, and oats, and then a variety of fruit and veggies (whatever is on sale). Then I just use what I have in the pantry to create delicious meals (Seasonings, tomato sauce or ketchup, soy sauce, nut butters, nuts, dried fruit, etc). I have a few single person meal plans on my channel if you need some ideas! ☺️
My husband and I are retired and on a fixed income. We love your videos. I have time to cook but, need ideas of how to use leftovers so we don’t have to eat spaghetti or whatever for days on end until it’s gone. We love stir fry’s. Also, I know I’m getting an instapot for Christmas so would love to see you use that!
I know exactly what you mean! I’m always looking for new dinner ideas so we don’t eat the same meals over and over haha. I’m so excited that you’re getting an instant pot! It’s one of my favorite appliances. I’ll definitely work on more recipes using my instant pot soon ☺️
I like that you included fruit and spinach. I always keep frozen broccoli in the freezer, so that would be two greens for me. I have a confession to make, I've never had kielbasa sausage. I don't know what it tastes like or how to use it😮. Oh I do a sausage rice with diced tomatoes, onion, green pepper, spices, but ive never thought about the noodles! And I've never had ground turkey either.
Thank you so much! The first time I threw it together, I was so surprised by how delicious it turned out. It’s been a staple dinner recipe ever since! ☺️
from the budgeting end of things - am wondering if folks budget for groceries depending on when they are paid - as a young senior I get “payed” once month so shop “a pantry shop” monthly at a discount grocery store (No Frills) then shop twice a month - also meal plan prep for two weeks cycle - I live within a very easy walk from a small mall with a big name grocery store (Metro) bulk food store and several other shops that have limited pantry stuffs - to save the bus / cab fare I stay in the neighbourhood and shop the sales - after 26 yrs here I know many of the full time staff esp the produce and meat dep’ts folks - love getting heads up on sales and help with cutting squash, cabbage, turnip etc - knowing I have to save at least $3.50 bus $25 cab - I really have found how to shop on a fixed income at a less than budget store - thanks for all you do to get these videos up and your family fed - keep safe and cool 🇨🇦🙏
@@ej3016 that’s a really smart way to shop! We get steady pay every 2 weeks in my house so I try to stick to a monthly budget and split it into each week so I don’t waste produce. I have about 6 grocery stores within a mile and a half but after watching the ads the last 4 years in this city, I’ve discovered that only 2 stores have deals on things we buy, so that’s where I like to shop. I also love a Costco run but honestly, I end up way over spending every time I go 😅 so I try to do that only once every 3 months
I love your ideas. I’m 76 with celiac so have to leave some meals out but I still get some good ones. Cooking is getting to be a struggle for me so I look for super easy meals.
We don’t have an Aldi here in Nevada 🙁. We do have a Winco which is where I do most of my grocery shopping. Sometimes I buy the loss leaders at other stores.
I would like to see how you use the leftovers from last week. Also leftovers from purchased vegetables and other things that were not completely used up last week.
$30 a week is a good budget. Can you do a meal plan 'minus' bananas and beans. I know they are affordable, but I would like to see different options. 😊
I have all kind of dietary restrictions in extended family. I cook carb conscious, vegan, dairy-free; different family members. I usually search online. I have found some very good recipes that I also enjoyed.
@@LauraLegge I have a few favorites and and trying many new to me recipes. A low carb recipe is skinny turkey vegetable soup (Taste of Home) A favorite recipe is dairy free green chili chicken dip (the whole cook) A favorite vegan recipe is vegan pumpkin chocolate chip muffins (Shuangy's Kiychen sink)
really did rewind to watch for the meal ideas / recipes 🤣😂 you did ask 😂🤣 could you show us how to read the labels (other than prices 🤦♀️) I live with food intolerances and many food restrictions - am afraid I only read the labels for “what’s not in the item” rather than for what’s actually in it - you did a shop where you ended up getting a new item for your family as the one on your list was not on the shelf (chickpea pasta) and you actually did a quick label read thru but it all went over my head and am afraid I don’t know which episode it was in - protein in pasta what the heck - so yes - reading labels would be immensely helpful - and yes - rewinding a third time and will keep my fingers away from the keypad 🤣😂 many thnx 🇨🇦🙏
@@ej3016 thank you for the suggestion! I’ll absolutely focus more on the labels ☺️ It’s one of my favorite things to do when I shop so I’ll try to get it on video more often
Why don't people ever cook with thin vermicelli rice noodles? I can get them at dollarama and a bag lasts a long time. Singapore noodles, noodle salad etc. etc. Would love to see folks do a few recipes with these as they are cost effective and delicious!
if you cook beans and chick pease often, try buying them dried much healthier than canned (sodium) and much more cost effective. All you have to do is soak them in cold water overnight. Please don't use boullion cubes they are very un healthy and they do contain msg.
Yes! I usually use dried beans because it’s so much more cost effective! Bouillon is something I rarely use. Most the time I make chicken broth from scratch but I wanted to show a different option this time ☺️
I want to go on the TCM movie cruise this year. I want to reduce meal costs so I can go. Then incorporate those ideas into my regular meal planning. I'm looking forward to your videos. I'm a newbie
Thank you so much! I haven’t done that just yet but I’ll work on creating a low carb meal plan soon 😄 It’s one of my most requested meal plans so I’ll definitely start planning
Thank you so much! I haven’t but I’ll definitely start working on those recipes! I was thinking about doing a few meal plans with specific dietary restrictions like that so I LOVE that idea!
Quite a few of the recipes are some I want to try but I would have to spend a little bit more to buy the colored Peppers cuz we just do not like green bell peppers
@@bethperrine6431 thank you so much! I’m so glad to hear that you’re enjoying everything so far ☺️ Including veggies has always been my biggest challenge and I’ve been trying to think outside the box 😄
For me it’s more of a grocery store. I don’t have an Aldi anywhere close to me I wish I did. The cheapest grocery store we have is a Walmart or a grocery store called food city it’s a Mexican grocery store here in Arizona. The closest discount store we have is an hour and a half away and we don’t have the best care right now. So we can’t do it. And the closest Aldi we have is 3.5 hours away.
@@LauraLegge no it’s expensive a 60 of eggs is 15 dollars. Just a normal dozen is 3 dollars milk is 3 dollars for the great value brand. Can’t get even hotdogs for under a dollar and cheapest meat is 2.49 a lb.
Not sure if this is even possible- but maybe online? Ordering from a food supplier that ships, and maybe even for free if over a certain amount(freezing stuff on sale when possible, like when you buy larger quantities at a discount is what I do) … I’ll have to look up whole sale food suppliers to see if they ship to consumers..let u know.
Do you only shop at aldi? I go to a few different Ralphs. Since they have amazing clearance finds, especially meets. They mark everything down to half price or more than half price
Wow! That’s amazing! I do most my shopping at Aldi but for meats, I usually wait until I see a really good deal from another store and then buy in bulk and freeze. I’ll have to go check Ralphs for clearance items!
@@LauraLegge Friday is a good day for markdowns. Go early around 8am. I basically get all my canned goods for half price. Some have dents, but I don't mind. This morning I got Jenny O ground turkey for 2.70. They mark down the salads/greens too.
Love seeing little hands helping!!
Thank you so much ☺️ My kids adore helping and I’m trying to let go of perfection and invite them to help more often.
Everything you do is great thanks
@@hello-vs4me thank you so much! I really appreciate you saying that!
Laura! I made the taco casserole tonight! Delicious! Thanks again!
Yay! I’m so glad to hear that! Thank you so much for coming back to let me know how it turned out for you! ☺️
I'm a single female teacher. My weekly budget is $40 so $36.65 before tax. I must keep some of that for Sunday lunch at restaurant after church with friends. Thus, I must be careful shopping at Walmart. I would love your suggestions and keep in mind easy lunch to take for work with only 20 minutes available.
Wraps are a great option for lunch! You can use chickpeas, tuna, chicken, or lunch meat and add tons of veggies (spinach, kale, cucumbers, carrots, tomatoes). Or you can do burritos - beans, cheese, rice, etc. I just saw that ALDI has 6 wraps for $1.89 so that could work well for delicious lunches.
For really small budgets, I like to buy things like beans, rice, lentils, and oats, and then a variety of fruit and veggies (whatever is on sale). Then I just use what I have in the pantry to create delicious meals (Seasonings, tomato sauce or ketchup, soy sauce, nut butters, nuts, dried fruit, etc).
I have a few single person meal plans on my channel if you need some ideas! ☺️
No recommended changes from me! I love these budget and extreme budget meals personally! TY!
Thank you so much!! ☺️ I’m so glad to hear that!
My husband and I are retired and on a fixed income. We love your videos. I have time to cook but, need ideas of how to use leftovers so we don’t have to eat spaghetti or whatever for days on end until it’s gone. We love stir fry’s. Also, I know I’m getting an instapot for Christmas so would love to see you use that!
I know exactly what you mean! I’m always looking for new dinner ideas so we don’t eat the same meals over and over haha. I’m so excited that you’re getting an instant pot! It’s one of my favorite appliances. I’ll definitely work on more recipes using my instant pot soon ☺️
I love that you are showing non vegan cheap meal options. Love your content
Thank you so much!! ☺️ I’m so glad!
50 dollar budget is good for our family
Some fish recipes! They are often cost prohibitive and I would like some budget ideas. ❤
Ok fabulous! I’ll definitely work on some of those! What kind of fish do you normally cook with?
I would love to see more vegetarian recipes
Ok! I’ll work on more recipes! ☺️
I love all your videos here and FB and really enjoy longer videos 15mins plus please
Thank you so much!! I’ll have a few longer videos for you shortly ☺️
I like that you included fruit and spinach. I always keep frozen broccoli in the freezer, so that would be two greens for me.
I have a confession to make, I've never had kielbasa sausage. I don't know what it tastes like or how to use it😮. Oh
I do a sausage rice with diced tomatoes, onion, green pepper, spices, but ive never thought about the noodles!
And I've never had ground turkey either.
Thank you so much! That kielbasa sausage is really flavorful. You can use it for anything you’d like sliced sausage in! It’s delicious! 😋
Thanks Laura! I'm going to try the turkey enchilada sauce bake tomorrow. I would love to see a few dairy free and plant based meals.
I hope you love it! Ok! I’ll work on that ☺️
Your unstuffed bell pepper dish looks delicious!
Thank you so much! The first time I threw it together, I was so surprised by how delicious it turned out. It’s been a staple dinner recipe ever since! ☺️
from the budgeting end of things - am wondering if folks budget for groceries depending on when they are paid - as a young senior I get “payed” once month so shop “a pantry shop” monthly at a discount grocery store (No Frills) then shop twice a month - also meal plan prep for two weeks cycle - I live within a very easy walk from a small mall with a big name grocery store (Metro) bulk food store and several other shops that have limited pantry stuffs - to save the bus / cab fare I stay in the neighbourhood and shop the sales - after 26 yrs here I know many of the full time staff esp the produce and meat dep’ts folks - love getting heads up on sales and help with cutting squash, cabbage, turnip etc - knowing I have to save at least $3.50 bus $25 cab - I really have found how to shop on a fixed income at a less than budget store - thanks for all you do to get these videos up and your family fed - keep safe and cool 🇨🇦🙏
@@ej3016 that’s a really smart way to shop! We get steady pay every 2 weeks in my house so I try to stick to a monthly budget and split it into each week so I don’t waste produce. I have about 6 grocery stores within a mile and a half but after watching the ads the last 4 years in this city, I’ve discovered that only 2 stores have deals on things we buy, so that’s where I like to shop. I also love a Costco run but honestly, I end up way over spending every time I go 😅 so I try to do that only once every 3 months
When I do banana pancakes I mash the bananas add the pancake mix ten a little bit of water till the right consistency I add nothing else yummy
Yum! That sounds perfect!! I’ll have to try that! 😋
I have been doing it this way for 30 years you need less syrup
Love those little hands pouring the muffins ❤. Love your channel Laura!!
Thank you so much! ☺️ My son absolutely LOVES to cook! Especially anytime there’s mixing involved haha
I add creamed corn to my chili
I’ve never tried that! Sounds tasty!
I love your videos but i love the plant based best
Fabulous! I’ll keep doing the plant based recipes too ☺️
I love your ideas. I’m 76 with celiac so have to leave some meals out but I still get some good ones. Cooking is getting to be a struggle for me so I look for super easy meals.
I’m definitely going to work on some meal plans for dietary restrictions soon too. Hopefully I can think up some super easy options ☺️
@@LauraLegge yes my son has type 1 diabetes so he's low carb
My biscuits sandwiches with egg cheese and sausage next will make your pancakes muffins with sausage and chesse thanks ❤😊
I hope you love them! ☺️
We don’t have an Aldi here in Nevada 🙁. We do have a Winco which is where I do most of my grocery shopping. Sometimes I buy the loss leaders at other stores.
I like WinCo too!
Love the little hands helping out!
Thank you ☺️ my son LOVES helping in the kitchen
I would like to see how you use the leftovers from last week. Also leftovers from purchased vegetables and other things that were not completely used up last week.
Ok! I’m planning on sharing a few recipes in my next video that use up a lot of those ingredients ☺️
@@LauraLegge Great! I look forward.
$30 a week is a good budget. Can you do a meal plan 'minus' bananas and beans. I know they are affordable, but I would like to see different options. 😊
Absolutely! ☺️ I’ll start thinking of a few ideas!
Great ideas! Love the pancake mix recipes!
Thank you so much! ☺️ I love using ingredients in ways that I’ve never tried before
The only swap I would make is brown rice for more nutritional value
Yes! Great suggestion!
So many great ideas. Thank you!
Thank you and you’re welcome ☺️
Great job. I love these kind of videos. Keep up the good work.
Thank you so much! That’s so nice of you to say ☺️
Great ideas
Thank you so much!
I have all kind of dietary restrictions in extended family. I cook carb conscious, vegan, dairy-free; different family members. I usually search online. I have found some very good recipes that I also enjoyed.
I’ll have to work on some recipes like that! What’s your favorite thing to make with those dietary restrictions?
@@LauraLegge I have a few favorites and and trying many new to me recipes.
A low carb recipe is skinny turkey vegetable soup (Taste of Home)
A favorite recipe is dairy free green chili chicken dip (the whole cook)
A favorite vegan recipe is vegan pumpkin chocolate chip muffins (Shuangy's Kiychen sink)
I am trying a vegan breakfast cookie this weekend
@@jeanz3622 thank you so much! I’ll look them up and give them a try! ☺️
@@jeanz3622 yum! That sounds tasty! I would love to know how it turns out!
really did rewind to watch for the meal ideas / recipes 🤣😂 you did ask 😂🤣 could you show us how to read the labels (other than prices 🤦♀️) I live with food intolerances and many food restrictions - am afraid I only read the labels for “what’s not in the item” rather than for what’s actually in it - you did a shop where you ended up getting a new item for your family as the one on your list was not on the shelf (chickpea pasta) and you actually did a quick label read thru but it all went over my head and am afraid I don’t know which episode it was in - protein in pasta what the heck - so yes - reading labels would be immensely helpful - and yes - rewinding a third time and will keep my fingers away from the keypad 🤣😂 many thnx 🇨🇦🙏
@@ej3016 thank you for the suggestion! I’ll absolutely focus more on the labels ☺️ It’s one of my favorite things to do when I shop so I’ll try to get it on video more often
thank you Laura, very creative 😊❤
Thank you so much! ☺️
Thank you so much for these videos!!!
You’re welcome and thank you so much for watching ☺️
Why don't people ever cook with thin vermicelli rice noodles? I can get them at dollarama and a bag lasts a long time. Singapore noodles, noodle salad etc. etc. Would love to see folks do a few recipes with these as they are cost effective and delicious!
I’m not sure I’ve ever seen those before at my stores. Are they like fideo?
Oh I see! I looked it up to see what they are. I’ll look for them next time I shop!
Totally agree on the corn in the chili! So yummy! ❤ from Iowa
Yes!! It’s SO good! It adds a nice texture and sweetness. It’s one of my favorite add-ins!
Good morning thanks for sharing .
Good morning! You’re welcome ☺️
I bet you could have made the blueberry swim biscuits with the pancake mix.
Oooh! I’ve never heard of that! I’ll look it up! Thank you 😊
Really delicious looking meals on a tiny budget! So creative!
Thank you so much!! ☺️
if you cook beans and chick pease often, try buying them dried much healthier than canned (sodium) and much more cost effective. All you have to do is soak them in cold water overnight. Please don't use boullion cubes they are very un healthy and they do contain msg.
Yes! I usually use dried beans because it’s so much more cost effective! Bouillon is something I rarely use. Most the time I make chicken broth from scratch but I wanted to show a different option this time ☺️
Nuwave/ instant pot recipes. Preferably low carb, low budget. No discount stores really in our area except dollar tree. So maybe Walmart.
Ok wonderful! I’ll start working on some of those recipes ☺️ thank you so much
Wow great ideas, good job! ❤
Thank you so much!! ☺️ that’s so nice of you to say! I hope you love the recipes
I want to go on the TCM movie cruise this year. I want to reduce meal costs so I can go. Then incorporate those ideas into my regular meal planning. I'm looking forward to your videos. I'm a newbie
Meal planning has saved us so much money. I hope you love all the recipes and get lots of ideas ☺️ Thank you for following along!
Low carb, low sugar budget options.
Ok fabulous! I’ll work on those! ☺️
Great video! Do you ever make no carb or low carb meals?
Thank you so much! I haven’t done that just yet but I’ll work on creating a low carb meal plan soon 😄 It’s one of my most requested meal plans so I’ll definitely start planning
That bell pepper one sold me.
Yay! I’m so glad! I hope you love it 😊
I legit just went and put in an order to see how long I can make this menu last. Thanks!@@LauraLegge
@@LauraLegge I made it tonight. DELICIOUS! And I do NOT like ground turkey so thanks! We have enough for leftovers for the two of us. Thanks!
@@LisaIannucci yay!! I’m so glad y’all enjoyed it! 🤩
Love your videos!
Have you ever made a budget friendly plan for gluten free recipes?
Thank you so much! I haven’t but I’ll definitely start working on those recipes! I was thinking about doing a few meal plans with specific dietary restrictions like that so I LOVE that idea!
❤
Quite a few of the recipes are some I want to try but I would have to spend a little bit more to buy the colored Peppers cuz we just do not like green bell peppers
I hope you love the recipes! I love them with the other color bell peppers too! So tasty 😋
@@LauraLegge 😊
I stop buying ground meet. Is so much better ( and I think cheaper to ground by yourself). If you buy big pice of meat you have more choices of meals.
That’s so true! Great tip!! Thank you so much for sharing that!
Dollar free has rop sausage 1.25
Wow! Thats a great deal!
I love the way that you incorporate veggies into your meals - really enjoying your content. Thank you!
@@bethperrine6431 thank you so much! I’m so glad to hear that you’re enjoying everything so far ☺️ Including veggies has always been my biggest challenge and I’ve been trying to think outside the box 😄
For me it’s more of a grocery store. I don’t have an Aldi anywhere close to me I wish I did. The cheapest grocery store we have is a Walmart or a grocery store called food city it’s a Mexican grocery store here in Arizona. The closest discount store we have is an hour and a half away and we don’t have the best care right now. So we can’t do it. And the closest Aldi we have is 3.5 hours away.
Oh wow! Does your Walmart have good prices?
@@LauraLegge no it’s expensive a 60 of eggs is 15 dollars. Just a normal dozen is 3 dollars milk is 3 dollars for the great value brand. Can’t get even hotdogs for under a dollar and cheapest meat is 2.49 a lb.
@@morganvillas6436 oh my gosh 😰 that’s expensive
@@LauraLegge yeah it is.
Not sure if this is even possible- but maybe online? Ordering from a food supplier that ships, and maybe even for free if over a certain amount(freezing stuff on sale when possible, like when you buy larger quantities at a discount is what I do) … I’ll have to look up whole sale food suppliers to see if they ship to consumers..let u know.
Do you only shop at aldi? I go to a few different Ralphs. Since they have amazing clearance finds, especially meets. They mark everything down to half price or more than half price
Wow! That’s amazing! I do most my shopping at Aldi but for meats, I usually wait until I see a really good deal from another store and then buy in bulk and freeze. I’ll have to go check Ralphs for clearance items!
@@LauraLegge Friday is a good day for markdowns. Go early around 8am. I basically get all my canned goods for half price. Some have dents, but I don't mind. This morning I got Jenny O ground turkey for 2.70. They mark down the salads/greens too.
@@Randilynn66 wow! Thats incredible! Ok, I’ll definitely go check it out!