I hope this comment reaches you, as I wanted to share my heartfelt experience with you. Today, after completing my grocery shopping, I found myself overwhelmed with emotions and tears. It’s become increasingly difficult to provide enough food for my family, and I was feeling helpless. In search of a solution, I turned to UA-cam and typed in “grocery shopping on a budget” to my surprise, and immense gratitude, your channel was the very first recommendation that popped up. I truly believe it was a blessing in disguise. Since discovering your channel, I’ve been saving every single video I watch. Your budget-friendly, recipes, and meal planning tips are invaluable to me. They give me hope and a sense of empowerment, knowing that I can still provide nourishing meals for my loved ones despite the financial challenges. I want you to know that I’ve subscribed to your channel, and I eagerly await each new content release. Your videos and guidance have brought a ray of light into my life, and I can’t thank you enough for that. Wishing you a wonderful day and please keep up the amazing work you’re doing. With gratitude, Zory Calcaben.
Mindy i appreciate these videos so much! I love to cook but unfortunately i sit just above the poverty line for my area so often i cant afford things like meats or fresh veggie, and rely a lot on whats considered "college eating", i.e. shelf stable pasta and rice and things that can be easily microwaved, along with staple seasonings. As im only a household of one person these videos are a huge blessing, as i can make a 5-person meal plan last me several weeks with proper freezing and portioning, and it gives ideas for how to get meat and veg/fruit into my diet when theyre normally out of my budget. Just wanted to say thanks for making videos like this one, theyre incredibly helpful!
I only cook for one also I know it’s hard but I just put it out there as Mindy always says you deserve to eat nutritionally so look for a food bank or call whatever number she’s always saying I don’t know what it is and see if you can get some fruits and vegetables into your diet that way there is no shame I used food pantries and banks when I lost my job when my daughter was growing up, they were real blessing
I hope that you're able to reach out to local churches or foodbanks to help. Maybe apply for EBT if you qualify. I've found that canned chicken/tuna can be great ways to eat meat for cheap. Frozen veggies are a wonderful option as well. They are usually around $1-$1.50 per bag. Beans and legumes are also wonderful and cheap alternatives for protein.
I too, have a fixed budget, and while I would LOVE to have a whole roast, there is the canned roast beef at walmart. I get two cans for the week for this recipe of roast beef with Carrots (small can is about 88 cents) and get a couple individual potatoes, which come to about $4 total for a meal, which feeds my family of 4. I do get some mash potato packets which are just a dollar or so and it makes a filling meal for us. This is something of an option if you want to have this in your meal plan.
I once knew a man who had been homeless at one time. He never cooked with a recipe once he had a place to live. He just created one with whatever ingredients were available. It takes some experience to do that, but it's a valuable skill. Especially when money is tight and transportation to a store isn't easy. It made me realize how much I take for granted and how uncreative my cooking was.
I am a single person with no family and I don’t care at all about my food budget but I can’t stop watching these videos. The suspense and mystery of how the ingredients will be combined and recombined through the week is fascinating! Also solid A+ on the flour joke.
Soooo glad you posted this, I'm in a "watch UA-cam every waking minute of the day" phase in my life so all new uploads I'm like 🤤 hahaha. That b roll at the beginning with the aerial Aldi shot is soooooo purdy
Your videos have been such a huge help and blessing to me ! I was never really taught how to cook based off of being mindful of my budget. Your videos have helped me save almost $100 a week on groceries for my household! ( that’s WITH inflation) I also appreciate how you lift people up and don’t make people feel bad if they’re in a tight spot. In one of your recent videos, you said everyone deserves a treat and I thought that was lovely. Thank you for all your love, time, and effort, Mindy!
Couscous tip: You can cook it in the microwave! Just put the water and couscous in a large microwave safe bowl, cook five minutes on high, and that’s it. So easy.
5 dinners & leftovers, veggies, sides, breakfast & lunch options, easy bread & cookies for 1 week 9:22 Chuck roast (slow cooker) and oven roasted potatoes & carrots 11:15 explanation of how the menu works over the week & the veggies and sides. Swaps 11:56 Chicken drumsticks,(slow cooker) salad, scalloped potatoes and garlic toast 14:16 Homemade bread 2 ways 15:14 Breakfast options 15:33 Shortbread Cookies 18:39 Tilapia fish in butter, oven roasted zucchini and couscous. Toast. 20:17 Spicy Crackers 21:07 Lunch options 24:30 Sausage green beans and peppers sheet pan recipe with Cheese Grits. 26:28 Potato Soup with leftovers in the crockpot. Toast and salad sides. Fantastic!
I personally had a hand in making your mixer! I machined the lower portion of the tilt head of that model for the entirety of it's production life. They no longer make that model, and actually only produced it for a very short amount of time, but it's pretty exciting for me to see this and KNOW I definitely helped make this specific mixer😁❤️ I no longer work there, but my husband and father do, so keep buying those KitchenAid small appliances!
Very cool, Shelly! My 4 siblings all pitched in to buy me that mixer as a wedding gift. It was an auction item at a school fundraiser, since it was a special edition color!
@@theingramfamily9231 yes, it is. I haven't worked there in nearly a decade, but I'm 3rd generation that did work there and my husband still does. The model she has was only produced for a few years in the mid 2000s. She has a special mixer there, for sure.
We are in our 70's hubby late me heading there. Changed our insurance advantage plan and He gets $75 A month toward food and me my plan does $75 a quarter. I thought you had to be in an income qroup but it is depending on health is issues. Might want to have your elders check it out. It really helps we are on s.s. doing OK but this was a surprise
I love when you do these types of videos!! I understand people are struggling and need the $5.00 challenges. However, I also enjoy this content. I like that you include a sweet treat or dessert. And snack options.
Ive made Christine’s no knead bread several times and it’s always great!! My Aldi does have quick grits. I make them cheesy too and love to top with shrimp 🍤
I know you generally focus on Aldi's Wal-Mart, etc., but I was wondering if you've ever thought about talking about bulk money saving. The specific thing that jumped out at me was yeast. I make bread between 2-4 times a week and I buy yeast by the pound at a local grocery. I know 79 cents doesn't sound like much, but if you bake often enough to go through a pound of yeast in a year (which is roughly how long it should last once opened) then most pricing I've done puts it at half the price of yeast at Aldi's and closer to a third or a quarter of the price of yeast at other groceries. If you start keeping several commonly used items like that in bulk the savings can add up quickly. Amazon is very much your friend when doing budget cooking for a family.
These budget meal videos are such a blessing! In my area the ingredients are about dbl, but still using the meal ideas you’ve laid out make a huge difference to my grocery budget. Thank you so much ❤
I was super excited to see fish in this meal plan! I love seafood, but it's hardly ever included in budget meal planning. Tilapia is usually very affordable though, and I think Aldi in particular has great prices on frozen fish and shrimp.
Hi Mindy I live in England I am a very keen cook and Baker I watch your videos all the time my name is Trudy iam a Mum of 2 soon to be a Nanna you give me great inspiration as I am always cooking , baking for friends and family . I DO MY MAINE SHOP AT ALDI but like everyone else I am always looking for more budget friendly meals with this cost a living crisis as its not good in England at this present time thank-you so much for your bright bubbley self your are wonderful all ny love to you and your Beautiful family xx❤❤❤
Loved this video, thanks for all the time you put into making it! A breakfast of yogurt, granola and fruit is so filling, and so much more satisfying that a bowl of no-nutrition sugary junk-cereal. I wish that had been a thing when I was a kiddo, because I remember being so starving by lunch time after only eating a bowl of cinnamon toast crunch.
I love these budget friendly videos! So helpful…especially right now with how crazy the prices at the grocery store are getting! Thank you for sharing! ❤️
I spilled the bluberries in Aldi too. I remembered picking them in the forrest in past, and I was going to wash them anyway, so I squated down and pick each berry to the last. You really have to make sure you're placing them in the cart straight lined, those lids love to fly...
put the spices on after you pour the water over OR pour the water carefully on the side. Your method is taking all the spice off the top of the roast and you'll be discarding it. If you leave the spices on top, they will steam in the meat.
Thank you so much for another great video Mindy! I really find your videos helpful to myself and my family. I’m a single mom on a fixed income and your recipes are a very useful resource to help me stretch my grocery budget without being left feeling like my family is living on scraps and eating meals nobody likes. I truly appreciate your tips and advice on how to eat well on a budget. Thank you again for sharing your experience with us all!
Sometimes I roast rope sausages, potatoes. Carrots. Radishes, zucchini. Broccoli. Brussel sprouts. ( any of the list I happen to have ) radishes are really good roasted.
Mindy, you have changed my life with that drumstick recipe!!!! I make it all the time and my family loves it! Plus it's like so stinking easy!!! You're amazing!!!!!!
Love your glasses. I wanted to tell you I signed up to bring a treat for Valentine’s Day for my department. And I made two batches of those fire crackers. I have eaten them for years and I know they’re always a hit. But people hate them like it was some sort of drug they never had them before. They are just so yummy. They asked for the recipe I gave them the recipe and then two of them said that they didn’t get them to turn out that they tasted bad , it is one of my all-time favorite. You got a bring a treat to a party or get together and you can make a whole bunch of that for like less than three dollars win
Southern woman here, the only reason I don’t use instant grits every once in a while is because of the salt content. I cannot find any that are not so salty that they would be most of your sodium intake for the day. Additionally they do taste different, but sometimes you just have to get the people fed and out the door. Now quick grits are different and are perfectly fine. I make mine with milk, salt and creole seasoning. At the end add extra sharp cheddar. When you cook it let it come up to a low boil and then use a whisk the whole time they are cooking, about 5 minutes. Let sit three minutes if needed to thicken at the end.
I had to pause the video and go dig up my old recipes. My husband and I have agreed that we are going back to how we USED to cook years ago. Before we got our microwave and got lazy and I started falling into the deep dark pits of dispare. ( sorry I can’t find the correct spelling.) I know that I used to feel better when we cooked from scratch or mostly from scratch.
I appreciate this video so much!! As an adult who has a loving mother who still cooked for me up until i was 30 because i worked all day to the evening, i finally moved out to marry my husband. And oh boy we both aren't great cooks at all so it's also a struggle on what to buy when we're actually at aldi. So informative and good ideas for food prep and meals!
The Lawry’s Casero Total Seasoning with the green lid is my absolute favorite - I use it on everything! Super good on roasted vegetables, and tasty for shredded chicken or pork tacos with salsa verde. Yum!
I live in Texas and I use instant grits. Nothing wrong with a quick breakfast or side dish! Love your meal ideas and videos! By the way, have you ever tried Mississippi Pot Roast? It is my go to Pot Roast now. YUMMY!
I've watched other channels on budget meals but your recipes don't look budget at all. Such very nice meals prepared for less. So nice to watch you be creative with ingredients.
Great ideas! I am loving cooking big roasts in the slow cooker and then planning lots of recipes using the leftovers. I made a delicious pork and beans soup the other day and my kids loved it. They would love the ramen too 😊
I can't use real dairy in a lot of my meals because my oldest daughter is allergic to dairy. I've come up with many recipes using fake cheese, fake butter and almond milk and it somehow tastes good. She's 21 and often spends the night at her boyfriend's house and when she does, I break out the real dairy and go to town, lol! Your scalloped potatoes is next on my list!
Thanks for the tip on cooking chuck roast! I've always been putting it in the slow cooker for 8 hrs on low and am never entirely happy with the tenderness. I'll try cooking it on low for 16 hrs next time!
Love watching your videos! ❤ as a mom you helped me so much about saving money & meal planning! Thank you for sharing this video and showing the reality of it all 👍 looking forward for your next video!😊
French thousand island Catalina dilly ranch regular and hot ranch are easy to make too. Yogurt or sour cream and mayonnaise or miracle whip is the base for the ranches and thousand island dressings
@SMM I appreciate it when you show how to make up homemade dressing and seasoning mixes because if we have the ingredients it’s cheaper to do it that way and we can feel good about ‘homemade’ too… 🙆🏻♀️ Oh my goodness did you make me laugh when you said ‘If flour gets me it’s my time to go’….. ☺️
As always, Mindy, so informative and helpful. I would have done the same thing, using up the little red Christmas stockings for Valentine’s Day! Why not? Focus on the red! I laughed out loud at your “If flour is what kills me, then it’s just my time.” 😂
Best excuse EVER to eat the eggless cookie dough!🤣 love this video and am always amazed at how simple some things can be. Definitely want to try the bread recipe!
Your vegetables always looks so good! Please include the making ecipies for them in your videos. I'm always looking for good veggie recipies to change things up!
If your family likes spicy stuff, next time use pepper Jack cheese and some diced pickled jalapeños in your grits, so good! And I’m also a Texan and use quick grits! 😂
Thank you Mindy! You had some great recipes in this video that got me thinking! Thank you for doing all these great budget meals. Everyone can really use it these days. ❤
I am enjoying your videos! Thank you for all of your great ideas. I like that you add in how to make your own seasoning blends too. I’m going to have to try your chicken leg recipe!
Love watching your videos, they're so helpful! I didn't know that about instacart boosting prices on their site! You've helped me so much with meal planning!
My comment is a thank you for a tip you gave us some time ago. You said we could keep spring mix salad fresher longer by putting in a paper towel and turning it upside down. I have been using that tip and have not had to throw away ANY slimy, gone bad salad for some time. I love spring mix but that does not mean I want to eat it every day. Thanks so much for the tip. It has already saved me money. LOVE all your videos!
I’m a southern girl, born and raised in Alabama. I use quick grits. I’m the only one in my family that eats it so I’m not making a lot at once. I love cheese grits.
All your groceries are much cheaper than I can get them anywhere here in Kerrville, Texas. Your spices for under a dollar are amazing. The cheapest I can get them is in Dollar Tree and they are $1.25. You are so lucky having an Aldi.
Great menu for $106. I spent $126 this week even with $20 amount of coupons. It was just one of those weeks where there was no more produce and there was a good meat sale. Love your ideas.
Same with me, some of the foods I grew up eating you’d think my family came from the south. It’s what was convenient and affordable why we eat certain foods. 🌻
I have watched your channel so much I literally have your videos pop up on top of the home page as soon as you post them. :P As usual, thanks for another one! :D
I hear you on the eggs. I've found them around $2.50 a dozen in the last week and I've also been breathing a sigh of relief. I just told my husband that I can't believe I'm thrilled with that price, but it's making me see a glimmer of light at the end of the tunnel. I'm a little concerned we're going to see falling egg prices leading up to Easter and then the prices shooting back up after the holiday.
I love your videos! These budget hauls and recipe ideas have definitely helped me be more creative shopping and cooking this month. Thank you! I also LOVE you shop at Aldi and Walmart….that’s where I shop. So helpful!❤
Ok that is the best way I have ever heard it put! If flour is what takes you out.. I agree, it’s definitely your time because this world has SO much more to work with than raw flour lol
I hope this comment reaches you, as I wanted to share my heartfelt experience with you. Today, after completing my grocery shopping, I found myself overwhelmed with emotions and tears. It’s become increasingly difficult to provide enough food for my family, and I was feeling helpless. In search of a solution, I turned to UA-cam and typed in “grocery shopping on a budget” to my surprise, and immense gratitude, your channel was the very first recommendation that popped up. I truly believe it was a blessing in disguise. Since discovering your channel, I’ve been saving every single video I watch. Your budget-friendly, recipes, and meal planning tips are invaluable to me. They give me hope and a sense of empowerment, knowing that I can still provide nourishing meals for my loved ones despite the financial challenges. I want you to know that I’ve subscribed to your channel, and I eagerly await each new content release. Your videos and guidance have brought a ray of light into my life, and I can’t thank you enough for that. Wishing you a wonderful day and please keep up the amazing work you’re doing. With gratitude, Zory Calcaben.
Stay strong, Zory. I know how you feel, I am also struggling to feed my family. Sending prayers and love your way.
Such a kind comment and im sorry to see that she has not commented back.Glad her video helped you.Hang on there,your not alone.
hi there never give up ok, often food is high , please reach out to local food and local churches for food,
I feel you. It's so overwhelming these days.
Mindy i appreciate these videos so much! I love to cook but unfortunately i sit just above the poverty line for my area so often i cant afford things like meats or fresh veggie, and rely a lot on whats considered "college eating", i.e. shelf stable pasta and rice and things that can be easily microwaved, along with staple seasonings. As im only a household of one person these videos are a huge blessing, as i can make a 5-person meal plan last me several weeks with proper freezing and portioning, and it gives ideas for how to get meat and veg/fruit into my diet when theyre normally out of my budget. Just wanted to say thanks for making videos like this one, theyre incredibly helpful!
It’s hard to cook for one. Smart move freezing meal portions for later. Saves mess, time and utilities in the future.
I agree. I am in a similar situation. Mindy is smart lady.
I only cook for one also I know it’s hard but I just put it out there as Mindy always says you deserve to eat nutritionally so look for a food bank or call whatever number she’s always saying I don’t know what it is and see if you can get some fruits and vegetables into your diet that way there is no shame I used food pantries and banks when I lost my job when my daughter was growing up, they were real blessing
I hope that you're able to reach out to local churches or foodbanks to help. Maybe apply for EBT if you qualify. I've found that canned chicken/tuna can be great ways to eat meat for cheap. Frozen veggies are a wonderful option as well. They are usually around $1-$1.50 per bag. Beans and legumes are also wonderful and cheap alternatives for protein.
I too, have a fixed budget, and while I would LOVE to have a whole roast, there is the canned roast beef at walmart. I get two cans for the week for this recipe of roast beef with Carrots (small can is about 88 cents) and get a couple individual potatoes, which come to about $4 total for a meal, which feeds my family of 4. I do get some mash potato packets which are just a dollar or so and it makes a filling meal for us. This is something of an option if you want to have this in your meal plan.
I once knew a man who had been homeless at one time. He never cooked with a recipe once he had a place to live. He just created one with whatever ingredients were available. It takes some experience to do that, but it's a valuable skill. Especially when money is tight and transportation to a store isn't easy. It made me realize how much I take for granted and how uncreative my cooking was.
I am a single person with no family and I don’t care at all about my food budget but I can’t stop watching these videos. The suspense and mystery of how the ingredients will be combined and recombined through the week is fascinating! Also solid A+ on the flour joke.
"If it's flour that takes me it's just my time to go" this is the best thing I've heard today. 😂
Soooo glad you posted this, I'm in a "watch UA-cam every waking minute of the day" phase in my life so all new uploads I'm like 🤤 hahaha. That b roll at the beginning with the aerial Aldi shot is soooooo purdy
Thank you! I have a really fantastic editor and that helps a lot. :)
“‘watching UA-cam every waking minute of the day’ phase of my life”. I feel so called out right now 😂
Your videos have been such a huge help and blessing to me ! I was never really taught how to cook based off of being mindful of my budget. Your videos have helped me save almost $100 a week on groceries for my household! ( that’s WITH inflation)
I also appreciate how you lift people up and don’t make people feel bad if they’re in a tight spot. In one of your recent videos, you said everyone deserves a treat and I thought that was lovely. Thank you for all your love, time, and effort, Mindy!
Thank you so much! I try to be realistic with these things. We all need a little grace with ourselves and with others. :)
Agree totally! Mindy is a blessing!🙏😊
Couscous tip: You can cook it in the microwave! Just put the water and couscous in a large microwave safe bowl, cook five minutes on high, and that’s it. So easy.
Thanks for the tip!
Good to know!
“If it’s flour that gets me it’s just my time” 😂 That’s why I love ❤️ you. No Fear !
5 dinners & leftovers, veggies, sides, breakfast & lunch options, easy bread & cookies for 1 week
9:22 Chuck roast (slow cooker) and oven roasted potatoes & carrots
11:15 explanation of how the menu works over the week & the veggies and sides. Swaps
11:56 Chicken drumsticks,(slow cooker) salad, scalloped potatoes and garlic toast
14:16 Homemade bread 2 ways
15:14 Breakfast options
15:33 Shortbread Cookies
18:39 Tilapia fish in butter, oven roasted zucchini and couscous. Toast.
20:17 Spicy Crackers
21:07 Lunch options
24:30 Sausage green beans and peppers sheet pan recipe with Cheese Grits.
26:28 Potato Soup with leftovers in the crockpot. Toast and salad sides.
Fantastic!
I personally had a hand in making your mixer! I machined the lower portion of the tilt head of that model for the entirety of it's production life. They no longer make that model, and actually only produced it for a very short amount of time, but it's pretty exciting for me to see this and KNOW I definitely helped make this specific mixer😁❤️ I no longer work there, but my husband and father do, so keep buying those KitchenAid small appliances!
That is so cool!!
Very cool, Shelly! My 4 siblings all pitched in to buy me that mixer as a wedding gift. It was an auction item at a school fundraiser, since it was a special edition color!
@@SeeMindyMom that's wonderful they did that! I have several, but we get a good discount 😜 I hope you enjoy it!
What a small world, I know where you live because I grew up there and if you grew up there, you know Kitchen Aid is our Darke Co staple. :D
@@theingramfamily9231 yes, it is. I haven't worked there in nearly a decade, but I'm 3rd generation that did work there and my husband still does. The model she has was only produced for a few years in the mid 2000s. She has a special mixer there, for sure.
I, too, was never taught to cook. You have helped me make delicious meals on a budget. Thank you Mindy!
I just went to Costco for a whole house restock( just moved cross country) $800 later... this is the absolute video I need ❤️
We are in our 70's hubby late me heading there. Changed our insurance advantage plan and He gets $75
A month toward food and me my plan does $75 a quarter. I thought you had to be in an income qroup but it is depending on health is issues.
Might want to have your elders check it out. It really helps we are on s.s. doing OK but this was a surprise
I love when you do these types of videos!! I understand people are struggling and need the $5.00 challenges. However, I also enjoy this content. I like that you include a sweet treat or dessert. And snack options.
Love it when Aldi isn't busy!
Ive made Christine’s no knead bread several times and it’s always great!! My Aldi does have quick grits. I make them cheesy too and love to top with shrimp 🍤
Mindy I don't know how you keep coming up with new meals. You're awesome!
I know you generally focus on Aldi's Wal-Mart, etc., but I was wondering if you've ever thought about talking about bulk money saving. The specific thing that jumped out at me was yeast. I make bread between 2-4 times a week and I buy yeast by the pound at a local grocery. I know 79 cents doesn't sound like much, but if you bake often enough to go through a pound of yeast in a year (which is roughly how long it should last once opened) then most pricing I've done puts it at half the price of yeast at Aldi's and closer to a third or a quarter of the price of yeast at other groceries. If you start keeping several commonly used items like that in bulk the savings can add up quickly. Amazon is very much your friend when doing budget cooking for a family.
The ramen with egg and veggies is such an easy and affordable yummy meal.
These budget meal videos are such a blessing! In my area the ingredients are about dbl, but still using the meal ideas you’ve laid out make a huge difference to my grocery budget. Thank you so much ❤
I was super excited to see fish in this meal plan! I love seafood, but it's hardly ever included in budget meal planning. Tilapia is usually very affordable though, and I think Aldi in particular has great prices on frozen fish and shrimp.
Really well done! I think $100 is miraculous and you made everything look so tasty!
Thanks so much, Robin! I appreciate it.
Loving these budget videos. I've gotten so many great meal ideas from you, Christine, and others.
Glad you like them!
Hi Mindy I live in England I am a very keen cook and Baker I watch your videos all the time my name is Trudy iam a Mum of 2 soon to be a Nanna you give me great inspiration as I am always cooking , baking for friends and family .
I DO MY MAINE SHOP AT ALDI but like everyone else I am always looking for more budget friendly meals with this cost a living crisis as its not good in England at this present time thank-you so much for your bright bubbley self your are wonderful all ny love to you and your Beautiful family xx❤❤❤
Loved this video, thanks for all the time you put into making it! A breakfast of yogurt, granola and fruit is so filling, and so much more satisfying that a bowl of no-nutrition sugary junk-cereal. I wish that had been a thing when I was a kiddo, because I remember being so starving by lunch time after only eating a bowl of cinnamon toast crunch.
What a lovely, smart and diligent lady. Thanks for your videos.
I love these budget friendly videos! So helpful…especially right now with how crazy the prices at the grocery store are getting! Thank you for sharing! ❤️
I spilled the bluberries in Aldi too. I remembered picking them in the forrest in past, and I was going to wash them anyway, so I squated down and pick each berry to the last. You really have to make sure you're placing them in the cart straight lined, those lids love to fly...
I'm making my riff on Christine's no knead bread right now. So good, homey and inexpensive! I love these videos, by the way!
put the spices on after you pour the water over OR pour the water carefully on the side. Your method is taking all the spice off the top of the roast and you'll be discarding it. If you leave the spices on top, they will steam in the meat.
Thank you so much for another great video Mindy! I really find your videos helpful to myself and my family. I’m a single mom on a fixed income and your recipes are a very useful resource to help me stretch my grocery budget without being left feeling like my family is living on scraps and eating meals nobody likes. I truly appreciate your tips and advice on how to eat well on a budget. Thank you again for sharing your experience with us all!
I was so shocked when I went to my local aldi and they had eggs for under $3 a dozen! Can't wait to see what recipes you come up!
Sometimes I roast rope sausages, potatoes. Carrots. Radishes, zucchini. Broccoli. Brussel sprouts. ( any of the list I happen to have ) radishes are really good roasted.
You’re amazing! I wish my partner wasn’t so picky so I could shop like this for a while to save money
Mindy, you have changed my life with that drumstick recipe!!!! I make it all the time and my family loves it! Plus it's like so stinking easy!!! You're amazing!!!!!!
Love your glasses.
I wanted to tell you I signed up to bring a treat for Valentine’s Day for my department. And I made two batches of those fire crackers. I have eaten them for years and I know they’re always a hit. But people hate them like it was some sort of drug they never had them before. They are just so yummy. They asked for the recipe I gave them the recipe and then two of them said that they didn’t get them to turn out that they tasted bad , it is one of my all-time favorite. You got a bring a treat to a party or get together and you can make a whole bunch of that for like less than three dollars win
Yup after the holidays I would my clearance red stuff for Valentines day and green for Irish day.
Southern woman here, the only reason I don’t use instant grits every once in a while is because of the salt content. I cannot find any that are not so salty that they would be most of your sodium intake for the day. Additionally they do taste different, but sometimes you just have to get the people fed and out the door. Now quick grits are different and are perfectly fine. I make mine with milk, salt and creole seasoning. At the end add extra sharp cheddar. When you cook it let it come up to a low boil and then use a whisk the whole time they are cooking, about 5 minutes. Let sit three minutes if needed to thicken at the end.
Mine were actually quick grits, not instant grits. Good to know, great tips!
Those Aldi pizzas are the best take and bake ones I’ve tried from the supermarket. Love these budget friendly meal plans. Thanks so much.
I had to pause the video and go dig up my old recipes. My husband and I have agreed that we are going back to how we USED to cook years ago. Before we got our microwave and got lazy and I started falling into the deep dark pits of dispare. ( sorry I can’t find the correct spelling.) I know that I used to feel better when we cooked from scratch or mostly from scratch.
Great ideas as usual, Mindy! Thank you for all the time and energy you put into sharing quality content with us. 😊
My pleasure, Kimberly, glad I can give some ideas!
I appreciate this video so much!! As an adult who has a loving mother who still cooked for me up until i was 30 because i worked all day to the evening, i finally moved out to marry my husband. And oh boy we both aren't great cooks at all so it's also a struggle on what to buy when we're actually at aldi. So informative and good ideas for food prep and meals!
The Lawry’s Casero Total Seasoning with the green lid is my absolute favorite - I use it on everything! Super good on roasted vegetables, and tasty for shredded chicken or pork tacos with salsa verde. Yum!
I’ll have to look for that one!
I have a whole cookbook full of your meals. Fortunately for me, we like almost the exact same things as your family. Love your budget meals!
Yay! Thank you!
I live in Texas and I use instant grits. Nothing wrong with a quick breakfast or side dish! Love your meal ideas and videos! By the way, have you ever tried Mississippi Pot Roast? It is my go to Pot Roast now. YUMMY!
I've watched other channels on budget meals but your recipes don't look budget at all. Such very nice meals prepared for less. So nice to watch you be creative with ingredients.
Thank you so much!
Great ideas! I am loving cooking big roasts in the slow cooker and then planning lots of recipes using the leftovers. I made a delicious pork and beans soup the other day and my kids loved it. They would love the ramen too 😊
Love going through the grocery store and shopping with you. I like the way your mind thinks as you plan! 😊
Thanks, Stacy!
We like tilapia for fish tacos as well. I use a dry rub and bake it. Then break it up and add favorite taco toppings.
I can't use real dairy in a lot of my meals because my oldest daughter is allergic to dairy. I've come up with many recipes using fake cheese, fake butter and almond milk and it somehow tastes good. She's 21 and often spends the night at her boyfriend's house and when she does, I break out the real dairy and go to town, lol! Your scalloped potatoes is next on my list!
I've been making my own granola. My 8 year old daugheter loves to help and it tastes so great and is really easy and inexpensive
Thanks for the tip on cooking chuck roast! I've always been putting it in the slow cooker for 8 hrs on low and am never entirely happy with the tenderness. I'll try cooking it on low for 16 hrs next time!
Love watching your videos! ❤ as a mom you helped me so much about saving money & meal planning! Thank you for sharing this video and showing the reality of it all 👍 looking forward for your next video!😊
I'm so glad I could give some ideas! Thanks so much for the kind words!
French thousand island Catalina dilly ranch regular and hot ranch are easy to make too. Yogurt or sour cream and mayonnaise or miracle whip is the base for the ranches and thousand island dressings
This was great!
My family likes more traditional Mexican dishes but this gave me some ideas for us to stretch our budget. Thank you!
“It’s Valentine’s Day all year in my marriage. Ha. Just kidding.” 😂 That was so you. Love it.
Love making new meals with leftovers. Great meal plan dinners!
thanks so much i love all your videos!!❤ great job Mrs. Mindy you're truly a blessing and a life saver for so many of us.
Mindy I Love your meal planning ideas. Thank you for sharing with us...and Thank you for all you do.❤
I just bought your capsule ebooks...WOW!!....Wonderful, worth so much more than the price. I highly recommend this!
@SMM I appreciate it when you show how to make up homemade dressing and seasoning mixes because if we have the ingredients it’s cheaper to do it that way and we can feel good about ‘homemade’ too… 🙆🏻♀️
Oh my goodness did you make me laugh when you said ‘If flour gets me it’s my time to go’….. ☺️
As always, Mindy, so informative and helpful. I would have done the same thing, using up the little red Christmas stockings for Valentine’s Day! Why not? Focus on the red! I laughed out loud at your “If flour is what kills me, then it’s just my time.” 😂
Best excuse EVER to eat the eggless cookie dough!🤣 love this video and am always amazed at how simple some things can be. Definitely want to try the bread recipe!
Your vegetables always looks so good! Please include the making
ecipies for them in your videos. I'm always looking for good veggie recipies to change things up!
If your family likes spicy stuff, next time use pepper Jack cheese and some diced pickled jalapeños in your grits, so good! And I’m also a Texan and use quick grits! 😂
Thank you Mindy! You had some great recipes in this video that got me thinking! Thank you for doing all these great budget meals. Everyone can really use it these days. ❤
Thank you for that cous cous mention....I had nooooo idea! Will be seasoning my own from now on!
I never thought about using Ramen to make a meal! Brilliant!
Add onion, egg!
I am enjoying your videos! Thank you for all of your great ideas. I like that you add in how to make your own seasoning blends too. I’m going to have to try your chicken leg recipe!
Ooh, there's some new recipes in this one that I want to try out some day... Fantastic video!
Thanks!
Love watching your videos, they're so helpful! I didn't know that about instacart boosting prices on their site! You've helped me so much with meal planning!
Glad I can help! Thanks for the kind words. :)
I think they all increase online delivery prices.
When i was a kid my mom would cook pot pies and salad on the side good stuff thanks from Oklahoma
My comment is a thank you for a tip you gave us some time ago. You said we could keep spring mix salad fresher longer by putting in a paper towel and turning it upside down. I have been using that tip and have not had to throw away ANY slimy, gone bad salad for some time. I love spring mix but that does not mean I want to eat it every day. Thanks so much for the tip. It has already saved me money. LOVE all your videos!
Great video 😊 I can use some tips for my family of 6...
I remind myself never go to Aldi on Sunday. My Aldi is about 10 minutes if that away. Love it!!
Looking forward to finishing your video!
❤
I’m a southern girl, born and raised in Alabama. I use quick grits. I’m the only one in my family that eats it so I’m not making a lot at once. I love cheese grits.
All your groceries are much cheaper than I can get them anywhere here in Kerrville, Texas. Your spices for under a dollar are amazing. The cheapest I can get them is in Dollar Tree and they are $1.25. You are so lucky having an Aldi.
Great menu for $106. I spent $126 this week even with $20 amount of coupons. It was just one of those weeks where there was no more produce and there was a good meat sale. Love your ideas.
$126 is great for a whole week, in my opinion! Still not super easy to do these days!
Same with me, some of the foods I grew up eating you’d think my family came from the south. It’s what was convenient and affordable why we eat certain foods. 🌻
Oh my gosh...this was great! You have the most awesome sense of humor too- your flour comments had me laughing out loud!
I find quick grits at Aldi located by the oatmeal. I am from the south and I use quick grits cause it’s easy!!! Love these videos!
Oh interesting! I haven’t seen them at my Aldi!
I make the egg/noodle/ veg mix, then fry them in pattie or fritter shapes. Yum
I have watched your channel so much I literally have your videos pop up on top of the home page as soon as you post them. :P
As usual, thanks for another one! :D
Thanks for watching! :)
I hear you on the eggs. I've found them around $2.50 a dozen in the last week and I've also been breathing a sigh of relief. I just told my husband that I can't believe I'm thrilled with that price, but it's making me see a glimmer of light at the end of the tunnel. I'm a little concerned we're going to see falling egg prices leading up to Easter and then the prices shooting back up after the holiday.
I really like this kind of video! I want realistic budgets that actually give me inspiration.
“It’s Valentines Day all year long in my marriage. Haha just kidding! “. Same. I feel ya!
I’m from Mississippi & I cook quick grits (3/1 ratio) & yes add the cheese 🧀 ❤️
So I’m a single woman with just a dog BUT I like to eat goood so these kinds of videos are my fav lol
Great video! Thank you for all these helpful tips. Creative, colorful, varied, and delicious!
Your food prices are so much cheaper than the stores here in OH. 😱 Love these cheap meal plans!
I love your videos! These budget hauls and recipe ideas have definitely helped me be more creative shopping and cooking this month. Thank you! I also LOVE you shop at Aldi and Walmart….that’s where I shop. So helpful!❤
Great meal ideas! I'm southern (Louisiana) and I have no problem with cooking instant grits!! I love cheese grits!
Glad I’m not alone!
I make potato soup with onions, ham, potatoes and heavy cream. 😋
That bread is the absolute best!!
❤❤❤❤❤❤❤❤ I always look forward to your videos. Thanks. ❤❤❤❤❤❤
Ok that is the best way I have ever heard it put! If flour is what takes you out.. I agree, it’s definitely your time because this world has SO much more to work with than raw flour lol
A dozen eggs at my Smith's (local Kroger store) were $3.49 yesterday. Still way overpriced but much better than $6.00! 😆
Great ideas. Ramen (from late bf's pantry) will be added to my dehydrated items. It will make some nice meals.
I just use the Aldi website. Just choose on-line shopping, that's how I compare prices. However I do live in RI