What Groceries To Buy When You Are Dead Broke

Sometimes times get tough.  For whatever reason you find yourself with not enough money until payday and bare cupboards.  It happens.  This is my list of foods I would buy if I suddenly found myself in this situation.

Eggs (one dozen) - a very versatile source of protein - $1.69

Rice (16 oz.) - $1

Pinto beans (16 oz.)- $1

Elbow macaroni (16 oz.) - store brand 89¢

Bread - a loaf of store brand wheat or white, runs about $1

Peas & Carrots (16 oz.) - store brand frozen peas & carrots run about 79¢ and yield four servings.

Green Beans (16 oz.) - store brand frozen peas & carrots run about 79¢ and yield four servings.

Tuna (5oz.) - store brand canned tuna runs about 69¢ per can

Bologna (12 oz.) - store brand turkey bologna averages $1.29

Milk (1/2 gal.) - whole milk cut 50/50 with water to equal a gallon $1.59

Orange juice concentrate - makes half a gallon of juice $1.19

Oatmeal - one large canister of the store brand quick cooking oats $2.89

Bananas - 59¢ a pound, less if found in the markdown bin

Peanut Butter (16 oz.) - store brand $1.99

Hot Dogs (8ct.) - chicken franks 89¢

Margarine (1 lb) - 89¢

Brown Sugar (1/2 lb.) - 79¢

Chicken Thighs - 89¢ per pound

Spaghetti Sauce - one can 99¢

Ramen - 5 for $1

Canned tomatoes - store brand 59¢ each

Assuming you still have a few condiments and spices I think this list could easily feed one or two people for a week for less than $25 and you most likely would have some food left over.

What would you make with this?  Well you could make:

Scrambled eggs, toast, orange juice

Bologna sandwich, banana, milk

Chicken, rice, green beans, milk

Fried rice with chicken, eggs, peas & carrots, milk

Pasta marinara, green beans, milk

Tuna sandwich, banana, milk

Oatmeal with brown sugar, milk, orange juice

Hot dogs, peas & carrots, milk

Peanut butter banana sandwich, milk

Chicken & rice soup, milk

Ramen, vegetable, chicken stir fry

Ramen soup with vegetables

Pinto beans with canned tomatoes, milk 

Do you think you could make it to pay day on a tight budget with these options?