EXTREME GROCERY BUDGET CHALLENGE// $50 FOR 80+ MEALS

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  • čas přidán 9. 11. 2020
  • In this challenge, I had a $50 budget to feed my family of 5 for days. This extreme grocery budget is less than half of what we would normally spend in a week.
    Another $50 Extreme Grocery Budget Challenges: • Video
    $5 for 3 days of meals: • SUPER CHEAP, EMERGENCY...
    $5 Dollar Tree Meal: • Video
    Soda Bread: thebigmansworld.com/no-yeast-...
    Tortillas: thecafesucrefarine.com/best-e...
    Budget Burritos: moneysavingmom.com/4-weeks-to...
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    #extremegrocerybudget #budgetmealplan #extremegrocerybudgetchallenge

Komentáře • 918

  • @myataylor3946
    @myataylor3946 Před 3 lety +672

    I don’t care that I’m 16 and childless, I’m obsessed.

    • @Sabrina-zd3in
      @Sabrina-zd3in Před 3 lety +14

      I’m just watching because I cook dinner every week 😂

    • @Lisawhatshersname
      @Lisawhatshersname Před 3 lety +30

      Always best to learn young😁

    • @kunaly.5831
      @kunaly.5831 Před 3 lety +26

      I’m 21 and childless. I cook every single meal except 1 dinner a week and I like these videos for meal ideas

    • @Bazman5000
      @Bazman5000 Před 3 lety +16

      I'm 32 and childless and I am obsessed

    • @zenants4802
      @zenants4802 Před 3 lety +9

      im 15 but these are so fun to watch 😭

  • @CherryGryffon
    @CherryGryffon Před 3 lety +582

    As someone that grew up in poverty, with a single mom of three kids paying for absolutely everything as a diner waitress.... You've nailed it. I now know how to prepare MOST foods I could ever want, from scratch, and better still I know how to make substitutions for when I don't have something... like if I don't have milk for a box of stroganoff mix, I can thicken and fake it with a little extra butter/margarine and flour by way of a roux. I can make homemade biscuits and gravy without a lick of milk, bc when you're poor milk is too expensive or hard to come by. I can make 7 different kinds of stir fry, and then some. Sometimes not being handed absolutely everything, IS A GOOD THING. Not to mention come this pandemic I have been vastly more prepared for how to feed myself and my family when the stores have little to nothing, or when I am unable to safely get TO the store. Having "bad" food sometimes means you will be prepared to make-do ALWAYS when you need it.

    • @SeeMindyMom
      @SeeMindyMom  Před 3 lety +29

      That is so true, and I agree! I think it is a good skill to be resourceful, and sometimes we have to practice that! Thanks for watching!

    • @connieadams607
      @connieadams607 Před 2 lety +5

      U r the best ! 🙌👍🏻👍🏻😁

    • @dingoledingus9039
      @dingoledingus9039 Před 2 lety +21

      I figured out that you can get a small container of carnation powered milk for like 2 bucks at Walmart. You can mix up milk on demand for recipes when you need it. I'm living that poor life right now, paying medical debt and credit card debt. Good thing I grew up dirt poor as well and know how to make somethin' out of nothin'! We have to do what we have to do to survive.

    • @cortneystetson4480
      @cortneystetson4480 Před 2 lety +13

      I grew up in poverty too! I’m more well off as an adult but I still budget cook. ☺️

    • @maddieb.4282
      @maddieb.4282 Před 2 lety +14

      This is the BEST comment on this video and so true. Everyone has become so judgmental and proud that they have a knee jerk reaction when someone feeds their kids perfectly nutritious and delicious food that’s not the “right kind” of food. Kids deserve to be fed and fed well, but there are SO many ways to do that!

  • @catj1597
    @catj1597 Před 3 lety +512

    It's sad that people actually complain about what you are sending your kids to school with! So many people struggle financially and so you do the best you can with what you have. I think it's great to have people like you make videos to show how to feed a family on a tight budget. Thank you!!!

    • @SeeMindyMom
      @SeeMindyMom  Před 3 lety +27

      Thank you, Cat. I appreciate the encouragement and the kind comment. 😊

    • @lifebeyondthesalary2458
      @lifebeyondthesalary2458 Před 3 lety +36

      People can be ridiculous. When you are just grateful to eat, you get the best you can within your means. If the haters wanna help, they put up or shut up. I mean, if they want to provide free groceries to someone struggling to just buy food for themselves or their family... who are we to not let them just hand over part of their budget for food. Do what you can with what you have... (prepper princess 👸 👍🏼)

    • @terric.5022
      @terric.5022 Před 2 lety +2

      I agree! Thank you for sharing with us!

    • @dingoledingus9039
      @dingoledingus9039 Před 2 lety +8

      Complain about you not feeding your children well enough and at the same time bitch about families utilizing food stamps. Some people are so up on their high horse that they've completely disconnected from reality.

    • @CowboyBike06
      @CowboyBike06 Před 2 lety +1

      Absolutely! I’ve always worked with disadvantaged families and often thought about inexpensive meal ideas for them. I’m hopeless so (even though I’m no longer working) I’m hoping to learn some tips in case someone needs some advice?

  • @CeeJai_K
    @CeeJai_K Před 2 lety +224

    Omg!! As a 40 year old single man who doesn’t cook, this is awesome for me. Thank you, thank you, thank you so much.

    • @CowboyBike06
      @CowboyBike06 Před 2 lety +11

      You are so kind to thank her so profusely!! I love it! You’re right, these look great! She is a very inventive, cost cutting cook. We could all learn something from this video. (Okay, I could, I can’t speak for others). 😉

    • @CeeJai_K
      @CeeJai_K Před 2 lety +18

      @@CowboyBike06 thank you so much. This video and others of hers has been a real true life and money saver for me. My pantry and refrigerator are still full and I did this a few days after watching this video. I could not and still can’t believe it. She doesn’t know how she helped me.

    • @CowboyBike06
      @CowboyBike06 Před 2 lety +4

      @@CeeJai_K ♥️

    • @chuckthemodelful
      @chuckthemodelful Před 2 lety +5

      @@CeeJai_K 38 over here and agree bro

  • @miladygrimm
    @miladygrimm Před 3 lety +630

    People: Complaining about how you freed your kids
    Me: -who went to school with a bologna sandwich and a capri sun- You are doing FINE, hun.

    • @mamashanshan2772
      @mamashanshan2772 Před 3 lety +20

      I’d really love for the ones that complain, on budget, and show their way of doing this!! You truly have your families best health in mind! You have protein! The best to help with staying healthy!! This is how my mom, & me made food last, she always told me it’s the proteins that also help, and can go far, beans, antitoxin foods, onions, garlic!

    • @qt6137
      @qt6137 Před 3 lety +36

      Big facts!!! I went to school without food sometimes...it was torture watching other kids eat. If your kids are eating based on your budget be grateful. There are kids out there that don’t have a pack of ramen.

    • @donnamiller750
      @donnamiller750 Před 3 lety +1

      Egg salad and milk from the cafe carrots

    • @meggflores5303
      @meggflores5303 Před 3 lety +6

      @@qt6137 same... sometimes we had nothing. Any food is better than nothing. As long as the kids are being fed. I love her videos so much!

    • @user-pw4ch4cl4e
      @user-pw4ch4cl4e Před 2 lety +1

      Haha exactly!

  • @Kangaroojumper
    @Kangaroojumper Před 3 lety +275

    $2 for 3dozen eggs.... *Flips table* that's a bargain 👍

    • @judyjohnson9610
      @judyjohnson9610 Před 3 lety +17

      I am in Canada and all that looks so cheap! I pay $3 a dozen for eggs

    • @Kangaroojumper
      @Kangaroojumper Před 3 lety +14

      @@judyjohnson9610 I'm in Australia we pay about $4+ for a dozen eggs if they are caged but $5+ if they are free range

    • @andreslimon5053
      @andreslimon5053 Před 3 lety +3

      South Texas 6 dollars for 60 eggs

    • @kristenkerr7126
      @kristenkerr7126 Před 3 lety +3

      Right!? In San Diego I pay $3 and change for 18 pack eggs 🍳😒

    • @jujube2407
      @jujube2407 Před 3 lety +2

      @شيرى يحيى im in the us... and there are zero stores that sell a dollar dozen eggs near me... they avg 2 to 3 dollars a dozen minimum... 5 or 6 if you want organic or cage free etc ..

  • @liev3057
    @liev3057 Před 3 lety +408

    Did this queen just casually teach me how to make tortillas? 😮

    • @andreslimon5053
      @andreslimon5053 Před 3 lety +17

      Do not. Lol I'm just kidding. The Mexican in me is screaming "Why did you do them like that?"

    • @liev3057
      @liev3057 Před 3 lety +3

      @@andreslimon5053 😂

    • @Samantha-yb7en
      @Samantha-yb7en Před 2 lety +8

      Definitely not! 😂😂 that’s NOT how you make tortillas but she’s right it’s a labor of love especially your first few tries.

  • @kellyhayden7715
    @kellyhayden7715 Před 2 lety +90

    I wanted to re-visit this budget challenge from last year, to see, in my area, what the price difference is now . Last year, this meal budget would of cost me $49.27 for my area ( Oregon). I just re-ran these products on my WM shopping app, and this budget challenge would currently cost me ........ $64.96. A $15.96 increase. I anticipate this increase may grow higher given the crazy inflation. I think I will try to re-run these items every 6months to see the price difference. Have a good weekend everyone~

    • @PinkieJoJo
      @PinkieJoJo Před 2 lety +4

      Even a year ago in my area that haul would have been at least 70.00. Our Walmart has never been very cheap. If we would drive 25 minutes away prices would be nearly half of our hometown one.

    • @lilithheartstone1753
      @lilithheartstone1753 Před rokem +3

      Whooh one more month u should also track the petrol it takes to get there lmao haha

    • @mrs.garcia6978
      @mrs.garcia6978 Před rokem +2

      That’s crazy. What is it now? My budget would be doubled if I dn start doing budget meal plans like this now.

  • @livinwiththeedges8283
    @livinwiththeedges8283 Před 3 lety +278

    As an educator I see that most kids are sent to school with WAY too much food. A lot of prepackaged stuff they want all open. They may end up taking one bite of a cheese stick, $1 Greek yogurt, fruit stick, applesauce cup etc. For my kids I use the same containers as you and they get an entree (including a protein and carb), fruit, and veg in the small compartments. Perfect. Simple and they eat most of it. In the kids schedule there is not a lot of time to eat at lunch.

    • @SeeMindyMom
      @SeeMindyMom  Před 3 lety +35

      Thank you, I feel the same way! I see a lot of waste when I am in the lunchroom. One of the good things about having them pack their lunches, too: they pack what and how much they will actually eat.

    • @Michelle-pn9xt
      @Michelle-pn9xt Před 3 lety +2

      What do you teach?? Stuff they want all open???? Most kids do not have too much food. What the heck is a fruit stick???

    • @camiele4
      @camiele4 Před 3 lety +6

      That’s so true, now that my kids have virtual learning from home, I see first hand how much little lunch food they actually consume or need.

    • @laquandahall6108
      @laquandahall6108 Před 3 lety +40

      @@Michelle-pn9xt she's actually correct as I see it firsthand as well from working as a substitute teacher. It never fails on how much food kids throw away. A lot of kids barely eat the school lunches or what's packed from home. Some of the schools have have started to do "give" tables. Instead of kids throwing away packages food like milk, cheese sticks, fruit, or crackers, they will put it on the table and whomever else wants it can go and take from the table.

    • @Michelle-pn9xt
      @Michelle-pn9xt Před 3 lety +6

      @@laquandahall6108 Parents have to teach their kids about healthy eating too. Schools can't do everything. If kids are eating healthy food at home, they will eat healthy food at school.

  • @mikaharrison9673
    @mikaharrison9673 Před 3 lety +87

    As a European it always fascinated me to see what Americans eat and how they package their food, it’s really interesting to see the difference in names too!

  • @Luvl0rn
    @Luvl0rn Před 3 lety +103

    Dealing with debt right now, I really appreciate these videos while trying to recover 😊

    • @carolynmills513
      @carolynmills513 Před 2 lety +2

      You can do it, and it feels sooooo good on the other side.

  • @rachelcantu2987
    @rachelcantu2987 Před 3 lety +213

    I love the additionn of the brownies. It makes sense to me to find a way to work something fun into your budget. It may not be what your ideal treat would be...but that shows how much you love your kids and want to make this realistic.
    Bottom line: you got a subscriber outta me!

    • @SeeMindyMom
      @SeeMindyMom  Před 3 lety +6

      Thanks, Rachel!

    • @jeannehunter5344
      @jeannehunter5344 Před 2 lety +4

      And who doesn't love pancakes! Always a lovely treat.

    • @CowboyBike06
      @CowboyBike06 Před 2 lety +2

      @@jeannehunter5344 Breakfast food is THE Best!!

    • @hollycales1976
      @hollycales1976 Před 2 lety +6

      I agree. I add $5 to our weekly grocery budget that is JUST for treats. That might be honey buns or eggnog but being on a budget doesn’t mean you have to do without all the time.

  • @lexymay7561
    @lexymay7561 Před 3 lety +44

    When you know how to cook you save a lot of money. I appreciated people like her teaching people how to cook on a budget :)

  • @kaysiposey5975
    @kaysiposey5975 Před 3 lety +62

    I pay $10 for a gallon of milk in my tiny town 😅 but after adding all this up and my nearest Walmart the total came out to $54 not including tax! Which isn’t bad at all!

    • @swolfe9668
      @swolfe9668 Před rokem

      No gallon of milk is worth $10, drink water

  • @JacJo
    @JacJo Před 3 lety +259

    This is the most realistic grocery budget video I’ve watched! It’s something i would actually try to do for my family! Love the groceries and the recipes! Just subscribed! Thanks!

    • @SeeMindyMom
      @SeeMindyMom  Před 3 lety +3

      Thanks, Jacquellyn

    • @moniquevaldez3236
      @moniquevaldez3236 Před 3 lety +1

      I feel the same way some of the meals I look up are too much! I really appreciate your video and with quarantine and the kids home this definitely helps! Thank you! I’m gonna try it.

    • @katielynnm1
      @katielynnm1 Před 3 lety +5

      Watching this from Canada, I WISH this was a realistic budget! My mom looked It up, that many eggs would cost us over $10 alone.

    • @JacJo
      @JacJo Před 3 lety +1

      @@katielynnm1 oh wow! I know a lot of Canada is more expensive.

    • @angiesmith2877
      @angiesmith2877 Před 2 lety +3

      @@katielynnm1 Yeah, here in the USA, the conventionally raised meat/eggs/dairy products are subsidized by the government, so we pay the real cost through our taxes and very little at the grocery store. But this is an insanely low price for eggs even within our system!

  • @RageRumi
    @RageRumi Před 3 lety +50

    Those on the Dave Ramsey rice and beans beans and rice need to follow your channel!!!

  • @cori_bri
    @cori_bri Před 3 lety +193

    Ok those lunches look really good. I’m in grad school I’m going to copy this next semester!

    • @SeeMindyMom
      @SeeMindyMom  Před 3 lety +16

      Congratulations on grad school! That is so exciting! 😊

    • @hannahtyler9197
      @hannahtyler9197 Před 3 lety +6

      Right its a deluxe lunchable made with love!

    • @zacharykatsouleas9956
      @zacharykatsouleas9956 Před 3 lety +2

      I'm in college and i Budget down to the Penny. There's this app I Found called PICKL and It pays you $5 to take pictures of products in grocery store shelves. For me that $5 goes along way, cause i can buy like some bananas for 72 cents each

    • @cori_bri
      @cori_bri Před 3 lety +1

      Zachary Katsouleas
      I’ve never heard of this, I’ll have to look into it!

  • @amyshort5625
    @amyshort5625 Před 3 lety +20

    I pre make sandwiches, cut them in half and put them in ziplock bags in the fridge. Every morning, the kids get to pick what they want with a fruit, a bag of chips or pretzels, and I treat. I fill they thermos with water and boom, lunch is done. quick and easy.

  • @ristina.ingram
    @ristina.ingram Před 2 lety +5

    *silently taking notes on how to make my 39y/o self and my 40 y/o spouse lunchables (that we will call charcuterie boxes)* I LOVE THIS CHANNEL!

  • @colbytrensch1467
    @colbytrensch1467 Před 2 lety +32

    I live by the motto “fed is best” with my picky 8 year old! Thank you for sharing! This is helping me come up with a lot more possible options for the two of us!

  • @user-sy7ni6dz4k
    @user-sy7ni6dz4k Před 3 lety +19

    I am in AWE!!! I've been struggling to get my grocery budget down because it is out of control. This just blew my mind!! Bless your heart, sharing this with non creative folks such as myself.

  • @Kindaketokim
    @Kindaketokim Před 3 lety +75

    There is nothing wrong with the kids lunches at all.
    The school system takes kids lunches away from them, here in Arkansas, if the parents are behind paying for their kids lunch and are served either a plain cheese sandwich and milk or peanut butter sandwich and milk. So the Karen's need to go after the school system lunch and leave this lady alone.

    • @emilywilson7308
      @emilywilson7308 Před 3 lety +1

      I would love a pbj and milk for lunch.😀

    • @tylerdifranco9828
      @tylerdifranco9828 Před 3 lety +1

      @@emilywilson7308 Have fun eating a stale pb&j with milk that’s about to expire. 😁👍🏼

    • @emilywilson7308
      @emilywilson7308 Před 3 lety

      @@tylerdifranco9828 That’s terrible! I make a really good pbj with homemade bread and that’s what I was imagining. I didn’t know it was possible to ruin a pbj!

    • @emilywilson7308
      @emilywilson7308 Před 3 lety +2

      @Jay That’s horrible! Kids need healthy food and there’s no excuse for feeding kids crap! Something’s gotta change!

    • @gailrodgers3079
      @gailrodgers3079 Před 3 lety +7

      @@emilywilson7308 I used to take a PBJ sandwich, a fruit and a cookie and money for milk. Day after day after day, year after year. I survived. 65 now and still alive. Never had bags of chips or pre-made containers of things as they weren't even available, nor had anyone heard of a PB allergy either!

  • @michellechannell1219
    @michellechannell1219 Před 3 lety +75

    I think the school lunches look fine.

    • @chillypenny
      @chillypenny Před 3 lety

      Me too!!!!!

    • @raebooker5452
      @raebooker5452 Před 3 lety +2

      Right! Some people just send a cheap lunchable.

    • @RageRumi
      @RageRumi Před 3 lety

      Yes perfect I don’t have kids but I will take heed and not over pack their lunches

    • @RageRumi
      @RageRumi Před 3 lety

      Yes perfect I don’t have kids but I will take heed and not over pack their lunches

  • @StephanieMT
    @StephanieMT Před 3 lety +47

    My kids eat those kinds of lunches and their pediatrician says they are healthy and on weight so i dont know why people were complaining

  • @PAFM1964
    @PAFM1964 Před 3 lety +72

    Instead of egg noodles make chicken and dumplings. Drop dough into boiling soup. DONE

    • @carolynmills513
      @carolynmills513 Před 2 lety +1

      Practically same dough as biscuit dough. So delicious

    • @carolynmills513
      @carolynmills513 Před 2 lety +1

      Unfortunately this is a recipe handed down over generations with no measurements. But I'll try.
      2 c self rising flour
      1/2 c solid crisco
      About 1 c milk.
      Cut crisco into flour until it resembles small pea shaped. Most of the flour should be incorporated. Then gradually add milk until soft dough is formed. Do not over work, lest dumplings turn out tough. Drop by soup spoon or roll out and cut into 1 1/2" squares and drop into boiling broth. (I cook my chicken in seasoned broth, remove chicken from bones and return to broth. You can add any vegetables you like. A leftover chicken carcass works great if it has a little meat left on it. Just like you would prepare forchicken soup.) Dumplings will rise as they cook. Use spoon to create a well to drop in the next. Try not to put all the Dumplings in the same area so they dont all stick together. Add any left over flour from the bowl or counter to help thicken the broth. Reduce heat to medium and cover. Simmer for about 10 minutes. Test to see if they are done in the middle. So super easy and economical. You can feed people a lot of food for pennies. Of course you can increase the servings just start off with more flour and crisco. Note: for a while I used butter instead of crisco, but they didn't turn out as well, so I keep some in the fridge now.

  • @miamccoy7424
    @miamccoy7424 Před 3 lety +46

    Honey I LOVE IT we are in a pandemic and that is a lot more than what some children are getting🤗🤗🤗🤗🤗 BELLIES ARE FULL

  • @melissan9199
    @melissan9199 Před 3 lety +44

    Wow that is a lot of food for 50 bucks!

    • @niktarinalife9708
      @niktarinalife9708 Před 3 lety +3

      I counted what everything would be here... I stopped at 80 dollars.

    • @catherinemiller5994
      @catherinemiller5994 Před 3 lety +6

      @@niktarinalife9708 Food cost like she said are regional. I don't know where she is but I ran her shopping trip through Walmart Delivery for my area and my total would have been 46.32 for all of the items she purchased.

  • @candycake4926
    @candycake4926 Před rokem +3

    "sometimes variety is a luxury" yeah.. me and my fiance learned that when we moved in together and started grocery shopping with each other 😆 these videos are helping me so much with making a grocery list. We're trying to save to get our own place so the less we spend on groceries, the more we can save.

  • @maxhr1749
    @maxhr1749 Před 2 lety +4

    I don’t see anything negative about trying to budget even if you’re used to spending hundreds a week on groceries. Videos like these teach me how much money I’m wasting and could be saving for important things and also teach me a lesson. I actually feel better eating 🍽 these foods than fast food which is a win in my book. I’m lucky to be able to afford more and name brand products, but even buying those and sticking to home cooking I will save. Plenty of us have the knowledge to cook, but saving money is a valuable skill-one I’m willing to admit I’m bad at achieving.
    Today I watched another of Mindy’s videos and already made two of her meals one for lunch, one for dinner. I had no clue what I was going to do with some of my groceries. I had everything she bought so it was perfect. I’m a vegetarian so I will likely leave out meat or use Impossible products. I’m used to baking so making bread (I made very tasty naan last night) is easy for me to accomplish. I just want to say budget aside, these videos give me practical ideas for my family’s meals which I can build upon. Thank you for doing this, because you are doing many people a real favor no matter what socioeconomic background or family size we have.

  • @v06261
    @v06261 Před 3 lety +31

    As a soon to be college student, I’m panic watching these types of videos so I can physically, mentally and emotionally prepare myself for the fact that I may not always be able to afford my food, and that I can’t depend on my parents to pay for it either.
    Also, I just got to the part where you said that you didn’t know how you were going to cook the tortillas since you didn’t own the other machine but as a Hispanic, we literally just put them on a griddle and if the griddle is dirty, then we just put it directly over the flame on the stove 😩 there is no right way to cook it as long as it gets done

    • @jeannehunter5344
      @jeannehunter5344 Před 2 lety +2

      I shopped from the cheap grocery store for staples. Some of my kids' friends turned up their noses at this, but we could eat very well for much less! Now my adult kids know how to shop and cook for cost-effective meals.

    • @itsjustme.7059
      @itsjustme.7059 Před rokem

      I know this was a while ago and you’re probably in college now, but a lot of schools have food banks for students that are living in dorms. It’s something to check out.

  • @xochilthp8996
    @xochilthp8996 Před 3 lety +32

    I grew up eating homemade corn tortillas. My mom always bought the corn flour (in the Hispanic section in Walmart) and all you have to do is add water. So easy and delicious. This is my first video of yours and it was so entertaining, love your vibe and unrelated but you are gorgeous!

  • @haileygrey5047
    @haileygrey5047 Před 2 lety +6

    As a mother of 6 (oldest is 21 baby is 3 and all ages in between) those lunches not only looked yummy they looked just fine , plenty of food for a little one. Whenever I packed more than that it almost always went to waste

  • @jennifermccowan4751
    @jennifermccowan4751 Před 3 lety +81

    Your school lunches look like enough for an adult and im actually kind of jealous of how yummy your kids lunches are😍

    • @SeeMindyMom
      @SeeMindyMom  Před 3 lety +3

      They would eat that kind of meal every day if they could!

    • @ashton8878
      @ashton8878 Před rokem

      Really? School lunches looks like it’s for a pet. Nothing is cooked at all. Just all threw together.

  • @susanprather5962
    @susanprather5962 Před 3 lety +39

    You're so good at this. I like that the meals have fruit and/or vegetables too. Simple quick meals. Love it.

  • @rachelspurlock2423
    @rachelspurlock2423 Před 3 lety +24

    Those look similar to what I pack for my kids lunch. We always have a fruit or veg, a protein, a dairy and sometimes a treat.

  • @lindseyp3297
    @lindseyp3297 Před 3 lety +20

    i like how you utilize everything with no waste.. also when i was a kid i ate like literally nothing..i still dont eat much so theres no harm with their lunch portions

  • @lizrivera389
    @lizrivera389 Před 3 lety +4

    I think this is really good to show a realistic on a budget meal prep. I love the fact that she actually makes home cooked meals for her family and doesn't just give them mcdonald's or pizza bites. Of course feeding your child period is better than not feeding them but I'm just impressed that she actually takes the time to cook for her family (as it's so much better for the budget and everyone's health) and do her best within their super tight budget to give her family substantial meals. Good for her!

  • @sandymckee8917
    @sandymckee8917 Před 3 lety +29

    Mindy, here's the cooking award you didn't think you would win! 🏆 I love the snack type lunches you prepared & those noodles you made for your last meal were beautuful! We're not on a budget, but I'm cheap! 🙃 Thanks for sharing your tips & happy holidays! ❄🎄🦌⛄

  • @robino941
    @robino941 Před 3 lety +47

    You're so good at making budget-friendly meals! I'm impressed. Thank you for the good recipe ideas!

  • @cynthiamyers4265
    @cynthiamyers4265 Před 3 lety +33

    I think your kids' lunches look great, and healthy, too. I would eat those lunches and be happy.

  • @christinapfeifer4218
    @christinapfeifer4218 Před 3 lety +10

    Thank you for being authentic for all us moms out here trying to save our coins. New subbie

    • @SeeMindyMom
      @SeeMindyMom  Před 3 lety +1

      Welcome, Christina! Glad I could be encouraging. :)

  • @cilina8105
    @cilina8105 Před 3 lety +7

    my fiancé and i are vegan and love your budget meals!!! they make great inspo and really show how many things are luxuries to have. keep up the great work👍🏽

  • @laurieblas1511
    @laurieblas1511 Před 3 lety +30

    I use my griddle all the time for tortillas. Turns out great every time. My girls love to be my flipper!

    • @nh2008
      @nh2008 Před 3 lety +4

      This is so cute😊😊❤️

  • @greylance473
    @greylance473 Před 3 lety +7

    You rock!! You'd have made my Depression era grandmother and mother totally proud!! Don't let naysayers bother you.

  • @chaoshome34
    @chaoshome34 Před 3 lety +19

    Cheese crackers and pepperoni are my kids' fave lunch! We call it "lunchable style" and it's a lot more food & cheaper than buying lunchables.

    • @jaydahome-teillarddeyry6200
      @jaydahome-teillarddeyry6200 Před 3 lety +2

      And way less plastic.

    • @crystalparker2542
      @crystalparker2542 Před 2 lety +1

      Thats what i do for my kid. Homemade lunchable. He loves it because he honestly gets more and he can get it the way he wants it. We will do pepperoni, or just cut up deli meat. Ham , chicken, or turkey. I always buy cheese in a block because its more expensive sliced or shredded. So i just slice it up or shred it as needed. He likes it cause he can have more cheese, less meat, or more meat,less cheese, or just however he wants it. And he likes the veggie style off brand ritz. It just makes way more sense to make the lunchable.

  • @TheAnnabelNorris
    @TheAnnabelNorris Před 2 lety +3

    I have a kiddo who is gluten-free and I still get so many great ideas from you. It's how you think outside the box.

  • @sarahstewart5161
    @sarahstewart5161 Před 3 lety +17

    I thought this would be unattainable in Australia, $50 US is about $65 Aud. I looked up prices for my main supermarket and it came to $71 US or $92 AUD, which isn't too bad. I'm impressed. These are really great ideas. doing a good job :)

    • @ReeRAWR
      @ReeRAWR Před 3 lety +2

      What state? I could do this for $50 AUD for sure.

    • @sarahstewart5161
      @sarahstewart5161 Před 3 lety +3

      @@ReeRAWR victoria, Melbourne

    • @meowmeow1stgen668
      @meowmeow1stgen668 Před 2 lety +1

      Are used to go to the markets on a Sunday and pick up a huge box of vegetables for $10 :-) I also used to do the rest of my groceries online at Coles $50 each week which added up to roughly $95 a fortnight. It can absolutely be done

  • @christinej2358
    @christinej2358 Před 2 lety +2

    I use to teach Preschool and trust me what you made for your children’s school lunches for your young children are great. Most kids only eat the snack things in their lunch and leave the so called healthy things alone. What you pack was basically healthy and most likely your kids eat all their lunch. You give some great ideas for meals on a budget and now days families with children need these ideas. Hey, I’m retired on a budget and you gave me some good meal ideas. Thank you for sharing!

  • @Angelfire0615
    @Angelfire0615 Před 3 lety +16

    I love the lunch ideas for myself too. The portions look healthy and you made alot of meals for $50. The coverage of food was perfect, and realistic. You had good variety and your family never went without. Not sure what the naysayers were grumping about. This is my first video of yours and I'm subscribing. You have great ideas.

  • @CowboyBike06
    @CowboyBike06 Před 2 lety +5

    While I realize that this takes away from the purpose of your video. I’m of Irish heritage, and grew up eating soda bread. Personally, I prefer it dressed up a little. It’s absolutely delicious with just adding a few basic household ingredients, and still so easy to make!
    Add 1/4 cup raisins, 1 TBLS honey (brown or white sugar will work), 1/2 tsp orange jest (juice). Everything else is the same. Buttermilk or yogurt can be substituted in place of the other. (Sometimes I add just a pinch of nutmeg to this recipe too!)

  • @karabritch7834
    @karabritch7834 Před 2 lety +1

    Glad I found your channel! Thank you for being real! Showing realistic meals on a budget and not a "fluffed" piece.

  • @mfndz7162
    @mfndz7162 Před 3 lety +13

    A great meal also would have been just the beans, meat and rice mixed together with a little cheese if you want.

  • @sandi6818
    @sandi6818 Před 3 lety +8

    I love Walmart’s grocery pick up. I rarely shop anywhere else because of this convenience. And the prices are very reasonable.

  • @internziko
    @internziko Před 2 lety +1

    Why would anyone think this lady's kids are going hungry? She clearly takes feeding her family very seriously. Some people are just mean.

  • @shannonlaubert9822
    @shannonlaubert9822 Před 3 lety

    With the current economy and food prices going up consistently, along with utilities, etc., thank you for sharing your tips and ideas! I'm definitely one of those that shops and cooks on a budget! And ignore those that want to criticize you for what you feed your children! Looks to me like you cook and bake everything with alot of love! Good job! 👍😊🤗

  • @hotmessmomvlogs
    @hotmessmomvlogs Před 3 lety +9

    You can add water to whole milk to stretch it. Just makes it more like 2% or skim depending on how much you add.

    • @jeannehunter5344
      @jeannehunter5344 Před 2 lety

      I always have powdered milk that I can use to stretch whole milk.

  • @kathybrown8026
    @kathybrown8026 Před 2 lety +3

    I think the way you cook is fabulous and for this week is very frugal,well thought out and tasty looking! I think the meals for the kids is like what I called smorgasbord for my kids when they were growing up! They were fine and never had any health problems or weight issues! I always appreciate watching your videos because although my kids are grown and gone I love to get ideas for my own meals and when they visit I can make good tasty food for little money and I always get compliments and my kids always watch and then they know how to cook on the cheap when things are lean! This is good for anyone to know. Thanks again Mindy! You’re the best!

  • @dingoledingus9039
    @dingoledingus9039 Před 2 lety +1

    I'm going to use this for next months groceries. Thank you for sharing this, my family is struggling right now and this will really help us.

  • @leisabrown8425
    @leisabrown8425 Před 3 lety +3

    I can’t understand why anyone had something to say about what you feed your kids. Your school lunches look very similar to what I send to school. If I send too much, they don’t eat all of it and it goes bad just to be thrown away when they get home. I think your meals are realistic, affordable, and very family friendly. So glad I stumbled onto your channel yesterday!

  • @monicaewers2200
    @monicaewers2200 Před 3 lety +4

    I was fascinated by your goal and your execution. You're a whiz with food and numbers as well as a joy to watch!

  • @andreajones3302
    @andreajones3302 Před 3 lety +9

    Homemade noodles are a favorite in my house. Growing up, they were a must have at Thanksgiving. We cook them in the drippings from the turkey. I couldn't even begin to give measurements but we only use flour, salt, and eggs and I just add what is needed to get the correct consistency. We have also never let it rest before rolling it out. When I was younger and my kids were younger we would use fun cookie cutters to cut out some of the noodles.

    • @SeeMindyMom
      @SeeMindyMom  Před 3 lety +3

      My grandmother used to make them and cook them in the gravy for her pot roast...then serve it over mashed potatoes...😋

  • @jerrieanderson2245
    @jerrieanderson2245 Před 17 dny +2

    This video popped up in my feed today in June 2024. I just added everything into my Walmart app and it came to $74.15. 😮

  • @candaceestrada5744
    @candaceestrada5744 Před 2 lety +2

    Thank you, thank you, thank you!! My family of 6 have just moved out of our little crowed house ( one restroom ) into my beautiful dream home. With that, of course, comes a big beautiful mortgage!! Your videos are helping me sooo much!! Thank you!!

  • @lauralrobbins7862
    @lauralrobbins7862 Před 3 lety +4

    This is so inspiring! I've been thinking of ways to save money to pay off debt and this will really help! Thank you!!!

  • @thegirlof1983
    @thegirlof1983 Před 2 lety +4

    I know this video is old, but I just wanted to say thank you for sharing. I hope to implement some of your tips and recipes this year.

  • @amberincluded
    @amberincluded Před 2 lety

    I live the way you're showing how to prepare these items and when.

  • @misfit7610
    @misfit7610 Před rokem

    I love watching videos like these! I get so many ideas for inexpensive meals to help keep me in my budget. Thank you!!

  • @StephanieMT
    @StephanieMT Před 3 lety +13

    A few years ago when we only had ramen to eat i wish i would have seen that recipe then.

    • @SeeMindyMom
      @SeeMindyMom  Před 3 lety +4

      I'm gonna have to put it in our dinner rotation because everybody in my house really liked it!

  • @jillygirl2024
    @jillygirl2024 Před 3 lety +8

    I love these challenges - they give me incentive to lower my meal costs. Thanks to keeping items on hand, my grocery shopping has changed
    Last time I went was for ice cream, and squash which was on sale. I found two great deals in the frozen section
    100% Beef Patties 16 1/4 pound patties regularly $17.99 reduced to $8.99. $.50/ serving ! ! I bought two boxes
    Then, Organic Turkey Patties with veggies mixed into each Patty. Regularly $9.99/4 patties reduced to $4.99 or $1.25/serving !
    * If, I had been doing " traditional" grocery shopping there would be no way I could have afforded these bargains

    • @SeeMindyMom
      @SeeMindyMom  Před 3 lety +2

      Hi there! Yes, these challenges can help us "get ahead" in my house on the grocery budget, which leaves me more money in another week to stock up on items that are on sale or heavily discounted. :)

  • @TaraannBudgetsandSelf-Care

    I love that you have a variety of dinners

  • @latoyamatson6197
    @latoyamatson6197 Před 2 lety

    This is a real budget video! This is how I shop and cook. Real budget videos are not trying to find a billion sales that others may not have in their town but buying stuff at it's actual cheap price. Great video!!!

  • @theayegerlehner7793
    @theayegerlehner7793 Před 3 lety +3

    I’ve had people argue that school lunch is cheaper than homemade. If your kid isn’t eating the lunch then it’s a waste! My daughter took peanut butter on saltine crackers, fruit and bought one or two milks! Had a teacher jump on her about her lunch. I straightened her out pretty quickly! A carb is a carb!

  • @maddio998
    @maddio998 Před 3 lety +4

    Fantastic video! I’m a college student and my roommate and I are both trying to lose weight and meal prep. Your vids are an awesome resource!

    • @SeeMindyMom
      @SeeMindyMom  Před 3 lety

      Thanks, Madelynn! Glad I can be helpful!

  • @HJ-le7ce
    @HJ-le7ce Před 3 lety

    I love these budget meal plans. You really knock this out of the park!

  • @senseiTere
    @senseiTere Před 3 lety

    This is the first time I’ve seen a video of yours. I really enjoyed it. I like that you talk fast as you’re covering a lot of info 🤗👍🏼

  • @kimes2790
    @kimes2790 Před 3 lety +3

    Subscribed! As a single mom I’m always budgeting but my food expense always seems to get out of hand. I want to keep it at $50 weekly. Your video was the most realistic and great meal ideas!!

  • @andrearitman8899
    @andrearitman8899 Před 3 lety +14

    You are a budget meal ninja! This was fantastic😍

  • @goxlin3140
    @goxlin3140 Před 3 lety +2

    I watch these videos all the time, and I usually click off of them within the first 10 minutes. This is the FIRST TIME I have ever seen someone make meals that I would actually eat and not get sick of. I love your videos and you feed your kids more and better than my dad did. You're doing great.

  • @goobtube69
    @goobtube69 Před 3 lety +2

    Love these videos. NZ prices are sooo much more expensive but I love how you take us through how to make the bread and noodles etc. Still a huge moneysaving idea 😊

  • @discovr4me
    @discovr4me Před 3 lety +5

    Those lunches look wonderful and better than school lunches

  • @emilywilson7308
    @emilywilson7308 Před 3 lety +3

    Making your own granola is much less $ and tastes so good! I really admire you!

  • @astroxmisfit
    @astroxmisfit Před 2 lety

    I really appreciate all of your hard work and time you spent planning this all out. I know it is not easy. I grew up not having much to eat, money was always tight in my family of 6 living off only 1 parent's income of disability which was only $690 a month, when rent alone was $620. This video hits home a little too well, but as I get older I look back at those cheap meals as some of the best meals I've had in my life. I appreciate the humbleness it taught me and I think it's a great lesson to kids to eat like this once in awhile to help them understand and appreciate the food they have.

  • @simplesimply3753
    @simplesimply3753 Před 3 lety

    Thank you for sharing. I loved the ideas. It makes me wish I was this organized to cook meals using similar ingredients.

  • @JuLia-qc6he
    @JuLia-qc6he Před 3 lety +3

    Hey there:) your recipes look really good!
    As a tip for rolling out these noodles; roll them, then leave the dough for a couple of minutes (cover with a towel so they don't dry out) and roll again. Repeat until you have reached the desired thickness. (This has to do with the gluten relaxing which makes it easier to roll)

  • @victoriapaige2022
    @victoriapaige2022 Před 3 lety +16

    I’m not sure why but she reminds me of Teddy from Greys Anatomy! Lol. But her voice is so nice and calming!

    • @michellebarham326
      @michellebarham326 Před 3 lety

      She reminds me of Patricia Heaton from Everybody Loves Raymond. And I agree with you on the soothing/calming voice.

  • @et4182
    @et4182 Před 3 lety +1

    Awe the fact that you thought of your family and to make them brownies is sweet, the little things that counts !

    • @SeeMindyMom
      @SeeMindyMom  Před 3 lety

      Thank you! A little "splurge" can go a long way when you're on a tight budget. :)

  • @denealeyork
    @denealeyork Před 2 lety

    Excellent meal ideas on a budget! I love to make food from scratch as it saves so much money and is something you can take pride in. More videos like this would be greatly appreciated

  • @itstherugbys
    @itstherugbys Před 3 lety +5

    I just bought my first house. This will definitely come in handy for shopping on a budget!!

  • @petracatogge6430
    @petracatogge6430 Před 3 lety +3

    People are insane if they say you aren’t feeding kids enough! Those are healthy meals and plenty for small children!

  • @freedom4moms437
    @freedom4moms437 Před 3 lety

    I absolutely love this video! This is a realistic video on how you can eat when you don't have much, I know my family eats like this and its normal for us not extreme budget but only difference is we are busy alot so we try to make less from scratch but making from scratch definitely saves money. I love the kids lunches similar to what I pack for my kids and realistic because its all things they love to eat and not too much food because they only get 30 minutes to eat

  • @FindingMyLight
    @FindingMyLight Před 2 lety

    you touched on something that I just talked with a friend about,, I know this has been over a year since you made this but wanted to add my two cents. I am floored at the fancy lunches kids take to school now. When I was a kid (in the 70' and 80's my mom packed a sandwich, some sort of snack, (chips or a treat) and fruit, that was it,, I see some things people put in their kids lunches and I am blown away. It is like they are going out to a fancy restaurant every day. I get variety is a good thing but who are they trying to impress. I used to be a teacher and half the food the parent spent so much time on preparing just for lunch, ends up in the garbage because they only get so much time and half of that time is spent talking with their friends

  • @abryant3000
    @abryant3000 Před 3 lety +3

    This is a stupendous video! The execution, the recipes… Even the “treat“ of a brownie! Currently unmarried without children, but I’ve been looking for ways to stretch my grocery dollars due to the rising cost of things that, honestly I took for granted last year. Eggs in my area have tripled in price! So now I’m looking for ways to make my pennies stretch as far as possible! My favorite part of this video was the lunches that you made for the kids. They’re small humans who do not need for growing a human meals. I love that you personalize this based on the needs of your family and your family alone, and I look forward to doing the same thing when the opportunity comes! Until then… You have a brand new subscriber!

    • @SeeMindyMom
      @SeeMindyMom  Před 3 lety

      Thank you so much for the kind feedback! I'm so glad this was helpful!

  • @angelncarroll1241
    @angelncarroll1241 Před 3 lety +3

    I’m so happy I just found your channel I’m from Ok and the only place I get groceries is Walmart. We’re expecting our first baby in Nov so our budget got pretty tight, these meals will be great for us

  • @CinemaSeven
    @CinemaSeven Před 3 lety

    I recently discovered your videos because a friend shared them and I'm obsessed with how you can make these meals for so little. I'm loving them because I'm trying to pick up some tips for my own food making since I'm single and live by myself and have no microwave.

  • @Uncomplicated_plans
    @Uncomplicated_plans Před 2 lety

    I am really impressed with how you stretched your budget. Your lunches for your kids look great. Thanks for sharing!

  • @Sandrashideaway
    @Sandrashideaway Před 3 lety +9

    😀Lots of great budget ideas! 👍and your kid's lunches look fine, kids definitely don't eat that much at school & there is a time limit for lunch time there isn't that much time to eat more.

  • @heddiejean5805
    @heddiejean5805 Před 3 lety +3

    My kids are older and they would love those lunches..

  • @cathypoags9054
    @cathypoags9054 Před 3 lety

    Excellent job, creativity and the thought and love put into the meals.

  • @barbarabartelme5809
    @barbarabartelme5809 Před 3 lety

    I had a mom who made a lot of scratch meals. I believe that homemade noodles always taste better than store bought. Loved your budget meal plan!

  • @chunkofbutter75
    @chunkofbutter75 Před 3 lety +3

    I buy my bouillon in the Hispanic section too. It’s cheaper there than it is in soup section.