Author Topic: How To Get Home Internet, Phone Service, Cable & Groceries For 100 bucks  (Read 11073 times)

ThisisOverload

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How in a hell he lives without fresh greens & fruits ???.

On my travels to SEA, I intentionally stop for 2-3 days in Kuala Lumpur to 'kill' myself eating Masung King durian @ DurianMan SS2 shops ..........

or visiting Or Tor Kor market in Bangkok just to eat the King of Fruits  ...........

I can't get past the smell of durian.

I can smell it at the market from 100 meters away.

IRON CROSS

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I can't get past the smell of durian.

I can smell it at the market from 100 meters away.


 ;D ;D ;D

gmflex

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Pretty good...found you mom swinging from a tree, gave her a banana

   ;D.                          .     ;D
               Owned

   ;D.                                ;D

Vince G, CSN MFT

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How in a hell he lives without fresh greens & fruits ???.

On my travels to SEA, I intentionally stop for 2-3 days in Kuala Lumpur to 'kill' myself eating Masung King durian @ DurianMan SS2 shops ..........

or visiting Or Tor Kor market in Bangkok just to eat the King of Fruits  ...........


I eat plenty of fresh veggies...my budget monthly for food is 200 dollars because i work for a living.  This diet is for government moochers
A

Primemuscle

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The new grocery budget is 60 instead of 30 dollars.  But here's a copy of the 30 dollar article ala Matt Canning Style








In this day and age of staying within budget, one of the biggest expenses for most American is the cost of food.   The average grocery bill for 1 person is about 100-142 dollars a week (Source:  Fox Business).  This doesn’t even include eating out sadly.    There are a numbers of reasons why this is the case but I’ve narrowed it down to the following conclusions:

  Lack Of Education:  Many years ago, home economics was a common class which taught students how to prepare and cook meals.   The focus however is shifted to a more technical side in the computer age in which these classes are either no longer available or simply shunned as being efeminine or quite the opposite a sexist projection of women being in the kitchen.  ( I took home economics in school and I didn’t find it as either being effeminine or sexist
  Pre-Made Foods:   We are a society in with we are always on the go and it's easy and it's more convenient to just grab a frozen pizza, hot dogs, or just go through a drive thru at your local clown-inspired restaurant
 Perception of Cost:  Some people simply think that eating healthy is too expensive because a fresh salad is compared to a 20 cent bag of ramen noodles.   This is ridiculous because when you get down to the numbers, it's actually an excessive amount of money for what you get...a small portion of poorly made noodle and a cheap flavor pack.   In addition, the continuous advertising of things such as 99 cent value menus and combos makes it very attractive to whip out your wallet without proper thought.


For the record, I’m not by any means stating that you should avoid pre-made meals or going out to eat.   However, it should be done as only sparingly rather than with every meal.   The consequences are not just in the financial realm but also in overall health.   Pre-Made meals and take out food usually contains a high amount of fat, sodium, cholesterol and an excessive amount of calories that well exceeds your daily allowance.   This article is a revision to one that I wrote for a nutritional website from 2013 in which I explained how to spend only 20 dollars a month on groceries.  Of course, it's 2020 and this is no longer feasible however I still spend on average about 30-40 dollars a month on groceries.  The action plan that I use is no different than my methods on investing in commodities which is purchasing long term bulk foods with a significant shelf life in addition to simply preparing my own meals for either immediate sustenance or placing the content in a plastic or glass container for future use.   This is all about getting back to the basics.  By redefining the way you plan your meals, you can save up to  6000 dollars in food cost over the course of a year.   The following below is my personal list of items that I keep in my kitchen to reduce the monthly cost of buying groceries.  This is only a sample of items and some examples of what can be prepared with these foods so if you wish to have more variety then I would get yourself a cookbook.  Lets Begin!!!




Long Grain Rice
25lb - $9.64 (Source:  Walmart/Sam’s Club)
Number Of Servings:  378
Cost Per Serving:  2.5 cents
Shelf Life: 3-5 years

Rice is the most widely consumed food in the world.   It is quite easy to prepare as you only need to rinse it out to remove the excessive starch and boil it.   For the most part I keep it simply and make mine with a touch of butter, salt and pepper.  However I have made a number of other items such as fried rice balls, rice bread, black beans and rice, and a breakfast dish arroz con huevo fritos ( rice with a fried egg). 

Flour
5LB Baker’s Choice All Purpose Flour -$1.80 (Source: Aldi)
Number Of Servings:  N/A
Cost Per Serving:  N/A
Shelf Life: 6-8 months

Flour is also a huge staple and ingredient in food preparation.  You can make pancakes, biscuits, and bread with it...pretty self explanatory.   I use it mostly to make no knead bread which will last for about a week and is very good with soup.   However, I’ve  also used it to make some very crepes which only require flour and some oil.    There’s a wide range of different foods you can make with just flour and some basic ingredients so do a little research


Lentils
20lb Kosher Lentils - $21.50 (Source:  Warehouse Outlets, Walmart, Lidl, Aldi, Target)
Number Of Servings:  280
Cost Per Serving:  7.5 cents
Shelf Life:  2-3 years

Lentils are one of my favorite legumes and I use it to make some very hearty stews and soups which pairs quite well with bread, pork or chicken.   It's also quite healthy and its slow digesting starches are perfect for people with diabetes.   Just be advised that lentils are my personal favorite but you can buy black beans, pintos, or any other variety and the pricing is just about the same.

Rolled Oats (Oatmeal)
10LB Quaker Oats Old Fashioned Or Quick Oats - $8.98 (Source:  Sam’s Club, Wal-Mart)
Number Of Servings:  110
Cost Per Serving:  8.16 cents
Shelf Life: 6-8 months Opened

For me, there is nothing like a hot bowl of oatmeal in the morning and I have it with a variety of different things from P28 peanut butter powder, frozen cherries or bananas, or simply with a touch of butter and salt.   But I’ve also taken oatmeal and mixed it with bananas to make oatmeal cookies as well for a healthy snack.  But the best thing for me is just the time it takes to make  a bowl.   I use quick oats and simply go to my Primo water cooler for some boiling water.  Three minutes later, I’m ready to chow down.   You can of course just boil some water of course and it's hard to mess that up.   There are a number of other items I’ve made but for the most part, it's a very cheap, heart healthy, breakfast food.

 



Peanuts
34.5oz Members Mark Dry Roasted Peanuts -$4.28 (Source:  Walmart, Sam’s Club)
42oz Southern Grove Dry Roasted Peanuts w/Sea Salt - $5.75 (Source:  Aldi)
Number Of Servings:  34-42
Cost Per Serving:  12.58 cents
Shelf Life:  6-8 months

Peanuts are pretty versible and there are a number of applications that can be used.  Personally I will blend up some of  them  to make peanut butter and store it in a glass container in the refrigerator.   Peanuts are high in protein and its caloric value will definitely keep you from being hungry for an extended period of them.  You can also blend it to make peanut flour which is excellent for gluten free diets.   Of course, since its a legume...it's perfect for vegan and vegetarian diets

Bananas
3lb Dole Bananas - $1.39 (Source:  Sam’s Club, Aldi, Target, Various Outlets)
Number Of Servings:  15
Cost Per Serving:  9.26 cents
Shelf Life 2-7 days fresh, 12-18 months dehydrated

A lot of people simply do not get enough fruits and vegetables in their diet.   I use them in my oatmeal cookie recipe but you can eat them plain just as well as part of a breakfast food or add it to a peanut butter sandwich for a hearty meal.  Because they can go bad very quickly, I will either freeze them or put them in a dehydrator for some banana chips which are a very healthy snack


Chicken Thigh Or Drumsticks Fresh (Skin On) - .79 - 1.08 cents per pound (Anywhere)
Number Of Servings: 4
Cost Per Serving:  19.7-27 cents
Shelf Life:  2 days Fresh, 1 year Frozen 

Chicken is a complete protein and I will usually remove the skin to grill them or just throw them in with my lentil stew.  But I don’t have to tell you of all the ways you can prepare them.   


Eggs:
36 Count Sunny Meadow Large Eggs  - $3.98 (Walmart, Sam’s Club)
Number Of Servings: 18
Cost Per Serving:  22.11 cents
Shelf Life 3-4 weeks fresh, 3-4 months unshelled and frozen
*Note:  You Can Get A Dozen Eggs At Aldi for 1.19 however I did not find them very palatable when scrambled or sunny side.  They were only half-decent boiled.   

Eggs can be used in a wide range of different foods but a lot of people don’t know that you can freeze eggs for a significant period of time.   I used to scramble up a bunch of them, pour them into an ice tray and then place them in a freezer bag so I can just take them out individually for whatever meal I was fixing.   However I’ve stopped eating whole eggs so I nowadays purchase a box of egg white powder from Rose Acres Farm under SportsProtein.   I use them just the same as any other egg and the shelf life is much longer.  I used to sell this brand when I ran a vitamin store so this is my personal choice.  But feel free to use whatever company you wish.



So there you have it.   I certainly hope that you find the information provided to be of use in your food budget.  If you treat food as a long term investment rather than an immediate purchase then you will find that your wallet and bank account will thank you for it.

Your list looks really incomplete to me.

Do you drink only tap water? How do you cook the chicken? You make pancakes etc. with no milk? You must eat them with nothing on them. You definitely need something to make the flour into batter of some kind. No salt or pepper. No oil, margarine or butter. You never buy fresh vegetables? What about cheese?

because you peaked my curiosity, I just ran a report in Quicken and I spent on average $390. a month on groceries over the past year. I do not skimp when it comes to groceries, but I also am not extravagant. Because of COVID eating out almost never happened last year except for a little bit of take out. So, I suspected I spent a little more on groceries than usual and I was right. Over the past 5 years, I averaged slightly over $300 a month.

Dave D

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Your list looks really incomplete to me.

Do you drink only tap water? How do you cook the chicken? You make pancakes etc. with no milk? You must eat them with nothing on them. You definitely need something to make the flour into batter of some kind. No salt or pepper. No oil, margarine or butter. You never buy fresh vegetables? What about cheese?

because you peaked my curiosity, I just ran a report in Quicken and I spent on average $390. a month on groceries over the past year. I do not skimp when it comes to groceries, but I also am not extravagant. Because of COVID eating out almost never happened last year except for a little bit of take out. So, I suspected I spent a little more on groceries than usual and I was right. Over the past 5 years, I averaged slightly over $300 a month.

Prime you spend $300 a month on just yourself?

Primemuscle

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Prime you spend $300 a month on just yourself?

What can I say, I like to eat well. Also, I buy a fair share of prepared meals. I like Annie's frozen meals plus specialty soups, prepared meals, salads and snack boxes made in store. I cooked more frequently in the past, but cooking for one can be a chore. My portions are reasonably sized. I frequently end up tossing the leftovers when I fix meals for myself.

Although have meals together on special occasions, my daughter and son-in-law eat differently than I do.....lots of takeout pizza. My grandson fixes his own meals and his girlfriend cooks meals on her own too. All of us being adults, get to eat what we like. There is a very large walk in pantry in the kitchen and a second refrigerator in the Garage. This gives each of us plenty of individual food storage.

My late wife was definitely a three meal a day person with a very restricted diet because of her chronic kidney disease, congestive heart failure and diabetes. When she was alive, I cooked meals which adhered to her diet for the two of us and drank protein shakes to fill the gap.

My mom and dad ate well without worrying about the cost. I learned extravagant grocery shopping from them.  ;D 

Humble Narcissist

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No, as i mentioned in the thread i wrote, its meant to our government to quit wasting money on grifter using SNAP benefits to buy crab legs and fast food.  I spend about 50 dollars a week on groceries and i use Walmart Delivery to have it sent to my home and Sams Club pickup.  Cuts down on wasting time shopping for groceries

http://www.getbig.com/boards/index.php?topic=670005.50
You have Walmart delivery to have groceries sent to your home?  How busy are you that you can't even spare a few minutes to shop for one at the store?  You have to be home anyway when the groceries arrive.

Primemuscle

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You have Walmart delivery to have groceries sent to your home?  How busy are you that you can't even spare a few minutes to shop for one at the store?  You have to be home anyway when the groceries arrive.

Everything old is new again. Back when my grandmother was buying groceries, delivery was common. Also, supermarkets as we know them did not exist. You could went independent specialty retailers such as butchers, bakers, fishmongers, delicatessens and the occasional green grocers, give the grocer your list and they would fill it....picking out your own groceries was not an option and people shopped at separate, small stores for each category of food. Neighborhood marketing and delivery extended well into the 1950's with Helm's bakery and the milkman, etc. It's not such a bad idea. When you buy an apple at the store, you never know who handled it before you.

Vince G, CSN MFT

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You have Walmart delivery to have groceries sent to your home?  How busy are you that you can't even spare a few minutes to shop for one at the store?  You have to be home anyway when the groceries arrive.


I work from home so its no big deal...however you can schedule when your stuff gets delivered plus for 10 bucks you can have express delivery in 2 hours.  Between walking around Walmart and waiting in line, it's at least an hour or two.  It also keeps you on budget and prevents you from buying something you already have or forgetting an item.  Why spend 30 bucks on Uber for some cold ass food when you can use that money to get groceries and have a hot meal by cooking it yourself or getting something from the deli.  I also use Sam's Club online ordering but i have to go pick that up but i get my gas there so it works out. 

For me, its all about time management and staying on budget and Walmart does both and for 98 dollars a year, i see it as great value because you're eating out less if at all which gets very expensive.  They have a 15 day trial you know so give it a shot and you might like it

Here's yesterday's delivery and it was 34 dollars.  Beats 40 bucks for one lousy cold meal when you add the taxes gratuity,  delivery fee, mandatory tip, and other bullshit.

A

IRON CROSS

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Here's yesterday's delivery and it was 34 dollars.  Beats 40 bucks for one lousy cold meal when you add the taxes gratuity,  delivery fee, mandatory tip, and other bullshit.




$ 70 - 34 = $ 36 for the next 14 days  :P

how much was 'mandatory tip'  & other BS :D

Vince G, CSN MFT

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$ 70 - 34 = $ 36 for the next 14 days  :P

how much was 'mandatory tip'  & other BS :D

You never ordered from Uber or Doordash??? Your 20 dollar meal usually turns into 40.  They will charge from 4.99 to 10.49 just for the delivery fee.

Be aware that the 70 dollar and 30 dollar budget is for people on hard times or government moochers...its a survival budget.   I spend about 150-200 a month on food although its going to drop down to about 100 soon.
A

TheFranchise

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Not a fan of lentils due to their oxalate content but I respect that Vince is trying and putting some time into it. The meat market is insane right now. Hopefully he comes through with an informative article.

Primemuscle

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You never ordered from Uber or Doordash??? Your 20 dollar meal usually turns into 40.  They will charge from 4.99 to 10.49 just for the delivery fee.

Be aware that the 70 dollar and 30 dollar budget is for people on hard times or government moochers...its a survival budget.   I spend about 150-200 a month on food although its going to drop down to about 100 soon.

Sorry, I missed where you said that the less than adequate grocery list you suggested was for the indigent. Even as a liberal, I know that with WIC, a mother and her children can eat more extravagantly than than your suggestions. I also know that a person can live for an entire summer on mostly brown rice and stay healthy.

My grandson used to have many of his meals delivered to the door. I had no idea they cost this much. At the time, he had no income, so I am not sure how he managed it...but then, that's his business. I wasn't footing the bill...nor would I have.

IroNat

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Good ideas, Vince.

Skeletor

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You should become a life coach Vince.

bhank

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I will die broke before I die hungry

Primemuscle

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I will die broke before I die hungry

Food and shelter are at the top of most people's list of needs.

IRON CROSS

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You never ordered from Uber or Doordash??? Your 20 dollar meal usually turns into 40.  They will charge from 4.99 to 10.49 just for the delivery fee.

Be aware that the 70 dollar and 30 dollar budget is for people on hard times or government moochers...its a survival budget.   I spend about 150-200 a month on food although its going to drop down to about 100 soon.


Nope, 1 pizza (vegeterian) delivery in the last 2 years !.

NO 'mandatory tips' in my jungle !.

Supermarket delivery is around $ 8 !.




IRON CROSS

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I will die broke before I die hungry


I could easily live on free coconuts, 'free' peanuts, fresh roadkill meat (no joke) ,................

bhank

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I eat out a few times a week but I also order groceries. I just ordered 305$ worth of groceries from food lion which will last 1-2 weeks. It looks like my previous order was July 5th for 403$. I live alone this is food for 1

King Shizzo

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I eat out a few times a week but I also order groceries. I just ordered 305$ worth of groceries from food lion which will last 1-2 weeks. It looks like my previous order was July 5th for 403$. I live alone this is food for 1
I like you, bhank.

You make things more interesting around here. Just settle down a bit and don't make 5+ threads a day. That and body-buildah spamming the G&O with political threads..... ::)


Body-Buildah

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I like you, bhank.

You make things more interesting around here. Just settle down a bit and don't make 5+ threads a day. That and body-buildah spamming the G&O with political threads..... ::)

Ill cut down my Political threads Shizz, I even get sick of me...

residue

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I work from home so its no big deal...however you can schedule when your stuff gets delivered plus for 10 bucks you can have express delivery in 2 hours.  Between walking around Walmart and waiting in line, it's at least an hour or two.  It also keeps you on budget and prevents you from buying something you already have or forgetting an item.  Why spend 30 bucks on Uber for some cold ass food when you can use that money to get groceries and have a hot meal by cooking it yourself or getting something from the deli.  I also use Sam's Club online ordering but i have to go pick that up but i get my gas there so it works out. 

For me, its all about time management and staying on budget and Walmart does both and for 98 dollars a year, i see it as great value because you're eating out less if at all which gets very expensive.  They have a 15 day trial you know so give it a shot and you might like it

Here's yesterday's delivery and it was 34 dollars.  Beats 40 bucks for one lousy cold meal when you add the taxes gratuity,  delivery fee, mandatory tip, and other bullshit.



bullshit this is what you eat, how are you such a fat fuck then?

bhank

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I just spent your monthly grocery bill on lunch