Top 10 Cheap And Simple Foods
Finding cheap and easy food is one of the best ways to save money. It is something you spend money on everyday, so it should not be taken lightly. Going out to eat can cost a fortune, so I buy my food in bulk. I personally shop at Sam’s Club, but you can find similar deals at CostCo or other bulk food stores.
A Sam’s Club year membership costs only $40 dollars. That is a small price to pay for the immense savings you will be getting from bulk buying. If you split that with a spouse or with your roommates, the savings you get are even better! Don’t feel like you have to go out and sign up at a bulk food store to get the great deals. Even just shopping at your local grocery store instead of going out to eat can save you money. Be sure to look for the best prices that you can. Usually the grocery store brand products are the cheapest and they are almost always just as good.
Here is my top 10 cheap and simple foods that I have lived on for quite awhile now! They are in no particular order. I provided the Sam’s Club price for some of the items as well.
#1 Pasta
$5.24 for a 6 pound bag. Yes it does take some more time to prepare (only compared to the other items on this list), but can be one of the best tasting and filling dinners. Sometimes just adding butter and salt can be enough to make it taste amazing!
#2 Oatmeal
$7.88 for a 40-pack. A heart healthy breakfast that is quick, easy, and super tasty. Mmm mushy goodness! Add some milk, syrup, and or brown sugar to make it taste even better.
#3 Bananas
$1.30 for 3 pounds of bananas. One of the healthier choices on this list and definitely one of the quickest and easiest to prepare. Just peel and eat! Or try slicing it into your cereal or oatmeal. A delicious combo I must say.
#4 Cereal
$6.22 for a 62 ounce box of Quaker Life cereal. What can I say? I am a cereal fanatic. I chose Life cereal because it gave you the most bang for your buck at Sam’s Club, but cereal like Cheerios, Frosted Mini Wheats, or Frosted Flakes are also really cheap. I like to have a variety in my cupboard when it comes to cereal. All you need to add is some milk.
#5 Ramen
$5.93 for a 36-pack. This is one has been a life saver for me. Yea, it is not the most nutritious of the options, but you can fill your belly for almost no money at all. 3 minutes to prepare and probably the cheapest food on this list.
#6 Macaroni and Cheese
$7.53 for 12 boxes. This one is not only fast and easy, but it also reminds me of my childhood! Get your cheap and easy food with a cheesy burst of nostalgia too. I grind pepper into my Mac ‘n’ Cheese.
#7 Apples
$5.88 for a 5 pound bag of Gala apples. Just like bananas, one of the simplest items on the list. Just eat them, no preparation. I personally like to slice them up thin and then dip them in peanut butter. Healthy as well as cheap. And apparently they keep the doctor away…
#8 Waffles
$7.02 for 60 Eggo waffles. A quick two waffles in the toaster and 2-3 minutes later you are ready to go. Just add some syrup and you are set. Not a ton of nutrients, but it will fill you up. When I was a kid I would sometimes add peanut butter or chocolate syrup to my waffles… if you are interested in gaining weight as well as saving money!
#9 Peanut Butter and Jelly Sandwiches
Didn’t get the prices for each individual item (peanut butter, jelly, and bread), but this one is no brainer. A big container of peanut butter and jelly will last a really long time and cheap white bread can be bought as you need it. The assembly is fast and it tastes amazing. You know this. I know this. It is a PB and J!
#10 Canned Soup
Once again, I could not find a price for this one, but I love it! Chicken noodle soup is my favorite, especially the chunky kind. Almost any brand is going to be really cheap, even in a supermarket, and all you need to do is heat it up. Makes me feel all warm inside!
This list is just a beginning and is far from exhaustive. These are just the top 10 cheap foods that have saved me an incredible amount of money and time. There are many more! Eat in more often and you will save a ton.
What are some cheap foods that have saved you a lot of money? Let us know in the comments section!
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Food Photo Source – www.samsclub.com
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I must say, the top food on that list for me is bananas. I couldn’t go a day without them. I also love and enjoy cereal at any time of the day. My other favourite foods are wholemeal bread with cream cheese, noodles with hot and spicy sauce and anything with rice.
Andy @ Retire at 40s last blog post..Prioritising so You Can Have Your Chosen Way of Life
@ Andy – Good call! Cereal with sliced bananas is one of my favorites as well. It is great at any point in the day. So filling and provides a lot of energy. And yes, uber cheap
Not eating out all the time will be essential for you retiring at 40 hehe.
- Jack Rugile
Simple Sapien