Life on $7 a Day

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I would have a hard time getting by without my crockpot! I buy ground turkey or cuts of inexpensive beef or pork on sale and make large amounts of turkey chili, beef stew and pulled pork. Then I freeze them in 2-person portions. I also make a large pot of veggie-pasta soup on the stove and freeze that. So when I get home from work, I'm only about 10 minutes from freezer to microwave to table for a hot nutritious meal.

Loretta of MA 12:47PM April 04, 2010

You'd be surprised how much food you can grow in a small plot, very cheaply. All the vegetables I don't eat, I preserve. Tomatoes, squash, beans, cucumbers, salad greens. You name it, the list is endless. Then, come fall and the garden is finished I have all this food that I produced, with pride. I take all this food, which actually cost me next to nothing and make soups, chili and stews. Big time savings. Plus, self-satisfaction and lots of good exercise. Numerous benefits from growing a garden, even a small one.

Jerry M. Hardin of NC 12:40PM April 04, 2010

Like Zack, I make chili and other crockpot favorites. I am single, so it isn't possible to eat all of what I make before it goes bad, so I freeze it in single serving containers so I can just pull it out, microwave or heat on the stove. I have done that with other meals as well. They taste much better than any microwave meal I can buy, and are healthier :o)

E.D. of CA 12:40PM April 04, 2010

If you live in NYC you know that living on 7 a day is amazing. Everything in NYC is 2 to 3 times more expensive then other areas. Living in NYC or anywhere in a 60 mile radius costs are very high. I am planning to move and cant wait...

John B of NY 12:30PM April 04, 2010

Before you go shopping, compare the sale ads that come in the mail every week, find the store or stores that have the most stuff you use on sale, make a list and stick to it! It takes me about one hour per trip to "pre-shop" the ads, and I've shaved about 33% off of each trip and cut my weekly trips down to three per month!
Also, buy fresh produce in season, and if you have access to a farmers market their prices are usually lower than grocery stores, even grocery sale prices.

M Lyons of CA 12:29PM April 04, 2010

7 dollars a day, REALLY! for just one person, that is ridiculous. I live in the city where things are always a bit more expensive and i spend about $80 a month on food. And im an active person, i run and do a lot of physical activities, so i eat a lot. i would be on the streets if i spent $7 dollars a day on food. some people need to learn to manage their money better. $7 dollars a day, jesus!

Terry of OR 12:10PM April 04, 2010

When possible, shop at the off peak hours, It is less stressful and you can take time and price compare. A lot off people are switching to store brands, but I find at times that the name brands on special are cheaper, so check proces before grabbing. Watch the store flyers and in store specials, coupons are great. Be careful and don't by a product just because it is on special, if you don't need it or wouldn't buy it normally, don't buy it on special. Get to know your stores if you have an option to shop around, one may have better proces on items that you buy.

Neil of MN 11:39AM April 04, 2010

I decided to clean out my house and ONLY eat what I could make of the food I already had....amazing!! I went 2 weeks w/o shopping and saved a ton of money. You will be pleasantly surprised!!

Suzie of AZ 11:28AM April 04, 2010

pick wild fruit such as blackberries and pecans when in season. picked a few too many? sell the excess

freda hughes of LA 11:13AM April 04, 2010

When you buy dinner out the portions are usually more than one person really wants or should eat. Try asking for an extra plate and spliting the dinner. It will eliminate the take home box and cut the dinner bill in half.

Frances of LA 11:03AM June 09, 2009