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feed your family
Could you feed your family for a week, healthy low processed foods from the dollar store for $50? Yes, yes you can!
Dollar Store shopping
Normally, I don’t think of the dollar store as a food source except for snacks and drinks but the other day I had time to wander the aisles and I found rice, quinoa, applesauce and so much more. All for $2 or less, a bag of quinoa for $2 is a great deal.
dollar store Meal Planning
So I was curious… Could I feed our family for a week for $50 from the dollar store. Could I create 7 breakfast, 7 lunches, snacks, desserts and 7 dinners for $50 without buying pre-made processed soups, meals in a can, mac and cheese and etc.
To my surprise you can!
My dollar store meal plan:
dollar store Breakfast:
- Bag of oatmeal $2
- Box of cereal $2
- Tetra package of almond milk $2
- Tetra package of dairy milk $2
- Package of dried fruit $2
Between the oatmeal and the cereal there will be 7 mornings of breakfast meals for our family. I have included two different types of milk given my families dietary needs and I was also surprised the dollar store had almond milk.
dollar store Snacks:
- 1 – 6 pack of apple sauce $2
- Package of nuts $2
- 2 – Veggie stick chips $1
- Package of beef jerky $2
- 1 – 6 pack of fruit cups $2
- 1 package of whole grain cookies $2
What can I say I have boys and boys like to snack. These snacks represent additions to lunch, afternoon snacks and desserts.
dollar store Lunch:
- 2 cans of tuna $1 each
- 2 cans of salmon $1 each
- 1 bottle of mayonnaise $1
- 1 package of a dozen buns $2
For lunches I have chosen simple tuna or salmon sandwiches and dinner left overs. You could go with peanut butter and jam for sandwiches which are both available at the dollar store for about $2 a jar.
dollar store Dinners:
- 1 package of quinoa $2
- 1 package of rice $2
- 4 cans of assorted beans $1 each
- 1 can chicken $1
- 4 can mixed vegetables $1
- 1 can of crushed tomatoes $1
- 1 Tetra package vegetable broth $2
- 2 cans of tomato sauce $1
- 1 package of spaghetti $2
- 1 package of penne noodles $2
For dinners I have chosen to make spaghetti noodles and tomato sauce, chili (using 1 can crushed tomatoes, 1 can tomato sauce and 2 cans of beans), a beans and rice dish, quinoa and mixed vegetables, homemade chicken and vegetable rice soup, quinoa rice bean and vegetable dish and a pasta salad dinner with vegetables.
dollar store Meals
Granted there are no fresh fruits, vegetables or fresh meats in this meal plan. There is also no processed spaghetti in a can or mac and cheese. I chose to make the dinner meals from scratch not purchase pre-made in a can meals, opting instead for healthier low cost meals for my family.
Related Frugal Household Posts:
- Secret Must Haves Of A Money Saving Home
- Surviving The Recession
- 21 Ways To Save Hundreds On Groceries
dollar store food choices
If you are choosing to do a dollar store meal plan this isn’t your only choice of foods. I found jams, honey, hummus, coconut water, flavored rice, numerous spices, bread products and meal mixes.
I suggest you wander the aisles of your local dollar store and see what they have available to you. Your dollar store may have fresh fruits and vegetables.
feed a family on $50 a week
You can feed a family for a full week breakfast, lunch, dinner, snacks and dessert for $50 from the dollar store. This does not take away from the fresh vegetables, fresh fruits and meats you could be buying at your local farmers market or grocery store.
lower cost meals
This simply gives you another alternative in a hard economy, that you can provide healthier meals for your family at lower cost. This also shows that you can eat healthier low cost meals to the meals in a can and mac and cheese alternatives you might find at the dollar store.
