Whether you are a broke student or trying to save money, here is a list of cheap food ideas and where to get them. Luckily, when it comes to food, we have plenty of options. It’s very possible to eat healthily and still save money on food.
Cheap places to buy food when you are broke
You can buy cheap groceries at Aldi and Kroger. Walmart is also affordable. If there is a dollar store around your area, some have a selection of groceries. I’d generally avoid CVS, Giant Eagle, and Rite Aid (except if they have some sales going on).
Check out their coupon sections, download the app to use the digital coupons, and perhaps you can cater your list with what’s on sale. You can also call them and ask if they would mark down (or reduce their price) certain produce or meat on certain days or times. It’s a great way to get deals on close to, but not expired, food.
If you have a family or think of sharing your groceries with roommates, you can also buy at Sam’s Club and Costco for bulk shopping. Consider sharing a Costco membership with a good friend or your family.
Why buy cheap food
Much cheap food is tasty and genuinely healthy. If you can get the best of both worlds, what’s the need to spend more? The money you spend on more expensive food can be used for something else. In fact, this is a sign that you care about your finances. Being careful with money is essential because you earn it with sweat, and accumulating it slowly can buy you freedom in the future.
Cheap fruits to buy when you are broke.
When they are in season, fruits are typically cheaper. Google online for in-season fruit in your area and see if they are cheaper in the store. For instance, berries, cantaloupe, and watermelon are in-season fruit in summer, while citrus fruits such as oranges, clementines, and grapefruits are harvested more in winter. Here are some ideas for inexpensive fruits:
Banana (all year around)
Banana is sold for about $0.6 per pound. You can make a smoothie out of it. My favorite smoothie is a banana chocolate smoothie. I’d mix banana, choco powder, and my favorite milk and blend them, which usually fills me up in the morning. They also taste great when you combine them with peanut butter.
Frozen Berries (all year around)
Berries are one of the best sources of antioxidants, and frozen berries are usually reasonably priced. They also taste great with:
- Pancakes
- Waffles
- Muffins
- Yogurt
- Oatmeal
Apples (all year around)
Apples are one of the cheapest fruits and are in season most of the year. They are great for snacking and rich in fiber and vitamin C. You could pair it with peanut butter as a protein source or include them in the salad.
Berries and grapes (usually summer)
Depending on the season, berries and grapes can be cheap. Berries are high in antioxidants making them one of the healthiest fruit you can eat.
Additional tips:
- Check out the clearance section and whatever is on sale.
- If you think you’ll eat bananas frequently, you can buy them in bulk and freeze them. When I do, I cut them up first and put them in ziplock bags. It is very convenient for making smoothies.
Oranges
They are somewhat seasonal, and you might pay a little more in winter, depending on where you live. But generally, they tend to be reasonably priced all year round. The retail price is about $1.45 per pound, and they are an excellent source of vitamin C and fiber.
Cheap vegetables to buy when you are broke.
There are plenty of affordable options when it comes to veggies. Here are ideas for cheap vegetables:
- Onions
- Iceberg Lettuce
- Zucchini
- Cabbages
- Carrots
- Celery
- Brocolli
- Spinach
- Canned tomatoes
- Frozen Vegetables
Frozen vegetables are affordable and nutritious. They also stay longer, and you don’t have to worry about finishing them so quickly. It cooks up fine in a stir fry or soup.
Kale, Brussels sprouts, and asparagus are usually slightly more expensive. However, the frozen version is usually affordable.
If you love Asian dishes, cabbage is great. You can use it in fried rice or cook it with ramen noodles. I love simple cabbage stir-fry with only three ingredients: salt, cooking oil, and cabbage. It reminds me of home. How to make it: heat the oil in the pan, put the cabbage chunks, and stir-fry until they cook. You can also use broccoli or cucumbers. Enjoy eating this simple dish with a bowl of warm rice.
Cheap grains to buy when you are broke.
Luckily, carbs are generally reasonable. Here are some options for cheap grains:
- Potatoes
- Rice
- Pasta
- Corn
- Cereal
- Quinoa
- Flour (if you want to make things such as pancakes and bread from scratch)
Healthier options
- Whole wheat bread
- Brown rice
- Quinoa
- Oats
Ideally, whole grains are healthier. They have a milder effect on blood and insulin but are usually more expensive. Personally, I love oats because they are both budget-friendly and healthy.
Cheap protein to buy when you’re broke.
- Beans (such as black beans, kidney beans, pinto beans, and red beans). They are great for soup.
- Lentils. They are also great for soup.
- Eggs. Eggs are versatile and very cheap. You can add it to your soup, noodle ramen, or salad or boil it.
- Peanut butter
- Chicken breast
- Ground beef/pork
- Tofu
- Canned tuna/sardines
Meats are usually expensive. However, you can also get them cheaper if you go to Aldi or local grocery store.
Cheap food that fills you up
- Oats, rice, and beans fill you up.
- Legumes include lentils, beans, peas, and nuts. They have a high protein value and low calorific count.
- Fruits such as watermelon, apple, and banana are good snacks to fill you up and suppress your hunger. I like to pack a little food container of watermelon for lunch, it keeps me full for hours.
- Eggs. A few ideas are soft/hard-boiled eggs, scrambled eggs with toast, and egg drop soup with rice.
- Smoothies. For example, banana choco smoothie and strawberry milk.
Cheap meals to make (less than five ingredients)
Asian dishes
- White rice + soft-boiled egg + soy sauce + chilli pepper (optional)
- Tomatoes egg stir fry: Tomatoes chunks + 1 egg + cooking oil + salt
- Veggie stir fry: Vegetables pieces (such as cucumber, brocolli, or cabbage) + 1 egg (optional) + cooking oil + salt + pepper
- Vegetable soup: Corn + Carrots + 1 egg + 1 chicken cube + 4 cups of water
- Egg drop soup: 1 chicken cube + 1 egg + 1 small carrot (optional) + salt and pepper to taste
Western dishes
- Pasta + pasta sauce + herbs
- Mac and cheese
- Grilled cheese sandwich. You can also add tomatoe and basil for extra flavour.
- Egg sandwich: fried egg + 2 pieces of bread + Sriracha sauce (optional)
- Oatmeal: milk + oatmeal + your topping choice (i.e., frozen berries)
- Tuna veggie sandwich: canned tuna + lettuce + bread
- Fresh pancake (flour, salt, sugar, egg) and honey/maple syrup
Cheap snacks/breakfast ideas
- Apple and peanut butter
- Choco banana smoothie: Choco powder, banana, your choice of milk, oats
- Mixed berry smoothie: your choice of berries, milk, and sugar (optional). If you put your berries/milk in the fridge, you wouldn’t need ice cubes.
- Avocado toast: 1 avocado + 1 egg (optional) + 2 pieces of toasted bread.
- Scramble eggs + vegetables
- Nuttela choco bread (if you want to make it even better, add fresh-cut strawberries or berries jam)
What is the cheapest food to survive on and stay alive?
If you are super broke, here is the cheapest food you can survive on:
- Rice and beans are very cheap. You can also throw in some corn and diced tomatoes for extra flavor. Fried rice is also easy to make. You can make lots of them on the weekend and store them in a container.
- Potatoes are also very cheap.
- Lentils are highly nutritious and very inexpensive. It is high in fiber and protein and can fill you up. Unlike other legumes, it doesn’t require prior soaking. You can add it to soup and stews.
- Onions are also very cheap. For the recipe and pictures, Google caramelized onion, onion fritters, or french onion soup. Onions are versatile, you can also include that in your fried rice or omelets.
- Eggs are often a cheap and good source of protein. You can make so many things with eggs.
I’d suggest not spending money frequently on cheap frozen food. It might be tasty, but you don’t want to sacrifice your health for short-term gratification.
What to do when you don’t have money to buy food?
You should seek help. I’m sorry for this moment in time for you. Here are a few options:
- Go to your local food bank. Google “local food bank” and check local AARP directory. Often it asks you to enter your zip code, and you’ll find a few options. I’d suggest calling them first to find out what the process’s like.
- If this is a recurring process, you want to check out government assistance such as SNAP program.
- Go to local churches or the salvation army. Many give free meals with no questions asked.
- Ask friends and family for help.
- Go to the dollar store and look for a dollar food section. It’s probably not the most nutritious or delicious food, but it’ll help to survive for some time. Meanwhile, look for any jobs.
- Sometimes people give away free food. Check out Nextdoor – free items and freecycle group on Facebook or craigslist.
- Are there any expenses you can reduce? I’d imagine it is unlikely if you are in this situation, but it is worth checking this list.
Cheap foods to buy in bulk
Items that last longer would be a great candidate to buy in bulk. Even though sometimes you save money doing this, bulk buying can be tricky. If you didn’t need it and were not planning on getting it, then you probably don’t save money by buying it. That is the money you could have saved instead.
Before going to the grocery store, you probably want to check your pantry and do a quick reflection – what things are still available, and do you really use them up before they expire? Even though some items can be cheaper to buy in large quantities, they can take up space, and you may not use them as much.
That said, here are some cheap foods to buy in bulk:
- Rice
- Oats
- Canned good
- Dried beans
- Lentils
- Dried pasta
- Peanut butter
- Ramen noodles
Cheap food shopping list for a few weeks – What to spend if you have $60?
Here is an example of a budget grocery list that’s still healthy:
- Rice
- Beans
- Apple
- Peanut Butter
- Cheese
- Deli meat
- Frozen veggies
- Milk
- Cereal
- Pasta
- Pasta sauce
- Lettuce
- Chicken breast
- Ground beef
- Eggs
- Bag of potatoes
How can I reduce my grocery bill further?
- Buy only what you need. Plan what you want to cook, write things to buy, and stick to it.
- Keep your meal simple.
- Don’t shop when you are hungry. This is very true in my case. If I’m hungry, I tend to go overboard.
- Check out your pantry and fridge before going to the grocery store so you don’t buy the stuff you don’t need to.
- Use up your pantry before grocery shop. Look at what’s available and google for easy recipes.
- Check clearance and on-sale sections.
- Choose plant-based proteins such as beans and tofu.
- Look if there are any coupons/digital coupons online. You can go to their website or install an app. For example, google “dollar store digital coupons.” Remember, don’t buy stuff just because they are in the sale.
- If you shop at Aldi, don’t forget to bring your bag. Occasionally, I found an Aldi store that didn’t have boxes, so I had to buy a grocery bag.
- If you have good self-control with your spending, pay with a credit card to get rewards. Otherwise, pay with cash. My favorite card is Citi double cash back. You’ll earn 1% first and 2% later when you pay. It adds up over time.
- Think before you buy in bulk. Are you going to use them before they go bad? Do you really need a lot of them? Is there anyone else who will use this other than you? Do you have the space to store them? Can you use the money for something else?
- Call the store (sometimes you have to ask the butcher or produce person directly) and ask when they have discounts or the price is marked down. For instance, some shops tend to mark down the price on Wednesday because they restore their selves and reduce the cost of the items that weren’t sold before.
- Buy whole veggies/fruits instead of prepackaging.
- Don’t go shopping with overspenders.
What else to do?
I’d suggest starting to save asap. If you are unemployed and tight on money, find a job. Any job is better than no job at all. To further improve your finance, here is some good places to start:
- 100+ ways to save money
- Find ways to reduce your expenses.
- Build your money habit. Here are 11 better money habits to improve your finance.
- Join a money challenge.
- Look for a better job and consider transitioning to your dream career.
Example of a healthy grocery list for one person (right-click and click save image as)
Empty grocery list (right-click and click save image as)
Vi, a software engineer with a keen interest in personal finance, had planned to retire once she reached her lean FI/RE (Financial Independence/Retire Early) goal. However, after achieving the goal, she took few months of a mini-retirement filled with travel and adventure and decided to continue her career.
For the past five years, Vi has been using Personal Capital (Empower), a free financial tool. Her favorite features include the dashboard for net worth, allocation, and planning, which help track her FI/RE goal and keep those investment fees in check.