YES! The $5 pantry challenge is SO important! You never know when you'll need it. It could be because something happened with the trucks that bring the food to the stores, weather issues where you can't get to the grocery store, natural disasters, job loss, illness, whatever. It's so smart to have extra food , food, water, soap, shampoo, toothpaste, medicine on hand.
I have started one and shared with my elderly neighbor because he's 80 years old and having trouble affording food. Bless all of you wonderful people on this channel & You our loving Southern Momma!!
It's so handy. I have a drawer in my bedroom that is housing some emergency meals, like canned tuna, canned fruit, muesli, oat bran, crackers, box of cookies, pasta meals. It's a godsend, like now, I am living off what food I have at the moment and i need to make what I have to last me until the end of next Friday.
Agree! A couple week s ago we had 15 inches of snow here in the Midwest with blizzard conditions and temp5well below zero. The stores were low on many items because people shopped before the storm and then the delivery trucks were delayed by several days due to interstates being closed due to the weather. An extra loaf of bread in the freezer and a spare jar of peanut butter and jelly or some cans of tuna or soup can get you through a few days until roads are passable and stores are restocked.
For people who have no room to stock food. I have cases of canned food under my bed, in my closet and I have created a sofa table along the wall using cases of canned foods. No one knows. I put heavy cardboard along the top and topped with an off white tablecloth and then a decorative cloth on top. A vase and a couple pictures on top of that! It is very cute.
You are just an angel. I swear, you make my heart swell. That last bit was so touching and TRUE! And speaking of someone doing a fantastic job? Brooke, take a bow. God is working through you and you can see his light all over your face. 🥰
How in the world does this angel from above only have 74.2K subs? I've been watching her for years and she rarely repeats her ideas. Let's share this channel. Everyone could use the help!
It is so great to see someone living in the reality that is America and our food situation. All these tips are good ole back to basics and we need that as a nation. Preach on Brooke ❤❤
Absolutely fantastic video. Great information. YOU ROCK GIRL !! Love 💕 from Debbie and Dexter-Dog my sweet tiny rescued Chihuahua companion living a quiet crafty life in southern California.💕😍🐰✝️💌🧑🦽🐣🐾🐥
You can’t walk into a grocery store without coming out with one bag, and a 50 dollar receipt. Something has to change. Thanks for all you do Brook…. This is reality for a lot of us.
These are wonderful tips! Smart gal! I remember my mom making tacos for us kids and she used to stretch the hamburger meat by frying up the hamburger, then stirring in a can of Dennison Chili with beans.
What a great video!, my only suggestion would be, make sure you write a list of what is in your pantry and your freezer. Mark off what you use. Thank you so much Brooke for sharing this with everyone 💕🙏🙏
BTW...if you are fortunate enough to have a Hispanic store that has a meat counter, you can get some amazing deals on fresh meat. My local store in central Florida has Ground beef for 3.00 a pound.
Great video- especially like the "don't feel shamed by your choices" part. In the last frigid, snowy week I have gone through my pantry and created a spreadsheet on how I can use what I have, & what I need to create many different "easy meals". Little to no prep, minimal appliance use, some that could be eaten room temp if there was no heat source. Convenience foods that might make "foodies" shudder, but will do for us, especially in non-optimal situations. Budget friendly also means planning for times when you might not be able to cook fresh food from scratch. 😏
I have spoony meals set up for when I can't cook, and ingredients for my caregiver to put together into meals with and for me so that I can at least have fresh food. But good and goddess bles, why does it have to be so expensive? $4 for a box of butter, and that's on sale?
Great job doing that! I have done a similar thing. I go through my food pantry, also called my linen closet, where I found enough to make several meals. One of my resolutions this year is to make better use of my food pantry and cook more vs always relying on frozen one serving frozen entrees.
I buy the peppers and don't use them all so I freeze them cut up and use out of the bag. I buy the cheap bag of onions and the hubby will cut up the entire bag and we freeze and use it for a couple months I also keep all the stems pieces from broccoli when I roast it to use in potato soup. We always go through the fruit and veggies to make sure nothing goes bad bc everything will freeze and then can used for something on down the road
Great advice about an in store butcher. People dont realize you can actually tell the butcher what you need, and even say, I need $5 worth of chicken, or hamburger etc. Same at a deli counter. They can cut deli meat to a specific thickness, and to a specific dollar amount. If you can only afford $2 worth of a deli meat, they can cut and weigh it special. Same with cheese etc. Don't be afraid to ask. As long as they can weigh it, you can buy it. Even just 2 pieces of something. I worked in a meat dept at a local grocery store for 3 years. Trust me, it's ok. Don't feel ashamed. The person behind the counter will be happy to do it.
Excited for this. I use coupons deals ect. I made a Valentine bucket for my three grandchildren by buying clearance items after Christmas for 80% off. I also found candy canes for 31 cents (to decorate the tree) they wanted 5.00 a package for candy canes in my area this year. The same candy canes that cost a dollar in previous years I also got gift bags for 21 cents on clearance. Food though is ridiculous right now.
Time are hard. Whatever we can do to help each other is great. I use the apps as well as coupons. It helps me to save money on the items we need but also the apps save money to buy Christmas or in case of emergency's. As far as meats concerned I buy in sale or walk off and leave it if its not. My husband is a huge meat eater. I've seen my mother-in-law take bread and crumble it ib her hamburger meat to spread it farther. I've done the same. Take certain cuts if meat and shredding it etc to stretch it farther or make more than one meal. Grocery stores tend to be cheaper as well if they are family operated as opposed to Krogers etc. Walmart to me is always high. Have a great day Brooke. 😊
I just stumbled upon your channel the other night when I couldn't sleep. I love your videos! You are so positive and informative! I will be watching. I just got married last year and we're trying to adjust to one income so any tips on saving $ and stretching meals are very welcome. God bless you 💖
I always check the clearance shelf at Walmart. I found cup o noodles for 10 cents each! Yes, I bought 24 of them! They also have a cart clear in the back of the store with discounted bakery items. Yummy! Thanks again Brooke!
You are definitely bang on about having a stock of pantry items. I also always make sure that I have a couple of extra meat items in the freezer (when I find a good deal I grab it!) and some frozen veggies so that when the need arises I can make a weeks worth of meals without having to shop. Bad weather is another reason to have some extra things on hand!
Just bought groceries and got a small chuck roast for 6.50 a lb! Crazy but I haven't had it for months! I might cut it in half and make more potatoes and veggies to fill us up. You do what you need to.
We have discovered that we like less meat in our spaghetti sauce. I did your idea and added a zucchini and I also added a whole shredded carrot. Oh my goodness! So very good. Thanks for the idea. I hit the Manager's Special Meat section ALL the time. Lately I cannot even afford some of those. Crazy! We have learned to enjoy canned meats for certain dishes. This week my total meat cost for 8-9 meals was $21.76 . That never happens. Coupons + Sales. WooHoo! I hit up Dollar tree for pantry saving on Cleaning products. You are so amazing.
Another tip - Get together with a friend or family and split a lamb or cow or bulk meat pack and vegetables. you end up with more variety of food and better options of meats. offer to help a gardener pick their fruit n veg in return for some produce too.
I’m blessed to live in an area that has multiple stores. I go on Wednesday’s to get their sales paper and then plan a trip based on what’s on sale and what I need. I’m trying to use up canned goods with a close best by date, but still stocking up on canned goods that are on sale and with extended best by dates. I went to Ollie’s last week and found some great deals. Trying to think outside the box for resources.
We rarely had meat in 60s, 70s and 80s growing up. Our staple was pasta-and we made our own sauce. Meat was a luxury. We ate beans and some eggs and some tuna, mainly garden veg., rarely bought fruit or veg., mainly grew veg., and traded with neighbors. Jello was every once and awhile for dessert. We ate a lot of soup and rice and beans and pasta those were main items growing up just dirt cheap and there were 5 of us so mom and dad did what they could to feed us all.
I’m lucky because like you I can make my store swoop. Of course those best deals are to lure you in. Aldi seems to consistently have good produce and fruit prices. I’ve seen frozen onions and peppers at Dollar Tree. I’ve just about switched to ground turkey for tacos and such; it’s cheaper. Give me some elbow macaroni with stewed tomatoes and some Parmesan cheese and I’m good. My Mom taught me that one. She grew up during the depression. Thank you for helping all of us.
I’m a new subscriber and love your videos ❤. In Houston we have Krogers and I’ve been buying meat when it’s on sale and I’m filling my freezer! Always looking for mark downs on everything.
I love you Brooke. I have been a long time watcher of you and have surely watched this video before but happened to run across it again and watched. I need to watch it ever so often . Yes I would love to make everything from scratch but sometimes the box of hamburger helper and 1/2 lb ground beef is cheaper than from scratch. And Yes Yes on the roast . I LOVE roast but I can not pay $20 for one that barely is enough for my family and that includes adding carrots and potatoes. Who are these people that have leftover roast? 🤦♀️. I guess we are just big eaters. Me and my daughter have eaten a $1.45 box of Mac and cheese for lunch on cold broke days. It’s comfort food ok. 😁. Thanks for all your related able advice!! ❤️
Brown lentils are a great meat based spaghetti sauce, red lentils with chicken etc. They melt into the meal so no one sees them. They add protein, then after soaking before using this lessens any gas issues.
Brooke, can you do more recipes using lentils to help stretch or replace meat? Also, I'm so glad you say a person shouldn't be ashamed if they don't make things from scratch. Between not having much space and physical limitations I have trouble cooking. Easy recipes are best. Live you all.❤❤❤❤❤
My daughter was out of work for almost a year...our pantry...including a small deep freeze...enabled us to eat. I only had to occasionally buy hamburger and produce when it was on sale...maybe some chicken here or there. Thanks be to God! God bless you and yours, Brooke. Very good suggestions!
I shop sales. I have a pantry that is stocked well, so now all I have to do is fill my gaps, but only buy sales. It took me 2 yrs to get my pantry the way it is. Thank God I did it, because now my income is low and we can still eat. Love this channel ❤
Yea fed is best and all these tips are so great, shop smart, plan around what you can find on sale and not what sounds good over budget, be flexible and we will all make it together!!
Finally chopped cauliflower, takes on the consistency and flavor of meat. I do that all the time, even can, chili and spaghetti sauce, with a cauliflower - meat mix. Make sure the cauliflower is finely diced
I make black bean hamburg in a highsided cookie sheet. Once cool cut into squares and freeze. Can use as burgers or crumble into spaghetti sauce or any dish calling for hamburg. You can also make it into meatballs or a meatloaf before cooking. Would love to see Brooke make some! 💕💕💕💕💕
You have to be one of kindest people out there. Love your tips and tricks so much. Thank you for giving of yourself just to help others. Love 💕 and Hugs. ❤❤❤
Our kids and I have food allergies so most box food is out of the question for us. But my husband can eat some of it. We do keep Mac and cheese on hand because it makes for an easy lunch. If you add whatever veggies you have on hand, that adds some extra nutrition to the meal. Having it now and then isn’t a big deal and anyone who thinks it is, well, it’s just their opinion. You have to do what works for the situation you’re in.
We have an Aldi’s Sam’s club Kroger And a dollar in the Sam plaza. Also we have a dollar general, family dollar and a small grocery store also in the same area
Great tips! Most of my meals are meatless. I have a meaty meal as often as most people have a meatless meal. Chickpea, lentils, tofu, cottage cheese, cheese, beans, quinoa all are good sources of protein. In Canada, $10 a week is more realistic for the pantry challenge. I feel uncomfortable if I don’t do it, now. 💖
REQUESTED VIDEO: Our rural community center will offer to host a meal for a family after a funeral...I have been thinking about having pantry items just for such unexpected situations. Thank you 🙏 for considering this kind of video. A FUNERAL REPAST 🍽️🍽️ 🍽️
Love watching you every time you post a new episode. I usually watch you on my big screen TV but I'm going to start getting on my phone and posting a message and hit the like button so you get credit on your channel. Thank you for your helpful hints. Kid your the best!! God bless you and your family! ❤
Great tips, I do some redos or round 2 I call them as I cook sometimes I overcook looking ahead such as when I make meatloaf I will cut a end off and put it back and a few days later chop it up and make spaghetti out of it stretching my meat into another meal and the green beans and potatoes that I generally make I will over make those as well chopping up the baked potatoes with an onion adding some cabalsa and my green beans making a one pot meal there things such as that helps us stretch our money as well just thought I would throw that out there and I love your content and how free spirited you are keep up the good work Brooke You're a blessing to most of us
You have such a sweet sweet soul. I love watching your videos. I also love that your boys will try different things, I could never get my kids to do that at all.
Our local store Quality Foods has roast for 2.99 lb last week. I bought 4. Three for the freezer and made beef stew that fed five people one day and three on the second day. I would have bought more but my freezers are full even after two weeks of eating out of them.
You are so right! There are no “right” and “wrong” foods, and there is no need to feel bad when we don’t have umpteen ingredients on hand to follow a specific recipe. It takes a while for nutritional deficiencies to develop. Lower-cost produce like carrots, cabbage, onions, potatoes, apples, and bananas can quickly fill the gap.
Good day, bestie. You’ve put a smile on my face.❤❤ your ideas. It’s really cold here (OKC) so I’m making almost a week’s worth of soup (I’m single) stretching two chicken thighs for five servings. And yes I’ve taken to shopping to at last two grocery stores; it’s become an adventure to get a good deal!
Thank you for all the tips for saving money on groceries.... Like you said prices are crazy... We got 3 chicken breast was 14 and change .... I don't buy much meat at all.... Love you Brooke and thanks again
Very good ideas! I always add a can of black beans to my taco meat. Lentils are good to add along with a grated potato and onion. Also, .I like to make a high protein pizza crust with either a good quality canned white chicken or shredded rotisserie chicken mixed with and egg and parmesan cheese.
One of the simple ideas I've been wanting to explore, and you just stated it giving example of the PB&J, is the meatless sandwich. I would love to share ideas of a meatless sandwich to add to my list of meatless meals. And I'd really love to see a video or two on it. I'll start, the tomato sandwich, an avocado sandwich, a lentil sloppy joe, the glamourized grilled cheese (this can be a whole category of ideas on its own)...
peanut butter and banana, mashed chickpea with mayo that emulates egg salad, egg salad, for that matter, open faced grilled tofu sandwiches are nice. I also like chickpea and black bean burgers
Hummus and grated carrot, falafel, gateaux piments, Coronation Chickpeas, curried potato cutlet, coleslaw, Heinz sandwich spread (I think that one might be a UK only thing!)
My mom sis and I love a meatless Veggie Powerhouse sandwich. It's a sandwich made on hearty multigrain bread. You can use mayo or hummus, thinly sliced cucumber and or zuchinni, thinly sliced tomato, shredded carrots, avocado, spinach leaves or your favorite leafy green, a must is a slice or two of munster cheese and a generous sprinkle of Spike seasoning. You make the sandwich then wrap it really tightly in cling wrap and put it in the fridge for an hour or so, that really helps the flavors meld. It's a really yummy sandwich, very filling. Obviously you can add whatever veg you like. My friend liked to add thin slices of sweet onion which zi omit because I don't like raw onion. I used to add bean sprouts but there have been so many recalls on those that I omit them now. That's such a hearty sandwich that my mom can only ever eat half of it. She has the other half the following day.
I just love you, Brooke. There have been times in our past that I've had to put my children to bed hungry. Watching them cry because their tummy hurt was more than I could handle and as a result I now make it a point to ALWAYS have some kind of food that is always available. Pasta, rice, potatoes, these will all make a meal even if I couldn't/can't afford meat. But I've also learned how to be frugal in the good times, in the event something happened. I can make something out of nothing, and I think everyone should be able to do that. I agree with you so much that there is NO SHAME in feeding your family. If your children are going to bed with a full tummy, that is what matters!! Also, thank you for letting people know, there is no shame in getting assistance! Food banks, churches, gleaners, SNAP, whatever it takes, because like you, I've not seen a peak and girl I wanted a roast the other day, with 10 people I need a decent sized one but 50.00 is waaaaay out of my budget, so we had veggie soup with half a pound of hamburger! I buy clearance French bread and use it as a side. So good. Also, that 69 cent loaf of bread makes a decent pizza too. Huge hugs to you!
Finely diced mushrooms are also great for stretching ground meat in a variety of recipes. I'm also a big fan of soups - use 1 pound of meat but with everything else, my husband and i eat off that pot of soup for 3 or more days. If you use credit cards, I also like to charge my groceries on my Sam's card and then pay it right off (so I don't pay interest), but I get Sam's cash for free.
Some things in England are coming down. Our Poundland stores, which I guess is equivalent to your Dollar Tree, had put prices up from £1 to £1.25. Some things are back to a pound. Stuff like sauces etc. Even some down to 70p.
My hometown IGA had drumsticks 39 cents/lb this week (I think perhaps to get people to come in during the snow). We also do pork loins as roasts too. It’s sometimes 1.59/lb and you can do all sorts of stuff, even cut it into pork chops. Great tips! 😊
By the time my family adds black beans/refried beans, seasoned rice, lettuce, tomato, onion, salsa, sour cream, cheese... It's quite delicious even if there is reduced meat or no meat.
I appreciate your insight to help people save money on groceries. I thought at my age, I knew all about ways to stretch my food dollars, but you have given me lots of ideas. Tonight I had your ham and cheese sliders, and I discovered how good Goya ham base can make beans taste. I try to catch all of your videos, and appreciate all that you can teach people of all ages. Keep up the good work, and stay as kind as you are
Great tips! The reason why grocery stores will run steep sales on Fresh produce is that in most cases, they may have way too much in stock and to avoid the produce from going bad in store, they'd rather put them on sale.😂❤❤❤
I'm a clearance shopper and with more people doing pick-up for their groceries, I'm finding more and more meat being marked down. And I became friendly with the butcher at my Kroger's. I found some of that grass fed expensive ground meat in the 3lb pack about 4 days from its best buy date and he marked it down to $5 for me. Five dollars for 3lbs of really high quality meat! I bought all 12lbs and put it in the freezer. And then I went to another local store and found frozen chicken tenders for $1.99 for 2.5lbs. Please check multiple stores if you can, especially places that do pick up groceries.
By the time my family adds black beans/refried beans, seasoned rice, lettuce, tomato, onion, salsa, sour cream, cheese... It's quite delicious even if there is reduced meat or no meat.
When my children were little I used box meals a lot. I added things to the meals and it stretched the meals. The cheeseburger box meal is good to add when finished a can of peas and carrots and then make corn bread.
You can stretch your ground beef by adding things to it. Hamburgers for example...add onions &parsley. For meatloaf, you can add peppers, onions, salsa, egg, cream of wheat, potatoes, eatmeal, etc. Whatever you dont eat, freeze and pull out later.😊
Thank you Brooke , everyone should be able to take this info and implement to help themselves. I started cooking poor man meals, cutting down on meal sizes, yes I do fillers in ground meat ! And have a lot of veggies and lentils , take 1 lb ground meat and 1 can of of pinto beans, drain the beans and mash up and add into ground meat and bread crumbs to make a good meatloaf or Salisbury steak, still getting great protein folks.
If you're feeding a big family or possibly the rugby team, go find a thing called pork shoulder butt. It sounds ridiculous, but it should be a lower priced meat. Put the whole hunk in your turkey roaster and season it with salt pepper, garlic, and onion. Bake slowly (325) for several hours. Cool it, then shred it with a fork and separate into baggies for future meals, and freeze. This meat makes great pulled pork and bbq sandwiches, chile verde, tostadas, and more. My local Costco sells it for $2.19 a pound.
1) buy Chorizo - seriously the flavor is huge. I freeze and cut off a two inch portion to cook with. It's enough to flavor a whole pot of anything. 2) we do do meatless Mondays. 3) never buy drinks. Drinks will really burn your budget up. Buy drink mixes or Kool aid Love all of your ideas especially cutting the meat and adding zucchini.
I always go to Food City i can always come out to the good with them or even Foodlion but foodlion don't have in store butcher but I'm on a fixed income so I've got to watch my money to the tee...love your channel your so sweet thanks for sharing the tips many blessings to you and your family 🥰
Thank you for common sense suggestions. Want to make a comment about grocery store weekly ads and in store butchers in the grocery stores. Those ads seem to run in cycles and you can write down items you by and figure out when the items will be sold at cheapest price; also butchers are a store customers best friend when it come to getting any size of meat package. Last week our grocery store had the nicest boneless beef bottom round roasts for $3.48 lb. Butcher made sure I got smaller sizes😂
I was thinking the same thing about a pot roast too. I remember getting the meat, potatoes, onions, and carrots in a kit for $13 or $14.....but no way now. I've been doing the half meat since covid.
Brooke, groceries are INSANE!!! What use to cost me$85 now costs me $198! 😳🙄 we would love to eat more pasta and less meat…. But that is Not an option the diet requires more meat ( medical). I’ve always have used squash/ zucchini… veggies. I do use beans but there again have to limit those. It’s just so frustrating… I do look for sales . Yes, you are so correct to shop multiple stores … ❤ I need to use those apps… great idea to add. Thank you. ❤
Back when I was a young widow with a young child and no extra money, I used to make what I called "elastic meatloaf" . I would stretch (like elastic😉) a small amount of ground beef with whatever leftovers I might have. Oatmeal and egg not only bound everything together but it also added nutrition and bulk. If you have picky eaters, just don't volunteer what you've put init. Season and cook as you would a "full meat" meatloaf.
I know that this sounds the opposite of what you are saying but the grocery store that I go to carries large rolls of ground beef and I buy a roll or 2 and I divide it up into several packages of the ground beef and put it in my freezer and it last almost a month
![Noob To Max With DRAGON REWORK In Blox Fruits [FULL MOVIE]](http://i.ytimg.com/vi/LnBMOinoOvA/mqdefault.jpg)
YES! The $5 pantry challenge is SO important! You never know when you'll need it. It could be because something happened with the trucks that bring the food to the stores, weather issues where you can't get to the grocery store, natural disasters, job loss, illness, whatever. It's so smart to have extra food , food, water, soap, shampoo, toothpaste, medicine on hand.
Yes! Anything can happen!
I have started one and shared with my elderly neighbor because he's 80 years old and having trouble affording food. Bless all of you wonderful people on this channel & You our loving Southern Momma!!
It's so handy. I have a drawer in my bedroom that is housing some emergency meals, like canned tuna, canned fruit, muesli, oat bran, crackers, box of cookies, pasta meals. It's a godsend, like now, I am living off what food I have at the moment and i need to make what I have to last me until the end of next Friday.
Agree! A couple week s ago we had 15 inches of snow here in the Midwest with blizzard conditions and temp5well below zero. The stores were low on many items because people shopped before the storm and then the delivery trucks were delayed by several days due to interstates being closed due to the weather. An extra loaf of bread in the freezer and a spare jar of peanut butter and jelly or some cans of tuna or soup can get you through a few days until roads are passable and stores are restocked.
For people who have no room to stock food. I have cases of canned food under my bed, in my closet and I have created a sofa table along the wall using cases of canned foods. No one knows. I put heavy cardboard along the top and topped with an off white tablecloth and then a decorative cloth on top. A vase and a couple pictures on top of that! It is very cute.
Brilliant! 😊
Don’t forget to use bookcases. Stock your shelves and then hang curtains in front. We have several as part of our living room furniture.
That's a great idea!
You are just an angel. I swear, you make my heart swell. That last bit was so touching and TRUE! And speaking of someone doing a fantastic job? Brooke, take a bow. God is working through you and you can see his light all over your face. 🥰
Amen!
Amen!! I couldn't have said it better! ❤
Wow, thank you! I just love all y’all so much 💜
Amen to that angel 😇🙏😇
@@SouthernFrugalMomma we love you too!💕
How in the world does this angel from above only have 74.2K subs? I've been watching her for years and she rarely repeats her ideas. Let's share this channel. Everyone could use the help!
Well thank you! I appreciate all your love more than you know 💕
Years??? I thought she had only been making videos for about a year. She’s doing GREAT having that many subscribers!!!! ❤
It is so great to see someone living in the reality that is America and our food situation. All these tips are good ole back to basics and we need that as a nation. Preach on Brooke ❤❤
Absolutely fantastic video. Great information. YOU ROCK GIRL !! Love 💕 from Debbie and Dexter-Dog my sweet tiny rescued Chihuahua companion living a quiet crafty life in southern California.💕😍🐰✝️💌🧑🦽🐣🐾🐥
👋 I recognized your name from the queen shopping videos we watch. What a coincidence.
👋 I recognized your name from the queen shopping videos we watch. What a coincidence.
👋 I recognized your name from the queen shopping videos we watch. What a coincidence.
👋 I recognized your name from the queen shopping videos we watch. What a coincidence.
I am so grateful for the cow my dad bought for me in October. I
don’t even go to the beef section anymore. Now I just need him to order me a pig!🐷
How generous of him!!!!
You can’t walk into a grocery store without coming out with one bag, and a 50 dollar receipt. Something has to change. Thanks for all you do Brook…. This is reality for a lot of us.
These are wonderful tips! Smart gal! I remember my mom making tacos for us kids and she used to stretch the hamburger meat by frying up the hamburger, then stirring in a can of Dennison Chili with beans.
Do not let anybody shame you for what you feed your family. Single- mom of 3 I needed to hear this. 🌹
What a great video!, my only suggestion would be, make sure you write a list of what is in your pantry and your freezer. Mark off what you use. Thank you so much Brooke for sharing this with everyone 💕🙏🙏
Great idea!
BTW...if you are fortunate enough to have a Hispanic store that has a meat counter, you can get some amazing deals on fresh meat. My local store in central Florida has Ground beef for 3.00 a pound.
I started shopping at their butcher shop
You are doing an amazing job teaching everyone. Thank you Brook.
Great video- especially like the "don't feel shamed by your choices" part. In the last frigid, snowy week I have gone through my pantry and created a spreadsheet on how I can use what I have, & what I need to create many different "easy meals". Little to no prep, minimal appliance use, some that could be eaten room temp if there was no heat source. Convenience foods that might make "foodies" shudder, but will do for us, especially in non-optimal situations. Budget friendly also means planning for times when you might not be able to cook fresh food from scratch. 😏
Some just don’t understand the reality of American, or the world right now. If they did, they wouldn’t shame a single soul.
I have spoony meals set up for when I can't cook, and ingredients for my caregiver to put together into meals with and for me so that I can at least have fresh food. But good and goddess bles, why does it have to be so expensive? $4 for a box of butter, and that's on sale?
Great job doing that! I have done a similar thing. I go through my food pantry, also called my linen closet, where I found enough to make several meals. One of my resolutions this year is to make better use of my food pantry and cook more vs always relying on frozen one serving frozen entrees.
I buy the peppers and don't use them all so I freeze them cut up and use out of the bag. I buy the cheap bag of onions and the hubby will cut up the entire bag and we freeze and use it for a couple months I also keep all the stems pieces from broccoli when I roast it to use in potato soup.
We always go through the fruit and veggies to make sure nothing goes bad bc everything will freeze and then can used for something on down the road
Great advice about an in store butcher. People dont realize you can actually tell the butcher what you need, and even say, I need $5 worth of chicken, or hamburger etc. Same at a deli counter. They can cut deli meat to a specific thickness, and to a specific dollar amount. If you can only afford $2 worth of a deli meat, they can cut and weigh it special. Same with cheese etc. Don't be afraid to ask. As long as they can weigh it, you can buy it. Even just 2 pieces of something. I worked in a meat dept at a local grocery store for 3 years. Trust me, it's ok. Don't feel ashamed. The person behind the counter will be happy to do it.
Really? Wow! I need to learn how to utilize this opportunity because our budget is difficult!
I love you, Brooke. “Fed is best!” Amen. 🙏🏻
Excited for this. I use coupons deals ect. I made a Valentine bucket for my three grandchildren by buying clearance items after Christmas for 80% off. I also found candy canes for 31 cents (to decorate the tree) they wanted 5.00 a package for candy canes in my area this year. The same candy canes that cost a dollar in previous years
I also got gift bags for 21 cents on clearance.
Food though is ridiculous right now.
You can make heart sucker pops with chocolate in the center from the mini candy canes!
❤you are the best! Thank you so much for your videos!❤❤
Time are hard. Whatever we can do to help each other is great. I use the apps as well as coupons. It helps me to save money on the items we need but also the apps save money to buy Christmas or in case of emergency's. As far as meats concerned I buy in sale or walk off and leave it if its not. My husband is a huge meat eater. I've seen my mother-in-law take bread and crumble it ib her hamburger meat to spread it farther. I've done the same. Take certain cuts if meat and shredding it etc to stretch it farther or make more than one meal. Grocery stores tend to be cheaper as well if they are family operated as opposed to Krogers etc. Walmart to me is always high. Have a great day Brooke. 😊
I just stumbled upon your channel the other night when I couldn't sleep. I love your videos! You are so positive and informative! I will be watching. I just got married last year and we're trying to adjust to one income so any tips on saving $ and stretching meals are very welcome. God bless you 💖
Omg, I love you even more after this, all good ideas….and so kind ❤❤❤
I always check the clearance shelf at Walmart. I found cup o noodles for 10 cents each! Yes, I bought 24 of them! They also have a cart clear in the back of the store with discounted bakery items. Yummy! Thanks again Brooke!
You are definitely bang on about having a stock of pantry items. I also always make sure that I have a couple of extra meat items in the freezer (when I find a good deal I grab it!) and some frozen veggies so that when the need arises I can make a weeks worth of meals without having to shop. Bad weather is another reason to have some extra things on hand!
Amen! Cause this past week my pantry saved our butts since the stores were bare from snow storm shoppers.
Just bought groceries and got a small chuck roast for 6.50 a lb! Crazy but I haven't had it for months! I might cut it in half and make more potatoes and veggies to fill us up. You do what you need to.
I got one on clearance. We got 4 big meals off of it.
i do alot of what you said. i check the reduced fruit section at kroger for bananas and veggies. i use food banks too.
We have discovered that we like less meat in our spaghetti sauce. I did your idea and added a zucchini and I also added a whole shredded carrot. Oh my goodness! So very good. Thanks for the idea. I hit the Manager's Special Meat section ALL the time. Lately I cannot even afford some of those. Crazy! We have learned to enjoy canned meats for certain dishes. This week my total meat cost for 8-9 meals was $21.76 . That never happens. Coupons + Sales. WooHoo! I hit up Dollar tree for pantry saving on Cleaning products. You are so amazing.
Love you and your family ❤Thanks for sharing this video❤ So happy that I found your YT channel a couple of days back ❤❤❤
Another tip - Get together with a friend or family and split a lamb or cow or bulk meat pack and vegetables. you end up with more variety of food and better options of meats. offer to help a gardener pick their fruit n veg in return for some produce too.
Great idea!
I’m blessed to live in an area that has multiple stores. I go on Wednesday’s to get their sales paper and then plan a trip based on what’s on sale and what I need. I’m trying to use up canned goods with a close best by date, but still stocking up on canned goods that are on sale and with extended best by dates. I went to Ollie’s last week and found some great deals. Trying to think outside the box for resources.
We rarely had meat in 60s, 70s and 80s growing up. Our staple was pasta-and we made our own sauce. Meat was a luxury. We ate beans and some eggs and some tuna, mainly garden veg., rarely bought fruit or veg., mainly grew veg., and traded with neighbors. Jello was every once and awhile for dessert. We ate a lot of soup and rice and beans and pasta those were main items growing up just dirt cheap and there were 5 of us so mom and dad did what they could to feed us all.
I’m lucky because like you I can make my store swoop. Of course those best deals are to lure you in. Aldi seems to consistently have good produce and fruit prices. I’ve seen frozen onions and peppers at Dollar Tree. I’ve just about switched to ground turkey for tacos and such; it’s cheaper. Give me some elbow macaroni with stewed tomatoes and some Parmesan cheese and I’m good. My Mom taught me that one. She grew up during the depression. Thank you for helping all of us.
I grew up eating elbow noodles and stewed tomatoes! Love it to this day!
I’m a new subscriber and love your videos ❤. In Houston we have Krogers and I’ve been buying meat when it’s on sale and I’m filling my freezer! Always looking for mark downs on everything.
I love you Brooke. I have been a long time watcher of you and have surely watched this video before but happened to run across it again and watched. I need to watch it ever so often . Yes I would love to make everything from scratch but sometimes the box of hamburger helper and 1/2 lb ground beef is cheaper than from scratch. And Yes Yes on the roast . I LOVE roast but I can not pay $20 for one that barely is enough for my family and that includes adding carrots and potatoes. Who are these people that have leftover roast? 🤦♀️. I guess we are just big eaters. Me and my daughter have eaten a $1.45 box of Mac and cheese for lunch on cold broke days. It’s comfort food ok. 😁. Thanks for all your related able advice!! ❤️
Brown lentils are a great meat based spaghetti sauce, red lentils with chicken etc. They melt into the meal so no one sees them. They add protein, then after soaking before using this lessens any gas issues.
Brooke, can you do more recipes using lentils to help stretch or replace meat? Also, I'm so glad you say a person shouldn't be ashamed if they don't make things from scratch. Between not having much space and physical limitations I have trouble cooking. Easy recipes are best. Live you all.❤❤❤❤❤
My daughter was out of work for almost a year...our pantry...including a small deep freeze...enabled us to eat. I only had to occasionally buy hamburger and produce when it was on sale...maybe some chicken here or there. Thanks be to God! God bless you and yours, Brooke. Very good suggestions!
I shop sales. I have a pantry that is stocked well, so now all I have to do is fill my gaps, but only buy sales. It took me 2 yrs to get my pantry the way it is. Thank God I did it, because now my income is low and we can still eat. Love this channel ❤
a good taco filler is chorizo and potatoes (dice them small) I also dice small onion and cook with the chorizo. Picks up all the flavor,
We love you too, Brooke!! God bless you ❤❤❤😊
Yea fed is best and all these tips are so great, shop smart, plan around what you can find on sale and not what sounds good over budget, be flexible and we will all make it together!!
What a great video! Luv it so many fantastic ideas ❤
Finally chopped cauliflower, takes on the consistency and flavor of meat. I do that all the time, even can, chili and spaghetti sauce, with a cauliflower - meat mix. Make sure the cauliflower is finely diced
Brooke, you speak the truth. I needed a 1 1/2lb for a recipe and had no issues. Also, when I can, I go to the meat market and buy meat packages.
I make black bean hamburg in a highsided cookie sheet. Once cool cut into squares and freeze. Can use as burgers or crumble into spaghetti sauce or any dish calling for hamburg. You can also make it into meatballs or a meatloaf before cooking. Would love to see Brooke make some! 💕💕💕💕💕
Send her the recipe and I bet she will!😊
Great video! Love from Sweden 😊
I work at ingles, so I am able to get the sale meat and clearance meat. Their sales are good.
You have to be one of kindest people out there. Love your tips and tricks so much. Thank you for giving of yourself just to help others. Love 💕 and Hugs. ❤❤❤
Our kids and I have food allergies so most box food is out of the question for us. But my husband can eat some of it. We do keep Mac and cheese on hand because it makes for an easy lunch. If you add whatever veggies you have on hand, that adds some extra nutrition to the meal. Having it now and then isn’t a big deal and anyone who thinks it is, well, it’s just their opinion. You have to do what works for the situation you’re in.
I measure out heavy whipping cream in silicone cupcake pan and freeze for my coffee. It has com in handy this week since I’m snowed in.
We have an Aldi’s Sam’s club Kroger And a dollar in the Sam plaza. Also we have a dollar general, family dollar and a small grocery store also in the same area
Great tips! Most of my meals are meatless. I have a meaty meal as often as most people have a meatless meal. Chickpea, lentils, tofu, cottage cheese, cheese, beans, quinoa all are good sources of protein. In Canada, $10 a week is more realistic for the pantry challenge. I feel uncomfortable if I don’t do it, now. 💖
REQUESTED VIDEO: Our rural community center will offer to host a meal for a family after a funeral...I have been thinking about having pantry items just for such unexpected situations. Thank you 🙏 for considering this kind of video. A FUNERAL REPAST 🍽️🍽️ 🍽️
Love watching you every time you post a new episode. I usually watch you on my big screen TV but I'm going to start getting on my phone and posting a message and hit the like button so you get credit on your channel. Thank you for your helpful hints. Kid your the best!! God bless you and your family! ❤
I have put into practice, your tip to build up my pantry. I am so glad that I took your advice. Thank you😊
You are awesome . Garden when you can too.
Great tips, I do some redos or round 2 I call them as I cook sometimes I overcook looking ahead such as when I make meatloaf I will cut a end off and put it back and a few days later chop it up and make spaghetti out of it stretching my meat into another meal and the green beans and potatoes that I generally make I will over make those as well chopping up the baked potatoes with an onion adding some cabalsa and my green beans making a one pot meal there things such as that helps us stretch our money as well just thought I would throw that out there and I love your content and how free spirited you are keep up the good work Brooke You're a blessing to most of us
You can also stretch your ground beef with lentils!
Brooke - don't leave out frozen fruit, lady! :) Such a deal! Great for smoothies, pancakes, in yogurt, etc.!
So true!
You have such a sweet sweet soul. I love watching your videos. I also love that your boys will try different things, I could never get my kids to do that at all.
Our local store Quality Foods has roast for 2.99 lb last week. I bought 4. Three for the freezer and made beef stew that fed five people one day and three on the second day. I would have bought more but my freezers are full even after two weeks of eating out of them.
God Bless you Brooke, you always make me feel so much better. The struggle is real but you always help us find a way!🥰❤️❤️
In spaghetti I'll substitute meat with canned tomatoes 🍅 very tasty 😊
You are so right! There are no “right” and “wrong” foods, and there is no need to feel bad when we don’t have umpteen ingredients on hand to follow a specific recipe. It takes a while for nutritional deficiencies to develop. Lower-cost produce like carrots, cabbage, onions, potatoes, apples, and bananas can quickly fill the gap.
Good day, bestie. You’ve put a smile on my face.❤❤ your ideas. It’s really cold here (OKC) so I’m making almost a week’s worth of soup (I’m single) stretching two chicken thighs for five servings. And yes I’ve taken to shopping to at last two grocery stores; it’s become an adventure to get a good deal!
I’m so happy your on today. I’m in the hospital and I always look forward to seeing you. You’re making my day!
Thank you for all the tips for saving money on groceries.... Like you said prices are crazy... We got 3 chicken breast was 14 and change .... I don't buy much meat at all.... Love you Brooke and thanks again
Very good ideas! I always add a can of black beans to my taco meat. Lentils are good to add along with a grated potato and onion. Also, .I like to make a high protein pizza crust with either a good quality canned white chicken or shredded rotisserie chicken mixed with and egg and parmesan cheese.
One of the simple ideas I've been wanting to explore, and you just stated it giving example of the PB&J, is the meatless sandwich. I would love to share ideas of a meatless sandwich to add to my list of meatless meals. And I'd really love to see a video or two on it. I'll start, the tomato sandwich, an avocado sandwich, a lentil sloppy joe, the glamourized grilled cheese (this can be a whole category of ideas on its own)...
peanut butter and banana, mashed chickpea with mayo that emulates egg salad, egg salad, for that matter, open faced grilled tofu sandwiches are nice. I also like chickpea and black bean burgers
Hummus and grated carrot, falafel, gateaux piments, Coronation Chickpeas, curried potato cutlet, coleslaw, Heinz sandwich spread (I think that one might be a UK only thing!)
My mom sis and I love a meatless Veggie Powerhouse sandwich. It's a sandwich made on hearty multigrain bread. You can use mayo or hummus, thinly sliced cucumber and or zuchinni, thinly sliced tomato, shredded carrots, avocado, spinach leaves or your favorite leafy green, a must is a slice or two of munster cheese and a generous sprinkle of Spike seasoning. You make the sandwich then wrap it really tightly in cling wrap and put it in the fridge for an hour or so, that really helps the flavors meld. It's a really yummy sandwich, very filling. Obviously you can add whatever veg you like. My friend liked to add thin slices of sweet onion which zi omit because I don't like raw onion. I used to add bean sprouts but there have been so many recalls on those that I omit them now. That's such a hearty sandwich that my mom can only ever eat half of it. She has the other half the following day.
I just love you, Brooke. There have been times in our past that I've had to put my children to bed hungry. Watching them cry because their tummy hurt was more than I could handle and as a result I now make it a point to ALWAYS have some kind of food that is always available. Pasta, rice, potatoes, these will all make a meal even if I couldn't/can't afford meat. But I've also learned how to be frugal in the good times, in the event something happened. I can make something out of nothing, and I think everyone should be able to do that. I agree with you so much that there is NO SHAME in feeding your family. If your children are going to bed with a full tummy, that is what matters!! Also, thank you for letting people know, there is no shame in getting assistance! Food banks, churches, gleaners, SNAP, whatever it takes, because like you, I've not seen a peak and girl I wanted a roast the other day, with 10 people I need a decent sized one but 50.00 is waaaaay out of my budget, so we had veggie soup with half a pound of hamburger! I buy clearance French bread and use it as a side. So good. Also, that 69 cent loaf of bread makes a decent pizza too. Huge hugs to you!
9:22 !!!! yes yes yes
Brooke you are so real and have helped us budget! Thank you so much ! You always have great ideas ! 😊
Happy to help! Thank you 💜
Eat simple.Toast with PB and hot chocolate.Or can cream corn and a PB sandwich when there is no power. Loved it when you said eating simple works.❤
Tea lights can heat cans up. Put them in a muffin tin and elevate slightly.
@@melanieroberts2221 I am a gadget Guider of about 19 years.Still like helpful tips.Thanks.
Finely diced mushrooms are also great for stretching ground meat in a variety of recipes. I'm also a big fan of soups - use 1 pound of meat but with everything else, my husband and i eat off that pot of soup for 3 or more days. If you use credit cards, I also like to charge my groceries on my Sam's card and then pay it right off (so I don't pay interest), but I get Sam's cash for free.
Not only is in season fruit cheapest but they also tastes better
Some things in England are coming down.
Our Poundland stores, which I guess is equivalent to your Dollar Tree, had put prices up from £1 to £1.25.
Some things are back to a pound.
Stuff like sauces etc.
Even some down to 70p.
My hometown IGA had drumsticks 39 cents/lb this week (I think perhaps to get people to come in during the snow). We also do pork loins as roasts too. It’s sometimes 1.59/lb and you can do all sorts of stuff, even cut it into pork chops. Great tips! 😊
Where do you live? I live in Connecticut and my iga had leg quarters for .79 cents a lb I never see really see any price lower than that here.
@@brittney4513 Middle Tennessee
I like using black beans for tacos and burritos
By the time my family adds black beans/refried beans, seasoned rice, lettuce, tomato, onion, salsa, sour cream, cheese... It's quite delicious even if there is reduced meat or no meat.
I appreciate your insight to help people save money on groceries. I thought at my age, I knew all about ways to stretch my food dollars, but you have given me lots of ideas. Tonight I had your ham and cheese sliders, and I discovered how good Goya ham base can make beans taste. I try to catch all of your videos, and appreciate all that you can teach people of all ages. Keep up the good work, and stay as kind as you are
Great tips!
The reason why grocery stores will run steep sales on Fresh produce is that in most cases, they may have way too much in stock and to avoid the produce from going bad in store, they'd rather put them on sale.😂❤❤❤
Thank you for your positivity. I really needed it today. Love your channel!!
My guilty pleasure is Dr Pepper it’s 9 dollars a12 pack I’m done love your ideas Brooke
I hope you shop around and stock up when on sale! This week Dollar General has 6ct bottles 3/$10 with $2 digital coupon so 3/$8.
I'm a clearance shopper and with more people doing pick-up for their groceries, I'm finding more and more meat being marked down. And I became friendly with the butcher at my Kroger's. I found some of that grass fed expensive ground meat in the 3lb pack about 4 days from its best buy date and he marked it down to $5 for me. Five dollars for 3lbs of really high quality meat! I bought all 12lbs and put it in the freezer. And then I went to another local store and found frozen chicken tenders for $1.99 for 2.5lbs. Please check multiple stores if you can, especially places that do pick up groceries.
Homemade refried beans are the best for taco night!
By the time my family adds black beans/refried beans, seasoned rice, lettuce, tomato, onion, salsa, sour cream, cheese... It's quite delicious even if there is reduced meat or no meat.
When my children were little I used box meals a lot. I added things to the meals and it stretched the meals. The cheeseburger box meal is good to add when finished a can of peas and carrots and then make corn bread.
You are a genius! Thank you for all you information to help us stretch money and the meals.
Amen! Your kids are fed and know they're loved - you are doing a great job.
You can stretch your ground beef by adding things to it. Hamburgers for example...add onions &parsley. For meatloaf, you can add peppers, onions, salsa, egg, cream of wheat, potatoes, eatmeal, etc. Whatever you dont eat, freeze and pull out later.😊
Thank you Brooke , everyone should be able to take this info and implement to help themselves. I started cooking poor man meals, cutting down on meal sizes, yes I do fillers in ground meat ! And have a lot of veggies and lentils , take 1 lb ground meat and 1 can of of pinto beans, drain the beans and mash up and add into ground meat and bread crumbs to make a good meatloaf or Salisbury steak, still getting great protein folks.
If you're feeding a big family or possibly the rugby team, go find a thing called pork shoulder butt. It sounds ridiculous, but it should be a lower priced meat. Put the whole hunk in your turkey roaster and season it with salt pepper, garlic, and onion. Bake slowly (325) for several hours. Cool it, then shred it with a fork and separate into baggies for future meals, and freeze. This meat makes great pulled pork and bbq sandwiches, chile verde, tostadas, and more. My local Costco sells it for $2.19 a pound.
1) buy Chorizo - seriously the flavor is huge. I freeze and cut off a two inch portion to cook with. It's enough to flavor a whole pot of anything.
2) we do do meatless Mondays.
3) never buy drinks. Drinks will really burn your budget up. Buy drink mixes or Kool aid
Love all of your ideas especially cutting the meat and adding zucchini.
I always go to Food City i can always come out to the good with them or even Foodlion but foodlion don't have in store butcher but I'm on a fixed income so I've got to watch my money to the tee...love your channel your so sweet thanks for sharing the tips many blessings to you and your family 🥰
Thank you for common sense suggestions.
Want to make a comment about grocery store weekly ads and in store butchers in the grocery stores. Those ads seem to run in cycles and you can write down items you by and figure out when the items will be sold at cheapest price; also butchers are a store customers best friend when it come to getting any size of meat package. Last week our grocery store had the nicest boneless beef bottom round roasts for $3.48 lb. Butcher made sure I got smaller sizes😂
Love you, your beautiful spirit, and all your helpful videos!!!❤❤❤❤
I was thinking the same thing about a pot roast too. I remember getting the meat, potatoes, onions, and carrots in a kit for $13 or $14.....but no way now.
I've been doing the half meat since covid.
All great tips, thank you momma, hope peeps are listening!
Brooke, groceries are INSANE!!! What use to cost me$85 now costs me $198! 😳🙄 we would love to eat more pasta and less meat…. But that is Not an option the diet requires more meat ( medical). I’ve always have used squash/ zucchini… veggies. I do use beans but there again have to limit those. It’s just so frustrating… I do look for sales . Yes, you are so correct to shop multiple stores … ❤ I need to use those apps… great idea to add. Thank you. ❤
we sometimes, just do a balogney and cheese and mayo.. lol. simple but comforting
Back when I was a young widow with a young child and no extra money, I used to make what I called "elastic meatloaf" . I would stretch (like elastic😉) a small amount of ground beef with whatever leftovers I might have. Oatmeal and egg not only bound everything together but it also added nutrition and bulk. If you have picky eaters, just don't volunteer what you've put init. Season and cook as you would a "full meat" meatloaf.
I know that this sounds the opposite of what you are saying but the grocery store that I go to carries large rolls of ground beef and I buy a roll or 2 and I divide it up into several packages of the ground beef and put it in my freezer and it last almost a month
Do not think prices will ever go down Brooke! 😂 luv, luv your tips. Thank you soo much!! ❤❤