Wow $40.. to $50.00 a week is hard when you have got to buy milk, bread, eggs, butter, kitty food, (I will not include goldfish food as it lasts a long time and won't need to be purchased weekly)and all your other needed items like soap, etc....
First they have got to take a calculator with them to shop and add up all purchases. not forgetting to incl. tax. Then you have to stop shopping when you hit the alotted dollar mark. Make a weekly menu to determine just exactly what they need to make each meal, planning is essential. Plan carefully and thoughtfully and they can and will do it!
These are some purchases I would make but first remember to buy ALL STORE BRAND OR CHEAPEST ITEMS THEY OFFER. Get items that stretch the furthest. As everyone mentioned dry beans, canned Salmon (for Salmon Croquets) rice, Mac-n-cheese mix, cheese for some grilled cheese sandwiches. Ask them to make themselves stick to this min-set for however long and before you know it they will be doing it automatically...like Brook mentioned use chicken, beef and pork sparingly and for more than one meal. Stir-fry is a little meat, alot of rice and a few frozen veggies from a bag of frozen veggies> use some sesame oil and soy sauce and it will taste just like the restaurant type! I do not know if your friends have kids or not but pancakes w/ syrup are wonderful and very cheap for breakfast or french toast, leave the expensive non-filling cereal on the shelf it is way over priced.
Quit using paper towels and return to using dish towels. Buy plain old Scott's toilet paper a roll lasts 4 times longer than those expensive brands! Buy bar soap not the liquid stuff. Buy toothpastes like Pepsodent or Ultra Brite it cost $1.00 vs. 2 to 3 dollars a tube.
I believe they can do it if they use the ole' noodle and really try hard. They will not starve, they may not be able to have every last thing they want but they should be able to have what they really need! And tell them to revel in their ability to stick to a plan, be happy about it and keep a can-do attitude! It will not be easy, but hopefully it will not be impossible.
If they have lots of family or friends close by see if they can get to eat at their houses more often!!!
That'll save a bundle!
First they have got to take a calculator with them to shop and add up all purchases. not forgetting to incl. tax. Then you have to stop shopping when you hit the alotted dollar mark. Make a weekly menu to determine just exactly what they need to make each meal, planning is essential. Plan carefully and thoughtfully and they can and will do it!
These are some purchases I would make but first remember to buy ALL STORE BRAND OR CHEAPEST ITEMS THEY OFFER. Get items that stretch the furthest. As everyone mentioned dry beans, canned Salmon (for Salmon Croquets) rice, Mac-n-cheese mix, cheese for some grilled cheese sandwiches. Ask them to make themselves stick to this min-set for however long and before you know it they will be doing it automatically...like Brook mentioned use chicken, beef and pork sparingly and for more than one meal. Stir-fry is a little meat, alot of rice and a few frozen veggies from a bag of frozen veggies> use some sesame oil and soy sauce and it will taste just like the restaurant type! I do not know if your friends have kids or not but pancakes w/ syrup are wonderful and very cheap for breakfast or french toast, leave the expensive non-filling cereal on the shelf it is way over priced.
Quit using paper towels and return to using dish towels. Buy plain old Scott's toilet paper a roll lasts 4 times longer than those expensive brands! Buy bar soap not the liquid stuff. Buy toothpastes like Pepsodent or Ultra Brite it cost $1.00 vs. 2 to 3 dollars a tube.
I believe they can do it if they use the ole' noodle and really try hard. They will not starve, they may not be able to have every last thing they want but they should be able to have what they really need! And tell them to revel in their ability to stick to a plan, be happy about it and keep a can-do attitude! It will not be easy, but hopefully it will not be impossible.
If they have lots of family or friends close by see if they can get to eat at their houses more often!!!
That'll save a bundle!