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Creative budgeting for meals?

by blowback photography

Question by Jamie's Mommy: Creative budgeting for meals?
I get $ 140 every TWO weeks for all the food (family dinners at least 3 nights a week, lunches for Mom and Dad [Mom will eat left overs, Daddy refuses] and other stuff we need).

My dad works for the state, and found out that he doesn't get paid once or twice in May. (They were paying ahead and they're switching to like most places, you work then you get paid). So, I've got to start setting money aside.

I have 6 months to save either 120 or 240, which leaves us with 120 or 100 for two weeks. That's like $ 5 a MEAL. Nothing can be storemade (hamburger helper, anything boxed/frozen/canned soup/stew/broth, very small amounts of cheese is ok 2 times a week, jarred spaghetti sauce, etc etc). It has to be homemade because my mom has a medical condition that she can't even eat "low sodium" foods! (Stricter than a person who has high blood pressure) She also hates spaghetti and most bean dishes, my sister moving back home hates anything with any spice or flavor or "weird textures" while my dad and I eat almost anything (except white stuff, mayo/sour cream in my case)

I already shop sales, generic brands unless its cheaper for the "good stuff" with a coupon, and do a ton of buy one get one frees.

Anyone have any meal ideas? I'm going crazy.
Raven, she can't have sandwich meat either. And yeah you can't be choosey, but it'd cost more in medical bills if we ate Hamburger Helper.
Busy, we never have desssert or drinks other than tea once in a while. And I don't cook lunch (breakfast is cereal for everyone but Babby gets his food lol).

Best answer:

Answer by 2275c
make your own soups - with some bread and salad. very inexpensive.

get some cheap cuts of meat and throw it in a slow cooker with some carrots, potatoes, etc.

very difficult to feed everyone on that budget.

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