37 Cheap Groceries to Buy on a Tight Budget (2024)
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This article highlights 37 cheap food to buy on a tight budget. Even if you weren’t on a tight budget, going in for cheap groceries or food anytime you visit the supermarket or shop is the best thing to do!
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Why? Because that’s the only way to save more money to invest in a stable asset( real estate), stocks, mutual funds, etc.
So don’t take note of these 37 cheap food and later shun them once you start earning good money. Remember what you actually want; the freedom that money brings – and that can’t be achieved if you spend on expensive things.
To my utmost surprise, I found out that these cheap food available to us are way more nutritious and have what it takes to give us good health than we could’ve imagined!
Read this article to the end to find out the cheap groceries or food to buy if you’re on the tightest of all budgets.
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What Food Should I Buy On a Tight Budget?
You may be a single mother, a young college student studying outside your country, or a normal person who makes less income. These food listed below, are to help you get something to eat to your satisfaction! You would be able to extend your budget to the farthest it can take you.
1. Flour
Flour is cheap to buy so even if you’re not a frequent baker, getting it whenever you visit the supermarket would help – because it also serves as a thickening agent. There are so many foods you can try with flour; dough, scones, rosemary garlic focaccia, fresh pasta, homemade bread, etc. Moreover, flour can be frozen to last for months. If you’ve some yeast and sugar alongside the flour, you’re good to go.
2. Rice
You can go for brown rice or its polished version; the white rice. Both are incredibly cheap to buy. White rice is quicker to cook and eating it feels less chewy and nutty than brown rice. But there are extra protein, calories, and fiber present in brown rice which the body needs. So decide. A pound of rice on average costs 70 cents. Moreover, rice is one of the foods that go with almost everything!
3. Beans
Beans give you the protein and fiber you need with no negative side effects. Beans taste great when combine with hummus, tacos, rice, soup, chili, and many others. Basically, beans are one of the easiest, most inexpensive, and fattest food to prepare to get you going for the day.
4. Oats
Oats come with antioxidants that lower your blood pressure. Looking at the price, that’s, $1.76 for every 18-ounce bag, oats are cheap to buy on a tight budget. I personally love eating oatmeal early in the morning with milk – it sets me on fire for the day. Oats can be used to prepare meals like oatmeal cookies, and oat bread. You can as well eat it uncooked with yogurt and canned fruit.
5. Banana
Banana tastes great! That’s my favorite of all fruits. Banana has so many health benefits – did you know it could even boost your libido and improve your heart’s performance? Less than 50 cents can get you a bunch of bananas! The fact that a few bananas can get you full makes it a must-buy fruit whenever you find yourself in a grocery store.
6. Lentils
If you’re tired of red meat, try lentils. It’s the best alternative for meat. A small number of lentils can get you filled – which makes it a great way to spend less on food. Lentils come with a high amount of folic acid, potassium, and selenium. Selenium reduces the rate of cancer. Lentils are cheap so take some home the next time you’re in a grocery store.
7. Frozen Veggies & Fruits
Frozen veggies and fruits are super affordable and have all nutritional values intact. Never think about food spoilage when dealing with frozen veggies and fruits. Frozen veggies and fruits can be blended together to prepare smoothies. Trying them with yogurt or cereal is also a great combination. Frozen veggies and fruits can be gotten under $2. Go for these if you’re on a tight budget.
8. Peanut Butter
Spreading peanut butter in some fleecy bread tastes yummy. Peanut butter is very affordable and therefore, perfect if you’re on a tight budget. You’re likely to come across these three types of peanut butter when you visit the grocery next time; the creamy, the organic, and the chunky type. Peanut butter is rich in nutrients – mostly, protein.
9. Onion
Onion spices up every meal it finds itself in. It’s also one of the most important vegetables – filled with so many nutrients. If you’re on a tight budget, onion is cheap to get. Even though it makes people cry, it’s still important in the kitchen.
10. Watermelon
A full watermelon can take days to finish – so undoubtedly, it’s the fruit you should buy on a tight budget. A full watermelon costs around $6 which isn’t bad, looking at how long it could last. Watermelon is very nutritious and helps improve the heart’s performance.
11. Eggs
Eggs can be eaten together with rice, oatmeal, etc. Eating eggs is a great way to get energy for your daily activities. Eggs are rich in protein and very easy to cook. Moreover, eggs can last very long when kept in a cool dry place – they can also be frozen. If you’re on a tight budget, eggs are one of the foods to spend your money on!
12. Broccoli
Broccoli belongs to the cabbage family – it’s highly recommended if you’re on a tight budget. Broccoli helps reduce inflammation and again improves heart’s performance. Add it to any soup you prepare, and reap all the health benefits it brings. Broccolis are extremely cheap, so make sure you bring some home the next time you go shopping.
13. Tofu
Tofu is rich in plant protein since it’s prepared with soy milk. You can let your family enjoy tofu for a while and put the meat aside. Again, tofu is rich in Magnesium, Vitamin B6, and Iron which are all good for the body. Tofu can be enjoyed in tacos, stir fry, etc. You’re likely to get a pound of tofu for less than $3 which makes it one of the cheap groceries to buy on a tight budget.
14. Carrot
Carrot is a perennial vegetable that gives a special taste to stew and soup. Carrot is rich in vitamins that are responsible for good vision and low blood sugar. The fact that carrots cost a few dollars makes it a grocery to consider on a tight budget. Carrot can be blended together with some fruits to form a nice dessert.
15. Cucumber
Cucumber is very tasty and a must-have vegetable in the kitchen. It can be eaten raw and also makes a great combination with carrots, salad, etc when used in stew to enjoy some rice. Cucumber is very cheap – so on a tight budget, this is for you.
16. Chuck Roast
Chuck Roast can be used for Irish stew, beef stroganoff and rice, tacos de matamoros, pot roast, among others. It doesn’t take so much chuck roast to get you filled. Try this if you’re on a tight budget.
17. Garlic
When stored in a cool dry place, garlic can last very long. Garlic has a special flavor it adds to meals. The only time the importance of garlic is noticed is when it’s absent in a meal. Garlic is very cheap to get. So if you’re on a tight budget, the next time you grab some onions at the grocery store, grab garlic too.
18. Kiwi
Kiwi is abundant in winter – since it’s a seasonal fruit, you would want to get and store for the long term when they hit the market. Kiwi is sour, very similar to lemon or orange. Vitamins and fiber are highly packed in kiwi fruit. It costs less, therefore, good for a tight budget
19. Canned Corn
Apart from being cheap to buy – canned corn is precooked. You don’t need to spend time cooking like how it’s done with fresh corn. Canned corn is therefore good for people who hate spending hours in the kitchen. The fact that it’s canned doesn’t make it less nutritious than fresh corn. Canned corn has all the nutrients intact.
20. Pasta
Pasta can be added to cheese and mac, cucumber salad, baked parmesan broccoli, spaghetti, and others. However, you can as well eat only that as your meal. Pasta can be gotten for less than $1. The next time you go shopping, get some pasta – The Tolerant brand is great in my opinion. One of the cheap groceries to get you going on a tight budget is pasta.
21. Spinach
Spinach is a healthy and affordable leafy green vegetable with its price per pound not exceeding $4. It contains Vitamin K, phosphorous, magnesium, and calcium which are all responsible for bone health. Spinach can be eaten raw – it also goes well with goat cheese, cheddar, ricotta, just to name a few. You can also blend it together with some fruits for a tasty smoothie.
22. Pepper
Soup or stew without pepper is a whole mess. There are many types of pepper – chili pepper, jalapeno pepper, black pepper, bell pepper among others, all help you to spice up your meals. A pound of pepper cost not more than a dollar. Not bad if you’re on a tight budget.
23. Chicken
There are so many meals to prepare with chicken! Tacos, rice and stew, soup, grilled chicken, the list never ends. One of the easy-to-eat meats in my opinion is chicken. Moreover, looking at the price, it’s one food you don’t want to lack in your freezer. Chicken can be your food now that you’re on a stretched budget.
24. Apples
Apples can be expensive but you can get some for a few dollars if you take your time to search whenever you’re at the market. I love apples – how they taste and the sound they make when you bite. Moreover, apples are very nutritious and help lower cholesterol and blood pressure. Apples have a long shelf life to get along with you on a tight budget.
25. Sweet Potatoes
I never knew sweet potatoes were that sweet until I tasted them. The meals you can prepare with sweet potatoes are countless. Try baked potatoes or mash the sweet potatoes with some orange juice – you can as well try roasted potatoes with cinnamon and honey. Although normal potatoes are cheaper than sweet potatoes, they’re still cheap for someone on a tight budget.
26. Quinoa
Quinoa is a grain with high fiber and protein content. It’s more nutritious than rice. In addition, quinoa has antioxidants that help prevent cancer. Because of its high fiber content, you get full after eating a small amount. That’s a way to save money since you can finish your day without worrying about food again.
27. Cheese
Cheese is a great food for calcium and protein. Some cheeses may be super expensive but cheeses like cheddar and sliced cheese are reasonably affordable for someone on a tight budget. Cheese is healthy; it contains probiotics that deal with inflammation. Cheese can be eaten without adding anything to it.
28. Canned Tuna & Salmon
It’s a great source of protein and omega-3. Moreover, because these are canned – they have a long shelf life. A 5-ounce canned tuna cost not more than a dollar. Some meals to prepare with tuna and salmon are sandwiches, salmon cakes, potato and tuna cakes, tuna bruschetta, etc. If you’re on a tight budget and want some groceries to buy – get canned tuna and salmon.
29. Milk
A gallon of milk costs around $4 – not bad for someone on a tight budget. Besides, the meals you can enjoy with milk are numerous. You can blend some fruits to form a smoothie and then pour your milk into it. You can try some cheese sauce with milk – what about cheese and macaroni? If you want strong bones for your kids and yourself, then milk is a grocery you should buy on a tight budget.
30. Ground Beef
Ground beef is very cheap for a person on a tight budget. Ground beef can be used for many recipes, some are beef taco soup, beef stroganoff, ground beef meat pie, enchiladas, etc. Ground beef can be stored in a freezer to prolong its shelf life. 80/20 ground beef cost around $4 per pound. Whenever you visit the grocery store, remember to get some ground beef.
31. Macaroni
One of the cheap groceries to buy to get you full is macaroni. There are many types of macaroni that are all healthy, but the diet experts recommend the one made with durum wheat. On a tight budget, macaroni is one food you don’t want to miss.
32. Chocolate
Chocolate tastes amazing; you can use it for baked chocolate cookies, pancakes, etc. You can even spread it on bread or eat it raw. Chocolates are good for blood circulation most especially black chocolate. That makes it a must-have.
33. Bread
Bread is universal and has been around for centuries. Having bread in your pantry is a whole good feeling. You can enjoy bread with a snack. Other meals to prepare are bread pizza, bread sandwiches, and egg bread toast. Bread easily makes you filled so a loaf can take you days to finish.
34. Noodles
Talking about noodles, we’re looking at ramen noodles here. They are very cheap to buy; wouldn’t cost you more than $1. Ramen noodles are very easy to prepare. Ramen noodles taste yummy but you can enhance the taste even further by adding chicken, salad, eggs, spices, and crumbled bacon
35. Honey
Consuming honey means you’re receiving fiber, protein, riboflavin, fat, copper, etc. Honey can be used in place of sugar because of its sweet taste. But does honey qualify to be on the cheap list? Well, honey may not be really affordable but because of its health benefits, spending a few dollars for it wouldn’t be a bad move.
36. Popcorn
Ready prepared popcorn may be expensive so on a tight budget, what I suggest is to buy a popcorn kernel and get your popcorn prepared at home. Popcorn is a healthy snack – the presence of fiber in popcorn may help reduce heart-related diseases.
37. Yogurt
Add yogurt to a smoothie and enjoy. Yogurt has a long shelf life so buying a large tub of yogurt could take days or weeks to finish. Spread yogurt on salmon and enjoy, it’s yummy. You can also try it with alfredo sauce. Combining it with your mac and cheese wouldn’t be bad either! If you’re on a tight budget, yogurt is for you.
Final Words
I hope this article has shown you how to eat rich and healthy even if you’re on a tight budget. If you put good health first, these groceries must help you achieve just that. There are so many recipes you can try with these groceries.
Stick to this grocery list and save money constantly to achieve your financial goals. Wishing you more dollars and freedom!
Manuelo is an entrepreneur and a personal finance nerd. He is the founder of Dollars And Freedom. An expert in side hustles, online gigs, and everything about making money. His works have been featured on major financial publications, like Business Insider, GoBankingRates, Investopedia, Entrepreneur, and more. When he’s not busy with his blog or writing for others, you’ll catch him hanging out with loved ones or reading books on stoicism and self-development.
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