EXTREME BUDGET FAMILY MEALS for $3! // EXTREME BUDGET CHALLENGE

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[kyoung]

I've noticed in most of your extreme budget meals, you mention that this is not meant to be a sustainable way of eating but, to be honest, I see nothing wrong with your meals for every day life. They're always balanced with veggies and protein and any veggie in a meal is better than none, canned or frozen is just fine.

[annswann]

The main reason I make meals like this is to save money for other things. Having some kind of rice & beans once a week makes it possible to have a nice roast on another day. I love these ideas

[runningrabbit]

For many, this is not temporary. It is reality and PERMANENT

[rebelgirl]

I was in a group that would put Thanksgiving baskets together and there was 1 woman who was so disconnected that she would argue with me about adding flour, sugar, rice and beans to the baskets instead of slivered almonds for the green beans! I told her we never put almonds in our green beans growing up as I was on the receiving end of Thanksgiving baskets even though my Momma worked 2 jobs.
The additions I would buy in addition for what I was assigned because I know how much we appreciated the staples after the holiday meal was over.

[nancycarney]

My Family's Food mission for this Christmas: Fill a 5 gallon bucket from Lowe's with shelf stable foods (including canned meat) to give to a needy family. We are hoping to do 10 buckets this year. We were so excited that a church reached out to us and we were able to already donate 2 buckets. God is good all the time. Have a blessed Thanksgiving with your family.

[teacherstreet]

I love these videos! Just because a family “CAN” spend $300/wk on groceries doesn’t mean we HAVE to. It’s fine to stretch things some especially when the nutrition is just as good! Keep it up! ❤ from Iowa

[cindymoon]

A sad reality in our country is that - because of food desserts and fast food - there are fewer and fewer people who actually know how to follow a recipe and cook. Your videos are incredibly helpful because they show how to purchase INGREDIENTS instead of ready-to-eat foods that are expensive, and full of sodium and chemicals.

[pengle]

I appreciate how you always remind us that protein comes from many ingredients

[cyndimoss]

I honestly don't know how I could have fed my family some delicious meals on a budget had I not found your channel. My twins favorite meal is your chili mac recipe, we have that a couple times a month if not more per their request. Thank you so much for sharing your content and amazing ideas!

[AliciasKitchen]

The cinnamon sugar donut biscuits with bananas! Oh that just looks so good, definitely high class on a budget in my opinion 😅😍

[betterlivingonabudget]

Wow, I can't imagine how anyone could question why you would make these 'extreme budget' meal prep videos?? What a blessing it is to see these types of posts, IMO, whether I'm on a tight budget now (def was in the past!!) or not. Life can be very uncertain, and no matter how well anyone seems to be doing financially, there are no guarantees. A sudden job loss, a sudden loss of a spouse, grave medical conditions, the list goes on for how quickly our circumstances can change. Never take good circumstances or good YT channels for granted!!! Blessings to you and your family for a blessed, safe and very happy Thanksgiving, Mindy!!! xoxo's

[nickywiedmeier]

I remember when my babies were young my moms advice to me when they started on solids was not just to do veggies first but “cheaper” veggies-green beans, peas, carrots-thing stout could buy in a can relatively cheap at any time and then when we did fruits to start with bananas so they hopefully love them. I always thought it was kinda silly but now that I have pre-teen boys who eat non-stop I’m happy that they do love bananas so much since it’s a cheaper fruit to throw at them

[rebeccaramsey]

I love these videos. Anyone can use these ideas and if you don't need a $3 meal you can still practice being frugal with a meal here and there. I love that my kids are happy with a very simple meal and I don't always have to spend a ton to feed them. You never know what kind a financial situation any of us could be in in the future. Plus it's nice to adjust the grocery budget to add to other categories like Christmas gifts or charitable giving.

[rhondamorrill]

OMGosh! My Mom used to make the biscuit “doughnuts” for us as an after school snack back in the 70’s!

[sharonhart]

We all need these videos to save throughout the month when money gets tight.

[theage]

You rock. I use to call them kill-a-hunger meals when my children were growing up and we found ourselves in a crunch. I like the way you seek out high protein ingredients. I love your channel and my baby will be 49 yo come next year.

[bethwilliams]

In Australia, for $10 you’d be lucky to get the sausage mince and the bananas.

[lf]

I love your meal plans & recipes...whether they are budget, semi-home made, quick and easy or whatever. Your videos are always enjoyable, light-hearted and such a motivation.

[kendralynnchan]

These meals are also a great idea if you’re trying to pay off debt or cut the food budget to save up. I appreciate all of these meal ideas! Thank you!!

[rosemarydoran]

Thank you for providing budget meal content. With the rising grocery prices it is more challenging to feed a family on a budget. Doing a day of these extreme budget meals occasionally will help you get through a tough patch or put away a few extra dollars for a needed or wanted purchase. I am curious with these budget meals, Mindy, how do your kids receive them? They don't seem to be picky eaters but I do notice that you've also mentioned that in this example you didn't choose peas because someone in your family doesn't care for them and I believe you said your son didn't eat potatoes either. Those meals look like they made quite a few servings so would probably even generate leftovers for lunch the next day for some of your kids. Thanks so much, Mindy! Donating toy local food bank has been something I've done regularly for about the past 15 years or so. It started after had gone to the grocery store one Saturday and came home and was putting my groceries away. I live in a relatively small home and don't have a proper pantry in my kitchen as my house was built in the early 1920's. As I was unpacking things, in exasperation I literally said out loud "I have too much food." I immediately thought to myself, how many people wish they had that problem? Starting then, I began regularly donating to our local food bank. My employer at the time would match any donations of at least $25 so I would always donate at least that amount so that it would be doubled. Now that I am disabled and on social security disability I'm no longer able to donate to the extent that I used to, but I still find a way to send the food bank a few dollars several times a year. I can't imagine being a parent and not being able to feed my children. Although my $10 may not help much, as you've shown it could feed a family for a day. Thanks again so much for your kindness and generosity to your community, Mindy.