I know oatmeal is healthy, filling and nutritious for a low cost but bleh. Oatmeal without added fruit is gross. I may never eat oatmeal again after this week. I did find it a bit easier today without tea, but my partner will not last the week without a coffee.
Live Below The Line Day 2 Meals
Breakfast – A packet of oatmeal made with water $0.13 each
Lunch – We used the leftover “chili” from last night $0.45, plus a potato $0.07 and cheese $0.15 (the cheese is for the day again, my stomach will hate me for all this cheese). $0.67
Dinner – Chicken breast (I used the two smaller ones, the others can probably stretch to 2 meals if cut and used well) $0.87 , an ear of corn each (free) plus a potato $0.07. Corn without butter just isn’t the same.
I didn’t take a photo of the chicken, but we usually buy fresh boneless breasts. Frozen seasoned, while easier to stockpile, are just not the same. I found them quite salty. We cooked them in the big boss and when they were cooked, sliced them and stuffed the remaining cheese.
Live Below The Line Day 2 Total Costs
$0.13 (breakfast) + $0.52 (lunch) + $0.15 (cheese) + $0.94 (dinner) = $1.74
We managed to stay very close to the daily budget today which is good, and while I was out shopping I found two cans of no name baked beans for just $0.12 each. They were dusty and expire in 2 weeks which means they have been in the store a long time but they were not dented and $0.12 is cheap!
I have realized that to live on such a low budget means you are eating more carbs and sodium than you should. I made an effort to buy fresh where possible but canned vegetables were cheaper when there was no rebate and since pasta and potatoes are filling and fairly cheap – they are staples.