02/07/2026
Week of food...family of 3...under $50. Challenge accepted. I made the plan. Now I need to try it out!!!
Budget-Friendly 7-Day Meal Plan for a Family of 3
Breakfast: Overnight Oatmeal with banana or peanut butter, scrambled eggs on toast, or plain yogurt with honey.
Lunch: Peanut butter & jelly sandwiches with carrot sticks, egg salad sandwiches/wraps, or leftovers.
Dinner:
• Day 1: Baked chicken thighs, rice, frozen mixed veggies
• Day 2: Spaghetti with tomato sauce, shredded carrots
• Day 3: Rice & beans with onions & mixed veggies
• Day 4: Leftover chicken, mashed potatoes, mixed veggies
• Day 5: Tuna pasta salad
• Day 6: Vegetable stir-fry with rice
• Day 7: Egg fried rice with veggies
Grocery List (~$50 at Walmart) (link to list: https://www.walmart.com/lists/shared/WL/78be09ef-08ea-4a9d-b56a-168a5b064c4d)
• Chicken thighs ~3 lb ($4.50)
• Eggs, 1 dozen ($2)
• Canned tuna, 2 cans ($2)
• Peanut butter 16 oz ($2)
• Bread 1 loaf ($1.50)
• Pasta 1 lb ($1)
• Rice 2 lb ($3)
• Frozen mixed veggies, 2 bags ($4)
• Carrots 1 lb ($1)
• Onions 2 lb ($2)
• Potatoes 5 lb ($4)
• Bananas 6 ($1.50)
• Oats ($4)
• Apples 3 ($3)
• Milk 1 gallon ($3)
• Plain yogurt ($3)
• Tomato sauce, 2 jars ($3)
• Honey/sugar ($4)
• Black Beans ($1)
• Grape jelly ($2)
Tips: Buy store brands, use frozen veggies, stretch chicken with rice/veggies, and use leftovers for lunch. Use sauce/salt packets from restaurants or gas stations. Prices vary based on location and type purchased. The linked list I included is everything for $48.82 in upstate New York at Walmart.
