2. INTRODUCTION
I travelled to the Lougheed Mall Safeway to price products out and to get a realistic
idea of how hard it is to properly budget for food. I noticed prices quickly piled up.
My parents normally spend quite a bit per week on groceries alone
The reason I chose Safeway is because a local one is opening up within walking
distance from my home.This would save me money on transit, and time as well.
Waiting for the bus is a tedious process and usually the bus is overcrowded. I’d
rather spend as little time as possible riding it.
3. TIPS
Food is the most important item for human survival
The bulk of my $500 budget will go towards food and so should everybody elses
It is always good to shop around and price things out
Coupons are also a great tool
Going to places like Walmart with (usually) cheap prices is a good plan as well.
Finally, most off-brand or store-brand products are usually a) cheaper and b) the
same quality.
4. DAIRY
Dairy is not an extremely important food group (as learned last unit), but it is still a
good one to have as it provides good nutrients
2 cartons of milk (4.66 x 2 = 9.32)
2 blocks of cheese (5.49 x 2 = 10.98)
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= 20.30 dollars.
5. WHEAT AND GRAIN
A cheaper food group. If I was realistically on this budget, this would be one of the most
affordable areas to shop as the products last a while.Whole wheat is always the better
choice – it’s full of better carbohydrates which would keep somebody on a low budget full
for longer
2 loaves of bread (2 for 2 dollar deal)
Hot dog buns (3)
French bread loaf (1.50)
2 packages of buns – 24 in total (3 x 2 = 6)
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= 12.50 dollars
6. MEAT AND PROTEIN
The hardest group to allocate for. Extremely offensive, buying just a few products here would quickly
exceed your budget. Sadly, this is an important group as it provides needed nutrient, gives energy, and is
very filling. Luckily many products here could last at least 2 meals.
3 cartons of eggs – 36 in total (3.59 x 3 = 10.77)
2 pork – 3 or 4 in total. (3 x 2 = 6) note: goes in grams, this is an estimate.
Salmon (10) note: could last 2 meals. Fish is quite large.
200 g of deli meat (4 per 100g x 2 = 8)
Package of hot dogs (2.79)
Package of beef (5.50)
Chicken (7.50)
Peanut butter (8)
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= 58.56 dollars
7. VEGETABLES
The most important food group.
2 lettuce (1.50 x 2 = 3)
3 green peppers (3 x 3 = 9)
3 lbs of apples (2 x 3 = 6)
celery stalk (1.50)
Package of oranges (5)
2 cucumber (3 x 2 = 6)
2 lb of bananas (.69 x 2 = 1.38)
2 broccoli (1.50 x 2 = 3)
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= 34.88 dollars
8. FINALTOTAL
I also added in a frozen pizza (5) as a fast alternative
The final total was 131.24 dollars before tax and 148 dollars after taxes. My food
budget was 240 dollars, so the remaining 92 dollars could be used towards other
grocery products or takeout food.
9. SOME CHEAP MEAL PLAN IDEAS
Breakfast
2 eggs, milk, a slice of toast, and an apple
omelette with cheese, pepper, mushrooms, and broccoli.
Lunch
sandwich/bun with lettuce, deli meat, cheese, and cucumber
bun with peanut butter
apples/celery with peanut butter
Dinner
pizza (includes meat, vegetables, cheese)
pork chops with salad and rice
macaroni and cheese with broccoli
hot dogs
Default to drinking water!
