BUDGET CHALLENGE: TO EAT FOR A WEEK ON 5 DOLLARS

Рет қаралды 550,535

2 жыл бұрын

My viewer challenged me to eat for a week for $5.25. See how I do in this extreme grocery budget challenge where I save money on groceries and try to make as many frugal meals as possible with as little as possible. In this grocery haul discover frugal living and tips on how to save money on groceries without coupons
#grocerybudgetchallenge
#frugalmeals
#budgetchallenge
#groceryhaul
#extremegrocerybudget
#extremegrocerybudgetchallenge
#walmartgroceryhaul
#budgetmealplan
#budgetmeals
#eatfor$5aweek
#eatfor5dollarsaweek
Check out my son's channel to see this budget friendly ramen he came up with
Foodie Justin - Delicious recipe made with ramen noodles
Spicy Garlic Ramen
• Spicy Garlic Instant R...
Epidemic Sound
share.epidemicsound.com/3wri5w
Kentucky Biscuits
www.allrecipes.com/recipe/855...
I cut this recipe to 1/3
Banana Bread/Muffins Recipe
3 ripe bananas, 1 egg, ¼ cup melted butter, 1 teaspoon salt, 1 cup sugar, 1 teaspoon baking soda, 1 ½ cups flour.
I only used 1 1/2 bananas and 1 cup of flour when I made my muffins.
*Bake 1 hour at 325
Empanada Recipe
www.allrecipes.com/recipe/266...
I think I cut this in 1/4 and used 1 egg to add 1/2 egg to dough and then egg wash the top prior to baking.
I didn't have enough flour to make more, so I rolled out my dough fairly thin for the empenada. It was so thin that I would not have been able to fry it, I had to bake it, which I preferred anyway...but I am also curious about the texture difference if I would have fried it.
I can't really say how great this recipe was because I don't have any reference point. I used the empenada dough to make my pot pie.
Flour Tortillas
www.allrecipes.com/recipe/157...
I think I cut this in 1/4. I'll check my notes and footage and update this tomorrow if needed.
These definitely would have been better if I had enough ingredients to follow the recipe because my tortillas were very thin...but still delicious!
MENU
BREAKFAST
Day 1 2 egg bites with banana muffin
Day 2 2 biscuits with 1 egg
Day 3 1 banana muffin
Day 4 1 Banana muffin with 2 egg bites (made with 1 egg)
Day 5 1 Banana muffin
Day 6 Breakfast burrito with potatoes and 1 egg, 1 tortilla
Day 7 1 banana muffin
LUNCH
DAY 1 Lentil soup with potatoes and vegetable bouillon
DAY 2 Empanada with curried lentils
DAY 3 Potato soup with onions, 1 biscuit for snack
DAY 4 Lentil soft burrito with tortilla
DAY 5 Beans and rice with tomato, jalapeno, and tortilla chips (1 tortilla)
DAY 6 Rice with gravy, ½ banana puree, ½ muffin for dessert
DAY 7 1 banana muffin
DINNER
DAY 1 Soft taco with beans, tomatoes, onions, jalapeno with 1 tortilla
DAY 2 Breakfast burrito with 2 egg bites, potatoes, and 1 tortilla
DAY 3 Mini pot pie with potatoes and onions and veggie gravy
DAY 4 Bean chimichanga with side of tomatoes, onions, and jalapeno pico de Gallo
DAY 5 2 Biscuits with 1 egg
DAY 6 Rice with gravy
DAY 7 Curried lentils with turmeric and scalloped potatoes with muffin for desert
To contact me, send emails to:
ardentmichelle1@gmail.com
To send me mail:
15333 Culver Drive Suite 340 #546
Irvine, CA 92604
MY PRODUCT LINKS:
Aroma Rice Cooker
amzn.to/3coSc7V
MICHELANGELO 10 Inch Frying Pan with Lid
amzn.to/2XcYCRK
Silver Condiment Sauce Cups -Quantity 12
amzn.to/2WsyC4R
If you choose to use my links, I receive a small commission which helps support my channel. By using these links, you are not being charged any extra money
PRICE LIST
beans 0.25
rice 0.54
lentils 0.51
flour winco 0.41
margarine imperial 0.88 - I only used 3/4
bananas 2 0.38
eggs 1.25
onion 0.2
potato 0.64
curry 0.04
tomato 0.25
turmeric 0.03
jalapeno 0.21
total 5.59 - left over rice and banana = approx $5.10

Пікірлер: 2 100

@Busybeeee 2 жыл бұрын

Wow! I don’t know how you did it but you made magic out of nothing! I love your videos and how you dive into your challenges with such creativity! Great job Michelle! ☺️👍👌

@ArdentMichelle 2 жыл бұрын

Glad you liked this one 😁

@colecole331 2 жыл бұрын

Yeah she did a wonderful job. A little pro tips I learned if you ever have ripe bananas and you want to eat banana bread. Pop them in the oven and cook them until they’re dark in color it’s amazing. I learned that little pro tip from preppy kitchen. I love him he’s a great Baker/home chef. Thank you for sharing your video. We need to know these kinds of things. The world is not ready for what’s about to happen. I think that’s why they’re showing so many videos on how to save with little bits of food or money we have. I’ve noticed there are so many videos about saving money or not having very many ingredients or products. It looks like videos as long as three years ago. Because a lot of people don’t realize we are about to hit like the great depression. But from what I’ve learned and the circles that I watch and learn from. It’s going to be worse than the great depression. The federal reserve just doesn’t stop printing money they don’t have. Best wishes

@peekaboots01 2 жыл бұрын

Thank you for bugdeting for your pets. Animals mean the world to me and it makes me happy when they have loving and true humans to care for them.

@kenyonbissett3512 2 жыл бұрын

One of the great things with Winco is you can get 1/3 to 1/2lb beans for a great price. One killer for a $5.25 budget is a lack of variety. Go Winco! (No Winco on east coast)

@AnotheRFrog Жыл бұрын

i dont know how you did it did you watch the video brother

@sugarspice7768 Жыл бұрын

My mom came from extreme poverty and from a family with 14 kids----- their main source of food was soup. It's cheap, nutritious, and can feed a lot of people. My grandmother would make a giant pot of soup every week. Many times that was all there was, soup, but no one ever went without.

@ArdentMichelle Жыл бұрын

Thanks for sharing. 😁 Soup is a great budget meal, and so versatile. It can be made so many different ways.

@deborahtheodore5407 Жыл бұрын

I love soup and would eat it many times in the winter

@MackerelCat Жыл бұрын

Your grandma was wise! My mother also fed us soup a lot and even to this day I always keep it in my freezer.

@sugarspice7768 Жыл бұрын

@@MackerelCat yes. My mother and now me, are also big on soup. I make soup several times a week. All thanks to grandma. 🥰

@rclvr Жыл бұрын

why 14 kids

@lyngf6707 2 жыл бұрын

Had unexpected & HUGE vet bill -managed pay cash but seriously can’t grocery shop next 3 weeks-so this post will help me stay on budget. TY ♥️

@ArdentMichelle 2 жыл бұрын

Understood. Vet bills can get so out of hand. Glad this video is useful for you 😁. Thanks for watching!

@Journeylivin 2 жыл бұрын

Please reach out to your local food bank if needed!

@Brittbritt15 2 жыл бұрын

See Mindy mom is another great YT source for meals.

@irenez7439 2 жыл бұрын

Their are quite a few good videos here on you tube. Good luck. You will get over this too. Maybe a few pounds lighter. Trust me I've been there. I would try Mexican grocery stores for vegetables. Thsts what I did I got so much for $10. This was a few years ago.

@despisze 2 жыл бұрын

Put a cash app up, im sure some here wouldnt mind helping some

@WilletteB 2 жыл бұрын

You were brave to make this work. As a culture in general, we don't think about this being a reality for so many people. Thanks for this video, Michelle. Hope you are doing well. Have a blessed week. 🛐

@ArdentMichelle 2 жыл бұрын

Thanks so much Willette. I'm doing great. On a mini vacation with the family right now. 😁 Enjoying a day off! Thanks for watching my video and taking the time to comment. 🥰👩‍🍳

@virgilwalker683 Жыл бұрын

Speak for yourself, there are Millions who are in Poverty in the USA, not even $5 is not even enough to feed.

@psalmreader8049 Жыл бұрын

I lived out of my car for 9 months and probably spent around $10 a week. Peanut butter, crackers, $.33 yogurts, bulk treats . I loved the challenge even though I had very little money to live on.

@psalmreader8049 Жыл бұрын

@@virgilwalker683 it’s possible. Poor people often foolishly reach for the $1 corn dogs at convenience stores but there is these healthier, cheaper options.

@bobdole7292 8 ай бұрын

There are very very very very few examples in which people don’t have enough to eat. You could go find 30 cents laying on the ground and buy 3 packs of ramen noodles at Walmart. Like 1100 calories. You can buy enough rice to last you several days if that’s all you ate for 5 bucks. It’s hard to even imagine a scenario in which people could have the house , oven, pots and pans to cook something in and not the money for food. If you can figure out a way to increase your income by 5 dollars, you just bought yourself several days worth of food- 1 lb bag of rice at dollar store. 1 lb bag of beans. Jar of peanut butter. Container of oats. You can get all of those items at the dollar store for about $5 total Articulate to me a situation in America in which a family with a home where the parents have a job cannot afford food. Hell, depending on what job you work at you could get a large portion of your food from work. Any sort of food place gives you a free meal.

@gaildawson5464 2 жыл бұрын

This really made me think. First, I appreciated your creativity in making a lot out of a little, especially the banana muffins and the tortillas. Second, I thought about how many of these ingredients I have on hand (flour, lentils, beans, rice, margarine, eggs, seasonings) and how I would like to try these recipes myself. And lastly, I thought about my grandmothers, who fed their families with simple, filling foods, because they had to stretch what they had. You did great!

@ArdentMichelle 2 жыл бұрын

I too also think of my grandmother whenever I'm doing these challenges. She was the best cook I know and she always made everything taste so good even simple vegetables. Thanks so much for the complement and for watching my video! 😁👩‍🍳

@tcctocrazytccarson7309 2 жыл бұрын

I totally agree about making alot with so little and that I have all these ingredients on hand

@nancyst.john-smith3891 2 жыл бұрын

I agree with you! My grandparents had 9 kids and 120 acres which they farmed. Grandma canned her huge garden and fed her family year round from the canning and the root cellar. She sold milk, eggs, and butter for spending money to buy the kids clothes and shoes. Her meals were amazing!

@serenakoleno9338 2 жыл бұрын

Yes, and they often had large gardens and canned produce in season. Also foraged for greens, berries and nuts. As well as raising chickens and fishing and hunting where possible. Now the cost of bullets and hunting licenses as well as crowded hunting areas can be nuch less productive.

@robynbyrne5834 Жыл бұрын

@@serenakoleno9338 Did they raise rabbit for eating for protein?

@lanegardinier760 2 жыл бұрын

I have found carrots to be an amazing budget stretcher, they can be roasted, mashed made into soups, steamed or shredded into burritos, bowls and used as a topping; also, shred and pickle them for an amazing sandwich relish!

@ArdentMichelle 2 жыл бұрын

That's so funny because I was thinking about pickling carrots in my most recent video. I've never thought about pickling the shredded carrots. I love love love that idea. 🤔 I'm going to have to play around with that idea. Thanks for the inspiration!

@beautyobjectives1303 2 жыл бұрын

Pickled shredded carrots and radishes are often used in vietnamese cuisine, i.e. banh mi (vietnamese sandwiches). It elevates any dish.

@InSanesKitchen 2 жыл бұрын

I always try to allow budget for carrots and celery because it rolls over for use in more than a week. Also, whenever I can find the tubes of breakfast sausage on sale I spread that over the week too!

@Suebearish Жыл бұрын

These are for supper?

@Suebearish Жыл бұрын

Red potatoes are good.personally would use olive oil instead of margarine or buy a couple sticks of butter

@stephaniepapaleo521 2 жыл бұрын

You really varied your menu! It made me realize the food I have is more than enough and since I need to cut down to save money, I don’t have to eat just ramen or spaghetti! ❤️

@ArdentMichelle 2 жыл бұрын

Glad you enjoyed the menu I chose 😁

@Kim-bp1kb 2 жыл бұрын

I feel exactly the same. I realized how often I go to the store when I could be using what I have at home

@susanmoore8074 2 жыл бұрын

I’d love to see a $1 a day for a week so $7 total. I remember some years ago being faced with this exact budget for myself (I only managed because of a local farmers market $3 for an entire bag of veggies that they picked… I had hot peppers, potatoes, green beans, onions, curly kale, tomatoes and squash… it was a massive amount so I didn’t go hungry by any means)

@ArdentMichelle 2 жыл бұрын

This sounds like a lot of fun! I'll try to schedule this! 😁

@Arkylie Жыл бұрын

@@ArdentMichelle I'd like to see something like that, but where you spend half the money on an ingredient to be used up that day, and the other half on getting some staple into your pantry somehow that'll help out with future meals, so that over the course of the week or month you build up enough supplies to make better and more filling meals. Like maybe the first day is just a bag of flour and some butter and bulk salt and an apple (or whatever), but by the end of a two-week period you've got two dozen staple items and can branch out into more interesting items to add to what you've already built up in your pantry.

@weekendnomad5038 Жыл бұрын

RAMEN noodles, lentils are normally cheap too . Potato’s are like $3 but you can make so many meals out of them

@justsomenobody889 Жыл бұрын

ay, at our farmer's market everything is so expensive, they'll charge you $5 for a few medium-sized carrots

@GeeseAreJustBastardizedSwans Жыл бұрын

I'm having to do this now to save before I start university. (Uk) lidl bakery section and instant noodles are my saviour

@kell_checks_in 5 ай бұрын

One thing that I love about your channel is that you make so much from scratch instead of relying on mixes or cans. You're showing us so many possibilities.

@ArdentMichelle 5 ай бұрын

Glad you are enjoying my content! 😁 Thanks for letting me know.

@sondrajohnson2564 Жыл бұрын

I was raised by a grandmother that went through the Depression. She had the most amazing ways to take " nothing" and make something. One thing she taught was to have an emergency shelf of nonperishable food that covered a good week or two. Last year a GF who lives out in the country, recently moved there, had a tree go down blocking her driveway and road, and cutting power for 5 days. She had just been going to go shopping when it happened. Almost no food. Two tbsp peanut butter, 1/2 package saltiness, 1 can tuna, and some tea. She learned her lesson!

@ArdentMichelle Жыл бұрын

That's a hard way to learn the lesson ☹️ I agree though...a person should have a good stock of food. One never knows what life event is just around the corner. Thanks for watching!

@WokeUp0lder Жыл бұрын

the problem there is not having any other transportation, she couldn't take a bus or the train or just go walking? america is so badly build lmao

@sondrajohnson2564 Жыл бұрын

@WokeUpOlder Actually, the USA is on the whole NOT poorly built for access to services. I live in Seattle, WA, a very large city and a pain to drive in. But, I can take great bus system, a light rail system, two street car systems, and a free car/van door to door driver service for disabled and seniors. I mostly do bus rather than drive. My country is also BIG frequently with long distances between places. If you live out in the country, you won't have easily accessible public transportation! It would be financially prohibitive to build! My friend wanted an isolated rural area to live and discovered the down side of it.

@trashbasket11 2 жыл бұрын

When I first had my kids Winco was the only store I could afford to shop at and get healthy filling foods, very underrated compared to Walmart which survives more on the stereotype of being cheap than actually being cheap.

@ArdentMichelle 2 жыл бұрын

I couldn't agree more. 👍

@bosslady2002 Жыл бұрын

Wal-Mart has gone off the chain in their pricing..every week same items I use to buy keep going up.groynd trukey started at 7.98 now16.00. are they crazy.so now I go to different stores and really have cut out most everything.make lentil soup,pea soup,and sometimes chicken soup,chicken has gone up too.walmart 18 egg pk. This week was 5.48, last week 3.98...thank good I like homemade soup.make a pot eat off of it all week and still able to freeze a good portion @ time.also grateful I don't have anyone else to feed as well.

@Debbie4729 6 ай бұрын

Amen to that! I also used to cook with tofu(because it was cheap).I had to figured out how to make it taste good.Spices and frying it with onions,garlic,and bell peppers will make it tasty for rice and spaghetti sauce.

@GeckoHiker 2 жыл бұрын

If all I had was $5 for the week a bag $1.98 potatoes it would be. Plus a 99 cent bundle of greens, a carton of eggs for a dollar or less, and onions to finish off the rest of the money. And there would be mashed potatoes, potato pancakes, baked potatoes, potato salad, and pan fried potatoes on the menu. I actually like a plain cold baked potato sometimes. Hopefully there would still be some packets of condiments and a little oil or butter left in the house. Good challenge!

@ArdentMichelle 2 жыл бұрын

Yeah that bag of potatoes was tempting. You've laid out a convincing argument with all these potato options 👍

@GeckoHiker 2 жыл бұрын

@@ArdentMichelle Your menu was wonderful. It's just that my skills with making rolled dough recipes are pitiful. I vow to do better. That lentil filled empanada looked good!

@starrynight2600 Жыл бұрын

I agree I would have bought a bag of potatoes, a bag of pasta from the bins, and eggs. Maybe some cheese. You can make so many different types of meals with potatoes

@lynncaldwell8345 Жыл бұрын

I Iive in Australia.Food is a lot more expensive here.Eggs alone wouldblow this budget.

@kiahmadison8541 Жыл бұрын

@@lynncaldwell8345 If you pantry shop- I have done it pre COVID but SO expensive here now. $20 is more realistic in Australia.

@dreadanettles 2 жыл бұрын

I don’t see Winco bulk options used nearly as often as I thought I would when I started watching these challenges! The spice section is also a great resource for flavor, if someone doesn’t have a stocked spice cabinet at home they can get enough for most recipes for a few cents. I buy their bay leaves constantly!

@ArdentMichelle 2 жыл бұрын

I totally agree!

@TheMeshal33 2 жыл бұрын

I wish we had a Store that had bill bin spices sometimes I want to try a new recipe but it calls for spices I don’t have and by the time all is said and done it’s cheaper to order it at a restaurant and have a few drinks lol

@youmakemehappy7 2 жыл бұрын

@@TheMeshal33 same here!😭

@finnsfrolic4328 2 жыл бұрын

Looks good. Also, if you don’t twist your biscuit cutter, just go down and then straight back up, you won't seal the edges and have fluffier biscuits m

@ArdentMichelle 2 жыл бұрын

Thanks for the tip 👍

@deniseb7370 2 жыл бұрын

You are always so clever! Everything looked delicious, & I would have been thrilled to eat off of the menu you created. Thank you for all of the thought you put into your videos! ❤️

@ArdentMichelle 2 жыл бұрын

I'm glad the food looked appealing to you. That's always my goal when I'm cooking, to make something that looks good and also tastes good. The food was kind of colorless...It was interesting when I was able to use the tomato because it finally brightened up my dishes. I missed the fresh vegetables that are normally plentiful in my challenges. Thanks for watching! 😁🥰

@OvcharkaShepherd 2 жыл бұрын

THANK YOU I am so burned out watching the prepper videos where no budget is contemplated Just subscribed. Hoping to learn creative ways of using the pantry items I have on hand. Noting that you and I would both miss the freshies if we only had $5 a week. This is where a garden and a few chickens comes into play for those with tight budgets

@ArdentMichelle 2 жыл бұрын

So true. Welcome to my channel and thanks for subscribing 😁

@kathyscrazylife 2 жыл бұрын

I love these challenge videos. Please do more of these. I feed three adults- me, husband, and his elderly mom. You gave me some great ideas.

@ArdentMichelle 2 жыл бұрын

I will do more budget videos for multiple people. 😁 Glad this has been helpful.

@michellehommes9773 2 жыл бұрын

If there is a will there is a way. You made me realize what is possible when funds are low. That was absolutely impressive.TY

@ArdentMichelle 2 жыл бұрын

Thank you so much. 😁I'm always kind of surprised as well. 😂

@AmiFriendsStudio 2 жыл бұрын

At first I thought, "Oh no, she's got only $5 and she's going to waste it on margarine?" And then I saw how key it was in the baked goods. Lesson learned.

@ArdentMichelle 2 жыл бұрын

Haha. I was afraid I wouldn't have enough food when I saw all those items lined up, but it worked out. Thanks for watching 😁

@nancyst.john-smith3891 Жыл бұрын

What a great video! Many people eat like this due to tight finances these days (9.1% inflation in June 2022 alone). Knowing this is a challenge/demonstration, I’d love to see a nutritional breakdown of macros (carbs, protein and fat), vitamins, fiber and minerals. Without the margarine it would have been low in fat. I think it was low in calcium and vitamin C and B vitamins. Thank you for putting this challenge together Michelle. The presentation was wonderful. It tugs my heart strings for the hungry in our world.

@msullivan3531 Жыл бұрын

Soooo important to have a fat source.

@happycook6737 2 жыл бұрын

Your video forever settles the debate from people who say the drive through dollar menu is the cheapest way to "eat". I love fried rice, soup, homemade four tortillas bean burritos, etc. So many nice things for low cost

@ArdentMichelle 2 жыл бұрын

True...If you are willing to cook, it is much cheaper.

@curious1366 2 жыл бұрын

When I see what people pay for a fast food "meal"... I always think that for that price you can get a whole loaf of bread or a whole chicken or a few pounds of this or that. So I've never thought that it was cheaper.

@happycook6737 2 жыл бұрын

@@curious1366 That is because you are intelligent. I have coworkers who will argue endlessly that a fast food meal is value for money, that meal kits save cash because they aren't eating in a restaurant, etc. Those same coworkers talk about how much money they "saved" at a sale. Example: This MK handbag on sale for $120 saved me $100 because the original price was $220. Um, no. You just lost $120 on a VINYL purse 😔. It isn't even good quality because it came from the outlet...

@dreamweaver7810 2 жыл бұрын

I agree!! The only thing I could add to what she did would be to sprout some of those lentils to add to burritos or stir fry later in the week! She did an awesome job!!

@curious1366 2 жыл бұрын

@@dreamweaver7810 great idea!

@lindaterzich6632 2 жыл бұрын

FANTASTIC! I would like to see more Winco weeks! Maybe raise the amount by 50% each week. So next challenge 7.50. Then 11.25. Then 16.77 etc. I think when folks go from spend as much as you want to super frugal they are miserable, unless they go down to your $5, experience that, then raise the amount week by week, gaining experience, being grateful for that 50% more, and then settleing into "I can thrive on this budget forever", maybe 2 weeks, 2 months, but finding the minimum that satisfies could make a permanent change to stick with. Lots of folks spend 50! Anyways, thank you for reading this long post. Keep up your great work!

@ArdentMichelle 2 жыл бұрын

Thank you so much 😁I think you are right about the psychology aspect. People can feel like it's too difficult until they realize it's definitely achievable without feeling they are sacrificing. For me, the sweet spot is $15 per week. It allows me to eat lots of fresh vegetables and some fruits as well. I'll definitely do more challenges at Winco. Thanks for watching.

@serenakoleno9338 2 жыл бұрын

Love this idea. People who don't need to budget should still watch videos like this to be grateful for what they have.

@emanimarie4505 2 жыл бұрын

@@serenakoleno9338 I agree

@annwilliams7808 2 жыл бұрын

@@serenakoleno9338 100% correct!

@traveler7929 Жыл бұрын

Great job! To add nutrients, You can learn to forage for greens like purslane, lambs quarters, nettle, dandelion greens. There’s a long bike trail (old railway) near me where you can find these plus wild raspberries. There is also red sumac, the berries of which can be dried and ground into a lovely spice. A few seed packets from the dollar store and you can have herbs and other veggies to add for next to nothing too. It’s not that we want to be limited to beans and rice, but you just never know. Doing these things as an exercise occasionally is a great education. Lastly, I tend to buy my staples for a whole year in the fall, looking for sales. If you keep a year’s worth of butter (for instance) in the freezer or flour bought in bulk and stored in buckets then it’s typically cheaper per pound and if there is a job loss you don’t have to immediately worry about food.

@ArdentMichelle Жыл бұрын

Thanks so much! 😁 These are great ideas!

@WillChil466 Жыл бұрын

That's right. Best crappy diet improvement u could give. Be careful tho. Anything growing in water is scary. Wild tiny peas can kill u (frondy folaige, purple string of flower). Any mushroom try a tiny bite first.

@frithar 8 ай бұрын

Yes yes yes yes yes. All this!! There's free nutrition out there, people! Better than what you can buy in the store.

@susanwebster9218 2 жыл бұрын

Some can do it and some do it well...you finished this challenge VERY well. I'm always amazed at the flavor you are able to add to your foods. To think that just two small peppers and a teaspoon or curry, ( less than 30 cents) you added so much flavor to your dishes.

@ArdentMichelle 2 жыл бұрын

Thank you so much 🤗

@xavierturner4909 Жыл бұрын

I stumbled on this accidently... started watching and was hooked. Girl, you're incredible! This was totally fantastic and you have given me so many cost saving ideas. Blessings to you! Thank you!

@ArdentMichelle Жыл бұрын

Thank you so much! 😁👩‍🍳 I hope you will consider subscribing to my channel. Glad you found this video helpful. Most all of my videos are focused on delicious low cost meals.

@Revert2017 2 жыл бұрын

I am becoming a really good cook by being broke. Thank you for doing this. Loving the empanada!

@ArdentMichelle 2 жыл бұрын

Yay! Glad you are enjoying my content and like the empanada😁 Hopefully your dough was a little thicker than mine 😂

@annwilliams7808 2 жыл бұрын

LOL!

@poopsiekins2732 2 жыл бұрын

yes, that is a silver lining in your temporary "being broke" cloud. :)

@SuperZytoon 2 жыл бұрын

Your creativity and conservation skills are remarkable. I heard stories of my family during the Great Depression and WWII with the terrible shortages of everything, especially food. You would have been able to feed your family!

@ArdentMichelle 2 жыл бұрын

Awe thank you. 😁 I'm always trying to save money and I love good food so I want to try to have both. Thanks for watching my video!

@yolandavenable2900 2 жыл бұрын

I am in AWE!! Like someone said in another post, we don't think about the food we waste. I'm guilty...Wow! Loved how you bought items that really pack flavor to keep the dishes from being bland tasting.

@ArdentMichelle 2 жыл бұрын

Yay!! So glad you liked my video 😁 Thanks for watching.

@dizzy4u 2 жыл бұрын

Yellow split peas are a staple in the Caribbean. Makes an amazing thick base for soups, delicious dhal or dhalpouri roti or even baked as a snack with spices.

@ArdentMichelle 2 жыл бұрын

hmm... I need to try those. 🤔 I would love to make some Caribbean food. Feel free to send me a recipe if you happen to have one.

@dizzy4u 2 жыл бұрын

@@ArdentMichelle I would be so honoured. Cow heel soup and corn soup are the most popular split pea soups in Trinidad and Tobago. Trini style dhal is also amazing especially with rice (complete meal). I make my soup a little different than they do on youtube but the end product is virtually the same, I would be happy to share my recipes. I also can recommend some channels that really showcase true Trini cuisine.

@ArdentMichelle 2 жыл бұрын

@@dizzy4u Yes absolutely please do. You can email me recipes to ardentmichelle1@gmail.com. Many of my viewers requested that I make a travel video series after I released the video featuring an African dish. I'm certain we can find budget friendly cuisine across many cultures. Maybe Caribbean food would work for this purpose?

@i-deegamingvideos6016 2 жыл бұрын

That's so inciteful. I normally spend about $3-4 a week. You've given me such great meal ideas that are within my budget

@ArdentMichelle 2 жыл бұрын

Glad you liked this video. I'm thinking about doing another one like this. 😁

@shisah5544 Жыл бұрын

Makes you really think when we’re so ready to spend a fiver on Starbucks!

@ArdentMichelle Жыл бұрын

Thank you 😁

@kylaw3450 Жыл бұрын

Wow! Amazing. You inspire me to do better in my kitchen. I remember as a young woman struggling to get by. My friends and I would gather on Friday night and pool our food to create something to get us all through the weekend. There were some real failures, but some successful meals too.

@ArdentMichelle Жыл бұрын

Thank you so much 😁🥰 I love doing these challenges because I always discover new dishes that I love.

@penandpencil3r 2 жыл бұрын

I love the effort put into this video too. I've seen challenges where they will make the food, but they don't do the actual challenge. They just show you that they could do it, if that makes sense. This is exceptional, and inspirational!

@ArdentMichelle 2 жыл бұрын

Thank you so much! 😁

@pm2886 Жыл бұрын

The key to making this long term, is growing vegetables (even if only in pots in a sunny spot in your apartment). It's what our poor and working class grandparents always did! You truly can live on flour/rice/beans if you have free nutrients to add. If you can keep chickens for eggs, and perhaps do a little fishing, even better. My grandparents did all these things, and it was quite normal amongst suburban working class people at the time. They were too smart not to save every cent they could.

@naomisaldana5200 Жыл бұрын

This is the most creative budget meal plan I’ve ever seen! Thank you

@ArdentMichelle Жыл бұрын

Yay! 😁 Thank you so much for the complement!

@viviannichols3582 2 жыл бұрын

Here in MA, the sale price for bell peppers is a dollar each! If they were 38 cents, my ten guinea pigs and I would be so happy.

@ArdentMichelle 2 жыл бұрын

I haven't seen bell peppers that low in a long time.

@WillChil466 Жыл бұрын

They burn u. I threw mine out . Things are awful. Hurt your eyes. Why eat something so lethal u need to de seed and wear gloves to use?

@Goonky100 2 жыл бұрын

Well done Michelle! We don't have Winco where I live in the northeast, I don't know where I'd get bulk items at that price, and being able to buy just what you needed was key. I appreciate that you took on this kind of challenge. I volunteer at a food bank - food insecurity is real and videos like this can really inspire and help people.

@ArdentMichelle 2 жыл бұрын

Agreed. I wouldn't have been able to pull this off without WInco and being able to buy smaller items. Sadly a lot of my viewers are on very restricted budgets and I always think of them when I make these videos. Thanks for watching 😁 Have a great rest of your week.

@dreamweaver7810 2 жыл бұрын

@@ArdentMichelle But, for those who are not yet hurting really bad, it is a good wake up call on what kinds of food to store for emergency tines.It could help them if they lost their income. Knowing what to store up and why can carry you a looong way!

@WillChil466 Жыл бұрын

Bins are a health hazard and should be banned .

@justsomenobody889 Жыл бұрын

@@WillChil466 Or maybe just don't use 'em if you think they are hazardous, and let people who need to buy food cheaply have access, it's certainly better than going hungry..

@nancysmith2874 Жыл бұрын

Most people don’t know how to cook

@courtneywhitlow6974 2 жыл бұрын

You have outdone yourself. Again. You have the BEST budget grocery recipes! Thank you for sharing your skills and ideas with us!

@ArdentMichelle 2 жыл бұрын

Awe...thanks so much for the kind comment 😁 I love it when my videos are useful. Thanks for watching!

@augustt8282 2 жыл бұрын

I just wanted to add something for all the doubters out there who claims vegetarian or vegan food are expensive , and seeing videos like this pooping all over KZfaq proves them wrong, I love how you made sure to have a diverse healthy food.

@ArdentMichelle 2 жыл бұрын

Thank you 😁

@free2bkittenforever Жыл бұрын

It is definitely expensive if you also can’t eat gluten :(

@WillChil466 Жыл бұрын

Popping.

@augustt8282 Жыл бұрын

@@WillChil466 I know, I'm just too lazy to edit it 💩

@larelledean1333 2 жыл бұрын

I can't believe you did it, I would be craving so many things, but I love these challenges, thankfully I don't have to do it, but who knows in the future and it makes me grateful and think of those that do xxx

@ArdentMichelle 2 жыл бұрын

Thank you so much. 😁 I love doing these challenges because they help me to appreciate the items that I do have and also to discover new creations. Plus ....saving money is fun.

@milomilo55 2 жыл бұрын

I'm so impressed with the variety of dishes you were able to churn out with those few items, especially since they happen to be items I rely on a lot because my budget is really limited. The only change I might have made would have been to make use of the baking soda with your potato. If you add a wee bit, like 1/8 tsp tsp. for 2 potatoes, to a pot of water with your potatoes and boil them till tender, it breaks down the outside of the potato cubes and gives more surface area for browning for future use in things like roasted potatoes, hash browns, etc. When you drain your potatoes you need to shake them a little roughly and you'll see the outsides of the pototo cubes look almost mashed and they brown really well and give extra flavor and texture when you fry or roast them while the insides of the cubes get really creamy. I was thinking of your onion and potato soup .... browning the potatoes and onions a little first would have added more flavor and creaminess and potato soup, with onions, is one of my favorite go-tos. Another trick, if you'd had enough $ for garlic, would have been to roast some minced garlic in quite a bit of oil then strain the oil as soon as the garlic gets golden. Then you have garlic oil for cooking and the strained cooked garlic can be added to cooked foods like the lentils, beans, etc., after they've been cooked to add cooked garlic without worrying about the garlic burning. Please don't think I'm criticizing what you made because I'm not and am seriously impressed with the baked items you made. That's the one area where I'm lacking and the number and vareity of items you made with flour is nothing short of amazing. Great job!!!

@ArdentMichelle 2 жыл бұрын

Thanks so much 😁 I appreciate the feedback and the tips 👍 I will definitely try this next time. I use baking soda when frying tofu or chicken. I'm excited to try with potatoes.

@milomilo55 2 жыл бұрын

@@ArdentMichelle You're welcome. It's such a simple thing but the difference is pretty amazing. Fair trade for watching all your great dough/pastry ideas :)

@jeannehunter5344 2 жыл бұрын

Mashing the potatoes for the soup might have given a creamier texture, which I like.

@TheCaraaraC 2 жыл бұрын

Thank you for these videos. Once years ago I was short on money. My daughter and I ate eggs and potatoes scramble for lunch and fried rice (w/eggs, frozen mixed veggies and the cheapest chicken I could find) for two weeks until pay day. It was delish but we def could have used more variety the second week lol

@ArdentMichelle 2 жыл бұрын

So you definitely know how to make the food stretch. 👍 Yeah...I think variety is the most important part of keeping yourself mentally satisfied on a low budget. It almost doesn't feel like your budgeting when you have variety.

@yasmin7903 2 жыл бұрын

For the potato onion soup: If you puree that it would taste very good on its own! We make one at home with just onions and potatoes pureed and then garnished with carrots. Now the carrots add a lot of flavour of course but when I was little I did not like them and the soup was very tasty without, just salted (and maybe with a little butter if available).

@ArdentMichelle 2 жыл бұрын

This is a great idea that I will definitely be using. Thank you 😁

@onmyway7363 Жыл бұрын

Ohhhh. Love potato soup. We add little rivils to ours So thick and hearty.

@lynnemorton6055 2 жыл бұрын

Hi, I dont know how I came across your channel, but im glad I did. Youve got a new subscriber. I cant believe what you made with what you have. This video is a perfect example of how much we take food and waste for granted. Brilliant to watch. Just a shame we dont have such shops here. Thank you for sharing. Take care. Luv from the UK. x

@ArdentMichelle 2 жыл бұрын

Thanks so much Lynne and welcome to my channel 😁👩‍🍳 Glad to have you here.

@lynncaldwell8345 Жыл бұрын

This is the best budget lesson ever.I find a lot of thesemoney saving videos ridiculous.Obvious advice or suggestions so joyless.You are amazing on the other hand.I got into trouble as a kid for refusing to eat peas..Oddly enough l always loved them raw.As an adult l adore them.

@nikitalenzo6219 2 жыл бұрын

I love your videos. Your voice is so calming to listen to and I dig the suspense of not knowing what you might create. :) Bravo for not backing down from such an intense challenge.

@ArdentMichelle 2 жыл бұрын

Thanks so much for the very nice complement. I'm glad you are enjoying my videos. 😁

@juliescheidler7763 2 жыл бұрын

You did a great job, I'm impressed but so grateful that my budget isn't that tight. Considering you spent so little you really had a varied diet & served it beautifully. Bravo!

@ArdentMichelle 2 жыл бұрын

Thank you so much 😁

@melinaz3385 Жыл бұрын

Love your ingenuity on cooking. I wanted to share a "window" tip for the cold/hot weather problem you have with the windows, If you can take some R-Tech foam insulation and you can make decorated window insert panels. We did that for winter and summer and kept warmer in winter and brought the heat down by 10 degrees for summer. you can make them fit the windows in two pieces, cover them with white contact paper and set them up when you need them.

@ArdentMichelle Жыл бұрын

Thanks for the great idea 👍 I love this and will try it for my window. And thanks for the complement 😁 I appreciate it.

@marmstrong393 2 жыл бұрын

Michelle, this was awesome! I learn so much from your videos, too! What a great cook you are!

@ArdentMichelle 2 жыл бұрын

Awe...thanks. I appreciate your complement 😁 I'm glad my videos are helpful.

@lindawilson290 2 жыл бұрын

Outstanding job, AM! You are so ingenious with your recipes. I always look forward to, and enjoy, your videos. Kudos!

@ArdentMichelle 2 жыл бұрын

Thanks Linda. 😁Glad you like my video 👩‍🍳 Thanks for watching.

@frugallifehappywife3993 2 жыл бұрын

Very impressive. I was thinking she is going to be starving but, you really got creative and made some great food!

@ArdentMichelle 2 жыл бұрын

Thanks so much. 😁I was definitely worried when I saw how little food I had. 😂 I missed the fresh vegetables that I normally eat in my challenges. Thanks for watching!👩‍🍳

@frugallifehappywife3993 2 жыл бұрын

@@ArdentMichelle I’m sure you did! Sadly, what you did is some people’s reality. ❤️

@grovermartin6874 2 жыл бұрын

@@frugallifehappywife3993 And some would be happy to have that much.😪

@mrsacrossify 2 жыл бұрын

You are always so creative with your meals. I knew you would knock this challenge out of the park!

@ArdentMichelle 2 жыл бұрын

Awe... I appreciate that so much! I really do. 😁 Thanks for watching.

@jacki6301 2 жыл бұрын

That was a great challenge. Were you still hungry? It didn't look like many calories per day. Your winco did have great buys. Being able to increase even by a few dollars would really help add those varieties of fruits and veggies to your meal. You got really creative using that flour in many recipes!

@ArdentMichelle 2 жыл бұрын

Thank you. There were a few times that I felt hungry between meals...but mostly it made the food I was eating taste super delicious. 😂 I like doing these challenges because I make food discoveries that I wouldn't normally.

@jessshnarcky1089 Жыл бұрын

I guess-estimated that she was eating 150-300 calories max per each meal. 1/2 cup of cooked lentils is about 160 calories without added oil, seasoning, or other things. A small biscuit on average is about 50-200 calories depending on recipe. 1/2 cup cooked rice is 121. Mini banana muffin is about 140 calories. 1 large egg is 78 calories.

@justsomenobody889 Жыл бұрын

@@jessshnarcky1089 yeah the calorie count seemed pretty low, this likely wouldn't be enough for a younger man to live on

@timingisperfect Жыл бұрын

@@jessshnarcky1089 I applaud your fact checking and drew similar conclusions as well.

@emmaphilo4049 Жыл бұрын

@@justsomenobody889 yes not enough calories....

@antoinettenico216 2 жыл бұрын

WOW! Amazing. Love how intentional all your videos are. They always inspire me. I will be trying those biscuits out for sure!

@ArdentMichelle 2 жыл бұрын

Glad you like them! 😁

@hildahighlander2586 2 жыл бұрын

You did so well! That's really amazing at what you were able to come up with and have breakfast, lunch, and dinner. You came up with some great ideas I never would have thought of! I just spent $55. and had only two bags of groceries. I did stock up on some nuts though, so I'm pleased about that! Cooking with such a small budget is an art form, and you mastered it! Thank for sharing! Liking and subscribing!

@ArdentMichelle 2 жыл бұрын

Thank you so much!! 😁. Glad you liked this video. Welcome to my channel 👩‍🍳 Making these videos has helped me save a lot on groceries. Because I love food and am a foodie, its easy to "accidentally" overspend at the store. 😂. I just want to make delicious food without spending a lot of money💰 Thanks again 😁

@tammybenadventures4839 2 жыл бұрын

Very helpful and great job being creative and making everything look so good!

@ArdentMichelle 2 жыл бұрын

Glad you liked it! 😁

@lopear111 2 жыл бұрын

I’ve never seen such low prices on produce in my life. Must be nice to live in a place where this is available.

@ArdentMichelle 2 жыл бұрын

It IS nice to live in a place where the food is cheap. 🌴☀️ But on the other hand, the housing prices are exorbitant. 💰💰💲💲

@psalmreader8049 Жыл бұрын

Thank you for this. What it tells me is that people that say that they can’t afford to eat healthy are wrong but, unfortunately, a common misconception. I have always believed that the cheapest way to eat is making things from scratch. And it’s not even that hard. As you have proven. Bravo!

@ArdentMichelle Жыл бұрын

Thanks so much. 😁

@spacegirl6590 2 жыл бұрын

This video showed up on my home page and I just wanted to say I really enjoyed it :) you have a very relaxing voice and you put such care into these meals, serving them, wrapping them up, I don’t really know what I’m getting it, it was just nice to see. I’m definitely subscribing ❤️

@ArdentMichelle 2 жыл бұрын

Glad you enjoyed! 😁 Welcome to my channel and thank you for subscribing! 👩‍🍳

@justin5045 2 жыл бұрын

Wonderful video as always! Its so exciting when you post and it makes my day seeing your creative ideas :)

@ArdentMichelle 2 жыл бұрын

Thank you so much!

@michelle76678 2 жыл бұрын

You have the best budget grocery recipes! Thank you for sharing with us

@ArdentMichelle 2 жыл бұрын

Thanks so much! 😊

@brookephelps3135 2 жыл бұрын

Your the budget meal queen!! I absolutely love these videos. Your sp creative and everything looked sooo good. One would not think you made all that from $5.00. Looking forward to a $10 challenge from Winco 🤗

@ArdentMichelle 2 жыл бұрын

Thank you 😁. Yes we could really feast on $10 at Winco. I'll consider that for a future challenge. 👍

@dreamweaver7810 2 жыл бұрын

@@ArdentMichelle I, for one, will be looking forward to that!!.I am one to prep ahead and think about long term preps. I, too, would miss fresh fruits and veggies, but the freeze dried food options that are available these days could help with some of that. They are pricey, but when you think of the costs of that down the line, getting a stock sooner rather than later means getting them at the current 'cheaper' price. Properly stored and protected from heat, light, humidity and critters freeze dred fruits and veggies can store for many, many years!! One reason I really like this challenge is that it shows me just how far I could stretch my preps if I had to!!! Imagine having a year's supply of food, but only using it as sparingly as you did in this challenge! You cheer me up with the possibilities!! I will be watch for more creativity from your channel!! 👍💞

@ArdentMichelle 2 жыл бұрын

@@dreamweaver7810 You make a very good point!

@keralee 2 жыл бұрын

To fix the cold drafty windows, the clear bubble wrap trick is very effective. Lightly mist window with water, apply bubble wrap. Pulls off easily in spring or if you need the view. Instantly eliminates drafts, noticeably warmer. Next step up is polyiso foam board shutters. Really effective esp foil faced--reflects almost 99% heat back into room.

@ArdentMichelle 2 жыл бұрын

Wow what a great tip 👍 I like it. I'm going to try the bubble wrap. Thank you! 😁

@WillChil466 Жыл бұрын

The board translucent? No wondow rooms give u claustrophobia.

@patpeters6331 2 жыл бұрын

The prices are definitely worth the drive. I was excited to see the price of the can of olives. That would be a treat on a limited budget. 😋

@uweschroeder 2 жыл бұрын

Dollar Tree has black olives in 6oz dry weight cans for a dollar - oops, a dollar 25 now. Still a better price compared to the dollar for a 2,25 oz can.

@ArdentMichelle 2 жыл бұрын

Yeah...I was watching the video back and seeing items I should have purchased. I'm like why didn't I stock up on the butter? and the yogurt?? 😂. I missed the olives. I'll have to watch again. But I had a one track mind..... It's nice to go somewhere other than Walmart for a change....Honestly I get so tired of going to my local Walmart. It's always so crowded.

@jenejen1 2 жыл бұрын

Wonderful video! I can't get enough of these! I love all of the sustainable ideas you're giving me

@ArdentMichelle 2 жыл бұрын

Glad you like my videos! 😁 Thanks for watching 👩‍🍳

@LifeIsMessyImLearningAsIGrow 2 жыл бұрын

This is great I am going to make this for my kids! They will love it. I appreciate you sharing your talent with us. I also make KZfaq videos and I feel so lucky to be able to learn from creators like you!

@ArdentMichelle 2 жыл бұрын

Thank you. I appreciate it! 😁 Good luck with your channel 😊

@curious1366 2 жыл бұрын

What an inspiration! I think that I'll try my own challenge based on what I've learned from you!

@ArdentMichelle 2 жыл бұрын

Yes!! You should definitely do your own challenge. 👍They are so rewarding and you discover new ways to enjoy the food. Let me know how it goes. I would love to hear your menu.

@DayOwlify 2 жыл бұрын

I applaud your creativity and making it through the week on so little. I don't know if they're available in CA but grits- white corn polenta- make a very inexpensive and filling food. Prepared with some margarine , salt and sugar , they could come in around ten cents per serving. Here in NC grits run around 60 cents a pound dry.

@ArdentMichelle 2 жыл бұрын

That's a great idea! 👍 And I do love grits. I haven't had them for years. I'll have to look for those at Winco. They would work well for an extreme challenge video. One of my favorite Italian restaurants in San Diego serves a yellow polenta as a savory dinner course with a ragu. It would be fun to be able to utilize them for breakfast and then also for dinner. Thanks for the suggestion and for witching my video 😁👩‍🍳

@beingL 2 жыл бұрын

Yesterday I saw someone make breakfast porridge with while wheat flour and whole milk. I’ve never seen this before

@dreamweaver7810 2 жыл бұрын

@@ArdentMichelle Both polenta and grits can be cooked ahead poured into a greased loaf pan and refrigerated. Once set up, they can be removed from the pan, sliced a bit on the thick side, breaded, seasoned and fried for a lunch or dinner option. Spaghetti sauce or pan gravy can add variety against food fatigue.

@adc2327 2 жыл бұрын

Of course they are available in CA. With us being the third largest state we have people from all over the world. You would be surprised at what is available.

@grovermartin6874 2 жыл бұрын

@@ArdentMichelle Another plus for some of us is that corn, millet, quinoa, teff, amaranth, and gluten-free oats (not all oats) are the only staples that gluten-sensitive folks can tolerate. And grits (tortillas, tamales, polenta, mamaliga, and more, all made from cornmeal) are a really inexpensive deal, like oats and some rice, unlike quinoa, amaranth, and teff. Being gluten sensitive is not easy in any circumstance; finding good nutritious, filling, and tasty and inexpensive food is that much more difficult. All of these delightful and creative combinations are an inspiration!

@bethn2836 Жыл бұрын

I make rice with gravy almost every week for my kids. You can mix in whatever veggies your have on hand that need to get used up. Kind of unusual, but it’s so simple and quick to make, and my kids always love it.

@ArdentMichelle Жыл бұрын

I agree...rice and gravy is so good. Not sure why I don't eat it more often.

@melissan9199 2 жыл бұрын

What a great challenge. Knew you could do it! Excellent choices! Thank you

@ArdentMichelle 2 жыл бұрын

Glad you liked it😁👩‍🍳

@ruthrelyea7388 2 жыл бұрын

Wow I can't believe you made all of those meals with such little amount of food, you did a fantastic job WOW

@ArdentMichelle 2 жыл бұрын

Actually I can't either...😂I was worried when I saw how little it was on the counter. Haha. I'm glad you enjoyed my video. 😁 Thanks so much for watching! Happy New Year🥳

@teeadvocate 2 жыл бұрын

This is very inspiring & you killed it.💕thank you!!

@ArdentMichelle 2 жыл бұрын

Thank you so much for the comment and for watching my video. 😁

@bettecannavino4047 2 жыл бұрын

What a great video! You did a great job in sharing how you prepared your meals on this very limited budget. !!

@ArdentMichelle 2 жыл бұрын

Thanks so much! 😊

@creativecorner8023 Жыл бұрын

This is very inspiring! Thanks so much! Like others have said, you made the meals look delicious!

@ArdentMichelle Жыл бұрын

Glad you liked my video 😁

@bobbievowell3269 2 жыл бұрын

You did so well! Gave me many ideas. Thanks.

@ArdentMichelle 2 жыл бұрын

Oh Yay! I love hearing this. 😁 These challenges help me discover new budget food creations and I'm glad they gave you some ideas as well 😊

@SnapszDuhh 2 жыл бұрын

Wow. You did an amazing job. I was worried when I saw how little food you got for the $5.60. This really puts how much I can do with all the money I spend on food. Smh. I’m gonna try a challenge like this one week and see what happens. I live in Canada though and wouldn’t be able to buy anything for five dollars even at the cheap east grocery store but I’ll see. Thank your for sharing❤️

@ArdentMichelle 2 жыл бұрын

Thank you so much 😁 Yes I encourage you to do your own challenge. 👍 They really are rewarding because you discover meals that you wouldn't normally. Let me know how it goes if you do it. I would love to hear about your experience. Feel free to email me as well at ardentmichelle1@gmail.com

@woodenkat8971 2 жыл бұрын

How did it go?

@misacruzader 2 жыл бұрын

I love your ingenuity. You really get creative with these tight budget challenges. I enjoy your videos as much as I do the delish videos with June! I love shopping at bulk bins, though I do it more often at Sprouts. As you know, we don't have a WinCo Foods in OC!

@ArdentMichelle 2 жыл бұрын

Thank you. I appreciate the complement. 😁 I was just thinking about checking out Sprouts bin prices. 🤔I know I can get oatmeal there, but I'm not sure what else. It would be nice to have some more options. Thanks for watching.

@sierralewis216 2 жыл бұрын

Really love these videos. Being on a budget I appreciate people posting how they do it.

@ArdentMichelle 2 жыл бұрын

Glad you like my videos 😁 Thank YOU for watching!

@annashepard6337 2 жыл бұрын

You're awesome! You could grow the jalapenos in a pot easily, as well as a little lettuce and patio tomatoes and a few herbs to season your soups. I think I would have bought a tiny amount of oatmeal and a few spoons of brown sugar and powdered milk from the bulk area. I have a small patio and I have been able to grow zucchini, yellow squash, cucumbers, curly lettuce and curly kale, bush beans, herbs and even okra. It really helps to have a few green things and herbs even if it's only a small amount.

@ArdentMichelle 2 жыл бұрын

I don't think I have enough sun for tomatoes ☹️Unfortunately I don't have a patio but I might be able to grow the peppers with my grow lights. How fun that you are able to grow all of that on your patio. 👍 I love growing plants. 🌱🎋

@annashepard6337 Жыл бұрын

@@ArdentMichelle I just forwarded your fantastic video to my child who is heading off to college in the fall. I'm sure it will inspire her to get creative!

@stacyhanson1271 2 жыл бұрын

Wow! I am so very impressed. When I first saw the video headline I was skeptical. You did a great job. I learned alot. thank you.

@ArdentMichelle 2 жыл бұрын

Glad it was helpful! 😁. Thanks for watching!

@barbb8117 2 жыл бұрын

This was impressive! You did a great job! Thank you for sharing.

@ArdentMichelle 2 жыл бұрын

Glad you liked it 😁

@suninvision0 Жыл бұрын

Thank you! So many of us needing to budget and not knowing how! 💗💗💗

@ArdentMichelle Жыл бұрын

You are so welcome! 😁🥰 Glad you found this video useful.

@michellescoggins1129 2 жыл бұрын

I am giving you a round of applause right now! I am amazed and impressed! And everything was so creative and looked so delicious!

@ArdentMichelle 2 жыл бұрын

Thank you so much!

@didowicky9008 2 жыл бұрын

Random comment, but I love how you arranged your breakfasts. Adding those beautiful napkins really made it look hotel like 😍

@ArdentMichelle 2 жыл бұрын

Glad you like my plating 😁 Thanks for watching my video!

@pennybelle18 2 жыл бұрын

WOW! You did amazing! Awesome job! Would love to try some of these recipes. Thank you! 🌹🌹🌹

@ArdentMichelle 2 жыл бұрын

Thanks so much! 😊 🥰 Glad you liked my video!

@allisonpacino 2 жыл бұрын

Another fabulous video!! You've inspired me greatly.

@ArdentMichelle 2 жыл бұрын

Awesome! 😁👩‍🍳Thank you!

@suzyq6767 2 жыл бұрын

This is a well-done video. Thanks. I used to cook like this all the time, raising my big family on a tiny budget during the 80s and 90s. Muffins, pancakes, egg dishes, flour tortillas, white rice, biscuits, and gravy were delicious. I can't say that our health held up with all the margarine, oil, eggs, milk, white rice, sugar, and white flour. Sure, the food was tasty and filling, but it wasn't good for our arteries, skin, pancreas, mental health, or waistline. I think the only thing that saved us was all the legumes we ate. Switching from vegetarian to vegan, we've replaced those unhealthy items with high fiber, high nutrition fruits, vegetables, brown rice, and whole wheat flour. We spend a little more but are leaner. Acne, dandruff, and eczema are gone. A1C and cholesterol levels are excellent, as are our energy levels and fitness. But, we didn't have much choice back then with so many mouths to feed and so little money to do it on. My kids never knew hunger, eating like this video shows. And it's a far cry better for one's health than pizza and McD's.

@ArdentMichelle 2 жыл бұрын

It's definitely better to have lots of fresh foods along with the legumes that you mentioned. This was an EXTREME budget, but unfortunately like you mention, a lot of people do have to live on this low of a budget. Thanks for watching and taking the time to comment 😁

@Brittbritt15 2 жыл бұрын

I would LOVE to see this done at Walmart or Aldi (more nation wide stores) :)

@ArdentMichelle 2 жыл бұрын

I can do that in the future! 😁

@lolareh8756 Жыл бұрын

Brittany... I agree! No bulk stores like Winco in Central Florida. We did have BulkNation for a short time, but they closed for good when the pandemic hit. Sure wish they'd come back...they really made a difference.

@HeirloomReviews 2 жыл бұрын

Love your videos!😍Thank you so much for sharing 💪Have a great week!🌷😁👍

@ArdentMichelle 2 жыл бұрын

So glad you like my content 😁 Thank you so much for watching! Hope you have a great week also.

@purplewildflower1031 2 жыл бұрын

So helpful and creative! Thank you!

@ArdentMichelle 2 жыл бұрын

Glad you liked it!! 😁

@thumpzH 2 жыл бұрын

I love seeing your frugal videos. I haven't been able to have any work due to the rise in covid again, so I don't have the means to buy regular foods.

@ArdentMichelle 2 жыл бұрын

Thank you so much 😁 I'm sorry to hear about the impact to your work. I'm glad my videos are helpful. I'll try to do more like this one that are smaller budgets.

@biffybeans Жыл бұрын

For potato soup- pan sauté the onions and potatoes in margarine first for flavor. Check canned bean prices. The liquid in garbanzo beans can be used as an egg substitute when baking. Don’t forget to stretch cooked eggs with a little water.

@ArdentMichelle Жыл бұрын

Yes I should have done that with the onions and potatoes. It would have been so much better. Love the idea with the garbanzo beans. Thanks for sharing! 😁

@charinnatheirish1800 Жыл бұрын

Actually you're 100% right! The secret to extra fluffy eggs is water. Adding milk actually can cause the eggs to burn. 🙂💖💯

@brendaduignan5961 Жыл бұрын

That was absolutely amazing. Can't wait for more.

@ArdentMichelle Жыл бұрын

Thank you 😁🥰

@lornabaez3803 2 жыл бұрын

Everything looked delicious!! Awesome challenge!

@ArdentMichelle 2 жыл бұрын

Thank you 😁 Glad you liked it.

@shellylafleur7456 2 жыл бұрын

the empanada looked amazing, I was really impressed with all the meals.

@ArdentMichelle 2 жыл бұрын

Thank you 😁

@denamolner8717 2 жыл бұрын

Awesome recipes! Thank you!

@ArdentMichelle 2 жыл бұрын

Glad you like them! 😁. Thanks for watching!

@GJNeb 2 жыл бұрын

I like that your challenge included fresh items. You made it work very well !

@ArdentMichelle 2 жыл бұрын

Thank you! 🤗 Normally my challenges have a LOT more fresh veggies. But this was EXTREME!

@lisascott5852 2 жыл бұрын

I do the $5 challenge often. Here's my last attempt...Pancake mix. Egg noodles. Dozen eggs. Bag of broc. Bag of chicken straps. All from dollar tree.

@ArdentMichelle 2 жыл бұрын

You chose a great combination of items. Our Dollar Tree only has the 8 eggs. I love doing those challenges.

@rphomemovies 2 жыл бұрын

Wow extremely creative. Back in 1975 my friend told me that she and her husband were trying to spend $5 a week on groceries. Even then I was quite skeptical. You've got great cooking skills.

@ArdentMichelle 2 жыл бұрын

I appreciate the nice complement 😁 Thank you so much. I really enjoy these challenges. It's fun to experiment and it does emphasize how far some ingredients can take you.

@jenniferbailey6409 2 жыл бұрын

I like your handling of the challenge in that you came up with different meals, used a fair amount of equipment and you showed off a lot of skills overall, like your biscuit making, tortillas, muffins. Great video and thanks for sharing!

@ArdentMichelle 2 жыл бұрын

Thank you 👍 I thought my tortillas looked pretty bad because they were so thin..but they tasted great. 😋

@annwilliams7808 2 жыл бұрын

@@ArdentMichelle LOL! I forgot to tease you. When you first took the tortilla out of the pan I thought, wow, she could make great crepes!