I made an exception for this series. Normally I only use oil salt and pepper, but this time I allowed 2 seasonings and 2 condiments, all available at dollar tree which would add no more than $5 onto this and these items would last anyone for several weeks/months. I have done several variations of this all for different groups, this one was catered more towards individuals cooking from scratch and therefore I needed more things to make the meals flavorful. I understand that not everyone is going to have those items, but some will. My content is very inclusive and I try to make something catered towards everyone, in that sense, not every video is ultimately going to be representative of everyone, but I try my best 😊 I mentioned in the 2nd part that this isn’t meant to be a tutorial, more of an inspiration. Hope that clarifies! Enjoy!

I love your mismatched appliances. I, too, have a white microwave, black oven, white dishwasher, and stainless steel refrigerator. My cabinets are the same oak color, too. Maybe someday, everything will match. I’m just grateful everything works!

I love you and your videos and you don’t have to explain yourself all the time! Not being mean but people need to back off if they are crying because “things are not authentic”. You are helping more people than you know! Keep up the amazing content and continue to be authentically you ❤

i found if i batch cook items like my dry beans, pastas, rice and ground beef for the week portion out and freeze it makes life so much simpler. i even will bake a 3# bag of potatoes to use in different ways. chopping items like onions, peppers, celery. then most my items are ready for the next several weeks.

I would love to see a shop where you have to buy things for your home. Like you have a $60 total budget (like myself and my partner do) but you have to get toilet paper, laundry soap, those kinds of things AND groceries. What you buy during a week like that?

My grandmother used to make fried bologna regularly. I don't really like bologna as a deli meat, but fried, it really does have a nice flavor and texture to it.

A tip for others who feel soaking beans a chore oversoaking in the refrigerator overnight or two nights is actually better for digestion

Can I offer… my mom makes amazing pinto beans and one thing she makes with it always is cornbread, and staying with your budget, a box of jiffy cornbread is usually .49-.70 cents. She usually place a slice in the bowl And ladles beans over and I always pour tobassco over it

The $5/$25 dollar general coupon also pairs with their other digital coupons. So any food items that may be on sale that week, as well as have a digital coupon, paired with the $5/$25 on Saturdays, REALLY helps me save on food/household paper goods! Love all of your ideas! ❤

I often have only $40 (or less) for a month of groceries. It's not easy, and I've learned a lot of ways to cut corners. Your videos are a great inspiration, so thank you for that! Another inspiration is the channel Atomic Shrimp--he does amazing stuff with tiny budgets and foraged food.

Mom used to make fried bologna, but she didn’t cut a slit in it, so it would lay flat, she let it fry up into a little cup and filled the cup with mashed potatoes. YUM!

Off topic but those glasses look great on you!

Watching that fried bologna bk sandwich I couldn't help, but think a slice of tomato would have really set that off. A slice of tomato really shines with salty food like bacon or bologna.

OMG, the sorting the bag of mixed veggies is genius idea!! I used to not buy it because I hated the way the green beans tasted on my rice. Now I can just divide them and use them for different things. Thank you!!

We have 5 adults in the household and we keep our groceries and toiletries under 200 a week. This gives us about 30 dollars a person. That is everything, all meals, drinks, and we do drink bottled water. I have made it work for about a year now but it takes so much planning, searching for the cheapest deals, we buy some breakfast things, but other than that we cook 1 large meal a day, that has left overs. We have 1 left over night a week as well.

I sure wish my family wasn't very picky eaters, especially my husband. I get so lost and stressed on what to make they don't seem to understand we're on an extremely tight budget in comparison to a few years ago for us.

I add a little mashed potatoes as a thickener for soups. I also add mashed potatoes to meat for tacos. It helps bind the meat so it doesn't fall out of the shell, adds great flavor, too. I would say those are fried burritos.

Bologna and eggs are elite together. Hot dogs and eggs together as well! It’s a staple for sure in our home.

I don't soak them I rinse them then I put them in a slow cooker on low overnight and they are done. Add any seasonings while slow cooking .

Full credit to you for separating the vegetables. I find that frozen mixed vegetables never seem to cook evenly. Thank you for the video!

I keep a bag of mixed vegetables on hand for fried rice days

These are really good ideas girly. The other day i was so broke that i wrapped a weiner and american cheese slice in a corn tortilla and shallow fried them. I made 4 and dipped them in salsa. In my head i said to myself she would be so proud of me ❤😂

i live in an area where there are not many options but we do have a Dollar General in the next town over from where I live. Thank you for doing these video's It always gives me idea's to try something different. I look forward to your video's.

A fried bologna, egg, & cheese biscuit is heaven! Here in Kentucky, our White Castle’s serve fried bologna, egg, & cheese breakfast sliders.

in the south fried bologna is a breakfast food..e en at our local Jack's fast food 😋

I wish that individuals getting food from the food bank or getting food assistance, would be able to take a class from you. I heard a woman we know complain that they were not getting more in "food stamps". Three adults in that household, no one works. I gently suggested that my understanding was that the help was to be "supplemental" (ie: you have another way of getting food in addition to the government, be it gardening/hunting/foraging and/or working) This woman said she didn't like the types of food Food Share gave her. She also complained that Pepsi was now so expensive, she didn't see how she could buy fresh food with her EBT card. It seems there is a huge disconnect as to where food comes from, what we do to earn or produce food and then how best to utilize the food we've been blessed with. You really share an important and inspiring message. I'm very frugal and a good cook. However, I've learned a lot from you - thank you!

You could’ve put a little bit of that powdered chicken flavoring in your dumplings when you you are making them I do that when I do noodles for chicken and noodles.

I combine my shopping with Kroger sales, Walmart, Family Dollar, Dollar General, Dollar Tree, and Super One Food. Now we have a new ALDI here I will be visiting them very soon!

This chick seems really down to earth and humble. She has good content that is both entertaining and informative. Definitely helpful to show how to save a few dollars.

Next time you make gnocchi, season the dough. Salt, pepper, Italian seasoning, fresh parsley, garlic powder, onion powder. Cut them a little smaller. 😊

Here in middle Tn we can buy fried bologna biscuits at just about any little market gas station. Very popular 😊 Everything looks great! Thanks, Rebecca 🥰

This takes me back 40 years ago. My dad never cooked but he did make a good fried bologna sandwich. Thanks.

I got to get into some of this action. I spend more in 1 day eating out than this lady prepares nice meals for a whole week. Can’t wait for the week to finish out so I can do this preparation. Thank you so much for sharing. 🎉

My biggest suggestion for gnocchi is to cut the pieces up a little bit smaller. For reasons beyond my comprehension, it helps immensely when making a neutral flavored soup Edit: This tip is also useful for dumplings and homemade pasta.

I always cook my beans and soups at least one day before I eat them. The flavors have more time to meld together.

Do you have an Aldi in your area? Would be great to see how you do a week's meals at their prices. Foid is getting expensive everywhere.😢 Thank you for all that you do!

You’re amazing! Were you trained as a chef/cook? I ask because you make cooking and throwing ingredients so simple and tasty! Makes me want to try these esp during the busy days! Please keep these videos coming!

Rebecca you need to write a cookbook!! Seriously. We would all buy it!!! If we can't get you on Food Network at least we could have your cookbook. ❤📚❤

I have always considered the time needed to prep items as part of the poverty tax. Anything that saves you time costs you money, and whether you are just being frugal or you really don't have the money to spend it always ends up costing you time.

Thank you for being so creative on these. I've been making some of your recipes, and they've all been really good. You help so many people.

You're the best! The directions you give are so simple, yet technical, you really mention everything in such a helpful way. And I think it's great how you experiment and try things but in a very thoughtful way. It shows that realistic budget cooking doesn't have to be boring or depressing.

I honestly don't understand why anyone demonizes using dry beans as part of a budget meal plan. I love beans. All types of beans. They are tasty, cheap, store well for a long time & are so easy to cook in a huge variety of ways. If you're on a brutally tight budget, beans will keep you fed deliciously.

Awesome I never thought of sorting the veggies I think it’s a good idea!!!

When I first moved out it was pasta with sauce no meat for quite a few meals. After a while I found that those frozen mixed veg are an absolute life saver especially when risking food spoilage is not in the budget. Stir fry with cheap cuts of meat, a veggie fried rice, as a side, In a soup especially if you get the mix with potatoes in it.

Rebecca I just want to say I love your channel. i found it about a week ago, and have watched every single video. Once I got stared I didn't want to stop! You have given me so many ideas. Thank you for caring so much!

You are so creative, you should do a cookbook!!!!

I'm going through a bit of a life style change and your tips and detailed walk throughs for your prep and meals have been so helpful and It's greatly appreciated. Thank you!

I did not even notice (or mind) the voiceovers. The audio seemed even throughout to me. If there was one critique it's just that the lighting at your table is on the dark side. But since you're not trying to show the food there I dont actually find it a problem. Thanks for all the creative ideas. Always look forward to "hanging out" with you.

Thank you for these videos, they give me so many ideas that I normally wouldn't think of. My favorite $5 meal is smoked sausage with a package of cheddar broccoli rice! cheap and filling.

I Love bologna with chips on it sandwich !!

I mean.... this sorting exercise is beyond. This channel just gets better and better.

I love these videos. They helped me cut cost, have a variety of meals, and are very entertaining . Thank you so much.

Fantastic & creative way to stretch your budget. Also, I found your audio quality to be pretty good (especially with the dogs walking around in the background 😊). Patiently waiting for your next video! Thank you.

We use our Dollar General coupon every Saturday so this was good info for us. I enjoyed your video. Definitely the corn chowder will be made soon.I have turkey bologna will make your fried bologna sammy for dinner tonight but hubby needs cheese. All your meals looked good and fun to watch.

I just put dried beans in the slowcooker overnight. Super easy and perfect everytime.

So for the pupusas, the sauce my family uses for it is tomatoes, white onions, salt, veggie bouillon and water. Blend to combine and then cook until thick. It adds some moisture and acid to balance the savory

Love the Saturday $5 off special

You have the best recipe ideas. Thanks for all the work that you do to put these videos together.

Yes fried bologna and egg sandwiches are so good! Your pupusas looked pretty good! I actually tried my first pupusa from a coworker that was from El Salvador. My favorites are the frijoles con queso (beans with cheese) and the chicharrón (pork that is usually shredded) 😋

I pressure can so will do 7 qts of dried beans. Out of a qt can usually make 2- 4 meals depending on how im using them in a recipe. I do an assortment of beans and peas so i basically hav 4 cans of each per qt of about 12 different beans all the time. i grew up on fried boloney and spam. tho spam was a special treat!!!!

I love your videos! I'm always shopping on a budget. You inspire me to fix differently. Thank you and my husband thanks you

I save 15 oz pickle jars and pasta sauce jars. I wash them out, and reuse them to put beans inwhen I cook up a pound. That way i have them proportioned for recipes. I freeze what i don't use right away after they're cool enough.

Sometimes dollar tree has refried beans, enchilada sauce, shredded cheese and burrito flours. A burrito meal for two for 5 dollars. Hot dogs, buns, french fries and chili is another one for 5 dollars Your videos are inspiring. Keep up the good work.

The old fashion chicken and dumplings is boil the chicken and remove.Then take one cup of the broth and cool. Then just go to adding flour until it turns into dumping dough.Then roll out until thin enough for dumplings.Cut them and boil into the broth.My mother in law taught me this 58 years ago.

A tip that I sometimes do with the $5 off $25 Dollar General coupon is use it at my local grocery store. Mines accepts competitors coupons. The total has to be $25 after all digital coupons and store discounts. If I have other paper coupons I will present the Dollar General $5 off $25 coupon first. After it's scanned then I hand over my other coupons.

When I first "met" my therapist (online), she suggested that eating is better than not eating when she asked about questions about my general health. I've been working my way towards eating a little bit healthier as I can and can afford. But eating is better than not eating. Thank you for work.

The “pupusas” remind me of the Taco Bell crunch wraps. 🥰

Those look so good! I love how creative you were with flour, I tend not to think of making my own breads or tortillas but t definitely can help when you need to strict things out. Also, those Pupusas looked amazing!

Old fashioned dumplings were made like a pie crust. Flour, crisco, salt, milk etc, then making a dough and rolling them out on counter top. Take a knife and cut the dumplings into strips. Drop the dumpling in the boiling chicken stock.

That price isn’t all that bad for all of that food.😋🍽

Love the natural filming state and genuine responses, unreal content, love it all and keep it going m'dear

This is a wonderful series!! I wish you could do a new version of this every week. It’s so helpful and really inspiring.

I am not from the USA but I wanna say hands down for the fried bologna sandwiches. We also have something like bologna but I'd never ever thought of frying them. With some mustard in toasted bread? Delicacy I must say👌I enjoy it almost every second day and I am still not bored of it. ❤ I am like this sandwich recipe was the biggest find of 2023 for me 🥰 (Yeah I know I've been living under a rock...)

I love when you do these videos! So realistic ❤ and I love how you take the time to explain your thought process, but for me personally it’s not necessary. I totally understand like why you said $21 not $20 or that eggs might be more at DG but some people don’t have access to other stores. You’re amazing please keep doing budget menus!! Oh and you don’t need to explain why we can’t always have cheap and healthy! 😊❤❤❤❤

lol I’ve been craving a bologna sandwich!! I don’t buy it a lot but I also like to eat plain chips with mine too!! I also crave a grilled hotdog too sometimes

The breakfast clip was excellent. The mic was perfect. Love ❤️ the video !!!!!keep them coming ❤❤❤❤❤❤ thank you so much for all the effort and work you put into making them. For an untrained eye it may look simple but I know it’s far from it. Thank you! You are awesome 🤩

You are a genius! The only thing different i would do is use butter instead of margarine, but i know it's about the price point! Love your content and the no BS style

I love this style of video it give some really world application to your smaller challenges. I also like you including more seasonings that you have.

You put so much effort into these videos and it really shows. Thank you!❤

I am definitely going to be separating frozen mixed veggies from now on. Honestly, that chore looked like fun and I can think of several ways to use each veggie. Thanks! Diane

You come up with the best ideas! Basic ingredients but made so creatively!! Thanks for the inspiration.

The sorting of mixed vegetables is brilliant!!! I've always hated mixed vegetables since I've been a child, when served as a side dish. Individually love each vegetable, though. Just one of those weird things!

I would add half an onion, a bit of garlic powder and ground pepper to your beans at the start of the boil. It makes them so flavorful. You can remove the entire half onion and dump it aftewards.

I have never made pupusa’s, but they looked really good, and something that I could make my husband to travel to work with that he would enjoy. Also that he could eat without making much of a mess because that’s kind of what made me sit up and pay attention to them

I recently started slow cooking my beans. No soaking overnight and so easy to set and forget. 4 hours on high for 1 lb of beans. I also add a pack of ramen seasoning and a few bay leaves. Then add water until 2 inches above beans and go about my day. 😊

I’ve used fried bologna for breakfast lots of times. It’s good plus it’s cheaper than bacon and sausage. I’m anxious to see what else you make with the beans. I fully enjoy your videos. You’re a really beautiful and smart young lady.

6:31 Here in Norway the different store brands, and the name brands too has there percentage written on the back of the packaging of the mixed veggies, and I have noticed that there are some small differences between the brands, and if I want I can go to the store where there are more corn in the mixed veggies and so on 😂😂 Just a fun thing I have noticed 😊

Hello from Newark NJ. As a dollar tree employee at some point in my life I am so grateful. And I appreciate your videos. If you ever find yourself in NJ hit me up. We got you. You are safe and loved Be blessed

We had a gas station that sold "Dandy Cloth Bologna". You eating that sammy- I had a great memory standing on a chair with my grandmother as she and I 'cooked' (read-fried) the Bologna for my uncle and grandpa who were in the garden or working in our farm here in VA. 1-yummy and 2- thanks for the memory (I love your creativity! )

The instant potatoes are so versatile! I make a creamy potato soup with them that my family loves and it only takes a few minutes to come together...they also work really well to make other soups thicker and creamier without adding dairy products...and lastly, I've seen recipes where you can use them to make potato candy (I'm going to try that sometime). I am really intrigued by the potato dumpling ideas! Also, I found a baker's blade like that at DT (I was stoked because it is dishwasher safe!).

🌸I just strated watching u one fay u came across my screen , I think what ur doing is great ! Guving tios n ifeas sgaring them with people who need to save money roght now ...The grocery stores are so expensive now adays its shocking ! Keep helping others on ideas n tips n less food cost n where grocery items are cheaper in price ut helps alot of people ehi watch ur channel ... Ty for sharing & caring about other's ur knowledge is very helpful ...🌞

Watching a video for a week of meals for a low dollar amount, I was not expecting gnocchi or the mini bean tortilla packets. Your ability to make elevated meals from inexpensive easily accessible food items is exceptional!

I love fried bologna with eggs! I usually chop up the bologna, fry it, add when scrambling eggs. I usually have a pack of flour tortillas instead of bread from Dollar Tree and make a quick bean/cheese burrito with leftover beans. A favorite meal is a bag of frozen stir fry veggies, make a "spicy" bowl of Raman noodles, mix together after stir fry is about done. It's not too spicy after you mix with the stir-fry veggies but lots of flavor, and pretty presentation too! I'm a new subsciber, frugal by necessity most of my life. Sending blessings from Grandma Gia in the Ozarks

Thank you from the bottom of my heart, I was unmotivated to make anything this week, and didn't have much planned for meals this week for the family. With all this inspiration I am so excited to implement these very things your showing us in this video, you are amazing!! 💖 So thankful for your channel 🥰🙏💯 Gonna start this week off great and I look forward to the other videos to follow along!! 🎉

One of our FAVE breakfast meals is pancake & fried bologna with pancake syrup ☺️ quick cheap & simple

Thanks for sharing the dough recipe for the papusa

You are very creative, Rebecca!❤

I always look forward to your videos. You put so much time, effort and math into each one to really help in these tough economic times.

I love that you put chips on your sandwiches lol, i always get looks when ive done that even though it adds extra flavor and a satisfying crunch to them. Way better especially with tuna or lunchmeat sandwiches

Watching this reminds me of "cowboy hat" on a baking sheet lay out 6 slices of bologna top with one scoop of seasoned mashed potatoes with an ice cream scoop. Sprinkle with your favorite seasoning or cheese. Bake at 350° until the bologna curls around the potatoes. My mom made these for us as kids. We loved them.