What's Your Process for Getting a Cheap Feed?

Mugsy on 24/02/2024 - 21:56

Just wondering what everyone's process is for getting a cheap feed to their liking?

This isn't a who's right or wrong, or even who's got a better process debate as we each have different tastes (literally), nutritional requirements, and options available. Just a friendly discussion on what we each do.

Here's mine that I use when at the office and need to buy lunch:

  1. By default I'll go for either a $9.95 burger and chips deal or $11 soba salad if I'm being healthier, from the eateries at the bottom of my work building.
  2. If I'm looking to save a few dollars, or if I need to walk into the CBD during lunch, I'll check the Maccas app or HJs shake and win thing for sub-$8 option. If similar pricing, I will usually go for Maccas due to points to go towards a free Big Mac, but getting a Whopper for $4 will do me for lunch

If at home and I'm not eating my own cooking:

  1. My comparison benchmark is a $7 banh mi at the local bakery near my PO Box
  2. I'll check the Maccas and HJs apps for anything of similar price or cheaper. Again, Maccas for the points is more desirable if options are similarly priced.
  3. If I'm not feeling like fast food, I'll grab a salad like a home style coleslaw pack from the Woolies up the road and some roast chicken.
Food & Grocery

Comments

    • crentist on 26/02/2024 - 16:41
      +2

      High protein diet?

      • Hangryuman on 27/02/2024 - 16:00

        mmm - fresh cream ,,,

  • spoonmugen on 26/02/2024 - 15:34
    +1

    call up mum and see how she's been… 9/10 end up with an invite :D

  • keyman on 26/02/2024 - 15:42
    +1

    When I'm feeling lazy and don't have any grand plans for dinner for the week, I'd usually get a whole chicken from ColesWorth/Aldi for $4.50/kg. Average sized chook is typically 1.8-2KG so for about $9 (+$10-20 in various veg/rice/condiments - varies depending what you get) I can usually feed myself for close to a full week.

    Break down whole chicken into individual pieces - wings, breasts, maryland, carcass.

    Meal 1/2 = 1 breast per meal. I usually do it sous vide. Supplement with veg/rice.
    Meal 3/4 = 1 maryland per meal. Roasted in air fryer with herbs and butter or with an Asian marinade. Supplement with veg/rice
    Meal 5/6 = Use the carcass for soup + noodles. Wings can be used for additional protein or add frozen dumplings. Typically add Asian veg like bokchoy.

  • gromit on 26/02/2024 - 15:51

    Prefer leftovers from previous dinner, second option is sushi rolls or sashimi. 3rd which I should do more of instead of 2 is instant rice with a tin of tuna and some added dried chilli flakes and soy.

    • crentist on 26/02/2024 - 16:43
      +1

      But how'd you get the previous dinner for cheap? Leftovers from previous lunch?

      • gromit on 26/02/2024 - 16:57

        you make it yourself! hard to beat home cooked and generally tasted better than most of what you can buy.

  • charmed_tiger6 on 26/02/2024 - 16:58

    Not super cheap but more to avoid cooking… my partner and I stretch takeaway orders. For example, ordering a Pizza meal deal - 2 large pizzas, garlic bread and soft drink for around $40 delivered would last for about 3 dinners (we would cook our own garlic bread on the 2nd and 3rd night to have with it that we always keep in the freezer) OR we have an Indian meal deal near us for around $65 that comes with 3 curries, 2 rice, 4 naan, 2 samosas and some chicken tikka pieces and we'd stretch that over 3-4 nights by cooking our own rice to have with it for the last 2 nights (making it around $17 a night dinner for 4 nights)

    • crentist on 26/02/2024 - 17:50
      +3

      Four naan? Four?
      That's insane

      • charmed_tiger6 on 26/02/2024 - 18:46

        lol I've never seen that before

      • SBOB on 27/02/2024 - 03:32

        if you can work a peep show quote into a response it should be an automated upvote ;)

  • mavis30551 on 26/02/2024 - 17:21
    +1

    2 packets of Mi-Goreng, 1 180G Tuna, Edamame beans and some other kind of veggie out of a can/packet is my cheap lunch when im running out of cash or want to save money.

  • infinite on 26/02/2024 - 17:56

    I always pack lunch. Much cheaper & much healthier.

  • Wasabi Ninja on 27/02/2024 - 10:18
    +1

    Life’s to short for skimping on food.

  • bNiNja on 27/02/2024 - 11:03

    Download EatClub and Liven.

  • Jono 777 on 27/02/2024 - 14:16

    My local cantonese takeaway shop does $10 lunches - huge portions, and very tasty.
    Otherwise cook at home shin ramyun + eggs, any vegetable I find in the fridge, with frozen fish/meat balls. < This probably costs me $5 a serve

  • Ghost47 on 27/02/2024 - 17:03

    If I'm aiming for as cheap a lunch as possible I tend to cycle through the below:

    • Tin of sardines w/ 2 slices of toast - $3.40 + few dozen cents for the toast
    • Aldi pre-packaged salad - $3.99
    • 3 scrambled eggs w/ 2 slices of toast - $4.50 (~$8/12 eggs) + few dozen cents for the toast
    • KFC Crunchy Jalapeno Slaw bowl - $5.95, sometimes a $2-$4 add on from the app, but this is surprisingly filling on its own
    • Macca's weekly deal - <$10 usually
    • Leftovers

    I personally try to eat a light lunch and stick to low GI foods otherwise I get sleepy after lunch.

  • inasero on 27/02/2024 - 21:53
    +1

    My typical daily food cost comprises of 4 hard boiled eggs for lunch - lets say $2 assuming they're $6/dozen
    For dinner I'll have 600gm of beef mince I've pre-portioned out from Costco ($7.20 at $12/kg)
    Kimchi (also from Costco) - 50c
    Homemade yoghurt - 24c
    Fruit for dessert - free from work
    For drinks, one black tea in the morning, otherwise water the rest of the day - 10c

    TOTAL $10.04 daily

  • Eeples on 08/03/2024 - 01:38

    I go to coles/wollies and buy meat (chicken or pastrami or rare beef or ham) and buy lite jarlesburg slices, then go to bakers delite and buy 2 low gi bread rolls.
    Sometimes I buy an antipasto mix or sun-dried tomatoes.

    I make rolls with meat and cheese (and sometimes antipasto or sun-dried tomatoes) sitting on the shopping centre seats and then eat them.

    A forlorn figure enjoying their lunch.

    What does it cost? I don't really care.. it's yummy as.

  • cristobaljames on 09/03/2024 - 05:07

    Bowl of microwaved oats, crack in a fresh egg, stir till cooked then mix in a couple scoops of whey protein (WPC) for added flavour and sustenance!

  • mrdean on 16/03/2024 - 14:33

    I have a $0 no calorie meal every night.

  • Baghern on 18/03/2024 - 20:02

    Its been a while.

    But whole roast chicken from woolies and have it in 2-3 batches depending on what I have with it

    Frozen veges is a favourite

    Ripping a portion into pieces for Chicken mayo sandwichs is also good for on the go

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