Can we live on $21 a week? Well perhaps for one person and that is at a pinch. Eating is a rather expensive process in the world today. I sometimes wonder how many people in the world today would be capable of existing on next to nothing.
At $21 a week, it would be considerably difficult, if not an impossibility, yet it could be a possibility.
It possibly depends on your actual level of determination, survival skills, and the sacrifices you can make.
The main thing to remember is, that you definitely need to learn how to go without some of those lovely tummy foods you know you enjoy eating. I do not believe there is a soul on the planet that does not have a taste for their favourite foods.
Most would feel this is an almost impossible task.
Apart from eating, we still all have personal toiletries and cleaners like laundry detergents and such. Addressing the issue of food, you could presume that those on such a tight budget, one may have to also look into some type of help from charitable societies.
Collect coupons and such, to achieve this mammoth task weekly. Groceries are a very expensive commodity, unless you are prepared to make some huge sacrifices in what you eat.
As I mentioned about other grocery items people require of a personal nature like soap, shampoo and the like, unless you plan to go halves with another person, you would need to look to charity also.
With a tough budget, it could perhaps be achieved, if merely for a single person solely. The key to thrifty food shopping in my eyes absolutely depends on the requirements of knowing how to make meals from leftovers.
Waste nothing. If you have anything left from a previous meal, create a way to incorporate this into another meal.
Any leftover meats can always be use to make fritters, fried rice or noddled dishes.
Once there was an old saying “Waste not want not. Oh, so true is this today.
Freezing is another way of gaining through leftovers. Buy your basics like rice, pasta, and potatoes and perhaps flour, these are your carbohydrate foods and fill you up foods.
Small portions of meat, or if you like those, a variety of beans are a good protein substitute – navy and kidney beans, chickpeas and lentils are all relatively inexpensive.
Mixed frozen vegetables serve as great inclusion in any main meals, and depending on your circumstances, growing your own herbs is not only nutritious but a tasty inclusion in meals.
If your situation does not allow you to freeze, you could also look at preserving fruits and vegetables and fruit in jars.