A storage freezer is the ticket if possible.
In SE Michigan at least ground beef goes on sale for 99 cents a pound, I buy 50 or 60 pounds and freeze it. Liver 79 cents a pound, chicken thighs are sometimes 69 cents a pound. I get a shitload and freeze. Gotta love the AD. Sardines, 2 cans for a buck, that’s roughly 30 grams of complete fish protein, some calcium, other micros and a splash of naturally occurring omega 3’s for 50 cents.
Salmon went on sale last year for a buck for a large can. I bought six months worth with the plastic, a stack of cases. Believe it or not Meijer or Walmart still have large eggs on sale sometimes for a dollar a dozen as of 4 or 5 weeks ago, especially Meijer. I buy 40 - 60 dozen and put em in the basement. That pricing may be over though.
There’s small produce markets around here where I can get fruit and veggies for a song.
Broccoli, 2 large heads for a buck
Spinach, a buck a pound
Beets, 2 pounds for a buck
All sorts of hot peppers, 89 cents a pound
Different kinds of squash, 99 cents a pound
Turnips, 2 pounds for a buck
Potatoes, and sweet potatoes 39 cents a pound
Carrots, 79 cents a pound
Bananas, 39 cents a pound
Apples, about 20 different kinds, 40 - 80 cents a pound
Black eyed peas, 69 cents for a bag that makes a HUGE bowl
4 pounds of onions for a buck, enough garlic for a week for less than a buck
Etc. etc.
I don’t know what we spend exactly a week, but over a year we save hundreds of dollars, maybe more by planning ahead, pouncing on sales and buying in bulk. All the produce prices are like that all the time. Not to mention that my wife’s very green thumb will have tons of fresh grown kale, collards, tomatoes, hot peppers, pumpkins and squash rolling for practically free here in a little while.
I know everybody has different circumstances, but if you make it a priority, IF YOU MAKE IT A PRIORITY, all sorts of good solid food can be had for less than many people realize. Yes, there’s preparation too with whole foods like this, but that’s why you have to MAKE IT A PRIORITY.
Also whoever said to look at what is wasted on partying and eating out couldn’t have been more right. Money pissed right down the drain.