From Tariffs to Trade-Offs
The American economy is in a strange space, and many citizens find themselves suffering as prices skyrocket. Budgeting for groceries is more important than ever in this fragile landscape, which is why being mindful of good deals and picking fairly priced products is key!
1. Rice
Rice is a staple grain used in many dishes, and the sheer versatility of the item makes it a solid pick. From stir-fries to risottos to rice puddings, the options are endless. The best part is you can easily get a whole pound of the grain for $0.80 to $1.00, making it quite the bang for your buck. Plus, it’s shelf-stable and can last for a long while, offering up necessary fiber and nutrients.
2. Tomato Paste
While tomato paste doesn’t work as a meal base, it is the base for many sauces and dishes and adds a fun flavor without relying on expensive products. Most cans only cost $0.70 to $1.00, and the paste is known to be high in antioxidants. In terms of what you can do with it, the options range from pasta sauces to marinades to soups!
3. Beans
Beans are some of the healthiest foods out there, and you can eat them every day for a filling and nutritious meal that’s quite high in protein. Whether you have them as is or incorporate them into chili or burritos, most cans will only run you $1.00, making them a viable pick.
4. Dried Pasta
Another fun way to incorporate your cheap tomato paste is with an affordable helping of dried pasta, which is easily bought at around $1.00. Additionally, like rice, pasta is long-lasting, meaning it can sit in your pantry for ages. When you are ready to use it, you can choose from casseroles to pasta salads to spaghetti.
5. Wheat Flour
Instead of blowing money on expensive breads or pancake mixes, you can make life easy and simply make it yourself. A 5-pound bag costs roughly $3 to $4 and will yield plenty of homemade tortillas, pastas, breads, and pancakes, making future meals a breeze.
6. Potatoes
Not only is the potato an affordable and versatile vegetable, but it’s quite filling and leaves many people feeling sated. Plus, it’s full of healthy potassium, vitamin C, and fiber! You can easily make French fries without blowing money on McDonald’s or tuck into some cozy hash browns or baked potatoes.
7. Apples
Fruits are fairly affordable, and king among them is undoubtedly the apple. Not only is it healthy, but it has a long shelf life, is easily portable, and is super flexible. For instance, you can have it as an easy snack or even use it in applesauce, pies, and salads.
8. Frozen Fruits
Of course, the most affordable way to get as much fruit as possible is to buy the frozen variety. It’s just as good as the fresh kind, except it’ll last as long as you need it to. The price depends on the types of fruits you opt for, but once you have it, you can conveniently make smoothies, yogurt mix-ins, and jams!
9. Ramen
Among students, ramen is the ultimate struggle food. With most servings going for as little as $0.50 per pack, you can basically eat ramen every day for the rest of your life. It’s essentially dirt cheap and takes only five minutes to prepare! If you’re worried about variety, you can mix up the types and flavors of ramen you get.
10. Jarred Items
Jarred pickles and olives may not seem like the most affordable thing, especially when a jar can cost anywhere from $2.00 to $4.00. However, they’re the perfect addition to tie together a pasta, salad, or sandwich. Plus, their long shelf life means you can easily use them for multiple meals.
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11. Bananas
Another fruit that deserves a special shout-out is the banana. Like the apple, it’s quite portable, protected within its shell until it’s time to be eaten. Plus, it’s full of vitamins, potassium, and fiber, and is one of the cheapest fresh fruits around. Not to mention, it works great in smoothies and banana bread too.
12. Chicken
Proteins are quite expensive, but if you’re craving meat, your best bet is to stick to chicken. It’s cheaper than fish and beef, and you can get a good deal on drumsticks or thighs at your local Aldi. Additionally, this protein works great in all sorts of things, from stir-fries to casseroles to sandwiches.
13. Frozen Vegetables
Like frozen fruits, frozen vegetables are the most affordable and convenient way to get some extra vitamins into your meals. They’re far cheaper than the fresh variant and come in bulky bags that will work in your soups and pastas for a few weeks.
14. Tortillas
Depending on the brand you go for, tortillas can be a bit expensive, ranging from $2.00 to $3.00. However, once you have them on hand, you’ll have unlocked a bunch of interesting dishes. Healthy wraps to indulgent burritos will be at your fingertips with a pack or two of tortillas in the pantry.
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15. Seasonal Foods
Not necessarily a food item, but a pro tip for any shopping trip is to keep seasonality in mind. For example, fruits and veggies that are in season will always be cheaper than those that are out of season.
16. Garlic
Garlic may not seem like the most filling vegetable, and it isn’t. But it’s a cheap and affordable way to pack in flavor and works great with roasted veggies or even in garlic bread. Plus, one garlic bulb only costs around $1.00.
17. Flyer Foods
Another pro tip is to scan the flyer for any store you’re at. Sometimes there will be great deals and sales that make expensive foods far more accessible and affordable. You can even look up the flyer online before visiting the store in person.
18. Oats
Oats can be a bit more expensive than other items on this list, ranging from $2.00 to $4.00 per container. But once you have a container, you won’t have to worry about breakfast for a couple of weeks. It works as oatmeal but can also be used in baking!
19. Cabbage
Cabbage is a hefty vegetable with a lot of versatility. It’s quite affordable too, usually priced at $0.80 per pound. Once you have it prepped and chopped, you’ll have great filler for slaws, soups, and stir-fries.
20. When in Doubt, Aldi
Choosing a good store can make all of the products on this list even cheaper. With that in mind, Aldi has been recognized as one of the most affordable American brands, known for its great deals and decent selection.
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