Cheap Home Lunch Options for an Adult, for $1 or Less?

For Saturday lunch at home, I used to put 500g of frozen chips in the air fryer. Since the bags were $2 per kg, it worked out to be $1 per serve (not including the cost of electricity etc). Now that hot chips and potatoes are expensive (due to shortage?), they are now $4 per kg. I'm looking for suggestions on alternatives.

I tried a can of baked beans/spaghetti which are less than $1, but they weren't filling enough for me.

I don't mind cereal, but having milk for just 1 meal a week is not cost effective for the milk component. I guess I could use powdered milk?

A loaf of bread is $2.40 (?) with 21 slices, so I could eat 8 or 9 slices. Although I eat 4 slices every morning.

I could eat rice, which is about 15 cents per serve and does fill me up, but it is bland.

Comments

    • +1

      I believe the energy consumption of the air fryer for cooking potatoes will negate any money saving from your food saving. More efficient to boil or bake potatoes, use the air fryer just for small items that cook quickly, like nuggets or chicken fillet, etc.

      • Ah good point. I'm not OP, but I typically par cook (wedged/diced) potatoes in the microwave and then fry/grill them to save time. I wonder if this would work too?

    • Thank you. I did think about making my own chips.

      But the potatoes don't keep well? 5kg would be 10 weeks worth and they won't last that long?

      I looked up recipes on freezing the home made chips, but it requires you to blanch them and then freeze them in a single layer in the freezer. I don't have enough space in my freezer to freeze that much.

      • +4

        I buy 5kg regularly and so long as you keep them in the dark, covered and cool, but ventilated they keep okay. For about a month or more. I tend to dice them, microwave them, and often have them as sides to whatever meal I'm having.

        I tend to have them with a small amount of salt and pepper, maybe a touch of tomato sauce. People here are saying it's unhealthy, but I think the key point is if deep fried yes they aren't great. But microwaved/boiled with a touch of seasoning and they are fine and just as tasty.

        I hate food waste. But even if you end up not eating the whole sack (or only half) it ends up cheaper than buying them loose (depending on price).

      • +1

        If they are kept in a cool dry and dark area they will keep for 10 weeks, with maybe one or two sprouting. Just check each time you use them and if you find any that are moldy or have green sprouts get rid of them, as it will cause the whole lot go.

        • I looked at the bags of potatoes at Woolies and they all have used by dates within the week.

      • @GreenLego - you need to freeze them in a single layer. You don't have to store them in a single layer once frozen. If you freeze in a single layer, then once frozen tip them into a bag, they will take up far less space and not stick together.

        Good tip if you're buying bulk sausages to save coin too - freeze in a single layer, then put into a communal bag in the freezer and only take out as many as you need at a time.

        • Yes, I just don't have the space in the freezer to freeze them in a single layer after blanching. Especially in the volume that makes it economical.

          If I can just blanch them and separate them into bags and freeze, then I may be able to do it.

  • +13

    This should be included in a frugal life book ;-)
    You can find something similar at Coles/Wollies/Aldi for example.
    $1 lunch or less at home can be:
    ✓ Weet-Bix crunchy honey bites (can eat without milk) good taste and have protein, fiber, whole grains (should feel full). Buy when half price @Coles/Wollies.
    ✓ Belvita breakfast biscuits $2.25 (eat few times) when it's half price at Coles/Wollies. It contains wholegrains, source of fiber. You can feel full eating this. Even more full with instant coffee/hot chocolate sachets from Coles/Wollies/Aldi around $3.25 for 10 pcs.
    ✓ Coles/Wollies Popcorn with some flavours 95 cents @Coles/Wollies. Poppin brand often $1 when half price.
    ✓ Korean ramen 5 packs when it's $5 or less @Wollies (ozb today $4 for 4 pcs). Usually 1 pc $1 is around 120/125 grams enough for me.
    ✓ Coles/Wollies garlic bread twin pack 450 gram $2.3. You can eat few times. Put the rest in the fridge as it is sold cold anyway, but not frozen.
    ✓ Rice with canned sardines 90 cents @Coles/Wollies
    ✓ Rice with Coles/Wollies baked beans tomato sauce 420g $1.1 or Coles bbq sauce 425g $1.5 (eat twice with rice, so less than $1) or other brands/flavours.
    ✓ Rice with "Trident Thai" chicken noodle soup or hot spicy soup or Tom Yum Goong soup or Laksa soup @Coles/Wollies $1.25 normal price or when it's $1 (often discounted).
    ✓ Rice with frozen veggies cooked in boiled water + Vegeta real gourmet stock powder canned 250g or Vegeta real chicken stock powder canned 200g @Coles/Wollies (can be used so many times)

    If your budget can be more than $1 like under $5, more options to eat cheap. Yesterday I bought KFC $9.95 for 9 pieces (bigger size). I had rice with KFC few pieces and ABC original chilli sauce, taste/feel so good :P I can eat few times for that price, so cheap. Put the rest in the fridge and reheat in microwave later.

    Wanna eat for free no $ ? Donate your blood plasma once a week (Australian Red Cross). After that you can eat there (many food/beverage options in Town Hall branch in Sydney City for example. You can book online like around 10.30 am for example, finish donating blood plasma before 12 noon. It's good to donate blood plasma for people in need. Normal blood donation is every 3 months, but blood plasma donation can be once a week.

    • +4

      If he eats like what he is doing now, he has no blood (or no good blood) to donate.

      • Better eat rice based food like most Asians. Need to drink a lot of water before blood plasma donation.

    • Yes, that's pretty much I have done, 2 minute noodles, and rice.

      I will try the dry weet bix and honey combo.

      • Weet-Bix crunchy honey bites without milk is like snacking, also mentioned in the packaging. So, it's good also without milk. Just eat it straightaway

  • +1

    Brown rice and 2 eggs

    • -1

      Brown rice White rice and 2 eggs.

      White rice is good for most people, unless if you have diabetes. I don't like brown rice taste and it's more expensive too. Eating white rice with KFC and ABC chilli sauce taste/feel so good 😄 still cheap to eat few times (put the rest in the fridge and reheat in microwave later). Buy KFC during promo 9 pieces for $9.95 or $10 for 15 chicken wings eat with rice, so cheap and tasty. KFC has special promos different menu every day this month only in KFC app.

  • +1

    Heinz Chunky Soup is normally 2 bucks on special. One can can be made as topping to a bowl of rice for two meals. It might be a little more than $1 but it'll add some variety to your meals. That was my go to during uni days

    • Only 2 serve with rice, but still above $1 each meal. It's the reason I didn't include it above. Besides Heinz, Campbell brand also have similar varieties of soup. Cheaper when half price too.

  • +1

    You should be able to make two cheese toasties for less than $1, maybe even with a slice of ham in each as well.

    You would be much better heath-wise though to push the budget to $4 and have a nice steak on the BBQ for lunch.

    Can buy a 5 pack of porterhouse for ~$20, such good value.

    • Mate have you seen the price of cheese?

      • ~30c a slice

    • where are you seeing porterhouse for that price? I can never find <$40/kg. Or are they just tiny?

      • +1
        • They stopped selling those at my local coles. The meat department fella said management claimed they didn’t sell well, despite the fact that they nearly never sat on the shelf long enough to get marked down on clearance…

          • +1

            @mapax: Just looked in the freezer and $21.99 per kg from ALDI. Can't find this online though.

            • @trapper: I used to like the porterhouse roast from aldi and slice into steaks, but over recent years the quality went downhill at my local and all the cheaper cuts would smell bad a couple of days before the best before. A new store opened not too far away so it might time to try that one.

  • +3

    Try to hunt for clearance breads at WW in the evening. The stock is not reliable and it depends on your local WW. Were plenty back then but not sure now.

  • +5

    stop spending money on toys and spend it on food instead

    • I think the guy bought Starfield, RIP

  • +3

    Can of tuna or sardines can make a sandwich, also you can hard boil an egg and slice it. I used to have one of those egg slicers. Better boil 2 eggs to save on energy

    • +1

      Yep tin of sardines is less than $1 at Aldi. I treat myself and get the herrings for a bit more. Tastes great and keeps the doctor happy as he recommended oily fish regularly.

      • I like Aldi's canned Herrings with mango pepper taste. Still cheap to eat with rice and frozen veggies if people want to try.

    • +1

      Tuna mixed with a big squeeze of fat-free mayo on toasted bread is awesome.

  • +6

    i know how this sounds, but do people really live like this anbd admit to it? counting cost per slice of bread and per serve of rice?

    Sounds like poor mental health or trolling

    • I think most people consider price and what they like/need or shopping list when shopping, not counting cost per slice of bread or rice per serve.

      Eating rice with frozen veggies and certain seasoning is still healthy and feeling full. Even add canned sardines or tuna/salmon, still very cheap meal per serve.

      People just need to be more creative about what they eat according to their budget.

  • +2

    Have a look at this guys cookbooks.
    Send him an email for a pdf of it.
    Homemade pierogis was a favourite of mine.
    Really great website for trimming down excess in everything really.

    https://efficiencyiseverything.com/eat-for-1-50-per-day-layo…

    • +1

      Hey this website is great. Very cheap cooking ideas covering so many choices

      I follow Living on a Dime and Super easy Recipes on YouTube (by the same people). I posted the way to get their ebook recipes for free a while ago. Cooking doesn't need to be spending hours and hours in the kitchen. That's why I love their cookbook:

      https://www.ozbargain.com.au/node/826039

  • +5

    Are you just cheap/frugal or actually struggling for money? Eat better. Not sure if you are just young but your health is one of your most important thing in life.
    Buy better food instead of Games and Gundams. Is it worth eating garbage for 52 days a year just for one month of Internet?

  • +2

    I love lentils - and when I lived alone as a student I would cook up a big pot on Sundays - fry garlic to golden, add a bacon hock, root vegs, simmer, add lentils – when cooked, let cool, then divide into maybe 6 fridge containers for my week night's lunch or dinner for easy quick reheat in the microwave.

    While I'd cook similar each week, I'd vary the flavours with herbs or spices for quite different taste results from Italian to Indian, herbs or chili - I loved it - one batch and no work on weeknights - and the cost was probably cents per serve, and easy wash up - just one pot once a week.

  • +8

    Bro you are going to die eating like this. Look out for yourself and throw some veggies and proteins in there. No point saving money if you're too sick or dead to use it.

    • Troll post

      • I hope it is. But you never know on this site.

  • +5

    Eating without regard for nutrition may end up costing you more in the long-term. If money is extremely tight, I would suggest creating a spreadsheet to map out some sort of meal plan so you can spot where you might be deficient in terms of fruit and veg.

  • +2

    Surprised no one mentions Mi Goreng.. 50c a packet

    • +2

      I'm more surprised that people entertain this nonsense.

    • Where is 50c mi goreng? Is it home brand supermarket or the real mi goreng like in Coles/Wollies $3.95 (not 50c/pc). People can buy mi goreng 10 packs in asian supermarket, cheaper than Coles/Wollies ($3.95 x 2).

      Personally 1 pc is not enough for me (not feeling full, small size). At least 2 pcs and sometimes I can eat 3 pcs :P

      This is winter, better Korean ramen with soup when it's discounted at $5 or less. Korean instant ramen 1 pc is enough (bigger size). Or rice with "Trident Thai" chicken noodle soup or hot spicy soup or Tom Yum Goong soup @Coles/Wollies $1.25 normal price or when it's $1 (often discounted). Add frozen veggies is still cheap and healthy.

      • Box of 40 is $20 at Asian shops.

  • +2

    tuna and toast

  • If you're going for under $1, and a can of spaghetti isn't filling enough….then I'm afraid there aren't many options in this economy unless you home grow your produce.
    Any other options under $1 are either going to be not filling enough or just not a healthy long term option (like mi goreng)

    Perhaps spend a little bit more and make a healthier more filling meal?
    I know that in our household our budget friendly healthy dish is soup (various kinds). We make enough to last a few days, perhaps look up some recipes that work for you?

    Alternatively, is having a bigger brekky and skipping lunch an option for you? (consult with a dietitian first, i am in no way qualified for this)

    • I am not into spaghetti as I am Asian. I prefer rice. Eating rice with frozen veggies and certain seasoning is still very cheap under $1, feeling full for longer and healthy. But people should be more creative to have different cheap menu every day. Canned sardines is 90 cents at Coles/Wollies + rice and frozen veggies is still healthy too. Canned tuna or salmon is above $1 … Read my post of long list of $1 or less above. It is possible to live on $1 meal or less.

  • +4

    The thought that op only eats once a week to have money for internet for one month is hilarious

    • Everyone should just buy 1 year plan sim card for $150 or less a year or under $200/year for Telstra network. It's cheaper than monthly plan.

    • +2

      The op has to be trolling. He's happy to spend $600 on a drone, but can't afford to pay for a month of intenet.
      https://www.ozbargain.com.au/node/852033#comment-15406755

      • +3

        Maybe he has bad spending habit include drone and other things that has affected his savings. Certain people here admit about bad spending habit and cannot control their spending. Need to think whether the goods that people want to buy is a need or want before purchasing according to their budget.

  • +1

    Weetbix…lived on it for years for lunch, with milk , honey, and if your feeling a little adventurous, some sliced banana.. Premake it before work, and keep cool. People used to laugh at me eating this for lunch, till they realised how much money i was saving..

  • +2

    Eat healthier.

    You shouldn't skimp on quality of food.

    Pasta and beans or soup are good options.

  • If your poop looks like green lego I think you may need to adjust your diet :(

    • What about brown lego?

      • Drink more water

  • +1

    I haven't had lunch in years now but always thought just a sandwich was pretty cheap but yeah I cut back to two meals a day to cut costs, lunch feels like more of a luxury meal.

    • +1

      Lunch with rice and canned sardines 90 cents from Coles/Wollies not cheap enough? You can add boiled frozen veggies, still very cheap. Or maybe rice with frozen veggies and seasoning like Vegeta etc. Meal for $1 or less is still possible, read my previous post ;-)
      Rice 1 kg is $1.8 at Coles for example, unless if you want to buy 5 or 10 kg for example.

  • +2

    Buy yourself a chest freezer and work out when the supermarkets do their meat markdowns.

    Yes initial cost.

    I get sausages and mince about $2.5 @ for 500g and freze to make into pasta dishes for work weeks.

  • +1

    Go to Woolies/Coles/IGA and grab a roast chicken in the arvo/evening. Some will have it on discount. My local IGA has it for $8 (on discount) and that is easily 4 meals there, you could stretch it to even more.

    Use it to create a salad with capsicum, red onion and mayonnaise.
    Create a shredded chicken sandwich with whatever toppings you wish.

    Your best option, go to TikTok and you'll find plenty of cheap recipes with a roast chicken or rotisserie chicken as the Yanks love to call it.

    I get it's not $1 a serve but it's a much better option than your canned feeds.

  • +1

    Personally I'd just fast for the day

  • Home made soup (or aldi)

  • I'm surprised no one suggest mee goreng yet.

    Or buy bulk for more saving

    • It's mi goreng not mee goreng. Personally 1 pc is not enough for me (not feeling full). At least 2 pcs and sometimes I can eat 3 pcs :P

      This is winter, better Korean ramen with soup when it's discounted at $5 or less. 1 pc per meal is good enough.

    • +1

      it will destroy your gut microbiome

  • +1

    Lol op in 12 months: help, i have severe medical issues and need $10,000 for surgery because my body is screwed from starvation and eating cardboard to save money for a faster nbn plan.

    • Eating rice with frozen veggies is still very cheap under $1 and healthy. People just need to be more creative to eat different meals.

      For data/internet, just buy yearly plan sim card. It's $150 or less a year, or under $200 for Telstra network (Boost Mobile usually). Some people here can live on very cheap or "free" monthly sim card (100% cashback) with big amount of data. It is possible.

  • +1

    I support a rice based plan. Cambodian hostage keeping warlords are all over it. But the bowl of rice a day can be improved…

    5kg bags of rice on half price special. 7c per serve
    Dozen pack of eggs. 33c per 1 egg serve
    Store brand frozen peas. 10c per serve
    Aldi soy and or sweet chilli sauce. 10c per serve
    Bag onions at 5c per serve
    Maybe 65c per serve and pretty nice at that.

    Beats the hell out of packet noodles.
    Also check this map to see if there is anywhere to forage nearby. https://fallingfruit.org/
    Dumpster driving is also a great option for people of all classes and ages.

    • I had a look at the falling fruit map in the NT. There are mangoes along the fence line of the cemetery in Katherine, NT.

  • Well here's my quick go to stir-fry:

    Get chicken satays or similar and pop them off the stick into a pan/ wok with a little oil or water—— there is no need to cut the meat. It's already done for you
    Cook them until they turn white.
    Put in any pack of frozen mixed vegetables and a pack of 2 minute noodles (not the seasoning).
    Turn it down to simmer.
    As the vegetables defrost the sauce covers everything.

    It's a nice quick easy recipe.

    The cheapest mixed frozen vegetable is at Woolworths 1kg for $2.80

    https://www.woolworths.com.au/shop/productdetails/93915/esse…

  • Have you tried "dumpster diving"?

  • +1

    You doing alright there bud?

  • +1

    Fried rice, cook in bulk, add different spices & frozen veg to change it up so it wont get boring.

    If you want to go that cheap you will need to go heavy on the spices & light on the veg.

    If you want protien mix in flavored canned tuna or diced cooking bacon (when its on special). Costs a little more but improves the meal a lot.

  • Imaging the constipation.

  • Crepes, flour and water and that's it.

  • +1

    OP, I’d recommend you to watch Hack your Guts on Netflix. Eating such a limited diet will do you more damage in the long run and destroy your microbiome.

  • +1

    2 Eggs.

  • +1

    I feel sorry for you surviving on absolute garbage. Whats the point?

    • Times are tough for some….

      • Thats zero excuse for eating such junk. In fact it makes it worse IMO.

        • Any food is better than none, and things like bread are loaded with good stuff by law. For instance.

          You would be surprised how well you can survive on cheap basic foods. At least for a while.

          I'm not sure what junk you are referring to I haven't read the whole thread.

          My post further down has some half healthy suggestions.

        • The reality is many students and poorer people globally often eat instant noodles. Rice and frozen veggies meal is healthier, fulfilling and can be had under $1/meal.

  • Many good suggestions, can't go wrong with dried legumes.

    I bake my own bread, mainly because I enjoy the process but I also end up with a product that costs a few cents per loaf and is better than factory bread sold at the supermarket.

    The common factor is it's possible to eat very well on a small budget if you aren't lazy. Baked beans, cereal, rice, frozen chips… you can tell that the focus is on being cheap with both time and money.

  • Pasta with pesto.

    Each meal should be around $1. Basic but yum.

    Or flavoured packet noodles with an egg. That could be about $1, if you are not too fussy about your noodles and buy a pack.

    Two (or three) pieces of home brand bread, toasted with Vegemite, another idea. I reckon that would be less than $1.

    Steamed rice and soy sauce. Basic but better than you might think. Should be less than $1.

    Packet chicken noodle simmer soup, like the Continental one but you can get a Woolworths brand one for, not sure but about 70 cents. Filing because of all the water. Good in winter.

    Homemade homuus, make a big batch it keeps well, (chickpea cans are cheap) with cheap crackers or carrots that you slice up into sticks.

    Most of these things I have mentioned are very easy and quick to cook too.

    Mix all these things up and more I haven't mentioned and you won't get bored, and you should get just enough nutrition… Just….

  • https://www.coles.com.au/product/kawan-plain-paratha-1.2kg-3…

    1 paratha and your choice of small serving of beans or curry or just plain butter

  • Just sort by unit lowest price on Coles or woolworths and buy anything that is cheap usually under $10/kg is a good guideline for my frugal habits but i try to treat myself every now and then but really I need to start eating more healthy more vegetables be it fresh or frozen my health is plummeting and i have a feeling it's eating cheap unhealthy convenient crap all the time

    No nutrition

  • Eat watery rice porridge or congee with pickled veg and soy sauce every meal. Add a fried or hard boiled egg for variety. That will save you tons of money. 🙊

  • spring rolls in air fryer

  • +1

    eggs, veg.

  • Rice, frozen vegs and soy sauce :)

  • You could try Mung Bean pesarattu - check out Dr Karanrajan's recipe. You'll probably find it on Instagram, but it's in his Feed your Gut series.

  • Sell your house and downsize.

    No point living impoverished like this whilst living in a McMansion

  • Tunools (Tuna and 2 min noodles). Go for the with oil option and chicken noodles. Goes alright. Big tin $3 odd has a week of portions in it. Half a pack of 2 min noodles per day.

    At these for 20 years. Just had a heart MRI with the pigment die. Zero plaque apparently, all healthy.. thought the salt and oil would have had an effect. Cholesterol levels were slightly high apparently ..but MRI showed its all good.

    Plus a piece of home grown fruit, rice crackers (89c a pack at woolies). Tuna and crackers goes alright as well (prefer Etons crackers from Aldi - $1.39 a pack).

    We have an apple tree and mandarine (so normally an apple cake in the mix). Make a few biscuits. Also dehydrated fruit.

    Fruit toast always gets people jealous. Grab em on clearance at the end of the day.

    Spaghetti on toast. 65c a can at Aldi.

    Basic lettuce, tomato, ham sanga costs bugger all.

  • +1

    This is to fund your ozbargain addiction, isn't it?

  • A bit over a dollar, but tasty. A chicken drumstick, a couple of spuds cut in half, a couple of carrots halved. A light spray with olive oil then a sprinkle of pepper and chicken stock or salt and into the air fryer at 180C.

    Requires stuff all prep. I don't peel the veg, just wash, chop, chuck them in.

    I put mine in cold and cook for about 50 mins. I prefer my chicken cooked to being almost chewy though, so that timing may not work for others.

    To shorten the time you could just microwave the spuds and carrots for a few minutes then chuck everything into a preheated air fryer for around 30 or so minutes if you like chicken less cooked.

    Another cheapie but still a bit over a dollar. A can of homebrand tuna, any flavour, couple of spoonfuls of cream cheese, 4 slices of bread, then into the sandwich toaster/press. Tastes decent and is filling.

  • It's not health to always have it….but you can have 2 of these for $1

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