I know I'm not the only one here who lives on an extremely limited budget. Myself, I'm on disability assistance. Getting through the last two weeks of each month is pretty tight and I really want to avoid the food bank.

What tips do you have for getting through the tight spots?

I have a number but here's a few: I have quartered my laundry costs by doing only one load a week and hanging it out to dry. I make a big pot of soup with vegetables from the 'as-is' shelf which will last me 3-4 days. I keep bags of beans and lentils at hand....

[IchbinkeinTeufel]

If you take a bus a lot but could just walk the route, opt for walking whenever possible.

Buy cheaper food. Look for bargains. Cook more often. Get less takeouts and what-not. Consider prices in other shops, not just the one you're in. Ordering stuff online can save a lotta dosh.

Quit smoking, if you do. Quit or lower drinking if you do.

You could probably wash some clothes in the bathroom sink or maybe in the bath.

Sounds like you probably do all these things anyway, so I dunno what I could add really. xD

yep, yep and yep. I was just wondering others' ideas and experiences.

[fishin fool]

Rice goes a long way and is versatile.
It will go good in your soup also goes great with beans.
You can get quite a few meals from a bag of rice.

[eskielover]

I budget at the very beginning of the month & know exactly how much money I have for everything. The bills are allocated first. I also allocate my annual bills & put money away every month so that when time comes (like the end of Oct with property taxes), I have the money & don't have to worry where it's coming from.

After that comes gas (or transportation) & food. I have a lot of left over food that I don't always eat, so when really tight, I just eat from what I had purchased before & only pick up the few necessities.

Yes, anything inexpensive is what I pick up at the store the rest of the time though I do splurge once in awhile when I know there is enough for a splurge.

LOL...this summer, a friend has been keeping me supplied with cantaloupe & I buy cottage cheese so I have protein with the fruit. I don't eat 3 meals a day either. One good meal is great & then toast of french toast (eggs are good protein). I'm looking forward to getting my own chickens in the future. Yep, I have to feed them, but they can keep me well fed also & one can cook eggs so many different ways. I find that they are the best food & the healthiest for the least amount of money. I do have neighbors who have chickens that keep me stocked so that is an inexpensive meal but eggs in the store are very inexpensive & probably the most healthy of the options for good healthy food.

[healingme4me]

If craving sweetness, look into eggless/milkless depression era/ration era ww2 recipes.

Living next door to a bakery is wonderful as I can usually get something day old for a fraction of the price. I am a block from a Swadesh (eastern and asian) market and can find things pretty cheap there (like bags of beans and rice). I may not like eating this way but I don't have much choice. One thing I won't let go though is fresh cream for my coffee.