“I thought $100 could barely last me a week…
Until I learned how to make it stretch for an entire month. And honestly? I still eat well.”
Let’s be honest, shall we?
If you’re anything like most women juggling 101 things — groceries, bills, kids, work, self-care (hello, dry shampoo) — then the rising cost of food is just another thing on your stress plate.
And when you hear “$100 a month for groceries,” you probably want to roll your eyes and shout:
“Yeah right, what am I eating? Ice cubes and air?”
But hold on, love. Because this isn’t one of those Pinterest-perfect, kale-and-quinoa-only meal plans.
This is real-life budgeting — with flavor, comfort, and zero starvation.
Whether you live in the US, UK, Canada, or anywhere that groceries cost more than your favorite handbag — this plan is built for you. Because food should nourish you, not drain your wallet.
Let’s break down how to build a full month’s worth of meals for just $100.
(And yes, it actually works.)
Before you buy anything new, you need the basics — your pantry MVPs.
These are the staples that make your cheap meals taste like actual meals.
Here’s what to stock up on (many under $2–$3 each if bought in bulk or store-brand):
Rice (white or brown)
Pasta
Lentils or dry beans
Canned tomatoes
Peanut butter
Oats
Flour & baking powder
Eggs
Frozen mixed veggies
Oil, salt, pepper, garlic powder, chili flakes
✨ Pro Tip: Buy in bulk when possible. 5lbs of rice = 20+ meals, and it won’t go bad.
These items form the foundation of everything. Once you have them, you’re halfway to victory.
We’re not here for gourmet. We’re here for:
Filling
Tasty
Fast
Affordable
Here’s a weekly rotation (total cost ~ $20–$25/week):
Oatmeal with banana & cinnamon
Peanut butter toast
Scrambled eggs on toast
Rice + beans + sautéed onions (with seasoning)
Lentil soup with garlic toast
Veggie stir-fry with soy sauce + rice
Spaghetti with garlic tomato sauce
Chickpea curry with rice
Loaded baked potatoes with cheese + frozen veggies
Repeat them. Remix them. Love them.
The more you simplify, the less you spend.
💡 Comfort foods don’t have to cost a fortune — they just need good seasoning and a little love.
You’re not walking into that store blind, okay?
Here’s a sample shopping list for the first 2 weeks:
Item | Est. Price |
---|---|
Rice (5lb) | $4.50 |
Pasta (2lb) | $2.00 |
Canned tomatoes (2x) | $2.00 |
Dry lentils (1lb) | $1.50 |
Eggs (1 dozen) | $2.00 |
Bananas (6) | $1.20 |
Bread (whole loaf) | $1.50 |
Peanut butter (small) | $1.80 |
Frozen veggies (1 bag) | $1.00 |
Potatoes (5lb bag) | $3.00 |
Onion & garlic | $1.50 |
Oats (42 oz) | $2.00 |
✅ Total: ~$24.00
Use store-brand, shop at Aldi or local discount stores, and stick to this list like your budget depends on it (because it does 😄).
This isn’t about eating like a fitness influencer.
This is about eating like a smart, conscious woman who knows her worth — and her budget.
You’re not “cheap.”
You’re resourceful. Intentional. Wise.
And your bank account? It’s going to thank you when you’re not overspending on frozen pizzas and $6 oat milk lattes.
Here’s a super flexible, family-friendly $100 meal plan — broken down by week.
Each meal is budgeted around $1 or less per serving.
Let’s break it down:
Breakfasts:
Oatmeal with banana
Peanut butter toast
Lunches:
Rice + beans + sautéed onion
Leftover lentil soup
Dinners:
Spaghetti with garlic tomato sauce
Baked potatoes with frozen veggies & cheese
Chickpea stir-fry with rice
Breakfasts:
Oatmeal with cinnamon
Toast + scrambled eggs
Lunches:
Lentil curry with rice
Baked potato bowls
Dinners:
Pasta with canned tomato + garlic
Veggie rice bowls
Pancake night (with flour, egg, milk — breakfast for dinner is fun!)
Breakfasts:
Banana oatmeal
Toast + PB + drizzle of honey
Lunches:
Leftover curry over rice
Veggie soup with toast
Dinners:
Spaghetti night again!
Egg fried rice with frozen veggies
Loaded mashed potatoes with garlic + butter
Breakfasts:
Scrambled egg toast
Oats with chopped apples
Lunches:
Chickpeas + rice bowl
Lentil wrap (if you have tortilla or flatbread leftover)
Dinners:
Pasta + sautéed veggies
Stir-fry with any leftover beans/veggies
DIY mini-pizzas with bread + tomato + melted cheese (use what’s left!)
1 cup lentils
4 cups water
Garlic, onion, salt, pepper
Optional: a pinch of chili flakes or carrots
Boil, simmer, done! Lasts 2–3 meals.
1/2 box pasta
2 tbsp oil
2 cloves garlic or garlic powder
Salt, pepper, dried herbs
Toss and sizzle = magic.
Baked potato
Add sautéed frozen veggies + cheese
Super filling and super cheap.
Don’t “browse” the grocery aisles. Go in with purpose.
Use a tiny list, and stick to it like your next latte depends on it (it does 😅).
Make more dinner = have lunch ready tomorrow.
This is how you save time and money with one pot.
Same ingredients = different meals with just a dash of:
Soy sauce
Garlic powder
Chili flakes
Lemon juice
Budget doesn’t mean boring — it just means creative.
Have $3 left over?
Buy a treat like chocolate chips, a soda, or something fun to make the week feel less restrictive.
✨ Want a cute printable version of this plan you can stick to your fridge?
I’ve made one just for you — designed with calm colors, meal sections, and even grocery checkboxes.
[You can request it from me directly or I can design one in Canva for you, bhai!]
Perfect for women who love a good visual organizer and want budgeting to feel fun.
You don’t need a $500 grocery haul to feel satisfied.
You just need a plan, a pinch of creativity, and a whole lot of heart.
And remember…
“The best meals aren’t the ones that cost the most.
They’re the ones you enjoy with peace, pride, and no credit card panic.”
$100 meal planning can be real, doable, and delicious.
Pin this now and make every grocery trip easier, lighter, and full of wins.