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Broke college student needs ideas for food to eat to survive

ziggyonice

ziggyonice

macrumors 68020
Original poster
Mar 12, 2006
2,385
1
Rural America
Hi.

I'm broke. I've got $20 to my name and it has to last me two week until my next paycheck. This money is for food only, because if I don't have food I will die of starvation. I've been eating peanut butter and jelly sandwiches for breakfast, lunch, and dinner. But I'm starting to get sick of them.

Does anyone have any suggestions for other types of (really) cheap food to eat? Note this $20 has to last me a whole 14 days. Suggestions are appreciated. :)
 
Roman noodles are good.
Trying to bum off friends works as well. Often time there are females who have money to burn on their meal plan and will feed you. That is how I got by generally the last 2 weeks of the semester was bumming off female friends who do not eat as much.
 
The corner is a nice option...:D :D :p :eek:

Joking, aside. If you are tech savy, try contacting friends and friends of friends that need computer related services.

Anything you can do in terms of abilities also works to your favor.
 
Rodimus Prime said:
Roman noodles are good.
Trying to bum off friends works as well. Often time there are females who have money to burn on their meal plan and will feed you. That is how I got by generally the last 2 weeks of the semester was bumming off female friends who do not eat as much.
Click to expand...
Ramen. :)

These are fine, just the noodles, spices (included), and water are required.
 
FireStar said:
Ramen. :)

These are fine, just the noodles, spices (included), and water are required.
Click to expand...

+1 for ramen
Here in AZ I can buy 12 maruchan packets for $1.80...but I prefer the Indian version of it as its more spicy (but slightly expensive...one packet is around 50 cents here...)
Good luck!
 
  • Potatoes.
    .
  • Grocery stores that have free samples (often on the weekends).
 
Last edited:
How about the local Food Bank? Does the college have a similar program? I know the local university and a couple of colleges here do....
 
Is there a food bank in your area? If so, definitely take advantage of it. Go there first, and use what cash you have to supplement that food with a little meat (chicken legs and thighs are inexpensive), and other perishables. This is what food banks are for - for people who are struggling.

Focus on foods that are filling. You can get a bag of potatoes for as little as $3 (sometimes, you can get a 10lb bag for that!). With that bag, you can make a variety of different dishes (mashed, steamed, fried, baked, etc.). This can supplement meat or eggs, or you can eat them on their own (I like to saute diced potatoes, onion, in olive oil, adding Lawry's seasoned salt for flavor).

Use spices to add variety. Don't forget an onion or two, for adding flavor. You can also toss cooked pasta with a little olive oil or butter, and spices, and make a tasty, filling dinner. The Hunts Spaghetti sauce varieties that are sold in cans are usually about a $1 in my area, and it's good for at least three meals if you are just feeding yourself.

I'm sorry that you are going through this, and I hope that you can get some help. Good luck!
 
Do you have a Dollar Tree store nearby? They have all sorts of food in there for a buck and many food items are multipacks. Also, eggs are cheap and can be made into a variety of dishes if you get tired of noodles. Our local Walmart also has Banquet TV dinners for $0.88 if you feel like you can spend a little more on an individual meal.
 
well if you have a kitchen available there are many choices available:
big bags of dry pasta are rather cheap, so are potatoes, rice, carots, and onions for basic ingredients
also go for seasonal fruits and vegtables

premade pesto/sugo cans might last 3 meals but a big serving can also be made rather easy with carots, onions and a can of tomatoes and a little seasoning

what also helps is simply cooking more and keeping 'leftovers' for later

for a rather filling and warm dessert: sweetened Semolina porridge
can even be made in a microwave oven if you take care and open the oven for stirring from time to time
you can also add jelly or fruits instead of sugar when cooked
or you can cool it down and eat it more like a pudding
 
Definitely use potatoes and eggs as posted above.

I would say get potatoes, olive oil (or lard preferably if you can find it and it is not too expensive), eggs, salt, and multi-vitamins.

That way you can get enough protein, fat, cholesterol, carbs, calories, salt and nutrients to survive. Plus not feel like you are starving, just saute everything in the lard. Well take the multi-vitamin with water:rolleyes:.

Get nothing that is prepared that is just an added expense.

I would nix the Ramen noodles they just have too little nutritional value.
 
1. See if you could sell your body to scientific research.
2. Learn to play the violin like a pro and hang around sporting events with the violin case left open to collect tips. There is this guy here in St Louis who makes anywhere from 200-400 dollars after every cardinals game by just playing the saxophone. And he isn't even that good.
3. Become a stripper.
4. Sell a kidney on the black market.
5. Work out and get a really hot body and rent it out like an escort.
6. Depending on where you live, drive a cab part time, it's good money and some companies let you drive the car home.
7. Win the lottery.
8. Do like me and wish and wish that a Post Truck bumps the back of my van everytime I'm infront of one at a stoplight.
9. Sell your blood - some blood banks actually pay.
10. Sell your sperm - they may pay too.
11. Rob a bank.
12. Go to one of the diamond mines in Africa and hope you could find a huge diamond without getting caught.
13. Become a patent troll.
14. Start your own religion online and ask for donations to build your place of worship.
15. Take out a loan from the bank or through financial aid.
16. Learn to pick pocket people.
17. Stop going to school and join the military. (I only recommend this as a last resort)
18. Start a website and find a way to get high traffic to it inorder to raise up clicks on the adds.
19. Sell pot.
20. Find a rich girl/guy, swoon them, and have them buy you stuff.
 
Peterkro said:
Buy the ingredients and make a big pot of Dahl,the longer you keep it (within reason) the better it tastes and it's nutritionally well balanced.
Click to expand...

Exactly. Here's a very nice and easy recipe (at the very end of that page). :)

Actually...let me just quote it here:

PETER SINGER'S DAL RECIPE

INGREDIENTS:
1 tablespoon olive oil
2 cloves garlic (crushed/chopped)
1 medium onion (diced)
1- 2 tablespoons curry powder, to taste
Salt, to taste
1 cup small red lentils
3 cups water
2-3 bay leaves, to taste
1 cinnamon stick
1 tin tomatoes, (chopped)
1/4 cup coconut milk
2 tablespoons lemon juice

METHOD:
In a large saucepan, saute garlic til fragrant.
Add onions and cook until they begin to soften.
Add curry powder and salt, to taste, and cook over medium heat til mixture begins to brown.
Add lentils and stir for a minute or so before adding water, the bay leaves and cinnamon stick. Bring to boil, then turn heat down very low and simmer for 20minutes, stirring occasionally.
Add chopped tomatoes, and simmer a further 10minutes, until thick. The lentils should be soft and the consistency just liquid enough to pour.
Add coconut milk and lemon juice. Stir through, and remove from heat.

Serve over rice with lime pickle and mango chutney.
Click to expand...
 
Malsi said:
9. Sell your blood - some blood banks actually pay.
Click to expand...

I know a dude who does that. It's a quick way to get like 40 bucks.

Ramen's really good with lime and hot sauce. Although it has a lot of sodium so you can't live off that.

Churches sometimes give away food. :eek:
 
I am also a broke college student and need to to eat cheap. I have been living off of rice for a while.

Plus there are tons of varieties. And White rice goes with almost anything else.


(I hate ramen noodles)
 
many hotels have free breakfast in the morning. ive had meetings at conference rooms of several and have had free food without actually staying there.

buy some coffee one day and save your cup. the next day go for a refill.
 
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