Thrive on Less

🛒How to Feed a Family of 4 for $60 a Week (Without Feeling Deprived)

Yes, it’s possible — even with prices rising and grocery trips feeling like a financial gut punch.
Feeding a family of four on just $60 a week takes strategy, flexibility, and a little creativity… but it can absolutely be done. And no — it doesn’t mean living off of instant noodles.

Here’s how we do it, week after week — without sacrificing nutrition or our sanity.

🧠 Step 1: Shift the Mindset — Simplicity Over Variety

You’re not feeding four picky eaters a buffet. You’re fueling your household with foods that stretch, satisfy, and serve more than one purpose. Think less “gourmet variety,” more “intentional repetition.”

🍲 Same meal base, different seasonings = big savings.

🛒 Step 2: Build a $60 Grocery List That Covers All Bases

Here’s a sample grocery list we rotate and adapt depending on sales and what’s already in the pantry:

🥫 Staples

  • 2 lbs dry beans (black or pinto) – $2.50
  • 2 lbs white rice – $1.50
  • 1 dozen eggs – $2.00
  • 1 jar peanut butter – $1.80
  • 1 loaf whole wheat bread – $1.50
  • Oatmeal (large container) – $3.00
  • Pasta (2 boxes) – $2.00
  • Canned tomatoes (2 cans) – $1.60
  • Canned tuna or chicken (2 cans) – $2.80
  • Cheese block (8 oz) – $2.00

🥦 Produce

  • 5 lb bag of potatoes – $3.00
  • 1 bunch bananas – $1.30
  • 1 lb frozen broccoli – $1.25
  • 1 bag carrots – $1.50
  • 1 onion + garlic – $1.20
  • 1 bag apples – $3.50

🧼 Extras (as budget allows)

  • Spices or baking soda – $1
  • Flour, oil, or butter – $2–3

💡 Buy in bulk when possible and freeze leftovers for next week’s meals.

🍽️ Step 3: A Sample $60 Meal Plan

Here’s a week of meals we’ve actually eaten and loved — all with ingredients from the above list.

✅ Breakfasts (Repeatable & Filling)

  • Oatmeal with banana slices or peanut butter
  • Toast with eggs
  • Apple slices + oats

✅ Lunches

  • Rice & beans with sautéed veggies
  • PB&J sandwiches with carrot sticks
  • Leftover pasta with canned tomato sauce

✅ Dinners

  • Baked potatoes with tuna + cheese
  • Stir-fried rice with broccoli and scrambled egg
  • Pasta with beans + garlic tomato sauce
  • Homemade veggie soup with toast
  • Fried rice with leftover eggs + carrots

Bonus tip: Make a big batch of rice and beans or soup at the start of the week. Mix and match for easy meals.

🛠 Tools That Make It Easier

💬 Final Thoughts

A $60 grocery budget doesn’t mean going without — it means doing more with less.

And that’s what Thrive on Less is all about.

When you meal plan smart, keep staples on hand, and build from what you already own, feeding your family for $60 a week becomes less of a challenge… and more of a habit.

You’ve got this. Let’s keep thriving — no matter the economy.

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