I heard about this challenge last week and knew I had to participate. I’ve been trying to convince friends and readers for years that our groceries (or eating out) don’t have to cost us an arm and a leg.
The Live Below the Line challenge runs for 5 days, from May 7th – 11th. The challenge is to feed yourself on less than $1.50 a day- the amount a U.S. person living in poverty would have to spend. While it’s not necessarily the most delectable menu, it’s very possible to do!
I’ve chosen to support Opportunity International with my challenge. Donations can be made through the Live Below the Line campaign page. You can also get involved by participating in the challenge- can you feed yourself on just $1.50 a day?
So, how did I do on the first day of the challenge? I can tell you that I am really craving my M&Ms, but I know I can do without for a few days 
Today I ate:
a bowl of grits for breakfast
I added a bit of milk and sugar, for a total cost of $.11. I found that I was hungry earlier than usual though, without my typical double serving of raisin bran.
1 and a half PB and banana sandwiches, 1/2 serving of Doritos, and a small apple. I drank water, as I usually do.
I weighed the apple – 5 oz so that was $.33. The half serving of Doritos was $.08. 3 slices of bread was $.11. I also made Little Turkey a sandwich, so I divided the cost of the 7 oz banana 5 ways and “charged” 3 parts to my challenge – $.14. The peanut butter was free from when we were still receiving WIC. The total cost for my lunch was $.66.
3 oz Grilled Chicken Leg, Creamed Corn, 1/2 serving of Baked Beans, and 2 Slices of Honey Toast
The can of creamed corn was $.54 and the can of pork and beans was $.50. I added 1 serving of BBQ sauce and 2 servings of brown sugar to the beans to make baked beans, but didn’t add anything to the corn. Each can gives 3.5 servings, so I ate $.16 worth of corn and $.08 of baked beans (I’m not a big fan of baked beans). The chicken legs were $.57/lb. and I ate 3 oz cooked. That’s about a 1/2 lb. uncooked or $.29. I had 2 slices of honey toast at $.08. The honey was free from a neighbor who has Sue Bee bees on their farm and literally have honey running out their ears! Again, I had water to drink. I had two sodas in the last 4 days so I wouldn’t be drinking one anytime soon anyway.
The total cost for my dinner was $.61. This was the same dinner that the rest of the family had.
That brings my total challenge amount to $1.38!
Considering the free honey, peanut butter, and that nearly everything was bought on sale or with coupons- it really shows how far you can stretch your budget if you plan wisely and make use of what you have.
Being 12 cents under the challenge budget sure tempts me to eat some M&Ms tonight, but I guess I’d be wiser to wait so that maybe I can splurge and eat pizza with the family later this week
Hi there Penny!
Just checking in with you…now that I have you on FB I rarely go to your site. I still don’t like FB though LOL!
It would be interesting to see how people do throughout the various states. We don’t get coupons for “real” food here…in fact we don’t get any coupons anymore at all.
I can’t even imagine what a coupon for honey would look like (I have seen them for PB when we lived in Phoenix.)
I work in the food pantry on Wednesday. I should really do something like this for them! Very inspiring…thanks for sharing your totals.
Okay…I have to clarify…I can imagine what a coupon for honey would look like, but I’ve never seen one.
LOL Johnlyn!
It’s been quite a while since I saw a coupon for honey too. The last time I bought it, I bought 2 bottles on sale @ $5 each, and got a $2 catalina back. $4 for 32 oz of honey is pretty good, even if it is an expensive treat. I’m loving the free honey better though-we’re getting spoiled with luxury foods for sure
I am proud of you & so impressed with what you were able to eat on your budget.
It seems that frugal living courses along with healthful eating choices should be taught in areas dealing with poverty.
Congrats on your accomplishment today & I’m looking forward to seeing more of it this week!
Oh my goodness…I did it again. For some reason when I first found you I was sure your name was Penny. Yesterday as I was writing kept thinking Penny instead of Cricket.
Sorry LOL!!!