New Yorkers are Getting Creative to Stretch Their Food Budgets
In the face of an unprecedented freeze on federal food assistance, many New Yorkers have been forced to rethink their grocery shopping habits in order to make ends meet. With Thanksgiving just around the corner, families are facing a daunting task: how to afford holiday meals while still paying bills and putting food on the table.
According to a recent report by Robin Hood and Columbia University, more than one-third of adult New Yorkers and nearly 40% of families with children struggle to make ends meet when it comes to food. The average family is short $205 per week, leaving them with little room for error.
To combat this uncertainty, many residents are turning to creative strategies to stretch their dollars. Some are visiting multiple stores in one trip to snag the best deals, while others are using coupons and sales flyers to plan their shopping trips. For instance, Mariette Brathwaite-Best of Staten Island scans her flyers before setting out to buy only what's on sale.
Smaller markets may offer better deals on fresh produce, but beware: those items often come with shorter shelf lives. On the other hand, wholesale stores like BJ's and Costco can provide bulk meats at a lower cost per pound – just be sure to freeze them for later use. Specialty stores or ethnic markets can also yield cheaper ingredients that cater to specific cultural tastes.
Registered dietician Marty Davey suggests being fearless when it comes to trying new foods. "If you find something cheap, take the chance," she advises. This time of year, she notes, walnut sales can be a great find – just make sure your nuts and seeds are refrigerated or frozen to preserve their oils.
Another strategy involves planning meals in advance. By knowing what ingredients you need for each meal, you're less likely to impulse buy unnecessary items. Brathwaite-Best has taken this approach to heart since losing her job. She spends Sundays preparing all her meals for the week and shops with a list of necessary ingredients only.
Finally, experts recommend getting creative with leftovers. Turning leftover veggies into soups or blending them into smoothies can help reduce food waste and make your money go further. And don't forget about eggs – if they're nearing expiration, put them to use in an omelet or breakfast burrito!
While it's clear that New Yorkers are stretched thin when it comes to their food budgets, many residents remain optimistic about finding ways to stretch their dollars. As one shopper quipped, "Eat your leftovers" – a clever solution for those looking to make the most of their hard-earned cash.
In the face of an unprecedented freeze on federal food assistance, many New Yorkers have been forced to rethink their grocery shopping habits in order to make ends meet. With Thanksgiving just around the corner, families are facing a daunting task: how to afford holiday meals while still paying bills and putting food on the table.
According to a recent report by Robin Hood and Columbia University, more than one-third of adult New Yorkers and nearly 40% of families with children struggle to make ends meet when it comes to food. The average family is short $205 per week, leaving them with little room for error.
To combat this uncertainty, many residents are turning to creative strategies to stretch their dollars. Some are visiting multiple stores in one trip to snag the best deals, while others are using coupons and sales flyers to plan their shopping trips. For instance, Mariette Brathwaite-Best of Staten Island scans her flyers before setting out to buy only what's on sale.
Smaller markets may offer better deals on fresh produce, but beware: those items often come with shorter shelf lives. On the other hand, wholesale stores like BJ's and Costco can provide bulk meats at a lower cost per pound – just be sure to freeze them for later use. Specialty stores or ethnic markets can also yield cheaper ingredients that cater to specific cultural tastes.
Registered dietician Marty Davey suggests being fearless when it comes to trying new foods. "If you find something cheap, take the chance," she advises. This time of year, she notes, walnut sales can be a great find – just make sure your nuts and seeds are refrigerated or frozen to preserve their oils.
Another strategy involves planning meals in advance. By knowing what ingredients you need for each meal, you're less likely to impulse buy unnecessary items. Brathwaite-Best has taken this approach to heart since losing her job. She spends Sundays preparing all her meals for the week and shops with a list of necessary ingredients only.
Finally, experts recommend getting creative with leftovers. Turning leftover veggies into soups or blending them into smoothies can help reduce food waste and make your money go further. And don't forget about eggs – if they're nearing expiration, put them to use in an omelet or breakfast burrito!
While it's clear that New Yorkers are stretched thin when it comes to their food budgets, many residents remain optimistic about finding ways to stretch their dollars. As one shopper quipped, "Eat your leftovers" – a clever solution for those looking to make the most of their hard-earned cash.
. I mean, $205 per week is a huge hit, and it's not like they can just cut back on one or two things without sacrificing some quality of life.
. Some people just need a little help getting by, and that's where support systems like food banks should come in.
. And have you ever tried buying eggs in bulk? Game-changer! 
Just think about all the money you can save when you're not wasting those little guys at the end of their shelf life.
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. Buying multiple stores at once, couponing like a pro, and planning meals in advance are all winners 
. And let's be real, who needs fancy holiday recipes when you can repurpose leftovers into delicious soups or smoothies? 
I'm also a fan of the "freeze it" philosophy for bulk meats - just don't forget to label those Tupperware containers! 
With all these crazy ideas on how to save money, I just think we need to simplify our lives and not overcomplicate things. Like, why are we making meals in advance if it's just gonna end up getting eaten or frozen anyway? 
. What's next? Growing your own food in a cardboard box? 
Not saying it can't work, but some of these strategies sound like they'll end up being a waste of time/money 
. And don't even get me started on trying new foods just for the sake of saving money... I mean, who wants to eat something that's gonna make them sick? 
At least freeze your nuts and seeds or use those coupons and sales flyers, that's some solid advice 
A big problem in New York is that people are struggling to afford food 
. The average family is missing out $205 per week 
. That's not a lot, but it adds up quickly.
. Others are buying from smaller markets for fresh produce, or wholesale stores for bulk meats 
. And some are even trying new foods just because they're cheap 
. If you know what ingredients you need for each meal, you can avoid impulse buys and save money 
. And don't forget about leftovers 
idk how ppl do it, but i guess when u gotta, u gotta get creative with ur food shopping 
anyway, good on ppl 4 finding ways 2 stretch their budgets 
, especially during Thanksgiving 
. It's crazy that some ppl are having to get creative with their shopping just to afford basic groceries 
. Marty Davey makes some great points about being fearless with new ingredients. As a personal fave, shopping on Sundays for the week ahead is total game-changer 
... it's like planning your meals around finding those hidden gems at the markets 
. And don't even get me started on leftovers - that egg omelet idea was pure genius!
. It's amazing how creative people can be when it comes to making ends meet. Like, I've seen ppl use up leftover veggies to make soup or blend them into smoothies 
. I'm just glad that ppl are coming together to help each other out, especially during the holidays when it's supposed to be a time of plenty 
.
. Like, I get it, times are tough and stuff, but can't we just have some decent discounts on avocados already? 
The idea that we need to start buying at wholesale stores or scouring flea markets for cheap ingredients is just not sustainable for most people. And don't even get me started on the environmental impact of all this "thrifty" shopping - like, what's the point of saving a few bucks if you're just gonna end up eating less organic produce? 
. And you're right, those weekly shortfalls can add up quick – I mean, who needs a social life when you've got a fridge full of rice and beans? 
who says u gotta eat veggies 2day or use up that egg b4 it expires lol. maybe this is just an opportunity 4 ppl 2 get creative & find new ways 2 save 
u save $$$ & reduce waste at the same time!
It's crazy how one thing can snowball into so much more. And don't even get me started on the food banks and all that... it's like we're expected to just make do with less and less 
. And omg, using coupons & sales flyers is so basic, can't we be doin' more? Like, have u seen those weekly ads from Trader Joe's? They're always like "buy one get one free" on organic stuff... it's like they're tryin' 2 help us out 
.
. It's crazy how people have to go out of their way just to afford basic meals, let alone Thanksgiving feasts 
. Plus, turning leftover veggies into soups or smoothies is just plain brilliant 
.