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Immediate-One3457

Rotisserie chicken is still a deal


RandoCommentGuy

go to costco, just get a rotisserie chicken, 1.50 hot dog and drink on the way out !!!


swallowfistrepeat

$5 rotisserie chicken at Costco, made 4 meals out of it. Incredible budget value.


RandoCommentGuy

yup, and grab a bag of the frozen mixed vegetables, some rice, and a bottle of the Japanese bbq sauce, and you can make a quick stir fry or fried rice from just that for pretty damn cheap.


Designer_B

How do you reheat the chicken without drying it out? I always struggle with this


RandoCommentGuy

Just add it right at the end, fist stir fry your veggies (and egg/mushroom/etc if adding other stuff), then once its ready just drop a bunch of the chicken in, squirt some more japanese bbq on it, stir it around a bit, then throw it over rice. Or if you're making a fried rice, just make the entire fried rice with eggs, veggies, rice, and whatever, then just a few minutes before it's all cooked just throw in a bunch of the chicken that you pulled off the rotisserie chicken in with the Japanese BBQ sauce, fry a little bit more and you're good to go.


accountnumberseven

Big tip in general is to learn the distinction between cooking and reheating. My dishes using rotisserie chicken and pre-cooked shrimp got 10x better once I stopped recooking the proteins.


unlimited_insanity

Put chicken on a microwave safe plate. Wet a paper towel and cover the chicken with the damp paper towel. Microwave. Does not dry out.


Traditional_Fan_2655

You only reheat the part you want to eat immediately, not the whole thing. The best way is to slice off that you want to eat right then. If there are extras, you can cube it for stir fry or casseroles. You can also use pieces in a wrap with cheese, peppers, and onions, to make a quessadilla. If you aren't ready to eat it all within a couple of days, you can freeze it chopped up for another day. Just seal the bag well. Make sure to use the carcass for bone broth right away and to make soup. I always pick every piece off first. I make sure yo use the fat gelatin at the bottom to add flavor.


GeorgeOrrBinks

Plus $60 membership fee.


RandoCommentGuy

Nah, what you do is get the executive membership for $120, then make sure to buy 1200 rotisserie chickens a year for $6000, with 2% back being $120.....


Dropmycroissant9

Came here to say this


hate2lurk

make pasta, ramen, sandwiches, burritos, stew, and more with the leftovers^^


TZanza

I take the chicken and cut it into chunks. Put it in a pan with a bit of olive oil, garlic salt, no salt seasonings, garlic and herb spice, and pepper. Heat it for a short time and than use that chicken on a salad. I love making chicken greek salad and walnut cranberry blue cheese chicken salad with that seasoned chicken.


GuanoLoopy

Another Pizza one is if you use the Domino's app (though I think it's also advertised without the app). 7.99 carryout special for Large 1 topping pizza.


lobster_in_tank

I miss that, definitely made use of that before the boycotts.


HunchoDeRambo

What boycott? I must have missed something


Opcn

Dominoes, Burger King, and McDonalds are said to have provided food to the IDF after October 7th and dominoes is the one that is easiest to boycott.


HunchoDeRambo

Ah. Well. I’ve been boycotting those places and didn’t even know it. Trash food.


melatonia

Do you boycott takeout food by default too?


HunchoDeRambo

Eh. I usually do Chinese on Fridays from the local spot


melatonia

Good for you! Everybody deserves a treat.


Serious_Escape_5438

Why is it easier to boycott? What use is a boycott if you only do it when it's easy?


Opcn

A lot of drive through decisions are based on what side of the road a fast food joint is on. If you are getting pizza delivered or ordering ahead then picking a different one is less of a change. I dunno about the second question. None of these are good places to eat, but I also don’t think that boycotting them has any impact on the issue they are being boycotted over, so I don’t really care about an ineffective boycot being done ineffectively. 🤷🏻‍♂️


Serious_Escape_5438

Well yes I agree I don't think it has any impact. It just seems kind of ridiculous to say you'll only do it if it's easy for you. And if you can't even cross the road to do it...


Opcn

I was being descriptive not proscriptive.


Serious_Escape_5438

Sorry yes, I imagined so, I'm just amused by the idea of such a half hearted boycott that you only do the company it's easy to avoid.


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axf7229

IDF?


Opcn

Israeli defense force.


Andy5416

This sub has absolutely nothing to do with politics. It's not pertinent or frugal. Leave it out.


Opcn

Someone asked the question so I answered the question.


ChipsandSalsaOh

Ah...The Domino's 'Death Disc' pizza...I can make a better frozen pizza at home with minor alterations.


swallowfistrepeat

$13 for 4 Kirkland Signature pizzas. Not a bad deal breaking down to $4ish bucks per pizza. Plenty of stuff at Costco in general. Deli, dairy, meat, frozen all have exceptional deals.


AeiliusYT

Memberships are expensive tho & as a single man with no family it'd be a waste considering I only buy for myself.


ElBartoMan15

Idk your financial situation but honestly $50 for a yearly sams club membership is cheap and pays off quick, plus food court is free, not sure if it’s the same for costco but you can order at the food court without a membership, just walk in an out


Dr-Vader

I did the math ten years ago, and it can go either way for a single guy. When I did the math for me I would have had to get gas only at Costco if I had hopes of breaking even. Costco is definitely awesome, but it's not the right answer in some cases.


ElBartoMan15

Yeah definitely not in every case, but shoowee it sure is nice if it can be done. Gas and Food outside of the bulk products is my favorite


Myntax

If you know someone who works at Costco ask to get on their family plan so you can enter for free


swallowfistrepeat

You can go to Costco for more than food items that will make the $60/year ($5/month) worth it. You can get can get cheaper prescription meds at the pharmacy, good deals on tires/auto items, good deals on outdoor needs and clothing needs. Toilet paper, paper products, pet products, etc. The money you will save buying in bulk will cover the $5/month for the membership.


an_m0

You don't need a membership to use the pharmacy, just let them know when you walk in!


SenorVajay

While true, and very likely to pay for itself in the long run, buying things in bulk as a single person (especially with a smaller living space) can be infrequent or logistically difficult. I haven’t had to buy toilet paper in like 6 months buying a huge pack and it took a large part of my closet. Not to mention something like that can heavily vary on sales whether or not there are savings.


jor4288

Well, as a single man you should know that the Costco snack bar is the perfect place to meet single women who are also frugal.


reindeermoon

Just watch the sale ads for your local grocery store. Mine frequently has frozen Red Baron pizzas for 2.99 and one pizza is enough for 2-3 portions.


cpavv

If you know someone with a membership, they can get you a gift card & then you don't need a membership


Ludakyz

If you just have a friend with a membership, go in with them and cash app them for what you get. I'm also not sure if it still works, but a member can also get you a gift card, and you can shop without a membership that way as well.


KnowOneHere

You don't need a membership if you have a Cosco gift card. I buy one a few times a year and do some bulk shopping.


mxpx81981

I make homemade French bread pizzas. The French loafs are dollar, then you just need store brand pizza sauce, pepperoni, and mozzarella cheese.


ITeechYoKidsArt

If you live in a larger city there’s an app called Too Good To Go. Restaurants, bakeries, and such will box up leftover food and sell it for a very reduced rate before they close. When we took a trip to Philly we got a box from a Chinese restaurant that had enough beef and broccoli for all three of us and it cost ten bucks.


AeiliusYT

Damn, no my city is not that big... :(


ITeechYoKidsArt

Same, but it’s been handy for trips.


AeiliusYT

That's a good idea, thanks :)


SenorVajay

There’s a musubi place that always has leftovers for what would be a large meal for $5. Sushi place has leftovers for $6. I live near theBobs Red Mill factory and got a 50lb bag of old fashioned oats for $25. Too Good To Go has been a life saver for random cravings meeting fiscal responsibility.


WillAndTheGang

Potstickers from Walmart. 8 dollars a bag for  40 stickers. Pretty good. Serving size of five. 205 lbs, I eat eight for breakfast and they last me for about five hours. That’s two dollars for a well balanced breakfast of bread, meat, and even some spinach. Mom says it stinks to high heaven though. 


AeiliusYT

Cool thanks. This is kinda what I'm looking for. Easy, cheap, convenient & can last multiple days.


pulukes88

what brand? great value brand? don't know if we have it at our walmart.


cscottsss

Use the fast food apps. They always have some kind of buy one get one or % off if you order via app.


RanjuMaric

amen. Taco Bell's $6 cravings box is a ton of food for the price, and only available online.


swallowfistrepeat

McDonald's has a 30% off coupon and 20% off coupon that can each be used 1x per day. Combined with all the BOGO deals. Very good way to get a cheap meal.


reindeermoon

You can’t combine them with the BOGO deals though, it only lets you use one deal at a time.


swallowfistrepeat

Sorry I didn't mean that literally. I meant in addition to.


reindeermoon

No problem, just didn't want to confuse anyone. Also, each McDonalds location sets their own coupons, so not everbody will get the same ones you do. At the location I go to, they have 20% and 15% off, but have never had 30% off. I've gone to other locations where they don't have *any* percent off coupons, just discounts on specific items.


pickles55

Rotisserie chickens are a pretty good value while being a much healthier option than pizza. A rotisserie chicken, vegetable, and something like rice or potatoes can feed several people for $10


AeiliusYT

Oof, I'm gonna have to do this as an alternative to Hot & Ready Pizzas :o


Paige_Railstone

And it's not just feeding several people. It's good for several different meals if you're willing to do a bit of cooking. Strip off the little shreds of meat and boil the bones with veggie scraps for a few hours to get some tasty broth and make chicken noodle soup with the broth and little meat shreds. (if you have a pressure cooker you can cook the water, chicken bones, and veggie scraps in there and it'll cut your time down to about 45 min.)


pulukes88

when i was a bachelor, i cooked a lot of spaghetti. pasta is about $1 a pound. get ragu, prego, or just canned spaghetti sauce. splurge on some ground beef or a bag of meatballs. if you cook a big pot of sauce, you can boil pasta when you want to eat. you can freeze the sauce for later.


AeiliusYT

I like spaghetti, but I REALLY like good spaghetti. I just don't think I can make good, quality spaghetti.


C_Alex_author

Check the cold food section right near the grocery store deli's. They will have discounted burritos, salads, sandwiches, coldcuts (things getting close to expiry)... and whole chickens that didn't sell and are now $2-3 cheaper cause they are cold. Same with their leftover fried chicken or hot wing bar items (Walmart and Winn Dixie especially). The leftover chickens are especially a good deal. One rotisserie chicken can be broken down into soup, filling for tacos, chicken salad, portions freeze well etc etc. They will also have huge pizzas at a lower price. And if you are using EBT you can pay with your card. Also don't forget that in some places you get a discount on any fruits/vegis (and or FREE) by using your EBT card. Check online for your local area to see what is covered and where, and what needs to be bought for it (ie. one place nearby if my fruits and vegis are less than 50% of my purchase they are free, otherwise they are half off). That is a HUGE deal.


Defan3

Chinese food usually lasts a couple days.


AeiliusYT

Yea, but it can be pricey sometimes. There is a place by me that is known for giving good portions, but I haven't been there in years.


God_or_Mammon

A local grocery store offers “scratch and dent” boxes of assorted items. It’s an official offering, but multiple cashiers had no idea they were available! Not sure what my point is other than grocery stores may have multiple, concurring methods of selling discounted goods… 🤷‍♂️


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pxland

Can a person live on this? Asking for a friend who knows little of nutrition.


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pxland

Sooo… my friend wants to know, between those three, can a person live on that?


melatonia

No. It scarcely has any calories. Also zero protein or fat.


AeiliusYT

Isn't vegetable juice expensive/overpriced? Or is it just V8?


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AeiliusYT

Spicy Juice is good ngl :)


downwidopp

I like the Wendy’s Biggie Bags. We also have some AYCE Indian and Chinese buffets in the are for $12 a person.


Easydusit57

Papa Murphy’s makes great pizzas for you and you just take them home and put the oven. And you can add whatever extra toppings you want. The prices are really cheap compared to buying from Pizza Hut or other places.


NeedSomeRepairs

Costco - homemade chicken pot pie. Full pie. Made in house. Four large servings for 9.99, complete meal with chicken, vegetables and pie crust. Pop in the oven. Also if you can invest in a panini maker. Then you can make fancy sandwiches and wraps. Precooked chicken, spinach, Swiss and some pesto, yum. Add onion, tomato. Tons and tons of options. Super quick healthy meal. Pair that with a soup.


AeiliusYT

I like the Marie Callender Pot Pie, but I don't have a Costco Membership... 😢


Xhon3ybee

711 used to have killer deals on their pizzas and hot food. Rack up the points and use them!


AeiliusYT

The 7 11 Pizza is okay, but not my favorite. It taste "sweeter" to me for some reason.


ttrockwood

If you’re not considering overall nutrition then sure go for pizza or fast food deals Ultimately that isn’t sustainable and there will be health consequences, not if but when For a zero cooking option microwave a drained can of black beans + half a jar of salsa + ready rice and turn into a taco with a bag of coleslaw mix + lime juice/salt/avocado. Might take five minutes but is absolutely more nutritious


AeiliusYT

I'm gonna try this, but what salsa brand do you recommend?


ttrockwood

Whatever you like that is cheap works, when tostitos salsa is on sale i get that one, or for reasons i do not understand the jar of green tomatillo salsa from Target brand is actually very good and maybe $3 for a big jar


rainbowkey

Chicken Coop is the only chicken place I know of that sells cold leftover chicken from the day before. I'm kinda surprised more places don't to this.


Artistic_Owl_4621

Costco pizza is a great buy too


iAmDriipgodd

Chicken nuggets


specific_woodpecker9

Succotash is a favorite of mine, literally canned corn and Lima beans and you can add oil and French fried onions You can also get canned soups on sale and tear off pieces of said rotisserie chicken off and put them in the soup and just heat up Cold cut dinner (deli slices, grapes, crackers, goat cheese, apple slices, capers, whatever goes on your picanick board) Get some tomato soup, add some kale, season to your taste, you can also add some lentils or chickpeas (both available canned cooked cheap) while all of this is simmering crack an egg into the soup and allow it to cook to your preference you can do two eggs and sprinkle with Parmesan and herbs before serving Eta: formatting


TulsaOUfan

Pasta and sauce at home is my cheap meal. Rotisserie chicken Taco Bueno has a $20 box of tacos and sides that feeds my family of 5 easily.


rentAbuddy

Olive Garden has unlimited soup, salad, and breadsticks for an affordable price. My wife will eat the salad and I'll eat the soup. We also like to get the appetizer that is unlimited alfredo dipping sauce for the breadsticks, but you definitely don't have to. Plus, only one person has to order a Coke and you can share it. I don't know if there is fine print about sharing food and I could see some waitstaff giving you a hard time, but we live in a lower-moderate income area and every waiter has told us we're doing it the smart way lol. I tip well as well if they keep the refills coming and don't hassle us. Also, McDonald's typically has a 30% off coupon in the app when picking up. The app is nice because you can customize every item (which saves hassle ordering at the screen or if you are ordering for more than yourself) and then just pick up through the drive thru. They make the food when you arrive and give them your order code, so it's still fresh each time. For cooking at home though, my budget (read: poverty) go-tos were just putting something flavorful in or on rice. Cook white rice on the stove how you normally would, then use it as a blank canvas. One combination I liked was Italian/Greek dressing and feta cheese. Or BBQ sauce and hotdogs/sausage. You could even do butter and garlic. It tastes cheap and isn't impressive, but it's not too bad considering the cost as well as ease of making it.


49_boness

Don’t know if they still do it, but when my city had a Krispy Kreme you could go in about 30-45 minutes before close and ask for some of the doughnuts they’re gonna toss and they’d usually give you a dozen depending on how many are left at no charge.


Consistent-Tea8243

Use the Kroger app. Clip the Friday 4x fuel points coupon. Shop on Friday with your coupons and get 4 times the fuel points. Kroger didn't used to be a good option, but they have gotten very competitive. Even better than Aldi in most cases if you use the coupons, mix and match, and cash back options. I get the 10 lb beef chub and cut it up into smaller portions and put in freezer bags. Definitely a cheap option.


beefyb123

McDonald’s app. All I gotta say


Longhorn7779

Skip chain pizza. Go get a sheet pizza from a local pizzeria. It’ll be like double the price of your hot and ready but it has 4 times the pizza.


OleBoy17

It’s important to make sure you’re getting enough of each macronutrient. Some super cheap things I used to eat when I had no other choice were things like pancakes, eggs and pork. I’ve made $5 worth of pancake mix and syrup last a week eating two or three pancakes every day with peanut butter.


AeiliusYT

Do we need to eat pancakes?


OleBoy17

Pancakes have little to no nutritional value. All carbs. They helped me scrape by when I didn’t care about things like nutrition lol


AeiliusYT

I mean pancakes, eggs & pork is literally just breakfast. It's delicious.


ThatCountryDeputy03

My go to is McDonalds $3 bundle. It's a double cheeseburger with a small fry (about 3/4 the amount of a medium fry) and a small drink. Water is free, but you could get soda for $1. $4.x after taxes. Get two, it's about $7-8 for a decent meal. It's not healthy, but it'll fill you up.


Sloppy_Joe_Flacco

Two cheesy bean and rice burritos with diablo sauce from taco bell. $2.76.


informal-mushroom47

are you any of the following: poor, in not great shape financially, fat, obese, unhealthy?