$40 Budget Dinner Plan for Two!

I took $40 out of an ATM with the goal of making as many meals as possible. I was feeding 2 adults and the only items I could use from home were oil, salt, and pepper. I did my daily shopping at Dollar General as it is categorically not the cheapest store, but the most widely available store, with the efforts of these prices and items being close to attainable for almost anyone regardless of their situation or cost of living in their area.

If you shop at Dollar General, try to use the $5 or $10 off coupon to make this meal plan even cheaper.

The grocery list:

2 lbs of chicken breasts $7.95
Sour Cream $2.75
Mexican blend cheese $2.75
Cilantro Lime Rice $1.00
Chili Beans $1.35
Corn $0.67
Salsa $2.25
Taco Seasoning $0.75
Spaghetti $1.00
Cream of chicken soup $1.00
Diced tomatoes & green chiles $1.00
Ranch Seasoning $0.75
Jalapeno Velveeta $1.00
Flour Tortillas $1.75
Instant mashed potatoes $1.35
BBQ Sauce $1.25
1 Dozen Eggs $1.65
Frozen Mixed Vegetables $1.50
Chicken Flavored Rice $1.00
Country Gravy Mix $1.25
Dried Hashbrowns $1.00
Breakfast Sausage $2.00
Spaghetti Sauce Mix $0.75
Tomato Paste $0.85

Total Cost (Pre-Tax and Pre-Coupon) $38.57

I made 8 total dinners for 2 people ($4.82 per meal, $2.41 per serving)

Day 1: Chicken Burrito Bowls
Day 2: Chicken Spaghetti
Day 3: Smothered Burritos
Day 4: Loaded BBQ Chicken Bowls
Day 5: Spaghetti
Day 6: "Use it up" Chicken Tortilla Soup/Rice Bowls
Day 7: Egg Fried Rice
Day 8: Country Hashbrown Breakfast Bowls

I did make a 9th bonus meal, of some beans and eggs with fried tortillas, but that was more of a breakfast than a full dinner. So for the purpose of this video I am not counting it in the total or the menu.

I am attempting to put all of these meals together on a printable, but that may take some time :)