HOW TO EAT FOR $12 A WEEK | EMERGENCY GROCERY BUDGET-FRIENDLY MEAL PLAN | DIRT CHEAP HEALTHY RECIPES! — In today’s extreme budget challenge, I’ll show you exactly what I bought and how I turned it into affordable breakfasts, lunches, and dinners—all with just $12 to spend. When you’re down to your last few grocery dollars, it can feel overwhelming. I’ve been there—and that’s why I created this plan: to help you make simple, nourishing meals when you’re not sure what to feed your family next.
I focused on filling, nutrient-dense staples like beans, lentils, and brown rice. These meals aren’t fancy, but they’re full of flavor, satisfying, and definitely better than spending it all on one fast food lunch. It’s not easy—but this proves you can survive on a tight budget. My own experiences shaped how I cook today, and my goal is to offer hope, support, and practical ideas for anyone facing similar challenges.
If this video helps you or someone you love, please share it. If you’re in a tough spot, don’t hesitate to reach out to food banks, churches, or local support programs. And if you’re in a position to give, please consider donating to your local food pantry—even small acts make a big difference.
🎉 A Big THANK YOU for 1 Million Subscribers!
Six years ago, I was filming in our tiny kitchen—just trying to stretch meals using food stamps and WIC. I never imagined this would grow into such an amazing, supportive community. I’m so deeply grateful for every single one of you 💛
Read the full post here: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCi_58-g6BjEkhbYRtXBDTHg/community?lb=UgkxQQd9EifYYDNfb6VSM7KsZp7bSvg5vq7g
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LOOKING FOR MORE WAYS TO SAVE ON GROCERIES? CHECK OUT THESE BLOG POSTS AND VIDEOS BELOW! ↓
*NEW* How I Made 39 Meals with Just $22 at Walmart – Emergency Budget Skillet Recipes: https://youtu.be/QQ85rSjhbXE
Dinner For a Month Under $50 https://www.juliapacheco.com/dinner-for-a-month-on-just-45-ultra-budget-meals-grocery-savings-plan/
Cheap Family Meals Under $10 https://www.juliapacheco.com/cheap-family-meals-under-10/
Dirt Cheap Easy Family Dinner Ideas https://www.juliapacheco.com/dirt-cheap-easy-family-dinner-ideas/
EXTREME Budget Meal Plan https://www.juliapacheco.com/extreme-grocery-budget-recipes/
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HERE’S WHAT YOU’LL NEED!
The full printable recipes + grocery list from today’s video→ https://www.juliapacheco.com/12-emergency-meal-plan-julia-pacheco/
0:00 $12 Grocery Budget Challenge
0:52 Shopping At Walmart
2:27 Shopping Cart Haul
3:03 Prepping Pinto Beans For The Week
4:36 Oatmeal and Fruit Breakfast
6:03 Making a Loaf of Rustic Bread
7:54 Batch Prepping White Rice in Instant Pot
8:56 Carrot Rice Lentil Skillet
13:05 Slow Cooker Pinto Beans Batch Cooking
14:17 Lentil Potato Pinto Bean Burritos
14:34 Homemade Flour Tortillas
16:00 Lentil Burritos Filling + Finishing the Pinto Beans
17:50 Rolling and Cooking the Tortillas
19:02 Finishing the Lentil Burritos
27:29 Potato Lentil Curry
32:10 Pinto Bean Potato Burritos
33:00 Mid Week Update
39:18 End of week Update
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Great job, looks good BUT if a person is diabetic none of these foods are ideal. They're all, all of them, are high in carbs. No bananas, no beans, no bread, no rice, no oatmeal. I know those are healthy things for most people but for almost 1/3 of people in the US, these foods will raise blood sugar levels leading to nasty complications down the road (like amputation, blindness, and kidney failure).
So what's a poor diabetic person supposed to do?
Crazy the timing of this video 😢 I need to make a trip with a only a couple bucks in the morning ❤
She’s a smart lady. Whatever happened to actually COOKING FROM HOME? People spend $100K on new kitchens, and then never use them. It’s insane. Kudos to you!❤
Yummy 😊
I just can't buy food from Walmart. I don't trust where they are getting their food from . I live in Texas and thank God we have HEB and its prices are lower than Walmart and HEB buys it's meat chicken and fish from local ranchers and the Gulf Coast. Also the fruit and veggies are from Texas or their own farm . Yes HEB has their own Farm .