Start the Day Right and Save on Breakfast

by Guest Contributor · 9 comments

Unless you are one of the unique individuals, like my son, who never eats breakfast, chances are you start every day with this meal. Name brand cereals, food bars, and protein drinks can cost a bundle, especially if you get individually-wrapped items. Here are a few ways to save some money on this essential meal and still enjoy good nutrition and taste.

Eggs are Great

Aside from the fact that an egg provides essential protein, choline, lutein, and other nutrients, you can get a dozen eggs for about $1. Two eggs, some toast, and OJ make a healthy, sustaining breakfast for less than $1. If you want to increase the health benefits, toss in a piece of fruit or add some veggies to the eggs and make an omelet.

Eggs can also be used to make a quiche for breakfast. Add any leftover meats, veggies, and a bit of cheese to four eggs and a cup of milk. Pour the mixture into a pie shell, and let it bake for an hour until the eggs have set. You get eight servings for a couple of dollars and some leftovers.

French toast is another good way to use eggs and stale bread. Mix your eggs with a bit of milk, sugar, and cinnamon and fry it up.

Hot Cereals

Cream of wheat, grits, oatmeal, and quinoa all make fantastic breakfasts. For a few cents a serving you can cook up a big pot of hot cereal and feed everyone. Each person can put their own choice of toppings, and you are ready to go. Donโ€™t purchase these in small, name brand boxes; get them in the bulk bins at your local healthy food store.

Generic Brand Cereals

You donโ€™t have to purchase name brand cereals to enjoy cold cereal in the morning. Generics work just fine, and if you have teenagers in the house you understand how much they have to eat. I have seen my kids go through a box of cereal for snack in the afternoon; there is no way I am spending more than $4 for a box. Some of the generic cereals even come in really large bags that will take a teenager several attempts to finish, and the price per serving drops dramatically at that size.

Think Leftovers

Around my house breakfast foods are not the only thing that gets eaten for breakfast. Leftovers are very popular, as is ramen soup. At less than $0.20 a pack ramen is a great bargain, and if you add an egg to the broth you give your kids some protein as well.

What about Eating Out?

There are ways to eat out and not spend a bundle too. Coupons are your friends. Buy one, get one coupons for the major fast food chains are always turning up in the mail. Plan ahead and use them. One restaurant chain offers a free breakfast sandwich from time to time; that is a great day to go out for breakfast. Another chain offers free pancakes one day a year, but plan to get there early.

Breakfast is the one meal where you can really save a lot if you plan ahead, buy in bulk, and think outside the box. Enjoy your savings.

Another week, another piece taken from the How to Save Money on Everything ebook. Do you want to save more? Check out how you can get the free ebook by signing up for the free frugal newsletter!

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{ read the comments below or add one }

  • Al says:

    Here in Wisconsin eggs seem to be on sale somewhere for $.98

  • Witty Artist says:

    Agree that breakfast is the most important meal of the day. I prefer having a self-made breakfast instead of the nicely wrapped items. Besides what you’ve mentioned, I’d add sandwiches in the menu. ๐Ÿ™‚

  • Julie says:

    I believe I just saw a sign that said our Kwik Trip gas station/store sells eggs for $1.00/doz.

  • Valerie says:

    Great tips. Breakfast is the easiest meal to save money on without sacrificing at all by way of taste or health. And it starts your day on the right foot.

    I used to buy the pre-made yogurt parfait from Starbucks…way too expensive. Now I buy fat-free yogurt in bulk from the grocery store and add my own granola and fruit. Its easy, healthy, inexpensive, and delicious.

  • Athira says:

    We can a dozen eggs for under 1$ in India. To be precise we will get 15 eggs for a dollar.

    Being a doctor, I cant stress on the importance of having a healthy breakfast. Whether it costs you 1$ or 100$, never be frugal when it comes to your breakfast.

    Skip dinner or lunch. But not breakfast.

  • Amy Saves says:

    Breakfast is essentially breaking the fast. Your body has been starving for the last 8 hours while you were asleep.

    One thing that is quick and easy is a bowl of cereal. Add a banana or some berries and you’re good to go.

  • indio says:

    Breakfast is one of my favorite meals and I eat enjoy breakfast foods any time of day. Since I have backyard hens, we have a daily supply of eggs. Pancakes, baked french toast, frittata, quiche, and eggs any way you like, are all on the menu. I agree with the previous poster that it is hard to find organic eggs in our area for less than $4.99 per/dozen. At the farmer’s market, they are $8 a dozen.
    We eat ramen noodles too, but not in lieu of breakfast. If you use your own chicken stock, instead of the flavor packet (no idea what is in it), it can be healthy. I usually add lots of vegetables, especially bok choy, which is very high in nutrients, eggs, sesame oil, small amount of tamari, brown rice vinegar, and a few drops of chili oil. It takes a few minutes longer than the recipe on the packet, but it is infinitely better tasting and healthier.

  • kh says:

    Also .. ramen is not healthy for any meal. A pack of ramen is two servings (look at the bag). It’s totally overloaded on sodium, fat, and simple carbs. Ramen is the last thing I’d consider healthy, especially for breakfast. ๐Ÿ˜‰

  • kh says:

    While I agree with everything you’ve posted about healthy breakfasts .. there is nowhere anywhere that I know of (at least not in my area) that you can get a dozen eggs for $1. The very cheapest eggs you can get here run about $1.90 a dozen. That’s on sale. If I want cage free eggs, or eggs from the farmer’s market, we’re looking at anywhere from $2.99 to $4.99 a dozen.

    Where on earth do you find eggs $1 / doz?

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