New Here? Welcome to Cheapskate Cook!

I really thought we were going to starve. Or get into big financial trouble.

When Chris and I were first married and created our budget, we had $25/week for food.

All of it.

Everything.

This included eating out, but who are we kidding? We weren’t eating out. We were just trying to eat dinner.

We lived in a studio apartment (well, actually it was a shed in someone’s backyard) with a microwave and a fridge the size of a cooler.

Being broke seems like a bad time to try to eat healthy, but I didn’t know how long we were going to be there, and I had to try.

You see, I grew up on a small farm where we raised goats, chickens, sheep, and grew a huge organic garden every year. So I came into this new budget knowing the importance of good food and how much better we felt when we ate well. While I couldn’t do everything I wanted to with $25/week, I knew I could use that money to help us eat as clean as possible while still being realistic. 

I learned the secret sauce to saving money and eating healthy.

You Can Eat Real Food on a Budget.

Sounds impossible, right? It’s not.

I can show you how to save money and eat healthy no matter the size of your budget.

Cheapskate Cook was born 12 years ago in our first apartment. Armed with $25 and a ridiculous amount of optimism and determination, Chris and I learned how to save money and eat healthy.

Now I’ll teach you so you can too!

What do you need?

At Cheapskate Cook, we teach you 3 superpowers to help you save money and eat healthy:

Steph at the fridge holding some food

Recipes

Every recipe on Cheapskate Cook is made with simple ingredients on a budget – from Breakfast and Dinner to Healthier Desserts and Make-It-Yourself recipes (like bread and yogurt).

Steph holding phone with ingredients on the counter around her

Menu Planning & Grocery Shopping

Our tips and strategies are designed to help you save money and eat healthy no matter where you live or the size of your budget.

Food Allergies

on a Budget

We dealt with food allergies and sensitivities for a long time. As a result, we use a lot of delicious, simple recipes that easily avoid the more common allergens.

Budget-Friendly Recipes

Whether you are someone who loves to cook or only cooks because you have to, you will find the recipes you need here!

Every recipe on Cheapskate Cook is made with simple ingredients on a budget. You can find them at your local Walmart or the health food store or farmers market.

First, download our free recipe book below for simple, budget-friendly real food recipes you can make this week. (BONUS: You probably already have most of these ingredients in your kitchen already!)

Next, check out these recipes:
Next, check out these:
real food cheap graphic
$25 a week grocery budget
Food Allergies on a Budget

We dealt with food allergies and sensitivities on a tight budget for a long time. As a result, we use a lot of delicious, simple recipes that easily avoid the more common allergens.

First, try these budget-friendly, allergy-friendly recipes!

real food cheap graphic
Simple Mediterranean Yellow Rice - Our favorite, simple recipe for yellow rice - with no artificial colors! Perfect with chicken, beef, fish, or vegetable curry. It is savory, flavorful, and the perfect bed for any Meditteranean or Eastern-inspired dish. From CheapskateCook.com #mediterranean #rice #sidedish #dinner #realfood #healthy
Next, Browse More Allergy-Free Recipes:
Picadillo (Mexican Beef & Potato Stew) - An authentic, frugal, hearty, ground beef staple that uses a few ingredients and costs pennies per serving. Picadillo is also gluten-free and dairy-free.

Gluten-Free Recipes

Picadillo (Mexican Beef & Potato Stew) - An authentic, frugal, hearty, ground beef staple that uses a few ingredients and costs pennies per serving. Picadillo is also gluten-free and dairy-free.

Dairy-Free Recipes

Picadillo (Mexican Beef & Potato Stew) - An authentic, frugal, hearty, ground beef staple that uses a few ingredients and costs pennies per serving. Picadillo is also gluten-free and dairy-free.

Egg-Free Recipes

Picadillo (Mexican Beef & Potato Stew) - An authentic, frugal, hearty, ground beef staple that uses a few ingredients and costs pennies per serving. Picadillo is also gluten-free and dairy-free.

Vegan Recipes

Connection & Community

For more ways to save money and eat healthy, let’s connect!

YouTube

Subscribe here for day-in-the-life style videos, grocery hauls, and recipe demonstrations!

Instagram

Follow me here for daily inspiration. I basically live on Stories and share daily hacks, tips, recipes, frugal living, and real-life fun.

Tiktok

Like Instagram, but totally different, right?

Facebook

Like my Page here and connect with real-life people who are trying to save money and eat healthy.

See What They're Saying:

“Stephani does such a fantastic job of teaching people how to live and eat well on a tight budget. I am constantly recommending her site to others who are looking for encouragement in how to feed their family healthfully and do it without breaking the bank or spending all day in the kitchen!”

Crystal Paine

Founder, MoneySavingMom.com

“Eating healthy on a budget has never been easier!”

Deborah Reynaa

Photographer, DeborahReynaa.com

“I love Cheapskate Cook! She’s helpful and practical, but so down-to-earth and fun!!”

Courtney Kimball

Reader

“Stephani is one of the only Instagram Stories I take time to watch because she’s so knowledgeable and down-to-earth. Her work is always incredibly professional and I remain in awe at how she keeps such a small budget and raises kids committed to eating healthy food, too!”

Katie Kimball

Founder, KitchenStewardship.com and KidsCookRealFood.com

“I love the simplicity of Cheapskate Cook. Every recipe I’ve tried is amazing!”

Tracy

Reader

“Steph has the most helpful information about cooking, planning, gardening, and more!”

Brandi

Reader

“Steph is one of the most relatable real food advocates I’ve ever had the privilege of knowing. She teaches and encourages in a way that’s both accessible and enthusiastic, which I find totally contagious!”

Beth Ricci

Founder, RedAndHoney.com

“I love how Steph doesn’t over-complicate frugal and healthy living. I love learning from her!”

Lexi

Reader, THM Coach

“Steph shares so many simple and cheap tips and tricks in all things real food and natural living! She has helped me over the years to keep spending lower and keep my family’s health a priority.”

Elizabeth Haarsma

Reader

Featured In

Recommended Resources

From the kitchen, to the garden, to the bookshelf, discover the resources I can’t live without!

pepper
quinoa salad
blueberry muffins
cinnamon rolls