A pound of ground beef is just shy of $4 in Walmart. You can't just eat ground beef on its own. A frozen pizza [0] is $2.70 and is tipping on 1800 calories, and is a decent meal for 3 people.

Processed food is _so_ cheap.

[0] https://www.walmart.com/grocery/ip/Great-Value-Rising-Crust-...

> You can't just eat ground beef on its own

That's right. But you can get a microwave for $9.99 at the thrift store. I see bread machines for a similar price. If you can follow directions like "gather the ingredients, dump them in the bread machine, push a button" you can make incredibly tasty fresh bread for next to nothing.

Just yesterday I went to the thrift store, and donated a bunch of stuff I don't use anymore, and bought a bunch that I did have a use for. It's a cheap way to live without compromise.

Even if you have a fully decked out kitchen for free, that doesn't change the fact that you can feed three people for under $3 with a frozen pizza, and it's ready in less than 10 minutes. The variety you can get in processed food for sub $1 per portion that's edible in less than 10 minutes is staggering!

Back when I was younger, a frozen pizza was only enough for one person. They haven't gotten larger.

I shared a link to a Walmart frozen pizza above of a frozen WalMart pizza that costs $2.70 and is 1800 calories; that's easily enough for two adults and a kid, and with a very small side is enough for 2 adults and 2 kids. Two bargain bucket steaks won't feed four people, requires some basic cooking skills, and costs more. Just because prepared food was cheaper when you were a kid doesn't mean things haven't changed since.

3 ounces of steak -- just enough.

A pound and a half of pizza, not even close?

Later on in this thread I pointed out a .58 lb steak in the freezer I bought for $2.90. I can PM you a photo if you need proof.

But that's still more expensive than the pizza, and doesn't feed as many people!

What's the basis of comparison? A 3 oz steak with ~250 calories is going to cost about the same as 1500 calories of chips.

The nutrition in the steak is better, but I don't see any other basis of comparison where it could be cheap. The right candy bar (high in peanuts) will have lots more calories and something like 50% of the protein, for half the total price of the steak.

The other reply already pointed out how cheap wheat calories can be.

I have a steak in the freezer right now that is 0.58 lb and cost $2.90. Don't believe me? PM me your email and I'll send you a photo.

And a dozen eggs for $1.99.

The store also sells bulk peanuts for far far less than peanut candy bars cost. Like $2.99 per pound. You pour it in a bag, weigh the bag, put the label on it, and voila! And it's good for you, too, unlike the sugar-ladened candy. No prep required.

The big box stores here frequently have eggs for $1. On a recent visit (to buy cheap frozen chicken) the register printed me a coupon for a free carton of eggs. They use the cheap eggs to get people in the door.

> They use the cheap eggs to get people in the door.

So? They're still cheaper than chips and a lot better for you.