Last week, I challenged myself to do something I haven’t done in a while:
A full grocery run with just ₱1,500.
Alam mo yung feeling na parang nasa game show ka?
May timer, may budget, may pressure, and you’re hoping na sana hindi mag-“Unexpected Item in the Bagging Area” yung wallet mo. 😂
But honestly, I wanted to prove (mostly to myself) that a family of four can still eat delicious, home-cooked meals without overspending — basta marunong mag-adjust and mag-plan.
So here’s my realistic ₱1,500 grocery haul — and what I actually cooked from it.
What I Bought (₱1,500 Budget)
Proteins
✔️ Chicken thighs (1 kilo)
✔️ Pork giniling (½ kilo)
✔️ Tilapia (2 medium)
✔️ Eggs (1 tray)
Veggies
✔️ Sayote (2 pcs)
✔️ Carrots (2 pcs)
✔️ Cabbage (½ head)
✔️ Potatoes (1 kilo)
✔️ Onions + garlic
Basics
✔️ Rice (3 kilos)
✔️ Cooking oil (small bottle)
✔️ Soy sauce + vinegar
✔️ Canned tomatoes (1 can)
✔️ Evaporated milk (1 can)
Extras
✔️ Tofu
✔️ Instant noodles (for emergencies 😂)
✔️ Bananas (pang snacks)
I went a bit strategic: cheaper proteins, multi-use veggies, pantry-friendly ingredients, and dishes that stretch.
What I Cooked From My ₱1,500 Haul
1. Chicken Adobo
Because syempre, the easiest family-stretcher.
We had it for lunch, then kinulang sa kanin yung dinner — you know the drill. Adobo always saves the day!
2. Ginisang Sayote with Egg
Budget queen of ulam.
Twinkle loves this because it’s soft and homey. I added egg to make it more protein-rich. I swear, sayote is still one of the most underrated gulay.
3. Pork Giniling with Carrots & Potatoes
One of those dishes na parang lumalawak magically.
I cooked it saucy so the kids can pour it over rice.
4. Fried Tilapia + Atchara (Simple pero sulit!)
Daddydoodledoo was so happy this night.
Tilapia dinner always feels like a quiet, peaceful meal… Twinkle always asks for this crispy.
5. Tofu Stir-Fry with Cabbage
This became our “healthy day.”
Cheap, fast, high-protein, and the kids surprisingly liked it — maybe because I added a bit of sweet soy glaze. Mommy tricks.
6. Creamy Chicken Sopas
For merienda + dinner.
I love sopas because it makes everyone feel loved and warm. Plus, it’s a great way to use leftover chicken plus veggies.
7. Banana & Instant Noodles Merienda Days
Yes, realistic tayo dito.
Not every day is fancy. Sometimes the kids just want noodles and fruit — and that’s okay!
A ₱1,500 grocery budget may look small, pero with creativity, planning, and strategic cooking, kaya pa rin maglatag ng masarap at comforting meals for the family.
It’s not about how much you spend… it’s about how you maximize what you have.
If you want, I can also turn this into a weekly mini-series on your blog — para consistent traffic at SEO goldmine!
