Uploaded January 2026 | Updated September 2026, 3 days ago
There's been a lot of conversation about whether people should be able to eat a meal for $3. And it can work on paper, the bigger question is this: Does that way of eating actually work for real people long-term?
In this video, I take a calm, practical look at $3 meals through the lens of:
Nutrition and satiety
Variety and personal preference
Sustainability over time
Real groceries and real kitchens
This isn't a political video, and it's not about proving what's technically possible. It's about what actually supports people day after day, without shame, extremes, or struggle-food thinking.
My goal has always been to help people store and save food the right way, with dignity, balance, and long-term perspective.
Time Stamps
00:00 Can people eat a meal for $3?
01:10 Is a $3 meal sustainable?
02:00 Limited food options
02:15 Nutrition isn't just calories
02:55 Not everyone starts with a well-stocked pantry
03:24 What looks simple in one household...
03:37 Why store and save?
04:11 Why build your pantry?
05:01 People don't eat in theory
06:04 20 Item Capsule Grocery Haul
#$3meal #homemakingwithdenis #traditionalhomemaker #thisandthatwithdenisejordan #preppingwithdenise #aprondiva #africanamericanhomemaker #blackhousewife
WATCH NEXT ➡️ My 20-Item Capsule Grocery Haul: youtu.be/ve2KopjZ4F0
➡️JOIN The Homemaker’s Circle (Optional Membership Community): patreon.com/HomemakingwithDenise
✳️ Want to learn about waterbath canning? Check out my course, Yes You Can! A Beginner's Guide to Waterbath Canning with this link: courses.homemakingwithdenise.com/courses/waterbath-canning-course
➡️SUBSCRIBE to my channel: youtube.com/@homemakingwithdenise
➡️Sign up for my newsletter The Homemaker's Journal: eepurl.com/ip_ZIs.
➡️Sign up for the free Laundry Lab Masterclass has closed.
➡️Don’t forget to head over to my YouTube channel’s home page where I share organized playlists to help you meet your homemaking and homekeeping needs.
Show Notes and Affiliate Links:
✳️Visit Amazon through my storefront here: amazon.com/shop/thisandthatwithdenisejordan
✳️ As an Amazon Associate, I earn from qualifying purchases. Some of my links below are affiliate links, which means if you click through and make a purchase, I'll receive a small commission. It does not affect the price you pay. All items are in my storefront.
✳️ALWAYS IN MY KITCHEN: (See EVERYTHING in My Shop):
Dutch Oven: amzn.to/3HNOseH
Ball Plastic Freezer Jars: amzn.to/3UvAup6
Spurtles Kitchen Tools: amzn.to/48bTHiS
Dried Whole Eggs: amzn.to/4bpcWs5
Rubbermaid Spoonula: amzn.to/481wQqg
Ball Mason Jar Storage Lids: amzn.to/49olRZc
Measuring Spoons: amzn.to/3OxGNox
OXO 2 Cups Measuring Cup: amzn.to/3UBXiE1
Muffin Pan: amzn.to/3UwTlR0
Soup ladle: amzn.to/3SRTNbc
Apple slicer: amzn.to/3ODTZZ2
Lemon squeezer: amzn.to/3STt123
Can Rack Organizer amzn.to/3S5UkVk
Corner Kitchen Shelf Organizer amzn.to/48Zm7gU
Ball Mason Jars amzn.to/4aZvQ8Z
Clear Plastic Storage Bins For Fridge or Pantry amzn.to/3HqRfdl
Grabill Country Meats Variety Pack amzn.to/3U8wDOA
Hands Free Motion Centered Garbage Pan amzn.to/48EebSz
Storage Shelves amzn.to/47Zes1r
Weigman Cooktop Cleaner: amzn.to/3iFz8aw
✳️Check out the Grove Collaborative and possibly get free products here with your first order: grove.co/referrer/34203904/.
✳️ Apron Diva at aprondiva.com
✳️
✳️My Tech Gear
• Canon PowerShot G7X Mark II Camera amzn.to/2FGUUWj
• Canon M6 Mark ii amzn.to/32UxVEO
• Rode Video Mic amzn.to/2Fu871i
❤️Stay connected with Homemaking with Denise:
• Email: thisandthatwithdenise@gmail.com
• Facebook: @thisandthatwithdenise
• Instagram @homemakingwithdenise
• TikTok homemakingwithdenise
❤️Subscribe for more videos at youtube.com/@homemakingwithdenise
There's been a lot of conversation about whether people should be able to eat a meal for $3. And it can work on paper, the bigger question is this: Does that way of eating actually work for real people long-term?
In this video, I take a calm, practical look at $3 meals through the lens of:
Nutrition and satiety
Variety and personal preference
Sustainability over time
Real groceries and real kitchens
This isn't a political video, and it's not about proving what's technically possible. It's about what actually supports people day after day, without shame, extremes, or struggle-food thinking.
My goal has always been to help people store and save food the right way, with dignity, balance, and long-term perspective.
Time Stamps
00:00 Can people eat a meal for $3?
01:10 Is a $3 meal sustainable?
02:00 Limited food options
02:15 Nutrition isn't just calories
02:55 Not everyone starts with a well-stocked pantry
03:24 What looks simple in one household...
03:37 Why store and save?
04:11 Why build your pantry?
05:01 People don't eat in theory
06:04 20 Item Capsule Grocery Haul
#$3meal #homemakingwithdenis #traditionalhomemaker #thisandthatwithdenisejordan #preppingwithdenise #aprondiva #africanamericanhomemaker #blackhousewife
WATCH NEXT ➡️ My 20-Item Capsule Grocery Haul: youtu.be/ve2KopjZ4F0
➡️JOIN The Homemaker’s Circle (Optional Membership Community): patreon.com/HomemakingwithDenise
✳️ Want to learn about waterbath canning? Check out my course, Yes You Can! A Beginner's Guide to Waterbath Canning with this link: courses.homemakingwithdenise.com/courses/waterbath-canning-course
➡️SUBSCRIBE to my channel: youtube.com/@homemakingwithdenise
➡️Sign up for my newsletter The Homemaker's Journal: eepurl.com/ip_ZIs.
➡️Sign up for the free Laundry Lab Masterclass has closed.
➡️Don’t forget to head over to my YouTube channel’s home page where I share organized playlists to help you meet your homemaking and homekeeping needs.
Show Notes and Affiliate Links:
✳️Visit Amazon through my storefront here: amazon.com/shop/thisandthatwithdenisejordan
✳️ As an Amazon Associate, I earn from qualifying purchases. Some of my links below are affiliate links, which means if you click through and make a purchase, I'll receive a small commission. It does not affect the price you pay. All items are in my storefront.
✳️ALWAYS IN MY KITCHEN: (See EVERYTHING in My Shop):
Dutch Oven: amzn.to/3HNOseH
Ball Plastic Freezer Jars: amzn.to/3UvAup6
Spurtles Kitchen Tools: amzn.to/48bTHiS
Dried Whole Eggs: amzn.to/4bpcWs5
Rubbermaid Spoonula: amzn.to/481wQqg
Ball Mason Jar Storage Lids: amzn.to/49olRZc
Measuring Spoons: amzn.to/3OxGNox
OXO 2 Cups Measuring Cup: amzn.to/3UBXiE1
Muffin Pan: amzn.to/3UwTlR0
Soup ladle: amzn.to/3SRTNbc
Apple slicer: amzn.to/3ODTZZ2
Lemon squeezer: amzn.to/3STt123
Can Rack Organizer amzn.to/3S5UkVk
Corner Kitchen Shelf Organizer amzn.to/48Zm7gU
Ball Mason Jars amzn.to/4aZvQ8Z
Clear Plastic Storage Bins For Fridge or Pantry amzn.to/3HqRfdl
Grabill Country Meats Variety Pack amzn.to/3U8wDOA
Hands Free Motion Centered Garbage Pan amzn.to/48EebSz
Storage Shelves amzn.to/47Zes1r
Weigman Cooktop Cleaner: amzn.to/3iFz8aw
✳️Check out the Grove Collaborative and possibly get free products here with your first order: grove.co/referrer/34203904/.
✳️ Apron Diva at aprondiva.com
✳️
✳️My Tech Gear
• Canon PowerShot G7X Mark II Camera amzn.to/2FGUUWj
• Canon M6 Mark ii amzn.to/32UxVEO
• Rode Video Mic amzn.to/2Fu871i
❤️Stay connected with Homemaking with Denise:
• Email: thisandthatwithdenise@gmail.com
• Facebook: @thisandthatwithdenise
• Instagram @homemakingwithdenise
• TikTok homemakingwithdenise
❤️Subscribe for more videos at youtube.com/@homemakingwithdenise
