If you’ve ever listened to Dave Ramsey, you’ve probably heard him say it a hundred times: “Beans and rice, rice and beans.”
It’s become a bit of a running joke in our house — but recently, I realized he’s not wrong. When you’re trying to save money or stretch your grocery budget, simple, filling meals like beans and rice can make a huge difference.
So this week, I decided to take Dave’s advice literally and meal prep my husband’s lunches — good old beans and rice — for the week. And honestly? It worked.
Why Beans and Rice?
There’s a reason Dave Ramsey says it over and over. Beans and rice are about as inexpensive and versatile as food gets. They’re nutritious, filling, and easy to make in big batches. Plus, with a few spices, veggies, or toppings, you can turn them into something that feels different every day.
My husband works long days, and lunches out add up fast. Even grabbing something “cheap” from a drive-thru can easily cost $10–15 per day. That’s over $300 a month — just on lunch for ONE person. So we decided to simplify and keep it real: beans, rice, and flavor.
How I Prepped the Week
I bought a bag of sweet potatoes ($2.99), a bag of jasmine rice ($1.99), and a bag of black beans ($1.69). I used less than half of the rice and the beans so it will be even cheaper for subsequent weeks!
I cooked a big batch of jasmine rice and a pot of seasoned black beans on Sunday afternoon. I kept it super simple:
- Cooked rice with a little salt for flavor.
- Beans cooked in the instant pot with garlic, cumin, and a bit of chili powder.
- I bought a bag of pre-diced sweet potatoes just because I had a coupon and thought it would be a time saver. In hindsight, I recognize that it would have been better if I had just bought the sweet potatoes.
Once everything cooled, I portioned the meals into containers — one cup of rice, 3/4 cup of beans, and 1/2 cups of sweet potatoes — and stored them in the fridge for easy grab-and-go lunches.
Four lunches prepared for less than $6 total.
How It’s Going
It’s simple, it’s not fancy, but it’s working. My husband actually likes the beans and rice and it’s hearty enough to keep him full and cheap enough that we see real savings every week.
The best part? There’s no guilt when he grabs lunch — because it’s already ready, paid for, and homemade.
What I’ve Learned
This little experiment reminded me that saving money doesn’t have to mean giving things up — it just means getting creative.
We’re not living off beans and rice forever (don’t worry, Dave), but sometimes going back to basics helps reset your budget and your mindset. It’s about living intentionally — choosing where your money goes instead of wondering where it went.
A few dollars saved every day adds up fast. And when the food is simple, nourishing, and planned ahead, it doesn’t feel like a sacrifice at all.
Final Thoughts
If you’re trying to cut back on spending, start small. Pick one meal to simplify — breakfast, lunch, or dinner — and repeat it for the week. You’ll be amazed at how much easier meal prep becomes and how much you save at the same time.
For us, it started with beans and rice.
And honestly? It’s working just fine.
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