The fluorescent lights of Walmart hummed a low, electric tune as Elias pushed a cart with a slightly squeaky left wheel through the automatic doors. His wallet felt light—thirty dollars had to stretch across seven days—but he moved with the practiced confidence of a man who knew the geography of a bargain.
He walked out into the cool evening air, the heavy bags crinkling in his grip. His kitchen would be busy tonight, but his stomach wouldn't be empty. He had played the game of pennies and won. cheap food to buy at walmart
For protein, he scouted the back coolers. A dozen large eggs—the ultimate cheap luxury—went into the cart. Then, a "family pack" of chicken thighs, which cost significantly less than breasts because of the bone and skin. He knew that roasting them together would create a rich, savory fat he could use to season his rice later. The fluorescent lights of Walmart hummed a low,