Eggs and Milk are definitely the best bang for the buck nutrients wise. If you only use half a gallon/carton a day that's $2 or less.
Also, powdered milk is very cheap and can be used to enhance your standard milk with more protein/carbs.
If you can afford to buy in bulk do it. You save in the long run. Befriending someone with a Costco/Sam's/Trader Joe's membership will behoove you as well.
Just wanted to chime in that this hasn't been true in general for several years - milk mix is actually more expensive than the bottled stuff in a lot of places. This was thanks to the rising demand overseas - the subsidized slaughter of moo-cows to raise the price of milk really doesn't help the common man either though.
I would seriously love something like this on so many levels, if it were cost effective.
"Dude, you're drinking out of a bucket."
the costco or sam's club idea is subperb. what about a bag of potatoes? sweet potatoes, bananas, honey. buy chop meat in bulk- hunting season is here-post some adds on craigslist see about deer meat. Pasta or rice in bulk 25 or 50 lb pound bags. have a farm near you that sells eggs or goat milk? might be a little cheaper than the super market. buy your lunch meat in bulk buy by the loaf not pound.
Don't buy lunch meat... It's often 5-7 dollars per lb (at least around here). Buy some decent meat, the roast it. You can often eat better for cheaper if you are willing to put a roast in a crock pot or put something to slow roast in the oven during your workout.
I get Wal-Mart milk ("Great Value") for $1.68/gallon at a Wal-Mart neighborhood market and for $1.88/gallon at Super Wal-Mart.
No, THIS is the devil.
This thread has been very useful. I'm lazy and hate to cook and always spend beaucoup bucks on food. GOMAD has been a godsend. I never ever get sick of whole milk. I do get sick of pbj sandwiches. I think I'll try to switch it up with tuna and boiled egg on toasted potato bread (mmmmm...evil carbs...mmmmmm). I could just cut out the bread and milk when it comes time to make weight.
(And enjoy a real meal at a restaurant every weekend or so)