I started thinking about a cheaper source of carbs than oats, and then I noticed that potatoes were mentioned. I remember as a kid seeing specials of 10 lb bags of Russet potatoes for $1. I was recently at a local market that had 10 lb bags for about $2.50.
bagged potatoes can be a good deal but like the issue i found when running numbers on the $8 premise-unless i wanted to buy a full bag at say your price of $2.50 and spend about 31% of the entire budget, i can't get single potatoes for 25 cents per pound. personalty-i like potatoes just fine but that's when they are combined w/other ingredients to make things like mashed (milk/maybe butter), fried (oil) or baked (at minimum butter or sour cream) none of which i could figure out how to include in the one time/totally empty pantry $8 challenge. just a plain cooked potato? i'll opt for the 15 cent ramens.