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The Budget Stack

Maximum value under $20/month

For: Anyone wanting evidence-based basics without overspending

You don't need to spend $100/month on supplements. The essentials cost $15-20. Everything else is either optimization or waste.

TL;DR

Under $20/month: Vitamin D (if needed), Magnesium, Fish Oil. That covers the most common deficiencies with proven benefit. Skip expensive multivitamins and trendy additions.

Monthly Budget

Budget
$15
/month
Recommended
$20
/month
Premium
$30
/month

Core Stack

Vitamin D3ESSENTIAL
2000-4000 IUWith any fatty meal

Cheapest effective supplement. Massive deficiency rates.

Budget: NOW Foods D3 2000 IU (250 caps) - $6-8/3 months
Premium: N/A. budget versions work fine
MagnesiumESSENTIAL
200-400mg elementalEvening

Budget pick: citrate (slight laxative effect). Better: glycinate.

Budget: Nature Made Magnesium Citrate - $6/month
Premium: Doctor's Best Glycinate - $10/month
Fish OilESSENTIAL
1g EPA+DHAWith any meal

Costco/Kirkland options are tested and cheap.

Budget: Kirkland Signature Fish Oil - $5/month
Premium: N/A. budget versions are fine if triglyceride form

Optional Additions

Creatine5g daily

Bulk creatine is absurdly cheap. $8 for months of supply.

When to add: If exercising regularly

Daily Schedule

Morning with breakfast
Vitamin D3Fish Oil
Evening
Magnesium

Common Mistakes

  • Buying expensive "premium" D3. cheap versions work identically
  • Falling for multivitamin marketing. targeted supplements work better
  • Subscription trap. buy in bulk, it's cheaper
  • Amazon knockoffs. stick to known brands even at budget level

What to Expect

Sleep improvement (magnesium): 1-2 weeks. D levels: 4-8 weeks. Fish oil: long-term.

The Bottom Line

Three supplements, $15-20/month, covers what most people actually need. Don't let marketing convince you otherwise.

Related Stacks

About this information: Our recommendations draw from peer-reviewed clinical trials, systematic reviews, and the same medical databases your doctor uses. These statements have not been evaluated by the FDA. Supplements are not intended to diagnose, treat, cure, or prevent any disease.

Moderate Evidence

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