I decided I was going to try something different to see if it would help with my grocery budget. I had always looked in my pantry and refrigerator and made out a grocery list(tried to coincide with sales, coupons, etc). But always did the what is for dinner routine. I finally decided to write down everything I knew how to cook from scratch(no grilled cheese and tomato soup type meals), but true meals from 5 Meat Tuscan Pasta to Salmon Patties and even Soup Beans. Some meals maybe only summer meals, ie steaks and ribs(I only grill those out) and some meals may only be for winter(chili in the summer anyone~ not me). I did not put down any sides such as broccoli casserole, sweet potato casserole, macaroni and cheese, baked beans, broccoli, mixed vegetables, corn, etc. This is because the main course is the biggest issue and I keep frozen vegetables at all times to saute or steam. I also keep pasta on hand(plus if you know what main course you are having you can cater your sides to that). I came up with around 40 dishes(if I want to add some easy ones such as the grilled cheese or things of that nature I can, but will do that on a separate sheet).
Now that I have my list of main courses I can decide what I am going to cook for dinner on every week night. This takes the guessing out of what are we having. I can keep my pantry stocked for breakfast with cereal, bagels, oatmeal, etc. Lunch is easy as I am the only one who eats and I have leftovers. Making my grocery list is a snap. Look at the list decide what we are having for the week~ look in the pantry and fridge and write the list from what I don’t have(and of course if they are having a sale on meat or frozen vegetables I am buying extra because I will use it). Then I mark what order I used the dinner so that I don’t use it again to soon. I have started to save around $30-$50 at the grocery store/week. I am only making 5 meals a week. There are always enough leftovers for 2 nights whether it is through the week when we have something to do with the kids and no time to cook or on the weekends when I just don’t feel like cooking a huge breakfast and a large dinner also. I also don’t have to pack my husband a sandwich in his lunch bag every night~ he eats leftovers. This saves me money on lunch meat and bread. I still have to buy fresh fruit every week for both his lunch, me and the kids(so well worth it). Along with granola bars and yogurt. These things are staples in my home and will continue to be. I can honestly say planning my meals keeps me from throwing away food in the end because I am using what I am buying at the store. As far as coupons go I use as many as I can, but I have always found that we don’t use most things that coupons are for. Meal Planning has saved me more than coupons ever have.
I hope this helps you also. Feel free to share what you do to help your grocery budget or some of your favorite recipes.
GOD BLESS
Brandy
Okay, it has been a while since I last posted and I do want to take this last day of February to discuss the heart. Why, well one of the reasons I haven’t posted is because of my dad. He was diagnosed with colon cancer, but they had found some heart problems. If it had not been for a PA then he would have died on the operating table because of his heart. They did the heart operation first and found a 99% blockage in a major artery. I am so glad to say he is doing well now.
