I mentioned last week that I had cleaned out my freezers and fridge and had come upon 8 almost-complete meals. Because we need this to be a cheap week at the store (there is an extra week in January and I really want to stay under my $75 per week grocery goal, and I'm low on cash due to the way the paycheck falls), I decided to utilize some of these meals.
Monday ~ Pepper jack chicken and rice (from freezer finds)
Tuesday ~ Tater tot casserole
Wednesday ~ (FFY) Fend for Yourself
Thursday ~ Broccoli beef with rice (from freezer finds)
Friday ~ Turkey noodle soup (from freezer finds)
Saturday ~ Chicken voila (frozen dinner found in freezer)
Sunday ~ Hot ham and cheese sandwiches and french fries (from freezer finds)
Now you would think that with this menu of mostly freezer stuff that my grocery bill would only be about $10 this week. But, I have lots of household-type items and snack stocking up I need to do, so I am certain I will still be right at budget. Remember, I only have $55 cash to spend this week (it was $62 but I went to Walgreens to take advantage of those deals). So, wish me luck as I pare down my list and maximize coupons and ads.
Also, I have found a new website that looks promising called Planning With Kids - Weekly Meal Planner. I haven't used it yet because I already had this week done, but thought I would pass it along. It's free so check it out!!
One last thing I thought I would share. We are HUGE snackers in this house, especially the kids. I try to keep "healthy" snacks around, but we all have our favorites! My little two love Little Debbie cakes. And that's typically what they will go for .. I know you all cringe at the thought of all that processed sugar and such. Anyway, in the last couple of weeks I have been buying some things for "dessert" .. making a batch of brownies here, some chocolate cupcakes there and even some little chocolate pudding pies. I have noticed that snacking on other things has dramatically decreased since I have been doing that! And I've been saving money! (Those homemade treats are so much cheaper per serving.) They first turn to the leftover dessert that's there, and then if they need/want another snack during the day I cut up an apple or have them eat some crackers or something like that. Anyone have any thoughts or comments on this or anything you do that cuts down on your snacking costs? I'm always up for new suggestions!
Remember to check out other menu ideas here.
Have a great Monday!
Hi! I was seeing that you are making more homemade snacks. I've made batches of muffins as snacks, and homemade soft pretzels (in bite size pieces) as well as homemade granola bars. We love the granola bars, and its nice to be able to make when what you want (PB, chocolate chips, strawberry pieces, etc). Here is the link to my recipe on my blog. Give them a try! I don't think I'll be buying granola bars again after eating these! (*wink*)
ReplyDeletehttp://www.skizzlescorner.com/2009/01/chewy-granola-bars-yum-my.html
It costs me about $2.50 to make a batch of 18 bars. That makes it only 13.8¢ per bar. Or I can buy a box of 8 (eight!!) granola bars for $2.28/box, or 28.5¢ per bar. I'd rather pay less and have something better tasting! I know that sometimes with a coupon or sale, you can get a better "deal" buying them, but I'm sure I'll stick with these instead of the deal because we love them, and I know what is in them. Sometimes that can be more important than the bargain to me.
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