Tuesday, January 5, 2010

Planning Ahead and Saving Money!

School’s back in and we are trying to get back into the same old routine. I thoroughly enjoyed staying home with the kids during the holidays (and my husband when he was off). I finally felt like I had it together! Now, I’m looking forward to the summer break!

I planned our meals for the week and I am saving so much money by doing that. I used to stop by the grocery store every day when I got out of school. I would spend $20 or $30 a day! It was getting totally ridiculous! Now, I’m only shopping on the weekend, after my meals are planned for the next week.

When I picked the kids up yesterday, Chase asked if we were going to the grocery store. I proudly said “Nope! There will be no more after-school grocery store trips! Grocery shopping will be done only on the weekend!” Then he asked if we could have Hamburger Helper for supper. Again, my reply was “Nope.” I told him he’d have to put in a request for next week since this week’s meals are already planned :)

I know I'm already a couple of days into the week, but here's this week's menu:

Sunday – Roasted 2 chickens. (We ate part of one that night and put leftovers in the fridge).
Monday – Chicken Pot Pie (made with leftover chicken)
Tuesday – Spaghetti and Garlic Bread
Wednesday – Sour Cream Pork Chops, rice, green beans.
Thursday – Pizza (I’m making homemade crust for the first time). I’m also making homemade hot dog buns for Friday night.
Friday – Hot Dogs (homemade hot dog buns) and fries made from fresh cut potatoes.
Saturday – Breakfast: Pancakes (and sausage if I can get around to making some before Saturday).
Lunch: Sandwiches
Dinner: Fish (spots that we have in freezer) and fries made from fresh cut potatoes.

12 comments:

Queenie Jeannie said...

It's all in the planning!!! You'll save money and eat better this way too! WTG!!

LeAnn said...

Shopping no more than once a week is a biggy. You'll save money for sure. You'll save time and not be tempted by the convenience foods and non-natural foods.

Fresh Local and Best said...

It's nice to be organized, and have extra time with the kids vs. being at the grocery store.

Karine said...

I agree with Jeannie: it is all in the planning! I did not plan so much in December and I thus wen to the grocery store too often :(

Alison said...

Thanks for the comments! Ya'll are so right! It's been one less thing I've had to worry about this week! I SO love being organized!!

stephchows said...

I really need to get better about planning out meals, great job sticking to it!!

Confessions From A Work-At-Home Mom said...

We meal plan in advance, too. Even though I am the miserly, scrooge-like one in our family, I still cannot keep a budget at the grocery store... but surprisingly, DH can. So now I plan, he shops and cooks. I LOVE IT! Less work for me, and the food doesn't taste... well, burnt!

~Elizabeth
Confessions From A Working Mom

Alison said...

Elizabeth, that does sound like a plan! My husband cooks some too...especially when I want something grilled! He's a pro at grilling! I like to grill, too, but only if it's warm outside :)

Brandi said...

Stopping by from SITS! I'm trying to plan and cook from scratch more... I'm not a very good cook, though. ;) I guess I need more practice! However, I only go to the store once every 2 weeks (taking 3 kids to the grocery store will break you of going very often).

Debbie said...

I am a huge believer in the meal planning. I've been doing it for so long, I wouldn't know how to cook without it!
Dropped by from SITS.

kelliscakes said...

We meal plan too!!! 2 kiddies.. 8 and 7. We found out that we were spending WAY to much going to the grocery store for things we "forgot" then getting extra things..we didn't need!!
HOw is your cake business going! GREAT BLOG!!

Alison said...

Thanks, Kelli! The cake business is going well! Hopefully I'll be able to do it full time one day! How is yours going? You have some cute cakes on your blog!!

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