Blowing my grocery budget.....

[Applemomma]

Sorry if this has been done before but I find I'm blowing my grocery budget by being illprepared....

We have pretty busy schedules and I find myself scrambling for something to prepare for supper and coming up short so it's takeout between running to the game and running to the meeting (or babysitting or whatever).

What standard ingredients do you regularly stock in your cupboards/fridge/freezer that you can make without too much thinking ahead or if the days plan change? I'm a big fan of things like crockpot recipes, my problem is I never seem to have the ingredients!!!!

I guess I'm asking you to make me a grocery list!!!!

TIA!

 

[mrsklamc]

Not necessarily the healthiest stuff but we always have the following 3 options:

1. A frozen pizza
2. Mac and cheese
3. A can of tuna, a can of cream of whatever soup, and some noodles.

 

[swilshire]

We try not to cook every day, but do planned leftovers when we do. I also take my lunch from these leftovers. If you have a day that is more relaxed (such as Sunday) cook up some extra chili, fried chicken, casserole, etc. Then you've got at least one day with something on hand to heat up.

We keep beef and chicken in the freezer. Potatoes always on hand. Chili makings, which also could be used for tacos. Canned veggies and also frozen ones. We have homemade burgers with frozen french fries once most weeks.

We also keep a couple of frozen pizzas in the freezer as mentioned above.

When we eat out (maybe once a week or less) we also bring home any leftovers. For dinner last night, my husband had half a sandwich I had brought home from our lunch out and I ate leftover White Chicken Chili. The boys had red chili and hot dogs.

Sheila

 

[Mathfailure]

Pasta, pasta sauce of many types, individual frozen chicken breast (cooks quickly even when started frozen, hamburger patties, hot dogs, eggs

I find rather than wait until the end of the day, if I take 15 minutes and put something in my slow cooker or roaster (ham, whole chicken, small roast of beef or pork, soup or chili or stew) I eat better and cheaper.

 

[jfoofj]

I love to do crockpot meals, super easy to put together the night before, throw on in the morning, and dinner is ready later that day.

For staples, I always try to have meat in the freezer (chicken, ground beef, sausauge, pork chops/ribs, stew beef) and I ALWAYS have some kind of pasta sauce, barbeque sauce (pork chops or ribs in the crock pot w/ Sweet Baby Rays BBQ sauce is always a hit!) in the pantry and a bag salad in the fridge...... also, when I make meatballs I do a big batch and freeze some... Spaghetti, sauce, meatbals, sausage, salad, and garlic bread (texas toast... I stock up when they are 2/$4 at the grocery store) is another big hit for us.

 

[neatokimmo]

I agree with the crock pot thing. Get one where the inside crock comes out. Then you can put in your ingrediants the night before and stick it in the fridge.

Check out this blog, it is great

http://crockpot365.blogspot.com/

 

[SOnotLayuh]

I will also endorse crock pot cooking! First, it's just so easy - even I can do it! I'm sort of domestically challenged, and therefore the last time I tried to cook something using the stove I caught my shirt on fire. DH doesn't really allow me in the kitchen unless it's for crock potting - everything else makes him nervous for me

Our grocery store has a section full of seasoning packets made for the crock pot, and they have ingredients listed on the back. I'm sure we could save even more money by seasoning things ourselves, but we are young and still learning. The packets are only about a dollar.

 

[pigletto]

I try to make 2 weeks of dinner menus. Then from the menu I make a grocery list so that I am sure I will have everything on hand when it comes time to make it. Using this method I can usually stay out of the grocery store for two weeks at a time which cuts down on little trips that eat into the budget.
For the nights that we need to be in and out quick I might do breakfast for dinner with fruit, or meatball subs and salad using the leftover meatballs I have in the freezer from spaghetti and meatballs earlier in the week.
When I make stew, soup, or a casserole I always make sure to make extra so that there is enough for dh's lunch or for a quick meal on another night.

Making the menu two weeks ahead is sometimes a bit of a pain but it really helps for budgeting, and having everything I need.

 

[luv2nascar]

grilled cheese sandwiches and tomatoe soup. super easy and delicious.
turkey burgers easy sides are chips, salad, carrots. I usually make macaroni salad.
spaghetti w/meat sauce is easy too. I keep a well stocked pantry and can come up with dozens of meals at any time. Tuna sandwiches, frozen individual pizzas, and chicken noodle soup are always on hand

 

[mom4graceandlogan]

Well not planning ahead makes it really difficult, but planning ahead can be as easy as the night before. Here are my tips that I have gathered from various websites and come up with on my own. First only make one grocery trip a week. I repeat just one. You waste at least 45 minutes stopping by the store, you spend alot more, and usually don't eat as well because it is all convenience. To get down to one trip a week takes practice especially if you are in the habit of going 2-3 times a week.

Menu planning- don't panic, easier and more flexible than you think. We are all busy, I've got 3 kids, work part time and run here ther eand everywhere like a chicken with my head cut off to gymnastics, church, scouts etc. And we still have homework, baths, etc. to tackle in the evening. Menu planning is the one factor I seem to always be able to control and gives me alot of peace knowing at least that is taken care of. A few years ago I got some great tips from flylady.net and still use them. To menu plan, first clean out your fridge to make room for the trip to the grocery store and to see what you need to use up. Ditto for panty throw away old chip bags etc. and see what you need to use. Then take 20 minutes( i promise this is the longest you will need) to write out that weeks menu taking into account your activities. Mix or cook in double batches and freeze. Cook or mix night before, in the morning before kids get up etc. I have a one yer old who goes through his witching hour between 5-7 p.m., I am lucky to be able to safely cook with one hand. Re: Changes in schedule. IF you have already boght groceries for the whole week, just look at your menu the night before and if you decide the next day that your wed. choice isn;t going to work just pick a different day and switch them, you should still have everything .HEre are some of the things I do.

Taco night, taco meat can be made ahead frozen and eaten later. I brown meat for at least two nights add two packs of seasoning divide it in to two freezer containers. I buy large blocks of cheese and shred the whole thing for the week in an electric cheese shredder to use for this and other . Serve tacos with a can of black beans or stem in bag rice or corn and orange slices for a fruit and veggie.
ALways have frozen tortilla's on hand.

Spaggetti sauce can also be double batched and freeze one. I then cook some noodles thaw a sauce and heat some frozen rolls, super easy less than 10 minutes.

Lasagna and meatloaf can also be made ahead and frozen, I always cook to Lasagna's and freeze one. Again frozen bread to go with it and steamer veggie bag. For meatloaf I make a double batch , shape it into a loaf and freeze it before I cook it. YOu can literally pop it into a loaf pan frozen and cook it(this owuld be for a day you were at home because it will take longer to cook.

I cannot say enough about the freezer steam in a bag veggies and rice, they taste great could not be easier and roung out a meal on a busy day. The rice costs a little more, but if the alternative is eating takeout because you don;t have time to cook the rice obviously worth it.

I make cornbread often with sunday dinner and make enough extra corn bread muffins to freeze for future.

The best busy mom helper is of course the crockpot! Many recipes you can actually go ahead and chop etc. the night before put it in the pot and stick the whole pot in the fridge until morning. Much easier for me to quickly do after kids go to bed. ALways have frozen rolls. veggie sides and some fresh fruit on hadn to round it out. Amazing recipes on the budget board crockpot thread. There are websites that you can subsribe too like savingdinners that will give you a shopping list to print and a weeks worth of dinners but I have picky eaters and found I only liked half of them.

Our menu actually includes a take-out night. Gymnastics gets out late on tues and Wendy's is next door. We get 4 baked potatoes and either a side salad or chili, no happy meals etc. We take it home and have with a glass of milk. Easy and is inccluded in the budget.

None of it can be done without a little preplanning but you will not believe how nice it is to know what is for dinner the night before. IT won't all come to you overnight but with babysteps you can make it a habit. My advice is first clean out the fridge, second, make out a weekly menu, 3 make a list, and four shop once. ONce you have done this for a month it no longer takes any thought, you already have menus , quick ideas etc. tailored to your family. I make my list the day before I shop, try to shop when not rushed or hungry. Also leave a pen and post it pad in kitchen bathrooms and laundry room, where you can quickly right down that you need things like toothpaste, toilet paper and add them to the list at the end of the week. Will save you a mid week stop. ANother tip I buy diced onion and bell pepper in the freezer section, saves time and use in lots of recipes, especially crock pot and soups. Sorry this is so scattered, one year old keeps tearing kitchen apart and I have to keep stopping. Oh Kraftkitchens also has alot of crockpot recipes made the easy beef stew last night and it was great!

 

[wdwfan16]

When I cook a meal and we have a meal in left overs we freeze (not potatoes) it for "fast food".

 

[hatter]

I have been having great luck lately with once a month style cooking. I have a crazy work schedule and only have one weekend off a month. I have been using that weekend to cook and freeze quite a few meals. I have also been surprised by how much I enjoy cooking when I am fully devoted to it for a few hours, rather than scrambling to put food on the table after work. My 13 year old daughter loves to cook so we spend some quality time together as well. I have three crockpots and I get all of them going with things like stews, chili, chicken and mushrooms etc. I also throw chicken breasts in the oven that can be frozen and then added to recipes. I usually make chili, spaghetti sauce, chicken stew, vegetable beef soup, a mexican dish I found on the crock pot thread, etc. It all goes in the freezer in ziplock bags until we need it. My husband can throw on dinner too in a matter of minutes. It has really helped with meal planning and we eat out so much less!

 

[ohlas]

Menu Menu Menu of dinner meals, left overs are for lunches or potluck dinner

List of every thing needed for those meals plus extra sale items that we normally use,

I all so ask kids and husband what meal they would like to have.

I buy most of every thing on sale, so im down to 350 every 2 wks for every thing food, paper, shampoo etc etc. for a family of 4.

If you stay out of the stores you will not spend money.


This helps me alot "If its not on the list I really dont need it"

 

[lisam427]

although mentioned about, one website i love i kraft.com. they have lots of quick dinners that are low cost and use many of the things you might have on hand. the website has a tool that you search for recipies based on what you have on hand. they even have a section there where they give you a shopping list and out of that list you have 5 dinners. they also have lots of really good casserole recipies that i put together the night before and dd just throws them in the oven. i make a salad or micowave frozen vegis and dinner is done. i also use my crockpot at least twice a week. its nice coming home at night and having dinner done.

another thing i do is that on nights where i am too busy and tired to cook we just make breakfast for dinner. usually its toast or bagel, cheese/vegi omelets, and oven fried potatoes. or we have even done pancakes and sausage. fruit and skim milk or available during there meals too.
there are times that i just throw some chicken breast with some dry rub on the george forman, make some rice and microwave a frozen veg and im done. i have even done this with italian sausage.


in the budget board section her you will find two threads that might be really helpful to you. one is the pantry challenge thread where people can list what they have in there pantry/ freezer and then plan their meals for the week out of those items. the people there are very helpful. so if you need feedback the people there are great about helping out. the goal is to use up what ever you have on hand.

 

[Darcy03231]

I found this really helped - Before I so shopping I decide on a menu for the week. I then check the pantry and freezer to see what I have on hand and what I need to buy. I then make a list. While I may end up making chicken on Thursday instead of Tuesday or pork roast on Monday instead of Wednesday, this way I have everything I need on hand.

I also always have pasta, pasta sauce, frozen chicken nuggets, etc. on hand.

Another easy meal is a soup/sandwich meal once a week. I do soup in the crockpot and then make sandwiches (usually BLT's).

 

[fakereadhed]

I buy meat in bulk at Costco and divide it up and freeze it. On the weekend, I pull out 5 meats to thaw. I can throw one in the crockpot with just about anything I have on hand(onion soup mix, diced tomatoes, salsa, canned soup) if I am in a rush. I always have frozen veggies from Costco or Aldi on hand as well as boxed side dishes(stuffing, au gratins, mashed potatoes) and heads of romaine lettuce. On days when we are on the run I've got it covered.

My daughter's counselor was shocked that she had family dinner every night. My DD just shrugged and said, "My mom has a crock pot."

 

[KKB]

People joke that we could live for months on my pantry...(probably true). I watch sales & stock up when things we use all the time are on sale, expecially w/ coupons.
Freezer...u can always defrost burger in microwave easily; also always have chicken breasts & Gorton's fish, fish sticks & chicken nuggets; I find a lot of other cuts at Target when they mark down meats nearing expiration. Frozen veggies, tater tots, egg noodles
Fridge...milk, eggs, chedder/parmesan cheeses, butter, mayo, dressings/marinades, Velveeta/Singles, cream cheese, sour cream, cottage cheese, OJ, wine, plain yogurt, asst condimentsm hot dogs
Pantry...asst pastas, rices, broths, soups, canned fruits & veggies, packages of Bear Creek soup, bread, tortilla chips, canned tomatoes/paste/sauce, canned beans, V8, muffin mixes, canned tuna & chicken; salsa; spaghetti sauce, many spices, buns
Asst fresh fruits & veggies...carrots, celery, onions, potatoes, garlic, peppers, seaonsal fruit, bananas all year round
I can throw together a meal any night w/ these ingredients, from spaghetti & meatballs, grilled cheese & tomato soup, nachos, chili, soup & muffins, fish & rice; tuna & noodles, ham etc.
I use my crock pot once or twice a week. Easiest is throw in a whole chicken, salt/pepper/spices--NOTHING else!
I throw in chicken breasts & cover w/ broth, salad dressing, salsa or marinade
Any roast/inexpensive beef cut throw in w/ veggies and either broth or tomato soup.
We are not big fans of cream of mushrooms soup that so many crockpot recipes call for--the other options above work well.
The above items are in my pantry at ALL times...if I use one up, it goes on my grocery list immediately. I believe this is what keeps our grocery bill to $500-600/month for a family of 5 (including a teen boy & 2 preteens) & we eat fairly healthy, including some organic produce. We try to limit eating out to once a week (tho activities have recently challenged this goal!) and NOT fast food.

 

[KKB]

My daughter's counselor was shocked that she had family dinner every night. My DD just shrugged and said, "My mom has a crock pot."

How said that the counselor was shocked!!! We do most nights, tho tougher w/ activities...
I am a teacher, and I remember talking about nutrition last year. I shared a pretty typical meal of ours from the night before that covered the food groups...Marinated chicken breasts, canned green beans, canned fruit, muffins from a mix and milk. I thought it was a bit heavy on convenience items, but a number of my students thought it sounded like a feast...found out they typically were responsible for their own meals, and not because parents work evenings...sad.

 

[flamingglobessigmund]

Sorry if this has been done before but I find I'm blowing my grocery budget by being illprepared....

We have pretty busy schedules and I find myself scrambling for something to prepare for supper and coming up short so it's takeout between running to the game and running to the meeting (or babysitting or whatever).

What standard ingredients do you regularly stock in your cupboards/fridge/freezer that you can make without too much thinking ahead or if the days plan change? I'm a big fan of things like crockpot recipes, my problem is I never seem to have the ingredients!!!!

I guess I'm asking you to make me a grocery list!!!!

TIA!

Bag of quick frozen boneless skinless chicken breasts
bags of frozen veggies
bag of pre-made meatballs
jars of
spaghetti sauces
pasta
rice
cream of whatever soups
bread flour to make a loaf in the bread machine
regular flour to make pizza dough in bread machine
small cans of tomato sauce (to make pizza sauce)
peanut butter
sticks of butter
eggs
2 types of block cheeses
sack of potatoes
bacon
frozen Chinese dinners or box meals in a pinch
frozen egg rolls

 

[TiffanyK]

I have weekly menus with complete grocery lists and recipes on my blog. Here's a link to a list of them. I publish a new one each Monday. They are easy to use, because you just print and shop. I give lots of crockpot and easy meals.

As far as what to keep on hand, if I have frozen boneless chicken breasts, hamburger, chicken broth, pasta, various cheeses, diced tomatoes, frozen broccoli, carrots and onions I can usually pull something together. I like to keep cans of beans too - black beans, kidney beans, chili beans - those are always handy for quick recipes.