Grocery Budget

[ariel1025]

Also join the Eat at home thread. It helps to post what your menu is (some accountability) and get great menu ideas from other posters too!

Awesome, thanks! Gonna go check it out now

 

[Jake&IzzyLand]

What helps me is cooking once and eating twice or more. Think chili, one night it's chili and cornbread, another is frito pie and another could be chili topped baked potatoes or chili dogs. Pulled pork sliders, then nachos and again over potatoes. Black beans and rice, black bean nachos and black bean soup. If you don't want to eat back to back, try freezing some. Having go to meals ready will help with eating out when you are too tired or too busy. Try breakfast for dinner, pancakes are pennies to make and egg scrambles can help you use up cheese and veggies. Pick one night a week where you make something new so it does not get boring. If your store is close, try shopping for 3 days at a time. This will help with buying too much until you get the hang of it. Don't have more than two boxes of cereal at a time. I don't gave a stockpile, I'd rather have the extra money in savings as opposed to in my pantry and for me it helps me not too waste. Cut down on snacks, it's so much healthier. It is a real treat for us to have chips and things like that. They cost more for less like most things and I won't pay for it anymore!

 

[sk!mom]

Don't have more than two boxes of cereal at a time. I don't gave a stockpile, I'd rather have the extra money in savings as opposed to in my pantry and for me it helps me not too waste.

Completely agree! I shop once a week and pretty much have it down to a science of exactly how much we will eat so that nothing is wasted. For instance, I buy lots of produce and then use it in the order that it spoils. Last week, I bought raspberries, blueberries, a watermelon, red grapes, apples, and bananas.
We had the berries the first night with sandwiches on fresh croissants.
I sliced up the watermelon the next day and we had it to snack on or with meals for 3 days.
Yesterday, I washed the grapes and put them in a bowl.
By tomorrow we'll be down to apples and bananas.

My family is welcome to have whatever fruit whenever they want- DH eats an apple and a banana just about every day. However, I make sure to wash and prepare the produce that would spoil so that it doesn't just rot in the produce drawer.

 

[Debbie]

IMHO there are two ways to cut the grocery bill quickly:

1. meal plan and stick to the list while shopping
2. shop at a cheaper grocery store

As far as meal planning goes I'd start with a list of EASY go-to meals: tacos, grilled chicken, pasta, breakfast, whatever you all like to eat often. Then add in 1-2 more interesting/time consuming meals a week.

Also consider buying ahead on the meat and freezing it so you can catch deals.

Consider using the crockpot/slow cooker once a week or more for an easy dinner that's ready when you get home.

Good luck!!!!

Some good suggestions here.

The approach I use came from "The Tightwad Gazette." I go through the grocery flyers each week, and try to only or mostly buy things that are on sale. If it is a good sale, I stock up. For example, I'm vegan and eat a lot of beans. I sometimes use dried beans, but I like the convenience of canned. Normally, canned beans are $1.25 a can. Right now they are on sale for 79 cents a can. So I have bought in quantity! I'll do the same with other non-perishable items or things that can be frozen. I find the sales go in cycles, so I try to get enough beans (for example) to last me about eight weeks. I also buy the fruits and vegetables that are on sale.

Loved "The Tightwad Gazette". We did a lot of their things to help when our five kids were growing up. I still have to convince DH not to wash the milk bags.

I planned out 2 weeks worth of meals (with each Friday designated as "new recipe" to give me a little freedom/spontaneity) which I then keep rotating (so basically we're eating the same thing every 2 weeks).

Most of my shopping is done on Sunday for what we are going to eat for the next week.
I do stock pile non perishable items such as soap,bleach, paper products,
when they are on sale or if I can get bonus Airmile points.
I scan online flyers before shopping.
I do not plan out Sat or Sunday meals.

We do a
one night--pasta dish
second night--egg dish
third night-- chicken dish
fourth night-- ground beef dish
fifth night--- soup,salad,subs

This is what we did. I simply listed the entrée on a calendar. I looked at the schedules, and planned around what the family was doing. We tended to have a line up like ^^Mel's. soup and grilled cheese, chicken, breakfast for dinner. I always cooked on Sundays, and the leftovers were used for lunches, or added in as the post below. Having the list on the calendar didn't preclude my changing it up as I felt on any one day.

What helps me is cooking once and eating twice or more. Think chili, one night it's chili and cornbread, another is frito pie and another could be chili topped baked potatoes or chili dogs. Pulled pork sliders, then nachos and again over potatoes. Black beans and rice, black bean nachos and black bean soup. If you don't want to eat back to back, try freezing some. Having go to meals ready will help with eating out when you are too tired or too busy. Try breakfast for dinner, pancakes are pennies to make and egg scrambles can help you use up cheese and veggies. Pick one night a week where you make something new so it does not get boring. If your store is close, try shopping for 3 days at a time. This will help with buying too much until you get the hang of it. Don't have more than two boxes of cereal at a time. I don't gave a stockpile, I'd rather have the extra money in savings as opposed to in my pantry and for me it helps me not too waste. Cut down on snacks, it's so much healthier. It is a real treat for us to have chips and things like that. They cost more for less like most things and I won't pay for it anymore!

I have also done once a month cooking ie. Buy bulk hamburger on sale, make 2 meatloafs, 2 meals of meatballs for spaghetti, and maybe 2 meals of hamburger stew. Get chicken legs on sale, and package them in different marinades or spices.

Quick update. 5 days in and we have spent $12! We had to buy milk, but we are just eating through what we already have. I'm amazed at how much food we actually already had! From pancake mixes, to soup, to frozen meals that we had long forgotten we purchased. We are off to a strong start. Now to keep the momentum going....

This is great! I am a firm believer in stockpiling sale items, but it important to remember to include them in the planning of the meals. I have a friend who tosses way too much food because s/he doesn't use them up. Make me twitch!

 

[neatokimmo]

I stockpile too. This week we are eating a 4 pound pork loin for dinner. I'm doing pork chops, pulled bbq pork, mongolian pork, and pork with gravy. It was $2 per pound at Kroger on sale. The sauces make it taste all different and it makes dinners this week hassle free.

I also buy beef and chicken by the case. My crockpot holds 10 pounds of beef at a time. I slow cook it and freeze it already cooked and crumbled. It is a lifesaver when I really really dont want to cook and the eating out temptation is strong. I can make about 30 things in 15 minutes when my meat it precooked.

 

[kollerbear]

I've searched the internet and have found countless articles and blogs regarding how to keep your grocery budget in control. A little background, we are a family of five. Myself, wife, dd 7, ds 3, and dd 1. We have never really stuck to a grocery budget, and it is killing us so its time to get that under control! We are very busy and have had trouble meal planning a week in advance. I have found some sites that post their meal plans, but most seem to be a little too exotic. Does anyone have any advice or plans they use that help? We are trying to stick to $600-$700 a month. Is this possible? Thanks in advance for any tips or tricks!

Have you ever looked at Rachel Ray's meal plans that come in the magazine? I don't eat meat, but I often wish I did because they seem very streamlined and helpful.

 

[kollerbear]

I agree with one modification. Do not plan specific meals at home, meal plan while you are in the store, selecting your meals based on what is on sale.
Our meals for this week will be made with the following items on sale:
Ball tip steak at $7.98 lb.
93% Ground beef at $6.99 lb
Pork Loin roast at $2.70 lb
Boneless skinless chicken breasts at $2.88 a pound
Broccoli at $1.99 lb
Potatoes at 99 cents a pound
Zucchini at $1.49 a pound
Mushrooms at $2.69 for 12 ounces
Tomatos at $2.59 lb.

This is kind of for advanced meal planners who can then also think on their feet what they would need to complete a recipe. If you cook from recipes it's better to plan at home beforehand and check the sale circulars online.

 

[tvguy]

This is kind of for advanced meal planners who can then also think on their feet what they would need to complete a recipe. If you cook from recipes it's better to plan at home beforehand and check the sale circulars online.

I guess my wife must have a well stocked kitchen, other than the perishable portion, we keep everything else on the shelf as far as what we need to complete almost any recipe.

 

[halfpintpeggy]

This is a great idea!

I ONLY purchase items that are on sale, that goes for everything from meats to shampoos. If it's a really good sale, I buy extra. I plan all of our meals around the sale items & what I have in the pantry or freezer - easy breezy and we're never eating the same things all of the time.

 

[westcoastfldisneygirl]

I am sure some of these have been repeated.

The first is to make your own seasonings. I make my own taco and ranch seasonings and keep them in containers. So much cheaper then a tiny packet, and healthier!

We do meatless most nights.

I make frozen meals and put them in the freezer, so it's not tempting to just resort to going out, getting takeout, etc.

 

[jiminykrikkit]

I also buy beef and chicken by the case. My crockpot holds 10 pounds of beef at a time. I slow cook it and freeze it already cooked and crumbled. It is a lifesaver when I really really dont want to cook and the eating out temptation is strong. I can make about 30 things in 15 minutes when my meat it precooked.

Can you please elaborate on how to cook the ground beef in the crock pot? I'm intrigued!

 

[queenbetsey]

I am sure some of these have been repeated.

The first is to make your own seasonings. I make my own taco and ranch seasonings and keep them in containers. So much cheaper then a tiny packet, and healthier!

We do meatless most nights.

I make frozen meals and put them in the freezer, so it's not tempting to just resort to going out, getting takeout, etc.

where can I find a recipe for these seasonings. I use both of them quite a bit and get them at Costco to save money (they are much cheaper there) but would really like to try making my own. might be good to make lots and give to my adult daughters for their pantries too

 

[StitchBuddy]

We are working on this as well. Our household is myself, Hubs, Son (4 and very picky), and daughter (almost 2 with nut allergy). We are currently averaging almost $800 a month . Our goal is $500-$600. To be honest we've been overspending on food (both grocery and going out to eat) for so long that I'm not sure what is a reasonable amount for our needs. Long personal story, but the next 3 weeks we are pretty much cornered into a pantry clean out. At first I was stressed about it, but in the end I think it's a blessing in disguise. Hoping that talking about it here will hold me accountable

I use to way overspend on food, one thing I did was use only cash. I would take out x number of dollars a week and thats all I could spend. The money I had let over became my "mad money", put it away and when I wanted to buy something that wasn't in the budget, usually for my DD I would just use that. It was a game I played with myelf.

 

[brazzledazzler]

DH and I spend about $500 a month on groceries and $100 on eating out, just the two of us. However, I cook us different homecooked meals throughout the month and we buy majority organic. We generally eat fish or chicken with all our dinners. We are very healthy eaters, so I use a lot of healthy recipes.

I like going to Costco because you can get the organic chicken, veggies, fruits, etc for a much better value. I am trying to shop around more, but Mondays are my day off & grocery day, and it is challenging to "shop around" because it adds up in my time/gas.

 

[dlavender]

We have done so well with this! As I've shared on another thread, we have saved over $300 vs our over spending on food in the past. September is looking just as good, if not better. We are going to start "experimenting" a little more in the kitchen, as PB and J's and tuna pasta only offer so much to the tastebuds.

 

[4HOLIDAYS]

Our budget has been getting bigger...despite my trying to get it lower. We have myself, DH and 2 DS(19 and 17) . This summer we also had at least 1 of their friends for dinner 4 nights a week(also 17). These boys can eat!

My Dh and the boys want steak at least 1x per week, chicken, fish, pork, ground meat., pasta about 1x a week,.. We go through a LOT of produce, and cheese , nuts, ....and then there are milk, juice, snacks are usually popcorn, maybe pretzels, frozen yogurt,...

I am watching this thread and ck'd some of the similar for ideas but the boys and DH are not happy with meals of JUST soup or chili, or a sand. No dice or breakfast for dinner either. Everything is a full meal: salad and meat and veg and starch...ugh...

I feel like a need a new plan. Anyone with teenage boys managing better?

 

[DnA2010]

I am watching this thread and ck'd some of the similar for ideas but the boys and DH are not happy with meals of JUST soup or chili, or a sand. No dice or breakfast for dinner either. Everything is a full meal: salad and meat and veg and starch...ugh...

I feel like a need a new plan. Anyone with teenage boys managing better?

Is it that they don't get full off chili or soup or ? Or don't like those meals? Maybe they don't always get what they want, or just have to eat more chili- I'd problem tell them to suck it up and be happy with what they have

 

[disneymagicgirl]

Is it that they don't get full off chili or soup or ? Or don't like those meals? Maybe they don't always get what they want, or just have to eat more chili- I'd problem tell them to suck it up and be happy with what they have

I agree! And you can always put cornbread and a side salad with it.

Also maybe do more casseroles to stretch your meat. Fill casserole with more veggies/pasta/etc.

 

[4HOLIDAYS]

I do a few caseroles, i love them. Maybe i just need to find some new better recipes.
The boys make sandwiches, grilled cheese when i do soup/chili, or go to the leftovers. Which is ok. We almist always do the salad and bread with them.
I am not creative in the meal planning area so reading the threads help!

 

[westcoastfldisneygirl]

where can I find a recipe for these seasonings. I use both of them quite a bit and get them at Costco to save money (they are much cheaper there) but would really like to try making my own. might be good to make lots and give to my adult daughters for their pantries too

I keep mine in OXO Poptop containers.Pricy, but i use Bed Bath and beyond 20% off coupons, or sometimes I find them at TJmaxx for a steal.

Homemade taco seasoning:

1 tablespoon chili powder
1/4 teaspoon garlic powder
1/4 teaspoon onion powder
1/4 teaspoon red pepper flakes
1/2 teaspoon paprika
1 1/2 teaspoon ground cumin
1 teaspoon salt and 1 teaspoon black pepper

Mix all up!

Homemade Ranch seasoning

2 tbsp. dried parsley
1 1/2 tsp dried dill
2 tsp garlic powder
2 tsp onion powder
1 tsp ground pepper
1 tsp salt
1 tsp dried chives

Mix all up!

To make homemade ranch, do this with 1/3 cup milk and 1/3 cup or mayo or greek yogurt!