Tinker'n'Fun
Apple peaches pumpkin pie, not ready holler "I"
- Joined
- Mar 27, 2005
- Messages
- 8,752
Okay first the items in blue - $11.51 - Would it be possible to use all Romaine because it lasts longer and you get more usually. Since grapes are expensive this week I would bulk up on bananas and strawberries, since you buy fruit already, make your own fruit cup. A little lemon juice will keep fruit from browning. I make a great fruit salad with apples, pears, and bananas. I cut them up shake a little lemon juice, then I take a little sour cream and brown sugar and warm in the microwave, stir and cool a bit. Add to fruit. Very good. Also since you already buy cereal and butter/margarine what about making your own rice crispies... If you were to adjust this portion of your bill it would amount to approximately a savings of $6.00
Okay now the items in red - duplicates... Thats fine when they are on sale, get them but don't include the cost in this weeks budget, deduct it from next weeks. MAKE A LIST of the items you have. This will save you $25.32 next week.
I believe you said your bill should be $175.00. So if you would take this weeks bill and adjust for the fruit items, etc that brings it down to $216.22. You spent $25.32 for next week so now your total is down to $190.90.
Now take inventory of your freezer and cupboards and don't over do... You should spend $150.00 next week. That will even you out to your $175.00 per week.
A great way to reduce your bill is to go meatless or mostly meatless for meals. Its easy to have fresh veggie stir-fry with rice and or meatless chili. I bet if you checked your cupboards before you go shopping you can come up with 2 meals that you do not have to purchase next week. You may even be able to reduce the $150.00. Okay last but not least, MAKE a list. I know that it can be boring to pre-plan your meals because you can't be overly flexible, but it helps. I put my calendar in front of me so I know who's going where each day of the following week. I write down dinners on a seperate calendar so that I can change up my meals. Looking back will remind you of a meal everyone really enjoyed or one that they really didn't like...
Okay here a recipe I used last week for a inexpensive meal...
Chicken Caesar salads w/ garlic pita squares and fruit.
I used only 2 small boneless skinless chicken breasts cubed small and pan fried in a small amount of olive oil and sprinkled with Mrs. Dash. Mrs. Dash will create a nice crust. I am weird, I cut up my romaine... So I took the plates and put on the romaine lettuce, sprinkled with parmesian cheese, topped with home-made croutons, and then put on dressings and warm chicken.
Cost
2 chicken breasts $1.50
Romaine $1.50
Croutons, dressing and parmesian cheese .50
Pita triangles (you can use leftover tortilla shells if you have them)
3 pitas cut into triangles, spread with a little margarine on each one and sprinkled with garlic powder. Baked in oven 400degrees about 6-8 minutes until crisp. Cost $1.00
Fruit - I always have this in my house and don't budget into meals, since it is eaten throughout the day.
Total dinner $4.50 Everyone was very full and DH used the extra romaine for a salad for his lunch the next day (no chicken left though)
I see that you buy 2 loaves of bread, so I would guess a few slices taken out to make croutons would not be missed. If not a bag of croutons here is $1.00 and you would only use 1/2 of it.
So, could any of this work for you??
cool1: ) for this week but only by $10 so far. I dont NEED anything right now, we are stocked. But Publix is having a very good sale of itmes that I will NEED in about 2 weeks. Seems silly to pay a higher price 2 weeks from now when I can buy these items right now as BOGOfree and 10-4-10 deals.
I just need about an extra $1000 to cover my OOP WDW expenses!
