I've been trying really hard to start somewhere on a budget. So much has changed in my family this past year that a budget was pretty much non-existent. I am starting with my grocery budget. Here's what I've been doing (for 6 weeks now!)
I start by planning 3-4 meals. I only have 4 people in my family so we eat leftovers and peanut butter and jelly sandwiches for lunches.
I shop once a week and spend $40. I get whatever is on sale that fit the meals I want to do. I price match at Walmart, usually only with Meijer, County Market, CVS and Walgreens. This includes our fruits, veggies and milk. If I find something for a really good price, I stock up.
Then, I put $10 aside for Sam's Club. I only go there when I am in Champaign anyway, so that ends up being every 6-8 weeks.
This week's meals:
Chicken wraps
- chicken, tortilla shells, cream cheese, shredded cheese, spinach, carrots, cucumbers, tomatoes, dressing
Bacon Avocado Cheeseburgers
- ground beef, cheese, bacon, avocado,
Tacos
- black beans, ground beef, shredded cheese, corn, sour cream, shells, rice
Sweet n Sour Chicken with fried rice
- chicken, rice, carrots, peas
Pancakes
-pancake mix, syrup, bacon, fruit
and snacks/sides:
Queso with tortilla chips
Carrots and dip
Oatmeal cookies
Banana bread
I do breakfast for dinner one night a week! Quick, easy and cheap!
Here's what I spent my $40 on this week:
2 packages of tortilla shells
2 boxes of hard shells
1 bag of frozen chicken breasts
1 bag of baby spinach
2 avocados
3 loaves of bread
1 package of buns
2 pizza crust mixes
1 package of turkey bacon
1 package of cream cheese
2 gallons of milk
2 boxes of cornstarch
2 packages of english muffins
1 package of white american cheese
2 cans of frozen juice
3 2-liters of pop (totally extra)
As you can see, I didn't buy everything for all my meals, I already had a bunch of it from the weeks before. But, I bought ahead some things that were on sale so I can use them in my meals for the weeks to come. I also didn't buy fruit (usually do, but we had some leftover). It still works out. I still have more than enough food for my family to get through the week! I'm pretty sure if I work harder at this I can cut it down even more. I didn't use any coupons, either. That's something I really need to work on! :) And, I planned too many meals! I will just push whatever meal(s) we don't use this week over to next.
Do you have a grocery budget? What are your secrets? Please share!
I start by planning 3-4 meals. I only have 4 people in my family so we eat leftovers and peanut butter and jelly sandwiches for lunches.
I shop once a week and spend $40. I get whatever is on sale that fit the meals I want to do. I price match at Walmart, usually only with Meijer, County Market, CVS and Walgreens. This includes our fruits, veggies and milk. If I find something for a really good price, I stock up.
Then, I put $10 aside for Sam's Club. I only go there when I am in Champaign anyway, so that ends up being every 6-8 weeks.
This week's meals:
Chicken wraps
- chicken, tortilla shells, cream cheese, shredded cheese, spinach, carrots, cucumbers, tomatoes, dressing
Bacon Avocado Cheeseburgers
- ground beef, cheese, bacon, avocado,
Tacos
- black beans, ground beef, shredded cheese, corn, sour cream, shells, rice
Sweet n Sour Chicken with fried rice
- chicken, rice, carrots, peas
Pancakes
-pancake mix, syrup, bacon, fruit
and snacks/sides:
Queso with tortilla chips
Carrots and dip
Oatmeal cookies
Banana bread
I do breakfast for dinner one night a week! Quick, easy and cheap!
Here's what I spent my $40 on this week:
2 packages of tortilla shells
2 boxes of hard shells
1 bag of frozen chicken breasts
1 bag of baby spinach
2 avocados
3 loaves of bread
1 package of buns
2 pizza crust mixes
1 package of turkey bacon
1 package of cream cheese
2 gallons of milk
2 boxes of cornstarch
2 packages of english muffins
1 package of white american cheese
2 cans of frozen juice
3 2-liters of pop (totally extra)
As you can see, I didn't buy everything for all my meals, I already had a bunch of it from the weeks before. But, I bought ahead some things that were on sale so I can use them in my meals for the weeks to come. I also didn't buy fruit (usually do, but we had some leftover). It still works out. I still have more than enough food for my family to get through the week! I'm pretty sure if I work harder at this I can cut it down even more. I didn't use any coupons, either. That's something I really need to work on! :) And, I planned too many meals! I will just push whatever meal(s) we don't use this week over to next.
Do you have a grocery budget? What are your secrets? Please share!