How can I plan meals out for my family a month at a time?!
Does it really save any money!? Www@FoodAQ@Com
Answers:
I have a document stored on Word and it the lists meals I know I can cook - the old favorites!. There's also a second list of meals I can cook right now, based on what's in the pantry or freezer, without having to go to the grocery store!. If you totaled the 2 lists, there are maybe 50 meals!. It's pretty flexible though; if it's cold and rainy, we have something like chili instead of something cooked outside on the grill!.
I spend 1 or 2 days per month doing investment cooking and packaging the food into serving sizes and freezing it!. Refried beans, meatballs, bread dough, casseroles and soups all freeze and reheat very well!. On those days when I can't face cooking or we haven't been grocery shopping, I get something out of the freezer and heat it up!. So far it's been working out well and we've nearly eliminated fast food altogether!. (I miss it, though!. LOL)
Build up an inventory of dried and canned foods when they're on sale and you can use those when money is tight or you can't get to the grocery store!. Consider store brands - they often have a money back guarantee!. Stay away from pre packaged convenience foods if possible!. Use coupons!. With a little planning, yes, you can save money!.
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I spend 1 or 2 days per month doing investment cooking and packaging the food into serving sizes and freezing it!. Refried beans, meatballs, bread dough, casseroles and soups all freeze and reheat very well!. On those days when I can't face cooking or we haven't been grocery shopping, I get something out of the freezer and heat it up!. So far it's been working out well and we've nearly eliminated fast food altogether!. (I miss it, though!. LOL)
Build up an inventory of dried and canned foods when they're on sale and you can use those when money is tight or you can't get to the grocery store!. Consider store brands - they often have a money back guarantee!. Stay away from pre packaged convenience foods if possible!. Use coupons!. With a little planning, yes, you can save money!.
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I think a month is too long to plan but I can take spaghetti sauce and make spaghetti one night, add some meatballs and make meatball subs another night and then use what sauce is left as hotdog sauce and you have 3 to 4 meals depending on the size of your family!. You can also make chili and use it one night as chili with crackers and cheese and then the next night make nachos and the next night add macaroni and some frozen peas and chopped tomatoes and you have goulash!. Those simple things can take you almost a couple of weeks and it is not expensive!. Www@FoodAQ@Com
Get a calendar for the month and make a list the meals that you usually cook!.
Fill in the days of the month with the meals you cook!. also, fill in days you will likely eat out or be away from home!. Another idea is to fill in meals on the calendar that you would like to learn to make!.
I think it does save time and money because when you go to the store, you can purchase enough for more than one meal!. Example being, if you have a chicken that you bake/roast, you can have it one day for dinner and the next day or so, you can have some diced in a salad!.
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Fill in the days of the month with the meals you cook!. also, fill in days you will likely eat out or be away from home!. Another idea is to fill in meals on the calendar that you would like to learn to make!.
I think it does save time and money because when you go to the store, you can purchase enough for more than one meal!. Example being, if you have a chicken that you bake/roast, you can have it one day for dinner and the next day or so, you can have some diced in a salad!.
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i would say just make a menu - since its an entire month you could repeat things you family really likes!.!.!. for me its spaghetti - although i dont plan the entire month at a time!.!. i usually go week by week!.
and i would say yea i think it does save money because you can make a list of what you need so you are not just buying random items you think you may need or want!. also if you have a menu you wont be like "i dont know what to make - lets just eat out"
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and i would say yea i think it does save money because you can make a list of what you need so you are not just buying random items you think you may need or want!. also if you have a menu you wont be like "i dont know what to make - lets just eat out"
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I never plan for a month maybe a week or two tops!.
I make large pots of soup and freeze them in individual containers!.
Because everyone eats at different times this saves time and gives the family the veggies they need, just toss a salad, some crusty french bread and some pudding for dessert made in 5 minutes if its instant!
Save money!? I have no idea!. sure saves time!Www@FoodAQ@Com
I make large pots of soup and freeze them in individual containers!.
Because everyone eats at different times this saves time and gives the family the veggies they need, just toss a salad, some crusty french bread and some pudding for dessert made in 5 minutes if its instant!
Save money!? I have no idea!. sure saves time!Www@FoodAQ@Com
A month in advance is too long ,but I do it a week in advance and it saves time and money and also its great each day not to have to wonder what we will have for dinner!.Www@FoodAQ@Com
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