Sometimes people read these menu plans and comment that it’s not very honest to say we eat on a $200 grocery budget when we eat away from home so much. And that is a valid concern. But here’s why I don’t think I’m being dishonest.
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Our $200 grocery budget doesn’t just cover food but also toiletries, cleaning supplies, diapers, household supplies (toilet paper, dish soap), etc. So really, the amount that goes just for food is less than $200 anyhow.
Also, while some weeks we do end up eating away from home a lot as you’ll see in this menu plan. We also have people here for meals sometimes too (you see that this week when we had 12 lunch guests).
And I think that most people probably eat away from home, either at a friend’s place or at a restaurant, at least occasionally. So the fact that we do that doesn’t seem that unusual, really.
But even more importantly, the point of these menus is not to brag about how we eat on $200 a month or say that everyone should eat this way. The point is simply to give you inspiration and hopefully a few ideas of things that you can eat and enjoy without spending a lot of money.
And the truth is, I really don’t think everyone should have a $200 grocery budget anyway. 🙂
If you are new to these menu plans of mine, it’s probably helpful to know a couple of things first:
- Our family of five consists of two adults with fairly big appetites, a 6-year-old boy, a 3 ½-year-old girl and a 15-month-old girl.
- I buy lots of fruits and veggies in bulk from local farmers/orchards in the summer and then freeze or can them. This is not only much cheaper it is also healthier too.
- I have a stockpile. My cupboards are full from previous shopping and here’s why. When I can get pasta for free with coupons, I buy as much as I have coupons for. If I’m able to get flour for $0.50/bag like I did last fall, I’ll buy half a dozen and put them in the freezer to use as needed. I do this as much as my budget allows, on as many items as I can and as a result save lots of money. Then when I go to plan menus, I simply plan our meals around what I already have in my cupboards and freezer, as much as possible. Obviously, I still might have to buy a few things at regular price here and there, but by stocking up when the price is at rock bottom I save a lot.
- I cook almost totally from scratch. That means when I make a cake, I rarely use a cake mix. I make my own bread totally from scratch. I rarely use pre-packaged sauces. I make my own cream soups and pie crusts. Making your own food is typically less expensive and healthier too.
- We rarely snack. By eating “heavy” food like granola at breakfast we don’t get hungry until lunchtime. And the same goes for the afternoon. Our lunches are big enough that we usually are fine until dinner time. When we do need a snack, I try to keep it mostly healthy by offering fruit, nuts or maybe No Bake Energy Bites. We don’t always do it perfectly though, and sometimes end up having chips or cookies instead.
- Our breakfasts consist of Easy Homemade Granola or Baked Oatmeal, the occasional bought cereal that I was able to get for $0.50/box and sometimes some fruit too. I know that might seem awfully boring to some of you, but we actually all really enjoy it and prefer it over other breakfast food. I also have a homemade iced latte, homemade frappe or some other fun beverage every morning. It’s just one of the little things that I do to add a bit of sunshine to my days!
Below you will find our lunches and dinners. (If we ate something other than our usual breakfast, I’ll note that too.) Since it’s summer vacation, all three children are home for lunches right now and 2 to 3 days a week, my husband joins us too. The other 2 or 3 week days that my husband isn’t here because he’s working, he takes a packed lunch with him. His lunch typically consists of sandwiches, fruit, homemade yogurt and sometimes random leftovers too.
WEEK 1
Sunday
- Turkey; Refrigerator Mashed Potatoes (this recipe is very similar to what I make); Lettuce Salad with Mexican Dressing and Ranch; Homemade Pickles; Whole Wheat Bread (with butter and homemade strawberry jelly); Homemade Applesauce; Homemade Chocolate Cake with Caramel Icing and Crushed Strawberries (I preserved)
– We had lunch guests, 5 adults and 9 children. - Homemade Chicken Salad on Crackers; Easy Fruit Smoothie
Monday
- Various Leftovers; Homemade Yogurt; Home Canned Peaches & Frozen Blueberries
- Pizza (store-bought); Homemade Applesauce
– It was Memorial Day so we enjoyed a picnic at the park and then did some hiking afterward.
Tuesday
- Various Leftovers; Homemade Yogurt; Home Canned Peaches & Frozen Blueberries
- Lettuce Salad with Turkey, Black Beans, Hard-boiled Eggs, Carrots, Mushrooms and Tortilla Chips and Mexican Dressing; Homemade Applesauce; Leftover Chocolate Cake with Caramel Icing
Wednesday
- Homemade Turkey Salad Sandwiches (used my homemade bread); Homemade Yogurt; Frozen Peaches (I preserved)
– The whole family went on a field trip to a local museum with our son’s school, so we took a packed lunch. - Super Easy Ground Beef and Rice Skillet; Peas; Homemade Applesauce; Leftover Chocolate Cake with Caramel Icing
Thursday
- Lettuce Salad with Turkey, Black Beans, Cheese; Homemade Yogurt; Home Canned Peaches & Frozen Blueberries
- Baked Chicken (used Homemade Shake N Bake); Leftover Refrigerator Mashed Potatoes; Lettuce Salad
Friday
- Various Leftovers; Homemade Yogurt; Frozen Peaches (I preserved); Frozen Blueberries
- Eggs; Bagels; Bacon; Lettuce Salad; Ice Cream Bars
Saturday
- Easy Vegetable Beef Soup; Whole Wheat Bread; Homemade Yogurt; Home Canned Peaches; Frozen Blueberries
- Ate at my in-law’s because the family was all together- took a Yellow Layer Cake with Homemade Chocolate Buttercream Frosting and Blonde Brownies
WEEK 2
Sunday
- My husband’s family was together all day because his younger brother was celebrating his graduation and had a party…my mother-in-law provided meals for everyone.
Monday
- Ate at my in-law’s because I was there getting strawberries ready to put in the freezer.
- Salsa Ranch Chicken Wraps; Homemade Strawberry Shortcake with Fresh Strawberries
Tuesday
- Various Leftovers; Homemade Yogurt; Fresh Strawberries; Home Canned Peaches
- Creamy White Chili; Lettuce Salad with Mexican Dressing; Homemade Applesauce; Homemade Strawberry Shortcake (a version that has chocolate chips) and Fresh Strawberries
Wednesday
- Various Leftovers; Homemade Yogurt; Fresh Strawberries; Home Canned Peaches
- Poor Man’s Steak (similar to this recipe); Hasselback Potatoes/Sweet Potatoes; Lettuce Salad with Mexican Dressing; Homemade Applesauce; Fresh Strawberry Pie using Homemade Pie Crust
– This was my husband’s birthday meal and we also had a family friend join us. The Hasselback Potatoes were so yummy and I highly recommend them!
Thursday
- Various Leftovers; Homemade Yogurt; Fresh Strawberries
- Kidfresh Chicken Nuggets (got free several weeks ago with couponing); Baked Potatoes/Sweet Potatoes; Lettuce Salad; Homemade Applesauce
Friday
- Meat/Cheese/Lettuce Sandwiches (made with homemade bread); Homemade Yogurt; Frozen Peaches (I preserved); Frozen Blueberries
- Ate at an Engagement Party for some friends
Saturday
- Homemade Cream of Tomato Soup (my recipe is similar to this one); Cheese; Homemade Yogurt; Fresh Strawberries
- Ate at Red Robin and took advantage of the free meal my husband could get for his birthday
Kristia @ Family Balance Sheet
I’m glad you liked the hasselback potatoes–thanks for linking to it. It’s the only way I make potatoes, although I won’t be making them again until the colder months. I try not to turn on my oven in the summer.
ThriftyFrugalMom
I can see why it’s the only way you make them, Kristia! 🙂 And I try not to use my oven much in the summer either, but I obviously must not do as well as you do. I’m going to have to watch your menu plans to see what all you eat the next couple of months to get ideas!
julie@frugallyblonde.com
Your menu plan is always such an inspiration to me. I bought double the amount of strawberries and raspberries that I normally do this summer. I remember growing up we always ate dinner at church on Wednesday, but my mom always made a big casserole or dessert to take. It all evens out in the end. 🙂
ThriftyFrugalMom
So, are you freezing the strawberries and raspberries, Julie? And yes, I think too that it all evens out. Some months I “give” more and other months I “receive” more.