Meal Plans for a Family of 5 on Budget
Are you lot wondering where this year has gone to already? It feels like it has merely flown right past usa, doesn't it?
But what do y'all do if you lot are working on a budget, and you lot didn't get much from the summer garden this twelvemonth? Life happens. I totally get it.
However, I also know that when yous rely heavily on food y'all grow yourself and things only don't pan out, that it tin can wreak havoc on your family's fiscal situation.
So I wanted to encourage you past sharing a few tips on how I have been known to feed my family of five during rough seasons of life on less than $65 per week. I'm also supplying a meal programme and shopping list.
Now, go on in mind, my grocery pricing may vary from yours depending on where you are located. I likewise assumed that y'all had nothing in your kitchen so you lot may already take a lot of items on this list.
How To Feed Your Family on the Cheap
1. Scratch Made is Your Friend
When it comes to eating on a budget, you need to go scratch made. This means that you demand to make equally many meals equally possible homemade.
Only just considering they are homemade does not mean that they demand to exist difficult. And so recall basic, think inexpensive, think homemade, and you'll be well on your fashion to eating much cheaper than nearly.
2. Simplicity Is In
When I try to cook on a budget, I accept to remind myself to think of simple meals. If the meal is overly complicated, I'm not going to want to cook it. Let'due south be existent, if you are shopping on an extremely frugal budget, y'all are probably going through a crude patch. That is exhausting enough!
And then don't compound the event by trying to be Betty Crocker. But come up up with some basic meals that won't require fancy ingredients. The more simple the ingredient, ordinarily, the cheaper it is equally well.
3. Left Overs Are Meant to be Eaten
This is a big 1. If you prepare too much food, don't toss it. I'm the worst for being tired afterwards preparing 5 meals a twenty-four hour period in my house.
And so I'll but toss it to the kitchen and think, "Well, I just saved us on feed." Ummm, no! I just toll myself another repast that I have to gear up…again. Recollect to save those left overs so you can reheat them on a lazy night or if you accept had a crazy twenty-four hours and are rushed to prepare a meal.
4. Think (and Cook) Ahead
This is some other big one for me. I used to try to think nigh dinner right at dinner time. That is a huge no-no because most probable something I'm preparing volition take a little time.
Now, I think nigh dinner as soon equally my feet hit the flooring in the morning. We take a dry out-erase board that I use for homeschool. I list every meal that nosotros volition swallow that twenty-four hour period and brainstorm making preparations first thing in the morning. You tin also cook ahead also and freeze it and so you can just thaw out what you need. This is a great website to assist you lot with freezer cooking your meals.
5. Bones is a Bonus
I've mentioned making your meals as elementary as possible, but what about your beverages. If you drink a lot of soft drinks, then you've only busted your upkeep because they aren't cheap.
And so try to drinkable more than water, tea, and powdered drinks (if the kids absolutely hate h2o!) This will save yous quite a bit of coin. Merely don't forget your java. In my house, java is a must!
6. Pretend to be Vegetarian
You don't have to completely give up meat, just being willing to give information technology up a few times a week volition salve you a lot of coin right off the height of your grocery budget.
Not to mention, eating plant based meals from time to time is actually really healthy for you. Then if y'all are on a budget, look for other ways to get your needed protein exterior of regular meat products.
seven. Just Freeze It
Did a lilliputian chip of Michael Jackson lyrics simply run through your head? Well, they did mine, simply that is besides the points. If yous have a lot of one meal left over, and yous don't feel similar eating the same thing for a week, and then freeze it.
Actually, it is so simple. Pull out a freezer bag or freezer safe container, fill up information technology up, seal it, and popular it in the freezer. Most items in the freezer will terminal for a few months. When you want them, simply pull them out, thaw them out, reheat, and enjoy. This is another great manner to have a quick, go-to meal afterwards a rough day.
8. Multiply Your Ingredients
When y'all grocery shop, you lot don't want to have to buy a bunch of dissimilar stuff. Not but will it make it easier to forget something on your list, merely it can as well become expensive.
Then the goal is to look for ways to utilize the same ingredients purchased over and over over again. That mode you will be more likely to have what you demand when cooking, and your ingredients should remain inexpensive also.
nine. Waste Not, Want Not
It is important to utilize everything that you have when you are working with a super tight budget. This means that y'all can't waste anything.
So if you lot open your fridge and realize that something is getting ready to go bad, then you'll demand to utilize it ASAP and then you don't lose that investment.
10. Find Frugal Friends
It volition aid you if you have friends that you can rely on for tips and back up who are also seeking out ways to feed their families in a frugal manner.
Simply if you don't have whatsoever close past, you lot can always rely on online friends and websites. My favorite website that gives me encouraging frugal recipes that are besides very delicious is Hillbilly Housewife. Yous can also use My Fridge Food equally well. You enter in what ingredients you have on mitt, and they give you lot a recipe to utilize those ingredients. Both are bang-up resource to have when y'all are trying to save money and go along everyone fed.
11. Plan Your Meals
Planning your meals is another vital tip yous'll demand when trying to eat on a upkeep. You have to exist intentional near what you are fixing so you know what to buy.
So y'all'll want to always make a meal program and a grocery list before spending whatsoever of your grocery upkeep. You can also add upward what you are buying to make sure y'all are staying in budget likewise.
12. Stick to the List
So you lot accept to actually stick to the list when you head to the grocery store. It is and then piece of cake to want to pick upward extra items.
But you take to be smart about it. Take only the cash you have in your budget so you have no back upwardly if you become over, and also exist certain to eat before y'all head to the grocery store every bit well. That fashion you'll kind of force yourself into beingness disciplined about your grocery shopping.
13. Merely Order In
No, I don't mean order nutrient in the way yous might exist thinking. A lot of grocery stores now take an selection where you can identify your order online (and some even evangelize.) If you have this option, use information technology.
Though, the service usually costs an extra $v or and so, you never pace pes in the store and therefore, avoid all of the temptations of buying what is non on your list. It is very helpful when trying to stick to a upkeep.
xiv. Tell Processed to Go Away!
You will want to make certain that you don't buy any processed food, even if it is on sale for about $1 each. The reason is that information technology doesn't actually go that far.
For example, when we starting time became a family of five I thought I would exercise well to purchase some boxed dinners for $1 a box plus the price of the meat. I soon realized I was spending a lot more than what information technology toll just to brand information technology from scratch. There are a few items that are less expensive prepackaged, only with most processed foods, that is non the instance.
xv. Once a Month Is Plenty
Finally, yous'll want to be certain that you lot only grocery store around once a month. This may sound strict, simply the less you enter the grocery shop, the less money y'all spend.
So do yourself a favor, avert the grocery store. Buy only what you need for the month (if at all possible) so you lot won't blow your budget. I realize non everyone has this selection, just if you practice, and so utilize it.
$65/week Meal Plan for a Family of 5
Week #1:
- Breakfast: Oatmeal
- A.M. Snack: Cinnamon Toast
- Dejeuner: Vegetable Soup
- P.M. Snack: Banana
- Dinner:
- Day one: Pintos, cornbread, and greens
- Day ii: Refried beans, Spanish rice, and craven tortillas (You lot can use oil in the identify of lard for the tortillas recipe)
- Day 3: Blackness beans and rice with polish sausage (add whatever spices yous want to your beans to go the flavor yous desire. Also you tin can cook them in stock to help add season as well.)
- Day 4: Black bean soup with rice
- Day 5: Left over black edible bean soup
- Twenty-four hours 6: Pintos and fried potatoes
- Day seven: Left Over Twenty-four hours
Week #2:
- Breakfast: Cornmeal mush
- A.M. Snack: Cinnamon Toast
- Lunch: Peanut butter and assistant wrap with raisins (for the kids); Edible bean wraps with Mexican salad (for the adults) Mexican salad is merely lettuce, tomato plant, guacamole, and sour cream.
- P.M. Snack: Assistant
- Dinner:
- Day ane: Lentil Sloppy Joes with salad (use lentils in identify of basis beef)
- Day ii: Spaghetti and carrot
- Day 3: Baked spaghetti (use leftover spaghetti, cover with more lycopersicon esculentum sauce and cheese, then bake at 400° Fahrenheit until bubbly and brown.
- Day 4: Ramen Noodles with veggies (Just prepare the noodles and add sautéed vegetables of choice to them. I similar onions and celery.)
- Day 5: Homemade Pizzas
- Solar day vi: Pintos and cornbread
- Mean solar day 7: Left Over Day
Week #3:
- Breakfast: Rice cereal
- A.Yard. Snack: Cinnamon toast
- Lunch: Chicken salad on crackers (for adults); Grilled cheese with carrots and dip (for kids)
- P.Chiliad. Snack: Applesauce
- Dinner:
- Day ane: Veggie stir fry
- Solar day 2: Pancakes, eggs, and bacon
- Day three: Egg frittata (this is only eggs with vegetables and spices broiled in the oven until washed.)
- Day 4: Biscuits and gravy
- Twenty-four hours 5: Loaded mashed potatoes (add together sautéed onions, garlic, cheese, etc.) and smoothen sausage
- Day 6: Fried irish potato cakes and greens (use leftover mashed potatoes)
- Mean solar day 7: Left Over Day
Week #4
- Breakfast: Pancakes or Waffles
- A.M. Snack: Cinnamon toast
- Lunch: Egg salad sandwiches with sliced veggies and dip (for the adults); Peanut butter and jelly sandwiches with sliced veggies and dip (for the kids)
- P.M. Snack: Applesauce
- Dinner:
- Day 1: Breakfast- French toast and bacon (this would also exist a groovy time to utilise up whatever eggs you don't recollect you lot'll employ this month.)
- Twenty-four hour period 2: Pintos and cornbread
- Day 3: Chili (apply leftover pintos in this recipe)
- Day 4: Black bean soup
- Day 5: Leftover black bean soup
- Twenty-four hour period half dozen: Lentil sloppy joes with any unused veggies for the month
- Day 7: Left Over Day
Blackness Bean Soup Recipe
- 2 cups of dried beans
- 1 onion
- 2 teaspoons of garlic
- 1 tin can crushed tomatoes
- 2 tablespoons of chili pulverisation
- 1 tablespoon of cumin
- Optional: jalapenos for heat (which I love)
- Soak the blackness beans over night. Then identify them in your deadening cooker (or on your stove) and let them cook all twenty-four hour period on low. Be sure to keep an heart on them so they don't run out of water. Add together water to them equally needed.
- When beans are done, set them aside.
- In a small pan, with a couple of tablespoons of oil, toss a diced onion in on medium oestrus until it is basically run into-through.
- Add together the garlic, but stir constantly so it doesn't burn down. Afterwards 2 minutes, pull the mixture off of the estrus.
- In a large soup pot, add together the beans, onion and garlic mixture, tomatoes, cumin, chili powder, and the optional jalapenos. Add water (or stock) until the mixture is covered. Y'all tin can throw in some beef burgoo too for extra flavour. Bring to a eddy, so permit to simmer for nigh 30 minutes to an hour.
- Add common salt and pepper to taste. Then serve. I like to add together shredded cheese, crackers, more jalapenos, and hot sauce. Information technology tastes neat!
Vegetable Soup Recipe
- 1 pound of ground beefiness
- 1 onion
- ii tablespoons of garlic
- i bag of mixed veggies
- one container of tomato juice
- Table salt and Pepper
- i cube of beef burgoo
- Brown the hamburger meat until at that place is no pink left. Add the diced onion and permit it to melt. And so drain the fat off of the mixture.
- Add all ingredients to your irksome cooker and allow it to melt on low for viii hours.
- Add desired toppings (similar cheese, crackers, etc.) and serve.
Fried Spud Cakes
- Left over mashed potatoes
- ½-1 cup of milk
- Salt
- Pepper
- 1 onion
- 1 teaspoon of garlic
- Shredded cheese
- Sautee your diced onion and garlic in a couple of tablespoons of oil until they are soft.
- Put cold mashed potatoes in a bowl. Add together the sautéed veggie mix, milk, salt and pepper to taste, and desired amount of shredded cheese. Then mix until information technology is a thick mixture.
- Oestrus a few tablespoons of oil in a pan over medium heat. Add together a small dab of the potato mixture to the oil. When yous see the oil begin to bubble effectually the potatoes, then the oil is set up.
- Spoon a circular amount of tater mixture into the hot oil. Press down gently to make information technology into a round block. Let cook until golden brown on i side. Then flip over and allow it to melt on the other side.
- When finished, place on a plate with a paper towel so the excess oil can drain. Sprinkle actress common salt equally desired. I like to serve my irish potato cakes with a dollop of sour cream on top.
Grocery List
| Groceries | Price | Total | |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2 | Packs of fresh chicken | $5 each | $ten |
| 3 | Bags of frozen mixed veggies | $ane each | $3 |
| Beef bouillon cubes | $i | $1 | |
| Tomato plant Juice | $3 | $iii | |
| 1 | Big roll of ground beef | $8 | $8 |
| 4 | 12oz Cans of crushed tomatoes | $ane.50 each | $half-dozen |
| 1 | Handbag of black beans | $i.50 | $1.50 |
| 4 | Packs of smoked sausage | $2.50 each | $10 |
| ii | 10lb Numberless of potatoes | $5 each | $x |
| Lentils | $3 | $3 | |
| 4 | Green bell peppers | 69 cents each | $2.76 |
| 3 | Large cans of tomato sauce | $1 each | $three |
| Brownish carbohydrate | $1 | $1 | |
| Spaghetti | $1 | $1 | |
| 12 | Pack Ramen Noodles | $2.50 | $30 |
| Celery | $2 | $ii | |
| 2 | Packs of pepperoni | $2 each | $4 |
| Cornmeal | $3 | $3 | |
| 2 | Frozen stir fry veggies | $i | $2 |
| ii | Packs of bacon | $three each | $6 |
| Gravy mix | $3 | $3 | |
| 2 | Bags of fresh greens | $2 each | $4 |
| Breakfast sausage | $ii | $2 | |
| Syrup | $1 | $i | |
| Chili powder | $1 | $1 | |
| 2 | Cans of tomato plant paste | 50 cents each | $i |
| 2 | 5lb Bags of rice | $3 each | $6 |
| Oatmeal | $3 | $3 | |
| 3 | Bags of all purpose flour | $2 each | $6 |
| Baking powder | $2 | $2 | |
| five | Dozen eggs | $2 each | $x |
| Salt | $ane | $one | |
| 4 | Gallons of milk | $3 each | $12 |
| Oil | $2 | $2 | |
| Vanilla extract | $1 | $i | |
| two | Bags of pinto beans | $1 each | $2 |
| half dozen | Small bags of shredded cheese | $2 each | $12 |
| Sliced cheese | $1 | $1 | |
| 2 | Pocket-size container of sour foam | $one | $2 |
| Tomatoes | $iii | $3 | |
| 2 | Avocadoes | $ii each | $4 |
| iii | Heads of lettuce | $ane each | $3 |
| 2 | Bags of onions | $two each | $4 |
| Cumin | $one | $1 | |
| Packaged minced garlic | $ii | $2 | |
| Blackness pepper | $1 | $1 | |
| 3 | Bags of breadstuff flour | $3 each | $nine |
| Yeast | $1 | $1 | |
| Cinnamon | $1 | $ane | |
| three | Boxes of margarine | $1 a box | $three |
| 77 | Bananas | well-nigh .28 cents each | $22 |
| two | Large containers of applesauce | $three each | $half-dozen |
| Peanut Butter | $2 | $two | |
| Jelly | $two | $2 | |
| three | Containers of mayonnaise | $2 each | $vi |
| Mustard | $ane | $1 | |
| 5lb bag of carrots | $3 | $3 | |
| three | Ranch mix packets | $i each | $3 |
| Buttermilk | $2 | $2 | |
| 2 | Boxes of crackers | $1 each | $ii |
| Total: | $251.32 + tax |
Well, hopefully these tips, grocery shopping list (with estimated costs), and menu programme will give you some ideas of some frugal meals to feed your family unit.
But I'd love to hear from you lot. What do you feed your family when money is tight?
Please go out us your comments below.
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Source: https://morningchores.com/cheap-meal-plan/
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