I took a really hard look at what we were spending on food and it was just rediculous. First I changed where I shopped. I went to Aldi this week and so far am totally happy with their quality. I spent $120 for the week - compare that with the $300 a week we've been spending at Jewel.
I decided to simpify incredibly & we have created theme dinners. We are planning to eat the same thing each week for a couple of reasons -
1. Cuts costs 2. Helps Mikey with his extreme eating issues if he sees the same things over and over 3. These meals were what we ate mostly anyway.
So .. our themes are:
Spaghetti Sunday - Yesterday I made a HUGE pot of sauce for about $10 that will feed all six of us for 2 dinners and probably 4-6 leftover meals.
Meatless Monday - Tonight we're having a mostly meatless casserole I'm putting together based off a tuna pasta casserole but with chicken because the kids didn't like the tuna version last week. This should cost me about $8 and will feed all six of us plus leftovers for lunches.
Taco Tuesday - Really needs no description
Whatever Wednesday - We all pick whatever leftover we feel like eating and/or make a sandwich.
Thursday has no catchy name - Fish sticks & "Baked Macaroni" (my grandma's poor cooking skills recipe of elbow noodles, american cheese & tomato juice. sounds nasty - we love it)
Frozen Friday - Frozen Pizzas
Sandwich Saturday - Grilled Cheese & Tomato Soup
I also simplified breakfasts - cereal, pancakes or oatmeal. AND - Dan is making all our bread from scratch, pancakes from scratch & I cut down on juice and the TONS of milk my kids were drinking.
Basically I set up a little structure and it's saving us like $150 a week!?!!
