I found that once a week I was spending longer than I wanted trying to figure out a menu for the next when I realized that it takes just a little more time, but not much, to figure out the whole month and then I only had to do it once a month instead of four times a month. Thus, I only had the headache once. I still only go shopping once a week for everything, but now that once a week I just look at the already made menu and just create a shopping list, not also spending time doing the menu. The other advantage, if something is on sale when I go shopping and I'm planning to have it later in the month, I can buy it and save money. The last reason, I found out later, if you are trying to build a food storage, you need to know what you eat on a regular basis and how much of it so you can stock up on those items. I am trying to cut down my grocery budget and have learned a lot about couponing and saving. For now I haven't cut it down much, but I definately buy a lot more for the same amount, thus building up food storage which I will then cut down how much I spend (because I will have already bought it on sale).
So here is an example of this month's menu. It's not fancy and I am going to change a few things because I found some recipes that look really yummy, but it's a start and I know what I need.
(Yes I'm typing it in because I haven't figured out how to upload the spreadsheet)
Sundays
(7) Chicken Rolls, Jello, Salad & Rolls
(14) Lasagna, rolls, salad
(21) Roast, Rolls, Green Bean Casserole
(28) Pork Chops, rolls (some kind of side)
Monday
(1) Broccoli & Cheese Soup, bread
(8) Hamburger, French Fries, Vege's
(15) Leftover lasagna
(22) Clam Chowder, crackers
Tuesday
(2) Dinner @ Paula & Larry's (for Groundhog's day)
(9) Spaghetti & Vege's
(16) Potato Soup & Bread
(23) Deluxe Chicken Breasts, Mashed potato's & vege's
Wednesday
(3) Chicken Parmesan, Spaghetti Noodles, Vege's
(10) Homemade Mac n' cheese, vege's
(17) Macaroni Salad
(24) Chimichanga's, Bean & Cheese Burrito's, corn & Corn bread
Thursday
(4) Hot dogs, chili, mac n cheese, vege's
(11) Brown rice burritos, bean & cheese burritos, vege's
(18) Spaghetti & Vege's (maybe rolls)
(25) Burrito Casserole & Vege's
Friday
(5) BLT's & French Fries
(12) Taco salad
(19) Hoagie sandwiches
(26) Spaghetti & Vege's
Saturday
(6) Breakfast burrito's
(13) Pizza bagels
(20) Cheesesteak Sandwiches, Grilled Cheese Sandwiches & French fries
(27) Fajita's & Cheese Quesadilla's
I have a spreadsheet that list all the meals we usually make so I don't have to think of them myself each month. They are just right there to pick from and when I sit down to do my menu. And I reprint it every now and then when I add new recipes (which I am constantly looking for). Speaking of new recipes, on my side bar is a blog with lots of recipes from the girls in my neighborhood and I can't wait to try some of them because they look yummy.
For about a year and a half now I've been trying the coupon thing. A lady in my ward is amazing and taught a class which inspired me. I think this is the best I've ever done, so far. I got all this for a whopping total of $41.58. Pretty inpressive, huh? And that does not even include the $17.50 I'll be getting back in rebates, making my total for today a whopping $24.08. And, as you'll notice, that's all name brand stuff too. Nothing generic. If only I could do this every time, but I am working on it.
