Menu Planning Monday

 

Well, our grocery budget looks pretty good this month.  I strive to spend less than $200 each month for our family of 2 adults, 1 toddler, and 1 dog.  So far, I have only spent $40.  We were blessed by a gift of a LOT of freezer food from my mother.  Her school has a fund raiser that involves lots of delicious frozen food (similar to schwan's without the delivery).  She purchases monthly and often blesses us with some food as well.  I will use this gift to stretch our budget and stock up on a few items - mainly coffee and dog food - this month (especially with the big Kroger MEGA sale - our stockpile will grow!).  Check out my other blog if you want details on the sale or many things regarding saving money.

To help stretch the budget, I want to start planning out more meals than just dinners.  We don't have a ton of variety for breakfast or lunch, but I know I tend to eat poorly myself (being the only adult home most days) if at all for breakfast or lunch if I don't plan ahead.

I challenge you to take a few moments and brainstorm all the meals your family enjoys.  Do this exercise over a few days since you will surely remember old favorites that way.  I started my list here.  I will be growing the list and organizing it until it becomes a great meal database that will aid my menu planning while pleasing the palates in my home.

Meals:
Breakfasts - cereal, toast, pancakes, cheese (I prefer salty in the morning)
Lunches - peanut butter and jelly/honey sandwiches or cold cuts for Hubby, leftovers or sandwiches for me

Dinners:
Monday - enchiladas
Tuesday - pulled pork bbq sandwiches
Wednesday - burgers
Thursday - quesadillas
Friday - meatball hogies
Saturday - dinner out!!!  We're going on a DATE!!!!
Sunday - pizza

Click on over to I'm An Organizing Junkie to see more menu ideas plus recipes!