I have yet to find the perfect system for menu planning for me, so this will be a work in progress as I hopefully find the way that works best for me. This is my first time writing a menu plan for all three meals in a day, so we will see how it works. I am going to be pretty flexible with moving things around if needed but I am hoping this will help with running out of ideas on what to make for dinner. My lunch ideas are mostly for the kids, I will usually eat left overs from dinner. I will usually do 1 menu a week, starting on Wednesdays but since Christmas is next Wednesday I planned through the 26th since I don't plan on shopping again until after then. I gave my self a $130 budget for 9 days. Below you will see my menu for the 9 days, my grocery list an my estimated cost. I am a little over in my estimate so hoping I can find some more sales or that I over estimated. After I go shopping on Thursday I will post how much I actually spent.
Bulk Cooking: I am going to pick a few meals each week to make in a large batch and freeze to hopefully start saving some time and money.
Tips: Kroger has a seasonal sale on the 18oz jars of peanut butter for $1.88. Once we use the peanut butter I wash the jar and it makes a great size for me to freeze, refried beans, chicken stock, spaghetti sauce, freezer jam, black beans, etc. in.
| Date |
Day |
Menu |
In the pantry |
Grocery Lists |
| 18 |
Wednesday |
Eggs & Toast |
|
Item |
Amount |
Price |
Store |
| |
|
PB &
J/Carrots/Apples |
|
Rice Krispy |
1 |
$2.50 |
Aldi |
| |
|
Baracoa
Pork |
* Pork |
Bananas |
2 |
$3.00 |
Aldi |
| 19 |
Thursday |
Cream of Wheat |
* Cream of Wheat |
Hummus |
1 |
$2.00 |
Aldi |
| |
|
Grilled
Cheese/Carrots/Grapes |
|
Apples |
1 |
$3.00 |
Aldi |
| |
|
Mexican Pizza |
Refried
Beans |
Water Bottles |
1 |
$3.00 |
Aldi |
| 20 |
Friday |
German Pancakes |
|
Peppers |
3 |
$3.00 |
Aldi |
| |
|
Cheese &
Crackers/Carrots/Apples |
|
Bread |
2 |
$3.00 |
Aldi |
| |
|
Lemon
Chicken/Rice/Salas |
* Rice/Chicken |
Crackers |
1 |
$1.50 |
Aldi |
| 21 |
Saturday |
Oatmeal |
*Oatmeal |
Orange Juice |
2 |
$3.00 |
Aldi |
| |
|
PB &
J/Carrots/Apples |
|
Carrots |
1 |
$1.25 |
Aldi |
| |
|
Spaghetti |
* Noodles |
Peanut butter |
2 |
$4.00 |
Kroger |
| 22 |
Sunday |
Pancakes |
|
Grapes |
2 |
$4.00 |
Kroger |
| |
|
Spaghetti |
*Noodles |
Marshmallows |
1 |
$1.09 |
Kroger |
| |
|
Tilapia/ Rice/Salad |
* Tilapia/Rice |
Jalapeno |
1 |
$0.50 |
Kroger |
| 23 |
Monday |
Eggs & Toast |
|
Ground Beef |
1 |
$8.00 |
Kroger |
| |
|
Chicken Black Bean
Burritos |
*Chicken/Tortillas |
Crushed Tomato's |
4 |
$4.50 |
Kroger |
| |
|
Roast Turkey
Breast/Mashed Potato's/ Carrots/ Peas |
*Turkey Breast |
Tomato Sauce |
2 |
$1.80 |
Kroger |
| 24 |
Tuesday |
Waffles |
|
Potato's |
1 |
$4.10 |
Kroger |
| |
|
Turkey Sandwiches |
|
Celery |
1 |
$1.10 |
Kroger |
| |
|
Turkey Potpie |
|
Flour |
1 |
$2.00 |
Kroger |
| |
|
Rice Krispy Treats |
|
Apple Sauce |
2 |
$4.00 |
Kroger |
| 25 |
Wednesday |
Utah Scones, Bacon,
Eggs |
*Bacon |
Zucchini |
1 |
$1.00 |
Kroger |
| |
|
Turkey Sandwiches |
|
Enchilada sauce |
1 |
$1.15 |
Kroger |
| |
|
Ham, Scalloped
Potato's, Green Beans/Carrots |
*Ham |
Tomatillos |
2 |
$1.50 |
Kroger |
| 26 |
Thursday |
Oatmeal |
|
Cilantro |
1 |
$0.80 |
Kroger |
| |
|
Sausage and
Lentil Soup |
|
Yogurt |
18 |
$8.10 |
Kroger |
| |
|
Left Overs |
|
Butter |
1 |
$8.00 |
Sam's |
| |
|
|
|
Eggs |
1 |
$4.00 |
Sam's |
| |
|
Bulk Cooking/Freezer
Meals |
# of Meals |
Milk |
2 |
$6.50 |
Sam's |
| |
|
Doubling Spaghetti
Sauce |
6 |
Tomato's |
1 |
$5.00 |
Sam's |
| |
|
Baracoa Pork |
6 |
Italian Sausage |
1 |
$12.00 |
Sam's |
| |
|
|
|
Gum |
1 |
$8.00 |
Sam's |
| |
|
|
|
Cheez-Its |
1 |
$7.00 |
Sam's |
| |
|
|
|
Mangos |
1 |
$10.00 |
Sam's |
| |
|
|
|
Spinach |
1 |
$4.00 |
Sam's |
| |
|
|
|
Lime Juice |
1 |
$1.50 |
Target |
| |
|
|
|
Sour Dough Bread |
1 |
$4.00 |
Target |
| |
|
|
|
Bagels |
1 |
$1.90 |
Target |
| |
|
|
|
Basil |
1 |
$1.50 |
Trader Joes |
