I haven’t done a vlog in ages so here is one with more details on how I go about menu planning each week.
The gist of the video is that I try to plan the entire week’s meals in advance. I create one shopping list with everything I need and that seems to help me to stick to my budget by avoiding last minute trips to the store.
I also find that it helps to have a plan in place at the start of the week to make dinnertime run so much more smoothly.
Here are a few of the things that work for me:
- I always focus on using the products that we already have on hand.
- I try to forecast what the week has in store (as far as our family schedule, activities etc..) and adjust the menu accordingly.
- I usually try to make fairly simple meals based on recipes found online or in magazines.
- And I attempt to make one meal for the entire family, with slight variations to accommodate different tastes.
One thing I did make note of in the vlog is that I do regularly buy extra proteins in particular when the prices are really low. By buying a little extra each week and popping it in the freezer, I have found I almost always have a variety of proteins to choose from when I create my menus. That is really the only way I am able to stick to my $50/week budget.
Also, my apologies for the noise you hear in the background. I was sneaking this vlog in during dinnertime and those are veggies you hear sauteing (and subsequently burning since I tend to ramble).
Love that you mentioned Goat Cheese…that is always what I have on my homemade pizza…I love it.
Thanks Charlene for all your great tips and for your blog too.
It’s so great to find a blog from someone who lives in the same area than you.
Please continue your great work!!!
Lol, I can’t wait to watch this tonight. I love that you were multi-tasking!
Thank you so much for this! I have a husband, 2 teens, a tween and a toddler to feed, plus extra kids some nights so this is inspiring me to take it to the next level. I’ve been getting way more for my money thanks to all you deal match ups at the stores I shop at. Now to combine that with organized meal planning. Can’t wait for your next vlog.
Great job! Thanks for all the practical tips that have helped my family stay on our food budget (it was out of control before I heard about MFA!) and still eat well. Looking forward to your next video.
You are too cute! 🙂 Thank you for all your tips and tricks.
so what happens when you have to buy proteins? I am just curious. if its at rock bottom prices are you able to finish everything into your budget? That is amazing. 50 for a week…:) We’re 100 a week and its the two of us. I must be doing something wrong. 🙁
Well you are absolutely not doing anything wrong Karen. You have to keep in mind I am a crusty old lady that has been couponing a loooong time. I just finished my last can of shave gel from 3 years ago when I started using coupons and got carried away with chasing deals 😉 So what I do for a specific example, awhile back ground beef was $.99/lb. Usually my buy price is $1.49/lb so I bought like 30 lbs of ground beef over 2 weeks. That is a TON and it was weeks and weeks and weeks ago. We just eat a little each week.
The other thing as far as proteins go, is that we don’t eat seafood- my husband worked on fishing boats in Alaska once and will not go near any fish of any kind. I am a vegetarian- so if you like seafood that is expensive. If it is a stock up week- like chicken is a good price and I have $50 I try to eat a lot from the pantry and save as much of the budget as I can to buy meats. If I buy 5 bags of chicken- that is maybe $30 so I have $20 for produce and dairy items. 5 bags of chicken would last probably 2 maybe even 3 months. I have been couponing so long we really have a lot of HBA items so I rarely need lotions and toothpaste and all that. I post all my trips and I post the menu plans so we are pretty plain eaters and I don’t do a lot of fancy stuff. I think you should do what works for your family and your diet 🙂
You have inspired me to give this a try! Great video. P.S. your hair looks adorable!
Thanks so much for this! One of my goals for this year was to give menu planning a try. So far it hasn’t happened, but knowing how you go about it gives me an idea on how I can get started. Excited to see the next vlog!
I always tell people that menu planning is a huge money saver and a huge time saver. I love your vlogs, it shows your cute personality. Thanks for sharing with us.
@Kim- Ha! More like surly personality most of the time 😛
@Andrea- so are you saying sweaty ponytails at the gym are not my best look?
Hi! So nice to see you in person virtual friend! Spending everyday on your blog has totally made me feel like you are my virtual friend. Hope you don’t mind. So much of your lifestyle is similar to ours with the kiddos and I’m a vegetarian etc etc. Just wanted to say thanks again!
You really have inspired me to save and I now really enjoy grocery shopping, couponing and meal planning. I have found that my family (1 toddler, hubs and me) have started switching to more vegetarian nights since it’s so much cheaper. I’ll have to watch your menu planning for great veggie meals.
Thanks and keep it up! Btw, I really appreciate you covering Nugget. Lately I’ve found (w/i last two weeks) they’ve had better prices than Safeway.
That was very helpful. Thanks for the vlog 🙂 I should start sticking to the menu planning.