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MrsBurtch525
Year for change!
Member since 1/09 6017 total posts
Name:
Taryn
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Menu Planning for 7 Days Under $50...
Can it be done? I am trying to keep my budget under $50 but i keep blowing it and end up spending $75-$80....anyone have any luck staying under? If so, can you shar your menu...
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Posted 10/6/10 9:29 AM  |
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Long Island Weddings
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SnickNNick
In our new house!!
Member since 8/08 2119 total posts
Name:
Nicole
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Re: Menu Planning for 7 Days Under $50...
How many people are you cooking for on a daily basis? And are you looking to just do dinner for that much or including breakfast and lunch too?
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| Posted 10/6/10 9:54 AM |
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rojerono
Happiest.
Member since 8/06 13803 total posts
Name:
Jeannie
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Re: Menu Planning for 7 Days Under $50...
Posted by SnickNNick
How many people are you cooking for on a daily basis? And are you looking to just do dinner for that much or including breakfast and lunch too?
Right.. AND what kind of staples do you have on hand already? Do you have a supply of rice, broth, seasonings.. or are these things you'll buy weekly?
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| Posted 10/6/10 9:59 AM |
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MarathonKnitter
HAPPY
Member since 2/07 17374 total posts
Name:
EMBRACING CHANGE
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Re: Menu Planning for 7 Days Under $50...
ooooohhh, i'm liking this conversation
will be keeping my eye on this thread
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| Posted 10/6/10 10:11 AM |
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heathergirl
Cocktail Time!
Member since 10/08 4978 total posts
Name:
American mouth
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Re: Menu Planning for 7 Days Under $50...
Yes, what staples do you already have on hand? Stuff that you will not need to buy on a meal to meal basis?
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| Posted 10/6/10 10:14 AM |
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Elbee
Zanzibar
Member since 5/05 10767 total posts
Name:
Me
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Re: Menu Planning for 7 Days Under $50...
staples are KEY to success... and also SALES on the 'meat' items.
In addition, shop your veggies at a fruit market/farm.
Some ideas that are PENNIES per serving:
Elbow pasta w/ peas in a red sauce
Linguini w/ canelinni beans in a garlic sauce
Roasted Chicken, rice w/ beans, 1/2 bag frozen veggies (BJ's has chickens 89 cents per pound this week ans S&S has frozen veggies 10 for $10 sometimes, you need to check)
You may have to 'bulk buy' or stock up first before you can really get the number down to $50/week.
I bought a pork tenderloin at BJ's today. I'll be able to make 4 meals out of it.
7 lbs of 90% lean ground beef I bought makes 5 meals.
So while I spent $$ today on meat, for the next month I'll only have to buy fruits and veggies at the market.
For me, I have some expensive meals (lamb chops) and some really cheap meals (i.e. peas & macaroni w/ italian bread)
Message edited 10/6/2010 11:25:55 AM.
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| Posted 10/6/10 11:24 AM |
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SnickNNick
In our new house!!
Member since 8/08 2119 total posts
Name:
Nicole
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Re: Menu Planning for 7 Days Under $50...
Definitely all about buying the family packs of meat when the sales are best, and learning what sale prices are the good sale, versus just an ok sale. Like the best sale you get for something might be $1.99/lb, but they might put it on sale sometimes for $2.99/lb. If the regular price is $3.99/lb, still a sale, but not the best sale. I have learned the meat sale cycles in my grocery store and stock up on things when they are on the best sale, not just on sale. This definitely helps us a lot especially on chicken which we eat a ton of. I agree with stocking the pantry also. If you take some time to really pay attention to the best sales that things go on (like frozen veggies 10 for $10, or some grocery stores have the “can can” sale when all canned beans/tomatoes/etc go on a great sale) and stock up at those times. It has made a big difference for us, I used to spend closer to $80-$90/week for DH and I (for breakfast, lunch and dinner 6-7 days per week) and now I’m down to more like $50-$60. Sometimes DH requests things that simply aren’t on sale so it adds up a little more, I think I could do less than $50/week if I was really trying.
As for meals, I would say keep it simple. If you eliminate meat at least one night that will cut your costs as well. If you have a good compliment of herbs and spices that will help you make flavorful food without spending a ton of money.
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| Posted 10/6/10 1:10 PM |
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Re: Menu Planning for 7 Days Under $50...
Not having done this - this would be my first attempt without going shopping...
Sun - meatloaf w/ baked potatoes, peas
Mon - Mexican chicken - chicken, corn, black beans, salsa, rice, cheese.
Tues - soup - split pea w/ hotdogs
Wed - ravioli w/ red sauce, green beans
Thurs - chili - ground beef, canned tomatoes, beans
Fri - veggie frittata
Sat - pork roast or turkey breast, sweet potatoes, corn
OKAY - Now I'm psyced - I'm going to try to make this menu and see what it costs.... Probably won't make everything but I'll buy it - might take 2 weeks to cook for 1 week.
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| Posted 10/6/10 1:12 PM |
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JC621
LIF Adolescent
Member since 8/08 616 total posts
Name:
JC
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Re: Menu Planning for 7 Days Under $50...
Funny, The Early Show on CBS did a segment on this exact topic last week!
Feed a Family of 4 for $50 - For a Week!
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| Posted 10/6/10 2:28 PM |
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MrsBurtch525
Year for change!
Member since 1/09 6017 total posts
Name:
Taryn
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Re: Menu Planning for 7 Days Under $50...
Posted by rojerono
Posted by SnickNNick
How many people are you cooking for on a daily basis? And are you looking to just do dinner for that much or including breakfast and lunch too?
Right.. AND what kind of staples do you have on hand already? Do you have a supply of rice, broth, seasonings.. or are these things you'll buy weekly?
Just for me and DH, i have rice and i buy chicken frozen, it tends to be cheaper I have spices galore, i have both chicken and beef broth on hand. Im looking for dinner only, breakfast and lunch are pretty minor around here. We usually feed DD from what i make for our plates..
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| Posted 10/6/10 3:01 PM |
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MrsBurtch525
Year for change!
Member since 1/09 6017 total posts
Name:
Taryn
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Re: Menu Planning for 7 Days Under $50...
Posted by nora101004
Not having done this - this would be my first attempt without going shopping...
Sun - meatloaf w/ baked potatoes, peas
Mon - Mexican chicken - chicken, corn, black beans, salsa, rice, cheese.
Tues - soup - split pea w/ hotdogs
Wed - ravioli w/ red sauce, green beans
Thurs - chili - ground beef, canned tomatoes, beans
Fri - veggie frittata
Sat - pork roast or turkey breast, sweet potatoes, corn
OKAY - Now I'm psyced - I'm going to try to make this menu and see what it costs.... Probably won't make everything but I'll buy it - might take 2 weeks to cook for 1 week.
That sounds delicious...DH isn't a fan of split pea soup but i might do beef stew that night, i always have carrots, pottoes and onions on hand so that would be super easy to make. Thanks! Let me knw how your menu comes out!
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| Posted 10/6/10 3:04 PM |
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heathergirl
Cocktail Time!
Member since 10/08 4978 total posts
Name:
American mouth
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Re: Menu Planning for 7 Days Under $50...
Mon: Crockpot salsa chicken (frozen chicken cutlets, cream of mushroom soup, diced tomato or salsa, taco mix) served w/black beans or rice = $7.00
Tues: Meatloaf, roasted potatoes, peas = $4.50
Weds: Crockpot salsa chicken leftovers = $0
Thurs: Veggie lo mein (frozen oriental blend veggies, soy sauce, ginger, orange juice, beef boullion w/spaghetti noodles) = $2.50
Fri: Meatball parm heroes = $6
Sat: Pasta w/garlic and oil and frozen broccoli = $2.25
Sun: Homemade chicken nuggets, home fries, corn = $3.50
Prices are estimates based on what I know I pay for the individual items (frozen veggies $1.00+, canned veggies $.50+, chicken cutlets $1.99/lb, ground beef/turkey $3.00/lb+, potatoes $1.99/5lb, pasta $1.00+etc.). Also taking into account things you may already have on hand.
Message edited 10/6/2010 3:54:11 PM.
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| Posted 10/6/10 3:48 PM |
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GinaR
LIF Adult
Member since 9/08 1976 total posts
Name:
Gina
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Re: Menu Planning for 7 Days Under $50...
we are usualy around $50 for the week doing 5 meals for 2 people. I also usually ahve some of the ingrediants at home already. for us, buying every ingrediant and cooking for 7 meals would probably cost more.
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| Posted 10/6/10 6:50 PM |
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