Frugally feeding your family takes planning, self-control
It happens almost every night. A child wanders into the kitchen and asks that dreaded question, "Mom, what's for dinner?"
When you're living on a budget, it's not always easy to keep things on the dinner plate exciting. But no matter how tight the financial belt, "Tuna fish, again" is never the answer your family wants to hear.
Staying thrifty in the kitchen is possible, and you don't have to sacrifice taste to do it.
It does take some planning and a bit of self control, but you can easily provide flavorful family meals for much less than the cost of fast food.
1. Make a list
It all starts in the grocery store. A little bit of preparation before you head out will serve you well. Decide what your weekly grocery budget will be, and then stick to it. No matter how great the deal, it isn't a deal if you are constantly spending more than your allotted amount for groceries.
Make a list of the foods you need to purchase for the week and jot down their approximate costs.
Add up the total to be sure you are within your limit, then trim unessential items if you need to. If you have extra money, feel free to add a special treat — those Peanut Butter Twix bars are heaven — or just be excited that you are saving some extra dough. It is also a good idea to allow a $5 or $10 leeway on your list's total because chances are you will find something at the store that you forgot you needed.
2. Check the ads
Another simple tip is to check the print ad of the store where you choose to shop.
Watch for deals on things you normally buy, then try to plan your weekly meals to include those things. If tortillas are on sale, plan soft tacos or burritos as one of your dinners. If cream of chicken soup is a good buy, plan to make a casserole one night.
Let the sale items work for you by capitalizing on them for supper. Being smart before you go shopping will give you more buying power and put you in greater control of the money you spend.
3. Focus on veggies
When it comes time to cook, keep in mind that meat is more expensive than vegetables. Try to let a vegetable or grain be the star of the show instead of a meat. That doesn't necessarily mean cutting meat out altogether, but it does mean reducing the amount you use and adding something else to take its place.
For example, if you decided to make a pot pie for dinner one night, instead of preparing two big chicken breasts to add to the concoction, just cut one breast into small pieces and add a bag of frozen mixed vegetables to the potatoes in your pie crust. You still have tasty chicken in the meal, but now the weight of the supper is filled with vegetables — which are healthier for you anyway.
Top this with diluted cream of chicken soup or a mixed package of chicken gravy, and press the top crust into place. You can buy an empty frozen pie crust with other frozen desserts at your local market.
Voila! A fabulous banquet for less than $10. Add a tossed green salad on the side — homemade from a head of lettuce, not from a bag — and you have one tasty, inexpensive meal.
4. Another quick mix
If beef is more to your liking, try this delicious mix. Cook some rice and brown a pound of whatever beef is on sale that week. You can use strip steak, stew meat or even chop a rump roast into small strips. Then for a delicious and tangy flare, add 1/3 cup honey, 1/3 cup soy sauce and a tablespoon of vinegar. Let that simmer together. Heat some fresh or frozen vegetables — whatever your family likes — and set those aside. After dishing the rice, top that with veggies and then a generous spoonful of your beef mixture. Ta-da! Another delicious dinner that doesn't break the bank.
Whether you are cooking for four or 10 people, you can make dinner work on your terms.
Play it smart. Plan ahead and stick to your budget. Let sales work for you, but don't get conned into spending more than you planned just to get a good deal.
Remember, practice makes perfect, and pretty soon you will be a pro at frugally feeding your family.
Melissa DeMoux is a stay-at-home mother of six young children who lives in West Valley City, Utah.
No comments:
Post a Comment