RedGage

There are many ways to save money on food for the family. Some suggest cooking everything from scratch and avoid going out to eat. Others feel victorious by completely a vigorous round of Once a Month Cooking. Both can get boring. Why not enjoy the best of both worlds? Plan ahead, shop smart and enjoy a weekly family meal plan that is cheap, healthy and enjoyable.Family Food PreferencesWhat does the family like to eat? This should be the first question addressed when planning a weeklyfamily meal plan. Don't waste money on food the family won't eat. Design a weekly menu around the foods everyone enjoys.Planning Menus for the WeekPlanning the menu by the week takes advantage of weekly grocery sale ads. It allows the meal planner to buy only those items on sale that she knows the family will eat. It's a good idea to make and stick to a weekly grocery allowance to avoid buying too much of good thing. Unless the sale is just too good to pass up, make the menu and grocery list and stick to the plan.Also, allow a little in the budget each week for at least one take-out or dining out meal for the family. It doesn't have to be much. It can be $1 cheeseburgers off the value menu at the local fast food place. Just allow a little spluge in the budget once a week. It may come in handy on a busy night or be a nice treat after church on Sunday.Planning Weekly Menus based on SalesMost grocery store ads begin on Wednesday and end the following Tuesday. Each week, set aside about 30 minutes to shop those ads. Don't buy a newspaper just to shop grocery ads. Shop ads online by using Sundaysaver.com. Shop each ad for stores in the area and make a list of items to be purchased along with their sale price. Remember some stores, like Walmart, will honor other store ads. This can save time and gas by shopping for everything in one place. However, be advised that most stores that comp require the sale ad as proof of the price. Bring the ads along on the shopping trip. If the ads are online, print them out.Plan all the meals for the week, include breakfasts, lunch, snacks, dinners and desserts. Look for budget stretching sale items that can be used to create many different dishes. Basic staple items like eggs, cheese, rice, beans, chicken and hamburger can be combined in many different ways to create a variety of dishes.The concept and idea is simple. Plan a menu based on what is on sale and what the family likes to eat. Since sales will vary each week, so will the menu. Be creative but stay on budget.Budget Food OptionsConsider meatless options at least once a week to cut grocery cost and stretch the weekly food budget. If the family enjoys rice and beans. These two foods can be incorporated into several different dishes. Enjoy beans and rice together one night. Have bean & cheese quesadilla another night. Make a broccoli, rice & cheese casserole for a Sunday dinner or stir an egg into leftover cold rice and fry it up for a quick Chinese supper.Set A GoalAs the chief cook for the family, set a goal and stick to it. Set a weekly family food budget and distribute allowances accordingly. Shop the weekly ads and plan the weekly family menu from the ads. Always allow a little indulgence in the weekly budget for one take out or dining out meal for those busy days or family treats. Always keep the menu interesting, and always challenge one another to do more with less.