Happy, happy Thursday!
And thanks for coming back AGAIN!
Hang in there, we’re getting there (i promise! : )
So, lets recap…
You should now have your MONTHLY budget figured out & written down, a list of EVERYTHING you have left in your pantry, cupboards, fridge & freezer, and a list of the meals that you could make right now with the ingredients that you already have.
STEP 3
Writing your Meal Plan
Get a piece of paper & a pen. A piece of printer paper or large notebook paper is best.
Now, list the numbers 1–28 down the left-hand side.
Fill the first, however many numbers in with the meals that you’re able to make with current ingredients.
Example
Now, the time consuming part. Writing your meal plan.
This is something that noone else can really do for you. You know what you and your family like to eat : )
But, if you really want to cut down on your budget here is the key:
Buy ONLY fruit & veg that is in season, AND use ONLY fresh ingredients (not packaged or premade meals.)
TINNED FRUIT & VEG DON’T COUNT AS PREMADE!!! for example, tin tomatoes are one of my staples : )
I know that this is going to be a BIG shock to some! Believe me, it TERRIFIED me a few years ago!! But it really is the key!!!
So, now start thinking. What can you make, with or without a recipe that isn’t premade or in a packet?
To give you some ideas, here is my current meal plan.
1) Meatloaf mashed potato/mashed cauliflower, carrots, gravy
2) Meatloaf mashed potato/mashed cauliflower, carrots, gravy
3) Lasagna
4) Chilli, macaroni
5) Wholewheat spaghetti bolognese
6) Wholewheat spaghetti bolognese
7) Chicken pot pie, rice, garlic bread
8) Chicken pot pie, rice, garlic bread
9) Chicken curry, rice, roti
10) Chicken curry, rice, roti
11) Roast chicken, potatoe/cauliflower, roast veg, gravy
12) Chicken, baked potato, coleslaw
13) Roast chicken, roast veg
14) Pasta, chicken cabonara, garlic tortillas
15) Creamy chicken cabonara wraps
16) Spaghetti with blue cheese creamy sauce
17) Spaghetti with blue cheese creamy sauce
18) Baked potatoes, tuna, salad
19) Baked potatoes, tuna, salad
20) Coconut rice, beans, tortillas, mexican tomato sauce
21) Coconut rice, beans, tortillas, mexican tomato sauce
22) Enchillatas, rice, beans
23) Enchillatas, rice, beans
24) Mac n cheese, garlic bread
25) Pita bread, hummus, salad, lamb
26) Stuffed cabbage leaves, rice
27) Pizza
28) Pizza
It’s not kings food but pretty good for $400 a month right??
But remember the key is, nothing premade!
I would never be able to make these meals within budget if i bought the premade jars of sauce, microwave rice, tortillas, pita bread, hummus ect!
Notice that when writing my meals down i group them by meat type.
This helps you to know how much meat you should buy.
We only put a small amount of meat in my meals (enough for nutition & to keep Hubby happy! : )
So I get 4 FAMILY servings out of a large chicken,
4 FAMILY servings out of a kg of mince or similar meat.
(the exception is on “roast night”… we get more meat then, but still not a HEAP.
(note: this is NOT the order that we eat them in : ) I don’t plan for a specific day. I just plan 28 dinners, leaving a few for eating at friends, church or takeaways, then see what i feel like making/eating on the day.
There’s your next step. Writing the meal plan… isn’t it exciting?? : )
So, go get your paper & pen, a cup of tea and start thinking and writing.
GOOD OLD EDMONDS COOKBOOK IS ALWAYS A GOOD PLACE TO START : D
I’ll see you back here soon & we’ll work on writing the shopping list.
