I am an extremely organised person - I can't function unless I feel 'in control' of things. I think it goes back to being married to a very controlling man and being kept in the dark about our financial situation. (Divorce was actually the best thing that ever happened to me - apart from the birth of my babies that is!!). The housekeeping money was dished out every month and woe betide me if I didn't make it stretch to last until payday. I hated having to ask for money for clothes for the children, adult education college fees for me, nursery fees etc. I was treated as a doormat for years, but only realised it when he left!
Knowing what meals to cook for the forthcoming week is also one less thing to think about in an increasingly hectic world!
On a Friday morning, I sit down with my sheet of paper and list the days/dates of the week. Alongside, I list the family commitments for the week (parents' evening, after school clubs, sleepovers etc.). Then I mentally go though what I've got in the cupboards/freezers and what meals I could make out of that. My shopping list is divided into Meat/Fish, Dairy, Fruit/Vegetables, Tins/Packets, Frozen, Pets, Cleaning/Toiletries and Anything Else.
I would like to say that I only buy what is on the list but you have to allow for reduced price items. No point passing up a bargain because it's not on the list. My first stop when shopping is always at the reduced counter (and my shopping is usually done at 'knock-down time' - about 4 p.m.) and anything that's on my list in the reduced section makes me a happy bunny!
If I manage to pick up any meat or fish reduced, it usually goes straight into the freezer or into the slow cooker. Many a casserole or curry started out as a 'yellow sticker' item!
This week's menu plan is as follows:
Friday: Mushroom omelet with goat's cheese salad
(I have plenty of eggs left this week. The goat's cheese was gifted by my friends' going to Australia - they cleaned out their fridge before they went and I was the lucky recipient!)
Saturday: Fish fingers, potato wedges, salad
(Another childhood memory here - Saturday was always taken up with ballet classes in the morning and then 'going down the town' in the afternoon. Saturday tea was often fish finger salad with tinned Heinz potato salad, grated carrot, a few lettuce leaves, sliced tomato, sliced cucumber and Heinz salad cream. Usually eaten whilst watching The Generation Game - nice to see you, to see you nice!!)
Sunday: Chicken & cider casserole, roast potatoes, cauliflower cheese, Yorkshire puddings
(Remember the chicken & cider casserole which was in the slow cooker earlier in the week? Here's the second portion making an appearance from the freezer)
Monday: Jacket potatoes with chilli mince
(Something nice and easy after the weekend. The chilli mince is already in the freezer from a previous batch cooking session)
(Reduced price pack of eight sausages, split into two portions of four and frozen)
Wednesday: Tuna Salad
(Something quick tonight as DD is being presented with her Duke of Edinburgh Award and we have to be at school for 6.45 p.m.)
Thursday: Home made pizza
(Just because!!!)
And there we are, back to the beginning again. Of course, if I was REALLY organised, I would keep the previous three weeks' plans and combine them into a monthly plan and just rotate it according to the seasons! But hey, this will do for now.....
Over to you, dear Reader, do you meal plan? Have you found it helps with the budget? Do you do a MONTHLY plan?
I definitely meal plan. I used to save approx £700 a month on food, for me and my 2 kids (Eeek!!) but through meal planning, and shopping sensibly, i have got it down to £200-£250 a month :)
ReplyDeleteI mean plan weekly, normally by going through what i already have in, what i have batch cooked the previous week, and then whats on offer.
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ReplyDeleteSorry, i meant i used to SPEND £700, not save! God, i hope i get to grips with this blogger thing quickly, hahaha!!
ReplyDeleteBloomin heck woman! I did a double take when I read your first comment! Mind you, £700 is still a lot to spend, let alone save! My grocery/pet budget is about £200 - that's for me, DD15, 4 chickens, 3 spaniels and a neurotic cat. Sometimes it comes in under and sometimes over but never by much. I think meal planning has to be the first thing that anybody new to simple living should adopt as it can save so much money.
DeleteI agree - it's one of the first areas to look at. Partly because you can save an awful lot, but also because it's one of the few areas of their budget that people have immediate control over. Also making frugal food choices tends to keep you focussed as it's something you think about a minimum of three times per day!
ReplyDeleteWe spend about £150/month now for two adults and our giant cat. I bulk-buy, and plan a month's meals in one go. I'll have to blog my monthly method at some point ;-)
Loved your post about your kitty-cat! I will have to look into online petfood suppliers as this is one area that I can still make savings on.
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