Saturday, September 25th---menu planning

Saturday is my usual meal planning day with shopping on Sunday.  Today went a little differently. It took a lot longer to really think about how much money I could spend. I try to stick to $100 a week for my family of 3.  At the same time, I know if I spend more than that, it will be okay.  I just have to figure out how to cut close to $40.

We eat relatively healthy; fresh fruit and veggies, lean meat, turkey, chicken.  I would like to think that I am pretty good and cooking healthy meals and saving money.  My daughter likes to tell me I am cheap.  So I am really glad she will not be making this weeks trip to the store with me.  My favorite stores to shop are ALDI's and Kroger. 

I went through my recipes and tried for the ones I know are less expensive.  It might be close, I am trying to stick to the meals we are used to eating...going for quality not quantity.

Here is what I came up with:

Monday--Kung Poa Chicken with brown rice
Tuesday--Spaghetti (homemade sauce with whole wheat pasta) and Salad
Wednesday--Sandwiches, Baby carrots, and cucumbers
Thursday--Homemade Olive Garden Zuppa Toscana Soup and Salad
Friday--Slow Cook Red Beans and Rice
Saturday--Meatloaf, baked potatoes, green beans
Sunday--Turkey Tetrazzini

We always eat left overs for lunch.  Breakfasts will consist of cereal, oatmeal, pancakes (I make a bunch and then freeze them), bagels, and eggs.  Hopefully, I will have enough for some fruit and other snacks.  Maybe I am thinking to big.  We shall see.