So we are TIGHT on money this week. I mean really really tight. So my DH asked me to make up menus and try to plan out the next two weeks. I made up everything, which took less time than I thought. We bought extra chicken breast, because of a sale, but we saved about $100 not buying things I THOUGHT I needed and just buying things I ACTUALLY needed. Wow, what a difference that makes. Plus I bought things that I have never bought before, like fresh fish and turkey breast. I'm trying to cook healthier and fresher. Now, we still have to buy fruit for the next week and bread and milk, but It unbelievable how much difference that made.

Give it a try!

__________________
Sarah

i know! its a no brainer... but i guess i just never though about it the way i do know! i can seriously plan a menu for a month and spend less at the grocery store than i used to in 2 weeks!! its amazing what you think you NEED!!! i'm a convert completely!! i recommend this to EVERYONE!!!

__________________
My choices yesterday create my today. My choices today create my tomorrow.

we were the same way this week and let me tell you the lord blessed us! Just when you think you will be living on pasta, the things i had in my freezer just kept stretching!!!

__________________
Danielle

There are some really good websites out there for frugal meals, I use living on a dime, and other frugal websites. I feed a family of four for about $45 a week. It takes planning but it can be done....

I agree there are loads of great websites out there that offer wonderful and cheap recipes, I signed up with Kraft's food and family magazine, they send it monthly and there are always loads of fantastic recipes in it. Of course everything is geared toward Kraft foods but shredded cheese is shredded cheese even if it is Kroger's own

I also think after two years of being registered with this mag I have maybe over a hundred recipes for chicken and hamburger meat, all of which I can make with what I have in the pantry. All I need is the fresh meat, which of course is on BOGO sale at Kroger's..lol

I just went food shopping earlier and still ended up spending $58 for me and DH! I did not have to buy any diapers or formula for our newborn bc we bought for her last week at the Wholesale club. I keep seeing posts from ladies who can spend less than $21 per family member and I am trying so hard. Milk and juice alone are so expensive here in New England! Any suggestions to cut my grocery spending?

I will say that once I started planning out my month of meals I started saving more at the grocery store. No more am I just guessing what we need, I know exactly what we need and do not veer off my list. What a big savings!

__________________

Check out my weight loss journey ~ sparkpeople.com/mypage.asp?id=MAMAOF3KIDDIES

__________________
Stephanie

I will say by using my menu's I was able to only spend $45 dollars today at the grocery store!!! Pretty excited by that one.

__________________

Check out my weight loss journey ~ sparkpeople.com/mypage.asp?id=MAMAOF3KIDDIES

I know that when I actually sit down and plan out what we are going to ahve I spend way less at the store, the trick for me is to not plan a meal for a specific day, I just plan out several meals and pick each day from the list. I am going to sit down here in a bit and write down what I have in the freexer, cupboards and panty and go from there. I would love to free up some extra cash for Christmas and this could be the way to do it!