Menu

We are serious about saving money around here.  One of the ways that we have saved a lot of money since I started staying home is by very carefully managing our grocery budget.  In fact, it's become somewhat of an obsession of mine to spend as little as possible on groceries and still feed my family decent food.  Over the last few months, I have gone from doing a weekly or bi-weekly shopping trip to a monthly one.  This has really made our grocery budgeting a lot easier, and we save money too.  Everything is planned for the month...sticking to a plan saves money.  Plus, fewer trips to the store, means fewer impulse buys, which means money saved.  So, I've started making a monthly menu and shopping for the whole month.  We still have to make small trips for bread, milk and produce, but Mark usually picks that stuff up for me, which means I'm only going to the grocery store once a month.  (Insert angels singing "Hallelujah" here).

The hardest part is planning a whole month of meals at one time.  Here's our menu for the month...we can get 2, sometimes even 3 meals out of many of the things I make because the girls aren't really eating huge portions yet.  Some nights we will just have sandwiches, and on rare occasions, we eat out.  So, I don't plan something for every night.

1. Cranberry Apple Pork chops
2. Mini Cheddar meat loaves--a friend gave me a recipe for this a couple of years ago...so good.  It's quick and easy, and I usually have all the ingredients on hand.  I'll have to post this recipe in a later post.
3. Beef enchiladas--I'm trying this recipe I found on Pinterest for the first time...hope it's good.
4. Crock Pot cashew chicken
5. Chicken Spaghetti--from Pioneer Woman
6. tacos
7. taco soup--this is one of our favorite soups, and it makes a ton, so you can freeze some for later
8. Crock Pot Red beans and rice--found this on Pinterest, I love how easy and yummy it is
9. Pulled pork sandwiches--Aldi sells pulled pork, already made, and it is really good.  It's nice to have on hand for those nights that you need something quick.
10. White Chicken Chili--this recipe makes a lot.  You can either half it, or make the whole batch and freeze some for later in the month.  It is quick and easy.
11. BBQ ribs
12. Baked Spaghetti--another recipe that I will post in a later post.  It's a good twist on traditional spaghetti, and it is one of Mark's favorite meals.
13. Salmon Patties
14. Pizza
15. Chili

So, what is your family eating this month?  I'm always looking for new ideas. :)