…and I’m tired of it being my waistline and my monies.
A friend of mine (*cough* Dru *cough*) is always teasing me about my obsession over money and my budget. He’s right though, I do obsess about it. I’m completely fine with my obsessing over my accounts though.
Other than my set bills (and this past couple of months the Vet), food is my highest expenditure currently. I spent around $450* on food last month. WHAT?! Yeah, I am still in shell shock over that one. I honestly don’t see how that’s possible for one person to do, but I managed to do it! Well, I’m here to tell you that it will not happen again.
[Author edit: The $450 for "groceries/food" includes any household item, toiletries, dog food, etc. It's not strictly food. I have since reworked my budget and am trying to find ways of separating so that the monies set aside for food are actually going to just food. My budgeting software allows me to split a total. It's really just up to me to take the time to do the calculations and make those needed splits.]
No more fast food. Say it with me, folks – NO MORE FAST FOOD! That’s right. I am cutting myself off. It takes 28 days… 21 days… whatever, it takes about a month to make a habit. I’ve let myself eat fast food for way too long. So, beginning Monday (essentially this weekend since I won’t be going out to eat anywhere either) the fast food consumption ends… at least for the next 4 weeks. I have made a menu plan!
I got the idea of meal planning from FlyLady. I’ve mentioned her site before. I’ve just been putting it off. I’ve also been reading some various blogs about being frugal, minimalism, and not wasting things. One in particular that I love is The Frugal Girl. She has given me so many tips and ideas that I’ve used and I just love her blog.
From those different avenues of inspiration I have finally pulled together a menu plan. First, I inventoried my fridge, freezer, and cabinet so that I would know what I was working with here. The trick is to write everything down and include quantity. It makes it a little easier anyway. Next, I typed all of the inventoried food into an Excel spreadsheet in its own categories like so:
After making my food inventory spreadsheet, I then started to work on my meal plan. Yes, it is also a spreadsheet.
I know there are blanks. I can’t think of anything else and I have a feeling I’ll have used up all of my “good” stuff and then be left with sandwiches for the last week. I’m fine with that and if I have to do that then so be it. I like sandwiches. You can make all kinds of hot or cold sandwiches.
I also know that there isn’t a lot of variation in meals. I like what I like. I’m not going to go all extravagant and have a 9 course meal when it’s just me. I’m also still learning to cook for just one person and it’s not easy. I always make way too much. Case in point, yesterday I made stew. I froze some of it so I won’t be wasting a lot of it. I’m sure I’ll have it for dinner tonight, maybe tomorrow, and then you can see when I have it planned out for my menu.
Another thing that I did was jot down a few things that I do make. This isn’t everything, but it’s what I could think of.
Anyone have any thoughts on more meal ideas, recipes, or a better way to menu plan? I’m open for any suggestions and if you don’t menu plan, you spend too much eating out or at the grocery store, and you find yourself wasting food, you might consider it.
Spreadsheets to organize your personal life? You’ve just upped your sex appeal by an order of magnitude.
I am a super nerd about spreadsheets. I don’t own a checkbook ledger. It’s an Excel spreadsheet. LOL
Ok, we are about to head out to get pumpkins, but we don’t eat out. In fact, we cut that out about a year ago, for our waistlines and for our wallet. For 3 people (me, D and Jas) I spend 100-160 a week. I order groceries online which further helps because there is no impulse buying. It really makes you cut down when you see it adding up in your cart online. When I get back from pumpkin hunting I’ll get you a list of my “normal” meals and maybe you can choose a few to try to broaden your horizons!
You’re gonna love eating at home. We do treat ourselves to a breakfast biscuit once a week, but that’s about it.
Good for you! Cutting out fast food is good for your financial AND physical health.
So far so good! I drive by a McDonald’s every morning on my way to work. I really feel like an addict. I had my breakfast with me (I’m not hungry when I first wake up and by the time I’m at work I’m hungry for something) and I still had the urge to stop at McD’s. I resisted though. I can do this.
Betcha thought I wasn’t going to get here! Ok, just going to list our “staples” for dinner. Seems everyone has their monthly menu and repeat it, so I like to see what other people are eating and throw something new in once in a while. I’ve also read through your list to see if I duplicated anything.
Dinners:
Kielbasa (or beef sausage)and Au Gratin potatoes
Chicken enchiladas
Taco ring (one of my favs and is easy)
Lemon pepper chicken and a side (usually steamers brown rice or broccoli/cheese)
Italian bread crumb chicken (instead of shake n bake)
Alfredo with tortellini (we use Mccormick alfredo packet, and buitoni green tortellini or frozen store brand tortellini
Breakfast burritos – hash browns (buy a frozen bag), eggs, cheese, sausage or bacon
7 layer dip/chips – gr beef, guac, beans, sr cream, cheese, tomato, onion/salsa and chips of your choice
Hamburger helper – we have one a week
Subs – turkey, ham, roast beef
Cajun chicken sub – mccormick cajun seasoning, chicken strips, white american, onions/peppers on a sub roll
Salad – eggs, edamame, ham/turkey, cheese, bacon bits, onions, mushrooms, tomato, cucumber, croutons, lettuce/spinach
Side dishes:
Steamers (Green Giant or Birds Eye Frozen veggies) Brown rice, broc/cheese, green bean casserole, healthy veggie mixes
Frozen veggies – lima beans, green beans, carrots, black eyed peas
Mac n Cheese (velveeta or stouffers frozen)
Rice a roni or Steamed rice
Cheese potatoes
Baked potatoes
If I can think of anything else I’ll let you know.