Grocery Shopping "High" and just say "No" to boxed meals
I just got back from the grocery store and I am so excited about how "I did". I came in about $25 under budget and even had enough room to buy some "snacky" things. I am just beside myself about it. I know, I know, I am a big dork for getting excited over this.
I decided to do my grocery shopping for 2 weeks this time. I planned our menu out, so I know exactly what we are having each night. We used to rely on things like Hamburger Helper a lot, however I set out on a mission to not have any "boxed meals" in our menu. I decided this for 2 reasons really.
First, although they are really convenient and easy, and you can find "smoking deals" on them from time to time, they really just aren't enough. For our family, even though it is just the three of us, it barely makes enough for us all... and we are still a little hungry afterwards. I can find plenty of other meals that use a pound of ground beef and stretch it a lot further. For instance we had Taco Salads tonight, for that easy simple recipe click here. It made enough for us to have seconds and plenty for lunch tomorrow.
Secondly, I have absolutely no idea what all is in those boxes! But I am pretty sure we can make a much better dinner that is probably a lot healthier that uses real cheese instead of a weird cheese powder substance. Now don't get me wrong, I will be the first to tell you that we don't eat as well as we should, and we by no means "watch what we eat". However, I feel that if we do away with these boxed meals, we will be in a better place than we are now.
So I am committed to making meals from scratch. It may take a little longer in prep time, but I can do some things the night before. In addition, I have several crock pot recipes on our menu. When I made our menu, I was a little afraid that we would go over our budget on groceries ($150 for the 2 weeks), but again, I am just so excited that we came in way under budget. I don't know if this was just a fluke week or not, but if not then it may prove easier to shop for 2 weeks at a time with a meal plan, that it is for 1 week.
Way to go!! We all know that I'm not good at grocery shopping. I always spend too much. Pa will be so proud of his Ju-ju for moving away from "boxed fast food" (as calls it.)
I switched to doing my grocery shopping every 2 weeks a few months ago and it has helped a lot with staying in budget. For some reason I just find it easier? Not sure why...but I'm not messing with what works =) I usually aim to leave about $25 in the budget for that second week for milk, fruit, and all the other things that just don't keep for two weeks.
We still occasionally do a boxed meal...still working on that one...but you've inspired me to maybe stop =)