Tag: meal planning

Our Money-Saving Grocery Shopping Rules

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I started writing some about my grocery shopping process back in my practical meal planning blogpost. I ended up writing way too much to include there, so I decided to dedicate a whole blogpost to this topic. Apparently, I have a lot to say! (No surprise there.) Today, I’m sharing my money-saving grocery shopping “rules”:

  • Make a list of what you need (and stick to it)!
  • Grocery shop (only!) once per week.
  • Buy the food you need for (only!) one week.
  • Only stock up on pantry staples when they’re on sale.
  • Think about how much your ingredients cost.
  • Sometimes, your time is more important than your money.

Now that you have the basics, keep reading to hear a little more about each rule and why it helps us save money grocery shopping!

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Practical Meal Planning (& A Free Printable Meal Planner)

MichelleLeave a comment

Let me start by saying what my main goal of meal planning is: making things easier for myself. As a new mom, I struggle with getting dinner on the table each night unless I plan ahead. I think meal planning can be overwhelming for some people, but remember that it doesn’t have to be! Meal planning does NOT have to mean trying 5 new recipes in a week; you’re the one calling the shots here. That means that sometimes my meal plan looks like spaghetti, frozen pizza, and takeout. Planning my meals for the week saves me time, money, and energy – and who wouldn’t want more of those things?

Meal planning means I never run into the dreaded “it’s-4-o’clock-and-I-have-no-idea-what’s-for-dinner” situation. I don’t have to scramble at the last minute to throw something together, I don’t have to pick up fast food because I have nothing to make, and I don’t have to feel guilty about making frozen pizza for dinner because it’s planned ahead of time. This is the magic of meal planning!

That being said, I found that I needed a printable meal planner that works for me. My biggest needs in a meal planning method are: (1) flexibility, (2) a way to “look ahead” to the following week, and (3) a space for notes and meal prep plans. I couldn’t find a meal planner that worked for me, so I created one! Today, I’m sharing a bit about how I meal plan and giving you my free printable meal planner!

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Meal Plan / Week of 03-14-16

MichelleLeave a comment

weekly meal planning meal plan for the week

Hello friends! I am back blogging again after several totally crazy weeks of tests! I just finished my spring break and I’m feeling refreshed and ready to take on the last few weeks of college. Some of Scott’s family came over for dinner yesterday and we made one of our favorite dishes, a southwest casserole (filled with delicious things like chicken, black beans, corn, and cheese) – recipe for that should be coming soon! I also have the easiest fruit dump cake recipe coming up, so be on the lookout for that too! (I just have so many recipes that I want to share with you all that it’s tough to keep up.)

I’ve really been enjoying the warm weather we’ve been having already – it actually feels like spring, which is pretty unusual for western PA this early in the year. I love the warm weather and the ability to spend lots of time outside, so I’ve been very happy about it! Here’s our meal plan for the week.

Meal Plan – Week of 3/14/16

  • monday – lemon basil chicken pasta 
  • tuesday – (dinner with family)
  • wednesday – honey sesame chicken + rice + broccoli (recipe coming soon!)
  • thursday – date night! (dinner out)
  • friday – chicken alfredo + broccoli
  • saturday – pizza (my favorite meal of the week!)
  • sunday – white bean chicken chili