I am so excited to finally be able to offer you all not only a monthly meal plan, but one that contains thrifty meal ideas for the whole family!! Over the years I have found that when we plan out our meals for the week, we spend so much less at the store than if we just buy every couple days and decide on a whim.
That being said, it isn’t always easy to find new meals and not get stuck in a rut. So, I wanted to find meals that were not only delicious, but thrifty too! With growing kids and multiple mouths to feed, the grocery bill seems to take the biggest hit in our house.
Not only do I have 31 thrifty meals planned out for you, I also included some thrifty breakfast, lunch and snack ideas as well! I know my kids love snacks and typically go for chips or salty treats, so I want try and mix things up a bit and give them some healthier options that won’t break the bank.
I have included a variety of tasty chicken and beef meals for you to choose from. I do not include sides with this plan, because I am a fan of using the ingredients you have at home. If you grow a garden, use some fresh produce for a salad or side of veggies. If you find a good sale on canned corn or green beans, stock up on those and use them when appropriate for side dishes. I really want the meal plan to help you, not cause you more stress by sending you to the store several times a week for more food.
Some of you may ask why I don’t give you a full month of breakfasts, lunches and snacks. Well frankly, it’s because my family is terrible at those meals. In all seriousness though, my kids are not big breakfast eaters. Yes, I know it’s the most important meal of the day, but I have several late sleepers, so they typically skip breakfast and just eat lunch. Our lunches typically rotate between 3-4 different items that all my children will eat – again…thrifty is the name of the game. And snacks…well, I have a couple kids that love fruits and veggies, but most of the time my kids want chips for their snacks, so I’m definitely not creative in that department.
Also, we eat a lot of leftovers for our lunches. If we cook in bulk or have a special pizza night, we save the leftovers for lunch in a couple days. That is another thrifty way we save big on food.
Overall, I hope you enjoy this new monthly installment. If you have a favorite recipe that is family and budget friendly, simple to make and tastes delicious, feel free to contact me for inclusion in a future meal plan!
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