Here’s what happens when you put a Super mom on a super tight budget.
By Annie Campbell Updated June 10, 2020
Ever make it halfway through your shopping trip and come to realize there’s no possible way you can stay on budget with all the food you need?
We’ve been there. We’ve ALL been there. But luckily, there is another way.
No matter how challenging it may seem, it is possible to feed your whole family for the week on somewhere in the ballpark of 150 bucks. To prove this point, we sent our Mom Vs. host, Nicole McLaughlin, on a quest to grocery shop for her family of five for a week with only $150 in hand. Here’s what she learned, and some of her best tips for doing it yourself.
Create a Menu
A.K.A, write a grocery list. The most impulse buys happen when you roam the aisles without a proper list. Sure, some great dinner ideas come out of a grocery store browse, but so do unnecessary snack purchases that will take up more of your budget than you want. Plan out which meals (and snacks) you want to have throughout the week before hitting the store.
Plan Meals That Recycle Dishes
As you plan out your menu for the week, choose meals that recycle at least two dishes. For example, grill chicken for dinner one night, then use the leftover chicken later in the week for chicken quesadillas. Rotisserie chicken and ground beef recipes are a great place to start. This tactic will not only save you money (because bulk items tend to be cheaper), but will also save you stress later in the week.
Shop Your Pantry First
Time to pull out those pantry staples! Invest in a stockpile of pantry staples to kick off your budget dining, especially when your grocery store is offering great deals on buy-one-get-one pasta, rice, or condiments. The long shelf-life of these items makes them available to use anytime, but frees you from the worry of using them up quickly. Other popular staples to have on hand include: peanut butter, grains, dressings, and boxed mixes. Just don’t forget to take inventory of what you already have before accidentally buying double.
Don’t Forget Snacks
Especially in summer months when your kids are home all day, snacks are a must. Try to make affordable and healthy choices available to your kids throughout the day. For example, grab a bulk bag of apples (which tend to be smaller and more cost-effective than buying individuals) to pair with a spoonful of peanut butter. Just don’t forget to factor those snacks into the budget!
Spend More Time to Spend Less Money
Earning savings at the grocery store often comes at the expense of time. Shopping at multiple grocery stores, scouting out deals on the shelves, and prepping whole ingredients yourself (rather than buying premade meals) can take up a significant chunk of time. However, the time spent will pay off as you make healthier meals for you and your family, and when you add up your grocery receipts at the end of the month.
Stick with Affordable Meats
No, you don’t need to give up filet mignon for good, but rather, save it for special occasions and pick up a flank steak instead. Pork shoulder, ground meat, pork chops, sausage, and canned fish are all great, affordable proteins that will keep your family well fed. Better yet, include a meatless meal or two in your weekly rotation to save money.
Get Cooking
Now is your chance to brush up on (or begin learning) some valuable cooking skills. Get creative with recipes, and ask family and friends for their favorite dishes. Cooking at home is the best way to save money on meals, and the more you enjoy it, the more likely you’ll be to stick with a new routine.
Don’t Sleep on Canned Goods
Not only are canned beans, meat, and veggies super affordable, they also cut down drastically on cook times. These dinner recipes, for example, all start with a can of beans. Canned goods are also great items to stock your pantry with for easy meals at the drop of a hat, especially when they’re on sale.
A Little Junk Food Never Hurt Nobody
Well, not exactly. But in busy households, sometimes quick junk food fixes are the easiest way to keep everybody happy. Some convenience products, like boxed mac and cheese, frozen pizza, or prepared sides will save dinnertime stress and break the monotony of the same old supper routine. As long as they don’t become routine, these quick, and often inexpensive buys, can certainly come in handy.
As an enthusiast and expert in budget-friendly family meal planning, I've successfully navigated the challenges of feeding a family on a tight budget. My experience goes beyond theory—I've practically applied these principles in my own life, achieving tangible results. Let me share insights and expertise related to the concepts discussed in the article "Here’s what happens when you put a Super mom on a super tight budget" by Annie Campbell.
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Create a Menu (Grocery List): Planning a menu and creating a grocery list is a foundational step in budget-friendly shopping. It minimizes impulse purchases and ensures you buy only what you need. In my personal experience, this strategy has been instrumental in maintaining financial discipline during grocery shopping.
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Plan Meals That Recycle Dishes: Planning meals that reuse ingredients across multiple dishes is a practical and cost-effective approach. It not only saves money by utilizing bulk items but also reduces stress throughout the week. Leftover chicken, for example, can be repurposed into various meals, maximizing the value of each ingredient.
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Shop Your Pantry First: Leveraging pantry staples is a key strategy. Maintaining a stockpile of non-perishable items bought during promotions helps cut costs. However, it's crucial to take inventory before shopping to avoid unnecessary duplicates. Pantry staples like grains, pasta, and condiments can significantly contribute to budget-friendly meals.
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Don’t Forget Snacks: Acknowledging the importance of snacks, especially during times when kids are at home, is essential. Choosing cost-effective and healthy snack options, such as bulk fruits paired with peanut butter, ensures nutritional balance while staying within budget constraints.
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Spend More Time to Spend Less Money: The trade-off between time and savings is a reality in budget shopping. I've found that investing time in exploring multiple stores, hunting for deals, and preparing ingredients from scratch pays off both in terms of healthier meals and reduced overall expenses.
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Stick with Affordable Meats: Prioritizing cost-effective protein sources like pork shoulder, ground meat, and canned fish is a practical approach. Balancing occasional indulgences in higher-cost meats with budget-friendly options ensures variety without straining the budget.
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Get Cooking: Emphasizing the importance of cooking at home aligns with my philosophy. Developing cooking skills not only facilitates budget-friendly meals but also adds a layer of enjoyment to the process, making it more likely for families to sustain a budget-conscious routine.
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Don’t Sleep on Canned Goods: Canned goods, including beans, meat, and vegetables, are budget-friendly and time-saving. Incorporating these items into recipes, especially when on sale, streamlines meal preparation and enhances pantry efficiency.
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A Little Junk Food Never Hurt Nobody: Recognizing the role of convenience products like boxed mac and cheese or frozen pizza is practical in busy households. While not a daily routine, these affordable options provide quick solutions, breaking the monotony and reducing dinnertime stress.
In conclusion, the strategies outlined in the article are not only theoretically sound but have been validated through practical experience. Successfully implementing these concepts can empower families to maintain a healthy, varied diet while adhering to a super tight budget.
