And here we are again. Another week of meal planning. Do you know that meal planning can be as simple as you want it.
I probably spent 10 minutes planning ours this week. Only because I have been borrowing cookbooks from the library and had a nice idea of the recipes I can make with the protein we have in our freezer.
But I just grab my small left over coupon paper, you know how it ends up in all weird sizes, and write down the days and then what I am going to serve.
Sides are always simple if we have them.
And there the stress of what to eat and prepare and buy is just about all done!
I have stocked up on a lot of items which is great when it comes to staying in a tight budget for groceries because meat and produce are the most expensive things.
Our Farmer’s markets are opening and soon our garden will be bursting with fresh food. I hope anyways;)
Summer is all about simple, light, grilled food. And Ice cold beverages, wouldn’t ya say??
If you are new to this series you can start here. The reason I am trying out this whole staying in a budget deal 🙂 (Wow I just realized I have been doing this since Jan. already!!!)
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My Tops Trip:
*If you want to see all the coupon deals and sales at Tops head on over here
2 Pirate Booty Puffs $2 each
Used two $0.75/1 printable coupons doubled here
Final Price: $1
1 Organic Mushrooms $2.79
1- Organic Chickpeas $1
1- Organic Baby Carrots-$1.99
Will redeem for $0.25/1 Checkout 51 offer here
2 Simply Lemonade $2.50 each
Used two $0.75/1 printable coupons doubled here( NLA)
Final Price: $2
1 Herbal Essence Body Wash $2.50
Used the $0.75/1 Printable coupon doubled here( zipcode 28262)
Final Price: $1
Used the $2 off a $10 Tops Organic Store coupon
Total Before Savings: $24.42
Total After Savings: $8.20
I earned 52 gas points and I am now at 844! So almost $0.90/gallon of gas!
We had leftover gift card that we received last week that I used.
So $0 from this trip is coming out of my budget! ( I only had $10 left!)
BJ’s Wholesale club:
To see all the deals at BJ’s go here
1 8 lb. bag of Navel Oranges
1 pack of Tilapia Grilled Fish- $11.99
Used the $1/1 Sea Cuisine Coupon from Mambo Sprouts mailer
Used the $3/1 Bjs front of store coupon
Final Price: $9.99
1 3 lb. bag of Organic Sweet Potatoes $3.29
3 lbs of Strawberries-$5.79( That was cheaper than Walmart and Tops price per lb. Not sure about ALdi’s)
1 10 lb bag of King Arthur Flour. I finally had to buy flour after that King Arthur Stock up and Monk’s Bread deals at Tops!- The coupon is still here for King Arthur Flour if you haven’t printed it yet!
1 bunch of Bananas $1.39
Used $0.20/1 Ibotta Offer here
Not shown in picture-
36 Eggs- $7.999 (Will last longer than a week!)
Used the $0.20/1 Eggs Ibotta offer here
Berkley and Jensen Strawberry Raspberry Granola 2 lbs.$6.99( first time buying it SOOO GOOD!)
Cheese Head String Cheese 36 ct. $6.99
Use the $0.50/1 printable coupon here( NLA I believe)
Total: $54.71
Then a quick trip to Walmart- I usually get my dairy items from Aldi’s but I only needed milk and butter and Walmart is closer!
Walmart:
2 lbs. of Butter $5.98
1- Gallon of whole milk $2.09- I do believe that Aldi has milk for $1.79 this week?!
Total: $8.07
My Total Spent This week: $62.13
Here is our meal menu for the next 7 days!
Breakfast
Cereal- still lots from the last cereal deal at Tops
Eggs
Homemade Cinnamon Rolls
Lunch
Pb& J Sandwiches
Tuna Sandwiches
Fruit Smoothies
Dinner
Grilled Tilapia with baked sweet potatoes
Grilled Venison steak with Chickpea Salad
Venison Burgers with caramelized onions and mushrooms and fries
Chicken Stir Fry
Feta and Spinach Frittata
Homemade Pizza
Garlic Baked butterfly Chicken Breasts with steamed Broccoli and Carrots
Inspiring! I always start meal planning, realize how much it benefits us, and then, for whatever reason, slide back into “What are we eating today?” This is the perfect time to start back on meal planning and stick with it!
I’m coming to you from CWBU on Facebook. What great advice. I spend way too much on groceries and it’s not because I’m being all extravagant. I’m really trying to make healthy meals at a low cost. I’ve been told I should shop at Aldi much more. I joined your FB group and I’m excited to learn more!
Hi Melanie! Aldi is a great place to shop to cut back on the expense of groceries!