Family Balance Sheet

MARCH 2, 2011

The weeks that I take the time to plan the menu are the weeks that I have control over our spending. The weeks were I don’t menu plan are the weeks that I’m at the grocery store multiple times or we get take out multiple times, leading to an out of control grocery spending. Menu planning saves me time.

Menu Planning 138

Menu Planning Menu Plans Economical Kitchen 138

Family Balance Sheet

FEBRUARY 8, 2012

The next time you make your menu plan and grocery list, instead of glancing through the sales circulars for ideas, challenge yourself to see what's lurking in your freezer and pantry. While you're at it, make a list of what you have on hand and try to eat through the list.

Freezers 153

Freezers Economical Kitchen Shopping 153

Family Balance Sheet

MARCH 9, 2011

Menu Plan As I have written before, groceries are the one category that I feel like I have the most control over when it comes to spending. When I plan a menu, my spending is generally under control. When I don't plan, I am sure to blow the budget. That is a lot of money, so I plan a menu.

Economical 164

Economical Saving Money Kitchen Money 164

Family Balance Sheet

JANUARY 18, 2012

A clean and organized pantry will make menu planning easier for me. That was 2 months before I got married and I was not much of a cook back then, so I'm not quite sure what I was doing with a bottle of Cayenne. I guess it has been some time since I weeded out my spices. I ended up throwing 7 bottles of out-dated spices away.OUCH!

Economical 113

Economical Kitchen Organic Organization 113

Family Balance Sheet

JANUARY 9, 2012

I started a new weekly series in 2011 called, Kitchen Economics. Easy Summer Menu Planning. Eleven Simple Tips For Easier Menu Planning. Every Wednesday, I post a quick tip to help you save money in the kitchen. Batch Cooking and Freezing: Chicken Breasts for Future Use. Buttermilk Substitute. Stop Wasting Food.

Grocery Spending 159

Grocery Spending Groceries Grocery Menu Planning 159

Family Balance Sheet

NOVEMBER 24, 2014

If you are hosting or just taking a dish, I put together a comprehensive post last year to help you make the day stress-free, Thanksgiving Menu Planning Tips & Recipe Ideas. I then use the leftovers for my meal planning. Kitchen Economics Saving Money - During the Holidays' Please share in the comments.

Thanksgiving 124

Thanksgiving Dinner Leftovers Menu Planning 124

Family Balance Sheet

JANUARY 8, 2014

By planning our meals around what I have on hand, what is on sale at the grocery store, and what my family likes to eat, I have been able to reduce our grocery bill to a number that I am comfortable with for our budget. But that one week where I don’t menu plan or do a shoddy job on it, is the week that I’ll blow my budget.

Meals 186

Meals Simple Menu Planning Menu Plans 186