“We cannot keep spending this kind of money on takeout.” I declared to my husband after looking at our credit card statement. Food prices are INSANE right now, and lately we have not been making the smartest dinner decisions (I’m looking at you, Door Dash).
In my old age I have come to realize the harder I work to keep up with “hustle culture” the more money I spend on fast food. And childcare. And maid service…lawn care…Door Dash…home deliveries…Amazon Prime…etc…
Convenience is Costly
I grew up financially challenged, so I know a thing or two about struggle meals. In 1983, my mom had a $25 weekly grocery budget for her family of four. She made it happen by planning ahead, shopping sales and NEVER buying things simply for convenience. I was never allowed to have individually packaged Oreos in my lunchbox when she could buy a giant box of Hydrox creme filled chocolate sandwich cookies on sale and portion them out herself.
Those 12-pack cans of Coca-Cola? Pffft. Not when a 3-Liter could go flat in the fridge for a fraction of the price.
Once I BEGGED her to buy Fruit Roll-Ups for my lunchbox so I could be like the cool kids. She finally splurged on a box for my birthday, only to find out I didn’t like the texture. Because they were so expensive, she made me finish the whole box. She never knew that I traded them for my friend’s Teddy Grahams. 1980’s lunchroom Insider Trading was unmatched.
Many of my childhood meals consisted of a mayonnaise sandwich on white bread with a bowl of generic Rice Crisps from the black and white box. Not Rice Krispies, mind you- because full-color boxes of Snap, Crackle and Pop cost way too much. And why would you spend money on real fruit juice when you can mix up a gallon of red Kool-Aid at home?
We don’t talk about the lack of nutritional value, only the lack of monetary value. It’s all we could afford.
To her credit, she did buy a lot of orange juice concentrate in the freezer section that we drank as vaguely-citrus flavored water from a Tupperware pitcher. At least I never contracted Scurvy.
The Age of Inflation
These days, those penny-pinching memories are coming back in full force as I wander the aisles with my mouth agape at the grocery prices. $8 for a box of granola bars? Not when I can make a giant batch at home. $12 for a case of bottled water? Naw. We will just drink from the tap. Frozen pizza? I’ve got flour and yeast in the pantry already. It might take five hours for the dough to rise, but we will eventually eat some pizza.
The trouble with this, of course, is the inconvenience of it all. It takes time to plan and prepare healthy food, and my mental load is already full of kid’s schedules and doctor appointments and work deadlines.
To save my sanity (and yours, if you can relate!) I’ve created a Weekly Meal Planner featuring 140 dinner ideas so I don’t have to *think* quite as much each week.
Do you need help in the easy dinner idea department? If so… read on!
Save Time and Stress Less
Picture this: it’s 5:30 PM on a school night, everyone’s asking, “What’s for dinner?” and you’re staring at the fridge, trying to piece together a meal from random ingredients. Stressful, right? Now multiply that times every single day of your life with kids and try not to cry. With my meal planner, you’ll never have to face that scenario again. You’ll have a plan, a grocery list, and the confidence that dinner is already sorted, seven days a week.
Save Money
Me before meal planning: “Whoops! I almost forgot to grab a bag of Spring mix to rot in my fridge and throw away in a couple weeks.”
Me after meal planning: “I need one head of iceburg lettuce for Marinara Monday and Taco Salad Tuesday and a bag of spinach for Soup Saturday.”
When I shop without a plan, I buy lots of things with good intentions only to throw out half of them because they weren’t used. Now that I’m meal planning, I buy only what I need each week and we use it all up. Nothing goes to waste. Writing a focused grocery list based on your meal plan means fewer impulse buys and less food waste. Also, buying the actual vegetable and chopping it yourself takes a few more minutes each week, but saves tons of money in the long run. Stop overpaying for convenience!
Eat Healthier
My husband and I have both lost over 100 lbs with the help of Mounjaro. We used to LOVE eating out, but nowadays it doesn’t hold the same appeal for us. We all want our families to eat healthier, but it’s tough to find nutritious meals on the fly. My Weekly Meal Planner features balanced, easy dinner ideas that cater to all taste buds. By planning ahead, you can ensure your meals include a variety of veggies, helping everyone in the family feel their best. Plus, homemade meals often have less salt, sugar, and unhealthy fats compared to restaurant dishes. You control it all.
What’s Inside the Budget Meal Planner?
Are you ready to transform your family’s mealtime routine? Right now, I’m offering this Printable Weekly Meal Planner for just $7.00! For the cost of a fancy coffee, this will make your week less hectic, save you money, and help your family eat healthier. In your digital download you’ll find:
- 140 Quick and Easy Recipes: I’m in the kitchen for a good time, not for a long time.
- 140 Customizable Spaces: Add your own family favorites as you discover more.
- Shopping Lists: Focus only on what you need each week. Leave the rest at the store.
- Themes Everyone Loves: You’ve heard of Taco Tuesday, but what about Wok Wednesday?
- Kid-Friendly Meals: Tried and true favorites that even the pickiest eaters will try.
- Budget-Friendly Ideas: Tasty dinners that won’t break the bank.
- Other Meal Plans: A page to plan breakfasts, lunches and snacks make shopping a breeze.
- Dinner Reviews: Kids can rate each week with smiley faces and give feedback for future meals!
Join the Inflation-Busting Revolution
It’s time to take the guesswork out of dinner and enjoy more quality time together.
Grab your planner on sale today and start experiencing the benefits of meal planning. Trust me, your future self will thank you!
