Blimey, I didn't realise sending my son to University would be quite as expensive as it is turning out! I have had to make some changes to the household budget and am now on a mission to save as much as possible to keep my lad in Super Noodles for the next three (or more) years.
I have already managed to stash £100 in the Uni pot by cutting down at the supermarket this month. I've been using what I already have in my bulging freezers, food cupboards and fridge. I already cook a lot of meals from stratch but I've been making a weekly menu plan and doing lots of baking. It's suprising what a difference it all makes and I've not been throwing food away which is a bonus. Making double quantities of things like bolognese, chilli etc and freezing them as not only saved me money but time too. In fact, I am spending much less time in the supermarket and I love knowing exactly what we are having every night. So much easier to get on with tea when i get in from work and am too tired to think!
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This weeks meal plan
breakfasts - porridge with fruit or toast
lunch - homemade soup (tomato & lentil/leek & potato) with bread plus fruit or yogurt
dinners
Monday - Stew and dumplings
Tuesday - fish with parley sauce, mash & veg
Wednesday - 'on toast' night (everyone is back from work and then out doing various activities so we have a quick meal)
Thursday - lasagne with salad and garlic bread
Friday - chicken curry and rice
Saturday - only me in for dinner so I will have some of the left over curry, with a glass or two of wine while I watch X Factor
Sunday - roast dinner and a homemade pud (treacle sponge & custard)
Bake of the week - Carrot Cake :)
Awww, can I come and live with you? Your menu sounds delicious!
Posted by: dottycookie | October 17, 2009 at 05:49 PM
We've just enjoyed our curry in front of X-Factor too!Home-made of course, I've reduced my food bills this year by planning ahead more and not throwing anything away if I can help it...I like the sound of your menu, have a good week.
Posted by: gill | October 17, 2009 at 10:39 PM
I'm getting back into meal planning - its a great way to save money. I find I become more creative when I have to watch the pennies. Perhaps we could share ideas? I adopted an idea once that I had seen on Martin's money saving website. It involved having a "greasy spoon cafe" day IE sausage or egg chips and beans (I used to do the Slimmers World chips). A jacket potato day, an egg day - I used to due Omlettes or Frittata A roast day with the leftovers used in the following days meal etc etc. By the way, my lot love the chips egg and beans meal the most!! How cheap is that! Hope he likes Uni - does he bring you his washing home?
Posted by: Diane | October 18, 2009 at 07:27 PM
Menu planning is great! I hate the 'oh what am I cooking tonight' last minute thinking and have, over time, come up with about 4 weeks worth of different meals so my lot get a bit of variety. I check at the weekend what's coming up during the week, choose meals to work around what's going on and shop accordingly. Plus there's a packet of fish fingers in the freezer for when things go wrong!
Lisa x
Posted by: Lisa | October 22, 2009 at 09:18 PM