Ever since hubby took a new job in our home town, we have been temporarily living with his parents. It was a fast move, and a move from a low paying job, so we didn't have any money saved up for a down payment, or a first/last months rent for anything!
I must say, I am so lucky to have such loving, and accomidating in-laws! I don't know what we would have done if we hadn't been able to invade their home!
Since there are 2 familys living here, and 2 different eating styles, my mother-in-law and I have been doing weekly menu planning. When our meal idea's run dry, we have a nice arsonal of cooking magazines and books to browse.
We sit down, with our magazines usually, and pick out some meals we would like to have. We then figure out which days those meals would work better. Why does it matter which days? Well, I go grocery shopping on Mondays, my MIL does too, but she also grocery shops for her mother on Wednesdays. If one of our meals is to be burgers, usually my father-in-law prefers to grill them on his days off (usually Thurs-Sat). So we will plan on the burgers to be one of those days, and MIL will get the burger buns on her grocery trip for her mom, instead of the buns sitting around all week from Monday's shopping trip... ending up not so fresh.
Once we have our menu planned, and days scheduled, we make our lists! We check the refridgerator, pantry, and freezers, then make our list based on what we are missing. We do keep a good stock of meats in the deep freeze. Both my husband and FIL hunt, so we have a good selection of venison, and I stock up on beef, pork and poultry when its on super good sales. I usually get the majority of the produce, since my little family is the main consumer of fresh produce in the house. MIL will usually get the meats, cheeses, and what ever else she and FIL use regularly (coffee, OJ, butter, etc).
I go to the local food co-op once a week and buy raw milk(every week) and raw cheese(every other week) and occasionally produce basket's. I also get certain dairy free and gluten free items my toddler needs.
I have a weekly grocery GOAL! I prefer goal over "budget", because it doesn't seem so negatively constricting. Goal seems more fun, like a challange! How much can I get! My weekly grocery goal is $50. I actually have $75 a week budgeted in our monthly budget. The other $25 per week goes towards my co-op purchase, and grocery goals that over flow by a little.
Most weeks I get an amazing selection of grocery's for under $50! Aldi's is my favorite grocery during the winter months. A plus to Aldi's other than prices, most of their products are USA grown/made. When the season is in, most all of my shopping is done at the farmers market!!
Here is what I got last week for $53 from Aldi's. Re-stocked my canned tomatoes and canned beans (the only canned things I use really, 18 cans total, various sizes), 4 head lettuse mix box, 3 bell peppers, 2 bunches of bananas, 2 plums, 3 kiwis, 1 mango, blueberrys, strawberries, frozen chicken thighs, 2 packages of frozen Ravoili's (made enough for 1 meal and 2 days of left overs....was a meatless meal!), 3lbs of shredded cheese, sour cream, a loaf of bread and pound of sandwich meat for hubby's lunches (when there are no left overs), veggie chips (splurge), and 2 loaves of Italian bread (minimal ingredients! and I recognise all of them!).
I must say, I am so lucky to have such loving, and accomidating in-laws! I don't know what we would have done if we hadn't been able to invade their home!
Since there are 2 familys living here, and 2 different eating styles, my mother-in-law and I have been doing weekly menu planning. When our meal idea's run dry, we have a nice arsonal of cooking magazines and books to browse.
We sit down, with our magazines usually, and pick out some meals we would like to have. We then figure out which days those meals would work better. Why does it matter which days? Well, I go grocery shopping on Mondays, my MIL does too, but she also grocery shops for her mother on Wednesdays. If one of our meals is to be burgers, usually my father-in-law prefers to grill them on his days off (usually Thurs-Sat). So we will plan on the burgers to be one of those days, and MIL will get the burger buns on her grocery trip for her mom, instead of the buns sitting around all week from Monday's shopping trip... ending up not so fresh.
Once we have our menu planned, and days scheduled, we make our lists! We check the refridgerator, pantry, and freezers, then make our list based on what we are missing. We do keep a good stock of meats in the deep freeze. Both my husband and FIL hunt, so we have a good selection of venison, and I stock up on beef, pork and poultry when its on super good sales. I usually get the majority of the produce, since my little family is the main consumer of fresh produce in the house. MIL will usually get the meats, cheeses, and what ever else she and FIL use regularly (coffee, OJ, butter, etc).
I go to the local food co-op once a week and buy raw milk(every week) and raw cheese(every other week) and occasionally produce basket's. I also get certain dairy free and gluten free items my toddler needs.
I have a weekly grocery GOAL! I prefer goal over "budget", because it doesn't seem so negatively constricting. Goal seems more fun, like a challange! How much can I get! My weekly grocery goal is $50. I actually have $75 a week budgeted in our monthly budget. The other $25 per week goes towards my co-op purchase, and grocery goals that over flow by a little.
Most weeks I get an amazing selection of grocery's for under $50! Aldi's is my favorite grocery during the winter months. A plus to Aldi's other than prices, most of their products are USA grown/made. When the season is in, most all of my shopping is done at the farmers market!!
Here is what I got last week for $53 from Aldi's. Re-stocked my canned tomatoes and canned beans (the only canned things I use really, 18 cans total, various sizes), 4 head lettuse mix box, 3 bell peppers, 2 bunches of bananas, 2 plums, 3 kiwis, 1 mango, blueberrys, strawberries, frozen chicken thighs, 2 packages of frozen Ravoili's (made enough for 1 meal and 2 days of left overs....was a meatless meal!), 3lbs of shredded cheese, sour cream, a loaf of bread and pound of sandwich meat for hubby's lunches (when there are no left overs), veggie chips (splurge), and 2 loaves of Italian bread (minimal ingredients! and I recognise all of them!).
Then at the co-op that week, I had ordered a yummy produce basket, and picked up my milk and a dozen eggs. The produce basket had kale, celery, potatoes, pears, onions, carrots, and broccoli! yum!
