Thanks to a rather expensive (but apparently essential) car repair last week, we need to try and spend as little money as possible between now and pay-day. That means that this weeks meal plan is going to be a ‘whatever we’ve already got in’ week. Luckily, my freezer has quite a lot of reduced bargains that we’ve picked up from the supermarket at the end of the day recently so we shouldn’t starve….
Monday: Sausage, egg, chips and beans.
Tuesday: Macaroni cheese.
Wednesday: Salmon Fishcakes in buns with homemade potato wedges and salad.
Thursday: Either minced beef and onions with dumplings or spaghetti bolognaise – made using a mix of real mince and Quorn mince as I only have a small pack of minced beef in the freezer. I have all the ingredients in for both so we can decide on the day what we fancy.
Friday: I’m going to my friends house for a bit of a girly night with a few friends from work so it’ll probably be mini pizzas, fries and beans for the kids before I go and Mr Frugal can sort himself out which will mean he’ll probably end up having chocolate spread on toast or something equally nutritious!
Saturday: Quesadillas made using Home made wraps with cajun chicken for the grown ups, cheese and beans in for Miss Frugal and a pizza version for Master Frugal with just cheese and tomato sauce or passata. I might attempt some sort of spicy vegetable rice to serve with them although the quesadillas are usually really filling.
Sunday: Chicken, roasties, veg and Yorkshire puddings
So for that little lot, I have everything in and won’t need to buy anything except for cheese, milk and potatoes and the usual fresh fruit and veg.
As I’ve said before, I’m often at the supermarket just before closing as Mr Frugal works till closing a few times a week and I tend to pop down to pick him up which means I can pick up some excellent end of the day bargains which I freeze and use up in the next few weeks meal plans. Its great as I know that when we have a week (or month) where we need to cut back even more, I have a fair amount already in to choose from.
For more menu plan ideas, check out At Home With Mrs M
I love the idea of shopping from your cupboards. We have a cellar and keep our stuff down there and it is just like a corner shop so we don't have to go shopping so regularly. The more often you go shopping the more you will spend in total. And….never go shopping without a list….of course you must only buy what is on the list. Only shop in places you are familair with so you know where to go for each item. In a new shop you will waste time finding what you want and will get distracted and buy what you dont want! Have a look at this related website to pick up some other useful ideas on frugal living without going back to the stone age! http://www.meanygoat.com
Some great tips there – thanks very much for sharing x
I shopped from my cupboards and freezer in January to try and recover from Christmas expenses and it was great. Must admit I was inspired by meal planning by your site already, so it was a perfect complement. It's also amazing what I found lurking in the depths of my cupboards that finally got used up!
January is a nightmare month isn't it?
I'm pleased you've got some meal planning ideas from here too x x
Just a suggestion – I like making my chillis go further by bulking them out with healthy beans (a couple of tins per meal) – and I'm sure that would work well with bolognaise too. And they are so good for you. I had lunch from the cupboards the other day, bubble n squeak with carrots and sweetcorn, so little mash that it was mostly carrot batons fried up with beans and egg YUMMY. -HMx
I never even thought of beans with a bolognaise but I bet it would go really ell with it – I must try that next time and I love the sound of your bubble and squeak x x
Why is it that chocolate spread on toast is a suitable dinner when they have to fend for themselves?? Mine is exactly the same!
lol it's about all he can manage on his own x
About a month ago we did this too and did not buy a thing for a week. We had some really lovely meals its surprising what you can create with what you already have. Some of the recipies were such a hit i did a must go blog post lol. Good luck hope you have sucsess too xx
It is surprising what you make when you have to be a bit more creative – let me know if you do write a post x