So, here’s some food for thought: Good meals don’t have to cost a fortune. Even if you could afford prime rib three times a week, would you really want to eat it that often? Should you be eating it that often? Of course not. One of the beautiful aspects of home cooked meals is the variety and creativity that goes into them. Another idea to consider is this: Good meals and bad habits cannot coexist. So, in order to make room for good meals, get rid of these easy traps for eating out:
Sure there might be healthy options, but they won’t save you any money. Feeding a family of four at a well-known fast food restaurant runs close to $20 (not including dessert). For that money, you could make a healthy baked pasta primavera, salad, bread, dessert. Or, homemade chicken tacos, rice, beans, chips, and dessert. If you like to treat your family to “fun” meals, make them at home. Burgers, chicken strips, and pizza – they’re all doable and will be far more enjoyable. A large delivered pizza (16-inch) can also run about $20 – even more with delivery. You could make close to three large pizzas for that price. Make Meals and Saving a Family ProjectFor grade-school kids with reading skills, delegate the coupon hunting to them. Older kids can help with menu planning (even researching ideas) as well as cooking and cleaning. But these family meals also have a goal: To save money for a really great payoff. So, what would you like to save for? Here are a few suggestions:
Saving money for something rewarding also reinforces good savings habits. And the whole dinner table conversation shifts about healthy food, new recipes, and what to look forward to. How to Create Better Family MealsEvery successful savings plan starts with a budget. So do the same with your grocery list. Once you know how much money you have to work with, you can look for savings. Need paper towels? Check the Sunday paper for sales or coupons. Go online to surf for coupons. Every grocery store has protein on sale every week. Stock up on chicken and start researching recipes or cuisines: French, Mediterranean, Italian, or Eastern European. And each style of cooking utilizes grains and starches, not only as meal stretchers but because prepared well are delicious. And the simplicity in the dishes is a thing of beauty. Sometimes doing meal makeovers can be overwhelming. Don’t sabotage your efforts by trying to accomplish everything at once. If you’re not comfortable with the “Meatless Mondays” idea, try serving less meat: Buy two small steaks and make steak sandwiches, homemade baked potatoes, and a vegetable. No one will walk away hungry. And don’t overlook the value of leftovers – not only do they save you money but they give you a day off in the kitchen. The Potential Problem with “Budget Dinners”Some of the recipes we researched think that squash soup is a respectable dinner for 4. I’m married to a recreational hockey play and that’s not going to work for him. If you have pre-teens or teens, that might be stretching the idea of “dinner.”
However, you can serve a hearty soup (vegetable beef, chicken tortilla soup) and supplement the meal with a grilled cheese, quesadillas or nachos, or a salad. Another issue for me is “portion size.” You don’t have to miserly dole out a ladle full of pasta to save money. Bulk up meals with whole grains and fresh or frozen vegetables. Even a simple fruit salad (or apple slices) can be a welcome addition to dinner. You don’t have to go hungry to save a bit of money. And always do what’s best for your family. In the long run, you’ll feel fuller in your stomach and your wallet.
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