There I was laughing and giggling with the girls. Finally just lost in the moment with my kids. Happy that I got one load of laundry washed, dried AND put away. Extremely happy that I got ONE sink full of dishes done, still sitting on the counter but hey! Soaking in the moment of being able to play with my kids without any other “to do” going through my mind.
And then there it was.
3:45 p.m.
Oh no. My Husband was going to be home in 20 minutes. I HAVE NO IDEA what I’m making for dinner. I forgot that I didn’t have my next week’s menu planned.
First thought- CHINESE TAKEOUT.
Second thought- Bank Account
Third thought- Do I have anything frozen?
Many times I have let myself get caught up like this and just scramble. A few years ago I would have DIED at serving just fish sticks and steamed broccoli to my kids.
A few years ago just seasoning up a delicious steak with grilled veggies would have been ok, but I would have had to have a salad and maybe another side.
And our meat portions.
Oh yeah they would have to be huge.
You want to end the frazzled moments of getting dinner on the table?
Do you want to stop spending money on fast food or restaurants all the time?
Do you want to take control of your grocery budget?
Great because I do too.
And I have.
And I will show you that you can too!
HOW TO FEED YOUR FAMILY FOR LESS
I am giving you a shopping list of the items in the meal menu and the cost.
This is specific to Tops Markets. I hope that maybe the meal idea will still be similar and many times the name brand items are pretty close on sale cycles! Hoping, here for ya!
So my tip this week for you. Your meals do not have to be elaborate. At least when you have young kids. For me dinner seems like it can get crazy because they are distracted ,they don’t like that, or they want this or that and by the time you actually eat your food you’re exhausted. I am hoping when my girls are a bit older I can make more elaborate sides once a week for Sunday Meals. ( We do this once in awhile)
But I have also realized that fresh steamed broccoli with salt and butter is DELICIOUS! And GOOD FOR YOU!
Now on to the fun part!
THE MENU: Serving Size 4-6
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Monday: Barbeque Chicken Breasts with Suddenly Salad Pasta( Not a fan of the boxed stuff, make your own here) Slice the chicken breasts in half to get more bang for your buck!
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Tuesday: Taco Tuesday! Use Ground Turkey and to make your pack last substitute with refried beans. Tacos are filling! You don’t really need anything else with it do you??
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Wednesday: Spaghetti with homemade garlic bread. This is THE BEST and EASIEST Garlic bread to make. I ASSURE you if you make this you are GOING TO LOVE IT! I am actually so excited to share it with you!
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Thursday: Scrambled Eggs and toast
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Friday: Boneless Chicken Wings with Steamable potatoes.
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Saturday: Vegetarian Egg Quiche– fry up your steamable potatoes or just steam on the side
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Sunday: Chef Salad with garlic bread ( use your pepperidge farm and whatever you have on hand for the salad- hard boil those eggs)
THE SHOPPING LIST:
- 1 lbs. of Ground Turkey $2.88
- 1 Chicken Breast Pack we will go with the smallest dollar amount which is $16 – $4.29/lb. but then get 8 items free. Cheaper then Aldi!
- 2 Boxes of Pronto Pasta $2
Use the $0.55/2 printable coupon here and Use the $0.25/1 any brand pasta Ibotta offer here - 1 jar of Valu Time Pasta Sauce $0.99
Use the $0.25/1 red sauce Ibotta offer here - 1 Ortega Taco Shells $1.50
- 2 bags of Fresh Express Shredded Lettuce $2
Use the $0.25/1 Salad Mix Checkout 51 offer here - 3 Dozen Eggs- Buy 1 get 2 Free $2.29 ( vary by location for price)
- Get your 8 free items from the meal deal. They are:
- Steamables Red Potatoes 24 oz.- $3.49
- Tops Baked Beans Original, Maple Bacon or Country Style, 16 oz. $1 ( on sale original $1.49)
- Pepperidge Farm Garlic Bread 10 oz.$2.99
- Tops Tortilla Chips All Varieties, 9-11.5 oz. $2.50 ( on sale- original $3.49)
- Tops Premium Salsa Selected Varieties, 16 fl. oz. $2.99 ( on sale original $3.29)
- Fresh Baked Angel Food Cake $4.49
- Tops Spring Water 12 Pack 12-16.9 oz. ( This shows $0.99 on my receipt its all mixed up with the savings so not sure full price)
- Betty Crocker Suddenly Salad All Varieties, 7.25-8.3 oz. $2.49
TOTAL $26.06 & you will earn gas points bringing this total down more!
So that is $3.72 a dinner. If you are feeding four people that is $0.93 a person!
Cheaper than going out for sure! The meal deal at Tops this week is a pretty good deal. I compared it to Aldi and Tops won!
If you love saving money at Tops check out my coupon matchup list for the week here.
Will you be trying one of these recipes this week?
LOVE IT?! PIN IT!
Jennie Goutet
Pinning this! It’s so useful!
Tasia
Thanks Jennie!
amy
great ideas.. yes a printed list would be wonderful for both the menu and the shopping items 🙂
Tasia
Alrighty I will strive for one printable next week and the other the week after! Thanks for checking it out Amy!