I need help meal planning. I go over my budget every week.?

Question

I need to feed 6 people. What kind of food goes farther?

Answer 1

Others ahead of me have answered with all the inexpensive filler foods like rice, potatoes, pasta, etc., and using ground meats in casseroles, etc. instead of as large entree servings.

My Mom used to feed 7 to 8 people on one little can of tuna by mixing it with beaten egg and cracker crumbs (1 1/2 to 2 cups of crushed saltines, cheese crackers ... even unsweetened cereal or old potato chips [or a combination of any of the above] when we were desperate), salt (or seasoned salt), pepper, and a favorite herb (I like thyme), forming the mixture into little patties and frying them in a pan with a little olive oil. We usually had them with macaroni and cheese, some veggies from the garden, and a can of fruit (pear pieces or peach slices).

The other obvious things that you are probably already doing ... using coupons, shopping at stores that do double or triple coupons, and at discount grocery stores like Aldi's, Food4Less, etc.

Buy generic products, especially on things like cereal, pasta, canned goods, dairy, etc. On MOST products, you probably would not know the difference in a blind taste test. I know a lot of it is psychological, but I do think I can tell a difference in a few products, but unless it really bothers me, I ignore it!

Check your area newspapers, shopper papers, phone books, etc. to see if there are any co-op food stores/groups in your area. If so, see what it takes to join them ... they usually have food available a lot cheaper than mainline grocery stores!

If you live in an area where you can manage to grow any of your own food, it would help lower your food costs quite a bit, and give you some outdoor exposure and exercise to boot! If you don't have a yard of your own, check and see if there are any community gardens in the area. If not, maybe you could organize interest to start one in a neighborhood vacant lot or greenspace! It would be a lot of work, but worth it!

Go to the library or major bookstore and read magazines like Woman's World, quick & simple, First for Women, etc. They usually offer several ideas for inexpensive meals, some tasty recipes, etc.

Good luck! It's hard work feeding a lot of people on a small budget, but it can be done! I have faith in you! ~B..

PS: Remember that old saying, "Breakfast like a king, dine (noon) like a prince, and sup (evening meal) like a pauper." Supposedly, this is the best way to eat for best health and energy!

Answer 2

Staples like potatoes, rice and beans are must have. All of these can be used as great fillers along with other more expensive items to make it all stretch and still be tasty and healthy. Bulk chicken and beef broth are great for making soups which help you feed more people with the same amount of other ingredients. For instance, buy one good large steak and use it to make a good beef stew instead of feeding each person their own individual steak. One thing that always helps me when budgeting is to use the weekly grocery ads that are delivered to my mailbox in my area and plan my meals around what is on sale for that week.

Answer 3

Pasta Shells Florentine 1 package (10 ounces) frozen chopped spinach, thawed, and well drained 1 cup shredded Mozzarella cheese 1 cup cottage cheese 1 egg (or just 1 egg white) 1 Tablespoon Parmesan cheese 1/4 teaspoon ground nutmeg (don’t skip this – it really improves the taste) 16 Jumbo pasta shells (for filling) cooked and drained 1 Jar (32 ounces spaghetti sauce Heat oven to 375F. Mix spinach, mozzarella cheese, cottage cheese, egg, (or egg white) Parmesan cheese and nutmeg until well blended. Fill each shell with a heaping Tablespoon of spinach mixture. Place in a 9 x 12 baking dish that has been sprayed with release spray (Pam). Spoon sauce over the filled shells. Cover with foil. Bake 30 to 40 minutes or until thoroughly heated. Makes 4 servings / These freeze well

Answer 4

Spaghetti usually feeds a lot of people inexpensively.

Spaghetti with tomato sauce (add meat if you like)
Spaghetti noodles and jarred sauce are always on sale at the supermarket. Also a lot of supermarkets have their house brand at a lower cost.

Salad - 1 or 2 bag usually feeds quite a few. You usually can find them on sale for $2.50 or try Trader Joe's.

Garlic Bread - Supermarket usually carry u-bake garlic bread for about $1 to $2 a loaf.

Simple Dessert - Pound Cake and Ice cream topped with seasonal fruit.

Answer 5

spend 30 minutes to an hour once a week clipping coupons from the local newspaper. always buy two papers so you get double the coupons. also look on the internet for coupon sites.if you use a certain companys product a lot call the 1-800 number on the back of the product and tell them how much you use their product and see if they'll send you some coupons. it works most of the time.

Answer 6

Rice, spaghetti, potatoes, and beans seem to feed a lot.
Also, ground beef and chicken, if shredded, go a long way.
Soup and chili, too, can feed many.

If you have the chance, plan out your daily meals and then go shopping. Buy only what you need on your list, and then make sure you stick to it.

Good luck to you!

Answer 7

pasta pasta pasta pasta and more pasta. Everyone loves it, it's plentiful, and it's generally good for you if you stay active. Try lighter sauces with it like pesto to save money. Rice, potatos, stir-fry, salads, and pasta should be the mainstay. Make meat a secondary part of the meal. Like chicken alfredo, beef stir-fry, chicken casaer salad, pork fried rice, haggis, shepard's pie, and cassarols. most of these things can be made in bulk and aren't as expensive as big roasts or steaks.

This is not coming from a parent's perspective. I am a starving college student who lives with his starving college student sister who happens to be a finance major. Trust me, we can stretch a dollar a loooong way.

Also. stay clear of brand name snack foods and sodas. Sam's Choice and generic brands are just as good. If your kids are embarassed, put them in a different container in their lunches, like a thermos or a sandwhich bag.

Answer 8

pasta meals always go far, also bean soup w/ ham hocks is cheap and feeds alot. tacos, chili, sloppy joes, pot roast, chicken chunks, remember that startches while not always healthy fills people up quickley. breakfast for dinner is always good also.

Answer 9

pasta, potatoes, casseroles, stuff like that. Buy in bulk. It will initially cost more but you will save in the long run.

Answer 10

Pasta Tacos, casseroles, stirfry

You could also buy your meats in bigger quantities then portion everything out at home....