Feeding our family had never been a light or necessarily easy task.
For one there is 6 of us.
For two, i do not like grocery shopping.
For three, the daily what are we having for dinner mom....gets old REALLY FAST.
So i have devised away to help in all three areas. Granted when the kids were little i had to do all the shopping, cooking and most of the cleaning. Now everyone shares the tasks. I will share with you the method to our madness that really works...at least for us.
To fix the "I don't like to shop" issue. I shop once a month. I do not pre plan and make menus or shop with tons of coupons or go to a whole bunch of stores. Remember i am mostly lazy.
On a saturday i, or ralph and i ....which can get interesting, He likes to shop... head out to Costco and our local Grocery Outlet store. this adventure usually takes 3-4 hours.
We walk the entire store, we grab the usual necessary items at Costco that normally beat other stores prices.
Dog food, Diapers,
Wipes
T.P.
Paper towels,
Flea treatment,
Eggs...not necessarily cheaper but thye are real big eggs so we love them,
Bacon,
Burritos,
Eggos,
Yogurt,
Milk,
Coffee,
Creamer.
Cheese
Vegetables...if you have a larger family to feed this place really is the best buy for veggies. they normally last quite well. The frozen bags of veggies are single froze. They are bigger. The package is a true recloseable type so we can use a little of alot.
Fruit...watch the fruit at costco...tho it is a great buy normally it can be on the verge of too ripe or past ripe. but if you look well, be choosy, you can get good food at good value.
Along with the normal things purchased we keep look out to meats on sale, if we have a gathering coming up Costco is the best place to buy big cuts. otherwise their retail prices do beat other stores but if the other stores have a sale it will normally be better than Costco.
We normally buy something we haven't had ...try a new food. Costco has many little tables that offer foods for you to try.
Also at costco we can take a much needed break to enjoy a yummie...Plus you can't beat grabbin a 8 in hotdog/polish sausage AND a soda for 1.50$
We then take our finds home and have the kids help put away. Then off to Grocery Outlet store, or maybe another store if they are having a good meat sale.
At this store , the Grocery Outlet, there is a plethora of extremely discounted items, many in bulk sizes for our family. We purchase certain frozen veggies, meal kits, fish, deli meats, and chicken. On a normal run we can purchase 600-800$ worth of foods for 200-300$ easy, all the time. love that place. Also every month there is different items to choose from. Some quite unique for our area.
When we get home and get things put away i pull out my paper and go over the receipt. I write down all the meats or main course items...i at one time, or still sometimes when the $$ are short, i would take these items and make meals out of them. listing the side or veggie. All of it would go on a list stuck to the fridge and meals would be chosen and marked off.
Now that the kids are older i just list the main item. From those items the kids choose meals weekly. Normally they write their name next to the food...sometimes with the side they chose.
We have devised a new cleaning routine to match these dinner days. Everyone has a dinner day. On their dinner day they are responsible to make their choice dinner. Alot of the time i do have to aid in helping figure out the how to...or a recipe. They are also responsible for cleaning the kitchen after. Yeah i know...i cook i don't clean was the way i grew up. but....with three kids there was all ways an issue with "he didn't do this" or "i allways have to do this". But with this way they are responsible for only their own messes. I have found if they know they have to clean up their own mess. They do not make near as much of a mess. No where near as much. If the dishes or something is not done....it is done by the kiddo before the next days dinner is started. Much better....
On average we spend 400 -600 $$ for our family of 6 monthly depending on the sales found. Of this money our meals include a meat, veggie ,sometimes a fruit or pasta/bread...not everyday tho. I do not feed my family processed or "pre" prepared meals. All are from scratch meats using real foods. Usually this includes a 7th meal a few times a week for a friend or a big gathering for many. We even have room in the budget for Ralph's sodas and a weekly dessert or two.