Think Making A Menu Doesn’t Make A Difference? Think again!
I received this email from reader Katreena:
“I just want to thank you for your inspiration! I decided to start using the “menu” method a couple of months ago, and it has been amazing! Not only am I not throwing random stuff in the cart to try and figure out a week’s worth of meals from once I get home, but we are also eating healthier!
With my menu, I only place items in the cart that directly pertain to our menu and are on my shopping list. We are also not big snackers, so I stick to only allowing one snack for my 3 year old (usually fruit snacks, he’s obsessed), and one for my husband (pretzels or chips usually). Other than that, our snacks consist of fresh fruits and veggies cut up (sooooo much cheaper and healthier).
We are able to keep our grocery budget around $50 a week for a family of 3. I can also usually swing purchasing our toilet paper and other toiletries in that budget, if I don’t need to purchase meat that week. I love it…and I am not even a couponer!
Thanks again!!”
If you would like a little help with menu planning, check out The Peaceful Mom Easy Meal Planning Ideas here!
With stockpiling, I spend about $100 per week on a family of 5 (I have three teenagers, three dogs, and a cat!!!) which includes things like toilet paper, paper towels, dog food, etc. I’ve also found that I’m using coupons only on the non-food items, so if I forget the coupon holder, I’m not in a panic.
We take a different approach to our grocery shopping/budgeting. We shop once per month, using any coupons we have. We only go to the store for any additional milk/produce or if there is an item that is a very good deal. We keep our budget under $250 per month for 2 people (3 meals daily), and that includes toiletries and laundry supplies. This allows us to shop from our pantry and decide on meals, so that way we can be flexible. It also saves us time, gas money, and from being tempted by going to the grocery store more frequently.
Sounds like a great idea. Good for you for finding what works best for your family!
I have never priced matched at Wal-mart, but would like to try. So I have some questions that might sound silly.
When you price match fresh fruit, does it have to be the same name brand?
For instance- I want to match a price for a Del-Monte pineapple but Wal-mart only carries Dole. Does that qualify?
Store brand names, does Wal-mart price match for their store brand?
For instance- “Store Brand” can of chili beans for Great Value chili beans?
Any help you can give would be appreciated! 🙂
Here is the link to the policy: http://corporate.walmart.com/ad-match-guarantee. It says:”For fresh produce and meat items when the price is offered in the same unit type (lb. for lb.; each for each).” It may depend on the manager, but I would think based on this that it doesn’t matter what brand name it is for produce and meat.
I have had some trouble with matching store brands. The official policy says they will not honor “Competitors’ private label price promotions”. In my experience it depends on the cashier and manager of the store. I usually match the name brand items from other stores that are lower than the Walmart brand price–make sense?
Yes, that helps! Thanks for all of the info. I just may go try to price match to tomorrow. 🙂
I find that using the sale ads to determine what meals to make for at least a couple of the meals works to also save money. The other meals I make are from items I have in my stockpile. I plan 5 or 6 dinners for the week and try to figure out which days to have each one, but also having the flexibility to change it when we don’t feel like something or plans for the evening changes has really helped as well.
I also try to double every recipe when I make it so I can have freezer meals set to go to save time in the weeks ahead.
I have just started having a child of the week in the kitchen. The child helps prepare the meal, set the table, clean the table off, and help with or do the dishes. I am hoping to teach some skills as well as responsibility while building in one on one time with my kids!
My family is also on a $50/week grocerry budget and I have to do tolietries with that as well. We eat pretty healthy too as one family member is diabetic. All I can say is I am so greatful for Walmart ad-price matching.
$50 a week is great! We’re a family of 3 and we spend more than that!
$50 a week, wow! I’m trying really hard to eat healthy and stick to a $200 a week budget for a family of 4. I need to work on this!
I was thinking the same thing, especially since she said she can include toiletries in that budget! It’s tough to eat healthy cheaply.
That’s my budget as well, $200/month for a family of 4, although my kiddos are still small.
Just think what she could do with coupons! lol