Q: How Can I Cut My Grocery Budget When My Boys Eat So Much?
My biggest grocery busters are my 3 boys! If they REALLY like something they may eat several helpings of something that should have had leftovers… and there’s no real telling. I can make spaghetti one night and they’ll just pick at it and then not want leftovers. Then I make it a couple of weeks later and it is all gone with them asking why I didn’t make more cause they’re still hungry! It really drives me bonkers when my husband asks what’s so hard about just planning out the meals?
In addition, our oldest son from my husband’s previous marriage got into the habit of only eating junk food and fast food growing up. It is a HUGE challenge to get him to try new foods. We struggle trying to prevent him from jumping in and getting a plate of meat to cover in ketchup as he forgoes all sides! It can tip the frugal scale very quickly when you find the 6 pieces of left over chicken you had planned on rolling over into dinner for everyone all have been devoured by 1 as an “afternoon snack”!
I would love to hear any tips you or your followers have for me 🙂
A: Great Question! I have a few ideas that I use but you will have to decide if they might work for your family. It will take a little bit of time to implement changes so be patient.
My first suggestion is to serve the plates yourself from the stove rather than putting the food on the table or letting your family serve themselves. In our home everyone must finish what is on the plate before grabbing seconds. So for example, if we have chicken and veggies the veggies have to be eaten before the child can have more chicken. This ensures that my kids eat a well-balanced diet and keeps one person from eating someone else’s serving of the main course.
I am also very strict about what my children can eat for snacks. The list is short and includes any fruit we have available (in a bowl on the table), pretzel rods or air-popped popcorn. If they are really hungry they can make a peanut butter sandwich. To remind hungry teen boys not to eat food I am reserving for another meal I label the container lid with masking tape and write “Do Not Eat” on the dish. If my son eats it anyway he then has to buy something for us for dinner with his own money. The idea is that we are a family and we share our resources rather than being selfish.
These ideas may not work for your family and you definitely need to be in agreement with your husband before implementing anything with his son so that he can back you up when conflict occurs (and it will :).
Do you have an idea or suggestion for this reader? Leave a comment.
Read how I feed my family for less without extreme couponing in my Save More-Clip Less ebook!
Click here to see what others are saying about this book
You May Also Enjoy:
It is all a process of figuring out what works best for your family. Hopefully other readers will give you some good suggestions.
Great feedback Charlotte! Thanks!
I agree that marking items for specific meals is helpful. Also consider involving kids in grocery shopping, perhaps one at a time and help them understand the idea of a budget (they’re never too young for this important life lesson) and let them see how far the money allotted goes. Teens especially may begin to feel more invested in seeing the food last until the next payday and learn to appreciate what it takes to feed a family. When my kids were younger, I would let them each pick a meal while I was planning my grocery list. This way they know they have a favorite meal to look forward to, but you can guide them in making a well rounded meal by letting them pick veggie/sides they will like. Lastly, let them look at the store flyers and look for deals and use that to help plan meals. Most teens know the cost of items they desire (electronics, video games, clothes, etc.), but not food prices. When the food just shows up at home in bags, they don’t have a grasp of how much it costs. Lastly, remember to Thank God for the food you have as not all are so fortunate.
Thanks for your suggestions Kimberlee. I usually do serve everyone their first plate at the table, and have the same finish your plate rule; it’s just hard to determine IF they will want seconds (or sometimes thirds!) or not.
I do like the idea of if you ignore the big DO NOT EAT sign then you have to buy the replacement.
With 4 boys all over the age of 10 yrs, I have the same problem. I agree on the fill them up with the veggies before they go back for seconds. Also, if I add inexpensive sides like brown rice, roasted potatoes, beans, veggies that does seem to help as well. I try to stay away from meals that are high only in carbs since it means they will be hungry soon afterwards. So if I serve those carby sides I make sure they come with a good amount of fat to keep them filled up longer and some protein. HTH 🙂
Great idea to add fat and protein to carb meals. Thanks!
Thanks for the suggestion Avrilabril Bro. I have switched to using olive oil more often and keep an assortment of nuts on hand (Almonds in brown rice is amazing, and cashews with roasted potatoes and veggies give a nutty buttery flavor). Do you have any examples you could share?