Comments on: Save Money on Food with the Sixty Minute Plan http://www.getrichslowly.org/blog/2008/04/30/save-money-on-food-with-the-sixty-minute-plan/ personal finance that makes cents Mon, 13 Oct 2008 14:02:23 +0000 http://wordpress.org/?v=2.5.1 By: Deborah Dera http://www.getrichslowly.org/blog/2008/04/30/save-money-on-food-with-the-sixty-minute-plan/#comment-130413 Deborah Dera Fri, 02 May 2008 19:16:40 +0000 http://www.getrichslowly.org/blog/?p=1776#comment-130413 It's interesting that your wife made the remark about spending more when you are at the store with her. When I was growing up, it was the complete opposite. My mom didn't understand that coupons can cause you to spend more money, and she didn't realize that generic brands (in most cases) were just as good. When my dad took over the grocery shopping, he noticed that he brought home much more food for the same (or less) than she spent. He rarely lets her grocery shop alone now. It’s interesting that your wife made the remark about spending more when you are at the store with her. When I was growing up, it was the complete opposite. My mom didn’t understand that coupons can cause you to spend more money, and she didn’t realize that generic brands (in most cases) were just as good.

When my dad took over the grocery shopping, he noticed that he brought home much more food for the same (or less) than she spent. He rarely lets her grocery shop alone now.

]]> By: Will http://www.getrichslowly.org/blog/2008/04/30/save-money-on-food-with-the-sixty-minute-plan/#comment-130281 Will Thu, 01 May 2008 23:08:32 +0000 http://www.getrichslowly.org/blog/?p=1776#comment-130281 I need to start doing this because when I go over my monthly budget I find that it is at the grocery store! It doesn't help that I park near it when I go for a jog so it calls to me when I get back to my car. Great ideas from everyone. I need to start doing this because when I go over my monthly budget I find that it is at the grocery store! It doesn’t help that I park near it when I go for a jog so it calls to me when I get back to my car. Great ideas from everyone.

]]> By: Ingrid http://www.getrichslowly.org/blog/2008/04/30/save-money-on-food-with-the-sixty-minute-plan/#comment-130270 Ingrid Thu, 01 May 2008 20:35:04 +0000 http://www.getrichslowly.org/blog/?p=1776#comment-130270 If you have trouble organizing a week's worth of recipes, I would HIGHLY recommend the _Saving Dinner_ series. There are several versions (lo-carb, veggie, etc) and they are very adaptable. Personally, I print a shopping list from the website, take 30-40 minutes at the store, and spend half the money I would have, with healthy groceries with great recipes (haven't had a bad one yet). If you are not a great cook, no worries, everything is in plain english. It took my BF from ***thickening up spaggheti sauce with garlic salt and parmesan cheese*** to cooking, enjoying it, and actually cooking edible, good food! Plus each recipe is for 4-6, so we have lunches in freezer packs automatically. I can't recommend this enough. Check it out at your library, or there is a PDF on their website (but it is strangely more confusing than the cookbook)but I would say it is worth a look for the cooking clueless! If you have trouble organizing a week’s worth of recipes, I would HIGHLY recommend the _Saving Dinner_ series. There are several versions (lo-carb, veggie, etc) and they are very adaptable. Personally, I print a shopping list from the website, take 30-40 minutes at the store, and spend half the money I would have, with healthy groceries with great recipes (haven’t had a bad one yet). If you are not a great cook, no worries, everything is in plain english. It took my BF from ***thickening up spaggheti sauce with garlic salt and parmesan cheese*** to cooking, enjoying it, and actually cooking edible, good food! Plus each recipe is for 4-6, so we have lunches in freezer packs automatically.
I can’t recommend this enough.

Check it out at your library, or there is a PDF on their website (but it is strangely more confusing than the cookbook)but I would say it is worth a look for the cooking clueless!

]]> By: Elizabeth http://www.getrichslowly.org/blog/2008/04/30/save-money-on-food-with-the-sixty-minute-plan/#comment-130254 Elizabeth Thu, 01 May 2008 17:57:40 +0000 http://www.getrichslowly.org/blog/?p=1776#comment-130254 I too find myself spending more when I bring my husband to the store! I too find myself spending more when I bring my husband to the store!

]]> By: elisabeth http://www.getrichslowly.org/blog/2008/04/30/save-money-on-food-with-the-sixty-minute-plan/#comment-130231 elisabeth Thu, 01 May 2008 15:13:46 +0000 http://www.getrichslowly.org/blog/?p=1776#comment-130231 Hi. I think that once you've established a real "pantry" (not necessarily a physical space, but having food in reserve) you don't need the weekly meal planning as much. Our approach is to aim to spend the same amount each week (a challenge as inflation hits the supermarket), but not to be buying food just for the week. Over time, we've built up a store of food (in the same way you have an emergency fund of money) for times when we're snowed in or too sick to go to the store, or out of funds for some reason. I do keep a grocery list, so we know what needs to be replaced, and I do keep a meal diary, so I can see, gee it's been X since we had fried rice... and thus keep our meals from getting into a rut of the same things over and over -- I try not to serve left overs the next day, I freeze things and use them a week later, just to keep variety in our meals. Hi. I think that once you’ve established a real “pantry” (not necessarily a physical space, but having food in reserve) you don’t need the weekly meal planning as much. Our approach is to aim to spend the same amount each week (a challenge as inflation hits the supermarket), but not to be buying food just for the week. Over time, we’ve built up a store of food (in the same way you have an emergency fund of money) for times when we’re snowed in or too sick to go to the store, or out of funds for some reason.
I do keep a grocery list, so we know what needs to be replaced, and I do keep a meal diary, so I can see, gee it’s been X since we had fried rice… and thus keep our meals from getting into a rut of the same things over and over — I try not to serve left overs the next day, I freeze things and use them a week later, just to keep variety in our meals.

]]> By: Luckybecky http://www.getrichslowly.org/blog/2008/04/30/save-money-on-food-with-the-sixty-minute-plan/#comment-130173 Luckybecky Thu, 01 May 2008 07:16:58 +0000 http://www.getrichslowly.org/blog/?p=1776#comment-130173 Sean is right on about making lunches the night before. In our house, we are NOT morning people. If it isn't done and ready to go the night before, it won't get done in the morning. Also the whole chicken idea is good. You can stretch chicken very far. I prefer white meat, so instead of buying whole chickens, I stock up on breasts when they go on sale for 99 cents/lb. Last week, 5 lbs was enough to make a large chicken pot pie, 3 quarts of chicken noodle soup, and a dinner of chicken broccoli crepes. We got 3 meals for 4, plus leftovers, out of $5 of meat. I tried making weekly meal plans for awhile, but with my family's crazy work and school schedules, it didn't turn out to be very practical. Something always seemed to get in the way of whatever I'd planned. Instead, I have started closely tracking prices so I know a good deal when I see it. I keep the freezer stocked with meats purchased on sale. I try to keep a nice selection of fresh veggies in the crisper according to whatever is on sale that week. I keep the pantry stocked with pasta, rice, potatoes. Then we pull meals together using these items as the week goes along. I also occasionally spend a day cooking and freezing several main dishes to pull out in a pinch. The main thing for me is to be vigilant about prices and using what is on sale, and having a few back-ups in the freezer so we can avoid eating out when there's no time to cook. Sean is right on about making lunches the night before. In our house, we are NOT morning people. If it isn’t done and ready to go the night before, it won’t get done in the morning.

Also the whole chicken idea is good. You can stretch chicken very far. I prefer white meat, so instead of buying whole chickens, I stock up on breasts when they go on sale for 99 cents/lb. Last week, 5 lbs was enough to make a large chicken pot pie, 3 quarts of chicken noodle soup, and a dinner of chicken broccoli crepes. We got 3 meals for 4, plus leftovers, out of $5 of meat.

I tried making weekly meal plans for awhile, but with my family’s crazy work and school schedules, it didn’t turn out to be very practical. Something always seemed to get in the way of whatever I’d planned.

Instead, I have started closely tracking prices so I know a good deal when I see it. I keep the freezer stocked with meats purchased on sale. I try to keep a nice selection of fresh veggies in the crisper according to whatever is on sale that week. I keep the pantry stocked with pasta, rice, potatoes. Then we pull meals together using these items as the week goes along.

I also occasionally spend a day cooking and freezing several main dishes to pull out in a pinch.

The main thing for me is to be vigilant about prices and using what is on sale, and having a few back-ups in the freezer so we can avoid eating out when there’s no time to cook.

]]> By: cv http://www.getrichslowly.org/blog/2008/04/30/save-money-on-food-with-the-sixty-minute-plan/#comment-130142 cv Thu, 01 May 2008 05:01:12 +0000 http://www.getrichslowly.org/blog/?p=1776#comment-130142 Planning meals doesn't have to mean locking yourself into food you're not in the mood for. My girlfriend and I tend to figure out 3-4 things that we want to make, cook most of it over the weekend and pack it into leftover containers to eat during the week. 3-4 recipes usually creates enough food for dinners and lunches throughout the week, supplemented by the occasional lunch out, dinner at a friend's house, etc. We try and make a variety of meals each week so that we can eat according to mood, and we can often end up eating different things for dinner, even though we usually eat together. It works for us. The other thing we do to keep food costs low is subscribe to a CSA (community supported agriculture). For $10/week we get more veggies than we know what to do with (we split a large share with another family), and it's all local, seasonal and organic. Planning meals doesn’t have to mean locking yourself into food you’re not in the mood for. My girlfriend and I tend to figure out 3-4 things that we want to make, cook most of it over the weekend and pack it into leftover containers to eat during the week. 3-4 recipes usually creates enough food for dinners and lunches throughout the week, supplemented by the occasional lunch out, dinner at a friend’s house, etc. We try and make a variety of meals each week so that we can eat according to mood, and we can often end up eating different things for dinner, even though we usually eat together. It works for us.

The other thing we do to keep food costs low is subscribe to a CSA (community supported agriculture). For $10/week we get more veggies than we know what to do with (we split a large share with another family), and it’s all local, seasonal and organic.

]]> By: Elizabeth http://www.getrichslowly.org/blog/2008/04/30/save-money-on-food-with-the-sixty-minute-plan/#comment-130130 Elizabeth Thu, 01 May 2008 02:58:46 +0000 http://www.getrichslowly.org/blog/?p=1776#comment-130130 Planning your meals does not mean that you have to know what recipe you are going to cook every night. We have many meals that are all based on fresh ingredients and it is just what we feel like doing. We buy meat at the super store or reduced for quick sale and whatever veggies are cheap that week. Depending on how you season something the same base ingredients can make many different meals. Planning your meals does not mean that you have to know what recipe you are going to cook every night. We have many meals that are all based on fresh ingredients and it is just what we feel like doing. We buy meat at the super store or reduced for quick sale and whatever veggies are cheap that week. Depending on how you season something the same base ingredients can make many different meals.

]]> By: Karen http://www.getrichslowly.org/blog/2008/04/30/save-money-on-food-with-the-sixty-minute-plan/#comment-130128 Karen Thu, 01 May 2008 02:52:19 +0000 http://www.getrichslowly.org/blog/?p=1776#comment-130128 I don't find coupons very helpful, except for the occasional bottles of shampoo/conditioner and cleaning supplies. Instead, I find that planning is the way I keep my grocery budget under control. Like Restaurant Blogger suggested, we use a whole chicken to make several meals for the week. First night, roast chicken and veggies. Second night, chicken enchiladas. Third night, tortilla soup or chicken noodle soup using broth made from the carcass. Other inexpensive meals include breakfast night (i.e., western omelets with fruit), pasta night (spaghetti or home-made mac & cheese w/ broccoli), Make-Your-Own-Burrito night & home-made pizza night. For breakfast, we have pancakes (I make a big batch on Sunday for the kids to re-heat in the toaster oven), oatmeal w/ blueberries, fruit smoothies, or yogurt w/ home-made granola. I buy boxed cereal only very occasionally. Work/school lunches are usually leftovers. Snacks are usually home-made: oatmeal snack cake (yum!), cookies, popcorn, GORPM, and fruit. Using these strategies, we can keep our grocery spending for four under $100/wk, which leaves plenty to pay a baby-sitter for a really nice Saturday date night. I don’t find coupons very helpful, except for the occasional bottles of shampoo/conditioner and cleaning supplies. Instead, I find that planning is the way I keep my grocery budget under control.

Like Restaurant Blogger suggested, we use a whole chicken to make several meals for the week. First night, roast chicken and veggies. Second night, chicken enchiladas. Third night, tortilla soup or chicken noodle soup using broth made from the carcass. Other inexpensive meals include breakfast night (i.e., western omelets with fruit), pasta night (spaghetti or home-made mac & cheese w/ broccoli), Make-Your-Own-Burrito night & home-made pizza night.

For breakfast, we have pancakes (I make a big batch on Sunday for the kids to re-heat in the toaster oven), oatmeal w/ blueberries, fruit smoothies, or yogurt w/ home-made granola. I buy boxed cereal only very occasionally.

Work/school lunches are usually leftovers. Snacks are usually home-made: oatmeal snack cake (yum!), cookies, popcorn, GORPM, and fruit.

Using these strategies, we can keep our grocery spending for four under $100/wk, which leaves plenty to pay a baby-sitter for a really nice Saturday date night.

]]> By: Luke F http://www.getrichslowly.org/blog/2008/04/30/save-money-on-food-with-the-sixty-minute-plan/#comment-130127 Luke F Thu, 01 May 2008 02:52:14 +0000 http://www.getrichslowly.org/blog/?p=1776#comment-130127 Good post and definitely how our family does our shopping. I think the coupons are worth keeping! Good post and definitely how our family does our shopping. I think the coupons are worth keeping!

]]> By: Ron@TheWisdomJournal http://www.getrichslowly.org/blog/2008/04/30/save-money-on-food-with-the-sixty-minute-plan/#comment-130126 Ron@TheWisdomJournal Thu, 01 May 2008 02:48:33 +0000 http://www.getrichslowly.org/blog/?p=1776#comment-130126 Our food costs have declined as well. Three reasons: 1) I'm always out of town with my job and my employer buys 100% of my meals. 2) When I'm home, I just don't eat as much. I've decided that I don't need as much food as I always thought, plus I've cut out processed sugar, white flour, and starchy things. 3) My wife started participating in the Grocery Game. She is saving tons of money! Our food costs have declined as well. Three reasons:
1) I’m always out of town with my job and my employer buys 100% of my meals.
2) When I’m home, I just don’t eat as much. I’ve decided that I don’t need as much food as I always thought, plus I’ve cut out processed sugar, white flour, and starchy things.
3) My wife started participating in the Grocery Game. She is saving tons of money!

]]> By: bakednudel http://www.getrichslowly.org/blog/2008/04/30/save-money-on-food-with-the-sixty-minute-plan/#comment-130121 bakednudel Thu, 01 May 2008 00:10:43 +0000 http://www.getrichslowly.org/blog/?p=1776#comment-130121 FAM, our local supermarket chain (Harris Teeter) allows you to sign up for a weekly email tailored to your shopping habits (which they know from the 'discount card') Thus I get notification upfront when items I regularly buy will be on sale. Also the entire weekly circular is available online; they also have an application to let you make a shopping list from this info. I'm sure other supermarkets where you live probably do the same. FAM, our local supermarket chain (Harris Teeter) allows you to sign up for a weekly email tailored to your shopping habits (which they know from the ‘discount card’) Thus I get notification upfront when items I regularly buy will be on sale. Also the entire weekly circular is available online; they also have an application to let you make a shopping list from this info.

I’m sure other supermarkets where you live probably do the same.

]]> By: Jay http://www.getrichslowly.org/blog/2008/04/30/save-money-on-food-with-the-sixty-minute-plan/#comment-130120 Jay Thu, 01 May 2008 00:08:59 +0000 http://www.getrichslowly.org/blog/?p=1776#comment-130120 I don't bother with coupons since they're usually for higher priced items we don't get. We, too, menu plan -biweekly- and now have a good written history of meals we can draw on. If you don't like menus, just make sure you have all the ingredients for the meals you like. Easy to do. We usually have on hand the makings for 4-5 quick meals when we're "not in the mood". I don’t bother with coupons since they’re usually for higher priced items we don’t get.
We, too, menu plan -biweekly- and now have a good written history of meals we can draw on.
If you don’t like menus, just make sure you have all the ingredients for the meals you like. Easy to do. We usually have on hand the makings for 4-5 quick meals when we’re “not in the mood”.

]]> By: Funny about Money http://www.getrichslowly.org/blog/2008/04/30/save-money-on-food-with-the-sixty-minute-plan/#comment-130116 Funny about Money Wed, 30 Apr 2008 23:44:48 +0000 http://www.getrichslowly.org/blog/?p=1776#comment-130116 Good advice. For me: LISTS...huge! Generic...big. When I was younger and smarter, creating weekly menus was good, too. Ditto a pot roast or a chicken or a turkey that would last until no one in the house could gag down another bite of it. I do have a rough time with coupons, for the reasons others have described above: if you eat Real Food, most coupons do not compute. Online circulars? wazzat? I will call up the beloved Safeway, Basha's, Costco, Food City, and AJ's and see if there's something on the Net I should know about. Thank goodness for lively young bloggers to clue us old buzzards in! Good advice.

For me: LISTS…huge! Generic…big. When I was younger and smarter, creating weekly menus was good, too. Ditto a pot roast or a chicken or a turkey that would last until no one in the house could gag down another bite of it.

I do have a rough time with coupons, for the reasons others have described above: if you eat Real Food, most coupons do not compute. Online circulars? wazzat? I will call up the beloved Safeway, Basha’s, Costco, Food City, and AJ’s and see if there’s something on the Net I should know about. Thank goodness for lively young bloggers to clue us old buzzards in!

]]> By: Nicole http://www.getrichslowly.org/blog/2008/04/30/save-money-on-food-with-the-sixty-minute-plan/#comment-130112 Nicole Wed, 30 Apr 2008 23:12:40 +0000 http://www.getrichslowly.org/blog/?p=1776#comment-130112 I am a big fan of the planning of meals. I think most fast food purchases are made because people haven't planned ahead what they were going to eat. The one thing in addition I would say is to make meals from leftovers. Use leftover meat and cheese to make a pizza or stir it in with pasta, for example. (Have no idea where to start? Supercook.com tells you what you can make with what you have on hand.) I am a big fan of the planning of meals. I think most fast food purchases are made because people haven’t planned ahead what they were going to eat.

The one thing in addition I would say is to make meals from leftovers. Use leftover meat and cheese to make a pizza or stir it in with pasta, for example. (Have no idea where to start? Supercook.com tells you what you can make with what you have on hand.)

]]> By: The Restaurant Blogger http://www.getrichslowly.org/blog/2008/04/30/save-money-on-food-with-the-sixty-minute-plan/#comment-130111 The Restaurant Blogger Wed, 30 Apr 2008 22:54:58 +0000 http://www.getrichslowly.org/blog/?p=1776#comment-130111 I agree on planning a menu for the week as this can really help in saving you time and money. I have never been much a collector of coupons, but I do check out our weekly local paper which contains grocery flyers. Most often these flyers will feature specials. Another method that my wife and I do is separating our grocery stores. In this case we buy the more expensive food such as meat and seafood in discount stores. We have noticed that not everything in a discount store is cheaper compared to a regular supermarket. Another good method in saving money is knowing how many meals you can create out of one product. For example a leftover whole chicken can be turned into a sandwich and a pasta dish while the bones can be kept to make a soup. Sometimes it just comes down to being creative. But planning is definitely the key. I agree on planning a menu for the week as this can really help in saving you time and money. I have never been much a collector of coupons, but I do check out our weekly local paper which contains grocery flyers. Most often these flyers will feature specials. Another method that my wife and I do is separating our grocery stores. In this case we buy the more expensive food such as meat and seafood in discount stores. We have noticed that not everything in a discount store is cheaper compared to a regular supermarket. Another good method in saving money is knowing how many meals you can create out of one product. For example a leftover whole chicken can be turned into a sandwich and a pasta dish while the bones can be kept to make a soup. Sometimes it just comes down to being creative. But planning is definitely the key.

]]> By: Sean D http://www.getrichslowly.org/blog/2008/04/30/save-money-on-food-with-the-sixty-minute-plan/#comment-130106 Sean D Wed, 30 Apr 2008 22:01:19 +0000 http://www.getrichslowly.org/blog/?p=1776#comment-130106 Something that has helped me a lot is making my lunch the night before. This way I always have time to make a lunch, and I will almost never eat out. Something that has helped me a lot is making my lunch the night before. This way I always have time to make a lunch, and I will almost never eat out.

]]> By: ben http://www.getrichslowly.org/blog/2008/04/30/save-money-on-food-with-the-sixty-minute-plan/#comment-130105 ben Wed, 30 Apr 2008 21:55:56 +0000 http://www.getrichslowly.org/blog/?p=1776#comment-130105 My wife and I have saved money following this simple plan: - create a weekly menu - take a shopping list - shopping at Costco - eating before we shop to avoid impulse buys. The menu & list are the real keys. My wife and I have saved money following this simple plan:
- create a weekly menu
- take a shopping list
- shopping at Costco
- eating before we shop to avoid impulse buys.

The menu & list are the real keys.

]]> By: junkcafe http://www.getrichslowly.org/blog/2008/04/30/save-money-on-food-with-the-sixty-minute-plan/#comment-130104 junkcafe Wed, 30 Apr 2008 21:55:13 +0000 http://www.getrichslowly.org/blog/?p=1776#comment-130104 5. Eat before shopping at the grocery. Shop with a happy stomach and you'll stand a better chance of sticking to the plan. Shop with an empty stomach and you'll wonder who emptied the vending machine into your cart :) 5. Eat before shopping at the grocery.

Shop with a happy stomach and you’ll stand a better chance of sticking to the plan. Shop with an empty stomach and you’ll wonder who emptied the vending machine into your cart :)

]]> By: B Smith at Wealth and Wisdom http://www.getrichslowly.org/blog/2008/04/30/save-money-on-food-with-the-sixty-minute-plan/#comment-130102 B Smith at Wealth and Wisdom Wed, 30 Apr 2008 21:48:16 +0000 http://www.getrichslowly.org/blog/?p=1776#comment-130102 I have to admit food savings is entirely due to my wife. She handles most of the cooking and shopping. We like good food so she works hard to maintain our standards and keep us in the black. She plans our meals each Sunday and shops with a list. Here are other things I see when I watch her work her magic: -Become a good cook: We eat like kings without breaking the bank. It is also quicker to cook than to go out. -Buy generic whenever possible: Most of the time they are identical, and the generic costs less than the name brand with coupons. Granted, sometimes it just isn't the same. I have yet to find a generic that compares to Hinze Ketchup. -Skip it if it is already prepared: The quality is poor, it is worse for you (trans fats, partially hydrogenated...), and it costs a lot more. seriously, it is amazing how little food costs when it doesn't come in a box! I have to admit food savings is entirely due to my wife. She handles most of the cooking and shopping. We like good food so she works hard to maintain our standards and keep us in the black.

She plans our meals each Sunday and shops with a list. Here are other things I see when I watch her work her magic:
-Become a good cook: We eat like kings without breaking the bank. It is also quicker to cook than to go out.
-Buy generic whenever possible: Most of the time they are identical, and the generic costs less than the name brand with coupons. Granted, sometimes it just isn’t the same. I have yet to find a generic that compares to Hinze Ketchup.
-Skip it if it is already prepared: The quality is poor, it is worse for you (trans fats, partially hydrogenated…), and it costs a lot more. seriously, it is amazing how little food costs when it doesn’t come in a box!

]]> By: gousalya http://www.getrichslowly.org/blog/2008/04/30/save-money-on-food-with-the-sixty-minute-plan/#comment-130101 gousalya Wed, 30 Apr 2008 21:39:19 +0000 http://www.getrichslowly.org/blog/?p=1776#comment-130101 This is one area I definately need to improve. I eat at my whims and fancies, and it does get the grocery bill hitting high digits all the time. I like your idea of the weekly planing of meals. Perhaps I should try that. This is one area I definately need to improve. I eat at my whims and fancies, and it does get the grocery bill hitting high digits all the time. I like your idea of the weekly planing of meals. Perhaps I should try that.

]]> By: Carol http://www.getrichslowly.org/blog/2008/04/30/save-money-on-food-with-the-sixty-minute-plan/#comment-130100 Carol Wed, 30 Apr 2008 21:38:17 +0000 http://www.getrichslowly.org/blog/?p=1776#comment-130100 My fiance-who-will-be-my-husband-in-just-10-days-yay-me-! and I have just started doing something similar (although we're not very good at the coupon part of it yet). But instead of planning a weekly menu in terms of "Monday we'll eat this, Tuesday we'll eat that," we just generate a list of 7 meals for each time of day (plus a couple of "fill-ins" because we're hungry suckers like that). When it's time to eat, we pick something from the list, eat it, and mark it off. This lets us keep a little bit of culinary spontaneity, lets us choose foods we're "in the mood for," and yet gives all the benefits of menu planning. :) My fiance-who-will-be-my-husband-in-just-10-days-yay-me-! and I have just started doing something similar (although we’re not very good at the coupon part of it yet).

But instead of planning a weekly menu in terms of “Monday we’ll eat this, Tuesday we’ll eat that,” we just generate a list of 7 meals for each time of day (plus a couple of “fill-ins” because we’re hungry suckers like that). When it’s time to eat, we pick something from the list, eat it, and mark it off.

This lets us keep a little bit of culinary spontaneity, lets us choose foods we’re “in the mood for,” and yet gives all the benefits of menu planning. :)

]]> By: Jarick http://www.getrichslowly.org/blog/2008/04/30/save-money-on-food-with-the-sixty-minute-plan/#comment-130097 Jarick Wed, 30 Apr 2008 21:18:24 +0000 http://www.getrichslowly.org/blog/?p=1776#comment-130097 I like buying meats and snacks from huge discount grocers and produce, grains, and dairy from the local store. Why clip coupons to save 50 cents on a box of pasta when I save $12 on chicken and $5 on beef? That one change has cut my monthly grocery bill substantially (though I still have a ways to go). Of course, if I didn't have to eat Ezekiel bread, lean protein, avoid processed food, and drink milk like it's going to be outlawed, I could go back to my $25 a week food budget from college :) I like buying meats and snacks from huge discount grocers and produce, grains, and dairy from the local store. Why clip coupons to save 50 cents on a box of pasta when I save $12 on chicken and $5 on beef? That one change has cut my monthly grocery bill substantially (though I still have a ways to go).

Of course, if I didn’t have to eat Ezekiel bread, lean protein, avoid processed food, and drink milk like it’s going to be outlawed, I could go back to my $25 a week food budget from college :)

]]> By: savingforoz http://www.getrichslowly.org/blog/2008/04/30/save-money-on-food-with-the-sixty-minute-plan/#comment-130096 savingforoz Wed, 30 Apr 2008 21:13:40 +0000 http://www.getrichslowly.org/blog/?p=1776#comment-130096 I definitely second the idea of weekly menu planning. This has saved me lots of money and I have virtually no food waste, apart from the usual veg peelings etc. It takes me maybe 10 minutes per week. Also, I'm really into healthy eating and doing this ensures that I eat well. Living alone, I find it great to cook in bulk for the freezer. I freeze in individual portions and just take out what I need, when I need it. I buy very little in the way of processed foods and cook everything from scratch; it may sound time-consuming if you're not used to doing it, but it's not at all; I have a wide range of favourite dishes that are quick and easy to cook, and again cooking in bulk for the freezer helps with the time factor. I definitely second the idea of weekly menu planning. This has saved me lots of money and I have virtually no food waste, apart from the usual veg peelings etc. It takes me maybe 10 minutes per week. Also, I’m really into healthy eating and doing this ensures that I eat well.

Living alone, I find it great to cook in bulk for the freezer. I freeze in individual portions and just take out what I need, when I need it.

I buy very little in the way of processed foods and cook everything from scratch; it may sound time-consuming if you’re not used to doing it, but it’s not at all; I have a wide range of favourite dishes that are quick and easy to cook, and again cooking in bulk for the freezer helps with the time factor.

]]> By: Finally Frugal http://www.getrichslowly.org/blog/2008/04/30/save-money-on-food-with-the-sixty-minute-plan/#comment-130092 Finally Frugal Wed, 30 Apr 2008 20:45:59 +0000 http://www.getrichslowly.org/blog/?p=1776#comment-130092 While I find coupons to be a waste of my time (they are often focused on higher priced name brand items that I don't use), I use the online circulars at several area stores to track prices. Before I go shopping, I scan my recipes, to determine what I might need to stock up on to make cheap, nutritious meals which can also be brought to work as leftovers the next day. I keep track of oft-purchased items in an Excel spreadsheet, so I know if that end-cap sale is really a good deal. Some people would say that it's not worth their time to to do the research, make a list (this really works, btw!), or plan meals. For me, the satisfaction of knowing that I've saved as much as possible in this area is worth the extra 20 minutes a week that I spend. Great post! And thanks for the link; I hadn't discovered Cheap Healthy Good yet! While I find coupons to be a waste of my time (they are often focused on higher priced name brand items that I don’t use), I use the online circulars at several area stores to track prices.

Before I go shopping, I scan my recipes, to determine what I might need to stock up on to make cheap, nutritious meals which can also be brought to work as leftovers the next day.

I keep track of oft-purchased items in an Excel spreadsheet, so I know if that end-cap sale is really a good deal.

Some people would say that it’s not worth their time to to do the research, make a list (this really works, btw!), or plan meals. For me, the satisfaction of knowing that I’ve saved as much as possible in this area is worth the extra 20 minutes a week that I spend.

Great post! And thanks for the link; I hadn’t discovered Cheap Healthy Good yet!

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