After the first went over so well, I had many requests to make this a regular series on the blog. While I probably won’t be able to do it every week because logistically it takes a long time to price shop my local stores, I would be happy to provide frugal meal plans once or twice a month.
This meal plan is meant to feed two adults and two children, 3 meals a day, 7 days a week for under $80. See the bottom of the post for ways that you could shave down the cost of this plan even a little more.
All ingredients are whole food real ingredients that are minimally processed. All animal products are organic, rBST-free, or pasture raised. Produce is not necessarily organic though. I find it very difficult to purchase all organic on this budget, but if you can afford it, by all means, buy organic. No this meal plan is not gluten free, although many items are naturally gluten free or could easily be adapted to be gluten free. Some of these recipes may not be suitable for your family, and that’s ok. This is meant to provide you with ideas and resources to help feed your family well on a budget. Take what you can use and leave the rest.
These are real prices that I found in my area in the Midwest. They may be different in your area, but I assure you that they are real prices that I gathered from shopping stores like Aldi, Trader Joe’s, Walmart, Shop n Save, and Schnucks. In this plan I did not indicate where I got each item though. I have been told that many stores will price match the lowest price if you don’t like shopping multiple stores.
As always, this meal plan is meant for those who are struggling in the food budget department. Some people can not even afford this amount, so please do not comment with negative comments about not using all organic or more expensive “healthier” items. This is a place of grace. Do the best you can and don’t feel bad or guilty about the rest.
Breakfast Options:
Lunch Options, snacks and additional food if still hungry:
Dinners
Eat half of the chicken, de-bone and divide the other half into two portions and reserve for later in the week. Also save the carcass.
Put the carcass back in the crockpot for for later in the week. Yes the bones can be used multiple times.
Total: $78.12
*The total will be much less if you already have pantry staples like spices, rice, oats, baking powder, flour, etc. from past weeks. It is wise to keep these stocked at all times. Instead of buying them all at once, it helps to restock 1-2 items every week. This keeps the weekly shopping cost down. If you have many of these pantry items and still have money to spend, you could add some spinach to add to your eggs and a bit more fruit.
**If you need to shave this down a little more or if you live in a higher cost of living area, you could buy a half gallon of milk, buy a less expensive whole chicken instead of an organic chicken, and less expensive conventional eggs. If you are still struggling, you could seek assistance at a local food pantry for dry goods like oats, rice, beans, lentils, canned tomatoes, and macaroni. Growing your own produce is also another option if you have access to any land or pots.
Blessings to you, my friends. Eat well, stress free.
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