I know lots of people are participating in the Eat from the Pantry Challenge . I plan my menu every week from the pantry. I usually only have an item or two to purchase during the week (besides a few perishables) to complete my meals. Then, since I've already planned my meals, my shopping list focuses on the best buys for the week. I've saved a ton of money planning and shopping this way.Monday: Spaghetti and meatballs, garlic bread, green salad
Tuesday: Pot Roast with carrots and potatoes, peaches
Wednesday: Breakfast casserole, orange juice
Thursday: Senate Bean Soup, corn bread
Friday: leftovers
Saturday: Chicken Piccata, peas, fruit
Sunday: Pork chops, long grain & wild rice, frozen veggies, applesauce
If you would like more meal planning ideas, visit Menu Plan Monday at orgjunkie.com
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looks like a great week! I don't shop based on menu either...I shop for sales and perishables, and then build my menu around what I have in the house.
ReplyDeleteI also regularly plan my menus from what is on hand and shop the loss leaders/great sales/deals. However, this month I'm doing a shopping exile of sorts. There are some things that I do not need to buy more of until I use some of what I have. Frozen veggies, meat, shampoo, toothpaste, laundry detergent come to mind. And that's just for starters, lol! But I'll still be shopping, just with a *restricted* list. :-)
ReplyDeleteHi Michelle - Before couponing, I use to undershop. I thought I had planned a menu, but never seemed to have what I needed to make it which meant a trip back to the store and lots of extra time and panic. Live is so much easier now.
ReplyDeleteHi Kelly - I love your *restricted* list. I have the same list, just hadn't named it - until now. I'll only bring home toothpaste if they pay me to buy it and even then I pass sometimes.
ReplyDeleteI, too, plan from what I have- you're right, it's a great money-saver! But I'm doing the challenge to only buy produce and dairy (plus a few other items) this month and save a larger chunk of money (so maybe it's February that will be hard to plan!).
ReplyDeleteHi Jamie - I debated the eat from the pantry challenge, but wondered if I would deplete my stockpile so much I would spend extra money in Febuary. I'm watching the challenge and maybe I'll be brave enough to try it another time.
ReplyDeleteEvery couple of weeks I clean and organize my pantry and plan meals with what I have. This week Shop n Save is not having $10 off so I will definitely plan meals with what I have and only purchasing must haves.
ReplyDeleteHi Tracy - I'm with you. I don't shop at SNS unless they do a $10 off $50.
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