Comments on: April – Monthly Meal Plan

By: Erin, The $5 Dinner Mom

Erin, The $5 Dinner Mom — Thu, 18 Feb 2010 03:43:21 +0000

I will share those printable resources soon Clarissa! Probably in the next 2 weeks

By: Clarissa Buck

Clarissa Buck — Wed, 17 Feb 2010 23:55:24 +0000

I have just begun the SAHM phase of my life. I am really wanting to save, save, save. Do you have any menus, lists or blank calendars that I can print out to help me get started on my adventure. I am really excited to do this. I feel like I am contributing by doing this. Please let me know. Thanks so much,
Clarissa (California)

By: Jennifer Goddard

Jennifer Goddard — Thu, 23 Apr 2009 00:15:23 +0000

I have just started fixing dinner every night and NOT going out to eat to save
money. I have two children and we have a crazzy life. I just desided to start
clipping coupons. Do you know of any way to get coupons other than you
Sunday paper? We live in a small town and it just don’t seem like they put
very many coupons in our paper! Any ideas would be great!
Thanks
Jennifer

By: Susan Isele

Susan Isele — Wed, 22 Apr 2009 16:15:54 +0000

How do you organize your coupon binder and please comment on the reasoning behind the paper for every member of the family theory you spoke of on Rachael’s show yesterday 04-21-09.
Thanks.
Susan

By: retriever

retriever — Wed, 22 Apr 2009 00:20:17 +0000

Hi, Karen,
I sympathize. It’s that stressful in my house often, despite my three kids being older , and one away at college. I work fulltime. I found that when the kids were that young (16mos) that it helped (tho I was at home full time then) to prepare a whole bunch of individual servings of meals they liked and freeze them. For example: peas, rice and ham cubes, or shepherd’s pie, or chicken and noodles, or separated pot roast (stringey, in pieces so they don’t choke) w SOFT cooked carrot and potato. I would freeze them in 8 oz containers with room in, then could microwave, stir, test and let sit a few inutes with one hand then change a diaper, maybe nurse the kid, and plonk them in their high chair while I did our dinner. They would be happy. If the dinner was too hot to serve, a clementine peeled would be a good thing to keep them occupied while it cooled.

As far as our dinners, to this day I make a point of instantly packaging up any and all leftovers in one person servings, a complete meal (homemade TV dinner) and label with paper tape and freeze. That way I always have something to give my husband and the kids in an emergency. I also try to make double of elaborate recipes, and freeze half in a dish big enough to serve 4-5. As long as I alway have one or two such emergency meals, I can relax. I usually do my elaborate cooking on the weekend.

We use the crockpot a lot for hectic days (set it up in five minutes in the morning, come home to stew or soup, or baked beans or even boiled chicken (the skin gets yukky so give it to the dog). I set up the rice steamer on a timer to be ready at the same time.

If you have an hour to an hour and a half, there”s always 39c a lb chicken legs baked with a little apricot jam glazed at last few minutes> Bake potatoes in the oven with them and serve with frozen corn and a lettuce salad. The thing is, you put it in the oven and can go do something else entirely. Have a bath, watch the news, read the mail , bathe the kid, go for a run. No hassles. And CHEAP.

By: Karen

Karen — Tue, 21 Apr 2009 16:41:32 +0000

This sound great! Every time I try to plan meals it falls apart. My husband and I get home from work between 5:20 and 6:00 M-F. My 16 month son is hungry as soon as I hit the door. I try so hard to get it together before 6-6:30 so he can get ready for bed by 7:30. I really don’t know how you ladies do it. Are you making the meals everyday or preparing them in advance? Honestly, my husband does much of the cooking but he tends to make a project out of it and takes to much time preparing. This just causes the evening to run behind of schedule. Feedback welcomed.

Thank – Karen

By: aimee rohr

aimee rohr — Tue, 21 Apr 2009 14:49:17 +0000

i readly like the 5 dollars dinner they are more heather .

By: Ciara

Ciara — Thu, 02 Apr 2009 05:11:58 +0000

Awwwwww!
I LOVE pork fried rice…..and you’re doing it on my birthday!
GREAT!

By: Erin

Erin — Wed, 01 Apr 2009 16:33:56 +0000

I use what I have in the freezer that I have purchased over the previous month when at its lowest price! I sometimes base meals based on sales. But not usually. I buy a lot of “Manager’s Special” items that have been marked down for quick sale. These are often over half off the original price. I can then freeze then and use them in the next couple of weeks -Erin

By: Jenelle

Jenelle — Wed, 01 Apr 2009 15:58:53 +0000

I was wondering how you take advantage for store sales when you meal plan monthly. I usualy do my meal plan once a week and base the meals around what is on sale in the store. Or do you already have all this stuff on hand?