Comments on: Plan Dinner Menus In Advance to Save Big Money http://lenpenzo.com/blog/id484-plan-dinner-menus-in-advance-to-save-big-money.html The offbeat personal finance blog for responsible people. Thu, 16 Feb 2012 20:41:50 +0000 hourly 1 http://wordpress.org/?v=3.0.4 By: TLSF http://lenpenzo.com/blog/id484-plan-dinner-menus-in-advance-to-save-big-money.html#comment-139272 TLSF Fri, 14 Oct 2011 21:35:25 +0000 http://lenpenzo.com/blog/?p=484#comment-139272 Michael, I assisted my young sister-in-law with her budgeting a little over a year ago, when she first moved out on her own. I had the whole dollar menu VS home cooking debate with her. Average meal for dollar menu eating = 3 bucks. Assuming that she ate only 2 times a day, I had a budget of 6 bucks per day to work with. 6 bucks a day times 7 days a week for a weekly budget of 42 dollars fed her amazingly well on lasagna, nicoise salad, fish, BBQ chicken, etc... She had to get over the whole cooking for one thing. Now, she makes meals that will be three or 4 servings, freezes some, and keeps others in the fridge to be eaten within the next 3-5 days either as lunch, or an effortless dinner. Michael, I assisted my young sister-in-law with her budgeting a little over a year ago, when she first moved out on her own. I had the whole dollar menu VS home cooking debate with her. Average meal for dollar menu eating = 3 bucks. Assuming that she ate only 2 times a day, I had a budget of 6 bucks per day to work with. 6 bucks a day times 7 days a week for a weekly budget of 42 dollars fed her amazingly well on lasagna, nicoise salad, fish, BBQ chicken, etc… She had to get over the whole cooking for one thing. Now, she makes meals that will be three or 4 servings, freezes some, and keeps others in the fridge to be eaten within the next 3-5 days either as lunch, or an effortless dinner.

]]> By: TLSF http://lenpenzo.com/blog/id484-plan-dinner-menus-in-advance-to-save-big-money.html#comment-139271 TLSF Fri, 14 Oct 2011 21:21:08 +0000 http://lenpenzo.com/blog/?p=484#comment-139271 Hey, Len. Long time reader, first time replier. :-) Spaghetti Tacos have become a family favorite of ours. I cook my taco meat separately, make my spaghetti, and chop a bell pepper into strips. Put on the table with taco shells, some cheese, and some sour cream, and everyone gets to make their own spaghetti taco creations! I have been meal planning and shopping once a month for groceries (with $20 set aside in the budget per week for milk, bread and some fresh produce) and am literally amazed at how much I have been able to shave from our grocery bill each month. Recently, a friend told me that she was going to do the "Food Stamp Challenge", and spend only what she would get if her family were on food stamps. She challenged me to do the same, to see if I could do it. I called and found out what our disbursement would be, if we qualified. I am creating healthy, diverse, plentiful meals on just a little over 1/2 of the allowance in our state for a family of 4. Hey, Len. Long time reader, first time replier. :-) Spaghetti Tacos have become a family favorite of ours. I cook my taco meat separately, make my spaghetti, and chop a bell pepper into strips. Put on the table with taco shells, some cheese, and some sour cream, and everyone gets to make their own spaghetti taco creations!

I have been meal planning and shopping once a month for groceries (with $20 set aside in the budget per week for milk, bread and some fresh produce) and am literally amazed at how much I have been able to shave from our grocery bill each month.

Recently, a friend told me that she was going to do the “Food Stamp Challenge”, and spend only what she would get if her family were on food stamps. She challenged me to do the same, to see if I could do it. I called and found out what our disbursement would be, if we qualified. I am creating healthy, diverse, plentiful meals on just a little over 1/2 of the allowance in our state for a family of 4.

]]> By: Sam http://lenpenzo.com/blog/id484-plan-dinner-menus-in-advance-to-save-big-money.html#comment-139176 Sam Tue, 11 Oct 2011 21:07:56 +0000 http://lenpenzo.com/blog/?p=484#comment-139176 30 to 40% more is a lot. Even for one person. Not to mention, chances are that you do have some down time and are not working constantly. Therefore, you would likely not actually make $20. Plus, the time it takes to go to a restaurant is about the same as it takes to cook many meals. If you like going out to eat, great, but it isn't cheaper. 30 to 40% more is a lot. Even for one person. Not to mention, chances are that you do have some down time and are not working constantly. Therefore, you would likely not actually make $20. Plus, the time it takes to go to a restaurant is about the same as it takes to cook many meals. If you like going out to eat, great, but it isn’t cheaper.

]]> By: Beware the Four Horsemen of Personal Finance | Money Talks News http://lenpenzo.com/blog/id484-plan-dinner-menus-in-advance-to-save-big-money.html#comment-138795 Beware the Four Horsemen of Personal Finance | Money Talks News Thu, 29 Sep 2011 10:05:34 +0000 http://lenpenzo.com/blog/?p=484#comment-138795 [...] another post how, on a per-meal basis, dining out is horrendously expensive when compared to eating home-cooked meals. In fact, my previous research showed that it is five times more expensive! So why would anybody on [...] [...] another post how, on a per-meal basis, dining out is horrendously expensive when compared to eating home-cooked meals. In fact, my previous research showed that it is five times more expensive! So why would anybody on [...]

]]> By: Jenny http://lenpenzo.com/blog/id484-plan-dinner-menus-in-advance-to-save-big-money.html#comment-64098 Jenny Mon, 01 Aug 2011 16:31:28 +0000 http://lenpenzo.com/blog/?p=484#comment-64098 Hello - Will you please share your 14 day meal plan? With recipes? When I try new recipes - no one seems to like them. I would like to try recipes that other families eat regularly. Thanks. Hello -
Will you please share your 14 day meal plan? With recipes? When I try new recipes – no one seems to like them. I would like to try recipes that other families eat regularly. Thanks.

]]> By: Steven and Debra http://lenpenzo.com/blog/id484-plan-dinner-menus-in-advance-to-save-big-money.html#comment-75 Steven and Debra Wed, 20 Apr 2011 20:48:56 +0000 http://lenpenzo.com/blog/?p=484#comment-75 Len - Another great article. Obviously, the key to your success, in keeping your food costs low, is planning ahead. It is when we don't plan ahead that we usually end up on the fast food treadmill. If we stay on the fast food treadmill too long, we eventually have to get on the fatshop treadmill(another cost) or entertain expensive doctor's appointments and drugs for the treatment of diabetes. .-= Steven and Debra´s last blog ..<a href="http://feedproxy.google.com/~r/TheEndTimesHoax/~3/PqL6IHIq9as/fannie-mae-and-freddy-mac-krueger-final.html" rel="nofollow">Fannie Mae and Freddy Mac Krueger: Final Nightmare on Main Street?</a> =-. Len – Another great article. Obviously, the key to your success, in keeping your food costs low, is planning ahead. It is when we don’t plan ahead that we usually end up on the fast food treadmill. If we stay on the fast food treadmill too long, we eventually have to get on the fatshop treadmill(another cost) or entertain expensive doctor’s appointments and drugs for the treatment of diabetes.
.-= Steven and Debra´s last blog ..Fannie Mae and Freddy Mac Krueger: Final Nightmare on Main Street? =-.

]]> By: Len Penzo http://lenpenzo.com/blog/id484-plan-dinner-menus-in-advance-to-save-big-money.html#comment-76 Len Penzo Wed, 20 Apr 2011 20:48:56 +0000 http://lenpenzo.com/blog/?p=484#comment-76 Exactly, Steven and Debra! It takes a discipline - the time spent planning a 2-week menu and then writing the shopping list is well worth the effort. :-) Exactly, Steven and Debra! It takes a discipline – the time spent planning a 2-week menu and then writing the shopping list is well worth the effort. :-)

]]> By: Michael Dolen http://lenpenzo.com/blog/id484-plan-dinner-menus-in-advance-to-save-big-money.html#comment-77 Michael Dolen Wed, 20 Apr 2011 20:48:56 +0000 http://lenpenzo.com/blog/?p=484#comment-77 Hi Len, I agree it makes sense for your situation, but sometimes it's actually cheaper to eat out. For example, it's much different for individuals... the cost per meal is much more expensive. This is especially true if you have special dietary restrictions. For example, I'm vegan and the price for dining out only averages out to be about 30 to 40% more for me (for lower priced restaurants). Plus you have to take into account the time it takes to prepare a meal. If it takes me an hour to cook a meal and I could be making $20 during that same time by working, it actually makes sense to pay for takeout. Just some food for thought ;) Hi Len, I agree it makes sense for your situation, but sometimes it’s actually cheaper to eat out. For example, it’s much different for individuals… the cost per meal is much more expensive. This is especially true if you have special dietary restrictions. For example, I’m vegan and the price for dining out only averages out to be about 30 to 40% more for me (for lower priced restaurants). Plus you have to take into account the time it takes to prepare a meal. If it takes me an hour to cook a meal and I could be making $20 during that same time by working, it actually makes sense to pay for takeout. Just some food for thought ;)

]]> By: A Look Back at 12 Years of Spending Data: My 2011 State of the Household Report « Len Penzo dot Com http://lenpenzo.com/blog/id484-plan-dinner-menus-in-advance-to-save-big-money.html#comment-78 A Look Back at 12 Years of Spending Data: My 2011 State of the Household Report « Len Penzo dot Com Wed, 20 Apr 2011 20:48:56 +0000 http://lenpenzo.com/blog/?p=484#comment-78 [...] Bonus Tip: Yes our grocery bill is large, but did you know our food bill would be as much as 20 times higher if my family of four ate most every meal at a restaurant?  You can see the complete analysis here. [...] [...] Bonus Tip: Yes our grocery bill is large, but did you know our food bill would be as much as 20 times higher if my family of four ate most every meal at a restaurant?  You can see the complete analysis here. [...]

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