Menu Planning: #234

The USDA food plans represent a healthy diet at four different cost levels. (thrifty, low-cost, moderate-cost and liberal-cost) The Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) utilizes the thrifty level of the USDA food plans. Each food plan specifies quantities of food and beverage categories that can be purchased and prepared to make healthy meals and snacks at home.

This year, we decided to use the Official USDA Plans: Cost of Food Reports to guide our food budget this year at the thrifty level.

December 2022 Report

Per Week

Male (14-18) = $68.90

Male (51-70) = $64.20

Female (51-70) = $57.70

Total = $190.80/Week or $954.00

Week 1:

Aldi: $51.74

Meijer: $0.49

Kroger: $81.48

Week 3:

Kroger: $212.76

Total: $341.17

NOTE-

1- Click on the picture and get a link to a post sharing the recipe.

2- Although all prices were correct at the time of the blog postings, the current cost of preparation of these dishes may be higher due to inflation and/or location.

Cost Saving Tip of the Week:

Sunday Prepping

A little bit of preparation goes a long way in keeping us away from eating out and/or getting takeout. This may look like freezing leftovers and pulling them out once or twice a month for a quick meal or taking an hour on Sunday to pre-cut vegetables, meal plan and pre-cook breakfasts.

Here is what we did this week to make our week easier:

Using my Crock Pot several times this week.
Picked up convenience food, but will eat at home, so it is still cheaper.

Breakfast Options:

Hard Boiled Eggs

Bagels

Monday

Pasta

w/ Homemade Gravy

Salad

Bread

Tuesday

Mississippi Pot Roast

Cole Slaw

Mashed Potatoes

Broccoli

Wednesday

Tacos w/

Leftover Pot Roast

Chips w/ Salsa

Thursday

BOGO Boneless Buffalo Wings

Exhaustion came over me and

we broke down and got takeout.

Friday

Pizza

Salad

Leftover Buffalo Wings

Saturday

Smothered Pork Chops*

Potato Cakes

Broccoli

Salad

Sunday

Salmon

Sauteed Spinach

Rice

Salad

M- Crock Pot Tacos

T- Leftovers

W- Clam Chowder

Th- Soup and Sandwiches

Fri- Pizza

Sat- Sausage Sandwiches

Sun- Pasta Bake

* Indicate that the recipe is a new one for our family.

If you are interested in last week’s Menu Plan, the link is below.

What is your meal plan for this week?

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