Skip to main content

Menu Planning: #236

 

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 2: 

Kroger: $212.76

Week 3:

Aldi: $38.96

Kroger: $79.92

Week 4: 

Kroger: $141.90

Aldi: $62.75

Total: $664.70


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: 


Comparison Shop:  This week I did not do a great job at this.   Kroger had their smoked salmon on sale for $7.99 and since I don’t normally pick up this item, I thought it was a great price.   However, when I got to Aldi, they had smoked salmon for $4.39- regular price.    I picked up both packages and will do a taste comparison this week in our sushi bowls. 


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

  • Menu Planning 

  • Pre-Cut Vegetables



Breakfast Options: 

Yogurt

Hard Boiled Eggs

Cereal


Monday

Jambalaya

Bread


Tuesday

Soup and Sandwiches


Wednesday

Tacos

Salad

Chips w/ Salsa


Thursday


Wings

Vegetable Tray w/ Dip


Friday

Pot Luck Dinner

Our contribution:

Oreo Cookies


Saturday

Date Night


Sunday


Stir Fry

Salad



M-Garlic Chicken and Mushrooms* 

T- Kielbasa

W- Salmon Sushi 

Th- Tacos

Fri- Sandwich Night→ Swim Meet

Sat- Jambalaya

Sun- Chili 


* 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?


Labels:

Comments

Post a Comment

Popular posts from this blog

Menu Planning #132

Our meals need to be nutritious, clean, flexible, quick and cost effective. Between our work schedules and after school activities, we need to carefully plan our meals so that we do not end up ordering out.   The news is very scary at this time because of all the news of meat plants shutting down, grocery stories limiting the amount of meat a family can purchase and all of the talk about a depression on the horizon.    We have decided to keep our grocery budget the same, but to economize any way we can.     This week we tried to pick up some shrimp that was on sale, but the store was out of shrimp and not expecting to get any more in.    We were grateful to find wild caught salmon for the same price, so we picked that up instead for our Mother’s Day Dinner.    What did we spend?  Week 1: $96.44 Kroger: $96.44 Rebates: $3.55 IBOTTA: $1.35 Kroger Cash: $0.45 Checkout 51: $1.75 ...
Post a Comment
Read more

Menu Plan #322

  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 these dishes may be higher due to inflation and/or location.      Published September 2025:  USDA Thrifty Food Plan According to this plan, our family has a weekly budget of $190.50. Since  October has 5 weeks, our monthly budget is $952.50.   We elevate our dining experiences by including fresh fruits, vegetables, and higher-quality meats.  Since our family has specific dietary needs, we limit our consumption of highly processed food.   Grocery Shopping Tip:     Rethink lunchmeat.     The deli will provide you with thin-sliced meat or presliced deli meat, but you will pay a premium per pound.     ($6.49 to $15.00 per pound) However, if you buy a ½ boneless ham (unsliced or presliced), the price point will drop to between ...
Post a Comment
Read more

Frugal Five: #133

  With inflation rising and salaries staying the same, our ability to make ends meet is becoming increasingly difficult. Therefore, we must be more careful with our money. The Frugal Five is a series that celebrates the daily or weekly activities that help us live a frugal life.     This year, my focus is on Simple Abundance , so finding ways to live well while staying on budget will be challenging.    Come along and enjoy my journey of elevating joy, enjoying what you have, and finding luxury in my local area.    1- Giving Back to the Community  Supporting your community can take countless shapes. Some people choose to write a check, and that generosity absolutely matters. But many outreach efforts require more than funding—they need time, hands, and hearts willing to show up. I’m grateful that I’m able to participate in several programs that make a real difference for the people around me. One of the most meaningful ways I give b...
Post a Comment
Read more