Meals for a month

We spend $300/month on Groceries. In 2007 it was $250 and the year before when Ella was born it was $200. Last month we spent less than $200 and since we have SOOOOO much we need to eat, like 47 boxes of cereal, and over 40lbs of meat in the freezer (I am really running out of space everywhere) the budget for this month is $150.

I plan my menu every month. Every month varies. I like to try new recipes and I like to make what I can from scratch. Each month includes at least 24 different dinners (I plan on dinner at moms every Sunday, one dinner out, and there's always leftovers), 24 lunches (some of these repeat), 5 homemade treats/desserts and breakfast at our house is usually cereal, toaster strudels, pancakes, waffles and toast. This list goes on the fridge and we cross off the meals as I decide to fix them. I write my shopping list based on what I need for each meal and do one big shopping trip per month because we live so far away from everything. $50-$75 of the grocery budget most months is used on our "stockpile" aka food storage which we use. I buy things that are on sale in bulk. I watch meat prices closely and buy my chicken breast and extra extra lean hamburger in bulk 10 - 20 lbs at a time and freeze. I buy all our cheese at Gossners for $2.75/pound or less! Once a week we buy any fresh foods as needed, milk, veggies, bread, eggs. . .

You know I love coupons. EVERY grocery shopping trip I save at least 60% off combing coupons and sale prices.

So since my sister was teasing me on Sunday (which is the reason for this post) here is this months menu:

1. Beef Tacos & Spanish rice
2. Chicken & Broccoli casserole
3. Cheesy ham and potatoes
4. BBQ Chicken Legs, baked potatoes, corn
5. Muffins, sausage, eggs
6. Crock pot beef stroganof
7. Chicken enchiladas
8. Baked ham, Au gratin potatoes, mixed veggies
9. Spaghetti & French bread
10. Bow-ties and shrimp Alfredo
11. Pancakes, bacon, eggs
12. Nat's Chicken rolls, parsley potatoes, green beans
13. Homemade personal pizza's (my kids favorite)
14. Italian Style Shepherd's pie
15. Tuna Casserole
16. Black bean and corn enchiladas
17. Chicken fajita casserole
18. Belgium waffles, sausage, eggs
19. Breakfast burritos
20. Homemade chicken pot pie
21. Whole roasted chicken with rosemary potatoes & baby veggie medley
22. Homemade chicken noodle soup
23. Lasagna
24. Meatloaf, rice, mixed veggies