Usually on a Saturday I post my Simple Meal Plan for the upcoming week – spot the deliberate mistake Guys – this week it’s Sunday!
Each week I plan for 6 days of meals, with Friday as my free day where I take part in The Frugal Girls Food Waste Friday and my very own No Waste Tastes Great Challenge.
Because I’m a simple gal, I order my groceries on-line for the week ahead and they are delivered. This also means I do not have to step into a supermarket – hurrah! No impulse purchases and queuing for me!
I budget up to £100 per week to cover everything… and pretty much I keep to it apart from holidays and when I am doing extra catering.
Breakfasts consist of, cereal, toast, pancakes, bran loaf.
Simple Meal Plan 12 February – 18 February 2011
(This weeks menu is very simple, quick and easy)
Saturday
- Lunch – Ham and Cheese Rolls and Salad
- Dinner – Jacket Potatoes with Tuna Mayo and Sweetcorn
- Dessert – Fruit and Yoghurt
Sunday
- Lunch – Took Kid’s out for Pizza as requested by Daughter!
- Dinner – Omelettes and Steamed Vegetables
- Dessert – Ice-Cream
Monday – Meat-Free
- Lunch – Beans on Toast with Marmite and Cheese
- Dinner – Pasta with Peppers and Garlic Bread
- Dessert – Fruit and Yoghurt
Tuesday
- Lunch – Mackerel on Wholemeal Toast
- Dinner – Slow Cooked Sausage and Beans Casserole
- Dessert – Cake and Custard
Wednesday
- Lunch – Cheese Rolls and Salad
- Dinner – Slow Cooked Turkey Bolognaise with Garlic Bread
- Dessert – Jelly
Thursday
- Lunch – Light Lunch Out as Playday!
- Dinner – Toad in the Hole with Mustard Mash
- Dessert – Fruit and Yoghurt
Friday
No Waste Tastes Great – This is the day I challenge myself to use up any potential food waste, or if the fridge and cupboard is bare the Hubby and I get a take-away! The Kids (who have had a hot meal lunch-time) always get something nutritious rustled up from my store cupboard and freezer stocks.
At the end of the Simple Meal Plan I now like to include a link/s to a great read/s I have found during the week…
I had to link this week to Debs post over at Life Beyond Stuff. Deb mentioned she had purchased an indispensable car-free accessory. After my own car-free endeavours this week I had to check it out. I only saw the photo and it really made me laugh! Debs had worked through my conscious spending checklist over at So Much More Life, to ensure she had made the right purchase. I reckon she did – and I can just see Deb pulling it along! Go Deb!
Mark UK this week pointed me in the direction of Project 1p, after reading my post about bartering. I’m so glad he did! At the end of my post I posed the question about how far I could go with bartering. Well Luke the creator of Project 1p is testing the concept….
I e-mailed Luke to get his own words on what he is trying to do…
“I started this project because I was curious about the possibilities of transforming something that is more or less worthless into something that has value. I like the idea that things have value beyond their price tag. ‘One mans rubbish is another mans treasure’ – it makes a lot of sense. I’ve gone from 1p to 10 sq m of land in Bulgaria in 1 month, and am going to continue the project for the rest of the year. Its turning into a good adventure and a lot of fun. So if anyone wants to own a small chunk of Bulgaria then make me an offer! (Cash or item)”
See you tomorrow Guys! Have fun out there!
Perhaps you covered this in another post, but as I haven’t read through them all yet, could I ask this question: Does the money you budget for the week cover just food items or items like dish detergent, tissues, light bulbs, and that sort of thing? Thanks for your help.
Hi Jo… yes it covers everything including Nappies (I do use disposable ones – I tried re-usable nappies and I could not get to grips with them!). I budget £100 for the week, and spend approx 70-80% on food and the remainder on other household items… it also includes wine and beer, and treats. If I have a week when I spend less on food like this week – very simple menu, I may buy an extra couple of bottles of wine for weeks when my food spend is up. It keeps it consistent. I do sometimes have to grab some extra milk from the local shop, but again it generally averages out at £100 a week in total. Because I do my grocery shop online it tallies up as I add things to my basket. I can see what money I have left after the essentials, before I add on any extras. I wouldn’t just spend the £100, but if I have say £10 left at the end I may buy some extra washing powder, knowing that next week I may be struggling to buy everything for £100. Although saying that I don’t really stockpile – I find it can cause waste long-term and I don’ like storing extra stuff. I buy items that aren’t perishable if I do this. It’s just getting into a routine with it, it gets easier everytime you do it. You get a feel for it. Hope that helps Jo
Yes, this does help – thanks!
Perhaps you covered this in another post, but as I haven’t read through them all yet, could I ask this question: Does the money you budget for the week cover just food items or items like dish detergent, tissues, light bulbs, and that sort of thing? Thanks for your help.
Hi Jo… yes it covers everything including Nappies (I do use disposable ones – I tried re-usable nappies and I could not get to grips with them!). I budget £100 for the week, and spend approx 70-80% on food and the remainder on other household items… it also includes wine and beer, and treats. If I have a week when I spend less on food like this week – very simple menu, I may buy an extra couple of bottles of wine for weeks when my food spend is up. It keeps it consistent. I do sometimes have to grab some extra milk from the local shop, but again it generally averages out at £100 a week in total. Because I do my grocery shop online it tallies up as I add things to my basket. I can see what money I have left after the essentials, before I add on any extras. I wouldn’t just spend the £100, but if I have say £10 left at the end I may buy some extra washing powder, knowing that next week I may be struggling to buy everything for £100. Although saying that I don’t really stockpile – I find it can cause waste long-term and I don’ like storing extra stuff. I buy items that aren’t perishable if I do this. It’s just getting into a routine with it, it gets easier everytime you do it. You get a feel for it. Hope that helps Jo
Yes, this does help – thanks!
Perhaps you covered this in another post, but as I haven’t read through them all yet, could I ask this question: Does the money you budget for the week cover just food items or items like dish detergent, tissues, light bulbs, and that sort of thing? Thanks for your help.
Hi Jo… yes it covers everything including Nappies (I do use disposable ones – I tried re-usable nappies and I could not get to grips with them!). I budget £100 for the week, and spend approx 70-80% on food and the remainder on other household items… it also includes wine and beer, and treats. If I have a week when I spend less on food like this week – very simple menu, I may buy an extra couple of bottles of wine for weeks when my food spend is up. It keeps it consistent. I do sometimes have to grab some extra milk from the local shop, but again it generally averages out at £100 a week in total. Because I do my grocery shop online it tallies up as I add things to my basket. I can see what money I have left after the essentials, before I add on any extras. I wouldn’t just spend the £100, but if I have say £10 left at the end I may buy some extra washing powder, knowing that next week I may be struggling to buy everything for £100. Although saying that I don’t really stockpile – I find it can cause waste long-term and I don’ like storing extra stuff. I buy items that aren’t perishable if I do this. It’s just getting into a routine with it, it gets easier everytime you do it. You get a feel for it. Hope that helps Jo
Yes, this does help – thanks!
Actually I’m not sure if my shopping cart is saving me money in terms of shopping . I’m shopping almost daily. With writing from home all day, a stroll down to the village with my icfa (indispensable car free accessory) is a nice break in my day and gets me around real people. I also don’t know if a supermarket around here delivers anyway. But I do need to get sorted. I will be a good frugalist and keep track of my spend from now on.
The other challenge I’m having is that I don’t want to eat the same food that we ate back in New Zealand, It’s just too hot.
Maybe I should start up a simple meal plan for hot climates so that you and I can cover the world? The very idea of Sausage and Bean casserole when you’re sweltering in 30 cel (sorry don’t know Fahrenheit), with 80 -90% humidity is enough to give me a significant hot flush.
Thanks for the mention 🙂
Deb – the key to it is to make a list for the week even if you buy daily and do not deviate. It’s the same principle. The problem you are encountering is that you are being exposed to a situation when you can makes purchases every day, and everytime you go shopping you may see something you want to buy. If you spend an extra $3 each day it seems insignificant at the time, but over a week that can be a 20% increase on your usual spend.
An Ozzie Meal Plan would be a fab idea, I find that when I post my meal plan, that it is my record for the week, I do jot down dinners on my ‘bistro style’ menu board…but the other stuff not. It’s a great way to keep track. Give it a go!
Actually I’m not sure if my shopping cart is saving me money in terms of shopping . I’m shopping almost daily. With writing from home all day, a stroll down to the village with my icfa (indispensable car free accessory) is a nice break in my day and gets me around real people. I also don’t know if a supermarket around here delivers anyway. But I do need to get sorted. I will be a good frugalist and keep track of my spend from now on.
The other challenge I’m having is that I don’t want to eat the same food that we ate back in New Zealand, It’s just too hot.
Maybe I should start up a simple meal plan for hot climates so that you and I can cover the world? The very idea of Sausage and Bean casserole when you’re sweltering in 30 cel (sorry don’t know Fahrenheit), with 80 -90% humidity is enough to give me a significant hot flush.
Thanks for the mention 🙂
Deb – the key to it is to make a list for the week even if you buy daily and do not deviate. It’s the same principle. The problem you are encountering is that you are being exposed to a situation when you can makes purchases every day, and everytime you go shopping you may see something you want to buy. If you spend an extra $3 each day it seems insignificant at the time, but over a week that can be a 20% increase on your usual spend.
An Ozzie Meal Plan would be a fab idea, I find that when I post my meal plan, that it is my record for the week, I do jot down dinners on my ‘bistro style’ menu board…but the other stuff not. It’s a great way to keep track. Give it a go!
Actually I’m not sure if my shopping cart is saving me money in terms of shopping . I’m shopping almost daily. With writing from home all day, a stroll down to the village with my icfa (indispensable car free accessory) is a nice break in my day and gets me around real people. I also don’t know if a supermarket around here delivers anyway. But I do need to get sorted. I will be a good frugalist and keep track of my spend from now on.
The other challenge I’m having is that I don’t want to eat the same food that we ate back in New Zealand, It’s just too hot.
Maybe I should start up a simple meal plan for hot climates so that you and I can cover the world? The very idea of Sausage and Bean casserole when you’re sweltering in 30 cel (sorry don’t know Fahrenheit), with 80 -90% humidity is enough to give me a significant hot flush.
Thanks for the mention 🙂
Deb – the key to it is to make a list for the week even if you buy daily and do not deviate. It’s the same principle. The problem you are encountering is that you are being exposed to a situation when you can makes purchases every day, and everytime you go shopping you may see something you want to buy. If you spend an extra $3 each day it seems insignificant at the time, but over a week that can be a 20% increase on your usual spend.
An Ozzie Meal Plan would be a fab idea, I find that when I post my meal plan, that it is my record for the week, I do jot down dinners on my ‘bistro style’ menu board…but the other stuff not. It’s a great way to keep track. Give it a go!
I don’t remember if I told you that my husband and I are doing take-out Saturday inspired by you (and with the goal of not having any waste). We are on week #2, and it is delightful. We have our own little date-night after the kids go to bed. And last night, we also watched “Defiance” on Netflix, which we enjoyed very much!
Snap Rayna! We have our take-away (although this has been few and far between of late – I have had things to use up as part of NWTG) and then watch our LoveFilm DVD. Staying in is in the new going out! At least it is when you have Kids! I’ll have to get those babysitting vouchers ready in case we ever do meet…. mind you then I’d probably suggest we all stay in and I’d slow cook a balti and Bailey’s Bread and Butter Pud…
🙂
I don’t remember if I told you that my husband and I are doing take-out Saturday inspired by you (and with the goal of not having any waste). We are on week #2, and it is delightful. We have our own little date-night after the kids go to bed. And last night, we also watched “Defiance” on Netflix, which we enjoyed very much!
Snap Rayna! We have our take-away (although this has been few and far between of late – I have had things to use up as part of NWTG) and then watch our LoveFilm DVD. Staying in is in the new going out! At least it is when you have Kids! I’ll have to get those babysitting vouchers ready in case we ever do meet…. mind you then I’d probably suggest we all stay in and I’d slow cook a balti and Bailey’s Bread and Butter Pud…
🙂
I don’t remember if I told you that my husband and I are doing take-out Saturday inspired by you (and with the goal of not having any waste). We are on week #2, and it is delightful. We have our own little date-night after the kids go to bed. And last night, we also watched “Defiance” on Netflix, which we enjoyed very much!
Snap Rayna! We have our take-away (although this has been few and far between of late – I have had things to use up as part of NWTG) and then watch our LoveFilm DVD. Staying in is in the new going out! At least it is when you have Kids! I’ll have to get those babysitting vouchers ready in case we ever do meet…. mind you then I’d probably suggest we all stay in and I’d slow cook a balti and Bailey’s Bread and Butter Pud…
🙂
I’m really impressed that you’re only spending $100 each week on food AND personal items. I noticed The Frugal Girl adheres to the same low weekly budget. Do you also need to buy gas for a car or two with that budget?
I thought we were doing good by allowing ourselves a budget of $250 each week for food, toiletries, detergents, gas, haircuts, and any other miscellaneous weekly costs we may incur — like birthday presents. Now I’m second guessing this amount since it’s more than double what I’m seeing others budget!
Also, I would love to see a photo of your Toad in the Hole with Mustard Mash dinner sometime. Maybe it’s a common meal in the UK, but I’ve never heard of it and the name it quite intriguing. 🙂
Hi Jenny – you have inspired a post for this blog! I am going to write about the budget as a couple readers have asked now. I’ll do a quick explanation now and explain in more detail on the post if thats okay?
1. £100 is approx. $150 – so I definitely spend more than Kristen – 50% more! I do not know how food prices compare between UK and US – the UK is quite expensive for most things – fuel is astronomical.
2. My £100 includes all grocery shopping items, so household products are included, but doesn’t include other things such as haircuts, fuel, eating out etc…
Hope thats helps put it into context a little?
As for Toad in the Hole – I deliberately used the British term for it! It’s basically Sausages cooked in yorkshire pudding. Not sure if you would do that in the US.
I’ll definitely put a picture up and the recipe. It’s a great simple meal for the family and pretty frugal too! The kids love it!
Have a lovely day! 🙂
Great! I can’t wait to read it. And I’m really looking forward to seeing your Toad in the Hole with Mustard Mash dinner photo.
I’m really impressed that you’re only spending $100 each week on food AND personal items. I noticed The Frugal Girl adheres to the same low weekly budget. Do you also need to buy gas for a car or two with that budget?
I thought we were doing good by allowing ourselves a budget of $250 each week for food, toiletries, detergents, gas, haircuts, and any other miscellaneous weekly costs we may incur — like birthday presents. Now I’m second guessing this amount since it’s more than double what I’m seeing others budget!
Also, I would love to see a photo of your Toad in the Hole with Mustard Mash dinner sometime. Maybe it’s a common meal in the UK, but I’ve never heard of it and the name it quite intriguing. 🙂
Hi Jenny – you have inspired a post for this blog! I am going to write about the budget as a couple readers have asked now. I’ll do a quick explanation now and explain in more detail on the post if thats okay?
1. £100 is approx. $150 – so I definitely spend more than Kristen – 50% more! I do not know how food prices compare between UK and US – the UK is quite expensive for most things – fuel is astronomical.
2. My £100 includes all grocery shopping items, so household products are included, but doesn’t include other things such as haircuts, fuel, eating out etc…
Hope thats helps put it into context a little?
As for Toad in the Hole – I deliberately used the British term for it! It’s basically Sausages cooked in yorkshire pudding. Not sure if you would do that in the US.
I’ll definitely put a picture up and the recipe. It’s a great simple meal for the family and pretty frugal too! The kids love it!
Have a lovely day! 🙂
Great! I can’t wait to read it. And I’m really looking forward to seeing your Toad in the Hole with Mustard Mash dinner photo.
I’m really impressed that you’re only spending $100 each week on food AND personal items. I noticed The Frugal Girl adheres to the same low weekly budget. Do you also need to buy gas for a car or two with that budget?
I thought we were doing good by allowing ourselves a budget of $250 each week for food, toiletries, detergents, gas, haircuts, and any other miscellaneous weekly costs we may incur — like birthday presents. Now I’m second guessing this amount since it’s more than double what I’m seeing others budget!
Also, I would love to see a photo of your Toad in the Hole with Mustard Mash dinner sometime. Maybe it’s a common meal in the UK, but I’ve never heard of it and the name it quite intriguing. 🙂
Hi Jenny – you have inspired a post for this blog! I am going to write about the budget as a couple readers have asked now. I’ll do a quick explanation now and explain in more detail on the post if thats okay?
1. £100 is approx. $150 – so I definitely spend more than Kristen – 50% more! I do not know how food prices compare between UK and US – the UK is quite expensive for most things – fuel is astronomical.
2. My £100 includes all grocery shopping items, so household products are included, but doesn’t include other things such as haircuts, fuel, eating out etc…
Hope thats helps put it into context a little?
As for Toad in the Hole – I deliberately used the British term for it! It’s basically Sausages cooked in yorkshire pudding. Not sure if you would do that in the US.
I’ll definitely put a picture up and the recipe. It’s a great simple meal for the family and pretty frugal too! The kids love it!
Have a lovely day! 🙂
Great! I can’t wait to read it. And I’m really looking forward to seeing your Toad in the Hole with Mustard Mash dinner photo.
I’m inspired by you. Living by myself I find it difficult to cook for 1 and most nights eating something terrible for me like 2 bagels or toast and jam. I’m going to challenge myself to make a meal plan and stick to it. This should also help my weight problem I have as I’ll plan healthy meals. I love the Friday’s to clean out the frig.
Hi Kat – I completely understand your predicament. It’s so easy to neglect your own nutrition, not so easy when cooking for others! If I were cooking for one I would theme each weeks menu, so you probably use similar ingredients, but use them in different ways. This can help reduce waste. A slow cooked tomato and pepper soup could do 3 days of lunches, and they can also be used as pasta sauces, and even vegetable casseroles – which you can then add meat to if required – versatile ingredients are key. Knowing the Fridge has to be cleaned and having a No Waste Tastes Great Day, makes me extra vigilant to keep an eye of the foodstuffs. Good luck with it all, and if you need any inspiration regarding meals/recipes please do let me know. Jo
I’m inspired by you. Living by myself I find it difficult to cook for 1 and most nights eating something terrible for me like 2 bagels or toast and jam. I’m going to challenge myself to make a meal plan and stick to it. This should also help my weight problem I have as I’ll plan healthy meals. I love the Friday’s to clean out the frig.
Hi Kat – I completely understand your predicament. It’s so easy to neglect your own nutrition, not so easy when cooking for others! If I were cooking for one I would theme each weeks menu, so you probably use similar ingredients, but use them in different ways. This can help reduce waste. A slow cooked tomato and pepper soup could do 3 days of lunches, and they can also be used as pasta sauces, and even vegetable casseroles – which you can then add meat to if required – versatile ingredients are key. Knowing the Fridge has to be cleaned and having a No Waste Tastes Great Day, makes me extra vigilant to keep an eye of the foodstuffs. Good luck with it all, and if you need any inspiration regarding meals/recipes please do let me know. Jo
I’m inspired by you. Living by myself I find it difficult to cook for 1 and most nights eating something terrible for me like 2 bagels or toast and jam. I’m going to challenge myself to make a meal plan and stick to it. This should also help my weight problem I have as I’ll plan healthy meals. I love the Friday’s to clean out the frig.
Hi Kat – I completely understand your predicament. It’s so easy to neglect your own nutrition, not so easy when cooking for others! If I were cooking for one I would theme each weeks menu, so you probably use similar ingredients, but use them in different ways. This can help reduce waste. A slow cooked tomato and pepper soup could do 3 days of lunches, and they can also be used as pasta sauces, and even vegetable casseroles – which you can then add meat to if required – versatile ingredients are key. Knowing the Fridge has to be cleaned and having a No Waste Tastes Great Day, makes me extra vigilant to keep an eye of the foodstuffs. Good luck with it all, and if you need any inspiration regarding meals/recipes please do let me know. Jo