Plan home cooked meals ahead of time. Meal planning in
advance can save you time and money. We’ve all resorted to
the drive-through at the end of a hectic day with no dinner
plans in mind. But even cheap fast food for a medium sized
family can set you back $25 or more and may not provide the
nutrition you’d like for your family. These costs can add up
over time – especially as your kids begin driving and
spending time (and money) on their own. To avoid a
“convenience” hit to your wallet, plan menus in advance and
have food thawed out or prepped so you can start cooking when
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Fill them up. Complex carbs are your friends when it comes to
getting the most value from your dollar. Whole grains and
healthy starches (like sweet potatoes or squash), tend to be
reasonably priced, are nutritious and will fill your kids up
as part of a balanced meal. When friends come over, plan a
filling meal that includes a serving of carbs such as whole-
grain pancakes for breakfast or pasta for dinner.
(MORE: Stay-at-Home Parents: Six Money Secrets for Families
Shifting to One Income)
Feed the herd – for less. If your kids have neighbors,
friends, teammates or club members who regularly come to your
house and snack or eat meals, it’s imperative that you have
an inventory on hand. This should include readily available
snacks – otherwise they may eat everything you have planned
for meals during the week. Buying snack food like granola
bars, fruit snacks, crackers or chips in bulk can help keep
your budget under control, and cost effective snack options
like popcorn, hard boiled eggs, bananas, and even tubs of
hummus are all relatively healthy treats that can be a hit
with hungry friends. For crowds that drop by for dinner,
stock up on pasta and sauce or keep frozen stashes of taco
filling, chili or soups that can be prepared quickly.
