How to make a dinner time and cost effective! (or even free!)
1) Plan your weekly menu on sales from the store or items you already have. I find that having a plan for dinner is much less stressful for me. I am not running around at the last minute wondering what is for dinner. Not to say that never happens, just, it is much less stressful on me.
2) Always stock up at rock bottom prices – especially on easy dinner items that your family loves – (my example is frozen pizza) We also really like to make our own pizzas. The kids really enjoy this fun dinner making activity and that will eat it all, because they helped make dinner.
3) Always have the ingredients for that quick “go to” item for dinner. No matter how good of a planner you are, there are days that things do not go exactly as planned.
4) Short cuts – use pre made items and then add your own special touch
example – add in a frozen veggie, spices or fresh herbs. This is the funnest part of making dinner around my house. I enjoy making new and exciting dishes.
5) Bottom line – make what your family will eat. There is no point to go through the trouble to buy and prepare food if you family will not touch it.
Most of all, Have fun and enjoy spending time with the family!
Low Cost Menu Options:
(when I say low cost, I mean basically under a $5 to feed a family of 4)
(Two adults, Two children)
These are two options from my stockpile. (My cost to make at that specific time)
Beef Roast (2.24on clearance) with frozen vegetable (.0) and rice (.0) = 2.24 cents for a family dinner
Penne Pasta (.0) and Meat Sauce (.0) with fresh salad (bag was .95 on clearance) Salad Dressing (.0) = .95 cents