Getting the most for your money

We have been looking at ways to help our budget out. Not that it was bad, it was just, well, we spent money on some dumb things- things you don't even realize. And our major things/times when this happened was eating out, and groceries.

Of course, eating at home is most of the time cheaper, and better for you. So, that was our first step. Stop eating out, especially at stupid times. I mean, sometimes we were on our way home- and stopped at McDonalds which is right across the street. REALLY- did we have to stop? I mean, I can see if you are all the way across the city, for some reason, and the kids are yelling at you that they are hungry. But, just because you are too lazy to take that 20 minutes when you get home, well, that is crazy!

So, just like with my weight loss expedition, I wanted to have things in writing. I wanted to write down this promise to myself. I don't know how many people read this, but I know there are people that do, and that is good enough for me. In my head, I know that others know that we are not going to eat out as much, so when I say, "hey, we ate out" someone can say, "what about your blog post?". Just thinking that someone could say that to me, is good enough! We are going to try to stop eating out, unless it is an emergency (like stated above- not, I am too tired to cook emergency!)

Our other issue is groceries. And I am not saying all those times we have come to a joint decision after the kids are in bed for one of us to run to the store and get junk. That doesn't help- with the healthy eating or the money, but, our actual grocery bill. I honestly don't know what we buy. (Although I can find out, because I have to keep our receipts). I was actually made aware of this because of the receipts, I was adding them up for tax purposes, and OMG! We actually had a month last year that we spent over $1000- no, I am not kidding, and although I am ashamed to admit that, and probably shouldn't admit it, like above, saying it here will help!

I am a planner. I plan out our meals- breakfast, lunch, snacks and dinner. Mainly because I have to with all the kids here. And, then I know in the morning what to take out, and at the end of the work day, I know what I am making and don't order something or send Brett out to pick up McDonalds! (see the circle). But, I have been planning out all these meals, and not taking into account that we could make a bit more, or make meals that can be used more than once- thus, saving some money.

Every time I go to get groceries, I buy for 2 weeks. So, I am at the store at least twice a month buying enough food for the 2 weeks. Enough food for 3 meals and 2-3 snacks per day- for 4-6 people. So, yeah, it could get pricey. But, with this eating better, and saving money pledge, I had to come up with something to help out. Once I am in the store- like right in, I find things that we don't need, but some how they end up in my cart! (I generally only get out of my house ALONE when I shop, so I take advantage. I walk up and down each isle, and take my time- this is probably how random things end up in the cart!).

I decided to try an plan our meals for a month. I tried to plan most meals that can be made and have some that we can freeze and use for two meals. But, the catcher is, I still wanted them to be healthy. I mean, cheap is one thing- but I know I can't eat fries and frozen chicken nuggets that many times! I have been on the hunt for cheap, healthy, fairly easy, meals that I can make once, freeze half and use for another meal! Then, I can do one big shop each month, and then just go into the front of the store to stock up on fruit and veggies when we run out- and stay away from those other isles! And, I can just go to Sobeys across the street to do the quick shop, rather than to walmart- which makes me spend at least $100 every time I walk in the door! (yes, I blame them!)

Looking at our menu for the next month, I have things like meatloaf, chili, lasagna, and tortilla soup- all of which I can make once and get 2 meals out of (and I can make them healthy). I also have many crock pot type recipes that I could make 2 meals out of- like taco chicken- one night it can be used in taco's and another night the meat can be used in a casserole (which also might make it to the freezer and brought out another night).

Well, this is longer than I thought. I wanted to share some of these recipes with you. Things that we enjoyed, and were cheap, and easy to make. And, that we were able to use a couple times. So, here is my first recipe...

This one I got from the spark recipes site. I get a ton of recipes from there- they have everything you would ever need, or want! It is free to join, and then you can save all of your recipes, so you don't have to even write them down. You can search by name, type, calories, and even time it takes to make it! Then, if we try it, and don't like it- I delete it! If we like it, I also then write it down and add it to our recipe box! Check them out...spark recipes! (if you are looking for a good workout DVD- the ones by coach Nicole are GREAT! I love them, and they are 10 minute workouts!)

Recipe #1- Rotini Mushroom Ground Beef
We all liked this one- even the kids. Danika doesn't like Mushrooms, but she actually ate them, and said she liked them! There is enough for lunch tomorrow and another dinner! (I sort of doubled- see recipe)

1 pound of ground beef (we use lean)
1 medium onion, chopped
1 can of mushrooms, drained
1 can of mushroom soup (because I used more noodles, next time I would use 2 to make it creamier)
2 cups of uncooked rotini noodles (we didn't have rotini, so we used macaroni)

Start browning the ground beef. Cut the onion and add them. Then add the mushrooms- let all of that cook.
Boil some water and cook the pasta to your liking.
Add the pasta to the ground beef. Then add the soup. You can add some spices here, I added some chili's and garlic. Then, just let it cook for 10-15 minutes.

(Next time, I will add another can of soup, and also maybe a bit more spices. I don't usually change recipes when I am trying them for the first time- just to see what they taste like first. But if you like a bit of spice, feel free to add it- it would be good!)

This reminded me of hamburger helper sort of. Just for an idea. And like I said- there is a lot! Even with just 1 pound of ground beef there is enough of a ratio with the noodles!

I do want to share this one too- we had it saturday night, and usually have it once a week because it is SO good, we all like it, it is easy, fast, and makes a ton!

Crunchy Taco Casserole
1.5 pounds of ground meat (we use beef, but you can use turkey or chicken)
1 chopped onion
1 cup of salsa
1 cup of frozen corn
1 package of taco seasoning (we use the reduced sodium one)
2/3 cup of water
crushed nacho chips, or corn chips (depending on how healthy you want to stay)
grated cheese

Brown the meat, add the onion and continue cooking. Add in the salsa and corn (you can add other veggies here too). Then add the taco seasoning and water. I cook this while I grate the cheese and crush the chips.
Then, the layering starts. Put half the meat mix in an oven safe pan (I use my pyrex). Then put half the crushed chips, and half the cheese. Then do it again- meat, chips, cheese.
Put this in the oven and bake at 350 for 20 minutes! (you can do a little longer if you want crispier cheese, or a little less if you want stringy cheese!)

It is so good- trust me! And easier to eat then a taco! (especially with kids!)

So, that is my rant for the night! Enjoy the recipes, and I will update with more.