Grocery Bill for January 12-18, 2015

With the start of another year there is a feeling of freshness and a chance to renew old goals or be challenged to try harder in particular areas of life. But, with any goal, accountability makes a big difference. There is a reason groups like Celebrate Recovery and A.A. are helpful. That's one of my reasons for this blog. By having to report my grocery bill each week it keeps me accountable to staying on budget. In order to stay on budget, I have to make a meal plan. The result is that my family can rely on having meals every day and I am less stressed and thinking less about what to serve. It's a win-win for our whole family. Plus, I love having my meal plan and recipes online and accessible wherever I am.

Aldi

3 Pizzas                                    $ 5.97
Crinkle Cut Potatoes                $ 1.69
Tilapia Filets                            $ 5.49
Colby Jack Cheese                   $ 1.89
Mild Cheddar Cheese              $ 1.89
Beef franks                              $ 2.49
Cheese hot dogs                       $ 1.99
Celery                                      $ 1.29
Spreadable butter                     $ 2.29
Large eggs                               $ 2.09
Stuffing mix (sale- 4 boxes)   $ 1.60
Limes                                      $ 1.19
Gala apples                             $ 2.37
Carrots                                    $ 1.19
Lettuce                                    $ 1.19
Bananas                                  $ 0.70
Baby carrots                           $ 0.99
Refried beans                         $ 0.59
Diced tomatoes/green chilies  $0.59
Organic diced tomatoes         $ 1.49
2 cans of corn                         $ 0.98
2 cans mandarin oranges        $ 1.78
Beets                                       $ 0.65
Paper plates                            $ 1.99
Holiday fruit snacks (sale)     $ 2.99
Whole grain spaghetti            $ 0.89
Swiss rolls                              $ 1.15
Hot cocoa mix                        $ 1.29
Fudge brownie mix                $ 1.19
Muffin mix                             $ 1.89
Wheat crackers                       $ 1.79
Onions                                    $ 1.49
Grape jelly                             $ 1.45
BBQ sauce                             $ 1.95
12 qt. drink mix                     $ 1.69
Orange jello                           $ 0.70
Artisan lettuce                       $ 1.99
Coconut flakes                       $ 1.29
10 lb potatoes                         $ 3.49
3 cans of tuna                         $ 1.95
Milk chocolate chips              $ 1.59
Burrito tortillas (2 pkg)          $ 2.98
Hot dog buns (2 pkg)             $ 1.78
100% wheat bread (2)           $ 2.58
Tortilla chips (2)                    $ 2.38

Total                                     $83.67

Walmart

2 cans of pinto beans             $ 1.36
2 cans of black beans            $ 1.36
Green enchilada sauce (2)     $ 2.76
Boneless chicken breasts      $15.58
Avocado                               $ 1.88
Mild salsa                             $ 1.98
Sour cream                           $ 2.58

Christmas gift card            -$10.48

Total                                     $17.02

Week's Grocery Total        $100.69

After being gone for 4 weeks it was not easy to stick to $100. It would have been even harder and I would have had to have less meat if it hadn't been for in-laws restocking the fridge before our arrival, with things like milk and yogurt, and for the leftover gift card that wasn't used for fuel on our trip.


How are you sticking to your goals in 2015? Does accountability help and do you have accountability set up?

Meal Plan for January 12-18, 2015

After taking a four week Winter break following my husband's Fall semester of seminary, we are back. Between my husband's week-long winter class, a new homeschool schedule, recuperating from the journey and organizing our space in my in-laws' home, I had little energy for blogging.
So, I am sharing this "plan" a little late. However, by waiting I also had an epiphany.

I find that planning is very beneficial, but often my plans are changed. Though I had meals planned for the week, I didn't fix everything on the "correct" days. Since this seems to be normal for us and for others I have spoken to as well, I decided to change my meal plan. Instead of listing meals for specific days and times, I will start planning for 21 meals (breakfast, lunch, dinner for 7 days) and then use them when they work for our schedule or desire. I am finding flexibility is key to survival in my life and meals should flex with our needs. Though I have listed them in general categories, they could move around even more.

Breakfasts

1.  Cereal
2.  Oatmeal
3.  Cereal
4.  Muffins
5.  Cereal
6.  Oatmeal
7.  Cereal
(Grandma had stocked lots of cereal for our return and I didn't have money in the budget or energy for variety this week.)

Additional Options:
* Yogurt
* Toast
* Fresh fruit

Lunches

1.  Hot dogs & baked beans
2.  Pizza
3.  Chick-Fil-A (Free grilled chicken sandwich and drink with 2015 calendar cards for each of us for January! Each month is a different item. Great Christmas gift!)
4.  Nutella sandwiches &/or BBQ Chicken Salad with fresh fruit and carrots
5.  Leftover turkey, salad, and carrots
6.  Leftovers
7.  Family Lunch (out with relatives)

Suppers  (Dinners)

1.  Hot dogs & baked beans
2.  BBQ Chicken and rice
3.  Chicken Hot Dish (Used California medley veg. instead of broccoli. Tasted great! I love the curry in this dish.)
4.  Turkey, mashed potatoes and vegetable
5.  Pizza/Date Night (Thanks to Groupons!)
6.  Fish & Chips (Ended up going out. Saving this for next week.)
7.  Taco Soup


Snack Options:

1.  Crackers
2.  Yogurt
3.  Fruit
4.  Leftovers
5.  Fruit Snacks
6.  Snack Cakes (Chosen by my 6 year old grocery helper.)

Drink Options:

1.  WATER!!!!
2.  Milk (mainly use for breakfast & cooking)
3.  Apple Juice
4.  Lemonade water
5.  Root beer (another treat from Grandma)
6.  Hot chocolate
7.  Coffee
8.  Tea

Plenty of choices for the week. Check out how I did with our grocery budget for the week.

Meal Plan for January 19-25, 2015

Beginning with last week's meal plan, I decided to start planning for 21 meals (breakfast, lunch, dinner for 7 days) and then use them when they work for our schedule or desire.

Breakfasts

1.  Cereal
2.  Cereal
3.  Banana bread
4.  Muffins
5.  Waffles
6.  Leftover Pancakes
7.  Cereal

Additional Options:
* Yogurt
* Toast
* Fresh fruit

Lunches

1.  Burrito Bowls
2.  Tuna sandwiches, carrots and fruits
3.  Turkey Noodle Soup
4.  Baked Potato bar
5.  Egg salad sandwiches, veggies, salad, and fruit
6.  Leftovers
7.  Bean and cheese quesadillas

Suppers  (Dinners)

1.  Bacon, pancakes and oranges
2.  Salad bar and cheese muffins
3.  Pizza/Date Night (Thanks to Groupons!)
4.  Fish & Chips
5.  Taco Soup
6.  Leftovers
7.  Quiche and/or leftovers

Snack Options:

1.  Hummus and veggies or crackers
2.  Graham crackers and Nutella
3.  Fruit
4.  Leftovers
5.  Fruit snacks
6.  Celery and peanut butter

Drink Options:

1.  WATER!!!!
2.  Milk (mainly use for breakfast & cooking)
3.  Apple Juice
4.  Lemonade water
5.  Coffee


How do you handle meal planning? Do you use pen and paper? An app? Do you stick closely to your plan or find it changes as the week goes on? Feel free to share in the comments below!