The start of a new year often prompts significant changes, and our family has expanded from three to five. We’re temporarily housing two boys, and while some adjustments have been necessary as they settle in, I don’t envision a substantial increase in food expenses.
I anticipate spending approximately $350 per month for groceries to feed our enlarged family. And no, we won’t be living off low-cost rice, bran, or canned meat daily. We fully intend to enjoy healthy, balanced, and satisfying meals, and we might even afford a meal out once or twice.
If you’re curious to learn how I intend to feed five people on $350 per month, read on.
A HEARTY BREAKFAST TO START THE DAY
Our three kids are fans of pancakes and a hot, substantial breakfast over a less-healthy, sugar-laden cereal. We interchange between pancakes and waffles as we have a waffle maker. A $2.59 pancake mix packet from Target can churn out 12 to 18 pancakes. Usually, we manage to make 20 medium pancakes, enough for the kids’ breakfast for a week. We often compliment this with a banana or mandarin orange, creating an easy-to-prep breakfast for the entire week.
My homemade pancake mix comprising flour, flaxseed, eggs, baking powder, cinnamon, and stevia or honey is also popular with the kids. Some weeks, we enjoy a plate of scrambled eggs and brown rice, a simple but heart-warming childhood favorite. On occasions, we add turkey bacon or sausage to the breakfast without busting the food budget.
CONVENIENT AND INNOVATIVE LUNCHES
Interestingly, each family member has varied lunch preferences. However, we keep it simple and inventive. While sandwiches are a classic, deli meat can be pricey. As we’re home, we choose soups or beef hot dogs for the kids, or I prepare ahead chicken burrito bowls or turkey burgers. We aim to make lunches quick, easy and accompanied by an in-season fruit or vegetable.
RELATED: 5+ Best Meal Planning Ideas to Save More Money
BULK COOKING OF HOMEMADE MEALS
Our family is a pro at surviving on leftovers, thanks to my love for batch cooking. Time is always at a premium, hence I resort to my Crockpot and pressure cooker to prepare homemade meals that last us a few days. I keep a Pinterest board of meal ideas, and regularly rotate our favorites with new recipes from the board.
One meal much appreciated by my family is reminiscent of Thanksgiving. It comprises a pound of ground turkey cooked with onions, green apples, and celery in vegetable or chicken broth. When almost cooked, I add some stovetop stuffing, resulting in a warm, hearty dish that tastes like Thanksgiving.
GET SNACKS FROM BARGAIN GROCERY STORES
Aldi is my go-to discount grocery store. Each year, they remarkably improve the brands and foods they sell. Snacks are always at a good price at Aldi, so I frequently spend $30 and fill up on popcorn, granola bars, yogurt, apple sauce, pudding, and fruit snacks. To extend snacks, I bake blueberry muffins or cakes to relish as cheap desserts or snacks.
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HOW TO PROVIDE FOR A FAMILY OF 5 ON $350 PER MONTH
SHOP BI-WEEKLY
Bi-weekly shopping has benefited me for years. It saves more money and ensures optimal utilization of what we have. Fewer shopping trips mean less deviation from your list.
RELATED: 6 Costly Grocery Shopping Habits
MASTER THE ART OF MEAL PLANNING AND PREPPING
Every fortnight, I plan dinners for the next 14 days, and breakfast and lunch options. I begin by checking our pantry and refrigerator to determine what we need to consume. Meal planning might appear daunting but it becomes manageable with practice. Planning for 4 batch meals, providing 8-9 dinners, get us halfway through.
Whenever possible on Sundays, I prep some food for the week, helping stave off impulsive takeout orders. At other times, I specifically budget for dining out and include it in our meal plan.
BUILD YOUR GROCERY LIST BASED ON AVAILABLE STOCK
Always inventory your available food stock before creating a grocery list or shopping. This prevents unnecessary purchases and wastage. I’ve often found myself buying foodstuff only to discover I already have it at home.
SUMMARY
Feeding a family of five on $350 per month demands careful planning and culinary creativity. The reward is enjoying delicious food while keeping our food budget in check, thereby freeing up finances for other goals and not straining our overall budget. With consistent effort and smart adjustments, you too can economize your family’s food budget without making significant compromises.
