Monday, May 12, 2025

Menu Plan Monday ~ Saving Money in my Frugal Kitchen ~ Week #2 May 2025


My Frugal Week

Did you know that a meal that cost you $10 to make at home will cost you $30 at a restaurant? Studies consistently show that cooking at home is significantly cheaper than eating out, with home cooked meals averaging $4 to $6 per person compared to $15 to $20 at a restaurant. 

Cooking at home will definitely save you money. The USDA Thrifty Food Plan shows two people, my and Bailey’s age, could spend $479.10 per month on the Thrifty Food Plan or up to $791.20 on the Liberal Food Plan. We definitely lean more towards the thrifty side.

 

What’s for Dinner

Monday & Tuesday  ~Homemade Pizza & Salad.  

Wednesday ~ Homemade Chicken Nuggets with BBQ Sauce or Honey Mustard for Dipping, Sunday Bean Salad. 

Thursday ~ 15 Bean Cajun Soup Beans with Ham, and Southern Spoon-bread Corn Casserole

Friday & Saturday ~ Grilled Chicken Salads. They were so good! Sometimes a salad just hits the spot and today was one of those days. 

Sunday ~ Cajun Soup Beans & Ham and Cornbread. 

What’s been on the menu in your home this past week?


Belinda
Homemaker at Heart
Mortgage & Debt Free
~ Living within our Means ~
My Linktree

~ She looketh well to the ways of her household ~
Proverbs 31:27


18 comments:

  1. Your menu looks really good. I agree with you - sometimes a salad is exactly what I want. I'm having barbecued chicken salad tonight,w which I love! - Hawaii Planner

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  2. We are spending $300 or less each month for two seniors and we eat very well by shopping sales. Yes on the salads for supper. We usually do one each week and sometime for lunch too.

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    1. That is a good grocery budget for two seniors! Shopping the sales really helps us keep our grocery budget lower too.

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  3. Cooking at home is cheaper -- while a restaurant price is 3X more, that doesn't account for tax and tip! I will eat at home, thank you!

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    1. Yes on the tax. It is 9 percent here on restaurant meals! That really adds to the bill.

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    2. It’s over 9% here too, so I understand. It really is high.

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  4. Eating at home is so much more economical as well as healthier and better tasting. One of the things hubby and I do is make copycat's of food from the different ethnic restaurants we used to enjoy back in the day. Being just two seniors and being able to shop at the farms in our area, the amount we spend on groceries is very low. We buy ingredients rather than something already prepared. Making our own cuts grocery budget even more. Nothing gets wasted in this home. Today I'm making candied orange peels. Waste not, want not. Wishing you a blessed week. Cookie

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    1. Thank you, Cookie. You have great advice here on how to keep your grocery bill lower. I wish you a blessed week too!

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  5. I agree with Cookie. Buy ingredients and make your own. I see recipes in books and see food advertised for restaurants on TV and find that as a challenge to make it myself. That sure seems like a lot of money even on the low end - but I shop different than most!! LOL

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    1. PM
      I’d thought that seemed high too, Cheryl. Making your own is better to me as sometimes a meal out can be disappointing, not always, but sometimes.

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  6. Shew, that food plan says that I could be spending $747 a month on the thrifty plan for the three of us. I know my groceries have gone up, but I don't spend that much even if I add in cat food and household supplies. Guess I don't feel too bad about my spending now. ;)
    Your meals sound tasty! Hope you have a great week. Lots of rain here.

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    1. Right?! I think we are doing pretty good as it seemed high to me too. I’m so tired of all the rain but I know we need it. I hope you have a terrific week!

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  7. I cannot stand to go to a restaurant and pay high prices for something I make better at home!

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  8. We also know what is in our food if we prepare it at home. Your menu sounds awesome.

    God bless.

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