Meal Planning - how do you do it?

redmel1621

Just wanted to say good luck.

My husband was a lot like that, wouldn't eat re-heated meal, had to have dolmio sauces, and branded cereals etc... it was ludicrous, we were spending about 60pw on just the 2 of us pre kids... then we had two and a few things like loo roll and beans were downgraded, we know have 4 children and are both out of work, Everything has been downgraded, I now spend 60-70pw on a family of 6 and that could be slightly lower but we do both have a couple of non negotiables, like Tea-bags/Margerine/Milk/Free range chicken and eggs. If we downgraded those items we could probably dhave another 5-10pw off the bill.

If you look at when I joined over on my side bar info
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You will see how long it has taken me to get to this stage. Up until literally 2 weeks ago all my husband would eat for breakfast was branded weetabix, which although not the dearest cereal on the market, have really increased in price recently...anyway, I finally got him to try Aldi brand and he was an instant convert!!

I stronly recommend doing it in baby steps, try a few cheaper options at a time, so for example try and practice a homemade chilli and spaghetti bolognese with smart price/value pasta... maybe ban the chippy but leave him with his coke for now.

I tried to change everything too quickly and we ended up rowing, so I back-stepped and took it bit by bit, removing meat from meals so we now eat vegetarian meals once -twice a week which helps to keep costs down. We still have a takeaway treat but it is more like once a month as opposed to once a week.

I also make my own bread and have a soda stream maker for fizzy drinks, we make popcorn, and buy smart price or aldi biscuits for snacky treats etc...

It can be a little more time consuming but worth it when you see how much you have saved

maman

redmel1621 wrote: »

.... but we do both have a couple of non negotiables, like Tea-bags/Margerine/Milk/Free range chicken and eggs. If we downgraded those items we could probably dhave another 5-10pw off the bill.

redmel, my non-negotiables are similar but did you know that Aldi sell both free range chickens and free range eggs? I buy Flora when it's in offer (currently £1 in Asda). We used to be big fans of Yorkshire tea but it got very dusty. Now we have Sainsbury's Red Label and I'm impressed.

I'd like to say good luck too sapanga. I think you and OH should put an amount each into the housekeeping and while you could get him a few treats for the house he should buy most from his own money. When you've got some savings to treat yourself his will all have been wasted at the chippy and then maybe he'll come on board?;)

sapanga

thanks redmel at least i know someone else has had the same problem, i know its going to take time for him adjust so i wont change everything right away.

I would usually only get takeaway once a month on payday as a treat. He ususally gets takeaway out of his own money so i cant stop him from doing that even though its a complete waste of money.

That thread on sneaky ways to save was great, i'll be having a good read of that thanks

Thrillho

sapanga wrote: »

Thrillho could u point me in the direction for some marinades for pork chops, I usually make them with just a bit of pepper and sea salt thanks

Others have posted recipes already, I don't have any recipes really we just use Nandos or Tesco marinades. Just slop some over the pork and pop it in the oven for half an hour. I suggested pork as it is quite cheap, especially when you buy in bulk. This with some frozen veg and potatoes/rice is a cheap nutritious meal. You can get a massive bag of rice for a few quid.

Tell him to buy coke with his own money from now on!

maman

Thrillho wrote: »

Others have posted recipes already, I don't have any recipes really we just use Nandos or Tesco marinades. Just slop some over the pork and pop it in the oven for half an hour. I suggested pork as it is quite cheap, especially when you buy in bulk. This with some frozen veg and potatoes/rice is a cheap nutritious meal. You can get a massive bag of rice for a few quid.

Tell him to buy coke with his own money from now on!

One of my favourites for pork chops: make a sauce from 2 tbs of soy stirred into a tbs of cornflour, add half a pint of orange juice (Sainsbury or Aldi is cheapest) and plenty of pepper. Pour this over browned chops (4) with loads of sliced peppers, onions and mushrooms mixed in. Cook for about 45 mins in the oven about 190 degrees. Lovely served with a jacket potato and I often do some greens as well. This is a recipe for 4 (or two greedy people:o).

spike7451

maman wrote: »

One of my favourites for pork chops: make a sauce from 2 tbs of soy stirred into a tbs of cornflour, add half a pint of orange juice (Sainsbury or Aldi is cheapest) and plenty of pepper. Pour this over browned chops (4) with loads of sliced peppers, onions and mushrooms mixed in. Cook for about 45 mins in the oven about 190 degrees. Lovely served with a jacket potato and I often do some greens as well. This is a recipe for 4 (or two greedy people:o).

Thanks,On the subject of marinades & sapanga's hubs love of cola,here's some recipy's for cola braised ribs;

http://hungry-kittens.blogspot.co.uk/2009/04/slow-cooked-coca-cola-ribs.html

http://2coolfishing.com/ttmbforum/showthread.php?t=274061

http://laurasbestrecipes.com/2009/05/coca-cola-bbq-ribs.html

Skint_Catt

Not that I want you to pander to your partner, but if you have an Iceland or The Range near you they do 3 litre bottles of Coke & Diet Coke for £2 - maybe buy 5 and tell him it has to last the month? Then next month 4, etc... Do this if he's brand dependent. The other thing is that I've found Tesco own make closest to 'The Real Thing' and it's about 60p for 2 litres - maybe you could 'refill' or topup his Coke bottles with this?
Does he know you're trying to do all this for £100. Tell him how much his coke & crisps are costing & ask him for suggestions for meals for the both of you for the rest of the month on the remainder.
C xx

sapanga

spike7451 wrote: »

Thanks,On the subject of marinades & sapanga's hubs love of cola,here's some recipy's for cola braised ribs;

http://hungry-kittens.blogspot.co.uk/2009/04/slow-cooked-coca-cola-ribs.html

http://2coolfishing.com/ttmbforum/showthread.php?t=274061

http://laurasbestrecipes.com/2009/05/coca-cola-bbq-ribs.html

OMG ribs and coke his 2 fav things combined, dont be encouraging him lol

Thanks everyone for the tips on marinades they all sound yum!

kittycat204

sapanga wrote: »

I would usually only get takeaway once a month on payday as a treat. He ususally gets takeaway out of his own money so i cant stop him from doing that even though its a complete waste of money.

glance at this thread for takeaways.

https://forums.moneysavingexpert.com/discussion/2665259

sapanga

I think I will be investing in a copy of that book thanks.

Success! I made my own pasta sauce with passata instead of chopped tomatoes and he ate it all and never even asked what sauce it was. So I think I will be using a lot of it for spag bol, chilli etc. Thanks for the fab idea