Mom on Budget but I Have Teens!

My favorite recipe place is saving dinner.com. She has a ton of stuff. She also has an ebook for frugal dinners... I do her regular menu mailer and LOVE it.

http://www.savingdinner.com/products/ebook_fmm1.html

Angel Food Ministries is a great suggestion on quality food for little $$$!

Also, brown a bunch of ground beaf or turkey, I just season mine with garlic, salt, and pepper when I do this, and freeze it in to meal-sized portions for spaghetti, tacos, homemade pizza, HB Helper, deluxe nachoes, burritoes, etc. This saves a lot of time! Even if you forget to thaw it, it takes 2 minutes to thaw in the pan while you are cooking other things (noodles, etc).

You could also grill or bake some chicken and do the same for Chicken Alfredo (noodles of your choice and jar sauce), Chicken Spaghetti (I have a fantastic recipie that makes a ton and freezes really well), etc.

If you kids are not already helping, make them! They will be out on their own soon and they need to know how to make some simple recipies. Plus, this will be a bonding experience for the 3 of you as well and will make up for not being able to sit down every night to dinner together.

I understand not being able to sit down and eat as a family. My hubby doens't ususally get in from work until well after dinner time, so I make sure what I cook tastes as good warmed up as it did fresh, which most of the above do.

Keep bagged salad on hand for a quick and healthy side. You can also use your ground meat for taco salad.

I'm a night owl, but I do a lot of my cook ahead type stuff at night. People say do it on the weekends, but I've never found that was best for me. When I worked (SAHM now), I would also get my crockpot meals together and stick them in the fridge the night before as well.

I also make all of our breakfast type stuff (my hubby and son like hot breakfasts) over the weekend. Last night I cooked a bag of biscuits, eggs, ham, and put it together with cheese, individually wrapped them and put them in the freezer. 30 seconds in the microwave and they are ready to go.

Good Luck! I know how difficult the adjustments to the economy have been for my family to make (1 kid). I can't imagine how it must be for you.

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I, too, am a teacher and was a single parent for 11 years, while they were going through their teen years with no family in town. I am unsure about the meal planning, however I do encourage you to listen to the "little voice" that is telling you to have more family dinners. It is especially hard in the teen years as they are so busy. But try to do it at least several times per week. I think kids are more likely to talk at the dinner table. Good luck and God bless you.

I would check out hillbillyhousewife.com
There are tons of from scratch recipes that are good.
You might also look into Angel food Ministries
Good luck.

I have a 13 yr old dgt and 17 yr old son with a ton of friends that are here ALL THE TIME- So I feel your pain. I think with the ecomony the way it is- we try to go back to the basics- Grilled cheese and tomato soup-Mac and Cheese-
breakfast for dinner- eggs and bacon- They all fit within the nutritional guidelines.
I find that if I make a pot of sauce and do spaghetti one night - lasagna another- stuff shells the following wk- that pot of sauce gets me very far. Include them in the planning and the less complaints you will hear. Tacos- great idea and the leftovers make a great salad the next day- I marinade chix breast in ceasar dressing and grill them and pop it over the salad and my family just loves it and its really affordable. Actually - any leftover meat cna go over a sald- just reheat in butter.

We definitely cut back on the eating out- esp lunch time. We do leftovers so that works out well- hey crack open that crock pot- I get creative with that thing and it saves money b/c it can make a dinner and one to freeze. Your kids are old enough to find a recipe on their own and go to town too- that will make it more fun- see who can come up with the best meal for less- they'll love the challenge and chance to be on the computer- ha ! Hope this helps!

D.
Party Angels Ltd.
www.partyangelsus.com
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On Sunday I go grocery shopping and get everything I need to make at least 3 casseroles(tater tot casserole, mexican lasagna, enchiladas, etc)and spend the afternoon making all of them and freezing them. During the week I just take them out(add the chees, if necessary...cheese doesn't freeze well so it is best to put it on right before cooking) and stick them in the oven. Most casseroles just need to be heated through so they don't take long to cook. My husband takes the leftovers for work so it saves us money on eating out or having to make sandwiches for him to take. We use alot of ground turkey and chicken in our casseroles so it is a little bit healthier than ground beef and any meat that is ground is usually a lot more affordable. You can buy steam in the bag vegetables that taste great and are very cheap to have as a sidedish or a salad if your kids are not too into veggies. If you google "casserole recipes" you will find thousands of recipes so you can mix it up and try new things. I have saved almost $50 a week by premaking dinners, plus hours of time. Another thing I do if my husband wants chips or crackers to take to work, I buy a big bag and divide them into sandwich bags rather than buy the chips that come in litle individual packets. It saves sooo much money to do the extra work instead of investing in all the very handy, yet spendy, individual servings. Good luck to you and let me know if you would like a couple of my recipes.

I have a 13 and 17 year old, and we rotate through hamburger helper entrees they can do themselves, low carb pastas with sauce (love to try new ones), soft taco's, bbque sloppy joes, crustless quiche with salad and/or fruit, soup and sandwich, nachos (I have found the best bean dip is draining cans of ranch style beans w/ jalepenos and putting in blender! The best cheese dip is getting an inepensive jar of a cheddar dip + draining can of rotel and adding to it! There are several varieties from mild to super hot and kids love trying them all!)

Ocasionally I will stop at Joe's Pasta and Pizza in Southlake and get spinach pinwheels and sauce for a treat-they are $1 each and don't break the budget but are oh so good!

I used to try and make something new every day but found my kids like certain things rotated often which makes my job even easier!

One other thing they enjoy is Thanksgiving wrap sandwiches. Use low carb wheat wraps. Put either miracle whip light or cream cheese on cold or heated up wrap. Make box of stuffing in microwave or on stove top. (any flavor) and put that down center of the sandwich. Put some whole berries cranberry sauce (not jelled one). Add slice turkey or not, your choice, roll it up and enjoy!

We try and have dinner together most nights, and during school year I try to be there right after school when they wounds are fresh so kudos on a job well done! I am a work from home mom and applaud your happy family!
L. B

Use a slow cooker. Have your kids help out. They are old enough to learn to cook and keep the kitchen clean. Go to a recipe website and put in "slow cooker" or "crock pot." The recipes are easy, inexpensive, and usually healthy. You can throw it together the night before, or in the morning and it is done when they get home from school. I have a small one and a big one, sometimes I do a meat or soup or chili in one and a veggie or fruit dessert in the other. Also, don't buy packaged foods. I know they are easy, but they are expensive and unhealthy. Fresh fruit and fresh veggies are inexpensive and little or no preparation. Be sure to suggest it to them when you hear "I'm hungry." Be sure and keep them visible when the fridge is open. I keep ours in baskets, in the fridge, at eye level. Fresh, low fat dip is another good way to make them desirable. I have never seen a child or teenager turn down, apples and caramel dip, carrots or celery and ranch, or an apple or banana, peach, plum, or orange. Ask them what their favorite fruits are and buy them. Also,Orange wedges are delicious dipped in fat free cool whip. Set a time, like 7:00. Tell them, we will be eating together at 7:00, so get off the phone, video game, whatever. Your days with them are getting shorter, so savor these last few years you have with them. They may resist at first, but stick to your guns, they need that time to bond as a family and so do you. You will be glad you did.

someone beat me to it, but I was also going to suggest Angel Food...good filler food for those of us on a budget. Their breaded chicken is really good and they just started fresh produce specials too. www.angelfoodministries.com The host site will be a local church near you and the cost is just $30 for $60 worth of groceries.

Congratulations on teaching for as long as you have! Teachers never receive the recognition they deserve. As a teacher I'm sure you are frugal and creative. I definatley support everyting the other posts have suggested. Another way to cut your budget and help with snacks is www.grocerygame.com if you are not already doing this. Check it out it's worth it. We have a family of 5 and I have been doing it for over 6 months now and have cut our monthly grocery bill in half. Good luck!

I've found that I spend a lot less money on food when I make a menu for the week or even two weeks but also keeep a few quick meal ideas on hand for when you have to throw the whole plan out the window because something came up. One of my favorite sites is www.menus4moms.com for getting new ideas and planning the menu for the week (they do it all for you and even have a grocery list).

I am a single, homeschooling mom of a 15 and 16 year old. I feed us on $250 or less a month. We eat well. We live on my disability and the kids' SS survivor's benefits so there isn't much. Be glad to try to help if you want to write.

Hi B.! Check out the following links for helpful suggestions on healthy cooking, frugal living, and menu planning!

http://www.thefamilyhomestead.com
http://www.homemakerscottage.com
http://www.biblicalwomanhood.com

Blessings!
K.
http://www.workathomeunited.com/homemaker