Tough Times Series: October Challenge�Menus Make Meal Money Go Further

Readers continue to send us their best money management ideas, with grocery expenses a common concern. This month, La Tanya, a member of Redstone Federal Credit Union living in Huntsville, Ala., tells of her experience:

When I graduated college and moved out on my own I really did not think about the money I spent. Once I got married I still did not think about the money we were spending at the grocery store. Every week I would spend $80 to $100 on groceries for two people. Most of these items were things we did not need or things that would spoil because we waited too long to eat them. I never took the time to make a grocery list and only buy what was on the list.

So far, La Tanya's experience sounds all too familiar. But then she and her husband had a new reason to pay more attention to their spending:

After a year of marriage we became pregnant and had a baby boy. We started to realize how much more expensive things got once we started to buy milk, baby food, and other items for the house. We started to wonder where some of our money went and soon realized that we buy a lot of unnecessary things at the grocery store. I started by making a list, but that still did not work in saving money. That's when I got the idea to sit down and make a weekly menu and set an amount of $60 to spend. This has worked out great! Not only have I made life easier by deciding what I was going to cook, but by the end of the year I will have saved anywhere from $960 to $1,920. Breaking it down monthly I am saving anywhere from $80 to $160 a month from what I used to spend when I did not keep track.

Menu making

If you've never made menus to guide your shopping�and eating�it might seem too big a chore. Tackle it a week at a time, maybe just five evening meals to start, until you're ready to plan complete days or further ahead.

Start by listing the recipes you routinely prepare. You might be surprised to see how many dishes already are in your repertoire. You can add to this list over time as you find new favorites. This gives you a master list to draw from.

Use your market's weekly flyer to see what's on sale; you can pair sale items with your favorite recipes and really improve your food savings over time.

Look at your calendar for the coming week and see what evenings you'll be home late. Plan a crock-pot meal for those nights. Maybe you'll count on having leftovers one night�that reduces to four the meals you have to plan. Pick four recipes from your master list and note what ingredients and quantities you need to prepare them all.

Inventory food you already have for the dishes you've decided to make this week�check freezer, fridge, and pantry. What matches up with your recipe list? What gaps do you need to fill? For example, it's easy to overlook spices and herbs.

You now have a shopping list and the beginnings of a meal preparation plan. Use this method consistently and you'll save money and time�and even improve your eating habits.

La Tanya expresses a sentiment many readers share when they find the satisfaction of improving their money handling routine:

I have found this experience with saving to be both rewarding and educational. It may not mean much to others, but every little bit counts. Oh, as far as using coupons�I do use them�and always remember to trust the list.

2008 Financial Fitness Challenge

For her idea, La Tanya wins a $50 Visa card and becomes eligible to win $1,000 at the end of the year for the grand prize. We'll share another reader's prize-winning�and money saving�idea next month.

And remember, the people at your credit union are available to help with your financial fitness challenges.

ST
Susan Tiffany, CCUFC
[email protected]

Published September 30, 2008