What Are Your Best Budget-Friendly Family Meal Ideas?

[Kitchen Diva]

I would say not only will the 300 help with groceries but I am sure that your electric bill and water bill went up so you can tell her that can help for that added expense to.

Don't even get me started! Water bill has doubled, and electric bill is about $150-200 more than it was this time last year... My little niece has 5 blankets on her bed and my sister still complains that we took the space heater out of her room... I told her if she wanted the space heater in my nieces room, to get a job to pay for it because we can't afford to run it and it's not getting below zero anymore at night and the child won't freeze to death...

 

[Kitchen Diva]

Here's a great recipe I make at home that gets gobbled right up and is cheap and filling...

What are malfalda noodles? I thought I was in the know when it came to pasta, now I'm afraid I don't know nothin'!

 

[Kitchen Diva]

I have a household of picky eaters - they are getting better, well the little ones are.

I'll type up some of the common meals we do that are reasonable sometime tonight for you.

We do MANY variants with boneless skinless chicken breasts.



On a side note, has your sister gotten assistance yet...or maybe a part-time job to help with the bills?

Sister is complaining about how much chicken we eat, but beef is more expensive here than it is in South Dakota...and she doesn't qualify for assistance because DH makes 6 figures (hold your horses, we are taxed to the hilt, and he takes home less on this income than he did on a 5 figure income) and they count all the income from every member living in the house so sister does not get assistance- she needs to get a job!

 

[ZippyKitty]

One thing I did when trying desperately to come up with menus was to post a piece of paper on the fridge or the family calendar for meal ideas. In your case I'd combine it with the threat that any days without suggestions will be filled in by you with what you want to eat.I'd also getting them involved with the budget. I use You Need a Budget and they suggest that you sit down with the major stakeholders and work it out between you. I usually do up the budget and then give it DH to approve it. I usually only pass along numbers that affect him (ie there is no point on him approving the mortgage payments or the phone bill). If they have to sit down with you to juggle the numbers they may have more respect for meals you serve. You want steak every night - then no cable, no internet (okay not no internet ) no beer and and the only one who drinks anything but water is your niece (she gets milk at meals). Too harsh - then may I suggest roast chicken, bean burritos and chili instead of steak? ZK (Thinking of going over this thread for recipes too!)

 

[janetupnorth]

For meat, we bought half a cow this year. Before that I would buy it in 3 lb. packages on sale and then break it up until 1 lb. bags before freezing it.For spaghetti, I buy cans of tomato soup on sale - when there is a 50 cents per can sale and get tomato sauce and tomato paste at Sam's Club by the case.My spaghetti recipe is:1 lb. hamburger browned with garlic sauceThen 1 mix 1 can of tomato paste - 6 oz.
1 can tomato soup - 10 3/4 oz.
1 can tomato sauce - 15 oz.
1/2 Tbsp. Parsley Flakes
1/2 Tbsp. Basil
1/2 Tbsp. Oregano
1/4 cup sugarHaving 3 adults in the family, I'd do:2 lbs. browned hamburgerThen 1 mix 2 cans of tomato paste - 6 oz.
2 cans tomato soup - 10 3/4 oz.
2 cans tomato sauce - 15 oz.
1 Tbsp. Parsley Flakes
1 Tbsp. Basil
1 Tbsp. Oregano
1/2 cup sugarYou can usually buy a loaf of french bread cheaper than crescent rolls or other things and make garlic bread with it.We do pizza burgers other nights...Brown hamburger with garlic sauce, mix 1 jar Ragu pizza sauce (about $1) in per pound of hamburger. Mix in some mozzarella cheese. Place on 1/2 of English muffin and top with additional mozzarella. Heat oven to 350 degrees and bake for 10 minutes to melt cheese and crisp English muffin.Regular hamburgers on the grill...I usually make cans of corn or other vegetables to go with them...

 

[dannyzmom]

What are malfalda noodles? I thought I was in the know when it came to pasta, now I'm afraid I don't know nothin'!

The look like miniature lasagna noodles

 

[Kitchen Diva]

For meat, we bought half a cow this year. Before that I would buy it in 3 lb. packages on sale and then break it up until 1 lb. bags before freezing it.

For spaghetti, I buy cans of tomato soup on sale - when there is a 50 cents per can sale and get tomato sauce and tomato paste at Sam's Club by the case.

My spaghetti recipe is:

1 lb. hamburger browned with garlic sauce

Then 1 mix 1 can of tomato paste - 6 oz.
1 can tomato soup - 10 3/4 oz.
1 can tomato sauce - 15 oz.
1/2 Tbsp. Parsley Flakes
1/2 Tbsp. Basil
1/2 Tbsp. Oregano
1/4 cup sugar

Having 3 adults in the family, I'd do:

2 lbs. browned hamburger

Then 1 mix 2 cans of tomato paste - 6 oz.
2 cans tomato soup - 10 3/4 oz.
2 cans tomato sauce - 15 oz.
1 Tbsp. Parsley Flakes
1 Tbsp. Basil
1 Tbsp. Oregano
1/2 cup sugar

You can usually buy a loaf of french bread cheaper than crescent rolls or other things and make garlic bread with it.


We do pizza burgers other nights...

Brown hamburger with garlic sauce, mix 1 jar Ragu pizza sauce (about $1) in per pound of hamburger. Mix in some mozzarella cheese. Place on 1/2 of English muffin and top with additional mozzarella. Heat oven to 350 degrees and bake for 10 minutes to melt cheese and crisp English muffin.

Regular hamburgers on the grill...

I usually make cans of corn or other vegetables to go with them...

See, that's where you are lucky- you can use Ragu, or make your sauce from tomato soup. DH had a German mother and a full blooded Italian father, and she made her sauce from ketchup and tomato soup after DH's dad died, and so DH hates jarred sauces and hates sauce that is made from anything else other than cans of tomato sauce and diced tomatos.

The frustrating thing is that DH does the finances, so he knows how tight things are, and he just is completely oblivious to the fact that I'm doing the best I can. like I said earlier, most coupons are for things we don't eat. I don't do boxed meals, I do fresh food... I shop the outer perimeter of the supermarket- which means higher costs...(except for my pillsbury cinnamon rolls!)

We have a medium sized refridgerator, otherwise I could stock up on certain things when they are on sale, to use at a later time, but if I don't use the fresh produce I buy within a few days to a week- it's all rotten, and I end up tossing it. I could try to just buy that stuff the day or two before I need it for a meal- but then I'm running an additional errand that I don't need to run. I guess it's better than tossing food I never got to eat- so maybe I'll try that!

DH is anti-hotdish/casserole, my sister has an issue with properly cooked chicken- she blames her pregnancy with my niece as the reason why her chicken and pork have to be cooked until they are so dry that sand pops out of them... and if I undercook her steak (has to be MEDIUM-too much pink juice and she starts to get sick, and won't eat it, and it goes to the trash) so it's to the point where I am started to stress out over the doneness of my meat- and I've never had to do that before. Tonight her chicken breast was not dry enough- I mean cooked enough (it wasn't pink anywhere, but if it looks juicy, she translates that to undercooked and gets grossed out) I stuck her peice in the microwave for 3 minutes until it was so dry dust was popping out of the knife hole I poked into it to check for doneness... and her baked potato has to be wapped in foil so the skin isn't too crispy, and she has had bad luck with pork ribs, so she'll only eat beef ribs...yada-yada-yada.

Tonight I told her that we don't get ground beef for 1.50 a pound here like she does in SD, and if I make pork ribs, which we love- and she thinks they are too fatty (I've not had that problem) then I told her she could have a PB&J sandwich.

I'm more worried about making DH happy, since he's the breadwinner and it is important to me that he gets a good, substantial cooked meal. I can't do a meatless dinner- it just wouldn't go over well.

I've ranted long enough...I appreciate the recipe ideas, and the cookbook ideas. I need to find some slow-cooker recipes, too!

And since my sister doesn't qualify for assistance, and won't get a job because she doesn't want my niece in daycare- DH and I are going to sit her down this weekend and tell her- get a job, or move out by June 1st, because we have all but depleated our savings account to support you and the munchkin, and that money was supposed to be for a new living room window, new patio furniture, and a few other things we were saving up for. It's like she doesn't even care that she's costing this much money and has no desire to help us out...she thinks the help should come from other people so she doesn't have to do anything. She's already praying for a new husband and wants to be married by November of this year (she hasn't even filed for divorce yet)- so she can go from one "got it made" situation, to being supported by her new hubby. Unreal! DH keeps telling me that he's amazed we are related because I am sooo not like that.

Sister was rear ended the other day SO hard that the lady's license plate is IMPRINTED on my sister's bumper! Letters and numbers! VISABLE!!! Because sister wasn't hurt, and munchkin wasn't hurt, and air bags didn't employ- she only got the ladies name and number...NO insurance info. I was so ticked at her. She told me she prayed about it, and no one was hurt and the car was fine. I told her it didn't matter if there were no injuries or visible damage, you have to get the insurance info to report the accident to your insurance company and INCASE something happens to the car down the road. Well yesterday we had to go to the court house to get an order of protection and when she had to break from high speeds that car shimmied, and shook, and pulsated so bad I told her I was never driving with her again. I told her that her frame was probably bent in the crash, and she was foolish for not getting that ladies insurance info- You should see the way the steering wheel was moving when she had to break. She's just clueless- so now she's broke and has a car that's broke...

Thanks for letting me vent. It's been a tough week, with recovering from my back going out, and being jerked along by unemployment, and it's goin on 2 months of supporting sister and niece with no end in sight. We are telling her there is an end, and she had better start planning for it! wish us luck and say a prayer!

sorry this got so long!!:yuck:

 

[dannyzmom]

Sounds to me that with your sisters' pickiness and her lack of employment, SHE should be the one cooking the meals in your household...

 

[chefann]

You go ahead and vent, Kacey! What are friends for, but to lend a sympathetic ear when you need it. And we understand that sometimes a vent is just a vent, not a request for solutions (although we love to solve problems, and you did ask for help at the beginning of the thread).

 

[vwpamperedchef]

Kacey, sending some big hugs your way and a few extra prayers!!

 

[janetupnorth]

See, that's where you are lucky- you can use Ragu, or make your sauce from tomato soup. DH had a German mother and a full blooded Italian father, and she made her sauce from ketchup and tomato soup after DH's dad died, and so DH hates jarred sauces and hates sauce that is made from anything else other than cans of tomato sauce and diced tomatos.

No, not lucky, I'd be SHOT if I use Ragu or any jar sauce for spaghetti.

He only allows pizza sauce for pizza burgers.

Just modify my spaghetti with diced tomatoes (DH doesn't like the chunks so we don't use them).

Watch for coupons and stock up on can goods when on sale - they keep for awhile.

 

[janetupnorth]

On the rest - talk to her - have DH talk to her. She needs to realize life DID smack her in the face and she needs to be a responsible adult. She needs to report that accident NOW!!!! Just because she didn't get insurance information doesn't mean she can't file the complaint and get it corrected. She probably sustained quite a bit of mechanical damage and with a bent frame she'll have things go out one after another - I had a vehicle that was hit and it was nothing but trouble because they couldn't fully straighten the frame.You and your husband have been more than generous to your sister and I hope it blesses you in the long run despite the troubles now.

 

[jbachen]

I just wanted to add my hugs to those posted previously, like Ann said - what are friends for if not to lean on when you need help. And, I don't really have much advice to add to what has been said before, since I agree with all of it, so I just wanted to send you hugs and let you know I am thinking of you!

 

[janetupnorth]

As we were walking around our house trying to clean up the "winter mess" - you know all the things you discover have blown in your yard during the winter and appear after the snow melts (we still have snow piles in our yard)! I passed my tomato plant area and thought of you again...You complained about stuff going bad in the fridge...why don't you start yourself a small herb garden this year...parsely, oregano, basil, chives, whatever you want. Once you get it going, you can have FRESH herbs without going to the store...Also, if you get some great tomato plants going, you can use some now and can some later in the year......just some additional thoughts.I'm going to take my tomato plants out of the ground this year and try hanging them upside down on the porch - heard it works great and there are some good websites on it...

 

[etteluap70PC]

Kacey, as I was reading your recent posts I had a few ideas... since your sis is so picky and adding so much to your greoery bill why dont you let her cook for herself and your niece? If she get's the assistance tell her to do her own grocery shopping. Give her her own cubbord and shelf in the fridge. Weekends and or 1 night a week could be a group meal. She should not be taking such advantage of you! She took care of herself and her DD before she should be doing it now.

another idea.... how far are you from the farmers market in minneapolis? You can get some great deals and when the produce starts to come in you can go every few days and just get what you will eat. We only have the farmers market once a week (may-oct) here but I love it for the savings and freshness, not to mention supporting the local farmers.

most importantly... I think you your sis and hubby need to sit down and really look at all this. Look at where you can cut and make a plan. This is not going to work if you all can't work together to keep life stable and happy for your niece. not everyone will get what they want but it should help cut the stress for all of you.

 

[Kitchen Diva]

You go ahead and vent, Kacey! What are friends for, but to lend a sympathetic ear when you need it. And we understand that sometimes a vent is just a vent, not a request for solutions (although we love to solve problems, and you did ask for help at the beginning of the thread).

Well, I surely do appreciate that I can vent, and let it be just that...a vent session. I do also appreciate the help and advice. I do take it all to heart.

Sounds like my sister is going to try and get her husband kicked out of their home in SD, so she and my niece can move back there. It would be temporarily, but at least they do have a house there, and friends and a church that can help AND SD will provide her with every kind of assistance under the sun, and she has a former employer that will re-hire her if she ever wants her old job back- so on Monday, she is going to make some calls and see if that will be the best thing to do- otherwise I told her I didn't care if she wanted to do daycare or not- We can't affrord to support them and she must go and get a job. She agreed, so we'll see what happens! Thanks again for all the prayers and encouragement- you once again have helped me through a rough patch!

 

[Kitchen Diva]

As we were walking around our house trying to clean up the "winter mess" - you know all the things you discover have blown in your yard during the winter and appear after the snow melts (we still have snow piles in our yard)! I passed my tomato plant area and thought of you again...

You complained about stuff going bad in the fridge...why don't you start yourself a small herb garden this year...parsely, oregano, basil, chives, whatever you want. Once you get it going, you can have FRESH herbs without going to the store...

Also, if you get some great tomato plants going, you can use some now and can some later in the year...

...just some additional thoughts.

I'm going to take my tomato plants out of the ground this year and try hanging them upside down on the porch - heard it works great and there are some good websites on it...

we do that each summer, but DH is putting up a shed in my veggie garden, so all I have now is the perenial (sp?) garden left! We agreed to put the shed on the side of the house, and he changed his mind, so I just lost my garden. I need a drink- where's the vodka???

 

[janetupnorth]

That's good news! Still focus on your "money-saving" ideas though...even if she heads back, you need to recover from all the help you've given her and that will take some work.

 

[Kitchen Diva]

That's good news! Still focus on your "money-saving" ideas though...even if she heads back, you need to recover from all the help you've given her and that will take some work.

Oh, I totally will! I really like that coupon website I found, and now that I'm back to making a menu for each pay period (2 weeks worth of meals) it will be easier to take advantage of the sales at the grocery stores, and use my coupons!

I'm just glad that my sister realized she had to get off her butt and start doing something! I was starting to get cranky if you couldn't tell! :angel:

 

[janetupnorth]

Oh, I totally will! I really like that coupon website I found, and now that I'm back to making a menu for each pay period (2 weeks worth of meals) it will be easier to take advantage of the sales at the grocery stores, and use my coupons!

I'm just glad that my sister realized she had to get off her butt and start doing something! I was starting to get cranky if you couldn't tell! :angel:

Naw, not a bit...didn't seem unusual at all...

 

[wadesgirl]

It's hard on all of you! Her world was turned upside down but she's using it as an excuse to not doing anything with her life. I think you and DH need to sit down together first and come up with a budge for everything. Then you need to sit down with your sister and let her know what's going on. Let her know that certain things are going to be budgeted. If that means the tv only gets turned on for 30 minutes a night to save electricity then that's that. If it means that she needs to cook her own meals to fit her satisfaction than she should do so herself, not put the stress on you. But I do think you need to have a family meeting but sit down with DH first to discuss these issues, because after she's gone, it's back to the two of you to sort things out.

 

[Kitchen Diva]

Naw, not a bit...didn't seem unusual at all...

I know, it is pretty hard to tell when I'm cranky- being that I'm such an angel! LOL