Feeding Your Family for Just $40 a Week

Spending only $40 a week to feed your family might sound crazy. But you really can do it!

You don’t have to eat boring food or skip healthy meals. You just need a good plan.

Why Planning Your Meals Helps You Save Money

When you plan your meals ahead of time, you save a ton of money.

Here’s how it works:

You only buy the food you need for the meals you picked out. When you know exactly what you’re making, you won’t buy extra stuff you don’t need. And you won’t waste food that goes bad before you use it.

Plus, you’ll stop spending money on fast food and restaurants all the time. Going out to eat can be a fun treat instead of something you do because you have nothing at home.

How to Shop Smart and Save Money

Go to discount grocery stores.

Stores like ALDI sell good food for way less money than regular grocery stores. Check if there’s one near you.

Pick cheaper meats.

Meat costs the most at the store. You don’t have to stop eating meat completely. Just look for cheaper options.

You can also use foods like beans, chickpeas, and tofu for protein. These cost much less than meat.

Buy extra when things go on sale.

Let’s say you see ham for 99 cents a pound. Buy the whole thing! You can split it up and use it for 10 different meals.

When you buy more of something on sale, your money goes further.

Keep breakfast and lunch easy.

Don’t stress about every single meal. Make simple breakfasts and lunches.

Save your energy and money for dinners. Eat basic foods like oatmeal, eggs, and sandwiches during the day.

Cheap Meal Ideas Your Family Will Like

Make Mexican-style food.

Tacos, quesadillas, and burritos are perfect when you’re on a budget. You only need a little bit of meat.

These meals fill people up with beans, rice, and tortillas. And everyone loves them!

Use ground beef the smart way.

Spaghetti, goulash, and casseroles with ground beef are cheap to make. Plus, they feed lots of people.

Make stir-fry for dinner.

Stir-fry meals are great because:
– They cook fast
– They don’t cost much
– You can add lots of veggies
– A little bit of meat goes a long way

Buy rotisserie chicken on sale.

Some stores mark down their cooked chickens at night. Walmart sometimes sells them for just $2 after 9 pm!

Use the chicken meat for several different meals during the week.

Cook everything in one pot or pan.

Sheet pan dinners, casseroles, and soups are easy. You don’t have to wash a bunch of dishes. And they make enough food for everyone.

What to Eat for a Week on $40

Here’s an example of what you could make:

• Monday: Spaghetti with meat sauce and garlic bread
• Tuesday: Black bean quesadillas with rice
• Wednesday: Chicken stir-fry with vegetables and rice
• Thursday: Taco pasta (ground beef, noodles, cheese, and taco seasoning)
• Friday: Baked potatoes with chili or broccoli and cheese on top
• Saturday: Slow cooker ranch chicken with roasted veggies
• Sunday: Homemade pizza (use store-bought dough)

How to Make This Work for Your Family

Use what you already have.

Look in your fridge and cabinets first. Use up food you already bought.

Websites like AllRecipes.com or MyFridgeFood.com can help you find recipes using what you have at home.

Plan around what’s on sale.

Check the weekly sales at your store. Plan your meals using those sale items.

Also buy fruits and vegetables that are in season. They cost less when they’re growing naturally.

Shop once a week.

Plan your meals every week. Then go shopping once. This helps you catch all the sales and buy produce when it’s cheapest.

Don’t worry about being perfect.

Some weeks you’ll spend less than $40. Other weeks you might spend a little more.

That’s okay! The goal is to spend way less on food overall. And to keep your family fed with good meals.

A $40 budget is tight. But with a plan and some flexibility, you can totally do it!