Just recently we decided it was time to get serious again about following a budget (translation: stop overspending through impulse purchases). When Zack & I were living in Detroit and unemployed we followed Dave Ramsey’s cash envelope system. We didn’t overspend our already too-tight budget — I can’t believe that was almost seven years ago now! — and it was wildly successful for our family. Since then, our discipline for budgeting and controlling our spending has dwindled despite knowing these principles. We’re both turning thirty this year and we’re ready to change the financial forecast of our future. This is an exciting time!
There are two areas we usually overspend (and I bet they’re the same for you): groceries and entertainment. With Zack’s work schedule, we would often attempt to make up our lost family time by going out to eat. And my goodness that is such a bad decision. Going out to eat with young children is rarely relaxing ;) – we were rushing to eat a $50 meal and failing to realize how little it was actually helping our family. #lessonlearned
So in December we made the family decision to get back on a budget. Not so much because we were having trouble making our dollar stretch but more so because we want our money to work hard for us, not the other way around.
The first category where we knew we could make a big impact was with grocery shopping and meal planning. When you’re trying to free up money to get ahead, Dave says to “eat beans and rice, rice and beans”. While we are getting serious about eating efficiently and inexpensively, we do like to get creative and jazz it up a bit.
I know. I used to roll my eyes at the words “meal planning” but now I see it as a fun challenge to stop wasting: food, time, and our money.
How meal planning has blessed our family far beyond any amount of saved money:
– by removing any stress when we’d sit down to outline our monthly income and expenses
– by providing more family time at home (something I highly value)
– by increasing our communication (Zack may not see that as a blessing? Kidding…)
– by helping me to feel more organized (no more “what’s for dinner?!” scramble at 6pm)
– by stopping me from over-purchasing. We live in a small space and while our pantry should be well-stocked it doesn’t need to be over-stocked. I’m learning there’s a difference.
– by encouraging me to bake more. Homemade chocolate chip cookies will always win over a package of Oreos :) Let’s just say we’re all happier about this one.
My husband is a post-production Producer. I spend most of my day “doing”: playing, creating, singing, cuddling, reading. We have two littles at home under 2 years of age. We also share a family vehicle. All of these things provide happy “challenges”; meal planning is a huge part of our family having successful, happy days.
Meal planning can be a simple task! Here are my best tips:
1. use your crock-pot: cook your meat, make apple sauce, create “one pot meals”, and more!
2. plan your weekly recipes around a theme: soup / salad / sammies, Italian dishes, Tex-Mex dishes, etc. Unique but similar dishes share many ingredients, making your dollar stretch further
3. divide leftovers into individual containers for easy reheating/packing a lunch
4. keep a stock of the ingredients for your favorite quickie lunch. Mine is Chicken Salad: mix a combination of onion, celery, mayonnaise, cooked shredded chicken, cranberries, apples, pears, candied walnuts, and salt & pepper. This can be served over lettuce, with crackers, on bread or eaten plain. So yum!
5. having food that’s ready-to-serve makes lunchtime (and naptime) a breeze! I usually prep a few things over the weekend, like Chicken Salad or Pasta Salad
6. using Pinterest can help you serve delicious & affordable meals — here’s my recipe board if you want to see what I’ve been making. I look for recipes with a reasonable number of ingredients, things I know I’ll use until it’s completely gone. It can be easy for certain ingredients to spoil before they’re used up (like celery, sour cream, or salad dressing), so this is where tip #2 is helpful!
7. double the vegetables and grains in a recipe but stick to the original quantity of meat (this keeps your family full without doubling your grocery costs).
* * *
The first part of meal planning is knowing (and believing) why you’re following a plan each week/month. When you’re aware of your budget you can serve your family nourishing meals without over-spending. Plan out your monthly budget and be encouraged knowing you’re meeting your financial goals.
The second part to meal planning is learning how to put the plan into action. What exactly do you buy? What kind of meals can you make? How do you stop from over-spending? Stay tuned…
We are doing our Debt Free Scream on the Dave Ramsey show on Tuesday, Feb 2! We have found his envelope system to be a true blessing – and we ate the beans and rice and rice and beans and found success! No kiddos yet for us, but sticking to the Dave Ramsey plan has set us up to win once we do have kiddos.
We also started meal planning, I pick 4 recipes/meals to shop for during the week, the other 3 nights we eat left overs and shop the pantry. Lunches are always left overs or quesodillas. Love the simplicity that a little bit of planning can bring to the home!
If we can get debt free, you can too!
Leah — that’s sooooooooooooooo exciting, I can hardly stand it. We listen to Dave’s podcast usually every night, so I’m looking forward to hearing you on the 2nd! GREAT JOB! ♥
That is so awesome! I love listening to Dave and watching his video app. But my hubby has never been on board with any form of budget. I decided to just do what I can by making a cash budget for the things I spend on like clothing, food, etc. I worked it all out yesterday and I’m ready to give it a go starting next week! I’m excited and scared.
Scared? Oh no, why?
I’ve been doing some serious thinking about doing the Dave Ramsey thing — I need to get my fiance on board! I didn’t realize he does a podcast. I will have to check that out.
Also, I *love* the casserole dish. That’s one of the patterns I collect (the one with the pink and red flowers). Not sure if you’re a collector or not, but it’s Fire King “Primrose” which was made in the early 1960s. I inherited some pieces of it from my great grandmother. (If you’re interested, I wrote a little about it here: http://www.lifeinbeta.com/2011/11/25/vintage-glassware-treasures-pyrex-fire-king/) It’s a beautiful pattern!
I’m not a collector but I love that dish, too :) My MIL found it for me during one of her visits to Los Angeles! Yesssssss, definitely strongly consider his cash envelope plan. It’s a super great way to save money and achieve your goals!!!
We have been meal planning for about two years…we failed then succeeded it took a little bit to get a complete plan down pat. Sometimes good things come out of practice :) . We learned that even going out to lunch any more is not as satisfying as it used to be. You go to Panera lets say spend $25 and then an hour later besides feeling bloated you spent all that money and have nothing to show for! Panera is good don’t get me wrong…but that’s besides the point! I am going to have to listen to David Ramsey, he seems like he is trending a lot lately. Thanks for the post!
Same for us — it took a couple of tries, but I think we have a good system down now!
What a great post!! I had never heard about the envelope system but it does seem very helpful. I am getting married on September and my fiancé and I are trying to save as much as we can, mainly by trying to stay home and not overspend by going out for dinner! Also, Maggie I just love, love, love that you’ve decided to write more often. Each day I find myself checking to see if you have uploaded any post and I just wanted you to know that every single one is worth it :) Keep going!!
I can’t even begin to tell you how much your comment means to me. Thank you Lesli :) you are super encouraging!
I love this post, Maggie! I have been meal planning on and off for years now, and it is such a time saver. We haven’t done a whole lot of beans and rice, rice and beans, because my hubby is a meat & potatoes guy, but I’m sure it still saves us a lot of money.
I still remember reading your blog years ago when you talked about Dave Ramsey. I love watching his video app. I will check out the podcast.
Any tips for getting my hubby on board with a cash budget?
So is my man! He has a hard time getting full from a meal if it doesn’t have any meat in it. You could consider buying larger quantities of meat, or buying when they’re B1G1 free, that sort of thing.
I asked Zack for a tip on getting your husband on board with a cash budget and he said to get in the same page with your husband about goals and a plan for the future. Then, let that segue into a conversation about money. Once you have goals in place it’s easier to talk about the plan toward achieving those goals.
Listening to Dave Ramsey podcast as I read this :) I’m sooo not a planner/organizer so meal planning has been a real hurdle to overcome, but it feels so great when the week goes so much smoother.
When I make red beans and rice, I usually add in sausage (probably about $1 for the package and do about half a sausage per meal) and it adds the extra meat/flavor.