Blowing your budget on take-out? Get these quick tips for creating cheap & easy weeknight meals at home.
When you went back to work, you didn’t think you’d be busting your budget on weeknight dinners, did you? But, it’s happening, right? Take out, delivery & even the drive-thru receipts can pile up quick, if you’re not careful. Trust me, I learned this lesson the hard way.
Starting a business and feeding two kids (and one hungry husband!) on a weeknight can seem like a daunting task & it’s so tempting to just get delivery. That’s why fixing easy weeknight meals on a budget can be a real game changer for your wallet.
Follow these 5 tips for getting food on the table during those busy weeknights without blowing your budget.
CHEAPEST WAYS TO COOK ON A BUDGET
#1: Slow Cookers Are Your Friend
I know. Crock Pots. Sigh. Does anything super tasty ever come out of those things? YES! It’s just about knowing what ingredients to put together. That’s my job! 😊
Get the most bang for your buck by buying the ingredients in bulk & prep two and stick in the freezer. That way, they’re already ready to go at a moment’s notice. No excuses for take-out when the freezer is stocked.
Check out these fool proof crock pot ideas that will bring that slow cooker of yours into the 21st century!
Chicken Cacciatore is an absolute favorite at my house.
Bonus: Even hubs can dump ingredients in a pot…right?
#2: Cook Once, Eat Twice
I love a dinner that does double duty! Cook one time, and then use the left overs to transform into a whole new dish.
Nothing says budget-friendly like a meal that can be stretched into two!
You can transform left over roasted chicken (like my crispy skinned Meyer Lemon Spatchcock Roasted Chicken) can make a mean pot pie.
With a little planning, you can push those weeknight dinners out effortlessly.
#3: Buy In Bulk
Parents who put dinner on the table every night often like to stock up on those things they use all the time in their favorite dishes. The best way to source things like chicken, canned tomatoes, fresh fish, or frozen veggies is through a big bulk store like Costco, BJ’s or Sam’s Club.
Things like Costco’s giant package of precooked rotisserie chicken breast (already pulled for you) have saved dinner on more nights than I can say. This package of chicken can be broken down into at least 4 bags and frozen individually.
Popping one of those little baggies in the microwave and making some quick tacos or a one pot dinner is key to surviving the week at my house!
There’s also big bags of shredded cheese, ready made meals, and prewashed salads! Added bonus of buying in bulk is that your wallet will thank you.
#4: Brinner, It’s What’s For Dinner
I love breakfast, brunch, and brinner. I think it’s the combo of sweet and savory that keeps me coming back for more. It just hits ALL. THE. NOTES!
If you’re looking for a dinner in a pinch, then look no further than my Pantry Pancakes. You don’t even need eggs for these! Say wha? That’s right.
If that’s not budget friendly, I’m not sure what is!
Added bonus: My Pantry Pancakes HAVE to be the cheapest food to feed a crowd! This has to be the ultimate easy weeknight dinner for any budget!
#5: Team Work Makes the Dream Work
Okay, here’s some tough love. If you’re still winging it every weeknight when it comes to putting dinner on the table, then you’re stress level has got to be through the roof.
You need to take a minute and get real.
Have you gotten my Rush Hour Recipes freebie yet? Okay, well get it HERE.
It’s 5 NO COOK recipes for busy working families.
So, even if you (or your partner) have ZERO time, ZERO energy, or ZERO skill I can help you get dinner on the table ALL. WEEK. LONG. (No drive-thru required:))
If your partner is working too, then you both have crazy demands on you. But, it is NO secret that the majority of women carry the mental load of what to cook for dinner.
Even when both parents are working!
So, it’s time.
It’s time to have that talk that you don’t want to have with your partner. The talk where you both agree to start sharing the grocery shopping, the cooking & the planning for dinner.
My Dinner Plans Starter Kit is the best path to sharing the load of dinner duties & making meal time enjoyable with your family–even when time is tight, nights are rushed & work has been grueling.
Dinner Plans Starter Kit is more than a meal plan. It’s more than easy cook & no cook recipes.
It’s permission. It’s permission to divide & conquer a task that has usually been plopped in the laps of moms.
Sound like something you need in your life?
Go get it & start using it today. Check it out HERE!
GOOD HOME COOKED MEALS ON A BUDGET
Working moms everywhere are doing an amazing job of juggling all the balls, all the time. But, it can come at a cost to your budget. That’s why it’s so important to think creatively about dinner. If you just use a few of these ideas above, you can get your budget back on track.
Remember these 5 Tips for keeping those weeknight meals on a budget:
- Slow Cookers Are Your Friend
- Cook Once, Eat Twice
- Buy In Bulk
- Brinner, It’s What’s for Dinner
- Team Work Makes the Dream Work
It’s time to ditch the drive-thru and remember that dinner doesn’t have to be mission impossible. It just takes a little strategy & a little help. If that sounds like something you need, then don’t waste another second struggling! I’ve got you, girl.
Sign up for my freebie & then check out my Dinner Plans Starter Kit if you REALLY wanna get serious about getting dinner done all week long.
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