Life Skills Menu Planning

Living on a budget, individuals will realize that the purchase of food becomes an important consideration. Naturally, there are some
things one can do to cut down or minimize that final total at the register. Consider how the following items can affect your food
expenses.
Bulk
Leftovers
Eating Out
Organic
Raw foods
Spoilage

Freezer
Eating at home/with friends
Store Brand
Impulse Buying
Crockpot
Coupons

As you complete the seven-day menu take advantage of the following benefits and incorporate them into your menu.
1 meal with family/friends
1 meal out (friends treat)

4 skipped meals
1 leftover night

Clearly and fully indicate your meals. For example, dont just put cereal or pancakes. Cereal usually takes milk and pancakes take
butter and/or syrup. If you say ham sandwich, add bread and anything else like mayo, mustard, cheese, lettuce, tomato, etcIf you
indicate spaghetti, do you mean from a can or a frozen dinner or a homemade recipe that would include all the ingredients that go into
your original recipe. Do you serve garlic bread too? Add that as well. In other words, dont be too general or brief, and dont be
unrealistic. If you eat exotic or unusual foods, then you make need to price them from an online source. A salad includes ALL the
items in the salad right down to the dressing. Unrealistic menus/pricing will be rejected, so dont try to imply you live on saltines and
water. If you drink sodas, then you have enough for the week with your six-pack. Do you drink coffee? Do you add sugar and cream?
Make sure you list everything. It is sometimes surprising to see exactly how much a person consumes
In order to gain a better concept of food costs, you need to find the act cost of the food you list for any two days that do not include
any more than ONE of the benefits listed above. Look online at places like Wal-Mart.com for home delivery food pricing or
companies like Schwanns for additional prices. Using the correct keywords, you will find other places that can provide you with costs
of food and all the xtras.

Breakfast
Lunch

Monday
Oatmeal
Spaghetti w/
Tomato Sauce

Dinner

Skipped Meal

Tuesday
Oatmeal
Chicken
Tenders,
Mashed
Potato,
Broccoli
Skipped Meal

Wednesday
Oatmeal
Hot Dogs,
French Fries

Skipped Meal

Quaker Flavor Variety Instant Oatmeal, 10 count, 15.1 oz

Great Value: Whole Wheat Spaghetti, 13.25 oz
Great Value: Tomato Sauce, 8 oz
Ore-Ida Golden Fries French Fried Potatoes, 32 oz
Tyson Batter Dipped Chicken Breast Tenders, 25.5 oz
Idahoan: Buttery Homestyle Mashed Potatoes, 4 oz
Great Value: Florets Broccoli, 14oz
Gwaltney Original Chicken Bun Size Hot Dogs, 12 count, 48 oz
L'Oven Fresh, Hot Dog Buns, 8ct
Hormerl: Salisbury Steak W/ Sliced Potato & Gravy
Heartland Gluten- Free Penne Pasta, 12 oz
Bertolli Alfredo Sauce
Eggs, grade A, large, 12 count
Fresh Grand Produce Tomatoes, 1 lb
Green Giant Sliced Mushrooms, 4.5oz
Kraft Homestyle White Cheddar Macaroni & Cheese Dinner, 4 oz
$33.60

Thursday
Friday
Oatmeal
Oatmeal
Microwaveable
Penne w/
Meal
Alfredo Sauce
(Steak w/
Sliced
Potatoes)
Skipped Meal
Meal Out

Saturday
Oatmeal
Omelet w/
Mushrooms
and Tomato

Sunday
Oatmeal
Meal with
family

Leftover Night

Macaroni &
Cheese

$2.50
$1.00
$0.33
$2.96
$4.97
$0.98
$1.47
$1.74
$1.89
$2.18
$1.98
$2.00
$2.21
$2.50
$2.89
$2.00