Budget Meal Planning with Teens: Times are tight for all of us.  Meal Planning is one of the best ways to save money.  I have been meal planning for years, I found that many people who shared their meal plans online had a different family than I did.  I have Teens and Preteens –  lets face it 4 hamburgers is not enough to feed a family of 4 with growing over 6ft boy..   I just could not relate to feeding my family on $50 a week ?   They  were not in the world I lived in.

I do however feed my family well on a budget.  I can do 7 dinner  with leftovers for about $70.   No one leave hungry. My husband is the envy of his coworkers for have amazing left over lunches,  while his coworkers heat up their Frozen TV dinners.

Check out my post on Tips for Menu Planning on a budget with Teens.

So this is what meal planning looks like when you try to fees your family on a budget for the weeks of Sept 27, 2015:

Budget Meal Planning with Teens:

• Sunday : Pork Chops (4 for 4.85) , 3 heads broccoli ($2.00) , and 3 cup dry  Rice ($1.79)  (I make extra rice for fried rice later in the week) =$8.61
• Monday :  Easy Roasted Chicken  12 thighs ($7.00), Butternut  Squash 2 (3.50 3.5 lb ), Salad (2.00) (tomatoes= garden, onion,  Pantry, peppers .50)  (left overs)=$12.50
• Tuesday: Fried Rice (Left over from Sunday), with low sodium spam (2.50), left over broccoli, 2 egg (.52 for 2 eggs), Mushrooms 1. 50, Carrots.50 onion .50 corn starch = $ 5.52
• Wednesday: Fish (5.99) and couscous ($2.59)  with asparagus  (2.99)=$11.57
• Thursday: BLT  (Summers Tomatoes), Turkey Bacon ($1.66 a pound sale), Lettuce, Avocado ($1.50), Bread $1.25  6 Potatoes homemade french fries (1.50) =  $5.91
• Friday: Enchiladas,  (left over chicken if any, ground chicken Meat $2.57), Cheese 1.99, Large can Of Enchilada Sauce ($2.59), Corn Tortillas $2.09) = $9.24
• Saturday: Family choice- Make it and forget soup (I use chicken, mirpox, and noodles on the side- cost about $7.00) or chili $10.00

7 dinners  = 69.92   ($2.49 per person per meal w/ left overs)

Please note I live in the suburbs outside Philadelphia.  Food is not cheap here the cost of living is higher than other areas of the country.   I mainly shop at Aldi, Shoprite,  and my Local Produce Market/Outlet  with watching the sales at  Pathmark, Acme and Giant (which I might go to if they have an amazing sale) .   The prices I use reflect my Area.

Come back next week to see how I save next week Budget Meal Planning with Teens .

Be sure to check out my Post on 16 must have food items for 25 meals:

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