The Cost of a Meal

Last week I had to teach a class at our wards Enrichment meeting about money management and menu planning. I was amazed at so many things as I put it down on paper. I can't believe the money we're saving this year simply by following a budget. Maybe I'm the only one who didn't already know or do this but I'm glad I finally figured it out. The thing that amazed me most was the amount of money we save by eating home cooked meals vs. eating out or already prepared things from the grocery store. It amazed me so much I thought I would share my cost breakdown with you. Most meals feed our family of 7 (and my boys may still be rather small, but they eat a lot!) with at least lunch the next day for whoever is home or part of the next days dinner, so I figure about 10 servings per meal. Now our family eats pretty normal, boring food. We're not very adventurous. I try to make the bread we eat with dinner so I guessed on a price because I didn't want to figure out how much a cup of flour cost. I think I guessed high. Salad worked out a little less but then I added in a little for dressing and rounded up. I also didn't include a beverage with the breakdown. Our family drinks about 1 1/2 - 2 gallons of milk a day. I did 2 beef, 2 chicken and 2 pork meals.



Beef Meals

Spaghetti:
Sauce Ingredients & Noodles: $3.81
Bread: $1.00
Salad: $1.00
Total:$5.81
per serving: $0.58

Pot Roast:
3 pound chuck roast: $4.47
Potatos (garden): free
Carrots: $0.68
Onion gravy mix: $0.25
Bread: $1.00
Salad: $1.00
Total: $7.70
per serving: $0.77

Chicken Meals

Roast Chicken
2 4lb chickens: $4.72
Potatos: free
Carrots: $0.68
Bread: $1.00
Salad: $1.00
Total: $7.40
per serving: $0.74

Chicken Casserole
1 1/2 pounds chicken: $1.93
Green Bean(garden): free
Mushrooms: $0.29
Sour Cream: $0.50
Cr. Chicken soup: $0.50
Stove Top dressing: $0.99
Bread: $1.00
Salad: $1.00
Total: $6.21
per serving: $0.62


Pork Meals

BBQ Ribs
2 pounds boneless ribs: $2.58
BBQ sauce: $1.00 (I think I paid less but figured I'd round up)
Rice: $0.50 (I buy it in bulk so I guessed)
Beans/Peas: free/$0.99
Bread: $1.00
Salad: $1.00
Total: $6.57
per serving: $0.94 (only 7 servings, we rarely have leftovers)

Pork Roast
4 pound pork roast: $3.96
Carrots: $0.68
Potatos: free
Applesauce: $0.50-$2.00 (depends if I buy it or make it and what kind I buy)
Bread: $1.00
Salad: $1.00
Total: $7.89
per serving: $0.79

Now there are definately nights that we have chicken patties and instant potatoes :( But, for our family, it makes a difference to eat good meals as often as we can. I like to stock up on what I can when there's a good sale (thanks to pinchingyourpennies.com for helping me know when a sale really is good!) and we do a lot of canning in the summer.
I have found that I save time by preparing as much of dinner as I can in the morning. Then I can help with homework etc. when the kids get home from school. Maybe you're already good at this or better (let me know what you do!) but it made me realize a few important things: 1. our family is closer because we have that time together everyday 2. we don't eat a lot of processed things so we are (hopefully) healthier 3. I spend less on groceries than Iused to and 4. I spend a lot of time in the kitchen and therefore have an excuse for ignoring the rest of my house!