Uniforms have been bought or washed and folded. Shoes have been polished. Books and stationary have been purchased, covered and labelled. Bags and lunchboxes have been washed, bought, named and scotch guarded. All that’s left for us to do is pack lunches the night before and we are ready to GO BACK TO SCHOOL!!
School lunches themselves can be a hassle, especially if you have a houseful of fussy eaters. Add to that school rules and it can be a bit of a nightmare. I don’t make school lunches anymore, I check them and I help the little ones but most of it done by them. I have handmade lists in my kitchen that assist with jobs like school lunches.
Since writing the list I’ve also purchased small containers that they use to take yoghurts or dips. These are bought in larger portions and divided as needed as it works our way cheaper than buying individual servings. Sandwich filling and salads depends on what we have but everyone has their favourites. I normally buy some kind of lunch meat for them to add to it too. 2 pieces of fruit is mandatory and if it isn’t eaten, recess snacks are removed completely the following day.
My recess boxes are Sistema sewing boxes purchased from Woolworths. Bars that I only buy on sale including muesli, fruit, nutrigrain, milo, lcm’s etc are stored in the top. It’s rare that they will have all kinds to choose from at one time, but we rotate to keep it interesting for them. 2 minute noodles (they like eating these dry), popcorn, chips and biscuits are stored in the bottom. I buy large packs of shapes and biscuits when they are on sale and repackage into snack bags myself.
Other than managing my school snacks, I buy menu plan pads from Kmart, and have found that this is the only way I can keep my shopping down. My weekly shopping usually sits between $250 and $300 per week by sticking to my menu plan. Lunches are covered as per the list and breakfasts are normally cereal and toast. Dinners are written on the menu plan and then I shop accordingly.
Tuesday nights are “easy nights”, I don’t buy anything for this and kids make their own. I bag up and freeze flat any leftovers in sandwich bags that are single serves throughout the week and they get reheated for easy night.
Thursday night is pasta night of some kind, Friday night is mummy Maccas, which is basically fried food that I make at home. Some families call their junk food night (fake away). Then Sunday is roast night.
All other nights I cook a rotation of family meals that are easy and economical. After working all day no one wants to spend ages in the cooking and in winter my slow cooker is my best friend.
If anyone wants more tips on cheap economical meals or a Kmart planner, let me know.
Thanks
Bec
3Plus5 
Hi Bec, stumbled on your blog and have been saying. I should meal plan but haven’t got into the groove. Any tips appreciated including how you use the planner (do you plan 1 or 2 weeks out etc)?
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Michelle,
I plan weekly for several reasons, financially that’s our pay cycle. I also don’t think I’d fit more than a weeks worth in my fridge. 🤣 As for the planner, I only write dinners on them. Lunch and breakfast are the same day-day so I just shop for them but don’t write them down. Toast or cereal for breakfast, sandwiches, tuna, crackers, salads etc for lunch. I write a shopping list as I write the plan and only buy off the list.
Exceptions for going off list include – specials or markdowns. Key recipe ingredients you forgot to write down.
Check your pantry and freezer prior to writing your plan. Some weeks plans change and you go out instead of eating at home etc. Use what you have first.
Keep in mind I shop for 10 people, I don’t utilise a butcher like I should and I have no access to Aldi or a fruit market, you may be able to get your groceries way down. You may also have weeks where no matter what the plan you still go over. Birthdays always knock me over because I buy treats and things I don’t normally buy.
Purchase cleaning products in bulk and on sale. If you have a BIG W near you, check them out. I purchased 2×3 liquid fab in October and I’m still not even half way through them. They cost me about the same as a 2litre from Woolworths. Same goes for shampoo and conditioner, I have a huge stash. With 5 girls, 6 including me all with long hair we use ALOT of conditioner.
You don’t have to have meat everyday. Even now I sometimes forget this. When you do have meat, rethink your portions. From memory we should be eating a palm size serving.
Bulk up your meals with veg, pasta and rice. Buy rice in bulk on sale if you have the space. I have a jar in the pantry then tape up the remainder of the bag in the hallway cupboard.
If you have kids, you would have already seen the lunch box tips. I love the recess boxes. Make my life soooo much easier.
We eat a lot of chicken and mince due to its price, they are both so versatile also and can be used in a whole range of dishes.
When you have leftovers leave them in the fridge for the next day -only. If no one eats it bag it up into sandwich bags, single servings and freeze. I have save me soooo much food this way. Then 1 night a week, for us Tuesday we have easy night and they all choose and re-heat a bag. Make sure you write on them with a permanent marker, no one like playing guess the bag. 🤣🤣🤣 we learnt that the hard way too.
Hope that helps, if you want any more information feel free to ask.
Don’t forget you can like us on Facebook and Instagram too.
Bye.
Bec.
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