Chocolate Vegetables

I have struggled to both menu plan and buy according to the specials at the supermarket so I can save money.  In my opinion the issue comes about because of the advice to menu plan and make a shopping list before going shopping.

Here is my solution - menu plan in reverse.  I am sure you have favourite seasonings and methods of cooking in your family.  Make sure the necessary ingredients are always in your pantry.  Shop for them every week as they get low by putting them on your shopping list. 

When it comes time to go shopping, get the good prices on foods that are reduced by shopping at the time of day that means you are getting the stickered goods they are trying to clear out.  Remember though that bulk lamb chops are no good if someone in your family gets an upset stomach from too much lamb.  lol

Now go home, pack everything away and sit down to make your menu plan.  It is no good me making a menu plan with lots of chicken meals if it was only a "good" price yet the lamb was greatly reduced.  I know generally what my family eats.  I know the spices we use and the pantry staples I need.  We have a range of vegetables that we always eat.  I buy them in good quantities in plenty of variety.

I am finding it much easier if I menu plan after shopping for the specials.  Maybe this idea will work for you too.

When your children are very young the clock can seem to be your enemy.  Try this idea for managing your day.  Organise your day with the idea of routines inside bubbles of time.  

For example before and after breakfast routines that include making beds, cleaning teeth, getting dressed etc leading on to cleaning for you while he does independent play.  The amount of time for cleaning/independent play flexes to a longer or shorter time depending on his ability to play on his own that day or how long the earlier parts of the morning routine took.  End that bubble of time with morning tea at a set time of day.  

Use the same idea for the next bubble of time between morning tea and lunch and so on.

It gives your little one a sense of structure and familiarity to each day but you are not clock watching or forcing an activity to continue when it is a lost cause.