When I was a collegian at the
U of Kansas, my
Chi Omega Sisters and I spent hours and hours
dreaming of our futures and how we could do
it all; have great careers, loving marriages and
perfect children. Boy, we had no idea what a tall
order that was!
And so it began. In 1994, I graduated from KU,
moved out of the Chi Omega house, and into
the role my Chi O Sisters and I had spent so
much time dreaming about. I was now a newlywed
with a husband and a house. During
those early years, I learned many things. The
first being, running a household and having a
career is hard work. And the second was that
if we were going to eat, I was going to have to
learn to cook!
Luckily for me, I found that I really enjoyed
cooking and I also enjoyed the process of planning
our meals. Nearly 18 years later, my love
for cooking still remains, but life has definitely
changed. My husband and I now have three
children, I have a career, and, like most of my
Chi O Sisters, I’m involved in the community
and in my kids’ schools and activities. Additionally,
while my husband and I share in the
major financial decisions for our family, when
it comes to day-to-day finances, that’s my job.
I had to figure out a way to manage my family’s
time and money when it came to cooking, and
I’ve had a routine for years now. Once a week,
with a quiet house and cup of coffee, I plan
the week’s meals, post them on the fridge, and
make a shopping list. This keeps my family out
of the drive-thru lane and it keeps me out of the
grocery store during the week. And, I consider
that to be well worth the time. I am able to save
time and provide my family with fresh, healthy
meals, not frozen, boxed, or take-out.
Staying on a budget is a constant challenge,
even with weekly menus. What I have found,
though, is by making a plan for the week and
going to the store once with a complete list instead
of multiple little trips, I purchase less and
actually use what I buy. I also avoid grocery
shopping at super centers. That will kill a budget
every time. Another way I try to cut costs
in the weekly menus is to use seasonal produce.
But, outside of the occasional pricey piece of
meat or shellfish, most of the ingredients I use
are basic. And, using fresh ingredients instead
of pre-packed, canned, or boxed food will save
you money and taste better! Shop the perimeter
of the store and you will save money and eat
healthier.
Though I have never totaled up the cost savings
over the course of a year, it would be interesting
to do. The cost of eating out for my family of
five is about $35 for fast food and upwards of
$75 for eating anywhere else. That’s a lot when
an average grocery bill for a weekly menu is
about $125 a week.
It’s always surprised me when friends comment
on our weekly menu and ask if they can be included.
My routine is something they struggle
with each week. So, after many of my friends
asked me to share my menu, I created No More
‘To Go,’ a website (
www.nomoretogo.com) dedicated
to providing weekly menus and grocery
lists for families just like mine. My family tests
recipes one week, and the next week they are
posted online with an accompanying grocery
list. The goal is to be prepared for the dinner
rush before it’s upon you. Having everything
on hand and a plan takes the stress out of an already
crazy time of day. And, the added benefit
is the time and money that is saved by going to
the grocery store with a complete list.
When I started the site last summer, I thought
the only people who would join would be my
sorority Sisters and close friends. That has not
been the case at all. Word has spread and I have
members from all over the country. And the
emails and comments have been fantastic. The
best are those that say how much their families
are enjoying eating at home now. I recently
heard from the husband of a subscriber who
told me it was the best thing that has happened
to his family in a long time. The kids are helping
prepare dinner, they are sitting around a
table as a family for dinner, and they are enjoying
what they are eating. That’s the best compliment
I could receive.