Avoid This Meal Planning Trap!

[@zmommy4044]

"Grocery store me is a very different person than middle of the week Marybeth". So relatable and so true. Thanks for sharing this. The struggle is real.

[@jennyjenkins877]

You got me with that opening joke hook, line, and sinker!

[@ashlyrachelle535]

When I moved out and started cooking for myself, I would buy a big pack of chicken breast and a bunch of steamable microwave vegetable packs and i would cook several days worth of chicken on my george foreman grill. And literally every single night I would eat chicken and vegetables. My mom and dad teased me about it, but ya know... not only did I lose 55 pounds, but I never had to think about what to make for dinner. No stress! I would rather eat the same thing every day than be stressed. Now I am married and have kids. And my husband is really big on having elaborate meals every day. It has taken me seven years of marriage to figure out my happy place of cooking good meals but not feeling stressed about it. But I still sometimes long for the days when I could just make chicken and veggies. Lol. My waistline also longs for those days.

[@beachprints]

Thank you for being so real! I am an empty nester, and have been for 9 years. I am still struggling with meal planning, household decluttering and cleaning. I often do not feel like I have much energy and get overwhelmed on a regular basis. It helps to know that even though you are teaching on your own KZbin channel you have struggles too. Not that I am happy that you struggle. It makes me feel more compassionate with myself. We only have my husband and myself in the house. None of these things should be a big deal.

[@bobbiescott4093]

I love keeping the Costco rotisserie chicken (bagged and chopped) in fridge and freezer for chicken recipes. It’s already cooked white meat for taquitos, tacos or chicken salad. It saves a lot of time.

[@TheAtWhatCostBlog]

Great idea!!

[@michellemaddox9038]

Breakfast for dinner, sandwich night, grilled cheese and tomato soup. Meals don't have to be 3 courses. Just have some chopped fruits or veggies to add to throughout the week. You got this!

[@TheAtWhatCostBlog]

Love this!

[@danaerakstad7924]

I love you! Totally trying to get back into meal planning to. One time a mom told me I could just make rice for my family. It was a light bulb moment for me that evey mean didn't have to he complex. Now sometimes we do just have rice from the instant pot and a side of fresh veggies and fruit. Or we do a simple oatmeal bake or French toast, or cottage cheese and and crackers etc. You're doing a great job!!!

[@joannafoster3423]

Signature dish that says I give up.... Hilarious!

[@TheAtWhatCostBlog]

I may need to name it I Give Up Casserole. 😂

[@pamp212]

Love it! We are empty-nesters and spend way too much money on food between carry out and the grocery store, it’s ridiculous! It doesn’t always have to be fancy, it doesn’t well planned…it’s just: use what you have, and don’t waste!

[@dawnnavarra3286]

I actually belly laughed at the “I give up” meal. When my kids were younger we did Kraft macaroni and cheese, a can of stewed tomato’s and a pound of cooked ground hamburger. We called it homemade hamburger helper.

[@mkyasha]

my mom's goulash was basically the same-- macaroni, canned tomatoes, onions, ground beef and some spices. Usually with some sort of grated cheese baked on top. But our "give up" meal was kraft dinner with beans and weiners =P. Loved mixing the sweet maple beans with the cheesy KD

[@TheAtWhatCostBlog]

Yep! Those both sound like staples from my childhood too. 😁

[@suestewart546]

Not only are you hilarious but so totally real and honest. Great video!

[@pamelagoodson9034]

I had a friend who put a hamburger patty or chicken breast on a piece of foil then added potatoes, carrots or vegetable of choice. Season and wrap the foil tightly. Place in oven and bake til done. Place the foil packet on a plate, open and eat. Try not to spill the content on the plate. When done throw away foil and rinse plate. I did not do this a lot myself but she had more children and this made her busy life easier.

[@TheAtWhatCostBlog]

Yum!

[@ericawhitfield9289]

My Mom’s meal was chicken pot pie which was just canned chicken, cream of chicken, and canned mixed veggies topped with canned biscuits and baked. I requested it even as an adult when I would come home. Now as a mother I understand what this meal was. We did a lot of Hamburger Helper too. My parents were divorced and when I was with my Dad, he would serve Chef Boyardee with a butter sandwich. It’s white bread with country crock spread on it and you dip it in the Chef Boyardee sauce. So weird!

[@TheAtWhatCostBlog]

Country crock on white bread was also a staple at our house growing up…and boxed scalloped potatoes. The butter sandwich I enjoy from time to time…scalloped potatoes not so much. 😂

[@michellepreston5710]

We totally had that Chef Boyardee “meal” all the time too! As a kid, I loved it. Lol.

[@yvonnehill3954]

Hi Marybeth I'm so sorry that you've been feeling quite unwell with a bad cold. Colds are so draining aren't they. I hope that by the time this reaches you, you will be feeling so much better. I thought your video was very practical and full of good sense. Due to a very early morning start for my job 4 times per week, I have to keep evening meals as simple and quick as possible. Some time ago I made the decision to just buy mostly frozen vegetables, instead of getting fresh vegetables and having to peel, wash and chop them. Doing this has greatly helped me to save a lot of time when getting dinners in the evenings. When I have more time to cook, then I use some fresh vegetables and prepare them. I also get frozen berry fruits when I can. I too have a basic meal plan that I use each week. I think your meal plan is a good idea, because it's quick and easy and everyone gets fed, without you having to spend your entire evenings in the kitchen cooking. Once a fortnight we have a ready meal for our dinner as a treat. Thanks for sharing your meal plan ideas with all of us. I found it very interesting. Get well soon and lots of love to you. xx

[@susanmunoz7688]

You are in no way hot garbage! I know your not a 100 % right now but you are a beautiful wonderful woman of God. God bless you with peace and healthy. Love you ♥️

[@TheAtWhatCostBlog]

Thank you Susan, you’re so sweet. ❤️

[@christamckee3997]

Oh wow! You sound just like me! I have the same exact problem, with having something planned and something coming up and not having time to make it!

[@shirleygermain5707]

Sometimes people make things more complicated than they have to be. Having a salad and a chicken breast with seasoning is all I need for supper. Eggs and bacon for supper are a favorite and so easy. When you make things you like to eat makes life easier also. I often tell my husband we are having breakfast for supper tonight, and he says it sounds good to me. I am not a fast food person; most of them are so high in carbs that they make you want to eat more in an hour or two, which is not good.

[@TheAtWhatCostBlog]

Exactly! I have to remind myself that it doesn’t have to be complicated often. 😁

[@melissahyatt9626]

I love the unapologetic MaryBeth with a cold! Fish sticks, macaroni, and applesauce was my childhood Mom’s meal. Still eat it today and love it. But you made a valid point and the hash brown hot dog casserole 🥘 every so often is not a bad thing! Love your content!

[@TheAtWhatCostBlog]

😂🤣😂 thank you!

[@TheWigleFamily]

This was so encouraging. Thank you for forging ahead even though you weren't feeling well .. I love the real you!!

[@lauramills309]

Preach Sister!

[@patemmack7205]

I agree that school lunches can be a good way for children to learn to make choices and eat some things that are different from home. When our son was in elementary school, he enjoyed choosing the sides. He had been a very picky eater, but gradually learned to like almost everything. When I pack lunches, he usually likes a sandwich (either ham, turkey or PBJ), red grapes, baby carrots and pretzels. He is a young adult now.

[@TheAtWhatCostBlog]

That is so good to see! Thanks so much for sharing! 💕

[@luqicharmz]

Smoked sausage alfredo is super easy and cheap. I use one pack of any sausages that are on sale (slice and brown) 1 box of pasta and a jar of alfredo sauce or you can use a can of cream of mushroom soup with a big spoon of sour cream. Let your sauce cook for a bit with the sausage to get those yummy meat bits. Top with cheese.

[@TheAtWhatCostBlog]

Sounds great! I love both of those things and my kids would love this dish.

[@lindagates9150]

You have described my Mums goulash but she didn’t buy pasta with fake cheese before she cooked the ground meat she would give a piece to the cat if the cat would not eat it she would still cook it but not eat the goulash that she fed to us…we survived but didn’t know until we were adults what she was doing. I decided that I would eat like my great grandmother she was a farmer and a hunter lived on a farm with well water . I don’t remember her since she died when I was two. The first thing I thought of that she would not be dependant on sugar laden anything from a store likely made pies and cakes herself . In 2020 I had fatty liver disease and had ballooned to 175 or so . Six months later my doctor was looking at my blood work report he looked up in astonishment and said Linda what have you done. No fatty liver markers everything but Vitamin D in the normal range my weigh back to 145 he said that I didn’t have to worry about my weight . I cane home and thought where will I go from here well today I weighed in sky clad at 110.8 pounds no sugar healthy vegetables fish and meats intermittent fasting.let it be known you won’t starve if you cut out grains and other prisoner or survival so called food.❤😊❤

[@pandapeek55]

My mom introduced me to Fried Macaroni and I loved it! Simply cooked elbows and lots of butter in a frying pan and cook it until crispy. The crispier the better! When I was finally old enough to cook, it was my go to. When I would have my friends stay over, I introduced it to them and it was our late night meal. Ince I had my daughter and she was old enough, I introduced her to it. I don't eat it often now because of my health but I sure do crave it! ☺️

[@edennis8578]

I started pan frying leftover chicken Alfredo or mac n cheese. Love it. I use a nonstick skillet and just a touch of clarified butter, so the calories are pretty much the same. I thought I was weird, so I'm glad to hear that I'm not the only one who likes fried macaroni.

[@ksk881]

@@edennis8578 Oooooh! Fried Mac & Cheese! Best. Dinner. Ever! 🎉😂

[@barbaraweber3084]

May I suggest that you start with your local sale papers. Go through them and see what you can make. For example: if they have whole chickens roast two and then you can eat the roasted chicken one night and pick the remaining meat off the bones and do something else with that.

[@heidiweinert3260]

I am putting the chili dog casserole on my table soon!

[@nataliejones6269]

I totally did that Mom meal tonight. It isn't always the same. I bought a clearanced salad kit two days ago which I knew *had* to be for dinner tonight...because I missed it last night...So that was easy. What else? Oh, I have cooked spaghetti noodles and I can heat up canned chili. It was filling, tasty, and definitely NOT fast food. Well, it *was* fast food, just home cooked fast food, lol! Thanks for being real Mary Beth!!!

[@peggyhoffman1733]

Every Saturday evening when my husband was in charge of cooking supper we had hotdogs and Kraft Mac ‘n cheese. When I cooked every week night, there would be a smorgasbord night when we ate whatever was leftover in the fridge.

[@charlenebrissette3348]

Maybe try cooking in a slow cooker. Just throw a roast and potatoes and veg in in the morning and it will be ready when you want to eat. There are a lot of different things to make in a slow cooker.

[@TheAtWhatCostBlog]

Yes! I use it a lot in the winter.

[@charlenebrissette3348]

@@TheAtWhatCostBlog I just discovered that I like using it in the summer too cause it doesn’t heat up the house.

[@estherbrewer2720]

You are on the right track. God Bless you and your family Enjoyed your video.

[@TheAtWhatCostBlog]

Thank you so much for watching!

[@shellbyhemmen5562]

This is my life now! Grocery mom is not Wednesday night mom...😅

[@brendasparks6234]

Mary Beth, hope you feel better. Great video and such encouragement. I think there’s some truth to the lunch line thing! I never bought lunch and my kids never bought lunches at school and guess what we’re terrible at ordering. There might be some thing to your theory lol. Thanks for a great video and sharing

[@TheAtWhatCostBlog]

😂 too funny.

[@tawniajones7977]

We have dropped the $800 a month over budget many times. Always because of not planning meals or not having quick meal ideas ready.

[@jennylhenry78]

Thankfully my family has been used to a menu for years. There's been busy times for a week or two (or a month) that I fall off making and using one. BUT it's so much better when I use it! I usually now make 2 weeks at a time, not just 1 week, so it doesn't feel like, "I have to do meal planning AGAIN. 😩" Mondays we alternate between pizza and tacos every other week. It's our family night and everyone likes those 2 things. Tuesdays I make soups in the fall/winter or salads in the spring/summer. Wednesday we alternate between mini tacos (on weeks we didn't have regular tacos) with beans and nachos the other weeks. Usually this is a church night and these are quick and easy and everyone eats them without complaint. Thursdays is leftovers but for lunch (not dinner) so I can get groceries and have the room to put it. My husband will usually make dinner this night and do grilled cheese or quesadillas. Fridays are at home date nights for my husband and me, which means I give the children dinner early. They alternate between macncheese and pasta with marinara or cheese sauce. They go to their room an hour early and read books and he works late until they're in bed. He brings us take out or we cook something special together. Saturday and Sundays have not been so refined as the others yet. 😬 As for breakfasts we keep them the same from week to week. And in our house if you're 10+ you can choose your own as long as you clean it up. 👍🏻 Sun - sausage and chocolate chip brioche toast M - peanut butter on a frozen waffle T - eggs with cheese W - oatmeal Th - eggs and toast F - pancakes Sat - junky cereal buffet Lunches during the week is always homemade lunchabels. Except for grocery day when we do leftovers. Saturday is mini pizzas. Sundays haven't been perfected but a lot of times we do smoothies.

[@jodibellamy2713]

Prayers that you feel better! I enjoyed the video! My give-up meal was mac n cheese with a can of Wolf brand chili mixed in. My kids said they LOVED it. 😅

[@TheAtWhatCostBlog]

Another pure culinary delight. 😆

[@elle7856]

You have such pretty eyes! Thank you for this vlog. I feel like everything is getting so expensive.

[@edennis8578]

We made goulash tonight. One box of low-carb pasta, 3 pounds of hamburger, and Ragu garden style spaghetti sauce. My husband loooooves it and it feeds us for 5 meals. PS It's so super easy that it's virtually effortless for me, especially since my husband stirs the ground meat for me. 😁

[@TheAtWhatCostBlog]

Love it!!

[@juliejackman2649]

I like to cook hamburger and onion together. Put a can of cream of mushroom in, add 2 t onion powder and stir. Bring to a boil. Put that in a sprayed casserole dish. Set aside. Bake tater tots on a cookie sheet til done. Set that aside. Put shredded cheese on hamburger mixture. Bake 5-10 min until cheese is melted. Then place tater tots in the cheese and serve. 😀

[@TheAtWhatCostBlog]

Yum!

[@myaccount9498]

Thankyou for keeping it real! I'm encouraged to make my own meals. Hope u get better soon 💓

[@ashleyemma4954]

My go to meal is the frozen tortellini from Walmart with a jar of afredo sauce and frozen meatballs. I just put those in the instant pot. I make it almost every week. My kids love it and it's super easy and quick!

[@TheAtWhatCostBlog]

That is such a great idea! I may be adding this to my rotation, my kids would love that too!

[@ashleyemma4954]

I like to add a bag of frozen broccoli too ❤️

[@ashleyemma4954]

Really my husband likes the tortellini the most 🤣

[@TheAtWhatCostBlog]

That’s a great idea!

[@wendyhummel9600]

I had to chuckle at your mom making gulosh. (Spelling may be wrong 😜). I grew up In a family of six and mom was always making casseroles to stretch the budget. Gulosh was one of her “go to’s”. BTW, I loved it!

[@kimberlyhudelson8431]

A salad with that chili dog tater tot casserole and your good! And it sounds great!

[@dianasimplifies]

Meal planning doesn’t click well for me at all lol. But I don’t like eating out (tummy issues and picky eater) so I have to do something. Great video! Feel better soon!

[@TheAtWhatCostBlog]

My mom doesn’t meal plan and it gives me anxiety. 😂

[@momofjstk]

Hope you're feeling better by now! We just had a cold go through the family, but I lucked out...so far! I find my meal planning method keeps changing. We are down to just one college girl living at home and she often buys her own meals or makes something on her own. Hubby now works at home and is just a few years away from retirement. We're also eating much healthier, but at the same time, I want SIMPLE!! Now I find that I'm making a meal plan and then after a few days winding up with more leftovers than we can eat, so we suspend the "plan" and eat from the fridge. At least it's saving money!! Of course, two years ago I was rocking it and could plan a whole month of meals in just 15-20 minutes and had it down to a science! Ha!! Seems like I'm back to the drawing board here, but I am NOT giving up Taco Tuesdays!! ;)

[@TheAtWhatCostBlog]

Taco Tuesdays are a must!

[@lindamusser7370]

Good one!

[@WiseWomanLola]

Use your slow cooker. Spaghetti, sloppy joes, tacos, chicken, Turkey parts, soup, pot roast etc. Tons of recipes to make ahead during the day.

[@TheAtWhatCostBlog]

Such great ideas!

[@lindamusser7370]

Chili dog tator tot casserole sounds great especially if it keeps you from buying fast food. I write down what we eat each night. Then I have my meal plan done to give me ideas for the future.

[@TheAtWhatCostBlog]

Great idea!!

[@alabemos]

My mom was a terrible cook, but she made a mean hamburger and french fries for our family of 11. I don't think she ever did any advance planning, but we always ate. I never tasted broccoli or cauliflower till I left home, and I never remember ever having a salad at home. Me? I love to try out new recipes! I'm not sure where I got that from.

[@jencas8597]

Meal planning has always been a personal struggle! Do you ever watch See Mindy Mom or Julia Pacheco? They always have great meals and they make it look so easy! Of course, I’m terrible at actually trying them. 😂

[@TheAtWhatCostBlog]

Yes! I think my finger sandwich meal came from See Mindy Mom or at least inspired it. ☺️ one step at a time!

[@nicolechew1029]

Ah, meal planning. 😵‍💫 The bane of my existence. I just have to tell myself (overandoverandover) that I will thank myself later. We have lots of sports, so fast is the name of the game. I go way back to Rachel rays 30 minute meals all the time. But most of my stuff compares to your sausage and peppers. Quick and no thinking required. Because I'm usually packing lunch for the next day and helping my kids with homework at the same time. Add picky eaters into the mix and ugghhh girl. I wish I was more of a prepper 🤣🤣

[@TheAtWhatCostBlog]

Exactly! Love this!

[@sozod2000]

Loved this one!! You made me laugh out loud several times🤣🙌🏼 🌭🥪

[@angelajacobs9595]

I totally relate… may I recommend Julie Pacheco for quick, easy and tasty meals. She’s often my back up for dinner instead of door dash. She has a KZbin channel and seems like a really nice person too!!

[@TheAtWhatCostBlog]

I’ll have to check her channel out, thanks!

[@robinnelson4516]

😂 that was my mom's go to goulash as well.

[@TheAtWhatCostBlog]

No way! Oh my goodness, does that mean it was someone actual recipe at some point???? That’s too funny. 😂

[@angelamarden9684]

I alqa6a think2al planning is so complicated and I have to come up b with new recipes. And cook my tail off. Thank you so much for reminding me that easy is perfectly okay.

[@angelamarden9684]

Always think meal

[@AK-gh6cp]

Thanks for your video and the links. None of the recipe links work (other than the one to Dawn's chicken recipes). Not sure if that is the case for others, but the links show as broken for me.

[@TheAtWhatCostBlog]

Thank you! I will check those links!

[@Dranma51]

Nothing wrong with tater tot casserole. My husband and I are empty nesters and we sometimes make this. A lot of it is financial. I can make it for around $6 and we get 2 dinners and a lunch from it when it’s served with a fresh cucumber and a can of pears!

[@TheAtWhatCostBlog]

Sounds like a good plan to me!

[@christamckee3997]

For some reason your link to your recipes on your blog post will not let you click on it, nor copy and paste on website address bar.

[@sadie6586]

Doordash is insanely expensive and I always have some kind of issue with my order 🙃

[@patriciahibbard7345]

love your ramen noodle idea!

[@TheAtWhatCostBlog]

It ain’t pretty, but it gets the job done. 😂

[@Newshoundfortruth]

We put kale in ramen noodles and/or chives.

[@annb1265]

I don't usually burst out laughing at KZbinrs. Your "what meal did your parent make ... that shows they give up?" 😭 Mine was Sunday lunch after church. They wanted to watch the Vikings play football. We'd open cans of chicken noodle soup and make pb&j sandwiches on Roman Meal bread. I still to this day don't like either.

[@TheAtWhatCostBlog]

I have a lot of really good meals that my mom took a lot of care with, both my parents were great cooks growing up....but now as a parent myself, some of those meals hit a little different. LOL

[@steffa648]

I know this has nothing to do with the video but I have to ask. Are you related to a woman named Trudy? You remind me sooo much of someone I knew.

[@TheAtWhatCostBlog]

Not that I know of.

[@steffa648]

@@TheAtWhatCostBlog ok 🤣 you must have a long lost sister