*REALISTIC* EASY MEAL PLAN for BUSY FAMILY // BUDGET TIME & MONEY

[@SeeMindyMom]

*Go to earthbreeze.com/seemindymom to get started with 40% off Earth Breeze Eco Sheets!

[@odangreally6165]

What grocery store is this?

[@ginadowd1713]

Omgosh. I plan my meals around sales every. Single. Week. My husband said just yesterday, "Just because it is on sale, we don't have to buy it." My reply, "Well this week, after my bogos, coupons, and rebates, our $135 haul was less than $50. But I can just wait to buy stuff when we are out, if you would like." He was 🫣🤐🤯 I also offered for him to shop for a month & see how that works. He didn't take me up on it!😂 Thanks for this great video!

[@ashleyemma4954]

That's amazing!🎉

[@jonovitzki8667]

I LOVE this! I aspire to do this same thing 🫶🏼

[@jgodwin717]

I don't buy things just because they are on sale, but I do stock up when it is on sale, in the budget, and something we use 🎉 Hubby goes with and has learned to just go with it 😂 He'll spend more if I'm not there, and 50 lbs of dog food is nice to have him help carry ❤

[@Blessedgal_3897]

😂😂😂 Love this! 😅

[@Blessedgal_3897]

​@@jgodwin717 same with my husband. Once he even left the store without the ground beef he purchased. He literally was like ah it's okay. I said the devil's a lie no it's not. Took myself to the store and showed the receipt to the manager and bam got the ground beef. 🤣🤣🤣

[@littlemissbekah9722]

About the cake mix thing, I've noticed that sometimes what used to not be good in store brand overtime will get improved until it is near equivalent. Example: store brand ziploc bags used to be AWFUL a couple years ago but now great value brand are just as good as ziploc at a fraction of the cost. It's a good idea to retry store brand every few years to see if they have improved.

[@SeeMindyMom]

Good point!

[@chrystalbrown9600]

Goo tip. I also try to limit single use plastic bags. Replace with glass or reusable plastic boxes as much as possible 🙂❤

[@laurenzieger9617]

I’m only at the ground beef sale part of the video, but a tip I’d like to share is to cook ground beef in bulk when you find a great deal. After cooking, 80/20 means you’re left with 8 lbs to store and not 10. I’d personally probably cook five (and freeze four one lb cooked portions) and freeze five, but just wanted to point out the time and space saving of batch cooking in case that didn’t cross someone’s mind!

[@amiegamble1678]

I do that. Buy larger packs, but cook and portion for the week. Some gets frozen. I do that w chicken too.

[@rosemarydoran9907]

Great idea! I will chime in by saying if I had access to this great sale, I am sure my two neighbors, who are also single-person households and we often do cookouts this time of year together, would split the ten pounds between us so we all take advantage of the great price without needing to store all ten pounds.

[@esmith0123]

Good lord how big of a pan do you have to cook that much at once 😂😂😂

[@melodymills5432]

What a great idea

[@laurenzieger9617]

@@esmith0123 😆 I use a 6 qt Dutch oven!

[@carmarasmussen8118]

Shop and plan your meals around what is on sale each week. Such a great strategy for saving money and easing the stress of meal planning. As always, great job! Love your channel 😊

[@SeeMindyMom]

Thanks so much, Carma!

[@mrskimmieg]

Once again your video was jam packed with great ideas. You have a gift for creating meals that are delicious, yet fairly easily to prep. Hope you and your family have a great week, Mindy!

[@SeeMindyMom]

Thanks so much, Kimberly!

[@cmapperson26]

We did an Aldi brand yellow cake mix last week. Topped it with fresh strawberries and whipped cream for a "shortcut shortcake" and it was amazing! Couldn't tell that it was a generic mix at all.

[@SeeMindyMom]

Good to know! I'm considering a cake mix taste test video just for fun this summer. 😂

[@Invisiblebaddie]

That sounds so good

[@Lauren_cprice]

We used to sell Walking Tacos during the intermissions of our musicals when I was in high school! But we cut our chip bags down the long side to make it easier to put toppings in and eating easier 😄

[@lorijohnsto8308]

Mindy, when I use a store brand cake mix, I prefer the great value from Walmart. I usual add a small box of instant pudding to the cake mix along with 4 eggs and one cup of water and 1 stick of butter or margarine(softened). Bake as on the box for the pan that you are using.

[@heathermcconochie2572]

That was so sweet they put together that Mother’s Day spread for you! Looked delish.

[@SeeMindyMom]

It was!

[@TheresaKistel-hk4ld]

I really appreciate how “real” your videos are thank you ❤

[@SeeMindyMom]

And I appreciate that compliment! It's a big core value for me that I consider when I'm planning and filming content. Thank you!

[@MrsAlmaTrumble]

I am so glad I found your channel. You have saved me money and time on meals. Plus, I've gotten some delicious recipes from you. Thank you for all you do.

[@SeeMindyMom]

Thanks so much, Alma!

[@MrsAlmaTrumble]

​@See Mindy Mom you're welcome.

[@NerdyGirlAdventurousHeart]

This is a perfect video for a Sunday, when many of us are getting ready for the work & school week.

[@marykelly4680]

I cook about 5 nights a week.it’s just my husband and I .I can usually do a leftover meal twice a week and make a salad to add to the leftovers.thanks for all your great ideas😊

[@michelepruitt8299]

I love this video and would appreciate a weekly sale ad meal plan video.

[@brandyannhunter2099]

Yes!

[@MomNTraining]

I was impressed with what you bought for UNDER $200. That was great!

[@frogonmytoe2946]

Same. I plan for 5 nights a week, left overnight, pizza night. Although with the insane cost of having a family pizza night these days (usually about $75) we’ve started making our own to cut it down to twice a month and hopefully get down to just once a month. It’s more a treat for myself than the kids because it means no cooking 😂

[@realmamareallife8475]

New to your channel & I'm loving your videos. I also appreciate the first video I watched you mentioned your grocery budget didn't factor in allergies, intolerance and so on because it didn't affect your family. I see so many youtubers say that people with allergies can still do it on the SAME budget as regular goods and it was refreshing to hear someone who GETS it. I make dinner 7 days a week. I cook only enough for us to eat said meal unless I'm doubling or tripling it for a freezer meal

[@kathyk9519]

I love how you go with the flow! Meal planning 101-remember with kids life can change in an instant and so will the meals! My favorite cake mix is Pillsbury. Its flavor is so much better. Have a great week!

[@hollypepen4012]

We plan grocery shopping around what's on sale for the week as much as we can. Thank goodness for digital sales flyers and store coupon apps!

[@lacoleson]

I plan to “cook” dinner about twice a week. I work full time and have a second part time job that pulls me away some nights at dinner time. The other nights we have things that I don’t consider cooking like sandwiches, salads, leftovers, cereal, easy basic stuff.

[@SauerPatchGardening]

We buy cake mixes at Aldi and they are always good. Aldi also had a dupe of Dots pretzels that i like.

[@ianlarsh3439]

Those pretzels!! I get like 3 bags a week for my family 😂😋

[@karincope3019]

I made Lemon bars with an Angel Food mix and one large can of Lemon pie filling , oh my so good . Mix well put in to a large Pyrex 11x15 , I used the smaller 9x13 and it expands so much I will use the larger , also Grease extremely well then go over again as mine stuck . It will fall after it cools . Dust with icing sugar before serving. So good .

[@90Stay]

Loved showing the process of finding the meals at the grocery store based in the ad- and perfect timing for the end of the year . Thanks Mindy!

[@michellesolomon1773]

I'm partial to Duncan Hines because that's what we used when I was a child. And I made my first cake with Duncan Hines when I was 12. So good

[@leslieadams7522]

I used to plan 7 days a week but since I’ve been watching your videos I’m learning that’s too many. I was eating a lot and going to the store too much. I now plan for 5 days, leftovers once and either fend for yourself or out one night. I’m noticing some savings!!

[@SeeMindyMom]

I'm so glad! Yes, I used to cook a little too much. I also enjoy it, so sometimes I have to just reign it in and commit to eating what we have before I film more recipes! LOL!

[@keeperofsecrets88]

I cook between 4 & 6 dinners a week. My parent's do sushi take out every week (much cheaper than the 3 date nights they'd do 10 years ago!) but I often take leftovers for lunch so I don't always have enough for a clean out the fridge night. Also I sometimes cook in bulk so there are meals in the freezer & only cook 4 times a week. It definitely varies & I try to plan a head.

[@elizabethanne1632]

I find that name brand cake mixes are worth it for “specialty” cakes, like lemon or carrot, but for just regular chocolate, white, or yellow, the generic is fine. Ghirardelli brownie mix is worth the splurge, and I’ve found generic brands for quick breads are not as good as name brand (strangely).

[@labsareperfect]

This is definitely the kinds of videos I’ve been looking for instead of those extreme meals!

[@abbysmith2754]

Ha! Schnoz berries! This was a great video showing real life punting! We cook at least 6 nights a week. Leftovers are eaten the next day by my husband (and sometimes me if there are enough!). As our kids get older (5 kids ages,16-6), we are doubling most recipes and that is adding up! My husband and 3 oldest kids hunt/fish and that can be a big help to our grocery budget! I appreciate all your honesty and hard work putting these tips together along with linking the videos to your delicious recipes! Smiles, Abby Smith

[@NOVAFrugalFamily]

We have all the ingredients on hand for the Swedish meatball orzo and it sounds amazing. I am totally going to try it soon. Thanks for the recipe because if I saw it before, I didn’t take note and it sounds so tasty and who doesn’t like one pot meals. Yum!

[@sumsharp]

I've never seen ground beef that low priced locally, you scored big time! Our "clean out the fridge" nights have turned into some interesting dinners, move over "Chopped", I'm on it! Lol

[@missdann]

Your quick meal ideas are genius thank you!

[@rachelday9585]

I would have gotten a TON of those ground chuck packs! I can't even find just ground beef for less than $2.99/lb!! I cook 13 out of 14 days. We typically get pizza once every two weeks and I cook the rest. We don't eat out any other time; we've found we can make better food for cheaper than if we went to a restaurant. Also, the best way to cook corn is to put it husk and all in the microwave for about 4ish minutes an ear and then cut off the end where it attaches to the plant and squeeze the corn out.

[@jamiestanley9234]

I haven’t been able to find ground beef for less than around 4.99 a pound where I’m at in Oklahoma. And that’s the fattiest ground beef. I bought ground lamb at my grocery store last week for the same price. I used it for spaghetti and it wasn’t bad! Sometimes you have to get creative

[@jamiestanley9234]

Kay V those are really great ideas! Thanks for sharing them and giving me more options to use the ground lamb. 🙂

[@janeulness2119]

What I did to reduce laundry was to get small washcloth type rags from the dollar tree. They are saying nit to use a hand towel more than two or three times, this way there is less laundry, There are four or five cloths in a pack for 1.25,

[@annabelmiller8]

This is honestly what I do all the time. I use the sales and make my meals around that. Sometimes I look ahead? Sometimes I don't. But it helps me get creative too.

[@janicemunro2458]

1 pk jelly, 1/2 pint (500 mls ), boiled water , 1 tin rice pudding or 1 tin of custard, 2 tins of fruit. make jelly with hot boiled water make sure that all the jelly has melted then add the rice pudding or custard (whisk with electric hand whisk) then chop fruit in to small bits and add to the bowl. put it in the fridge and leave to set for a few hours or over night. then serve.

[@mathewcronk1541]

Thank you for doing this for America

[@alicha_zanreading_horder3982]

lactose free milk, taste like normal milk but i can usely have it in the friedge for 2-4 week unopen and around 3 weeks open

[@KC-mw3rp]

I was clapping for you with these deals!! Win !!!

[@esmith0123]

Idk if you ended up getting your coffee grinder for Mother's day but if not, you can totally grind a pound of coffee in your blender. I do it all the time! Just a regular blender, not even a ninja/vitamix

[@SeeMindyMom]

Oh that's good to know!

[@sherrydaugherty6144]

Mindy and family have a great week have fun thanks from Oklahoma

[@jesusistheonlywaytothefath9020]

Blue Bell Cookie Two Step is mine and my husbands absolute favorite ice cream!!

[@christiS907]

First time watching for me. Very good. I loved this.

[@teacherstreet]

Your fam did such a lovely charcuterie meal! Go kids and hubs!!! ❤ from Iowa

[@bethiciaprasek9415]

As a single person who has a difficult time eating, I often eat out. Circa $11 plus tip when I do so for dinner, but feeds me 2+ days plus often has even more leftovers I donate at work and provides me with food from coworkers in return. A few breakfast items as I am a big breakfast fan. So perhaps about $5 - $7 per day total. I often do Bisquick pot pie or chicken broccoli casserole at work. I mostly eat breakfast and lunch so eating at work is good. Biggest thing for me is to have the sale items on hand at work and to use them before they expire. Much of the reason for this habit is just being tired.

[@chrystalbrown9600]

I don't wash my pool towel each time. It's not really dirty - just wet. So I hang it to dry for the next time. Saves resources 🙂❤

[@sharonwarren6222]

I make all our bread. I make white bread for .80 a loaf I also make all our biscuits English muffins bread sticks croissants garlic bread etc. it has saved me a lot of money. Also I make my own pie crust and several other things. It helps a lot to make from scratch most of the time just depends on the sales

[@maryegerton6848]

I know I am a little late here, but I spent my life working in food factories, and one place in particular used to make name brand pasta sauces. All they did was change the label from one once they got their quota mid production, then continue on with the same sauce for the next order, different label. Not true for everything, but quite a lot. Oreo was Oreo. I used to put the cream in those and they were always true Oreos. That was a fun job 😊

[@barburbec]

i use my magic bullet to blend my coffee beans. I love your video, so much variety

[@Orwhateveryoudo]

Ooooh! That Swedish Meatball Orzo is one of our favorites too. Thanks for featuring on your channel! I saw some traffic coming in from KZbin and started investigating. :D Great channel! You have a new fan (and subscriber)!

[@SeeMindyMom]

Oh wow! So good to see you! Thanks for letting me share it, it's one of our family's favorites. I've probably mentioned it half a dozen times here. LOL!

[@amandaribofpalmetto]

I really like the Best Choice brand cake mixes. My daughter wanted to make my FIL a white chocolate cake for his birthday 🤷🏻‍♀️ so I got the white cake mix and a box of best choice white chocolate pudding. Mixed the pudding and cake mix, then added the eggs and oil per the box, milk instead of water. I started with the called for amount of water in milk and then mixed in a few extra splashes to get the right consistency since we added the pudding, too. Worked like a charm!

[@amandaribofpalmetto]

Also you can do half plain yogurt half milk instead of water for a box cake mix.....such a good cake!! 😊🎉

[@karincope3019]

I live in the Interior of BC Canada and we have an abundance of fruit orchards so I get Honey Crisp for $1 a pound . We also have Cherry,peaches and the heart of Asparagus growers , I just put up 20 pounds of pickled asparagus.

[@fendtman55]

I usually cook 4 to 5 times a week, thats 3 meals per day , well most days, then we eat out on Wednesday lunch plus supper and Sunday Night Supper.

[@gilliansouthworth6320]

Love your videos. My son swims aswell. Never have enough towels with 2 practices a day😅

[@heatherhays1141]

I love your videos. The USDA recommended grocery budget amazes me. I have 3 in my house and what we have is about 100/month. I would love to be able to have more but it's not an option

[@dianeshover1465]

@Heather Hays. Your local food pantries are always an option to supplement lower end grocery budgets, but Heather...if you can even KIND OF feed 3 ppl for that amount of money- YOU CLEARLY ROCK!!👍🤩🤗😎 best of luck!

[@Megan-nm9lz]

I'm glad to see a real video

[@staceyrogers6125]

I cook 5-6 days a week. We rely on leftovers for one and then we have dinner with my parents every week, but we alternate who cooks. So some weeks I'm cooking 5 dinners, but making a special dessert. Other weeks I'm making 6 dinners. Love your videos!! Also, regarding the chicken wraps, you can make your own avocado lime ranch dressing from Chick fil a and use that in your wraps. So delicious! Big savings. We don't have a chick fil a near us so it's nice to be able to satisfy that craving.

[@marybishop8979]

Really enjoying your Swedish meatball orzo recipe. Thank you!

[@SeeMindyMom]

It's so good! So easy and everybody in our family loves it!

[@kristita_888]

I buy Aldi’s cake mixes and can’t notice a single difference between them and brand name mixes. They’re tasty!

[@Crystalquartz964]

Kristita_ Thank you for this tip!

[@melindalachapell4478]

I love This video! Very smart shopping and yummy ideas!

[@janellesart]

Omg... you did GREAT!! What an awesome shopper you are! SMH.... I'm in awe!

[@SeeMindyMom]

Thanks!

[@beckyatkinson7283]

Fresh ground coffee beans every morning are a must! The coffee tastes so much better 🫶🏼

[@EllyKaye84]

Love that you did this! I always get sooo overwhelmed trying to do it on the fly. I either get too much or too little! Thank you for your videos! Lots of inspiration!

[@SeeMindyMom]

Glad I could help!

[@stephanieschimek595]

For your laundry what do you recommend for drying and making sure your clothes don’t come out wrinkled? Do you use any stain removers?

[@KCallaAK]

I love your videos Mindy. Good tips and a down to earth way of shopping with a busy family. As grandparents, we are really involved with our kids, (live in an ADU 10 ft from their house) and you give great ideas for their kids as they are over a lot.

[@SeeMindyMom]

So glad I can give some ideas! Thanks!

[@lisaharr1477]

Can you attach your recipe for the Swedish meatball dinner ? It looked fabulous !! Thanks Mindy !

[@SeeMindyMom]

Yes, it's in the description box.

[@lisaharr1477]

@@SeeMindyMom ok sorry ! Guess I missed it !

[@yvonnepalmquist8676]

Thought I was going to have to justify your $177 spend with a reminder of stock-up items, but you turned it around. You found some great buys, and we're all definitely jealous of that ground beef find.

[@kechiaburnett8413]

I use my blender to grind my coffee. no need for extra appliances. I love your videos.

[@SeeMindyMom]

Thanks fo rthe tips!

[@aikanae1]

I dont have the choice of grocery stores you do and my prices are much higher which might be what cdc is using. I think my closest 20+ stores are all albertsons, safeway, kroger which tend to be price matched (+/- $1) and one walmart. Dollar stores require too much driving for too little, a couple of elite ethnic deli grocery's. Not even a trader joes. We're flooded with stores but few choices. And Amazon is trying to buy in. Just FYI that your prices may not be "average".

[@lindafessant8021]

I made the Swedish meatball orzo. It was really good and also easy. Thanks for the recipe ❤

[@SeeMindyMom]

It’s frequently requested around here. 😊

[@Orwhateveryoudo]

That's awesome! So glad your family enjoyed it. If you get a chance, leave a review on the site! It helps other people find the recipe too.

[@karincope3019]

I have been making the Viral Smash Burgers , so good .

[@mohammadalhamza6432]

I love your energy so much! Always excited when I see you have uploaded a video!

[@reniedavisson8532]

YES YES to the ground chuck!!! WOW, what is going on with cows these days? I haven't seen ground beef for less than $3.49 a pound in South Florida unless it's the 73% in a chub. Even then, it's still $2.99.

[@greenlantern1986]

I knew it all along, meal planning is a sham! 😝

[@Tessie51]

How do you make the filling mix for the chicken wraps

[@jessbedsole8622]

Aldi brand cake mixes are the superior in my eyes!!

[@sharonwilson6465]

I haven’t seen ground beef for less than $2.79 a pound in my area of North Alabama in a long time. The $2.79 was a sale price. I would have gotten at least 20 pounds to put in my freezer. I buy beef and cook about half and put it in the freezer already cooked so I have cooked ground beef for recipes ready at all times.

[@Pinkky159]

Great job! I was wondering what the pan that you cooked your ground beef in for walking tacos is? The brand and model? It’s exactly what I’ve been looking for

[@duaneowens7777]

Great video. Just for advice on the detergent, why dont you just get a big pack of roma powder detergent. It works good with clothes. Should be around $9. Which state are you from

[@janetdwyer1867]

Thanks I saving a lot watching you.

[@MomNTraining]

I have four kids but my three boys are 6 and under and they just don’t eat much at dinner, so I could only about four nights a week. We have leftovers the rest of the time and sometimes maybe eating out once. I’m sure I will be cooking more nights than that in a few years.

[@tracyhamilton1980]

Im trying the swedish meatball orzo! In our house I cook 5 to 6 nights per week.

[@SeeMindyMom]

It's a winner! I should have mentioned that I double the orzo and bump the broth/water to 4-5 cups when I want leftovers.

[@RAM-eb2te]

Name brand cake mixes always if making without add-ins. Using butter instead of oil help generic/store brand tremendously.

[@weaverwagon6084]

Great video. Thank you for the meal ideas

[@SeeMindyMom]

Glad I could help!

[@mdketzer]

Great haul and great savings!

[@SeeMindyMom]

Thank you!

[@jacqui-xh2er]

Looks like you got a lot for the amount you spent. Great video!

[@dancingitalianurbanfarm8078]

Next time through the corn on the grill, in the husk, and let it cook with the burgers. So yummy 😋

[@deirdrepaynter768]

You called your cantaloupe a cucumber and I couldn't help but laugh because my brain comes to a word often and whether it's actually what I meant I just go with it and sometimes my kids catch me other times they just translate what I'm trying to say and laugh to themselves lol 😅

[@malawrence1]

Not a cake mix fan - my taste buds have changed as I’ve gotten older - but name brand if I do it. I have one recipe that uses cake mix as the start.

[@mandapanda1652]

Ohhhh hold up. I always forget about Reasor's! Guess I'm going to go stock up on ground beef!

[@jasonjjj27]

I try to aim for 50$ a person a week on food for my family's budget. It is possible to go cheaper, but it sucks. I mean you can take 5$ and buy rice and beans and feed your family for the day off of that if really needed. It beats starving, but it's not fun. Long term though you want to have some comfort and you don't want to break the bank. Find that balance between low price and comfort that works well for yourself and your family.

[@vivianarmchairexpert7217]

We call leftover nights “choose your own adventure” 😉

[@lorettawinsor3976]

Hey mindy I’m a 53yr old home maker that has to make lunch and dinner everyday of the week 52 weeks of the yr except for the rare BK take out one night of the month. Me and my hubby can’t work and we have to have someone take me shopping for the month one night a month. Any ideas for something quick. And did I mention I’m a type 1 diabetic and my hubby doesn’t like soups or stews or chili or spicy foods. I’m an old fashion type cook and I love to use leftovers. Please help! Thanks mindy. I look forward to ur shows!

[@jennseagroves855]

I like the store brands

[@alishaparr577]

Yep a definite stock up price for ground beef 😄

[@duaneowens7777]

I love whole Milk. Target milk tastes delicious

[@yutashajohnson6988]

Is there a video for your orzo recipe?

[@teresabaechtold236]

Awesome video!

[@VerveVarle]

A coffee bean grinder is not really that necessary if you have any kind of a food processor :) I use one of those smaller "bullet" ones for coffee beans, it gets the job done ;)

[@SeeMindyMom]

Good to know! Thanks!