I buy my meats/vegetables in bulk, cook meals in large quantities, and freeze them in quart size foil serving/cooking dishes with lids (bettymills.com). I make my menus months in advance and only buy what is on the list.
Just this week I made about 6 months worth (if each eaten once a week) of chicken/rice casserole, lasagna, spaghetti, chicken/broccoli penne, chili, black eyed peas, baby limas, baked beans, collards and sheppards pie for under $46.00. Ground beef, Boneless Chicken Breast and frozen veggies were on sale....
Fingers crossed that fish goes on sale next week!!!
I use old Airline trays, found at a thrift store for serving meals, perfect serving size, no buying paper plates. I buy select-a-size paper towels.
I only buy store brands. Most are made by the same companies anyway...
I also use long sleeved, plastic, paint smocks as bibs to cut down on laundry. The kids call it "dressing for lunch"...
Keep 'em coming!! Looking forward to responses!!!