Organizing and Grocery Shopping for $45-50 a week

Many people have been asking me how is it possible to grocery shop nowadays for only $45 a week? Do you have to peanut butter and jelly every day of the week? Are you able to eat healthy and fun all at the same time? No, we don't have to a peanut butter and jelly sandwich every day. Yes, a family can eat healthy and fun. It does take a little time and planning, but the end result is well worth the time! There are only three of us in our family, but if there are more of you there are still ways to shop for less than $100.
If the money is definitely going to be available, I try to shop for two weeks at a time. It saves time and money by having to run to the grocery store constantly. If the money is only available for a week at a time then I just shop for one week. I keep receipts every few times that I go grocery shopping. The receipts tell me how much the items are and that helps me plan the meals in my budget.
I start my meal plans by just jotting down whatever foods or meal ideas come to my head. Once I have that list finished I find the things that sound yummy and ideas that I might already have some stuff to go in it. This next part is where the receipts come in handy. I find the items and the prices from the receipts and I write that next to the items on my list. I use my envelope of coupons and I write a big C and the store next to the item. I play around with what meal ideas I can get for the $45-50 dollar. As I play around with the meal ideas I always keep in mind what I might be able to get 2-3 meals out of for leftovers.
Once I see and decide what will work the week or two weeks, I begin planning where to put those on my breakfast, lunch and dinner paper. Having the menu done and up on the fridge eliminates any of us asking "hey, what do you want for dinner?" "I don't know...what were you thinking?" "I really don't know, that is why I asked you." lol lol I just look at the list first thing in the morning and I can plan and see everything for that day. It may sound like it takes too much time, but it is time well spent. You would be surprised the yummy and healthy meals you can get for just $45-50. One example for us is homemade chili. It's very filling and we always have enough for the next day as well. Having breakfast for dinner sometimes is another way to save money. Pancakes and sausage with a cup of fruit is healthy, filling, and cheap.