Menu Plan Monday - Week of 2/23

Things have been really hectic for Donnie and me lately. It's not always easy to stay "sane," but I'm trying my best! Menu planning is one of the easiest ways I do this. Knowing what to buy at the store, what we'll be eating each night, and what food preparation needs to be done makes both our lives much easier.

• rotini with red sauce and Italian sausage, garlic breadsticks, asparagus

• creamy corn and carrot chowder, dinner rolls, broccoli

• rice and black bean burritos, sour cream, carrot sticks

• homemade pepperoni pizza, broccoli

• beef stew with carrots and potatoes, dinner rolls, asparagus

• dinner out with friends

For more great meal plans, visit I'm an Organizing Junkie!

Decadence on a Dime

I don’t like feeling deprived—it’s probably my biggest weakness. This is why I like to “dress up” basic menu items, to make them feel more luxurious.

Here are some of my favorite cheap, easy ways to make every day food feel special. What are yours?

• Prepare homemade macaroni and cheese using extra sharp white cheddar. It tastes positively decadent!


• Top toast with oven dried tomatoes or oven roasted peppers, plus a sprinkle of parmesan cheese.


• Roast carrots, turnips, or other root vegetables in the pan with chicken or turkey. They taste great, and add a beautiful flavor to homemade gravy.


• Prepare your favorite hot chocolate mix with milk instead of water. A dash of cinnamon or vanilla extract makes for an even sweeter treat.


• Top baked pasta with equal parts red and white sauce, for extra richness.


• Round out a light dinner by serving garlic bread or breadsticks, plus olive oil for dipping.


• Serve a small scoop of ice cream on a bed of fresh fruit. Sprinkle with granola if you like crunch!

Meatless Meals

In an effort to be healthier, Donnie and I are committing to eating more vegetarian and vegan dishes. One nice side effect is that we'll also be eating more frugally.

Here are some of my favorite meatless meals. What are yours?

Grilled cheese and tomato sandwiches.
Black bean quesadillas.
Veggie fried rice.
Pasta primavera.
Meatless lasagna.
Linguine with pesto and parmesan.
Macaroni and cheese (I add peas).
Pasta with cream cheese basil sauce.
Vegetable risotto.
Bean and cheese burritos.
Eggplant parmesan.
Veggie-lovers pizza or stromboli.
Scrambled eggs, toast, and fruit.
Vegetarian chili.

Lessons Learned

I'm so proud of my younger brother. He just started his own blog, exhibiting far more entrepreneurial spirit and career-mindedness than I ever showed at his age.

Unfortunately, most young people his age are woefully unprepared for their personal financial futures. I know it took Donnie and me years to get in decent shape, and we're still working hard at it today. Looking back, there are quite a few mistakes I wish we hadn't made. The good news is that we certainly learned from the error of our ways. Now we're better equipped to manage our financial situation, and help our (future!) children make smart money decisions.

Here are some of the lessons I've learned on my personal financial journey. What about you?

Don't buy anything unless you can pay cash. When I first started using credit cards, I had no idea how much money I would end up losing to finance charges and late fees. I viewed the cards a kind of payment plan, and didn't realize they were nothing more than a debt trap. If I could "do it all over again," I wouldn't sign up for even a single card. Now, if I want something I can't afford, I save until I can pay for it out of pocket. The peace of mind is worth the wait.

You can't have everything you want. I know this sounds obvious, but for a long time I bought "stuff" without thinking about it too much. If Donnie and I felt like going out to dinner, picking out some new clothes, or getting some new DVDs, we just did. It took me a long time to realize that I was trading my long-term financial security in for some very empty, short-term "happiness." Now I try hard to be content with what I have. I don't shop for recreation, and when I identify a true need, I do research to get the highest quality at the best price.

College isn't always worth the price. I spent four years at an expensive private school. As a result, I'll probably be paying student loans back for the next ten years at least--and I work in an industry that doesn't even require a degree. I do consider my BA a valuable asset, since it will allow me to move up in my company and pursue a wide variety of opportunities. However, if I could "do it all over again," I would probably attend a community college for two years, then finish my bachelor's degree at an inexpensive state school. I'd still have a BA, without the mountain of debt.

You can't always count on a salary. Once upon a time, I assumed that Donnie's and my paychecks would be our sole source of income. Now I know better. We've been fortunate to experience stability and growth in our careers, but over the past few years we've seen family and friends take pay cuts or lose their employment entirely. That's why we pursue alternate sources of income whenever we can. We certainly won't be quitting our day jobs anytime soon, but we know that, with hard work and dedication, we could weather a layoff or pay cut.

Pay yourself first. I know this is the oldest piece of financial advice there is, yet I somehow managed to avoid living by it for many years. I have to admit, when I think of the thousands of dollars I could have saved, I feel more than a twinge of guilt. Unfortunately, there's nothing I can do about it now, except change the error of my ways. I now contribute to my 401(k), and put a portion of every paycheck in a savings account. When Donnie and I earn extra or unexpected income, instead of spending it, we save it. The peace of mind is worth far more than anything we could buy.

What lessons have you learned on your financial journey?