Did you know September is Family Meals month?

To say things are different from last September is an understatement for sure-but we have had MORE opportunities for Family Meals this month than ever before!!!

My  kids are distance learning for school and we have been able to have breakfast, lunch AND dinner together on most days- which is just amazing. My husband has changed to having an office at home as well, so he is able to join us for lunch and breakfast many times also. No matter what negatives there have been- the fact that we get to enjoy meals together is definitely made a difference in our family.

Recently I have shared with you all about Smart & Final-on trip and your are done- well that has definitely been true for us.

Just today I went to Smart & Final and not only bought produce, meat, milk and other groceries, but I bought paper plates, laundry soap, coffee syrup, pet supplies and paper products!!

You all know how much I love finding deals at so many stores, but the convenience of getting everything at one store is a LIFESAVER for me these days.  We are saving money from buying school lunches, sandwich bags, etc-but we have changed the way we have eaten also.  We no longer have to eat and pack the same things everyday!

Here is my son and granddaughter sharing a cheeseburger- the 10 for $10 Burgers at Smart & Final- along with their large packs of buns is a major staple in my house.  Family meals around the table are great, but a school break in the living room is always fun too! Whether it is all 7 of us- or 5, or 9 if we have visitors- we have made it a point to not eat alone if other people are home. Another reason why I love that I can buy bulk items AND individual items at Smart & Final.

We can make 10 burgers with cheese and fixings for less than $20 and EVERYONE is happy about it! Add a bag of chips, and/or some fruit and you won’t hear any complaints because they will all be busy eating! This is a once a week meal used to be for dinner- but now it has become a school lunch!

Here are some tips for budget friendly ways to have meals as a family-

1.Do not feel like you have to make every meal a big deal. 
It is nice to have a home cooked meal, and have this great family time of cooking together- but there is something about just sitting down, enjoying the meal and not cleaning up for an hour after. PAPER PLATES are a amazing!

Here are a few of our family favorites for easy and quick meals (very filling and budget friendly too)!

2. Do not limit family meals to just dinner!

We start out having breakfast together, but even with the intention of eating together the other meals often one or more of us have something come up. It is MUCH easier for us to have BREAKFAST as a family. Especially right now since we aren’t hurrying to different work and school locations in the mornings.

This big bag of First Street Pancake and Waffle Mix last us all month! We have made pancakes, different shapes and colors of waffles, even waffles and ice cream for dessert! It makes for a fun morning- and I highly recommend the First Street Bacon as well!

3. Get everyone involved!

When your kids can get excited and have a say in the meals, they are more excited to eat together. When I make meals that maybe they aren’t excited about they may fight me a little bit or be unpleasant at the table and 10 minutes later we are done. I often tell my kids to pick what their favorite healthier dinners are and they will shop and make  it with me. If they make it then they don’t usually complain about it- or let anyone else!

There are so many benefits to having meals together. If it works to have family meals together take advantage of it! Smart & Final makes it SOOO easy to grab all you need too! For more benefits go to https://www.fmi.org/family-meals-movement/about