Monday Menu September 3rd

I watched this on 20/20 about the most frugal family in America. They are a family of seven who lives DEBT FREE on $35,000 a year!
I just have a few questions:

• What part of the country do they live? (We live in CA and I am just not sure that feeding a family of seven on an income of $35,000 would cut it here....but, I would love to be proven wrong about this)
• Where do they get all those coupons? ( I need to find a great way to get coupons without having to spend money on a newspaper that we don't read---any ideas?)
• What do they eat? (I would love to read what is on her monthly menu planner and how she does it! I don't think we could do once a month shopping. We eat a lot of veggies and fresh fruit and that would spoil over a month of time. )

I do know one thing...they will be making quite a bit more than $35,000 with their new book out. They will be able to buy lots of pistacio ice-cream!
Kudos to the family for their sacrifices and hard earned studies of learning to make it on such a low income!

Now for my weekly menu:
I really loved the Tuscan Soup. It was the first time I made it and it turned out great! I think I may make a double batch next time and freeze it for future use (See there, that is being frugal)!

We have quite a load of groceries stocked in our fridge and pantry. I think I will only need to buy just a few things this week. Hooray! We are on our way to being the 2nd most Frugal Family in America!

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Just a note about my menu. I plan breakfast, lunch, and dinner for about 5 days. There is no particular order of the meals. I make a list of what we will eat and then I choose that day what we will eat. Sometimes I go in order because it is easier or if I happen to use a leftover ingredient from the day before's meal. Kapeesh?

BREAKFASTS:
Pineapple Smoothies, Cereal and Soymilk, Toast
Bagels & Cream Cheese, Fresh Fruit, Soymilk
Pancakes w/ fresh fruit, OJ
Yogurt, Toast w/ peanut butter, OJ
Oatmeal w/ raisins, Soymilk, toast

LUNCHES:
Greek Salad in Pita Bread, Grapes, Chips
Veggie Wraps w/ hummus, Apple Slices, Chips
Grilled Cheese, peaches, carrots & ranch
Peanutty Apple Sandwiches, Chips, Celery & Ranch
Baked Potatoes & Chili

DINNER:
Herbed Pasta Primavera
Homemade Bread
Spinach Salad w/beets

Grilled Mahi Mahi
Rice Pilaf
Cilantro Corn Salad

Bean & Cornbread Casserole
Fruit Salad

Sweet & Sour Veggie Stir Fry (with veggie meatballs instead of Tofu)
Edamame
Egg rolls

Taco Salad