$100 Meal Planner: How It Works for Our Homeschool Family
Feeding a family of six—especially three growing boys with bottomless appetites—isn’t for the faint of heart. Add in homeschooling (a.k.a. the kitchen is always open), and it can feel like meals are a never-ending loop.
That’s exactly why I created the $100 Meal Planner—to stretch our dollars, simplify decisions, and keep everyone fed without burning out the cook (hi, me).
Here’s how this planner fits into our weekly rhythm and makes real sense for homeschool families like ours.
1. Meal Planning with Purpose
Every week starts with a simple plan. The $100 Meal Planner includes 7 breakfasts, 7 lunches, and 5 dinners that are flexible and realistic. But here’s the magic: we rely on repeat favorites and batch-cooked staples that keep us on budget without feeling boring.
Some things we always have on hand:
Homemade granola – our go-to sweet snack, perfect on yogurt, in a bowl, or straight from the jar.
Freezer waffles – I make a double batch every few weeks and freeze them for fast mornings.
Homemade bread and dinner rolls – way more budget-friendly than store-bought, and honestly, the smell alone is worth the effort.
I also plan meals that double up:
Big-batch soup gets served for lunch and again later in the week.
Taco night turns into grain bowls the next day.
Oats in the morning might get a second life as baked oatmeal snacks.
2. Time-Smart for Our Homeschool Rhythm
Our days are full—books, projects, spills, and sibling squabbles. When lunchtime hits, I don’t want to scramble. That’s where the grocery list and meal plan shine. With everything prepped and ingredients already on hand, I can focus on teaching (and coffee) instead of what’s for dinner.
Meals like freezer waffles and baked oatmeal bars give me margin in the mornings. And soup reheated during a phonics lesson? Game-changer.
3. Kid-Approved + Budget-Smart
With three boys constantly on the hunt for snacks, I’ve learned two things:
Stick to familiar, filling meals, and
Don’t run out of granola.
The recipes in this planner are simple, hearty, and family-style. No fancy ingredients or complicated prep—just meals that fill bellies and fuel learning. And because the grocery list is organized by aisle with estimated prices, it helps me stay under budget without jumping between stores or clipping a million coupons.
4. Why It Works for Us
Homeschooling means we do life around the table. Meals are more than food—they’re the rhythm of our day. From a warm breakfast to a fresh loaf of bread in the afternoon, the $100 Meal Planner allows me to serve my family with less stress and more intention.
It helps us live out our values:
Steward our resources wisely
Serve homemade meals with love
Simplify our routines and protect our peace
Whether we’re gathering around for read-aloud or grabbing lunch between lessons, I know we’re nourished—in more ways than one.
Want to Try It Too?
The $100 Meal Planner is a free resource created for families like yours—homeschooling, budget-conscious, and doing their best to make daily life a little more peaceful.
Grab your copy below and start next week with a plan that works.
Pin this post or send it to a mama friend who could use a little help feeding her crew this week. 🤎 You’ve got this.
