Save money – and time – with these simple meal planning suggestions.
With the price of groceries, gas and just about everything else going up these days, many families are looking for ways to stretch their food dollars without giving up on healthy eating. And the good news is that although it takes some planning and smart habits to make mealtime more affordable, you can still feed your family well on a budget.
When it comes to budget-friendly shopping, one of the best places to start is with a plan. Heading to the store without a list or grabbing whatever looks good is one of the fastest ways to overspend. But when you plan your meals around sales and use similar ingredients for multiple meals, and then build a simple grocery list, you take control of what goes into your cart. This also cuts down on last-minute takeout, which can drain your wallet quickly.
Healthy eating on a budget also becomes easier when you focus on foods that give you the most nutritional bang for your buck. Whole grains, beans, lentils, potatoes and eggs are examples of low-cost staples that can build filling, balanced meals. Frozen and canned fruits and vegetables are nutritious and may be cheaper than fresh. Meal prep is another way to save money. You don’t have to spend your entire Sunday cooking, but taking some time to prepare ingredients in advance makes it easier to pull together nutritious meals without turning to convenience foods.
Here are some budget-friendly shopping and meal prep tips that can help you save money while still supporting healthy eating:
Eating well on a budget is more doable than you may realize. With a little planning and a few simple habits, you can stretch your food dollars and still enjoy healthy, satisfying meals at home.
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ACHS Courtwarming is Friday, February 6th against Archie. The theme is “Hollywood”. Games start at 5:30 p.m.
St. Mary’s School (Montrose) will have a spaghetti dinner Saturday January 31 from 5:00-9:00 p.m. in the school basement. The dinner is a free will donation. Please come with family and friends and enjoy a delicious dinner of spaghetti with sauce, breadsticks, salad, dessert and tea or lemonade while supporting St. Mary’s School. There will also be a silent auction with classroom crafts and other items.
Appleton City Optimist Baseball sign-ups are now open and will remain active until February 6. Teeball, Midgets Boys, Machine Pitch, Pee Wee Boys/Girls, Junior Boys and Junior Girls registration is available online at https://active.leagueone.com/OLR/Pages/Welcome.aspx?ClubId=16112
Growing In Grace Community Center is hosting a community dinner 3:00-6:00 p.m. February 7. They will have a breakfast bar with dessert. Music from Appleton City Worship Center with David and Wilma Williams and Pat starts at 4:00 p.m. Please come join them. Free will donation accepted.
Parents As Teachers will be joining Story Hour at the AC Public Library on Monday, February 9 from 11:00-12:00. They will read a story, do a craft and eat snacks.
The Knights of Columbus will have their monthly pancake and sausage breakfast at the Knight’s Hall in Montrose on Sunday, February 8 from 8:30 – 10:00 a.m. Treat your family to a hot breakfast you don’t have to cook or clean up. A free will donation will be greatly appreciated
This February, fall in love with a surprise read at the Appleton City Public Library, as they host “Blind Date with a Book”. This month-long event is for all ages and invites patrons to choose from a wide variety of wrapped books, including romance, family-centered stories, thrillers, and more. It’s a great opportunity to step outside your reading comfort zone and discover a new author or genre. Select wrapped books will also be available for purchase throughout the event for those who prefer to own their book rather than check one out. Stop by anytime in February to participate. They can’t wait to see you at the library.
A student-focused trip to England and France is being coordinated by Mrs. Deel, the College & Career Advisor at Appleton City High School. This eight-day trip will depart in late May 2027 and all area students in 6 - 12th grades are invited, as are their families. Enrollment England and France trip is open. Space is limited, and spots are first-come, first-served. Travellers will see the Eiffel Tower, Arc de Triomphe, Notre-Dame Cathedral, and enjoy a dinner cruise on the Seine River, in addition to walking through the elegant halls and gardens of the Palace of Versailles. After a visit to the Louvre museum, travellers will ride the Eurostar train through the English Channel to London. In London, travelers will explore Big Ben, Houses of Parliament and watch the changing of the Guard at Buckingham Palace, as well as attend a theatre performance. Enrolling in the trip by Friday, January 30th, secures a $200 discount (included in the quoted rate). Family discounts are available and all area families are invited. Trip details and enrollment options can be found at www.eftours.com/2945507ZR Enrollment is $95, and you have a week to change your mind for a full refund. Contact Mrs. Ashley Deel at adeel@appletoncity.k12.mo.us or EF Support with any questions.
The Appleton City High School Scholarship Foundation will award thirteen $3,500 Scholarships to ACHS 2026 graduates for any type of educational training, vocational and college. Forms are available from the College Advisor, Ashley Deel. The deadline is March 4 at 9:00 a.m. Please be sure to complete all questions.
Grace Christian Academy will have their 6th annual hog roast dinner with silent and live auctions fundraiser 4:00-7:00 p.m. Saturday, March 14 in the Lowry City Civic Center, 4th & Cleveland. The hog roast dinner for $10 includes meat, sides, dessert and drink. Children 4-12 years eat for $6, 3 and under are free. Carry out is available. Silent auction from 4:00–6:30 and live auction at 7:00 p.m. Tickets are available at the school or at the door.
Ellett Memorial Hospital Appleton City offers outpatient specialist services for February, 2026. Call 660-476-2111 for appointments. Wednesday, Feb 4 – Upper GI, Colonoscopy-Dr. Namin, Thursday, Feb 5 – OB/GYN – Dr. Kallberg, Friday, Feb 6 – Dermatology- Dylan Timmerman, PA, Friday, Feb 13 – Orthopedic-Dr. Gray, Wednesday, Feb 18 – Upper GI, Colonoscopy-Dr. Namin, Thursday, Feb 19 – Podiatry – Dr. Pace, Friday, Feb 20 – Orthopedics-Laura Noble, FNP, Tuesday, Feb 24 - Rheumatology-Dr. John, Wednesday, Feb 25 – Orthopedic- Dr. Gray, Wednesday, Feb 25 – Ophthalmology, Dr. Soni, Thursday, Feb 26– Neurology- Dr.- Shoaib
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CALENDAR OF EVENTS
Jan 31 St. Mary’s School (Montrose) spaghetti dinner from 5:00-9:00 p.m. in the school basement
Feb 6 ACHS Courtwarming against Archie
Feb 7 Growing In Grace Community Center community dinner 3:00-6:00 p.m.
Feb 8 Knights Of Columbus pancake and sausage breakfast 8:30 – 10:00 a.m. at the Knights Hall in Montrose
