Today’s Daily Dose of Thrifty is called “Dinner By 10.” You may be wondering… “Wow, what does that mean??” and thinking we’re over here eating and feeding the kids into the late evening!
But we wanted to share what this means to us: it is a rule in our house. As we have recently shared, in our “unthrifty” past, we had an issue with going into debt by eating out constantly! Not only was this a major problem due to health reasons, but especially because our budget could not handle it – thus the significant amount of acquired debt.
We had to create an easy rule for us to follow and even now we still do this in our thriftier days as this is still a temptation for us. It is just so easy to justify blowing this part of our budget when it gets late into the afternoon or early evening and we don’t even know what we are eating or we haven’t made the necessary preparations for the dinner that night!
So the rule is “Dinner By 10” – this means that we need to know by 10 am what will be for dinner that night! This allows for adequate time to defrost, set-out and make any necessary plans for dinner. This little rule has saved us so many times. Even when we have a menu planned out, simply writing it out is just not enough! If you have pot roast on your menu and you did not look at it until 3pm…. it is a little late and makes for a wide open door excuse to grabbing a bite out.
Also, if you work or are gone during the day, the “Dinner by 10” rule can still apply to rule for your family. Simply switch the time to 10pm the night before!
Our challenge to help you save your food dollars: When that short hand hits the 10 in the morning or evening…. know and have a plan for the next dinner! Set that mental – or even literal – alarm!
UPDATE: We are excited that ALL YOU magazine featured our Dinner by 10 tip in their July ’12 magazine! Here’s a quick glimpse:
See more Daily Doses of Thrifty
Deeanna
This is so me! We totally need this rule. Great idea!!
Deeanna
This is so me! We totally need this rule. Great idea!!
Julie
This is a rule I need. We eat out too much and it’s a habit easy to get accustomed to.
Julie
This is a rule I need. We eat out too much and it’s a habit easy to get accustomed to.
Sunkist
LOVE this simple yet VERY helpful idea!!!!!!
Sunkist
LOVE this simple yet VERY helpful idea!!!!!!
Jennifer
this is a wonderful idea. I will definently keep this in mind every day.
Stefanie Moran
Going to try this and see if it helps! Wish me luck.
Cassie
Yay Stefanie! Let us know if it helps!
Liz
First, thank you for all your great ideas. Second I have to say when I read you & your husbands name were, I had to read them again because I have a daughter & son with the same names. The dinner by 10 is a great idea, I have been doing this since I became a stay at home mom & it’s been the best.
Cassie
LOL – that is so great! I don’t know if you knew this (you probably did!) but our names are both Greek (the long versions of our names) and they both have the same meaning, one is just the female version and the other is the male version. The meaning of our names is “Helper of Men.” How cool is that!? 🙂
Elida
As Charlie Sheen says, this article is “WN!IINGN”
jk
this so true my husband always tells me to plan something for the next day , I don’t always stick to the plan but 80 % of the time i do and it does work.we both work and eating out gets to be to much specially with kids ,this helps
Judith Coe
Thanks for Sharing the Dinner by 10 Rule. I was wondering what it meant. That is so Kool that All You magazine share it with a bunch of people! Thanks for all you doing Sharing what you have been through and being transparent.
Noriko
This makes total sense! Not knowing what to cook that day for dinner as a mom of four school-age children is very stressful.
Of course I need to make up weekly menu planning to get this done easier.
Thanks for you inspiration again!
Jane C.
I have been doing this for decades. I first heard it on Dr. Laura.
Katie F.
I love this rule. I have tried writing out meals for the week and then forget to look at my plan. Thanks so much
Anna
We do a weekly menu and I love this…but I have on occasion forgotten and then can’t be bothered…this is a greAt reminder….. Thanks….