The First Meal Plan of the New Year (A $250 Costco + $60 Aldi Week)
There’s something about the first meal plan of the year that feels exciting to complete.
It sets the tone for a new year, but keeps me grounded in the same old important goal of homemaking: stewarding well. After the rush of Christmas meals, holiday baking, and all the structure December quietly dismantled, January asks a gentler question: What would it look like to feed my family well again?
This week’s plan is simple, sturdy, and intentionally unexciting. ;) It’s built around a monthly Costco stock-up, a small Aldi run, and dinners that leave room for leftovers, freezer help, and grace.
As a small note, I made a change to how I structure my weekly meal plans. I’ve been grocery shopping on Fridays for months now, but I would still start my meal plans on the following Sunday. This year, I’m moving to a Saturday to Friday meal plan to keep things more consistent. I hope it’s not too confusing!
The Strategy Behind This Week
This is a rhythm I want to lean into more and more this new year:
Costco once a month for bulk staples that actually get used (it’s time for a stock up now that January is here!)
Aldi weekly for produce, a few proteins, and dinner-specific items
One batch-cook night (our small group is starting up again!)
One freezer night (I don’t want to waste what I’ve saved by forgetting about it!)
One to two meals outside the home (Wednesday dinners at church are starting up again, and we’re back with weekly Chick-fil-A!)
This week’s strategy keeps our grocery spending predictable and my mental load lighter, which, in January especially, feels like good stewardship.
Monthly Costco Run (Approx. $250)
This is our once-a-month foundation; food and household basics. Lots of restocking in this list after the holidays.
Kleenex
Paper towels
Toilet paper
Laundry detergent
Multivitamins
5 dozen eggs
2 gallons milk
Butter
5 lb ground beef
Frozen chicken tenderloins
Yogurt
Potato bread
Frozen vegetables
Frozen blueberries
Vanilla extract
This list carries us through breakfasts, lunches, and multiple weeks of dinners, not just this one. I’m hoping I won’t have to do another Costco run until March!
Weekly Aldi Run (Approx. $60)
Aldi fills in the gaps for this specific week:
Ham
Carrots
Chicken broth
Pepper jack cheese slices
2 cans pinto beans
4 cans rotel
2 cans corn
2 Jiffy cornbread mixes
Frozen tater tots
Chips
Salsa
Brussels sprouts
Garlic bread
6 cans tuna
Meatballs
2 bags shredded cheese
The Weekly Dinner Plan
(Saturday through Friday)
Saturday: Split Pea Soup & Ham Sandwiches
A cozy, stretch-it-far meal made with ham, carrots, broth, and pantry staples. Ham sandwiches with pepper jack cheese and potato bread round it out. It’s been awhile since we made this one, so I’m excited for it. :D
Sunday: Small Group Night - Cowboy Casserole
I’m batch cooking for our small group of about 12 people. My plan is for two cowboy casseroles: ground beef, pinto beans, corn, rotel, tater tots, shredded cheese, and cornbread. Plus a side of chips and salsa. Not the healthiest meal, but it’s filling and a crowd-pleaser!
Monday: Spaghetti, Meatballs, Brussels & Garlic Bread
Simple, filling, and kid-friendly. Roasted Brussels on the side to balance things out. And I’m keeping it extra easy by grabbing pre-rolled meatballs from Aldi. I’ve never tried these before, so I’ll have to keep you posted on how they turn out!
Tuesday: Brunswick Stew (From the Freezer Stash!) & Cornbread
One of my favorite habits: actually eating what we froze on purpose. Jiffy cornbread makes this feel complete and cozy.
Wednesday: Dinner Out (at Church!)
We budget $16 per week to eat with our Church family. Plus I don’t have to cook or clean the kitchen. ;)
Thursday: Leftovers
We always have a leftover night! It keeps the budget low, our fridge clean, and our hearts grateful for the Lord’s ever-stretching provision.
Friday: Dinner Out - Chick-fil-A
I really love not cooking on days when I go grocery shopping. Chick-fil-A is right next to Aldi, so it just makes sense.
Breakfasts on Repeat
Nothing elaborate here - when you find what works, it’s best to stick with it, especially with a toddler. :)
Yogurt or oatmeal with frozen fruit
Scrambled eggs & buttered toast
Smoothies with milk, yogurt, blueberries, etc.
Lunches = Leftovers
Most of this week’s lunches come straight from dinners:
Split pea soup
Ham sandwiches
Cowboy casserole
Brunswick stew
Tuna salad sandwiches
Beef, Veggies, & Rice Bowls (I’ll have all these ingredients on hand)
Why This Is the Kind of Meal Plan I Want in January
I actually really love January. It’s a new beginning, full of new life and new goals. I don’t always keep all my goals, but I love the dreaming and planning process. I needed this type of meal plan to keep me grounded. Some of it is new (Costco haul) and some of it is tried and true (freezer stash).
It respects our budget. It honors our energy. It uses what we already have.
And in a new season that causes me to teeter between reorganizing my entire life because it’s another year and diving back under the covers because it’s freezing outside, that kind of faithfulness feels like enough.
If you’re easing back into cooking this month, consider this your permission slip: simple food, steady rhythms, and meals that carry you instead of the other way around.
Happy new year & happy stewarding, friends!
