From one Mom to another, there are great, inexpensive ways to feed the whole family better foods while saving money that was being spent on sugary cereals and unhealthy breakfast options.

A box of Cap’n Crunch or Cocoa Pebbles, each cost around $4 per box while a cannister of Quaker Rolled Oats costs a little less, and lasts much longer. Cereals pour right out as kids eat more than a serving and don’t feel full; but oatmeal is different. The kids need a smaller amount and will feel full much sooner while getting whole grain and fiber they need without a lot of sugar. Add a little brown sugar, fresh fruit, or milk and cinnamon for flavor and enjoy.
Let the kids get creative and see how they learn to enjoy eating a better, more affordable breakfast.

For dinner and lunch, items like pasta and whole wheat pastas are very inexpensive to feed the family and help them feel fuller on less food and expense. Flavor with vegetables, beans, and any sauce or oils you’d like with seasonings. Canned beans and jarred sauces work fine for little money.

My son has a sensitivity to milk products so we bought him Silk Very Vanilla soymilk instead, and he loves it! The milk is fortified with vitamins he needs while naturally containing more calcium, protein, and Vitamin D than cow’s milk. This is a great item to order or buy at wholesale places like Costco or Sam’s Club, and use coupons as well. This will run a little higher than milk but a great replacement for more expensive sodas, flavored drinks, and juices, or unhealthy snacks and kids love it. My son even eats it with his Full Circle Organic Honey Nut Toasted Oats (like Honey Nut Cheerios) and I agree it actually tastes very good together; better than milk.

These types of items are available in most grocery stores across the country and some Target or Walmart stores also sell them. Amazon.com might surprise you that they also sell grocery items like these and in bulk sizes to save money with rapid shipping to get it ASAP. Amazon also allows you to enter the coupon codes you have to save money on their already low prices or use their special offer coupons. Shoppers can even subscribe to their service to save an extra 15% on each order

We also switched the type of bread we feed ourselves and my son. I switched to Food For Life Cinnamon Raisin bread because it does not contain preservatives, crazy chemicals, or high fructose corn syrup. It also has more fiber and less cholesterol and fat than other breads, plus he loves the taste as toast or in sandwiches. These breads and products are made with more whole grain and wheat than other common brands to get him the whole grain nutrition he needs all day, plus it’s organic so no cancer causing presiticides and fertilizer additives.

For ideas about healthier foods and snacks for the kids, go to www.easylunchboxes.com for some great ideas for all budgets.

With the terrible economy raising prices, moms need new ways to save money while still providing the necessary nutrition so, there’s an app for that. Smartphone users can use the coupons apps to save money. For everyone else, we can clip coupons, buy in bulk, and search online for all the websites that offer coupons to save money and deals. Check prices with Target and Walmart also and most will be cheaper than the grocery stores.

Use the coupons offered on their website to save a more by clicking the link right above and exploring new recipes and click here for more Target Bullseye deals and recipe ideas.

Target shoppers should look for Archer Farms brand items, a Target brand, for better prices than name brands but with excellent taste. Walmart shoppers may also want to get a Sam’s Club membership for a very small annual fee with special access to excellent deals everyday, even without coupons.

Shop Walmart and Target first to get as much as you can there first online or in the store and take any coupons you have to save the most money, because these stores are cheaper than grocery shopping for almost every item your family will need. Personal hygiene items, cleaning products, milk, cheese, cereal, bread, and more are all available for lower prices at these two stores and also have plenty other things all in one spot, to save gas money and time.