Boxes of cereal, boxes of granola bars, boxes of poptarts, boxes of donuts, boxes of muffin mix – there are so many boxy choices. You’re probably assuming that I’m about to tell you that all the food that comes from a box is not very good for you. But I won’t say that. Nope, I’ll just purse my lips and produce a forced smile because I’m not going to tell you about the dangers of eating all those preservatives and additives and empty calories that give you no energy and keep you from concentrating all morning. After all, that would be a run-on sentence.
Instead, I’m here to express the joy of how making your own healthy, real food, preservative-free breakfast will save you lots of money.
I spent about 10 minutes on Saturday making 20 cups of Homemade Instant Oatmeal. This is huge money savings, in about 10 minutes. (It’s also healthier than what comes in a box, but we’re supposedly not talking about that today.)
I spent about 30 minutes on Saturday mixing up three different kinds of wholesome muffins for the freezer. This is huge money savings, in about 30 minutes. (It’s also healthier than what comes in a box, but we’re supposedly not talking about that today.)
My family can polish off 2-3 boxes of cereal in one sitting, easily. That can add up to being a $12 breakfast, and that doesn’t include the milk and fruit. Plus cereal only keeps them full for about two hours.
See, making a homemade breakfast does more than just save money. It satisfies my family’s need for nourishment, so they are full longer and are able to concentrate on their school work all morning. This must be because the breakfast is healthier, but we’re supposedly not talking about that today.
TIP: Make breakfast the night before. I do this almost every day, making our mornings go so much more smoothly!
100+ Money Saving (and Healthy, shh!) Breakfast Recipes
You will find 90 real food breakfast recipes on my Bread and Breakfast page. I add more to it all the time. There are so many great breakfast options!
We also have a free eBook for you: Healthy Breakfast Made Simple. Download and enjoy!
Or, it’s as simple as scrambling or frying an egg, making a smoothie, or spreading natural peanut butter on toast. Make a homemade breakfast!! You will save all kinds of cash (and feel better too, but we’re supposedly not talking about that today).
What are your favorite homemade breakfast foods to make?
It works if hubby is on board! My husband was served eggs, grits, bacon and toast every single day of all of his growing up years and he will only eat something other than cereal one or two days a week. I cannot blame him so I buy cereal for him and the kids when they were still at home and eat other things myself. I make homemade healthy muffins for his lunch box for a mid morning snack since the cereal does not keep him full. It is all about compromise.
Thank you Laura! It’s nice to receive your emails, good recipes, and “smiley” humor, 8-) Your post today comes at a good time. I’m preparing homemade meals for a elderly family member. I’ve started using 100 % whole wheat bread this week, instead of 60% and it’s hardly raising their blood sugars. The warmth of the freshly ground flour and other ingredients at room temperature makes for a wonderful bun. Home cookin’ is so good. “It sure tastes good Mom!” Is the finest recipe, hee hee! Blessing Laura. I appreciate your writing.
Thank you for the breakfast recipes! :-))
Breakfast is my favorite meal to make! so many options – we especially love various flavors of muffins, and smoothies. Pumpkin, blueberry, banana…
On my whole foods journey, breakfast has been the hardest for me. I made a goal to make home made something two mornings a week, but your recipes are so easy, that I actually only serve cereal once or twice a week! I made your breakfast cake muffins and one batch fed our family of 6 for two mornings! Best of all, my kids are over joyed when I say sure you can have another one:) and they don’t ask for food again until lunch time. Thank you so much for your honesty and authenticity. As a fellow couponer, you gave me the courage to believe that I can lead my family in healthier eating. I am forever greatful for you!!
Breakfast is our favorite meal of the day. And in my opinion the more protein the better!! My kiddos have three favorites: Eggs and bacon, baked pb & j oatmeal, and waffles and bacon. (We use turkey bacon during the week and real bacon I n the weekend!)
I make waffles about twice a week and it is funny when nephews or our kids friends are over. I often hear, “Those didn’t come out of a box?!?!? They are so good!!” LOL, nope they don’t have to come out of a box to taste good!!!
We eat oatmeal every other day. I use steel cut oats that I soak the night before so that they not only cook faster in the morning, but they double in size thus saving money!
You are so right about how quickly we can go through boxes of cereal and how quickly we are hungry again. Boxed breakfasts was one of the first things we gave up when we needed to tighten our financial belts.
Thanks for always being here to encourage us to eat healthy and save money, Laura!