Let’s face it — as moms, we’re always juggling a million things at once. Between work, errands, school pick-ups, and everything in between, meal planning often feels like one more chore. But what if I told you that with a little strategy, you can feed your whole family for a week on a budget of just ₱2,000 — without sacrificing taste or nutrition?
Yes, it’s possible! Here’s a 7-day meal plan that’s affordable, kid-approved, and easy enough for even the busiest moms. Plus, I’ve included a grocery list, prep tips, and make-ahead hacks to make your life easier.
💡 Budget Tips Before You Start:
- Shop at local markets or palengke for fresher, cheaper produce.
- Buy in bulk (rice, eggs, canned goods) when possible.
- Go for flexible ingredients you can use in multiple meals (like eggs, chicken, or ground pork).
- Stick to simpler dishes — Filipino comfort food is often the most budget-friendly.
🛒 Grocery List (₱2,000 Budget)
| Item | Quantity | Est. Cost |
|---|---|---|
| Rice | 5 kg | ₱300 |
| Whole chicken | 1.2 kg | ₱220 |
| Ground pork | ½ kg | ₱150 |
| Eggs | 1 dozen | ₱100 |
| Tofu | 2 blocks | ₱40 |
| Tilapia | 3 pieces | ₱180 |
| Canned tuna | 2 cans | ₱90 |
| Monggo (mung beans) | 250g | ₱40 |
| Assorted vegetables | — | ₱350 |
| Potatoes | 1 kg | ₱100 |
| Onions, garlic, ginger | — | ₱100 |
| Soy sauce, vinegar, seasonings | — | ₱80 |
| Cooking oil | 500 ml | ₱80 |
| Pancit bihon or canton | 1 pack | ₱50 |
| Banana or seasonal fruit | 1 kg | ₱120 |
Total: ~₱2,000
🍽️ 7-Day Meal Plan
| Day | Breakfast | Lunch | Dinner |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mon | Fried egg + rice + banana | Chicken Adobo + rice | Ginisang Monggo with Malunggay |
| Tue | Tuyo + egg + rice | Ground Pork Giniling + veggies | Fish (Tilapia) with Toyo-Kalamansi |
| Wed | Tuna Pandesal | Chicken Tinola | Tofu and Veggie Stir-fry |
| Thu | Champorado | Pork Picadillo + rice | Tortang Talong |
| Fri | Scrambled egg + rice + fruit | Fried Tilapia + ensaladang kamatis | Pancit Canton with veggies |
| Sat | Arroz Caldo | Chicken Afritada | Monggo + fried tofu |
| Sun | Garlic Fried Rice + leftover meat | Tuna Sisig + rice | Fried Chicken + Coleslaw |
🍳 Meal Prep & Cooking Tips
- Boil monggo and freeze half for later use.
- Marinate chicken or pork ahead of time and store in the fridge or freezer.
- Chop vegetables on Sunday and store in airtight containers for quick stir-fries or soups.
- Reuse leftovers creatively — ex: leftover chicken can become sandwich fillings or added to pancit.
🧡 Final Thoughts
Meal planning doesn’t have to be stressful or expensive. With a little preparation and creativity, you can serve delicious, balanced meals to your family without breaking the bank. Try this 7-day menu and let me know which dish your family loved most!
📌 SAVE & SHARE this post if it helped you! Got other budget meal ideas? Drop them in the comments below — I’d love to hear from you.
