i don't know the answer about ibr and private loans, but it sounds like you should look into consolidating your student loans. that in itself can lower the monthly payments. i would also seek a temporary hardship forbearance at least on your student loans (if your dh doesn't want to do that with his).
yes, you definitely are on the right track. you are frugal. but cutting a bit here and a bit there does add up quickly. you could easily find $100 a month to put into savings (or pay off your mw faster and then put $200 a month into savings).
for more food ideas, i think pizza is a great one. i'm vegetarian and i've noticed that when we order pizza at the office, i have to fight the meat-eaters off of my pizza (which may be cheese, "veggie", green & black olives, pineapple & jalapeno, etc - it doesn't matter, they always want my freaking pizza!). so you can get away with just a little meat or possibly no meat on the pizza.
soups (keep in mind i make all of these without meat, but in most cases, people do use a little meat, or chicken/beef broth, or a bone to flavor it):
potato soup
split pea
chicken wild rice
i know he doesn't like beans, but lentil stew is so freaking yummy, has he tried it?
minestrone
vegetable soup - i often put barley in, but are you GF? or was that another thread? anyway you can use any grain, or pasta, or potatoes or whatever to make it heartier
black-eyed peas with onions, peppers and canned crushed tomatoes
black bean & corn chili, with sour cream & fresh cilantro on top
it's definitely smoothie season - if you put nut butter on the toast, that makes it a teeny bit more satisfying.
will he eat egg-based meals without meat? like egg salad sandwiches, quiche, omelets?
you said he doesn't like mexican & italian. what about middle-eastern, north african, indian, thai? there are a lot of meals that can be satisfying meat-free or with very little meat (and simple to cook).
ultimately, it is cheaper to have meals everyone likes at home, if it keeps you from going to a restaurant. i agree with that. but there still may be room for improvement or he may learn to really like some new foods that use less meat or no meat. ooh, one other thing i think is really satisfying . . . hearty veggies like sweet potatoes or squash. if you're going to serve something that stretches the meat, having a side like that can help the meal be more filling.
yes, you definitely are on the right track. you are frugal. but cutting a bit here and a bit there does add up quickly. you could easily find $100 a month to put into savings (or pay off your mw faster and then put $200 a month into savings).
for more food ideas, i think pizza is a great one. i'm vegetarian and i've noticed that when we order pizza at the office, i have to fight the meat-eaters off of my pizza (which may be cheese, "veggie", green & black olives, pineapple & jalapeno, etc - it doesn't matter, they always want my freaking pizza!). so you can get away with just a little meat or possibly no meat on the pizza.
soups (keep in mind i make all of these without meat, but in most cases, people do use a little meat, or chicken/beef broth, or a bone to flavor it):
potato soup
split pea
chicken wild rice
i know he doesn't like beans, but lentil stew is so freaking yummy, has he tried it?
minestrone
vegetable soup - i often put barley in, but are you GF? or was that another thread? anyway you can use any grain, or pasta, or potatoes or whatever to make it heartier
black-eyed peas with onions, peppers and canned crushed tomatoes
black bean & corn chili, with sour cream & fresh cilantro on top
it's definitely smoothie season - if you put nut butter on the toast, that makes it a teeny bit more satisfying.
will he eat egg-based meals without meat? like egg salad sandwiches, quiche, omelets?
you said he doesn't like mexican & italian. what about middle-eastern, north african, indian, thai? there are a lot of meals that can be satisfying meat-free or with very little meat (and simple to cook).
ultimately, it is cheaper to have meals everyone likes at home, if it keeps you from going to a restaurant. i agree with that. but there still may be room for improvement or he may learn to really like some new foods that use less meat or no meat. ooh, one other thing i think is really satisfying . . . hearty veggies like sweet potatoes or squash. if you're going to serve something that stretches the meat, having a side like that can help the meal be more filling.
is my favorite book on how to lower your grocery budget, it's helped us save a ton.
