Advantages of Meal Planning
- It is easier to stay within a planned food budget.
- It helps cut down on buying impulse items.
- Prevents buying food items you already own.
- Easier to check out sales circulars and coupons to increase savings.
- Helps cut down on the havoc that sometimes erupts around dinner time.
The following steps will help anyone (even the biggest procrastinators among us) get started on planning meals to save money.
- Make Time
Pick a day to do the list and stick to it. I always do it on Sunday because it is the one day I feel rested and have a little time to myself and can actually think without a lot of interruptions. Use this free printable grocery list to get started. - Maximize Savings
Compare your list to the grocery store circulars and weekly coupon section of the Sunday paper. You might decide to adjust your list if you find a good coupon or can buy items that are on sale. - Check Online
Check out your grocery store's website for coupons, specials and recipe ideas. Also, search online for coupons for the products you plan to use. By typing in the name of the product and the word "coupon" into a search engine such as Google, you may find a printable coupon. - Take a Quick Inventory
Check your cabinets for items on your list. You may think you are out of or low on something, but then find out that you really do not need to buy more, yet. - Avoid Running Out of Staple Items
Keep an ongoing list of staple items you need to replace. Refer to the list when planning your meals and replace the items if needed. This helps avoid dashing to the store for one or two items and then being tempted to pick up a few other things you think (but are not sure) you may need. - Use Leftovers
When possible, incorporate leftovers in your weekly menu plan. This helps avoid waste and saves money. If your family snubs their noses at leftovers, cut back on the portions to avoid having leftovers. - Put Your Freezer to Work
Double your recipes and freeze meal portions for another time. By doing this you can take advantage of a really good sale on a major ingredient used for the dish, but still stay within your monthly food budget. - Add a New Spin to a Boring Dish
Try a new spin on an otherwise boring meal. If you always fix pasta the same way, browse recipes for new ideas to help keep things interesting. You'll be more likely to fix something new than trying to entice your taste buds to eat the same-old, same-old. - Eat What You've Got
Still have potatoes in the bin? Find a good recipe which can use them up before they spoil. Planning cereal for breakfast? Include what is already in the pantry. By using up what you already own, you can save money and avoid tossing out food due to spoilage. - Avoid Buying Frozen Pre-Made Meals
Frozen meals are tempting for anyone who is busy or who doesn't like to cook, but they are super expensive and usually full of salt, sugar and other undesirable chemicals.
When preparing your menu, look for ways to include fresh ingredients. Also, avoid going spice crazy. Many of the popular spices mentioned in recipes can be made by combining products we already own or substituting the flavor with fresh items. In the long run, the short time it will take to make your own meals and spices will pay off in savings which can stretch your food budget.
Meal planning can quickly become a habit just like brushing your teeth once the benefits kick in. You will find you have more time to do things you enjoy, plus save money and waste less food than you thought imaginable. To borrow a phrase from Nike, "Just do it," the payoff is worth it.
Overwhelmed?
If it all looks too complicated, just begin with the first step and add more steps later. The point is to get going on planning most of your meals. In no time at all you will be able to maximize grocery savings and do something else with your time rather than battle through the aisles of a grocery store or fret over what is for dinner.
