If you’re looking for a way to get your food budget under control and even save money, meal planning may be the answer. Planning out your family meals ahead of time will allow you to save time as well as pennies. Here are a few basics to help you get started.
Saving Money on Food – Meal Planning Basics
Plan Out Meals a Week at a Time
Spend some time planning out your meals for the coming week. Choose your shopping day for the coming week and try to stick to that routine. When making your meal plans, include Sunday through Saturday, three meals each day for every person in your family. Keep in mind that the meal planning needs to include lunches that will be eaten at school or work, snacks, and a few treats.
Make Use of What You Already Have
When making out meal plans, include what you already have in your pantry and freezer. If you’re like most people, you always have a few odd things that haven’t been used. Use up what you have and build your menus with those items. This will not only save you money by making use of things you bought previously and now don’t need to spend more money on, but it will also clear up some space in your pantry and freezer. {This is where having a organized pantry comes in handy!}
Make a List Based Upon Planned Meals
Once you make out your menu or meal plans, you will need to create a shopping list. The menus will help you create your list so you will be able to get exactly what you need to cover each meal for the coming week. Before you venture out on your shopping trip, make sure you have every item you need for each meal either at home or on your list. If you will be cooking from recipes, check the recipes to make sure you have all the ingredients on hand or on the list. Don’t forget condiments like ketchup or barbecue sauce, breads or buns, and other extras that may be needed for certain meals.
Buy Only What You need
Getting started with shopping based upon meal planning means buying only what you need for the coming week. Once you get in the habit of shopping in this manner — and start seeing the savings that comes along with it — you can adjust your budget to allow for some extra expenditures like stocking up with a great sale. In the beginning, though, you should only buy the items that you need and have put on your list.
Creating meal plans and basing your shopping lists off of these menus will save you money as well as time. Imagine having your meals planned out so there will be no more scrambling to figure out what to cook every evening. Knowing in advance what’s on the menu and spending money only on the items that will be used helps eliminate waste and will make life easier for you. Give it a try and see for yourself!
Tip: Check out the Favado App to find the best prices on grocery items!
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