Aug 12 2008
Quick Meal Planning Tips to Save Money
Meal planning in an exceptional way to save a little money on your food costs. With the cost of everything rising these days, food has not gone untouched. In fact, things cost quite a bit more than they did this time last year. So how do you save a little cash by using meal planning?
Begin by preparing a meal planning list for 1 week. As you begin doing this more frequently, you can prepare two weeks or even an entire month at one time. Don’t forget breakfast and lunch either!
Choose 5-7 recipes or dishes to make for each meal (breakfast, lunch and dinner for one week). This leaves an opening or two for a quick meal out, delivery in or a leftovers night.
When you are choosing the recipes you wish to create, check your coupons and grocery store fliers for what’s on sale that week. Planning your meals around this can save you considerably more money.
Clean out your refrigerator at least once a week. This way you can plan for one leftovers night, food won’t spoil and you won’t forget what you have in there.
When doing your shopping for your meal planning - carry your list with you and stick to it. Don’t purchase anything extra - don’t be tempted by another sale if it doesn’t fit into the realm of that particular shopping list. You can always go home and meal plan for the following week and incorporate those items.
Introduce your kids to new foods at least once a week. Try something new - whether it be for breakfast or dinner - but allow the children to experience something new. Also don’t forget to include them in the decision making process. They will actually love knowing what’s for dinner ahead of time and might even wish to help out.
So there are a few quick trips for saving money with meal planning. Do you have any great tips that work for you?
