A Simple Food Tip That Can Help You Save Big
The last thing we want to do at the end of the day is wrestle with the answer to the age-old question – what’s for dinner? For some of us, the answer may be a quick trip through a drive-through or running out to the grocery store.
Whether we’ve spent the day running errands, watching the kids, or working, throwing something together for dinner on the spot costs both time and money. By taking a little time at the beginning of the week to plan meals, you can save yourself time, money, and reduce your stress level.
What is Meal Planning?
Meal planning is essentially deciding what meals you will serve for the week or the month. Get a calendar and start writing down what meals you plan to serve each day. If you aren’t an established cook or would like a little more variety in your meals, you can find thousands of recipes online at sites such as AllRecipes.com, Food Network, and Food.com.
Once you’ve decided what you want to serve, make a list of the ingredients you’ll need. Start sifting through your cabinets and refrigerator to see what you have on hand. Make a list of whatever you don’t have and that’s your grocery list for the week. Now that you know exactly what you are serving and you have everything you need to make your meal, you’re all set for the week.
While meal planning sounds like a novel idea, read on to see how it can impact your life.
Meal Plans Save Money
By taking stock of what you have on hand and buying only what you need at the grocery store, you can save money several ways;
- Impulse buying – When you walk into a grocery store with a list, you have a plan. This helps to cut down on the impulse buying that can happen when we don’t walk in with a list. Plus, if we walk into a grocery store after a long day of work or watching the kids, we tend to purchase food we don’t need.
- Buy in larger quantities – As you plan your meals, you may find that many dishes have common ingredients. When you know ahead of time how much you need, you can buy these items in larger quantities which will save you money.
- Coupons – With a list, you know what you need to buy for the week. Take a few minutes to find any coupons that may be available. Some brands offer coupons on their website. You can also check the ads in the local paper or online for the grocery stores that you shop at. Finally, sites like Coupons.com offer a variety of printable and electronic coupons.
- Sales – If you know where you are planning to shop, check out the store’s website and printed advertisement for sales.
Meal Planning Saves Time
Although meal planning requires some investment of your time in the beginning, it does get easier over time. Setting aside time to plan your meals and make the trip to the grocery store over the weekend or at the beginning of the week, you’ll find that you have more time in the evenings. No quick trips to the grocery store or stopping by a drive-thru on the way home. You already know what’s for dinner.
To save even more time, choose meals that require minimal preparation and fewer ingredients. If you are able to cook meals ahead of time and throw them in the freezer, your daily meal preparation will be nothing more than heating dinner up.
Meal Planning Saves Your Health
Whether you are watching your weight or just trying to eat healthier, planning your meals gives you complete control over what you eat. Since you are the cook, you know exactly what ingredients are being used and how the meal is being prepared. This can result in healthier meals for your family.
When we plan ahead, we save ourselves the stress of staring into the refrigerator, wondering what we should make for dinner. Meal planning saves us from last-minute grocery store runs or searching through the cabinets.
Meal Planning Impacts Your Life
In today’s busy world, meal planning can save you time, money, and more. It gives you peace of mind while taking the guesswork out of what’s for dinner?