How to Save Money with Meal Planning

Here is a frugal tip for how to save money with meal planning.

Meal planning can save your life and your budget with little to no hassle at all. Many people tend to think that meal planning is difficult, it takes too much time, you have to use coupons and have books and planners, etc. The truth? You just need a pen, paper, and either your local grocery store fliers or online store sites ready to go.

Why should you start planning your meals?

It not only saves time, but it saves money and helps you to eat healthier and more consciously. When you write down what you are going to eat all week, you can make one grocery store trip, get everything you need, no extras items, (which will add up at the register to a lot of extra money being spent!) and you won’t have to run back to the store three times. There will be no more deciding what you want for dinner while you’re at the grocery store, and since you only buy what you need, your grocery bill will be significantly less!

How to Save Money with Meal Planning

Grab a pen and paper and something that you can use to find this week’s sales at your local grocery store. You can either start by writing a list of what you want to eat this week, and then see what’s on sale that fits your menu, or you can look at the sales first and base your meals off of what is on sale, whichever you prefer will work just fine. (Although basing your meals off of what is on sale tends to save you more money.)

Once you have your meals decided on, and your grocery list is made you can head to the store. When making your meal plan its best to decide on every meal that you will eat; breakfast, lunch, dinner, and snacks that you eat throughout the week. (Helpful tip* Don’t go to the grocery store when you are hungry! It will end up making you buy junk food and un-needed items!)

Because you have planned your meals, you will be able to eat healthier. Instead of that boxed meal for dinner that you just add some meat too, you can actually make lasagna. Instead of whipping up spaghetti and deciding at the grocery store, you can plan on making homemade noodles and garlic bread. Instead of potato chips and pre-packaged processed snacks, you can pick up fruits and veggies, pre-prep them and have them ready to go for the week making your snacks healthier. Overall you can lead a healthier lifestyle by planning your meals each week.

Do you have to coupon to save money with meal planning?

Many people ask about couponing, and you can coupon if you’d like, but you don’t have to. And you surely don’t need to take it to the extreme. If there are coupons for things that you need, well then, of course, go for it. But there is no need to sit for hours trying to find coupons, just use what you see in ads and on your favorite coupon apps to keep it simple.