Blog 3 - Cutting Back on Spending: How Meal Planning Can Help
Last time we spoke about how to recognize some of your overspending habits by tracking household expenses. If by doing this, you realize the amount you are spending on food is way more than you expected, you are not alone. Most likely you are seeing a higher grocery bill due to rising food prices but how you prepare for your shopping trip will also impact the amount spent at the register. Without proper planning, there is a greater chance of impulse buying and adding items to your cart that you won’t end up using to make a complete meal which leads to a lot of waste.
In addition to your weekly grocery bill, you must account for take out meals within your food budget too. According to a survey by the Bureau of Labor Statistics, the average American household spends more on food outside of the home than on groceries. You may enjoy eating out and allow yourself a higher budget in this area but are you spending more than you’ve budgeted for due to a hectic schedule and lack of planning? So how can you lower your food costs both in and out of the store? With just a few simple changes to your weekly routine, you can drastically reduce the amount spent on food by planning your meals ahead of time and shopping with intention.
Here are some tips to help you get started:
Set a budget: Before you even start planning your meals, it's important to establish a budget for your groceries. Take a look at your monthly income and expenses and determine how much you can realistically afford to spend on food each week. This will help you stay on track and avoid overspending. If you have been eating in a restaurant 3-4 times a week try reducing it to 1-2 times.
Make a meal plan: Before you head to the grocery store, make a meal plan for the week. Look for recipes that use ingredients you already have on hand or that are on sale at your local grocery store. Consider incorporating meals that can be made in large batches, like soups or casseroles, which can be eaten throughout the week or frozen for later. I personally use a chalkboard hung in my kitchen where I write out the weekly dinner menu. It keeps me on track and the family appreciates seeing what will be made in advance.
Create a shopping list: Once you've decided on your meals for the week, create a shopping list that includes all the ingredients you'll need. Stick to your list when you're at the store to avoid impulse buys and overspending. Make the most of ingredients you already have on hand or in your freezer if there aren’t many sales that week. You will see a lot less waste when you do this because you won’t be buying a bunch of ingredients you may or may not be able to make complete meals with.
Buy in bulk: Consider buying certain items in bulk, such as grains, beans, and canned goods. Buying in bulk can be cheaper in the long run and will also reduce your packaging waste. Also stock up when there is a sale on the items you use frequently.
Shop seasonally: Buy fruits and vegetables that are in season, as they are usually cheaper and fresher than out-of-season produce. Off-season consider frozen fruits and vegetables as an alternative.
Prep in advance: Once you've brought your groceries home, take some time to prep ingredients in advance. Chop vegetables, cook grains, and prepare proteins so that you can easily assemble meals throughout the week. Our favorite protein is grilled chicken which can be added to a lunch salad or turned into a quick dinner when pressed for time.
Cook in batches: Consider making large batches of meals and freezing them for later use. This will save you time and money in the long run, and you'll always have a healthy meal on hand. I have a food saver which I absolutely love to preserve foods in the fridge and deep freezer that I can pull out as I need.
Bring your lunch to work: Instead of spending money on eating out for lunch, pack your own lunch from home. Not only will you save money, but you'll also have more control over what you're eating. I love using leftovers for lunches so I try to make a little extra during each meal than we would consume in one sitting.
Get creative: Don't be afraid to get creative with your meal planning! Leftovers can be repurposed into new meals, and ingredients can be swapped out or substituted to create new flavor combinations. Did you roast a chicken for dinner? Use leftovers for quick quesadillas the next night! The more you experiment, the more you'll learn about what works for you.
By following these simple steps, you can save money and eat healthier by meal planning at home. Cutting back on spending doesn't have to mean sacrificing taste or convenience. In fact, by planning your meals in advance and cooking at home, you'll likely find that you're eating better and feeling better too.
If you want some additional tips on how to save on food costs be sure to check out my blog next month! I’ll go over couponing and share some tools that I personally use at home to help my family save.
