How to Build a Weekly Meal Plan on a Budget
If you're looking for ways to cut corners in your budget, the grocery bill is a good place to start. Fast food and take out are not only expensive, but also unhealthy. One of the easiest ways to save at the supermarket is by having a solid plan before you even enter the store. Here are a few tips that will help you start saving today...
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Things You'll Need
- Pen and paper
- Current local grocery ads
- Cook books and/or recipes
- A general idea of what you already have on hand
- Time and patience
Instructions
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Before you start making a list, you need to look through your current grocery ads. Planning your meals around products that are on sale will save you a lot of money, especially if you combine the sale with a coupon. Keep an eye out for special coupons and 10 for $10 deals.
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After you've browsed through your local grocer's circular, take a quick peek into your cupboards and pantry to see what ingredients you already have on hand. Check for staples, such as flour, sugar, corn starch, spices, bread, milk, cheese, eggs, etc.
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When you're done, it's time to bring out the cook books and think about recipes that use the items that are on sale or already on hand. Is there a great deal on bagged salads? Consider making a Chicken Caesar Salad or a Taco Salad. Or perhaps you have a ton of tomato sauce collecting dust? You could make your own marinara sauce and use it for Spaghetti, Lasagna... pretty much any pasta dish.
Think of the meals that you and your family love and also consider recipes you've always wanted to try, but haven't had the time for.
Remember the weather, too. If it's scorching hot outside, prepare lighter meals like salads and sandwiches. If you have a grill, that's always an option on warmer days. If it's a bit cooler, break out the chowder and casserole recipes.
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Now you can start making your lists. You'll need two; one for the meal plan and one for the actual list of groceries you need to shop for. Start with the meal plan, listed Sunday through Saturday, or whatever days of the week work best for you and your family. Under each day, write the name of the meal and any side dishes and beverages you will include. For example:
Monday:
Spaghetti & Meatballs
Garlic Bread
WaterTuesday:
Ham & Cheese Quiche
Broccoli
Apple JuiceWednesday:
Teriyaki Chicken
Brown Rice
Peas
Dinner Rolls
Milk...and so on.
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After you have a complete meal plan, you must start building your shopping list. Focus on one meal at a time and list the ingredients you will need to purchase. Work on down the meal plan until your shopping list is complete. Gather any store or manufacturer's coupons that you are planning to use and keep them with your list.
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When you're ready, head to the store and stay focused. Buy only what is on your shopping list unless you find an extraordinary deal that you just can't pass up. Be disciplined. If you must have dessert, consider baking a cake or brownies instead of that half gallon of ice cream. It's a lot cheaper and you get more for your bottom dollar.
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Tips & Warnings
To keep things fun, try doing different themes each day. Monday could be breakfast for dinner day, Tuesday could be pizza night, Wednesday could be soup and salads, etc...
If you find that there are a couple of days in the week where you are too busy to cook, have a leftover night! Keep enough left overs throughout the week and clean out the fridge on those really busy nights.
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Comments
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Felicity
Oct 19, 2008
Some great ideas here to help with the weekly planning. Although it takes a little time to plan ahead, it does save time and money each week. Thanks for sharing this with us!
