Mastering Meal Planning as a Saving Technique

Last updated on August 18th, 2024 at 05:58 am

If you are looking for ways to save money on groceries, you are not alone. Groceries are one of the biggest expenses for most households, and they can easily get out of control if you don’t plan ahead. But what if I told you that you can save money and eat well by planning your meals in advance? This money-saving technique sounds too good to be true, right?

Well, it’s not. Meal planning is a simple but powerful saving technique that can help you organize your meals for the week or longer. It can help you improve your health, save time, and reduce waste. In this post, I will show you how to plan your meals, make a shopping list, and use leftovers to create delicious and budget-friendly dishes. These are some of the best saving techniques you can use in your kitchen.

Related Article: Money-Saving Techniques: How to Slash Monthly Bills Without Giving Up Comfort

Why Meal Planning?

Meal planning has many benefits, both for your wallet and your well-being. Here are some of the reasons why you should start meal planning today:

• A Money-Saving Technique. Meal planning can help you reduce your grocery bills by helping you buy only what you need, avoid impulse purchases, and take advantage of sales and discounts. You can also save money by cooking at home instead of eating out or ordering takeout, which can be expensive and unhealthy.
  
• Save time. Meal planning can help you save time by eliminating the need to decide what to cook every day, search for recipes, or run to the store for missing ingredients. You can also save time by preparing some of your meals in advance and reheating them when needed, or by using leftovers in creative ways.
  
• Eat healthy. Meal planning can help you eat healthier by allowing you to choose nutritious recipes that suit your dietary needs and preferences. You can also control the quality and quantity of your ingredients, avoid processed foods, and balance your food groups. Meal planning can also help you prevent overeating or skipping meals, which can affect your metabolism and weight.
  
• Reduce waste. Meal planning can help you reduce food waste by helping you use up what you have in your pantry, fridge, and freezer before they expire or spoil. You can also plan to use leftovers in different dishes or freeze them for later use. Reducing food waste is not only good for your budget but also for the environment.
  

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How to Meal Plan?

Meal planning may seem like a daunting saving technique at first, but it doesn’t have to be complicated or time-consuming. You can start small and gradually build up your meal-planning skills and habits. Here are some steps to follow:

1. Choose a meal planning method

There are different ways to plan your meals, depending on your lifestyle, preferences, and goals. Some of the common methods are:

• Theme nights. This is a simple way to add variety and fun to your meals. You can assign a theme to each night of the week, such as Meatless Monday, Taco Tuesday, Pasta Wednesday, etc. Then, you can choose recipes that fit the theme and rotate them every week or month. Who said money-saving techniques can’t be fun?
  
• Batch cooking. This is a great way to save time and energy by cooking large quantities of food at once and storing them in portions for later use. You can batch-cook staples such as rice, beans, pasta, sauces, soups, casseroles, etc., and freeze them in containers or freezer bags. Then, you can thaw and reheat them as needed throughout the week.

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• Freezer meals. This is similar to batch cooking, but instead of cooking the food completely, you prepare it partially and freeze it raw or partially cooked. Then, you can finish cooking it in the oven, stovetop, microwave, or slow cooker when you are ready to eat it. You can make freezer meals out of meatballs, lasagna, enchiladas, burgers, etc.
  
• Mix and match. This is a flexible way to plan your meals by using a combination of fresh, frozen, canned, or prepared foods that you can mix and match according to your mood and availability. For example, you can have a rotisserie chicken with salad one night, then use the leftover chicken for sandwiches or wraps the next day.
  

2. Find recipes

Once you have chosen a meal planning method that works for you, you need to find recipes that suit your taste buds and nutritional needs. There are many sources of recipes that you can use:

• Cookbooks. If you have a collection of cookbooks at home, you can browse through them and pick some recipes that appeal to you. You can also borrow cookbooks from libraries or friends.
  
• Websites. There are countless websites that offer recipes for all kinds of cuisines, diets, and occasions. You can search for recipes by keywords, ingredients, or categories, or use filters to narrow down your options. Some of the popular websites are Allrecipes, Food Network, Epicurious, Simply Recipes, and Budget Bytes.
  
• Apps. There are many apps that can help you find and organize recipes, create shopping lists, and track nutrition information. Some of the best meal-planning apps are Paprika, Mealime, PlateJoy, BigOven, and Yummly.
  
• Magazines. If you subscribe to food magazines or have some lying around, you can flip through them and cut out or scan the recipes that interest you. You can also find magazines at grocery stores, libraries, or online.
  
• Blogs. There are many food bloggers who share their recipes, tips, and stories online. You can follow your favorite bloggers or discover new ones by browsing through social media platforms such as Instagram, Pinterest, or YouTube. Some of the popular food blogs are Smitten Kitchen, Skinnytaste, Cookie and Kate, Pinch of Yum, and The Pioneer Woman.
  
  Who would have thought that saving techniques could be more delicious?

Related Read: Saving Techniques: Creating a Budgeting Blueprint

3. Plan your meals

After you have gathered some recipes that you want to try, you need to plan your meals for the week or longer. You can use a calendar, a planner, a spreadsheet, or an app to write down what you are going to eat for breakfast, lunch, dinner, and snacks each day. Here are some tips to help you plan your meals:

• Check your inventory. Before you plan your meals, check what you have in your pantry, fridge, and freezer. Use up the items that are close to their expiration dates or that you have in excess. This will help you avoid wasting food and money.
  
• Consider your schedule. Plan your meals according to your weekly activities and commitments. For example, if you have a busy day ahead, you may want to opt for a quick and easy meal or a pre-made one. If you have more time or a special occasion, you may want to cook something more elaborate or try a new recipe.
  
• Balance your meals. Aim for a balanced meal that includes a variety of foods from different food groups, such as fruits, vegetables, grains, protein, and dairy or alternatives. This will help you meet your nutritional needs and satisfy your appetite.
  
• Add variety. Avoid eating the same thing every day or every week. Try new recipes, cuisines, ingredients, or cooking methods to spice up your meals and prevent boredom. You can also experiment with different seasonings, sauces, or toppings to change the flavor of your dishes.
  
• Be flexible. Don’t be afraid to change your plans if something unexpected comes up or if you are not in the mood for what you planned. You can always swap meals around, order takeout once in a while, or have a leftover night.
  

4. Make a shopping list

Once you have planned your meals, you need to make a shopping list of the ingredients and items that you need to buy. A shopping list will help you stay organized, save time at the store, and avoid buying unnecessary things. This is an important component of this saving technique. Here are some tips to help you make a shopping list:

• Use an app. An app can make your shopping list easier and more convenient. You can use an app that syncs with your meal plan and recipes, such as Paprika, Mealime, or PlateJoy, or use a general list-making app, such as Google Keep, Evernote, or Wunderlist. You can also share your list with other members of your household who may do the shopping for you.
  
• Organize by category. Group your items by category, such as produce, meat, dairy, bakery, frozen, etc., to make it easier to find them at the store. You can also organize them by aisle or section if you know the layout of the store well.
  
• Check for coupons and deals. Before you go shopping, check if there are any coupons or deals available for the items on your list. You can use apps such as Flipp, Ibotta, or Checkout 51 to find and redeem coupons and cashback offers from various stores. You can also check the store’s website or flyer for weekly specials and discounts.
  

5. Shop smart

After you have made your shopping list, you are ready to hit the store and buy what you need. Shopping smart is a helpful money-saving technique that can also save you time, as well as reduce food waste. Here are some tips to help you shop smart

• Stick to your list. Resist the temptation to buy things that are not on your list, unless they are essential or on sale. Impulse purchases can add up quickly and ruin your budget. They can also lead to food waste if you end up not using them before they go bad.
  
• Compare prices and quality. Don’t just buy the first item you see or the cheapest one. Compare the prices and quality of different brands, sizes, and varieties of the same product. Sometimes, buying in bulk or choosing a generic brand can save you money, but not always. Check the unit price, expiration date, and ingredients list to make sure you are getting the best value and quality for your money.
  
• Buy seasonal and local. Buying fruits and vegetables that are in season and grown locally can help you save money and support your local farmers. Seasonal produce is usually fresher, tastier, and cheaper than imported or out-of-season ones. You can also find seasonal and local produce at farmers’ markets, community-supported agriculture (CSA) programs, or online platforms such as LocalHarvest or FarmersWeb.
  
• Avoid pre-cut and pre-packaged foods. Pre-cut and pre-packaged foods may seem convenient, but they are usually more expensive and less fresh than whole foods. They may also contain additives, preservatives, or extra salt, sugar, or fat that you don’t need. Instead of buying pre-cut and pre-packaged foods, buy whole foods and cut or prepare them yourself at home. You can also use a food processor, a blender, a mandoline, or a knife to speed up the process.
  
• Shop the perimeter. The perimeter of the store is where you can find most of the fresh and healthy foods, such as produce, meat, dairy, eggs, and bread. The middle aisles are where you can find most of the processed and packaged foods, such as chips, cookies, soda, and candy. These foods are usually high in calories, fat, sugar, salt, and additives, and low in nutrients and fiber. They can also tempt you to buy more than you need or want. Therefore, shop the perimeter first and limit your trips to the middle aisles.
  

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How to Use Leftovers?

One of the challenges of meal planning is dealing with leftovers. Leftovers are inevitable when you cook at home, especially if you cook in large batches or have a small household. However, leftovers don’t have to be boring or wasteful. You can use leftovers in many creative and delicious ways as a time and money-saving technique. Here are some tips to help you use leftovers:

• Store them properly. The first step to using leftovers is storing them properly to keep them fresh and safe. Use airtight containers or bags to store your leftovers in the fridge or freezer. Label them with the name and date of the food to avoid confusion or spoilage. Use clear containers or bags to see what’s inside easily. Refrigerate your leftovers within two hours of cooking or serving them. Use your refrigerated leftovers within three to four days or freeze them for longer storage.
  
• Reheat them properly. The second step to using leftovers is reheating them properly to restore their flavor and texture. Use a microwave, an oven, a stovetop, or a toaster oven to reheat your leftovers, depending on the type of food and your preference. Avoid reheating your leftovers more than once or leaving them at room temperature for too long, as this can increase the risk of foodborne illness. Reheat your leftovers until they reach an internal temperature of 165°F or until they are hot and steaming.
  
• Repurpose them into new dishes. The third step to using leftovers is repurposing them into new dishes that are different from the original ones. This will help you avoid boredom and add variety to your meals. You can use leftovers in many ways, such as:
  
  • Salads. You can turn any leftover meat, fish, eggs, cheese, beans, grains, or vegetables into a salad by adding some greens, dressing, nuts, seeds, or dried fruits. For example, you can make a chicken Caesar salad with leftover chicken breast, romaine lettuce, Parmesan cheese, croutons, and Caesar dressing.
    
  • Sandwiches. You can turn any leftover meat, fish, eggs, cheese, beans, or vegetables into a sandwich by adding some bread, tortilla, pita, bagel, or wrap. You can also add some condiments, spreads, cheese, lettuce, tomato, onion, or pickles to enhance the flavor. For example, you can make a turkey cranberry sandwich with leftover turkey slices, cranberry sauce, mayonnaise, whole wheat bread, lettuce, and cheese.
    
  • Soups. You can turn any leftover meat, fish, eggs, cheese, beans, grains, or vegetables into a soup by adding some broth, water, milk, cream, or tomato sauce. You can also add some herbs, spices, or cheese to enhance the flavor. For example, you can make a broccoli cheese soup with leftover broccoli florets, chicken broth, milk, cheddar cheese, butter, flour, salt, and pepper.
    
  • Pizzas. You can turn any leftover meat, fish, eggs, cheese, beans, or vegetables into a pizza by adding some pizza dough, sauce, cheese, and toppings. You can also use a tortilla, a pita bread, an English muffin, or a bagel as the base. For example, you can make a barbecue chicken pizza with leftover chicken breast, barbecue sauce, mozzarella cheese, red onion, and cilantro.
    
  • Casseroles. You can turn any leftover meat, fish, eggs, cheese, beans, grains, or vegetables into a casserole by adding some sauce, cheese, bread crumbs, or eggs and baking it in the oven. You can also use a slow cooker or an instant pot to make your casserole. For example, you can make a tuna noodle casserole with leftover tuna, cream of mushroom soup, egg noodles, cheddar cheese, peas, and bread crumbs.
    
    These are just some of the ways you can use leftovers to create new and delicious dishes. You can also find more ideas and recipes online or in cookbooks. The possibilities are endless!

Conclusion

Meal planning is one of the best saving techniques you can use to save money on groceries and reduce food waste. It can also help you eat healthier, save time, and add variety to your meals. By following the steps and tips in this post, you can master the art of meal planning and enjoy the benefits it brings.

I hope you found this post helpful and informative. If you have any questions or comments, please feel free to leave them below. I would love to hear from you!

Happy meal planning! 😊

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