If you are anything like me, meal planning is a struggle and saving on groceries is even harder. Meal planning used to take me so much time and I dreaded it every week! I basically gave up for a while and decided I just couldn’t do this.
Finally, I found a way to make meal planning easier. Grocery saving is now simpler too. I want to share that with you!
Keeping track of what is in your pantry makes it easier for you to save money on your grocery bill. It also simplifies meal planning.
- STEP 1: Make a Master List
Keep Cost Low By:
-Focusing on dinner meals only.
Make a list of 21 meals (3 weeks) for dinner that your family enjoys. You can start with a smaller list if you like. Make a list of dinners only. Keep staples for breakfast and lunch. This strategy will help to keep your grocery budget low.
– Choosing family-approved, budget-friendly meals.
Making meals that your family will actually eat goes without saying. You won’t please everyone all of the time but make sure the most popular meals make the list. Include easy meals to prepare for those busy days.
– Keeping simple breakfast and lunch staples
I keep staples like eggs, oatmeal, and yogurt for breakfast. For lunch, I have things like cheese (grilled cheese, omelettes), tuna, peanut butter, and jelly. Eating leftovers are also a great lunch option. For snacks, we stick with seasonal fruit, crackers, yogurt and homemade baked goods like muffins.
– Avoiding expensive proteins
List meals with affordable ingredients. There is nothing wrong with hamburgers. Avoid expensive items like salmon or costly cuts of beef since you are trying to stay on a budget.
– Using seasonal ingredients – Different food items are on sale in different seasons. My summer menu looks different from my winter menu. We grill more in the summer and in winter we have more stews, soups and chili. For now, make a menu for the season that you are in and adjust as seasons change.
- STEP 2: List the Ingredients For Each Meal
Make sure to include any condiments that you will need to accompany the meal.
- STEP 3: Shop Your Pantry Before The Store
Start by taking inventory of your pantry, freezer and fridge.
Take note of what you have in your pantry, freezer, and fridge. Identify ingredients that you can use for meals already on your list. Include staples for breakfast, lunch, and snacks. Also, consider items for homemade foods.
Shopping your pantry first prevents food waste, saves money and keeps things organized.
STEP 4: Check Sales and Stock Up Slowly
Check your local grocery store ads for any sales on those items. Stock up on any items that you can while they are on sale. You don’t have to go overboard stocking up on everything at once. Start with a $5.00 – $10.00 limit per shopping trip or just purchase one extra item if that is all your budget allows.
- STEP 5: Buy Only What Is On Your List
Buy only those ingredients for the meals on your list. The idea is to keep your pantry, fridge and freezer stocked with various items. This allows you to make multiple meals throughout the week.
You don’t need to shop for all 21 meals at once – start slow and build your pantry over time.
- STEP 6: Rotate Meals Without Getting Bored
Rotate the meals throughout the next 3 weeks. This doesn’t mean that you can never add anything new to your list. This method will prevent you from ordering out. You will always have ingredients on hand to make a meal. It will also keep you from going over your grocery budget.
Saving money with pantry meals simply means being intentional with what you already have. Keep track of your pantry. Plan meals that your family actually enjoys. Shop with a purpose. By doing so, you can lower your grocery bill without feeling overwhelmed.
If you’re ready to get started, grab my simple pantry checklist to help you take inventory and plan your next grocery trip with confidence. Even using pantry meals a few times, a week can make a noticeable difference in your grocery budget.
“She looketh well to the ways of her household..” Proverbs 31:27
Stay rooted my friends!🌱
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