Meal Planning Saves Me $200 Every Month

Planning your meals ahead completely transforms your grocery budget and reduces food waste. Look back at last week's eating patterns Count how many breakfasts, lunches, and dinners you actually cooked versus ate out or had leftovers. This gives you a realistic baseline. Create a weekly meal calendar Sketch out seven days with slots for each meal. Start simple - most people eat the same 2-3 things for breakfast anyway. Build your master recipe list Collect favorite recipes online or from cookbooks. Focus on meals using similar ingredients to maximize your grocery budget. Plan balanced dinners as three parts Think grain + protein + vegetable instead of complicated one-dish meals. Way easier to shop for and prep. Make your grocery list from planned meals You'll know exactly what each ingredient is for, so nothing gets forgotten in the fridge. #mealplanning #budgetmeals #grocerybudget #Food #Cooking