Meal Plans: A Valuable Tool for Healthy Savings
Eating out is a budget killer, especially if you do it constantly. The best alternative, of course, is to eat at home. However, while this will save you money, cooking every meal can be daunting for some people—unless you make a meal plan.
Here are some tips for creating a successful plan to boost your financial (and personal) health.
Cook things you enjoy
Preparing things you like may seem obvious, but many people assume meal planning means making things that are easy but not necessarily tasty. Start by making a note of the things your family likes most to eat. You’ll also want to focus on things you can buy in bulk. For example, large bags of beans can be purchased reasonably cheaply and used as a healthy source of protein in various dishes.
Speaking of protein, consider eating alternatives to meat throughout the week. Beef, chicken, and pork are often the most expensive parts of any meal.
Make a plan
Make a list of each meal you need for a given period. Most of us eat breakfast, lunch, and dinner, but you might also want to consider snacks. Assign a meal to each category based on your preferences or what is already in your pantry. The list will help you stay organized and save money when you shop at the grocery store.
Shop with purpose
Having a stocked pantry is critical to meal planning. See what’s already in your kitchen and make a list of missing essentials that can be used in multiple recipes (oils, seasonings, etc.).
Now cross-reference your pantry and meal lists. Identify any missing ingredients and pick them up at the store. With your prepared lists, you’ll avoid the supermarket trap of buying things on the fly that you don’t really need.
Remember to plan for on-the-go snacks
One of the most common reasons people ditch their carefully prepared meal plan is hunger on the go. Don’t fall into the fast-food trap. You can either prepare snacks for this purpose or buy filling items such as inexpensive fruits and nuts to tide you over until you get home.