With the increase in food prices, families are looking for ways to stretch their family dollar. Here are our Top 10 tips for meal planning on a tight budget.
10. The money is in the Crockpot. Assemble Crockpot meals the night before (excluding any raw meat) and refrigerate. Pop in and heat in the morning for a home cooked meal ready and waiting after a busy day. Perfect for family’s that are on-the-go and eating at different times.
9. Choose large quantity soups and casseroles and freeze** leftovers in single serving proportions for quick go-to homemade meals.
8. Buy meat in bulk packages. You can sometimes save 20 to 30 cents a pound by buying meat in bulk. You pay more up front, but reap the savings throughout a number of weeks without meat on your grocery bill.**
7. Shop cost-per-unit for biggest value. Most large grocery stores have shelf tags listing the “cost-per-unit,” allowing you to compare name brand items to the off-brand substitutes. Or carry a calculator and do the math (divide the price by the number of units (ounces/pounds).
6. Be realistic. When planning your meals, choose dishes that your family will eat, that you can have leftovers, or that shares ingredients with another meal that week. Instead, allow family members to help choose new meals, and only introduce one new recipe a week or by adding new and different sides to the family favorites.
5. Be flexible. Be sure to remain flexible when shopping and keep an eye on comparable ingredients. For example, if you’ve planned to have asparagus, but broccoli is cheaper, buy the broccoli. (That is if your family will actually eat broccoli).
4. Shop alone. Shopping with others can nearly double impulse buying. Invest in your time shopping alone as saving your family money. Plan to leave the kids at home or give the kids part of your list and get them involved in planning the meal planning. Be sure to stick to the plan despite their pleas.
3. Be prepared — make a list. You are right. Making a list takes time you may not have. But studies show that shopping from a list reduces your spending by up to 50 percent; a crucial part to maximizing your savings. Now there are prepared grocery lists or free printables online that just require a checkmark. Find a list that is organized by department comparable to your local grocery store to save you time. Hang this list on your fridge and check off items when you run out, eliminating running out of the basic essentials.
2. Shop your kitchen first. Create your meal plan based first on what you already have in the pantry, fridge and freezer. Add in fresh produce or meat and you’ve got a meal.
1. Don’t shop when you are hungry. It may seem like a good idea, but studies show that you spend a staggering 15 percent more when you shop hungry. Yes, this means avoid shopping on your way home from work when you are in a hurry, tired and hungry.
(**Check out safe freezing techniques online at www.organize2survive.com/publications**)
As always, you can view additional meal planning resources and more tips online at www.organize2survive.com/publications
Don’t just survive life. Thrive!
Bergstrom is a professional organizer.
