Most people do not take the time to plan their meals ahead of time. When it is time to prepare a meal, they simply look in the refrigerator and choose something that is in there. If there is nothing in there that they want to prepare, they go out and get what they want from a fast food or quick service restaurant. This ends up costing them hundreds of dollars extra each year that they may not have spent if they had planned their meals ahead of time. If you want to save more money on your food purchases, take the time to plan your meals and cut your costs in half.
The Benefits Of Meal Planning
There are many benefits to meal planning that can save you money. Less food is wasted because you are only purchasing the items that you need to prepare the meals that you have planned. This ensures that you will use up perishable items before they go bad and begin to rot in your refrigerator. Many dry goods that will last for a long period of time can be purchased in bulk quantities, but only if you are willing to continue using them week after week until they are used up.
Meal planning also helps you save money by increasing the quality of your meals. By planning ahead of time, you can make sure that you have everything that you need to make meals that you enjoy. If you know that you have everything available at home to make your favorite meals, you will be less likely to pick something up from a restaurant on your way home. As the price of restaurant meals can be inflated 500% or more over the cost of the ingredients, making your own food at home can save you quite a bit of money.
Meal Planning Made Easy
It is not that difficult to make meal planning a regular part of your routine. Take stock of what is in your refrigerator, freezer, pantry, and cabinets. Think of what meals could be made using the ingredients you found and what other items you would need to complete the meal. Jot down the meals that you would like to prepare on one piece of paper to create a menu and write the additional things needed to prepare everything on another piece of paper for a shopping list. If you have coupons or discounts available for the items that you need, it will lower the costs of your food purchases even more.
Do you pre-plan your meals? Has it saved you money? Share your experience and any tips you may have with our readers.
See what’s trending today:
Blue Apron review from BudgetandInvest.com
Blue Apron review from NewlywedsonaBudget.com