Question

I just realized I have spent $0 since Feb 25th. Nada. Zip. Big deal for me! I have eaten from whatever I have on hand. I have even eaten Eggo waffles for dinner. My husby has been at work since the 25th and my 20 yr old daughter has also been out of town. Clearly, they are the budget busters around here! It solidifies that the food budget is where I need to tighten. Do you find meal planning more often is more efficient than every payday?  

Answer 1

I meal plan once a week but I save way more money when I meal plan for the whole month at once

Answer 2

I meal plan once a week! Any more than that and to many things come up, or get in the way, and the plan gets blown. As it stands now, I plan 5 meals, and leave 2 open. We always have things pop up so having 2 open nights helps with that. If we end up being home for all 7, we do a leftover night or a fend for yourself, or I make something I have here - I always have stuff on hand for tacos, or spaghetti, or chicken and rice, etc. regardless of the meal plan.  

Answer 3

I meal plan 3 days at a time. It keeps us from “losing” things in the fridge and then having to throw them out.  

Answer 4

Spending money on food is my worst habit. I find it so easy to just stop by and pick dinner up or go out to eat

Answer 5

I meal plan monthly and grocery shop monthly (with except of needing fresh items like bread, fruits and such) so that if we are in week 1 and feel like having spaghetti from week 3, (or if I forget to thaw out meat) we can swap meals around and still have everything on hand we need to make the meal happen. I use my Google calendar so my husband is all up to date with whatever we're having and the kids get a written calendar so there arent 20 questions asking "what's for dinner" from the 7yr old  thankfully the 1. 5 and 3yr old havent reached that age yet ‍♀️

Answer 6

I only spent $110 for the whole month of February on groceries. Still have a few things in my freezer and pantry so I've just been buying necessities. I keep telling myself there is food at home and I dont need more!  

Answer 7

I live alone now and never realized it. Because I run my own business 6 -7 days a week, for the past few months, people have been providing me with food, frozen meals and extra portions when they cook. I set up a meal plan with those. At first, I was like. whoa, I want to cook and eat what I feel like - but then I realized what a money saver it is. Because I shop very little -breakfast foods, snacks, fruit, yogurt, etc. I see that money going into the savings challenge envelope. Does it get boring? Sometimes (some people always give me pasta lol) but I'm willing to do what I have to do. And I love seeing those savings envelopes fill.