Often, when people approach me about grocery shopping they are frustrated. It’s something that they hate and that they avoid at all costs.
Literally.
What they want to know is “how it can be made easier?”. How can they have success, not invest a ton of time, and still come out without too many battle scars?
There are two keys: make your “honest meal list” and meal plan (I know, I know). But hear me out!
Let’s break this down into simple steps.
1. An Honest Meal List: We all have meals that we go to when food is low, time is tight, or we just don’t feel like cooking. For me, it’s foods like spaghetti, tacos, Hamburger Helper, etc. They are quick and I usually have the ingredients on hand.
From this list, you will write out the ingredients that you need to make these meals. These are the items that you stock up on when they are on sale. These are also the coupons that you keep an eye out for … or that you buy (if you buy coupons online).
I’ve got a free download of a sheet that you can use for this task. As you get more favorite meals, write them on the sheet.
Here’s a sample that I have filled out … and here’s your free download!
2. Meal Plan: It stinks. Yes, it does. But, it absolutely will save you money even if you don’t coupon. I promise. I’ve hopped on and off of the meal plan train several times and I can tell you very honestly that I spend less money when I have the plan.
There are two schools of thought on how to handle the meal plan. One is to do the entire month at one time; the other is to take it week by week. You can pick which works better for you – there is validity to both methods. For me, I need to do week by week. Our schedule changes on the fly and trying to pick 30 different meals (you don’t have to do that – but I would feel like I needed to) would wear me out.
I’ve also prepared a free sample and download of a meal plan (weekly) with an attached shopping list!
Enjoy these documents and I challenge you to use them for the remainder of June. Let me know what you think and if you notice a change in your shopping habits and budget!
€¦ and remember, there’s no cents in paying full price!
* This post is part of a weekly segment on KSBJ Christian Radio. For more on segments featuring Stephanie Click, the Texas Money Mom, click here.
