Meal Plan and SAVE $$

I don't meal plan because I am super organized, I meal plan because it saves money! If you just spend a half hour figuring out what you would like to make then you will definitely save money! 

Here are 5 ways to save money by meal planning:

#1 If you make a list of the meals you are going to make for dinner before you go to the grocery store, then you can check your cupboards for everything you need to buy. This list is what you buy at the grocery store. There is no buying things you already have at home and there is not impulse buying and spending unnecessary money. There is no reason why you can't try new meals, I like to try new things all the time, I just look over the recipe and buy what I need for the meal.  

#2 You only go to the grocery store once- you save on gas and wasted time. It's nice not to have to think about what I need to pick up on the way home from work. It's also nice not to have to think off the top of my head every night about what we should eat for dinner. Saving on gas is a big deal these days,  considering it is almost $5 a gallon! Think about how many times you have taken trips to the grocery store because you ran out of something or forgot to buy something. It will stop if you meal plan and bring you list to the grocery store!

#3 Everyone is not always asking you what's for dinner. I just point to where I have it written down, on my magnetic chalkboard.. You can click here to see how I made it. 

#4 Meal planning can help you stay on track if you are dieting. I use it to make sure my family and I are getting the right amount of nutrients and a variety in our diet.  I don't like to make the same thing two weeks in a row. There is just too many great recipes out there to try!

#5 I am a coupon cutter. I like to grocery shop on Wednesday. On Wednesdays the grocery store that I shop at ,doubles your coupon. If I am planning out my meals I can use my coupons to save more money. I will post next week about how to get the best use out of coupons and sales.

Do you feel like meal planning and saving money? Give it a try!

p.s. Tuesday is blank because we went to my in-laws house for dinner.