Planning your meals around sales and discounts is a smart way to save money and still enjoy tasty home-cooked food. It might seem hard at first, but once you get the hang of it, it can actually be fun! Here’s how to make it easy:
Start with a meal planning calendar.
Each Sunday, take some time to look at the week ahead.
Write down which days you have more time to cook and which days you'll be busy.
This will help you decide when to make more involved recipes and when to stick with quick ones.
Next, check the weekly ads from your local grocery stores.
Many stores have apps that show their weekly deals.
Spend a little time each week going through these ads to see what’s on sale.
You’d be surprised at how much you can save by planning meals around discounted items!
After looking at the sales, make a meal plan based on what’s on special. Here’s how:
Make a List: Write down the discounts on fruits, veggies, meats, and pantry staples.
Match Foods: Think about meals that can use these ingredients. For example, if chicken thighs are on sale, you could plan for a stir-fry or a slow-cooked chicken dish.
Be Flexible: Have a general idea but stay open to changes! If you find a great deal on zucchini, swap it for broccoli in your meal plan.
If something is on sale and can be stored for a while, consider buying a lot of it.
For instance, if you find a good deal on rice or pasta, stock up!
I also buy meats in bulk when they are cheap. If chicken breasts are on sale, I buy a big pack and freeze portions for future meals. Just remember to label them with the date!
Another good tip is to plan meals that will give you leftovers.
For example, if you’re roasting a chicken, think about how you can use the leftover meat in salads, sandwiches, or stir-fries later.
This way, you’re cooking once but using the ingredients in different ways throughout the week.
Before you go shopping, write a detailed shopping list based on your meal plan.
Group the items by sections like produce, dairy, and meats to make it easier to shop.
Also, check if you already have some ingredients at home.
There’s nothing worse than getting home and realizing you bought something you already had!
Don’t forget to check out local farmers' markets or discount stores.
These places often have fruits and veggies at lower prices than regular grocery stores, especially later in the day when they want to sell out their stock.
You can find great deals!
Lastly, enjoy fruits and vegetables that are in season.
They’re usually cheaper and taste better!
This makes your meals fresher and more enjoyable when you plan around what's in season.
Meal prepping and planning around sales doesn’t have to be hard. With a little organization and creativity, you can enjoy delicious meals while saving some money too! Happy cooking!
Planning your meals around sales and discounts is a smart way to save money and still enjoy tasty home-cooked food. It might seem hard at first, but once you get the hang of it, it can actually be fun! Here’s how to make it easy:
Start with a meal planning calendar.
Each Sunday, take some time to look at the week ahead.
Write down which days you have more time to cook and which days you'll be busy.
This will help you decide when to make more involved recipes and when to stick with quick ones.
Next, check the weekly ads from your local grocery stores.
Many stores have apps that show their weekly deals.
Spend a little time each week going through these ads to see what’s on sale.
You’d be surprised at how much you can save by planning meals around discounted items!
After looking at the sales, make a meal plan based on what’s on special. Here’s how:
Make a List: Write down the discounts on fruits, veggies, meats, and pantry staples.
Match Foods: Think about meals that can use these ingredients. For example, if chicken thighs are on sale, you could plan for a stir-fry or a slow-cooked chicken dish.
Be Flexible: Have a general idea but stay open to changes! If you find a great deal on zucchini, swap it for broccoli in your meal plan.
If something is on sale and can be stored for a while, consider buying a lot of it.
For instance, if you find a good deal on rice or pasta, stock up!
I also buy meats in bulk when they are cheap. If chicken breasts are on sale, I buy a big pack and freeze portions for future meals. Just remember to label them with the date!
Another good tip is to plan meals that will give you leftovers.
For example, if you’re roasting a chicken, think about how you can use the leftover meat in salads, sandwiches, or stir-fries later.
This way, you’re cooking once but using the ingredients in different ways throughout the week.
Before you go shopping, write a detailed shopping list based on your meal plan.
Group the items by sections like produce, dairy, and meats to make it easier to shop.
Also, check if you already have some ingredients at home.
There’s nothing worse than getting home and realizing you bought something you already had!
Don’t forget to check out local farmers' markets or discount stores.
These places often have fruits and veggies at lower prices than regular grocery stores, especially later in the day when they want to sell out their stock.
You can find great deals!
Lastly, enjoy fruits and vegetables that are in season.
They’re usually cheaper and taste better!
This makes your meals fresher and more enjoyable when you plan around what's in season.
Meal prepping and planning around sales doesn’t have to be hard. With a little organization and creativity, you can enjoy delicious meals while saving some money too! Happy cooking!