meal planning, coupons, sales OH MY!

Grimmerick
Grimmerick Posts: 3,342 Member
edited December 2024 in Food and Nutrition
I had the worst time trying to figure out how I was going to plan meals my fiance liked, make them healthy and not break my bank account and what friggin order do I go in. I think we can all agree planning ahead is one of the best ways to stay on your diet and use what you have available so you aren't wasting your money on things rotting in your fridge. Now I don't even have kids so I can't imagine what some of you have to deal with. Here is the order I go in to help utilize your sales, coupons and still plan healthy meals without wasting too much food.

1. print out a meal planning chart with days of the week and a side bar for extra items you might need.
2. Make an inventory of foods you already have i.e. rice, chicken from the freezer, shrimp, pasta, so on and so forth.
3. Clips some coupons and write down some items on sale in the circular (you can also check your store circular online and also upload coupons to your store cards so you don't even have to bring coupons)
4. Looking at your inventory and what is on sale, start making meals for each night of the week using what you have and what is on sale. If you are set to have left overs use them for lunches.
5. Go to the store and get exactly what you put on your list, if you have extra you can freeze it for later (i.e. chicken breast etc.)
6. Look at your meal plan for the next day and pull out anything in the freezer that might need to thaw.
7. Just stick with it it will get easier and make more sense as you go along and you can tailor it to your specific style.

Hope this helps someone :) if anyone has any extra thoughts or tips please add them

Replies

  • blynnblair
    blynnblair Posts: 274 Member
    bump! i'll have to read this later, thanks for posting
  • tlafrance
    tlafrance Posts: 105 Member
    Bump!
  • chachita7
    chachita7 Posts: 996 Member
    bumpyty bump
  • JamesonsMommy
    JamesonsMommy Posts: 771 Member
    I should add some stores let you stack a store coupon with a manufacturer coupon :) This means double savings. Thanks for your tips!!
  • godblessourhome
    godblessourhome Posts: 3,892 Member
    another tip is to keep a running list of recipes that you like or recipes that you want to try. i keep a list in blogger of the cookbook and page or website url that a recipe came from so i can find it again later. i like taking the list of recipes and the ads/coupons to make my meal plan for the week. that way we are never in a food rut; we rarely eat the same thing more than six times a year.
  • Grimmerick
    Grimmerick Posts: 3,342 Member
    ooOo good tips guys!
  • Grimmerick
    Grimmerick Posts: 3,342 Member
    bump for the morning peoples
  • lil_pulp
    lil_pulp Posts: 701 Member
    For step 4, I find websites where you can enter ingredients to find recipes (for example, allrecipes.com and supercook.com) are really helpful.
  • MariarR33
    MariarR33 Posts: 69
    When using coupons, don't forget to stockpile. I make soups reguarly, and buy TONS of chicken stock and tomatoes in the fall, when it's the cheapest. I don't use coupons nearly as much as I used to, because a lot of the food is processed, but I do use ones that will work in my favor. I NEVER buy meat unless it's on sale and usually only buy the fruits and veggies that are on sale. These strategies help keep the grocery bill at a moderate level, while still eating healthy.
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