healthy strategies

5 budget-friendly meal planning tips

getting organized can save you time and money

Eating out can be fun and exciting but doing it every night of the week probably isn’t the best choice for your budget or your waistline. Cooking at home can be healthy and cost-effective, but it does require some planning. Organizing the week’s dinners before you go shopping can help you save time and money, and takes the guesswork out of meal prep. Here are five tips to get you started!

q Feature your favorites

Have everyone in the family contribute their favorite meal ideas. Organize the top 20 dishes by category: soups, chicken, vegetarian, seafood, etc. Make a list of the ingredients needed for each meal. Keep the list handy on your computer or in a notebook for quick reference when it’s time to make a shopping list. r Get creative with themes

Another idea is to give each day of the week a specific theme. Taco Tuesday is a common choice. Pasta Wednesday and stir-fry Friday are other options. Make an ingredient list based on recipes you find for these themed days. s Shop your shelves

To save time and money, plan meals around what you already have. Are the cabinets stuffed with dried pasta, canned beans, rice, tuna fish, and tomato sauce? Organize dinners around these ingredients. Take stock of what’s in the freezer, as well.

After planning meals and making a list of the ingredients you need for each one, check to make sure you don’t already have the items on hand. This helps prevent duplicate purchases. t Focus on filling foods

Plan meals around inexpensive and nutritious items found in the store. Consider foods that are filling: beans, squash, sweet potatoes, lentils, brown rice, tofu, mushrooms, and eggs are good choices.

u Seek out specials

Check the store’s flyers and weekly circulars for specials. Pick out recipes that feature sale items. Scour newspaper inserts or the internet for coupons featuring your favorite brands. Buy in-season produce—not only is it less expensive, but it’s likely to be fresher too.

Look for manager’s specials at the store. Another place to find deals is the grocery clearance section. Ask an employee where to find the discounts. ●

SELECTED SOURCES “10 family meal planning tips & ideas on a budget” by Kristia Ludwick, www.MoneyCrashers.com, 2019 • “How to plan your meals when you’re on a tight budget” by Kristin Wong, www.twocents. LifeHacker.com