Does it bother you too when a bag of lettuce in your refrigerator goes bad? I despise wasting food – it feels like discarding my own hard-earned money. So, what’s the solution? It lies in becoming a monthly meal planner.
Are you aware that roughly one-third of the food meant for human consumption gets wasted annually? This amounts to a whopping 8% of global greenhouse gas emissions. And this isn’t even factoring in the vast amounts of natural resources squandered in food production.
Reducing food waste is not only eco-friendly, but it’s also pocket-friendly. Research demonstrates that you can save around $746 per person each year by minimizing food waste. That’s almost $3000 over a typical 4-year course!
One effective strategy for curbing food waste is using a monthly meal planner. It aids in cutting down food waste, saving money and time. Creating a monthly meal plan not only benefits your budget but also eliminates the unraveling mystery of “what’s for dinner today”. You’ll have a clear understanding of your meals each day and even get to prep numerous meals in advance.
So, what exactly is meal planning?
Meal planning involves deliberate decision-making about your meals – breakfast, lunch, dinner, and snacks for the whole week.
When you decide on a meal plan, unnecessary food purchases can be avoided. You can review the recipes you’ll follow, see what’s on sale, and take note of what’s already in your pantry. Then, generate your grocery list based on what is required.
Here are 10 budget-friendly meal planning tips:
1. INVENTORY YOUR FOOD – List down the food you have in your pantry, fridge, freezer, etc. This helps avoid duplication in purchases.
2. PLAN A MENU – Decide your meals, jot down the ingredients needed and avoid spending on fast food.
3. BUY SALE ITEMS – Hunt for discounted items in store flyers and online coupon sites, but remember to buy only what you’ll use.
4. CREATE A GROCERY LIST – After sorting out your current stocks, develop a precise grocery list before hitting the store.
5. OPT FOR CHEAPER FOODS – Choose less-expensive alternatives like grains, lentils, and beans instead of pricy meat, dairy, and organic produce.
6. TRY MEATLESS DAYS – Adopt a few meatless days per week for health, savings, and an eco-friendly diet. Plan meals using protein-rich foods like beans, lentils, eggs, tofu, and canned fish.
7. INCLUDE MORE GRAINS – Cheap, versatile grains such as rice, pasta, and barley are great for several recipes.
8. MAKE THE MOST OF LEFTOVERS – Plan meals that let you reuse leftovers. For instance, a chicken roasted on Sunday can turn into sandwiches on Monday and mixed into soup on Tuesday.
9. COOK EXTRA FOOD – Prevent wasting veggies by cooking in large quantities, and freeze meal-sized portions for future use.
10. EMPLOY A “CASH FOR FOOD BUDGET” STRATEGY – Use cash for groceries to facilitate budgeting and limit impulsive spending.
To conclude, I hope these tips impart the significance and benefits of monthly meal planning. Not only does meal planning reduce stress, but it also becomes easier and more efficient over time. Above all, the money saved can fund your dream vacation or help clear debt.
