Plan Your Weekly Meals
Here are some simple tips to get you started:
See what you already have.
Look in your freezer, cabinets, and refrigerator. You can save money by using these items in planned meals.
Write down your meals.
It’s helpful to write out your meals for the week. Plan out what you want to have for breakfast, lunch, dinner and snacks. Use theCreate a Grocery Game Plan - Weekly Calendaras a guide.
Write down recipes to try.
Find new ideas for healthy and budget-friendly meals based on what you have, foods your family enjoys, and foods that are good buys.Visit MyPlate Kitchen for recipe ideas.
Think about your time.
Choose meals you can prepare when you’re short on time. Save the ones that take longer for days off or when family members are free to help.
Plan to use leftovers.
Make larger meals with enough servings for leftovers. On busy days, just heat and serve.
Make a grocery list.
Organize your grocery list by store section to make shopping quick and easy. For a free template, try theCreate a Grocery Game Plan - Grocery List.
Build your shopping list as you go.
Keep a list of foods you need on your refrigerator or on a free app on your phone. Add items as you run out. Some apps let you sync grocery lists with others in your household.
Buy a mix of fresh, frozen, and self-stable items.
Plan for a mix of fresh, frozen, and shelf-stable (or non-perishable) foods for your meals. Eat your fresh foods first so they don’t go bad. Stock your freezer and pantry with items you can eat later.
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