Save Time and Money by Preparing Your Evening Meals in Advance

I am certain you've heard this before. Prepare your meals in advance and you'll save time and money. Easier said than done right? I thought so but one day I started a budget. No one likes to do these but I'm trying to use my money wisely and grocery shopping is an area that could use some improvement.

1. Determine how many evening meals you need from pay day to pay day.

2. Prepare a list of meals for each night. It's a good idea to get input from your spouse or children if you have any.

3. Review your meals and create a list of things you'll need for each meal. It's a good idea to create index cards with the meals and recipe on the front and the items you'll need for a grocery list on the back.

4. Eliminate purchasing more items you don't need by reviewing your grocery list and scratch off the items you know you have. This way you are only buying what you need. You'll save money and less time loading and unloading groceries!

5. Add to your grocery list, other items that you'll need to purchase.

Make your trip to the grocery store. Commit to buying ONLY what is on your list. It's so easy to put things in the cart that you want or might need one day. If your goal is to save money, stick with the list only. If you don't care, then add other items to your cart and pay for them. At least you'll still have your grocery items for your meals.

I have utilized this process for over a month now. My pantry is not near as full as it used to be. This is a good feeling when you know you have a plan and enough food for two weeks or however many days you prepared. Here are a few things I do that help reduce unnecessary stress.

· I don't use my list of meals and assign days to it because life gets in my way and a meal that takes a long time might not be feasible if you're short on time.

· As I prepare each meal, I mark it off my list.

· I feel less stress on my way home from work because I know there will be a plan for dinner and I will not have to think of something to make.

· Sometimes we eat out and then I have enough groceries for those meals I didn't use. This allows me to purchase less for the following pay period.

· Crock pot meals are awesome because you come home and dinner is ready!

Planning meals takes no more than 45 minutes to write them down, write the ingredients I need and mark off what I already have. It's 45 minutes well spent. Happy shopping!