As I continue my Top 10 Tips for Frugal Living, my list so far:
# 10 Know the Prices here
# 9 Be Organized here
# 8 Network here
# 7 Rebate here
# 6 Menu Planning
I believe that menu planning is vital for the frugal shopper. It is important that you know what you need to provide meals for your family. To begin, make a list of what meals your family enjoys. Then make another list of what ingredients are required to make these meals. Now you know what to look for in the sales flyers in the coming weeks.
I always print a blank monthly calendar off my computer. As I sit to decide the meals I will prepare for the upcoming week, I always fall back on my stock pile. For example, if I know I have pasta and sauce (which you know I do!), then know for sure that at least one night we will have spaghetti, ziti, lasagna, etc.... This is how the two methods of stock-piling and menu-planning work together. I know what I have on hand, I know what's on sale, and I know what meals will fit for this week.
Too often, before I began menu planning, it would get to be late in the afternoon, and I still did not know what we were having for dinner. It's that scenario that leads to too much eating out...it's just easier to order pizza at that point. But, when you have a plan, it's much easier to follow that plan, buy items at the lowest price, and save on eating out. Plus, planning what your menu is beforehand and purchasing what you need, leads to fewer trips to the grocery store and less impulse buying. Again, this saves money!
I hope this helps...I know it has been beneficial for me to menu plan!
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