Money Tips: Meal Planning

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You come home from a long day and you are clueless of what you are craving to eat. You spend so much time in the kitchen just poking around, that you end up poppin' in something quick and easy - a microwaveable dinner, or you resort to chips, or... you hop in your car and grab fast food.

Sound familiar? Has happened to me, too (and still does sometimes) #guilty. But I know the importance and the power of meal planning, so I sit down and actually plan meals that I will eat throughout the week - regardless of what I have a "taste" for that day.

What's the big deal? Why should you plan your meals for the week? Check this out:

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Saves Money.  I cannot tell you how much money this can save you in the long run.  When you plan out your meals, make sure you account for all the ingredients you will need.  Look in your pantry and fridge, see what you have on hand, then make your grocery list accordingly.  If you plan out your meals correctly, you will only have to visit the grocery store MAYBE once a week.  Since most of my meals involve fresh produce, I have to go to the store once a week ... or head out to the Farmer's Market for the freshest produce, and since that's right across the street, I'm in heaven!

Additionally, planning your meals that contain fresh produce earlier in the week will ensure the product won't go bad.

Helps with fitness goals.  If you plan your meals, you won't have time to add junk in the mix.   Having a plan is the front side of having a journal.  In combination, these two will be effective.  You know what you are going to eat and you have enough of it to last you for the week, and by journaling you know exactly what you did eat.  This leads me to my next point...

Holds you accountable for what you eat.  If you veer away from your plan, make sure your substitution is healthy. Also, whatever you didn't eat for the week (if substations were made), it could hold you for the next week (just as long as it won't go bad in the house).

Creates more time to do other things.  Without having to stress over what you're going to eat, you have more time to do things you want to do - workout, go to the park, knit, download music... whatever!  The possibilities are endless.

How do you plan your meals?  Any additional tips?