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Through trial and error, I’ve figured out how to get more bang for your buck with these 11 meal planning budgeting tips. I’m passionate about this topic cause it’s literally saved us HUNDREDS of dollars each month.

Side note: Our household does grocery shopping once a week, but you can do it how it works best for your family.  Some people go every 4 days, some people go once a month! So again, how it works best for your family is how you should roll.

– Let’s dive in!

Oh! BTW, we go over more money management/saving money strategies in our FREE Brave Sober Mom community & support group!!  Jump in on the awesomeness HERE

 

1) Meal Plan!!!

HAHA – I know, you may be thinking, well DUH Leona.

This is a post on meal planning.” And you’re absolutely correct, but if you don’t meal plan the other tips won’t work as effectively.  The goal is to get more bang for your buck!  This tip is #1 for a reason friend.  Make time to do this.  It will take some time at first, but the more you do it the easier and quicker you’ll be getting it done.

2) Start with what you have: 

go through your cupboards, fridge, freezer, & pantry. Make a list of what you already have, so you don’t pick any more of those items up at the store AND so you can make meals from these items alone (yeah baby – I totally just said that!)!

3) Check the weekly ads:

I will create some meals & snacks based on what’s on sale at the local store.  It also allows room for variety of different things with certain items on sale, BUT if I know my apples are still cheaper than the sale fruit then I will go with my apples.  Discernment is a great tool!

4) Make more vs. buying premade/precut:

THIS makes such a difference.  Granola is a big example here.  Usually you can buy 16 oz of granola for $4-$6 BUT you can make 5-6 cups worth of granola for less than that.  Bonus, usually the ingredients can be made into one to two more batches for the following weeks; it’s such a bargain and my son loves making it with me!! <3  Another tip is to never buy precut & prewashed salad stuff (unless of course it on discount for less than a head of lettuce – that’s my exception).

5) Choose multiple recipes that use a lot of the same ingredients: 

my favorite example for this one is carrots!  You can use these in stir-fry, salads, soup, and snacks with hummus or ranch dressing!

6) Be Flexible: 

For some reason we get in our head that we have to have things a certain way.  But if you can be flexible with ingredients, you can not only save money but try new things!  Rice vs. Noodles, Bell Peppers vs. Tortilla Chips, Lettuce vs. Buns – ask yourself, how can I do this differently, or what can I do without?

7) Avoid Pre-sliced Packaged Stuff:

Just do it.  Just get the block of cheese to slice and shred.  Get the whole apple, the bunch of celery, the carrots, the broccoli and cut it up yourself.  You will save so much money.  We just dice up mozzarella & cheddar cheese for my toddler vs. sticks.

8) Eat the leftovers!! 

When you throw these away, you’re throwing your hard-earned cash into the trash.  It is edible food and if you get freezer meals…what do you think those are?  Leftovers.  You can do this two ways actually!

  1. Eat them like you did as a meal or with anything additional should your family had eaten all the sides the first night.
  2. Repurpose the leftovers! Any shredded meat is fantastic as a stovetop quesadilla or maybe a stir fry or soup. Have fun with it!

9) Order groceries online: 

When this blog post is being written we are in the middle of COVID-19, so of course this is common right now, but I swear this is such a great tool! not only does it save $$ but it saves time! especially as a mom of 2 littles under 4 years old – I love not having to go shopping with them in tow.

10) Utilize Pinterest:

This combines #2 tip with Pinterest – Base your recipes off of what you have in your cupboard using Pinterest! Just search for certain ingredients (if not combo ingredients) you have to find recipes!  this is also adventurous because you will probably try new recipes.

11) Trust in the Creator: 

Let Him multiply your food yo.  Did you ever hear of the story of the fish and loaves (John 6: 1-14)?  My hubby and I went through a pretty dry season, which is where these tips were created, and only were able to spend $50-$60 per week on food because that is just what we had.  I swear, our Creator doubled the food we had to keep us full and satisfied and we were. Pretty Badass.

Bonus 12) Join A Community

shameless plug here, but for reals

multiple studies show how joining a community & support group is beneficial to mindset, quality of life and other awesome things….. i mean, you probably noticed this in your sobriety huh?

so go HERE and join our FREE Brave Sober Mom group to help you out in all areas of motherhood, sobriety, and life!

 

Keep on rocking on friend,

Leona. xx

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