Master Your Family Meal Planning on a Budget

Buying fruits and veggies that are in season and local to you is often cheaper, and they usually taste better, too. Keep a list of what’s in season to guide your meal planning.

Leftovers are your friend. Plan meals that can be stored and turned into something new the next day.

Before you make your meal plan and shopping list, see what you already have at home. Use up what’s in your pantry and fridge to avoid wasting food and money.

For long shelf-life foods and pantry staples, buying in larger quantities can offer per-unit savings. Just make sure you have adequate storage space for them.

Be on the lookout for sales, coupons or discounts. Keep in mind that sales often run on a weekly cycle, so you can plan your shopping trips around these to maximize savings.

Consider store brands. They are often just as good as name brands but come at a lower price point.

Check unit prices. Sometimes, items are priced in a way that makes it hard to compare directly.

Be cautious with end-of-aisle displays. Stores often place more expensive or impulsive items at the ends of aisles.

Pay attention to shelf placement. Cheaper items are often placed on higher or lower shelves, while more expensive items are placed at eye level.

Some meal ideas to consider for your family meal planning: slow cooker recipes, sheet pan dinners, pasta dishes, soups and stews, one-pot meals, or bulk ground meat.

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