I don’t actually spend a shocking amount of money on groceries anyway, but my budget is really limited, so it always seems like a lot. Because I like to get good deals, I used to go to the store once a week or so, and I’d get plenty of good deals, but still end up spending $50-70 bucks–and of course, the bottom line is not what you save but what you SPEND.
Last month I decided to try a new method. I made out an entire month’s dinner menu, choosing inexpensive main dishes and relying on my pantry (which is overstocked anyway) for side dishes. Then I made my shopping list and hit Sam’s and WalMart, and eventually Kroger for the few things I couldn’t get at the other two places. I spent a fair amount of money upfront, but my hope was to limit the amount I spend just dropping in to the store during the week.
So far, so good! I’ve had to go the store a few times (milk, bread, dog food, etc) but I planned for that and left a little room in the budget. AND…when I go, I only buy what I really need, because having an Official Written-Down Menu helps me keep my focus and I don’t wander around looking for inspiration.
I don’t know how much I’ve actually saved so far, but it’s near the end of the month and I still have a little in the bank, which is kind of a novel thing. Plus, when I was doing my early-month shopping, I bought myself a $50 gift card in case I have an end-month emergency, so I have that on standby.
Next month my friend and I (she’s a single mom too) are going to take one night a week each and cook for both families. That should help both of us–it’ll cut down on leftovers that often go to waste as well as helping stave off the oh-hell-we’ll-just-hit-McD’s.
Oh, the things I get excited about. 
I applaud you! I really want to do advance meal planning but I’m really lazy about that kind of thing. The pity is, I know it helps because when I have meals planned, I’m motivated to cook - I don’t get home, tired, and then go ‘ugh, I’m so tired and I still have to figure out dinner and… where’s the phone?’
I know that in two weeks I’m going to have a bounty of produce to use, so I can use that as a motivating force to get my lazy butt in gear on planning.
Well done! The key to really saving money on groceries is just what you are doing - planning. Now you just have to start plotting out the sales, so you can stock up when the prices are the lowest.
Good luck!
I don’t plan so much as make sure there’s enough made to take it for lunch the next day. $10 spent cooking the family dinner is $2.50 per…make enough for 6 servings and it’s now $6.64 for dinner, and $1.66 for lunch for two days.
Planning not only saves you money but you tend to eat more healthy food as well.
I tend to be good about it in one month chunks. I think it’s time for another of them
Yeah, I’m looking forward to next month’s menu–I keep thinking of things I want to make and instead of running out for ingredients, I put it on my mental list of “later” foods. I may have to start planning tonight…around this time of month I get restless and want want WANT to go Krogering!
Good job!! One thing you might want to consider is putting aside a small bit of your grocery budget to pick up loss-leaders (super-cheap stuff - e.g. chicken breasts for 2 bucks vs 5 bucks a pound) as they come on sale. Chances are your grocery chain(s) have a weekly circular (available online as well) saying what those are for the upcoming week.
If those foods are things you would eat, but hadn’t planned for, you can either switch-up your menu, or toss whatever it is in the freezer and plan for it for the next month.
I don’t plan a month in advance but I do try to plan the week ahead, often based on the loss-leaders.
I’m going to gradually allow myself access to loss leaders in the next month or so. Usually that’s where I spend all of my money–unfortunately it’s hard for me to not overspend when I’m getting such a great deal. It’s really goofy, but I think it’s reassuring to me on some level to have TOO MUCH FOOD in the house. There have been times in the past when the cupboard was really, really bare, so I think that had an effect. I kind of had to go cold-turkey to get it under control.
I did pick up a few things over the month, and I couldn’t resist triple-coupon day at Marsh. Still only spent $24 though!
Do you use an online tool? I meal plan like crazy and use saymmm.com now though i have also gone through spreadsheets and plain old pen and paper.
Of all the meal planners out there I like saymmm best. They have this thing where you save meals and can use them again the future. Better than kitchen monkey and big oven but really there are a lot of choices.