Trying to cut back on groceries

Does making a meal plan for the week really help? I am thinking of trying it out to see how much it really helps.
Any good sites to check out?

Thank you

Re: Trying to cut back on groceries

I think it depends. Sometimes it may help if you tend to cook with more variety and your try to plan more frugally. For me, it almost always makes me spend more. DH would be happy with a chicken cutlet, frozen green beans and rice every day of his life (not quite, but almost!). So when I plan meals I do it for me, to make life more interesting and add new fun dishes to the mix. Inevitably this adds new ingredients to my grocery list that I don’t normally buy, and involves more creative dishes that have more ingredients in general, so I always end up spending more. Oops! I still think I do pretty well (spending $60-$100 per week for the 2 of us, depending on the week, and I also tend to buy paper towels, soap, etc. there)…

ETA: Before menu planning I already looked at my circular and pantry every week and would just keep getting more of our same basic items when they were on sale, and also always shopped from a grocery list without deviating. So I do it more to help me feel less stressed about dinner during the week and make life more interesting.

Message edited 1/7/2010 1:41:40 PM.

Re: Trying to cut back on groceries

I really feel like it does because it forces me to look at what I have in the house and look at the circular to see what is on sale. For example, this week porterhouse steak (including the fillet mignon) are on sale at my grocery store (Kings in NJ) from 12.99 lb to 3.99 lb. I got 6 of them to eat some and put some in the freezer. I look at the circular and have begun a spreadsheet to track the prices of meat at my local grocer. This way I can tell when something is a good deal and stock up when what I want is on sale.

ETA: Someone posted a grocery list on here. I modified it based upon what we eat so I just stick to the list. I also made a list of food that I like to make. Often times I would come up with something new and then forget about it. This way I can look at the circular, my list of things I can make and then put down what I need on my grocery list. I then look at any coupons I have and mark it on the list too. It takes a few minutes but I feel like we are not eating the same thing every day. That we are using leftovers and that we are saving money.

Message edited 1/7/2010 1:03:25 PM.

Re: Trying to cut back on groceries

It helps me tremendously.

If I don't plan then I wind up going in the market, perusing and buying things that I 'might' use. I can't tell you the amount of waste I produced with that method from overbuying and underusing.

When I plan for the week I look for the sales, go through my cabinets and THEN decide what we will have for the week. It keeps me on point. I wind up with just what I need and maybe a few snacks. My personal grocery bill has gone down considerably because of this - and my fridge is neater and more organized.

It doesn't work for everyone. My girlfriend enjoys going to the store daily and buys her items per day - and only what she needs for the days meals. I don't have the luxury of time to do that so I try to incorporate that sensibility into my weekly spend.

Good luck!

Re: Trying to cut back on groceries

I have found that yes, it does. Rather than spend over a hundred dollars a week on god knows what, I go with a specific list of what I need to make dinner this week, I come home with less and spend half. Which is fine. Things aren't spoiling in my fridge. We are actually eating GOOD healthy food. And I feel more productive.

Re: Trying to cut back on groceries

I was just talking to DH about this.

Honestly, I spend less when I do Pea Pod. If I go to the supermarket I spend $150+, sometimes $200 for 2 people and a toddler. If I do pea pod, I can see what I am putting in my cart and what my total is and I always try to keep it around $115.

Re: Trying to cut back on groceries

Wow, That spreadsheet idea sounds good. It never occurred to me, and I am a spreadsheet QUEEN!!! I am going to try it out.

I think meal planning can help you save money - one thing I do is try to plan on how to use up every bit of things I have - for example, I made a roasted red pepper dip for new year's party. I figured out a way to add it to pasta sauce and we had it for dinner one night this week. I planned and that way, we have almost no waste.

I do feel like I spend a lot at the stores because I stock up on things I use a lot - beans, broth, sauces, condiments, etc. Then I try to buy meat on sale and mix and match with the ingredients I already have.

What I started to do this year, to make sure I use everything and nothing gets too old, is about every 6 months I am trying to use up everything I have. I did this over the summer and have started again now. I am going to try to only purchase the fresh ingredients and use up all my frozen/canned goods. I am hoping to save some this month on my bill since I won't be buying these items I already have.

Re: Trying to cut back on groceries

Re: Trying to cut back on groceries

It definitely helps me--I plan meals based on what I have in the house and what is on sale. If I didn't do this I would spend way more and have tons of waste.

Re: Trying to cut back on groceries