Meal plan!

So, we all know how we go to the grocery store and try to think about what we are going to eat for the duration of the time that we are shopping for (2 day, 1 week, 2 weeks, etc.)

However, without a plan, you are guaranteed to spend wayyyyy more money than you need to.  By meal planning you can save on stuff that you don't need to buy (checking your ingredients first), and also save time and plan to bring coupons that will help you save even more.  

Some people think of meal planning as making all of the meals on one day for the whole week, but I am referring to just making sure you have the ingredients you need so you're not make a trip to the grocery store every day for last minute items.  Meal planning will also save you from just picking up something on the way home because it's convenient and you don't have anything thawed out. You can thank me later :)

There are a few things that you can do. You can look at what you already have and plan around that (which you may be surprised and not have to do any additional shopping - you'll be shocked as to how much you can find when you look in your pantry/fridge/freezer).  You could also think about some recipes that you normally use and/or a list of some things you have been wanting to try and create a menu board (or your version of one).  Mine took less than 5 minutes or so to make and I have a box for "recently used" and "it's been a while."  I just started using this last week (and this week incorporated the first option to determine what I already have), but it has gone well so far and I'm hoping to not repeat any recipes for a while (I have about 45 right now - majority are pretty easy to make since hubs and I both work FT M-F).   So, when you plan your meals for the week(s) and have checked your house to see what you may already have, make a list of what additional ingredients you may need.  When you have your list (or if you just don't have any clue what you want to make) head over to Southern Savers and check out all the deals for whatever store you will be going to.  Jenny has done a great job of including coupon match ups  (If you buy 2 Sunday papers a week you should have no problem finding the right coupon - but if not, many of them are available for printing for free!)

I would love to hear about your successes to keep the motivation coming!

Create a budget..... and stick to it!

I cannot express how important it is to create a budget.  The first step to becoming debt free is knowing where your money is going.  Create a budget that fits to your lifestyle.  If you do not use an excel spreadsheet on a regular basis then I do not recommend using that format for your budget.  If you always use your phone and that would be easiest for you, then there are tons of great budget apps for your convenience (and you can find some good quality ones for free). I, personally, use WakeUpNow's finance services.  It tells me exactly what I'm spending my money on and how much of my budget I have used every month.

It is VERY important to stick to your budget.  If you paid off a bill (and still have more left to pay off), don't add $50 to your "entertainment" budget.  Use that $50 towards the next bill on your debt tower or put it towards your emergency savings account.

WakeUpNow can also be used for free printable coupons to help reach your grocery budget and you can come out well under your shopping budget by buying things that you already purchase at a discounted rate.  You can do all of this as a free preferred customer. 


What are some of the best budget experiences that you have had?