{"id":3521,"date":"2012-08-06T11:00:26","date_gmt":"2012-08-06T15:00:26","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/canadianbudgetbinder.com\/?p=3521"},"modified":"2025-02-23T09:07:44","modified_gmt":"2025-02-23T09:07:44","slug":"reader-question-meal-planning-for-the-budget","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/digitalskyweb.co\/canadianbudgetbinder.com\/2012\/08\/06\/reader-question-meal-planning-for-the-budget\/","title":{"rendered":"A Beginner’s Guide to Meal Planning on a Budget"},"content":{"rendered":"\n

<\/span>Estimated reading time: <\/span>8<\/span> minutes<\/span><\/p>\n\n\n\n

Save money and time with meal planning. Learn how to create a simple meal plan to stick to your grocery budget and enjoy healthy, frugal meals.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Meal planning and budgets go hand in hand but not everyone takes the time to do them. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Eat Well By Meal Planning While Saving Money<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

Although meal planning is a weekly chore, the more you do it, the easier it will get for you. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

For people who want to stick to a grocery budget creating a simple meal plan helps them to be creative in the kitchen while saving money in their wallets.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

This week’s reader question pertains to my nightly “What’s For Dinner<\/strong>” post on my Facebook<\/strong><\/a> fan page. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

If you follow the blog regularly, you will know that we have a monthly grocery budget of $190.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

We work with this number to create healthy, quick, frugal meals whilst trying to get the best bang for our buck. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Grocery Shopping Takes Loyalty<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

People often ask us how to go grocery shopping<\/a><\/strong> because they want to learn how to save money in their budget. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

It all starts with a commitment; otherwise, you may make it through the first week and return to your old ways.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

You also know that we like to use coupons<\/strong><\/a> but only on items we know we will use in our meals. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

We have gone back to basics and have saved so much just by cutting out the “wants” and replacing them only with the “needs”. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Planning takes time, so don’t give up. If you feel overwhelmed, start slow and work your way up to a full week’s meal plan.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Meal Planning Reader Question<\/h2>\n\n\n
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\"A
A Beginner’s Guide to Meal Planning on a Budget- Grocery Store Tips<\/strong><\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<\/div>\n\n\n
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Hi Mr.CBB,<\/p>\n\n\n\n

How do you feed 5 people for $5 and have a complete meal? <\/p>\n\n\n\n

I’m single and I can’t eat for $5. Even if I buy a pizza slice and pop that costs me $5.50.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

What am I doing wrong?<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Signed,<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Dude, Please Help me<\/p>\n<\/blockquote>\n\n\n\n

Beginner Meal Planning<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

Once a week, we like to splurge on something we want to eat that we wouldn’t typically prepare. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

I don’t believe in depriving the human body of its desires, especially food. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

We aim for $5 meals or less, but sometimes we spend more, but that’s OK. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

The last thing you want to do is be a meal planning drill sergeant and stress over not creating a $5 meal every night. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Cut yourself some slack until you build up a recipe stash that holds all your favourite frugal meals.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Cost Breakdown When Meal Planning <\/h2>\n\n\n
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\"How
How to create a meal plan on a budget<\/strong><\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<\/div>\n\n\n

I don’t calculate every spice I use to a “T,” but I believe I have a good price estimate. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Pasta with sauce made with sausages, onions, mushrooms, and peppers will feed 7 people. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

This is our cost using coupons and flyer sales.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Cost: $5.25 approximately <\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n