Meal Planning

Last Friday I did something insane. I went out of my comfort zone, and pushed the limits of what I thought I could do. I went a little crazy. I was short on money, but my cupboards were empty and my family was hungry. I did something that no normal 22 year old does...

I meal planned for the week. 

(insert sharp gasp here)

Yes, yes, I know, that story is way less cool than you thought, but I've got to keep something as boring as "meal planning" somewhat interesting for the average young adult. Meal planning sounds lame and boring and sooooo something mom would do. But what if I told you you could save upwards of 50 bucks a week? Sound tempting now? 

Since moving into my new place, I've been a little tight with the budget. Okay that's a lie, I'm totally broke. I literally have $15.35 to my name right now, and I'm swiping my credit card like it's a OCD compulsion. It's sad, so I needed to find a way to save what little money I have left. Thus enters meal planning. 

Meal planning is the idea that you sit down at the start or end of your week, write out what you're going to eat every night, and buy groceries ONLY on the list. It sounds like a lot of preparation, but I did it while watching an episode of Dexter. Took me no longer than 25 minutes, I swear. 

I went to the grocery store with Kaylee, and our goal was to stick to the list. Only get what we needed, and try to sub any ingredients for others that were on sale. This week I planned to have asparagus as a side, but broccoli was on sale, so the latter found its way into my cart. We strayed from the list only a few times (I couldn't say no to tomato soup for a buck), and my goal was to be under $50. 

Fast forward to us standing at the cash, watching the price go up and up, until it stopped at $44. SIX DOLLARS UNDER BUDGET. I should explain that last week, our grocery bill came up to $120. So you can imagine when I only had to pay 22 bucks I was over the moon (ps Kaylee and I split everything fifty-fifty). 

And thanks to meal planning, I never have to stare into the fridge, wondering what I'm going to make with an onion, some hummus, and an inch of orange juice. We no longer have forgotten vegetables pushed to the dark corners of the fridge, decomposing until someone finds them a year later. We waste less, our bills are way cheaper, and we always have leftovers the next day for lunch. 

If I haven't convinced you that meal planning is the way to go, then come over for some chili. It only cost me a few bucks to make, sucka.