Meal planning to save money on groceries

I think meal planning is massively important to help save money on groceries. It helps you to manage your money and prevents food waste. For me, it also means we eat more healthily. 

If you have your whole week’s dinners planned, you are far less likely to give into fast food, a takeaway or a ping meal after work. When you are trying to save money and cut your grocery budget, meal planning to use up what you already have and then writing a shopping list to buy only the things you really need will save you a ton of cash.

During lock down I have found, along with many others it seems, that I am spending more on food. One of my goals for the month is to save money on groceries, so I am prioritising planning what we eat.

I also ventured back to Aldi – I have been avoiding big supermarkets during lock down and buying online or in small, local shops. This in itself will save money on groceries, I am sure.

On top of this, I continue to try to eat fewer carbs. I am definitely not doing strict keto, though.  Although I feel really healthy on that regime, it feels like I am eating too much meat all the time. I don’t care about losing weight or being in ketosis. It’s more that I want to have more energy and keep the fibromyalgia aches and pains at bay. I am experimenting this week to see if I get those same benefits just by avoiding sugar and gluten. We shall see! If not, it will be back to a full keto regime.

Meal plan to save money on groceries

Saturday

I found some minced beef in the reduced section, so will make a bolognese sauce with courgetti (made with the cheap little hand-held gadget* I found on Amazon). Mr S can have past with his, although he likes the courgetti as well.

We will have salad with this, with lettuce from the garden.

Sunday

We thought we would have a run out somewhere today with the dog, for a walk. We will take a picnic and flask. It’s been an age since we did this!

I have quite a lot of Simply Cook* mixes in the cupboard, so will keep dinner easy with one of those. I have reduced price chicken breasts, so I think it will be the chicken chilli chowder. Their recipe includes canellini beans but I can’t stomach too many pulses, so will substitute with some chopped red pepper.

By the way, the Simply Cook Masala lamb chops we had last week were amazing! I can recommend them and will definitely order those again.

Monday

Eggs, chips and peas. Easy Monday tea.

Tuesday

I will make Jack Monroe’s creamy mustard chicken tonight. It’s a family favourite now. Lots of veg with this.

Wednesday

Salmon fillets and a nice big salad, again using lettuce from the garden, grated carrots, peppers, tomatoes, etc.

Thursday

I picked up some halloumi fries when I was in Aldi the other day. I often fry up halloumi anyway, it’s easy enough. However, I thought I would give these a try with a baked sweet potato and some steamed veggies.

Friday

Tuna and hard boiled eggs with salad. This is my go to easy dinner at the end of a working week.

So, not a massively adventurous meal plan, but hopefully it will help save money on groceries. I am eating a lot more fish and veg dishes this week. Much of the meat I have was bought as part of my yellow sticker haul a few weeks ago in Morrison’s.

What are you eating this week?

I am joining in with Katy Kicker’s meal planning linky. Check out her meal plan this week too. You can see more of my favourite food ideas and recipes here. 

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