How to save Money on Groceries - Smart Grocery List

Wasting food isn’t just bad for the environment, it’s hard on your wallet too.

Smart Grocery List

Planning your meals ahead of time can be easier said than done but creating a Smart Grocery List is a great place to start and learn how to save money on groceries. 

Typically, meal planning starts with gathering recipe ideas from sources such as cookbooks, food magazines, or Pinterest boards. After that, the necessary grocery items are purchased and stored. However, the real challenge often comes later in the week, remembering exactly what you intended to prepare.

Despite planning and grocery shopping with good intentions, meals are replaced by last-minute changes, takeout orders, or convenient freezer options. It’s easy to forget which ingredients were for which meal, and before you know it, groceries you bought end up going to waste, and so does your money.

By implementing a simple yet effective Smart Grocery List tips for organizing meal plans and tracking recipes, will ensure you save money on groceries, can significantly reduce waste, and make weeknight dinners more manageable.

How to Organize Weekly Meal Planning with Smart Grocery List and save money on groceries

1. Start with Your Meal Plan

   Begin by writing down the recipe titles for each meal you plan to make for the week days. Next to each title, note where you found the recipe. For example, if the recipe is from a magazine, write the title, month/year of the issue and the page number where the recipe is printed. If it’s from Pinterest, include the board name (e.g., "Soups," "Vegetarian," "Healthy Dinner").

   
   

2. Create Your Grocery List

   Below each recipe, list the ingredients you need to purchase, focusing on items you don’t already have at home. This helps ensure you buy only what you need for each meal.

   
   

3. Keep Your List Accessible

   After returning from the grocery store, keep your list in a visible spot in the kitchen where it’s easy to grab when it’s time to cook to help you find the recipe quick and easy.

   
   

4. Toss and Start Fresh

   At the end of the week, throw away the old list and start a new one for the following week or store for another time.

Benefits:

• Saves Money: No more impulse buys or duplicate ingredients that you don’t need.

  
  

• Reduces Food Waste: By planning ahead and buying only what you need, you avoid purchasing items that go unused.

  
  

• Improves Organization: Meal planning becomes simpler and more streamlined, so you’ll always have an answer ready for the ever-popular question, 'What’s for dinner?'

  
  

Smart Grocery List will help you stay on track, save money on groceries, and reduce food waste, all while keeping your kitchen organized and your meals planned!

Frugal Advice:  Stay Organized with Pinterest Boards To make it even easier, create separate Pinterest boards for different meal categories—such as Soups, Vegetarian, Chicken, and Healthy Dinners. Move your new or soon to be used recipe to the top of the board. This way, you can quickly find and reference specific types of meals when making your shopping list.

Sample of Smart Grocery List

Slow Cooker Pot Roast, 2/2024 Food Network, pg. 75 - Monday

• 3 lb beef chuck roast

• 4 medium carrots

• 3 medium potatoes (Yukon Gold or Russet)

• 1 large onion

• 4 cloves garlic

• 2 cups beef broth

• 1 cup red wine

  
  

Lemon Garlic Shrimp and Asparagus, Pinterest - Healthy Meals - Tuesday

• 1 lb large shrimp (peeled and deveined)

• 1 bunch fresh asparagus

• 4 cloves garlic (minced)

• 1 lemon (zested and juiced)

• 1 tbsp fresh parsley (chopped)

  
  

Creamy Dijon Chicken, Joy of Cooking, p. 700 - Wednesday

• 4 boneless, skinless chicken breasts

• 1 small onion (finely chopped)

• 2 cloves garlic (minced)

• 1/2 cup chicken broth

• 1/2 cup heavy cream

• 1 tsp dried tarragon (or 1 tbsp fresh, chopped)

Grocery List: Garden Bolognese: PlantYou, p. 140 - Thursday

• 1 onion (diced)

• 2 cloves garlic (minced)

• 2 carrots (diced)

• 2 celery stalks (diced)

• 1 zucchini (diced)

• 1 red bell pepper (diced)

• 1 cup mushrooms (chopped)

• 1 can (28 oz) crushed tomatoes

• 2 tbsp tomato pasta

• 12 oz whole wheat or plant-based pasta

• Fresh basil (for garnish, optional)

Paella, The Complete Mediterranean Cookbook, p. 12 - Friday

• 1 onion (finely chopped)

• 1 red bell pepper (sliced)

• 3 cloves garlic (minced)

• 1 1/2 cups Arborio or Bomba rice

• 1/2 tsp smoked paprika

• 1/4 tsp saffron threads

• 1 can (14.5 oz) diced tomatoes (drained)

• 3 cups chicken or vegetable broth (warm)

• 1/2 lb shrimp (peeled and deveined)

• 1/2 lb mussels or clams (scrubbed and debearded)

• 1/2 cup frozen peas

• Lemon wedges (for serving)

• Fresh parsley (chopped, for garnish)

  
  

• Note: there would be other ingredients needed but those above are only example of possibly item needed to buy

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