How does planning your meals in advance help you save money at the grocery store?

What happens to your budget when you don't plan ahead?

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Well, for one thing we're more likely to eat out if I don't have a meal planned. Also, more leftovers and fresh produce are wasted.

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It's not what you make; it's what you spend.

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I notice that when I don't meal plan I don't use my stockpile and don't catch as many of the sale savings as I should.

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When I don't meal plan my family doesn't eat nearly as well. I dont get stressed over figuring out whats for dinner. And I save alot of money because I buy just what I need and don't spend that extra money on groceries that may go to waste or slipped to the back of the cupboard.

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I do, we are so busy that we end up ordering out way too much if I don't. I like to do as much meal prep in advance as possible when I get home from the grocery store.

I use the list pdfs at cindys porch. They have help me greatly.

About half of my menu plan comes from the week's sales. The other half comes from freezer and pantry, thanks to a stockpile.
I think I'd be spend much more if I didn't have a stockpile to draw from.
Menu planning also helps with leftovers. If I know Monday's dinner will produce leftovers, I can plan to use them in Tuesday or Wednesday's meal. Also, when I find something in the fridge, I can check my menu and see how many days old it is.

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~Jeweled