Food is prohibitively expensive. Most of us pay a huge percentage of our income on groceries, take-out, and dining out. Sometimes it seems as though eating healthy is more expensive. But there are many ways to cut expenses and still eat healthy foods. With these eight inexpensive meal plans, you will be able to easily plan for and afford grocery shopping.
Many are focused on a specific type of person or lifestyle, and each is tailored toward saving money while also improving health. Check out these 8 inexpensive meal plans to lose weight and save money while feeling great about what you consume! Before we dive into those, let’s first discuss how to get started with frugal meal planning.
How to start frugal meal planning
Even if you have never used a low-priced meal plan before, where should you start? These tips will help you start saving time and money in no time.
Keep in mind that you should utilize whatever strategies work best for you when planning or doing cheap meal prep. It’s a good idea to try out various options and then come up with something unique that is perfect for your meal planning schedule.
Use what you have
You may discover a lot of canned goods and non-perishable items in your kitchen that make great side dishes or entire meals. Look through your kitchen and see what is still within the expiration date that you can use. If you come across anything damaged or defective, this is also a great time to throw it away.
You may be able to find more items in your kitchen than you expect. You may also be able to find new recipes for foods you generally don’t use. Who knows what new meal you will like!
There are many ways to use what you have. Sarah Rae Smith of The Kitchn suggests making soups and casseroles to use up anything extra in your pantry. Be creative and willing to try new things. You can also use apps such as Magic Fridge and Supercook that will give you recipes for whatever ingredients you have stored in your cabinets!
Don’t waste food
When you cook meals, make enough for that meal, and if you need leftovers, then be sure to consume everything in the meal in the next few days. If you want to save the most money with frugal meal planning, it’s as crucial not to waste food as it is to spend less money on it. Leftovers are preferable to takeout or dining out, and consuming them can save significant money.
Plus, if you do not have a cooking area, it will save you a great deal of time. That’s a big deal for foodies who don’t like to prepare. You can make larger batches of food less frequently and eat leftovers for a couple days.
Buy what’s necessary
Being thrifty means buying only what you need and avoiding wasteful purchases. It’s important to make wise purchasing decisions at the grocery store. You don’t want to run out of food or need a snack and be forced to buy something you didn’t really need. When you are at the store, be sure you know what you want to buy. Be sure to compare prices to find the best value.
It’s also a good idea to pay attention to what you spend more or less money for. For example, you might choose to buy organic chicken breasts. Then, you can get the cheaper pasta and canned goods. Balance your budget by spending more in those areas where you have more money and saving less in areas that are more affordable.
Make a list of meals
To plan your meals before you go to the store, create a list with your expenses. Include each item on the list and what ingredients you need for it. Listed below are economical meal plans that cover a whole week. They include meal suggestions for breakfast, lunch, and dinner.
Although it is not listed here, you may also want to include snacks to your meals list. That way, your between-meal snacking will already be taken care of, and you’ll have some snacks on hand. You are welcome to include snacks on your grocery list, so you can pick up healthful things.
To plan your daily meals, you should create a list in addition to the time spent to cook each item. Then, fill that into your schedule. Some people choose to meal prep and prepare everything in one day, such as Sunday. You can also cook every day rather than prepping food. Remember to add the time for cooking.
Some of the recipes listed here are easy and quick to make, but for those who like to spend their time cooking, a few take more time. Plan your mealtimes so that they’re at the same time every day if you can, or organize a meal prep day once per week.
8 Frugal meal plans for every lifestyle
Here are eight affordable meal plans designed for various lifestyles. Mix and match, or use whichever one best suits you. These are intended to be quite versatile. Some ingredients can be swapped out for others that you deem preferable or what you have on hand. The most important goal is to save money and be organized. Have fun!
1. Simple frugal meal plans
For those who are minimalists and want to keep things easy, the ideal plan is to prepare only several ingredients for each meal. Most of the ingredients you’ll be able to use will allow you to be a bit more innovative with your recipes, too. You can use the food you have on hand. So if you need a quick and simple meal plan, this is a great option.
For this plan, you will eat the same meal multiple times every couple of days. There are many meal ideas to prevent boredom, but eating the same meal several times simplifies the process. You can make bigger dishes and stretch these out for a few more days if you prefer.
These simple meal plans are fast and effortless, making them perfect for people who are constantly on the go. Each menu link also links to the recipe for the corresponding meal. In this way, you can conveniently prepare and cook your meals.
Breakfast preparation has never been easier with these delicious recipes! There is nothing simpler than cereal, but it’s nice to have numerous choices.
These easy lunches include sandwiches and salads so that you can vary your meals each day. Check out our collection of inexpensive cold lunch ideas for more meal plans!
After a long day at work, it’s difficult to get the motivation to cook because you’re already tired. These dinner recipes make cheap meal prep a breeze.
2. Frugal meal plans for the super organized
If you enjoy cheap meal preparation and are good at planning, this is a fantastic option. Some of these will necessitate some preparation the day before, or you may instead do your prep on the weekend. If you enjoy cooking and like eating well, try out these recipes. You can also freeze and refrigerator most foods and have them ready ahead of time.
Here are some easy-to-prepare breakfasts that are great for those with a craving for salt and sugar. You can change them up depending on your preferences.
These meal preparation ideas are terrific for saving on groceries, and you can use more nutritious and less expensive ingredients as well. Also, buying in bulk can save you money on your food shopping.
Here are excellent meal suggestions if you are on a restricted budget. Additionally, by preparing leftovers for nights, you can save time and money.
3. Frugal meal plans for large families
If your loved ones are large, mealtime can be challenging. This cost-effective meal plan will help you stay organized while also saving time. All of the meals served here can be made for several individuals at the same time. Some are easy to prepare, while others may take a little bit of preparation, but all are interchangeable between simple and difficult, so you can always find something to do.
Whip up these scrumptious breakfast casseroles that the entire family will enjoy! Casseroles are great for bulk cooking because they can be frozen for later use.
We have created some delicious yet varying lunch meals to make eating inexpensive even simpler! Whether you prefer healthy or indulgent, these dishes will satisfy your palate.
Preparing large meals for your entire family can become quite costly, so here are some frugal tips to get you started.
Use the leftovers from your dinner for midday snacks. It’s a great way to minimize food waste and save time in finding food.
4. Frugal meal plans for couples
It’s very easy to run to the store or around town for takeout or snack food when it’s just the two of you. This meal plan will help keep you healthy and offer a little structure to mealtime.
In addition, there are various fun projects that you can do together. Meal preparation on a budget can be a fun night in. Or you can cook after work or whoever makes the food depending on the day. Find out what works best for you and save cash, too.
These meals are great for couples and do not take much time to make. So these are great for breakfast-to-go couples, too.
Packing lunch for each other is a simple way to stick to a frugal meal plan and help make the day easier. These easy recipes are full of flavor and make a delicious lunch.
Whether you prefer savory soup or really like mac and cheese, these tasty dinner ideas are great for date nights. You could also pick breakfast for dinner one evening.
5. Frugal meal plans if you’re single
Singleness allows you to eat whatever you want, but it also means that you might lack organization in the kitchen due to having too many choices. It’s simple to snack on unhealthy food since you don’t have to follow a set mealtime and can try the laziest dishes. This economical diet regime will give you a schedule in your shopping routine and structure your food choices.
Here are some fast breakfast suggestions designed for single ladies! We understand you are busy and on the go so we have designed these recipes to be simple.
These easy-to-make affordable meals are yummy as well.
These appetizing meals are great for anybody eating alone. However, just because one is sitting alone doesn’t mean that the meals can’t be delicious!
6. Frugal meal plans for super busy ladies
When you are busy, staying frugal and healthy with food can be a challenge. These meal ideas take only a few minutes to prepare and are inexpensive and healthy. Many of these meals can serve as ready-made meals while you are on the go and won’t take hours to complete. These dishes can be prepared in about five minutes or less!
Breakfast is the most important meal of the day, but it can be hard to find an appropriate time to fit it in. These suggestions can help you get out the door fast even if you’re in a hurry.
It’s very easy to go to the drive-thru at lunchtime, but you can have a nutritious meal without a delivery charge. These can also be prepared quickly, which negates the temptation to skip packing your lunch.
Dinner does not have to be a big fuss and it is still delicious if it is easy to prepare. Give these fast meal recipes a try to save time.
7. Frugal meal plans for the amateur chef
If you enjoy cooking and spend a lot of time in the kitchen, this schedule is ideal for you. You will most likely have to buy more food than you would if you skipped meals and cooked only what you ate, but you may enjoy trying out new recipes.
The dishes here are relatively easy to make and are also inexpensive. It’s a great way to use your passion for kitchen cuisine while saving money.
What better way to start the day than a nutritious breakfast? So give these delicious meals a taste if you are interested in cooking.
These delicious meals are not at all boring!
Use these delicious recipes to cook up some delicious meals.
8. Frugal meal plans for those who hate cooking
Hate cooking? Check out these recipes if you want to maintain a healthy diet while spending as little time in the kitchen as possible. It will enable you to make fast, easy recipes that will still taste great.
All of these items can be combined in just a few minutes. Pre-measured stir fry or precooked vegetables will also save you time.
When shopping, consider what will save you money and time. If you want to, you could cook a large batch of food on the same day and freeze it to minimize your efforts during the week.
These breakfasts are for those who want to have it prepared yesterday. If you’re not a morning person, give these quick and simple breakfasts a shot.
You can make a quick and tasty lunch without much effort with these ideas.
Whether you want breakfast for dinner or want to have some Chinese food for dinner, these dinners are super easy to prepare.
How to save more money when shopping for frugal meal plans
Even if you are planning out your menus, that doesn’t mean groceries won’t get pricey. Instead of let your shopping get out of hand, use these techniques to prevent overspending.
Bring a list
Always go to the store with a list of what you need prepared. Otherwise, it’s easy to purchase the incorrect items or to purchase things you do not need. Then, you might need to return to the store due to forgotten items. The cost of not shopping with a list may be much more significant than taking the time to create one.
Do your frugal meal plans while seated for one or two minutes and add items to the list as you go along. Another option is to keep a list with you at all times, either on paper or on your phone. If you’re looking for some pre-made grocery shopping lists, here’s a selection of prewritten lists from Ziplist.
Set your budget and do not spend more than you planned
In your budget, earmark an amount for groceries every week or biweekly. This enables you to spend less money than if you wait until you see how much you are spending every shopping period. Decide what you are prepared to pay and then follow that.
If it helps, bring a calculator to the store, and use it to stay on track as you shop. When you get to the checkout counter, you won’t be surprised to see the total.
Try a “no spend” week
Buy your groceries at the beginning of the week and then refrain from purchasing additional food during the week. Instead, eat everything in your pantry. This thrifty diet will see you not waste money on food.
If you are new to no-spend weeks, Amanda L. Grossman from Frugal Confessions created a very instructive list. These free worksheets and trackers will assist you in staying organized.
Try these frugal meal plans to save time and money!
Budget-friendly menu plans can be simple and even enjoyable. So if you’re new to frugal cooking or haven’t cooked much in the past, consider trying one of the convenient meal plans listed above. Starting a new lifestyle with preppers is a great way to get started with preppering.
As you plan out your groceries and meals, you will likely find that you are generally healthier and that it makes it easier to stick with what you have planned. This will keep you from going out to eat since you are familiar with the food you will have at home already or it is simple to prepare it.
Savvy food preparation plans help you save money and time because you prepare your meals and use up all the food you buy. This is a great tool for individuals of any age and gender. Try out these ideas and see what you like best!
