Apple Podcasts
Google Podcasts
Spotify
StitcherIf the cycle keeps repeating with meal plans, making the list, overspending, the secret isn’t in the store. It’s in what happens before you shop. Today we’ll break down this one simple fix, why almost everyone skips it, and how it can instantly change the way you grocery shop without cutting out your favorite foods or clipping a single coupon.
It takes time to build that habit but once you do, it becomes second nature.
Sponsors:
the help you need (and want). Like someone saying ‘I brought snacks to share’, ‘here’s a funny meme’ when you’re having a sad day, or us saying: Here’s 15 emergency meal ideas all using ingredients you’re almost guaranteed to already have on hand. Yup, that’s what we did! Go get yours for free at frugalfriendspodcast.com/meals!
Reverse Meal Planning
This article from Frozen Pennies covers everything you need to know about reverse meal planning. From what it is, its benefits, how to do it, and whether it really works.
What Jen + Jill have to say:
Jen and Jill touch on the reality that the average American family of four loses $1,500 to uneaten food. Therefore, they invited Sarah Conklin to educate us on the wonders of Reverse Meal Planning. This method starts by checking what’s already in your fridge and pantry, then building your meal plan around those items instead of choosing recipes first and buying ingredients afterward. This keeps costs low while still giving you wiggle room to grab sale items or clearance finds to stock up for later.
The advanced level of this is stockpile planning, where you buy the items you use most often when they’re at their lowest price. This way, you’re simply replenishing what you’ve already eaten. Once reverse meal planning clicks, grocery shopping becomes more of a strategy you’re winning at.
Reverse Meal Planning 101
- Do an inventory. Start with your fridge and freezer.
- Meal plan around only that. Once you already have your list, look through and get creative of what you can make out of what you have.
- Fill in the blanks. Turn into the internet to maximize your inventory’s full potential.
- Grocery shop. Finally, stick to what’s on the list and save more.
How to Successfully Do Reverse Meal Planning
Jill sees this as a chance to build a long-term saving habit that actually sticks. She recommends starting with a budget and letting it guide your choices as you plan and shop. Jen adds that you can also now shop for the flyers since you’ll actually use what you buy. They also agree it’s best to stay out of stores that spark impulse buys. Jen’s personal favorite move is meal prepping all the way.
Most unique thing on your last grocery trip?
Jen’s is smokey fire roasted salsa HOT and supermario kid’s toothbrush. Jill’s is a camera!
Bill of The Week
Thank you Jess for sharing your bill about calling your internet provider and getting internet & cell phone bill lowered.
Thanks so Much for Listening!
Thanks so much for listening. We love love love reading your kind reviews of our book Buy What You Love Without Going Broke and we especially loved this one from:
✰✰✰✰✰
I recommend Buy What You Love Without Going Broke. The personal anecdotes, organization of the book, and prompts for further personal reflection will help anyone, regardless of age. The overarching goal is for the readers to make informed spending decisions and look at personal finance as a mindful practice. They share many ways in which our brains can help or hinder our goals of living mindfully and how that can affect us financially. I would add that the information in this book could be applied to other areas of our lives, not just the financial ones.
If you want to check out our monthly challenge community head to frugalfriendspodcast.com/club to see what challenge we have coming up next.
Keep leaving us reviews on iTunes or Stitcher, and sending the screenshot to reviews@frugalfriendspodcast.com. And don’t forget to share your favorite quote from the episode by using the hashtag #FrugalFriendsNote. 😉
