I'm a numbers individual, therefore I pay close attention to my family's budget. For the most part, we're a pretty frugal family, but the one particular spending category that really disturbs me is simply how much we spend on meals. And I don't mean eating out... I'm talking about how much we spend on groceries each week. For a small family, our grocery budget is out of control.

So when I learned about weekly menu planning, I was excited. Particularly when I realized how much menu planning can lessen our grocery spending budget.

Save Money

There are many benefits to weekly meal planning, but the greatest benefit to my family is how much money we save on groceries. By planning our dishes in advance (I generally plan our meals one week at a time), I do know just what I need to buy at the store, and I avoid buying foodstuff that we won't eat that full week. Before I began planning our meals, we wasted plenty of food because it spoiled before I got around to cooking it. Meal planning also reduces the number of times I go to the grocery store (I did previously go nearly every day!), this means less impulse buys. I don't know about you, but every time I go to the store to pick up one or two things, I've expended $50 or $60 before I know it. Weekly meal planning allows lessen needless purchases, which means huge savings over the long run. Cutting out the daily grocery trips probably saves me the most in our grocery spending budget.

Save Time

Another benefit to weekly menu planning is the time it saves you. Firstly, because you spend less time figuring out what to cook for dinner (or utilizing the net for ideas). Secondly, since you already have all you need to cook dinner (for the entire week!) you won't have to run by the store after picking the kids up or on your way from work. Imagine how much time you'll save just from cutting out daily trips to the grocery shop. If you're at all like me and visit the store several times a week, you could save a couple of hours of time just by planning your meals in advance.

Eat Healthier

Another huge advantage you get from weekly menu planning is that it helps you eat much healthier. Folks who do meal planning tend to eat better because they go out to eat less often. By eating out less frequently, you cut out much of the oily foods which you would normally eat at fast food restaurants. Also, when you cook at home, you're more likely to choose fresh, healthy ingredients for your meals.

As you may see, meal planning has several benefits, which includes saving your time, money and helping your family eat better. At My Weekly Menu Planner, we offer articles, tips and free tools, including free menu planners and shopping lists to help you begin saving time and money with menu planning today.

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