MY WEEKLY MEAL PLAN | Grocery Tips + Food Budget

Meal planning was a tool I used to help me lower the cost of my food budget. Ultimately, it gave me an organized food plan to prepare a grocery list, use food that I already had, and made it convenient to cook at home.
In this video, I break down my meal planning steps and bring you along for creating one of my weekly meal plans.
➡️ HOW I TRACK MY SPENDING: bit.ly/3aIe89I
➡️ SAVE MONEY MEAL PLANNING: bit.ly/37x5EmN
➡️ WHAT ARE SINKING FUNDS?: bit.ly/2ZuQEBH
➡️ FREE FOOD INVETORY CHECKLIST AND MEAL PLANNING PRINTABLES: bit.ly/3dtlJOj
➡️ THE BUDGET MOM'S FINANCIAL FREEDOM STEPS: bit.ly/3cfJXsp
CHAPTERS
00:00 Intro
01:54 Food Budget Factors
03:37 A Realistic Food Budget Foundation
05:38 Step 1 Use what you already have
10:34 Step 2 Finding recipes
13:38 Step 3 Creating the meal plan
18:15 Step 4 Create shopping list
21:25 Step 5 Grocery shopping
24:25 Conclusion
ABOUT ME
I'm the blogger behind www.thebudgetmom.com. I have a rambunctious 6-year-old son, live in Washington, and I'm passionate about helping people with money management and personal finance. Let me know what you like to learn more about! Leave me comments and suggestions on my video and let me know!
YOU CAN FIND ME AT:
📝 BLOG: www.thebudgetmom.com
📘 FACEBOOK: / thebudgetmom
📸 INSTAGRAM: / thebudgetmom
📌 PINTEREST: / thebudgetmom
GET STARTED
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➡️GET 10% OFF my popular Budget-by-Paycheck Workbook - Coupon Code TBMKZbin bit.ly/2CR7U9n

[@yvonnejohnson2109]

I just wanted to share that I paid off a medical bill that my husband had. It is the best feeling. I am so happy.

[@jennifercummings8607]

Congratulations 🎉

[@vyball701]

So happy for you! Hoping you continue to achieve all your financial goals for you and your loved ones. Keep up the good work 🥰😍👍🌺🌸🌻

[@angie5862]

Congrats !!!! One less things to stress about !!!!!

[@EauxNeauxlol]

Wooo! Congrats you did it!!

[@juanitagallegos6047]

That is a good feeling!

[@lindapedersen-hylka7170]

This is the first time I've had meal planning explained to me that I totally understand, & I think it's do-able. Thank You

[@joanalorenzo6949]

I do food shopping 3rd world country style. Shop once a month the kitchen staples...Rice beans, meats, and other grains. Also, spices, oil and cleaning household items. In the middle of the month I replenish fruits and veggies and milk. I spend $300 for 3 people and I live in new york.. I usually buy sales and have a deep freezer that's how I save money.

[@terridenno6373]

A quick tip to save on printer paper and ink - make your recipes with erasable pens, one color for items you have, another color for things you need to buy. That way you can keep the recipe and reuse it just by erasing your check marks,

[@64smiles42]

Yes, it's easy to print off too many recipes! My system is to print off a new recipe and try it out. If it's a keeper it goes in a clear plastic sleeve and into my family favorites binder. The plastic sleeve is great because you can use erasable expo markers on it.

[@cricketbeans7061]

Anyone else’s mind BLOWN 🤯 about changing the serving size on Pinterest?! I had no idea!

[@popperv5742]

🤯

[@jaquandrawilliams349]

Yesss

[@SaschaDuvall]

Honestly. I’m 35. I’ve been looking for help on my finances foe years but never found anyone whose advise I would take but you!!! You make so much sense! Thank you!!!!!!!

[@starrnewell2394]

Exactly! Ive been searching how to start. Her videos an how shes explains everything is great. I need to be this organized.

[@alinasmithdaveishome4821]

4. Income is driving factor in food budget. You can have two exact same families in location, demographics and diet but if one is earning $250K and other family $25K, then food spend is going to be vastly different, even though they eat the same amt. An older couple will eat less food than a young couple but if old couple is wealthy, they will spend more on their food. I had been wondering for a while why we were spending so much on food since family size didn’t change but then realized incomes did increase over time! I’m glad you mentioned about no such thing as hard number for food budget. Just because one family is spending less on their food than you doesn’t mean you’re doing something wrong and it’s important people realize that.

[@nancyuren6456]

Just found you & love you! We are a family of 3. One is diabetic. I printed a recent menu plan we will start for March. It has the entire month with b-l-d/ & healthy snacks. Our pantry is organized with clear containers from Walmart which we still need labels for. I have a " Kitchen" binder. We have a " shopping list". As you do, we decide for the month any appointments ( I don't cook late). We then decide what type of meals we want to make. ( We have deep freezer & kitchen freezer list also). My recipie binders are Beef, Chicken, Pork/Ham, Seafood ( needs cleaning out big time). I then go to lunches as my brother is diabetic & needs snacks & low carb lunches. We live in Fla. ( 78 today) & no basement. We started " prepping" essentials due to hurricane season. I am 65 & my daughter is 40 with Epilepsy. I am the only driver. So, since my back & hands are all arthritic, & i cannot always walk, we have food on hand. Phew, thank you for reading. ALSO, we started major budgeting & have the envelope system going. Been hard since we rent & are all on SSI. But, with Covid, being home bound, we took the time to majorly " revamp". We have been paying on a debt consolidation for 4 yrs of all my daughters medical bills. She has had 5 brain surgeries, a stroke. All the flying different states, testing, moving 9 times added up. We have 1 1/2 yrs left & we will be DEBT FREE!!!! Our new 2020 Kia Soul will also be pd off. ( Just now at 5,000 miles in 3 yrs.( no driving). OUR NEXT PLAN: To hopefully buy a home. Renting just leaves too many limitations. HIT THE LIKE BUTTON FOR MIKO~~~~ P.S. I LOVE YOUR HOME!!

[@arafigueroa925]

I am a person that don’t like to write comments good or bad. BUT with you girl. Wow you are a God send. May God prospered you more n more. Thank you for sharing for free all your tips to help other. So appreciated. Thank you. Is been hard for me to be a new mom and the whole concept of been a housewife is so tiring but need it. Grateful for all the info. 💝

[@manondeusjen8433]

I'm from the Netherlands and taking your advice. I am able to save 25 % of my food budget since the last meal plan video that I saw from you 6 months ago. Next goal is pantry list. That one I still struggle with. But thank you for this video. It helps me focus on that goal!

[@tammy707]

We hunt and fish, helps us a lot. We don’t buy much meat. This spring we’re getting chickens. Thank you for all of your tips

[@tspacefullstop4161]

After doing a spreadsheet of 2020...food was the most expensive area. I was floored. There was a time when I couldn't afford a lot on food. Now my circumstances have changed since downsizing and obviously paying less in rent and utilities, I'm not happy with my efforts to cut back. Its too easy to add when shopping online and getting it delivered and thats the only way I shop for food. I will reduce it in small increments. Thank you for these tips.

[@karenmarley9096]

Love this video! I do use Walmart pick-up sometimes, but Aldi and Lidl have saved me a ton of $$$. If you shop by store, plan meals around their specials for the week. A bonus to going into a store is that you can find marked down meats or produce. Bring a cooler even if it's winter, and designate a bag for produce only. This way, you will know which bags need to be brought into the house first if shopping a larger haul. To stay on track, purchase a tally counter- if an item is $2.63 you would click it three times always rounding up for tax. Love they way you write with those pens 😊

[@thebudgetmom]

I love this tip! Thank you!

[@bendietrees]

Oh I never thought to use a clicker! I've just been using the calculator on my phone but a clicker sounds more convenient.

[@lilmisspeace]

It did my head in as you stood in front of your OPEN freezer!! 😱

[@vikingmother]

MIKO: "How many times have you grabbed tomato pastes at the store, and came back home to realize you already had 6 cans??" YOU GOT ME :D

[@melissalim43]

we all can relate to that 😭

[@PeachPollux]

YES, opening up this vid with the having totally different food budget factors based on where we live, family size, and dietary restrictions gives me peace of mind. And upon checking the steps in the chapters, I found it similar to what I am already doing, which prompted me to watch the whole video! 💚 This definitely gave me more confidence to continue on the route I'm taking. Thank you

[@rhiannawashington8682]

Loved this video! Love the way you speak with authority because you have put this into practice and have the knowledge on how this CAN work if we work! So friendly and enjoyable thanks for all your hard work and willingness to share!

[@thebudgetmom]

Thank you so much❤❤❤

[@heatherheddleson3362]

I also use a handheld click counter when I shop. If the strawberries are $3.35 I make four clicks. It keeps me accountable to my budget and its super easy to push the cart, pick up items, etc. I try to keep two clickers with me though so my kiddo can also "help" keep track. I will usually add $10 in extra clicks to account for taxes.

[@samanthaanderson1281]

Ooo I like this idea!! This is so much easier than adding on a calculator as I go. Thanks for sharing!

[@allisgrace1313]

Just getting ret to start my inventory of my fridge, freezer and pantry....and I stumble upon your smiling face! Yay! Ear buds in! Clipboard with your inventory sheets in hand! Listening as I go.

[@anaservellon4304]

We are a family of 4....and I just cook for dinner.....I make 8 portions of that food....4 for dinner and the other 4 portions are lunch for next day. And usually one day of the week is for leftover...if there is any 🙂

[@3littlemomplanner879]

Thank you for doing this, food spending is definitely one of my biggest budgeting challenges. My main takeaway from this, is to keep the pantry inventory list in the pantry, and then how to keep track of my inventory. I was trying to keep it in my planner and it just never worked because it wasn’t updated. But keeping it in the place I’m using it most is a great tip.

[@prisdacosta7015]

I buy the chicken at Market basket and make chicken salad, I can regrow the celery in water

[@pixfan2008]

I also do scallions and baby bok choy.

[@lindaz318]

Great ideas! Consuming less meat will save you a lot of money too! I personally eat mostly vegetarian/vegan nowadays. It helps me to stay healthy and it decreased my food budget significantly.

[@GreenLifeInDublin]

Love how organized You are!

[@galyngaballo5120]

This was honestly great. And I admire the truth. I usually have to shop at 2 stores just because one place is cheaper than the other but the store may not have everything I need.

[@loe3175]

I love this kind of video! Thank you!

[@dicksisutcliffefolk212]

I love how thorough you explain and show your process. Thank you!!

[@DearDebt]

This is so helpful Kumiko! Meal planning is the KEY for us sticking to our grocery budget!!!

[@laurenpatchell7469]

Such a great note checking off what you have for a recipe before you double stock. YOU’RE THE BEST MIKO! Thank you

[@debraharding3357]

Love this! Thank you for breaking it all down. I know I can DRASTICALLY reduce my food budget by just PLANNING!!!

[@RLiberty94]

It's so incredible how simple this is to do! Thank you so much for sharing this amazingly simple system!

[@clairedriscoll8628]

Love the envelope for monthly bulk buying, lots of advice on just shopping weekly and that is great but will cost more in the long run, and you may have an instance when you can't buy weekly, bulk buying can also run out of control so great to have a set budget for this - very smart x

[@alycer.8158]

I love these vlogs. So helpful. I started doing this again. There was a moment there where I was just to tired to cook. But now now you can't stop me and I'm really loving going through my cookbooks📚

[@angelmcneil8467]

I just found your channel and am glad I did. Your intro about food/groceries being the silent killer and needs turning into wants had me saying that’s me. Along with thinking about making drastic goals. I def want to get a handle on my food budget because that is what totally hits my budget the hardest and where I go over monthly.

[@partintamra]

I really appreciate the step by step video's! Thank you for sharing!

[@graceclaire4182]

We have been trying to track our food budget and we have managed to get our food bill to about £300-£400 per month for a family of 5 - it also includes our toiletries, cleaning and baby stuff like milk, nappies etc. Although I do majority of these tips (which I'm glad to see!) I also think pinterest will be a great way to get recipes and keep them pinned I've never thought of it really I usually screenshot and have folder on my phone. So thank you for this video!

[@bananabambina05]

thank you for this!!! you are so amazingly organized (GOALS) and i love your videos. You make it easy to follow and you're straight to the point which is so helpful for people like me who get distracted by videos that have a lot of sidenotes or story times mixed in to them. I'm the main provider for my family so saving money and paying down debt are so important to me. Thank you for your channel!

[@DAH3161]

This video was so helpful! I already meal plan but the way you implement your meal plan with the menu, grocery list, and online shopping really makes it easier! Thanks for the inspiration!

[@judithbuchanan9566]

Great video Miko!!!! Thank you 🙌🏽🙌🏽🙌🏽

[@Sunnyday069]

That is so awesome. Turned my head upside down that your budget is under $30. I think the opposite, like I spend up to my budget, instead of spending only what we need. Printed the inventory sheets. Thank you for all you share. Changing my life and my kids’ lives one day and one dollar at a time.

[@arleneconorqui4547]

Very thorough. Excellent system. Thanks.

[@amandahines4747]

Other than fresh fruit and veg it looks like you already have a month of meals! Id LOVE to meal plan that!

[@jennmarable2798]

I like the can good rack! Great idea! I hate when I move cans around they fall every time 😂 I appreciate your inspiring videos, truly have blessed my life!!! ♥️♥️ Thanks!

[@TH0KH]

Online shopping for curbside pickup is also amazing, can just check the pantry if you aren't sure

[@isabellanajera]

Im happy to learn that almost all my life (living alone) I`ve been doing my grocery shopping almost as you do! ♥

[@shonahmclean2018]

I love the way you explain things

[@jenlibertowski3984]

And the Ibotta browser add on is great when it comes to Walmart pick up. It shows me if there’s cash back when I bring up the item. I find it easier than using the app on my phone.

[@libbysworld7649]

Binge watching all of your content because I just discovered you in November of last year. Officially obsessed with your tips and strategies.

[@flovd2581]

Best video ever on mal planning, congrats.

[@alwaysevolve4923]

Best Meal-plan video on KZbin!!! Thank you!!!

[@thebudgetmom]

Thank you🥰🥰🥰🥰

[@lynnette3020]

great idea for meal planning , love it

[@ppia5700]

Just found this video and I think it’s fantastic!!

[@margaretderrouel5715]

Helpful and informative video as always ❤️

[@123kirmizi]

I cannot wait for your videos Kumiko

[@user-oc1yq7qm3e]

La première fois que j’ai vu une excellente explication concernant le budget Bravooooo Algérien from Ottawa

[@Rositalm]

This video is so helpful. Thank you so much

[@Paula-pd6qv]

Wowwww so helpful, thanks!!

[@cindycabral6022]

Achievable amounts - I needed to hear that 🙏

[@lovedouglas9198]

this was so so helpful ive really been struggling with this since I moved out alone

[@MightyMama]

Excellent! I will be sharing your video in one of my videos! Thank you for your wisdom!🤎🙏💪🦋

[@eringuarascio]

I know this video is a few years old but just want to say thank you for sharing your process in detail! I have watched so many grocery budget and meal planning videos and have never seen one that walked through the process quite in this way. This doesn’t come naturally to me and I really appreciate you talking through each step and thought process!

[@michellemorales401]

Empty nesters for 2 1/2 years now but we still buy in bulk. If we have a low pay period, or someone is in need, we're always stacked and ready to go. I keep reminding myself not to compare to our old ways because prices have increased drastically in PA! As a blended family of 9, we used to spend btn $500-$650/month (including household cleaners) with an additional $100 for fresh produce and weekly staples. Prices were different, as well as dietary restrictions. 💙💜💙

[@deborahbrown1242]

Another excellent common sense video. Thanks Kumiko!

[@Beka-Nique]

Thank you for this! I went to your site and found so so much good stuff. They o my thing I couldn’t find ( I realllly want) is the pantry list!

[@danidean6411]

I love how you break everything down and explain why you're doing it. It's incredibly helpful. I have yet to find something that works for meal planning. I'm definitely going to work on your methods. I'm a boy mom x4 so life is so hectic! I'm gluten free and recently started eating dairy again and stopping nursing my youngest. Although I'll likely cut out dairy again. Also I live in Washington too. I can definitely relate. Thank you for being real! Also I love your planner! Where can I get it?

[@christineannematias5138]

hi there, I never knew you would go to Pinterest and print off recipes. I absolutely love your way of meal preparation. I will definitely take this on board, as a 58 yr old woman, I know I have become a little stale when weekly meal prep and shop, I seem to be paying and buying more now with only my hubby and myself than when I had my children at home and all their friends turning up needing a meal or two. New subscribed to your channel from Australia. I love the idea of a sinking fund too, I will have to work my brain around this to incorporate this into my budget

[@nicmc831]

With your roast chicken- what about sides, are these generally veggies or salad, something you already have? Does this budget also include your sons school lunches?

[@autib21]

I love what you said about tapering off on your food budget! This was exactly what i planned on trying to do in my first month of budgeting. I personally spend about 700 eating out and between my husband, and I and our daughter our grocery bill is about 500-600 a month! There is not way I can decrease those categories more than half instantly, like I tried in the past!

[@123kirmizi]

Haha I watch your videos over and over again because of that KZbin asked me a question( kind of little survey about your channel ) about your channel, why I like and watch your channel . I could chose more than one. I picked : informative, inspirational, fun, helpful, several more I do not remember .just let you know. btw greetings from Canada

[@lienemucina-sima3039]

Wow, thank you for sharing! :)

[@amyheaney]

Thank you so much x

[@lisadearing5960]

Meal planning has been a game changer! I spend less money at the grocery store and we don’t eat fast food much anymore (except Chick Fil A)! We save money and we are losing weight! 😃

[@missemmajackson8199]

I just come across this video I. This is such a good video was so helpful. Thank you for making the video❤

[@terrychittam945]

Thank You really enjoyed the video

[@sarahm1894]

This is almost exactly what I do when meal planning. I don’t order online as I had a couple of bad experiences with the produce. Otherwise it is the same! Thank for sharing.

[@sinplicityx1474]

The organization is amazing.. I'm gonna subscribe

[@selflove428]

Thank you so much for your videos we’re almost debt free

[@Pausereflectandbreathe]

This kind of video is what I need. I love to shop and eat out with my family. We're not in debt except for the mortgage that we can pay if we want but we prefer to invest the money in the stock market. I do want to learn more how to meal plan Ang get the habit of doing it. I like learning but taking the action is difficult for me to start. Thank you for sharing your knowledge with us! You are a blessing! ❤️🙏

[@julietagrimaldo3027]

Loving this! Especially as I begin my marriage!

[@GrammyA55reads]

You have changed my pinterest recipe printing!! I did not know you could change the serving size!! We went from a Family of 6 to 3. Thank you #lifechanging

[@lelouchvibritannia4235]

I started a cash envelope system and I’m trying to figure out how to save grocery money by making a meal plan. Thank you for helping me!

[@justanotherfan18]

Trying meal planning this year 2022! Not one to go to several stores to save with price of gas, but thinking if Walmart is across from aldi's then why not. Thanks for the motivation.

[@heatherheddleson3362]

I joined a local CSA in my community. While the prices do go up each year its about $400 for a 24 week season and I build my menus around the produce that comes in each weekly box and do a sinking fund throughout the year. My local farm also offers a bunch of other activities that are free for CSA members!

[@kimmcmahon6756]

This is the first video of yours I have seen and I really like your approach. 1.Figure out what you are spending now 2.Plan to decrease that amount in small increments 3.Know that your personal plan will not be like any one else's. I am not as organized as you but you did give me some ideas to implement in my new kitchen. Thanks!

[@betzy7514]

Wow! You appear to keep on hand a LOT of food for a family of 3.

[@MsNathaliabello]

That pantry inventory is what I need 1!! Idk why I didn't make that before :o

[@sjordan7085]

As a retired person, living alone on limited income, I make it a point to maintain a well-stocked pantry, long term storage, and items that last indefinately. I eat what I feel in the mood takes me, because endless choices are on hand. I never open something new until what is open is used, no need to waste food. Using that method, I never find a need to meal plan, could be different if I had a family to cater to, but that is not the case. I have shopped mostly at Grocery Outlet for their WOW deals and bought multiples of items I know I will use, this saves me half to 75% on my grocery bills. I am mostly vegetarian or vegan, with the occasional addition of fish. A plant based diet is healthier, kinder to animals and the environment and saves a lot of money. I make it a point to never waste anything, although I do allow myself a special treat once in a while. Especially, during a snow storm and being house -bound, I can honestly say, I have everything I could possibly need, enough to last a very long time, without ever having to go to the store. Even without the snow storm it is a good plan to eliminate in-person contacts as much as possible, Knowledge of proper food storeage also helps eliminate waste,

[@LearnWithLilibeth]

Is there any food storage ideas that you love the most? I realized recently that I can freeze chopped onion and many other chopped veggies that last for a while frozen !

[@bendietrees]

It's a myth that plant based is healthier. Personally I feel.my best when eating keto.

[@phoebusia1186]

Thanks a lot Kumiko to share your meal planning... This is very helpfull... Have a great week... 😉👌👈

[@luv2cook5]

Miko you are spot on about the food budget we all struggle with it I'm having trouble working with only 100 a week..i try to plan ahead and figure it out its rough 😣 i end up overspending.

[@smileymileys100]

Create a meal prep system and check out sweetpeas saffron.

[@sonjaclaw3960]

Very informative! Thank you for the tip on using Pinterest.

[@anasanchez9408]

Thank you so much for this video, exactly what I needed to hear 😁 Great job always Miko!

[@Reginajestem]

Kumiko, thank you, thank you, thank you for this video! I'm going to do exactly what you advised here, and let's see if my (huge) monthly groceries spendings decrease.

[@pawsjo1713]

Can you fo a video of how you decide on what meats to buy for the freezer and how much at a time? Is it the same each time you fill up your freezer? Loved this!!!!

[@PepperS72]

At my house, our largest monthly bill is our groceries. We are a family of 4 living in Ohio. We average an estimate of $260 to $300 a week (that includes all household items, all beauty products & pet food. I would LOVE to get that amount down some, even if only $50 a week. Your video was very helpful & I will try these tips this week on "grocery day" this week. Thank you for the video!

[@mikailagray]

I live with my sister and she is the worst grocery shopper. She buys multiples of things all the time and then never uses them. She kept getting pesto from aldi and never used it now we have like 4-6 jars. I’m trying to meal plan my lunches for work and some dinner to use up more of our pantry and freezer items. Thanks for the inspo!!

[@withoutlimitsbudgets]

Great video, even though it’s over a year old! Because I have built a prepper pantry over the years I have a ton of food. I can pull off the shells which has saved me a ton of money over the pandemic years! With that being said, my kids eat meat, but I am a vegetarian, and I have learned that meat can be a proper portion, and still be affordable, it could also be considered part of a dish and not the main dish, which also helps reduce the meat cost when you’re serving it to your family! Vegetables fresh are on the rise so I buy frozen when I can to combat the cost of fresh vegetables and frozen vegetables are actually fresher than fresh vegetables anyways lol I absolutely love this video. Thank you for sharing. I have a family of four since my husband is currently overseas and we have three Chihuahuas. Our monthly budget usually consist of around 400 or 500 total. That’s also sometimes includes home items as well. 3:53 3:57

[@luv2cook5]

I would love for you to share more cheap crockpot meals Miko 💕 pretty please😀

[@jacquelinesamuda6547]

I have never "intentionally" meal prepped for the week ahead before. Everything was kind of in my head, and decided on the spur of the moment. The problem was I had to run to the supermarket during the week, spend the extra gas and time to go, and usually the nearest supermarket is more expensive than my regular one, just to get one or two ingredients. While watching your video, a light bulb went off in my head. I must meal prep on a Friday for the week ahead. I go to the produce market on Saturday mornings and the supermarket, later in the day. So by doing imeal prep the day before, it will eliminate the emergency runs during the week. And these mid week runs always made me over-run my weekly budget. So I am really happy that I watched your video just now for now I have a "Meal Plan System". Thank you.

[@melonytips]

I think the thing about this method is to already have provisions like you have that big pantry, which would mean to spend more in the beginning

[@AnneHamptonNewMarket]

I like this video. Fitting your food budget to where you live and food requirements is to true. Great job. One issue I have though is: Beans are protein and they are cheap! Meat "animal protein" is what is the most expensive ingredient. You can add beans to your meat dish a cut the price. Or eat a meatless meal once a week to cut the budget or better yet a few meals a week of bean dishes and cut the budget way down.

[@thebudgetmom]

I love this idea❤