The First Step In My Meal Planning Process

I have been meal planning for about a year, and one of the things that I noticed that saved me a ton of money was building my meal plan and recipes around ingredients I already have at home.
I meal plan every week, but I take time during the beginning of every month to inventory what I have in my pantry, fridge, and freezer. My inventory lists act as my quick reference guide when I am finding recipes online for my meal plan.
By taking inventory of the food you already have, you accomplish three important things:
1. You save money by utilizing the food you already have at home.
2. You reduce food waste by becoming aware of your expiration dates and using the food that is about to expire first with your meal plan recipes.
3. You stop yourself from overbuying. It was really easy for me to forget about what I already had in my cupboard, so I would end up buying a lot of duplicates.
In this video, I take you along on my food inventory journey!
HELPFUL LINKS
Meal Planning Printables: www.thebudgetm...
How to Create A Meal Plan: www.thebudgetm...
Don't forget to subscribe!
ABOUT ME
I'm the blogger behind www.thebudgetm.... 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.thebudgetm...
Instagram: / thebudgetmom
Facebook: / thebudgetmom
Pinterest: / thebudgetmom
Twitter: / the_budget_mom
GET STARTED
Start Here: www.thebudgetm...
Free Email Course: thebudgetmom.l...
Free Resources: www.thebudgetm...
GET 10% OFF my popular 2019 Budget-by-Paycheck Workbook - Coupon Code TBMKZbin bit.ly/2BtpnTC
CONTACT
[e-mail]

[@jjbuckner]

Meal prepping helps me not only with our grocery budget but also with my waist line! Lol

[@veganlunchmom]

Love this , Saves money because you don’t buy the things you already had but didn’t remember. Also doesn’t waste food because you know what needs to be used up.

[@dixiegirl999]

I do mine the same way by inventorying everything we have which pretty much doesn't take long either. I plan all our meals out by what we already have & then look at all the ads & buy what's on sale.

[@NDtee]

The sell by date doesn’t mean the item will expire on that date. It’s for the grocery stores to tell them the last date they can sell the item. The food is very often good way past that date. I really enjoy your videos. I’m learning a lot from you!

[@MsAnna4040]

Most of the expiration dates are really “sell by” dates. Many foods can go years past the date..at least a year or two. Love the video.

[@melindabanning7707]

MsAnna4040 canned goods can last 15 to 20 years if there is no compromise in the seal.

[@pcrose5163]

Wow! I've done a freezer inventory, but never pantry. I can totally see the value. We have spices in four places. So I know we buy a new jar when we cannot find a spice we probably already own. And wow, every month is a great way to really know what you have.

[@Mumof5-m8s]

Maybe you should get another shelving unit like the office one in the dining room and use it as a pantry. All that food spread out in that many cupboards in the kitchen is overwhelming and hard to find things.

[@39Miche]

Love the checklist. I have a notebook that I keep my and mark off what I use and then add when I grocery shop and put food away.

[@sparechange5815]

You do know that the sell by date/expiration date is not set in stone. As long is the can is not bulging or when you open them they smell and look normal - they are still good.

[@RaeDanaeDesigns]

Love this and all your videos! I am sticking to a budge as well! I am also a big tea drinker so just an idea! The drawer you have all of the decorating things in for baking-could you put those in a container with lid and make you a tea drawer? you would love it-I made a tea drawer and love it so much!

[@sheilamaecarpio4743]

I knew which foods I need to eat to lose weight, but I didn't know how much. Diet plan I got from *Next Level Diet* contains portion sizes for every meal. Fantastic!

[@sunsets6075]

Loved this video!!! Totally inspired me to go do this in my kitchen. 👍

[@CandCbyPegi]

I'm sure you already know this, but when you have fresh nuts be sure to store them in the freezer. They last a lot longer and don't go rancid from the natural oils.

[@navyltklssmith1764]

You need a lazy Suzan for that cupboard that goes way back. If you can fit one through the door...just a thought.

[@afroditigreekmom]

Thanks for the video! I would do this once a month and cross off the list as I use them so that I don't have to worry about making a list weekly. I usually just take a quick peak in the fridge and document what I need. What a money saver and a food saver. Also, would you consider getting a lazy suzy for your spices? I have one and it is so great and looks more organized.

[@loe3175]

You need to get some lazy Susans for that spice cabinet.

[@mariatomczak8352]

I love it! Super helpful! thank u!

[@iroshikajayasinghe4016]

May be you can use a colour stiker for fist expire food

[@lindadobranetski6302]

that ranch packets i use them as a spice and put them on all my food very yummy.s

[@bibi8215]

Happy that I’m not the only one with unused expired goods 😆

[@rhondahoehne9143]

In theory this seems to be a good ideal but I have a large pantry and this would be too time consuming. I put like items together, canned goods are in rows and I make sure that I rotate them. My pantry shelves are not too deep so that helps…items don’t get lost behind other stuff.

[@tannidrever7492]

Loving the “hello gorgeous” mug. 😍

[@AussieMoneyMan]

Thanks for sharing! I definitely need to improve my meal planning after watching this.

[@AlexandraVlachou]

Very helpful! Thanks!

[@Thesovietunion491]

Do you sell your budgeting pages and anything else in you notebook i just found your videos and i am trying to start the new year off with a bang

[@Thesovietunion491]

Thanks

[@oliviacarnathan2123]

What if your starting new and you really have no groceries. Do you just go buy each thing on your meal list. And wht do u buy in bulk u might use more often

[@exxology1]

Olivia Carnathan Start simple! If a recipe calls for a weird item that you don’t think you’ll use much then just skip or substitute it with something you’ll use a lot..

[@WithLoveShante81]

I love Mc Donald K Cups

[@cwj144]

What do you do with a spice if you do not find a Use by or Sell by date: What is the general rule of thumb on this.......

[@kirawilson1809]

Where do you get your inventory checklists?

[@16icecream]

Love this

[@ramirezramirez4204]

With todays inflation what do you recommend for food shopping and one income 5 kids

[@matemahe]

Get a job

[@ramirezramirez4204]

@@matemahe how about mind your business

[@matemahe]

@@ramirezramirez4204 Real answer get wic ebt or go to food banks you have the time to do all that obviously. If you don't qualify for that stalk stores for when they do mark downs on especially on meats & freeze if you don't have freezer room just buy mark downs can cook for dinner. Read the per oz price on shelf tags. Make lots of soups with whatever is on sale when its cold. Flip is an app that has all your local stores ads so you can shop whats on sale.

[@sandradisclafani6725]

How can i get the principles ♥️👍

[@SimplyDonna]

Awesome

[@tiffanyrockwell2115]

That wrestling pic tho! OMG girl he is adorable

[@catreenagreen]

Not to be disrespectful, but if you do this every month, and have a list of everything you have, how did you end up buying so many K-cups? Doesn't seem like your system is working for you.

[@nursen2106]

that loud music hurts - I mean, my ears will survive, but it is harsh and makes watching/listening hard

[@theropesofrenovation9352]

I'm embarrassed. My pantry list is 3 pages long.

[@LorraineVirginie]

Please consider switching the type of coffee maker you use, the K cups are soooo bad for our environment! :(

[@visitor3756]

LorraineVirginie Not to mention the conventional coffee is sprayed with so many pesticides and added root to stems for example. Starbucks and Mickey D's is the worst Spices go rancid after a year should be thrown away.

[@sara12345123451]

I recently discovered reusable k cups 😍

[@thedarkangel456789]

Everything is bad for the environment

[@alissap1290]

It must be hard to have everybody’s comments on your personal way of doing something. She’s not posting this so we can tell her our opinion on her health choices, or her earth friendly choices. This is her reality. Take what you can from it.

[@lorejune3]

K cups are really bad for our environment!

[@thedarkangel456789]

Everything is bad for the environment