Welcome back!
Although it appears the recession is beginning to turn around, and better times are on their way, many people are still struggling with their finances. Senior citizens on fixed incomes are especially vulnerable. There are several ways to save money on meals to help you keep your dollars in your own pocket.
Eat more meals at home
Cook more meals at home and you will save money. Many people have gotten into the habit of going out to restaurants or stopping by the nearest fast-food drive through. Not only is that expensive, but many times the food is not as healthy as you would eat at home.
A better alternative is to eat more meals at home. The exception is those who are going to Senior Centers for their lunches. Not only do seniors, and others, get a healthy, inexpensive meal, but they also are able to enjoy the camaraderie of their friends.
Plan meals ahead
If you are not a detailed person, you can make meal planning much easier with a simple chart or calendar in order to plan your main meals for the week. Many people eat the same breakfast in the morning. If that is the case for you, then you are down to planning two meals a day for seven days. To make that number even less, deduct those days you go out to the Senior Center or local Swiss steak or chicken dinner.
If you really enjoy restaurants, allow yourself one meal a week as a treat. A number of people go out to eat for birthday or anniversary celebrations, or around a holiday. That may cut another meal or two from your list. We often bring home extra food from our favorite restaurant for another meal.
Jot down the main meal for each evening. If you eat fish several days a week, jot that down on your calendar. It is okay if you exchange meals during the week. Sometimes people want to eat something different from what they originally planned.
Fill in the rest of the meal times; especially focusing on the protein, fruits, and vegetables, you will eat. Allow for a healthy dessert such as yogurt or the fruit, and you will quickly have your meal planned.
Keep your shopping list handy
When you plan your meals ahead of time, you will have a much easier time making out your grocery list. With the local ads at hand, your accumulative shopping list, and your calendar with upcoming meal suggestions, you can easily complete your list.
Take advantage of sales, utilize leftovers where possible, and stick to your list while you shop.
Beware of in store sales
At times there may be an in store sale or two that you might want to take advantage of, but be careful how many items you throw into your cart without thinking ahead. You do not succumb to sticker shock when you get through the grocery line.
By planning your meals ahead of time, taking advantage of sales, enjoying the occasional meal out, and sticking closely to your shopping list, you will be amazed at how much money you can save each month.
Try this plan for a few weeks and let me know how it turns out for you. If you have any suggestions for us, please do not hesitate to leave a comment.
![Reblog this post [with Zemanta]](http://img.zemanta.com/reblog_e.png?x-id=e8f73838-34d6-4247-9bcf-777a56318ad6)
