How to Meal Plan on a Budget

Meal planning is one of the easiest ways to take control of your weekly grocery spending. Instead of going to the supermarket without a plan, you decide what you’re going to cook, check what you already have and create a shopping list based on what you actually need.

With WiseList, you can also set a weekly budget when creating your Meal Plan, helping you plan meals around how much you want to spend.

Meal Plan

Why Meal Planning Helps You Save Money

A large grocery bill isn’t always caused by buying expensive products. Sometimes it’s caused by buying too much.

You might:

  • Buy ingredients you already have
  • Forget what’s in your fridge
  • Buy food without knowing what you’ll cook
  • Make multiple supermarket trips
  • Let ingredients expire
  • Order takeaway because you don’t know what to make

Planning your meals can help reduce these habits.

Start With Your Kitchen

Before deciding what to buy, look at what you already have. Your My Pantry and My Fridge help you keep track of ingredients at home. You may already have enough ingredients to make several meals.

Build Your Meal Plan Around Your Budget

When creating your WiseList Meal Plan, set your weekly grocery budget.

You can then choose your:

  • Number of people
  • Cooking days
  • Meals
  • Cuisine preferences
  • Dietary preferences

This creates a plan that is more relevant to your household.

Use Supermarket Specials

Another way to reduce grocery costs is to build meals around products that are currently on special. WiseList can help you plan around supermarket specials from participating stores. You can then use Scan & Compare to compare prices and find better-value options.

Don’t Buy What You Already Have

One of the easiest ways to waste money is buying duplicates. Before adding ingredients to your Grocery List, check your Pantry List and Fridge List. If you already have an ingredient, you may not need to buy another one.

Use Food Before It Expires

Saving money isn’t only about finding cheaper groceries. It’s also about actually using the groceries you purchase.

Use It Up helps identify food that is approaching expiry and creates recipe suggestions around those ingredients. This can help you get more value from every grocery shop.

Create Your Shopping List Automatically

Once your meal plan is complete, add the required ingredients to your Grocery List. You’ll have a clear list of what you need instead of wandering through the supermarket deciding what to buy.

A Simple Budget-Friendly Meal Planning Routine

Try this every week:

1. Check your Pantry

See what you already have.

2. Check your Fridge

Identify fresh ingredients that need using.

3. Check supermarket specials

Look for ingredients that can form the basis of your meals.

4. Create your Meal Plan

Choose your meals and set your budget.

5. Create your Grocery List

Only add what you actually need.

6. Compare prices

Use Scan & Compare to find better prices.

7. Shop

Buy what you planned.

8. Use It Up

Turn ingredients approaching expiry into your next meal.