Something I felt wholly unprepared for when I moved out on my own at 18 was feeding myself three meals a day, 365 days a year. I ended up spending hundreds of dollars eating out every month, which has turned into thousands over the years. I’d rather spend that money on something else, but I also don’t want to spend hours every week planning meals and grocery shopping. Here is how I manage my pantry efficiently without sacrificing the yum factor.
Part One: Section Your Pantry
Non-staples rotate more frequently, and you might not purchase the same things as often. These are your fresh ingredients and sides that pair with various meals throughout the week, typically having a short shelf life and a more specific purpose in your meal plan. Meal planning can take as little or as much time as you like. There are many guides on the internet for crafting the perfect meal plan, but I am going to give you my streamlined process that I usually do at the grocery store or as I am ordering without any great forethought.
Part Two: Section the Meals
Dinner

Breakfast and Lunch

Snacks
Snacks and are something I used to forget about often when meal planning but busy days are so much easier with quick fuel options.
I prefer bulk snacks that includes more than one serving, like popcorn or pretzels. Fruit is also a great option for snack time because it boosts blood sugar and helps to hydrate you all at once!

Part Three: Do the Shopping
Now, it’s time to do the easy part: shopping! Using grocery pick-up or delivery services can help you find the best value before you purchase by comparing online carts. Purchases can sometimes earn you targeted coupons if you have an online account, but not all grocery stores offer that. Pick-up is ideal for my personal schedule, and because I usually purchase groceries once a week, it is easy to pass the minimum purchase threshold for free pick-up at my local Kroger. The examples in this post show a meal plan that will feed two people for around $100 a week or $50 per week per person in the Atlanta area. That’s an average of around $3 a meal, which absolutely cannot be beaten by eating out! Adjusting the menu can drive that price even lower by adding more inexpensive items, like rice, or repeating dishes more often so ingredients can be purchased in bulk.
When shopping in the store without a list, start with proteins and build one meal at a time. With a solid goal in mind, you can navigate the grocery store efficiently and avoid impulse buys. This not only saves you money but also ensures you have all the ingredients you need for the week. Snacks and treats are best left for last; otherwise, you might find yourself overindulging.
