I’m a Chef: 9 Meal Planning Tips to Help You Maximize Savings at the Grocery Store
Written by
Kerra Bolton
Edited by
Maria Concepcion
Commitment to Our Readers
GOBankingRates' editorial team is committed to bringing you unbiased reviews and information. We use data-driven methodologies to evaluate financial products and services - our reviews and ratings are not influenced by advertisers. You can read more about our editorial guidelines and our products and services review methodology.
20 Years
Helping You Live Richer
Reviewed
by Experts
Trusted by
Millions of Readers
Known as the “Chic Chef,” Nik Fields understands how to make the most of a food budget.
Fields has prepared meals for celebrities like Tony Goldwyn, Snoop Dogg, and Sharon Stone. She also owns Chic Chef 77, a specialty wine bar with locations in Arizona and North Carolina.
GOBankingRates talked to Fields to get the skinny on nine meal planning tips to help you maximize savings at the grocery store.
Start With What You Have
Go shopping in your pantry and refrigerator and build your meals based on what you already have. For example, Fields suggested that if you want to make a taco salad, see if you already have the main ingredients, such as lettuce, tortilla chips, and cheese.
“Instead of buying things you already have, buy the remaining ingredients,” she said.
Buy Meals That Stretch
Be creative and purchase ingredients from which you can make multiple meals. For example, buying a whole chicken leads to a range of meal possibilities from chicken pasta to chicken soup, Fields said.
Portion Control
A medium drink served at an American fast food restaurant is 55% larger than its U.K. counterpart from the same chain.
You can save money while eating at home by watching your portion size while extending the life of your meal prep. Buy only in the quantities you need and resist the urge to buy in bulk if you don’t frequently use that ingredient.
Use Proper Storage
Storing your food properly extends its life and saves you money because you don’t have to replace it as quickly.
“Basil should not go in the refrigerator,” Fields said, giving an example. “It should be stored like a plant in a container filled with water. If you put basil in the refrigerator, it will spoil faster.”
Likewise, peaches and bananas will spoil faster in the refrigerator. When storing berries, line them with paper towels and make sure they are dry before refrigerating to avoid mold and bacteria buildup.
Monitor Your Refrigerator Settings
Fields recommended that shoppers keep their refrigerators on specified settings and use the appropriate settings for fruit, vegetables, etc.
In addition, the U.S. Food and Drug Administration advised consumers to keep their freezers at 0 °F and refrigerators at 40°F for proper food storage.
Shop The Outer Aisles First
Savvy shoppers should check the outer aisles of the grocery store first.
“The freshest food at the lowest cost is found in the outer aisles,” Fields said. “When you go down the inner aisles, you have the processed foods, which will cost you more money.”
Don’t Go Hungry
Hungry shoppers spend an average of $26 more on an empty stomach, often on snacks and other unhealthy foods they would normally avoid. Make sure you eat or munch on a healthy snack before going to the grocery store.
“If you go on a full stomach, you know you’re at the grocery store to handle business,” Fields said.
Cart or Basket?
According to Foodie.com, shopping carts are almost three times bigger than in 1975, resulting in consumers spending as much as 40% more with a larger cart.
“If you’re running into the grocery store to grab a couple of items, don’t get a shopping cart,” Fields said. “Get a shopping basket because if you get a cart, you’ll feel the need to fill up the cart.”
Music Matters
Listen to fast-tempo music on your headphones while you’re shopping. Slower music makes consumers want to take their time, move slower, and spend more money. However, up-tempo music makes you move faster, Fields said.
“When you listen to music while you’re shopping, it grounds you,” Fields said. “By choosing upbeat music, you can determine how long you want to be there.”
More From GOBankingRates
