A Guide to Budget-Friendly Meal Planning: 1-Why Mastering Your Kitchen Inventory is so important

Introduction:

In budget-friendly household management and efficient meal planning, the often-overlooked hero is your kitchen cupboard and freezer. By maintaining control over these essential spaces, not only do you save money you also streamline your grocery shopping process. Let’s delve into the importance of kitchen inventory and how it can revolutionize how you approach your monthly groceries.

Online Shopping for Groceries is budget-friendly:

The shift towards online grocery shopping has become a game-changer for many, including myself. Opting for online purchases from stores like Checkers (Sixty60) https://www.checkers.co.za/sixty60 and Pick’n Pay (ASAP) saves you both time and helps with sticking to a budget, there are many other online options, such as Uber, One Cart, Daily Deals etc. By carefully curating my monthly grocery list and using recipes that have similar ingredients, specifying preferences, and avoiding unnecessary duplicates, I managed to save over R1000 monthly while still feeding around 6 people each night (All my children are adults or have partners so the number can vary from just 2 to 10).

However, it’s crucial to strike a balance between being frugal and being a penny-pincher when you don’t need to be. Before the 60-minute or less delivery service, I used to order all my order non-perishables and pantry staples for the entire month online and then bought fresh items like milk, bread, and fruits locally. This ensured quality and allowed me to take advantage of in-store specials and loyalty programs. These rewards are now available through the online apps and Checkers have upped their quality of fresh produce.

I now buy weekly according to my meal plan, keeping kosher does still mean that I have to sometimes go into the store for speciality items or make them myself.

Strategic Meat Purchases:

When it comes to meat, I’ve adopted a strategic approach. While I buy most of my meat online from a local butcher for the month, certain items like chops or steak are better selected in person. Additionally, incorporating marrow bones into stews and soups not only enhances flavour but also provides a cost-effective protein source.
For example, I know that I will need minced meat for at least 3 meals in a month, 2 bolo or brisket roasts and 4 braai packs as well as chicken breasts for at least 2 meals.

The Power of Inventory: A Personal Case Study

Over the last year, I lost control of my pantry, and finally, I decided to take control of my kitchen inventory. Conducting a thorough inventory of my cupboard, I discovered hidden gems and organized chaos. Lasagne sheets, couscous, teas, box puddings and jellies that I had forgotten I ever bought.
My cupboard used to be arranged with similar items on each shelf, for example, I had one shelf that only held baking items, another for sauces, oils and bottles of vinegar and another for pasta.

Slowly over time it all got mixed up and disorganised, this is when the over buying of items happens, because you can’t see what you already have in the cupboard.

Couscous Revelation:

An amusing discovery during my inventory was the realization that I had accumulated 5 boxes of couscous. This was because my pantry cupboard was in chaos and had led to unintentional excess.

Kitchen Cupboard Chronicles:

Emptying out the kitchen cupboard was a revelation. Unearthing forgotten items and disposing of long-expired ones, I made significant progress. With a carefully organized cupboard, I not only maximize space but also reduce waste.
I can finally see what I have on hand and find recipes that will help me use up all my excess stock. I do not have the cupboard or storage space to bulk buy, I wish I did.

Freezer Finds:

After a meticulous repacking session, the freezer revealed surprises like forgotten vegan sausages and frozen falafel, cheese and about 4 bars of margarine too. These unexpected discoveries highlighted the importance of maintaining an organized and regularly updated inventory.

Conclusion:

Staying in control of your kitchen inventory is not just about managing space; it’s a powerful tool for budget-conscious meal planning. From strategic online shopping to maintaining an organized cupboard, taking charge of your kitchen can lead to substantial savings and more efficient use of resources. A tidy inventory cupboard is the first step in meal planning and having your grocery bill become budget-friendly. So, the next time you embark on your grocery shopping, consider the power of a well-maintained kitchen inventory—it might just transform the way you approach your budget and meals.

Have a look at the first article I wrote on this topic way back in 2015 to see that not much has changed in 8 years! I own my kitchen, do you?