Ever wake up at 6 a.m., get the kids up and fed, send them off to school, put in a full day at the office…and then face the nightly question of what to serve for dinner?
You’ve got the ingredients for a wholesome stir-fry in the fridge, yet it would take at least 20 minutes to wash and chop the vegetables.
On your drive home, with the kids grumbling about being hungry, a nearby burger place beckons. You know a quick stop will cheer the kids and spare you extra stress for the evening.
Sound familiar?
Even the most diligent shoppers and planners have found themselves in exactly this situation.
There’s no need to be hard on yourself for an occasional detour from your routine, but it’s worth exploring small changes to prevent drive-through dinners from becoming the norm.
Beyond health considerations, dining out frequently can seriously strain your finances. The average American family spends over $600 each month on food, according to Gallup polling from 2014.
Now picture directing that money toward nutritious ingredients you can prepare at home ahead of time.
One Day + $300 = A Month of Wholesome Dinners
One strategy busy families use to reduce evening mealtime stress — and cut costs — is dedicating one day, or even a few hours, to assembling components for multiple meals.
Kept in the freezer, these dishes can remain good for up to six months. They’re simple to thaw and finish in a slow cooker or oven when supper time arrives — that’s why people call it “freezer cooking.”
Another perk: A single major shopping trip means no more daily store runs, and it can help you meet credit card minimums without buying unnecessary items.
Costs will vary by location, store choice and menu, but countless blogs demonstrate that you can assemble 30 dinners (and sometimes more) for under $300.
Approach the task systematically, or follow a ready-made menu plan and shopping list.
Real-Life Freezer-Cooking Wins
If you watch for sales before your cook-up session, you can stash various cuts of meat in the freezer until the big day, says Natalie at A Turtle’s Life for Me. She prepares over 40 meals for her family of four in just four hours — and spends less than $100!
My friend Clara tried freezer cooking right before going back to work after maternity leave; it made evenings much easier for her husband. They only had to thaw a meal in the fridge the night prior, then either start it in the slow cooker that morning or pop it in the oven when he came home.
Meals now last longer for their small household, and Clara plans to repeat the process every few months.
If you prefer to use your own favorite recipes, check out printable planning sheets from Money Saving Mom.
Also consider learning about what food you can freeze and exploring healthy affordable freezer meals to expand your options.
Five Tips for a Productive Meal-Prep Day
To maximize time and money — and make the session less daunting — follow these suggestions.
1. Don’t Wing It on Your First Attempt
For her initial try, Clara used a premade plan with recipes.
Even if she worried they might not love every dish, having a shopping list and clear directions was invaluable.
2. Team Up With a Friend
A full day in the kitchen can seem like a lot, so invite a supportive friend or family member to help.
To keep energy up, play music and take a short stroll during lunch.
3. Shop and Prep on Separate Days
Buying all the ingredients needed for 30 freezer-ready meals takes more than 20 minutes.
Pick up groceries at least a day before your cooking session — and try to shop outside peak hours to save time and frustration.
4. Read Through Instructions the Night Before
You’ll probably need to do a little prep the evening before, such as moving meats to the refrigerator to thaw.
Review recipes and directions ahead of time so you’re prepared to start promptly the next morning.
5. Assess Each Meal as You Go
Keep a master list of the dishes, mark them off as your family samples them, and jot down notes about whether they liked each one.
Your results might differ from other families’, but a day spent in the kitchen is a worthwhile, money-saving effort that keeps your household fed and your budget in line.
