You may not want to hear this, but one of the best ways to cut your grocery budget is having a meal plan. I used to hate meal planning, but there are ways to help and maybe even make it fun.
If you find yourself struggling to plan meals and figure out what to feed your family, a meal planning app can save you a lot of time without having to spend much money. I’ve tried out these top 6 meal planning apps and am going to give you the lowdown on what you can expect.
Top 6 Meal Planning Apps
Emeals
Cost: 14-day free trial, then anywhere from $5-$12/month depending on how many months you pay for at a time
Emeals is one of the most popular meal planning apps and has been around for a long time. It has evolved over the years, and now has integration with many of the top grocery delivery and pickup services so that not only do you not have to plan your meals, but you don’t even have to go inside the grocery store!
When you are a subscriber, you get access to that week’s recipes as well as past recipes and recipes from other meal plans within the app. You choose which meals you want, and then a grocery list is generated (which can then be sent through Walmart grocery pickup or Instacart). Emeals is very friendly to different eating lifestyles, like keto, gluten-free, clean eating, kid friendly, and vegetarian.
My thoughts: This is a good option if you’re a busy person. The price is reasonable and the fact that you could swing by and pick up groceries while you’re out and about is a definite plus!
Intent
Cost: 7-day free trial and then $49.99 annually; or $9.99 month with on free trial
Intent is an app-based program (there is no web-based content) that is geared to people who have specific goals with regard to eating.
Once you download the app, it begins with asking you your goals and personal details including height, weight, and age. Then you get a goal for calories per day based on what you chose. You then get a flexible meal plan (a few meal ideas a week) or a complete meal plan which includes breakfast, lunch, dinner, and snacks. Then you can choose how strictly you want to track, from logging everything you eat to not logging anything.
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See more online shopping deals.
Back-to-School savings at Target just got better! Starting July 16th, Teachers and College Students can get a 20% off purchase Target Circle offer!
Here are the offers:
College Student Exclusive – 20% off
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See more Target deals!
Take advantage of a great Summer jumpstart offer from Get Healthy U TV. Pay only 79¢ for the yearly premium membership (reg. $79)! This is the lowest price ever offered!
With GHUTV, you can watch workouts and access healthy recipes anytime from anywhere.
This is an incredible deal! Don’ t miss out on the opportunity to sign up today. Note that this offer is good for first time members only.
This offer is good for a limited time only.
See more online shopping deals.
Walgreens is hosting its Seniors Day in-store on Tuesday, July 11th. However, they’re also offering 20% off for Seniors all week online!!
Seniors 55+ or AARP members can get 20% off all regular priced national brand products when they shop online all week, July 9-15.
You must be logged into your myWalgreens account and enter code SENIOR20 at checkout to get this offer.
Go ahead and stock up on all the things you need this week!
See more ONLINE SHOPPING DEALS!
Head over to Amazon where you can get the Jetsons Kids’ Light-Up Kick Scooter, regularly $39.99, for only $19!
You can also currently grab this scooter for the same price at Walmart! This could make for a special gift for any kids in your life before they go back to school.
Scooters are available at this price in black and iridescent.
Prices subject to change at any time. Shipping charges may apply.
See more online shopping.
This is a comfort food that is always on my cravings list. Make it at home with simple ingredients to satisfy that craving (and feed your family, too).
I like this broccoli cheddar soup recipe because it’s not overly thick like you get in some restaurants. You can still taste the broccoli (which I love).
Ingredients
- 2 tbsp butter
- 1 medium-sized onion, diced
- 1 tsp garlic powder
- salt and pepper to taste
- 1 32 oz carton chicken broth (or beef or vegetable)
- 1 cup heavy cream
- 4 cups frozen broccoli florets
- 2 tbsp cornstarch
- 3 tbsp cold water
- 2 oz cream cheese (cut into small cubes)
- 3 cups shredded cheddar cheese
Directions
- In a large saucepan (or a Dutch oven) over medium heat, melt the butter.
- Add the onions, garlic powder, and salt and pepper and cook until onions are soft, about 6 minutes.
- Add the broth and heavy cream and bring to a simmer.
- Once simmering, add the broccoli florets and cook until the broccoli is tender, about 10 minutes.
- In a small bowl, stir together the cornstarch and cold water until dissolved.
- Add the cornstarch mixture and the cream cheese to the pot. Stir until the cream cheese is melted. Cook until slightly thicker, about 3 minutes.
- Using an immersion blender, blend about half of the soup (if you don't have an immersion blender, add a few scoops at a time to a blender and then add back to the pot).
- Remove the pot from the heat. A little at a time, sprinkle the cheese into the soup and stir until melted. Continue sprinkling in the cheese until it's all melted and combined (if you add it all at once it'll be harder to melt).
- Serve hot with sandwiches or crusty bread (you could also top with extra shredded cheese, crumbled bacon, or green onions).
See more frugal recipes!
Are you interested in growing your own produce? Head to Amazaon to get a great deal on Wooden Garden Beds by Yaheetech.
These Garden Beds have a 20% off digital coupon offer on the product page. Be sure to clip them to get the discount.
Here are the deals:
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makes it $59.10 shipped!
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-20% off with digital coupon
makes it $62.39 shipped!
This offer is good for a limited time only.
See more deals at Amazon.
Verizon is offering their customers 12 months FREE Netflix Premium when you sign up for one year of Starz Streaming Service.
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Offer ends 7/31.
