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www.FredericksburgParent.NET 9 Meal planning is not synonymous with gourmet cooking. It's going to look differently for everyone based on a lot of factors, but you can keep things as simple as you wish. Spaghetti, taco night, grilled cheese and tomato soup, a healthy salad with some crusty bread – these are all easy-pleasing dinners that are uncomplicated and require little time and tech- nique. Once you get established, you can experi- ment with getting fancier if you wish, but don't let the fear of having to make gourmet meals deter you from a simple menu as your base! "But it's hard" I get it. There's a lot to consider when you're meal planning, if you want to do it well. But over time, you'll develop a lot of little tricks you can add to your tool bag that expedite the process. One of my biggest tips is to always be in meal plan- ning mode to some degree all the time, not just when you're sitting down to do it. This might be easy for me because I'm always thinking about food, but I tend to think most people are! Throughout the week, jot down little notes to yourself, whether it's about something you think would be good for dinner or even just that you discovered a box of rigatoni you forgot to use. When it's time to finally sit down to meal plan, you'll already have a head start. You can also enlist the help of other family members. Is there a night your husband or teen can take a turn cooking dinner? Check the calendar. If everyone's schedules are crazy Thursday night, there's your day to start a chili in the crock pot bright and early. Having your "meal planning switch" turned on all the time will add up and allow you to feel less overwhelmed. Finally, believe me when I say that meal planning is worth it and saves money! It's the ultimate guide to help you stay on track, buy only what you intend to use, avoid impulses, commit to using what you spend money on, and avoid food waste. I have tracked every dollar my household spends for years, and I can vouch that meal planning (the longer the stretch, the better) is the absolute number one thing in your control to stay on budget and limit exces- sive spending. So, get that calendar and sheet of paper out and get going! "I'm not creative or a great cook" You have questions about the future. With the new Tuition Track Portfolio, the cost of college doesn't have to be one. There are certain eligibility requirements to participate in the Tuition Track Portfolio. See the Invest529 SM Program Description for more information. Call 1-888-567-0540 or visit Virginia529.com to obtain all program materials. Read them carefully before investing. An investor should consider the investment objectives, risks, charges, and expenses of the programs before investing. For non-Virginia residents: before investing, consider whether you or the beneficiary's home state offers any state tax or other state benefits such as financial aid, scholarship funds, and protections from creditors that are only available for investments in that state's qualified tuition program. © 2021 Virginia College Savings Plan. All Rights Reserved. Virginia529.com | 1.888.567.0540