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www.FredericksburgParent.NET 9 Join us for FUN at Freddy's Donuts Check our website for details: freddydonuts.com DON'T FORGET ABOUT SNACKS AND LUNCHES Meal planning isn't just about dinner! It took me a while to figure out that I should be putting just as much thought into breakfasts, lunches, and treats and snacks when I meal plan as I do dinner ideas. It's important to anticipate the week or meal planning cycle with regards to what you and your family members may be eating for other parts of the day, then shop and prepare these foods so there isn't temptation to buy impulse items. Buying a treat, whether it's a fun lunch or an impromptu ice cream run is an enjoyable part of life and you shouldn't be too restrictive, but again it's about finding balance. Be sure to have a box of brownie mix in the house or lots of fixings for good sandwiches to pack for lunch, and you'll all be less likely to purchase food throughout the day. BE REALISTIC Don't overachieve. Keep your skillset and true cooking interests in mind when meal planning and while grocery shopping. I've seen many people get excited about interesting products, buy them, and never use them. It's simply easier to order pizza than it is figuring out how to use that jar of Gochujang you've heard so much about. Avoid this additional waste of money by sticking to what you know. As you grow more accustomed to eating at home more, only then should you experiment with ingredients and purchases. Finally, the most important piece of advice I can offer when it comes to saving money on food is to always be thinking ahead and anticipating what you need to be doing for meals in advance. I know that sounds tedious and tax- ing, but it's merely a matter of shifting your perspective. Spending a few seconds thinking, "Do I need to defrost meat for tonight's dinner?", "How long do I need to mari- nate that chicken?", "Let me start the crockpot this morn- ing", "Does everyone have a lunch prepared for tomor- row?" and other constant little reminders to yourself make preparing meals easier and less overwhelming in the long run and save time overall. And remember—it winds up sav- ing you a ton of money too! Good luck! Keep your skillset and true cooking interests in mind when meal planning and while grocery shopping.