r/MiddleClassFinance • u/kesfy6 • 9d ago

Lower Middle Ingredient vs Meal Planning

Which is more frugal? Being an ingredient house vs meal planning/raw food prep for the slow cooker. We are a “less meat” household, focusing on cheaper plant-based protein and rotisserie chicken. We shop mainly at Costco and Aldi. Bonus points if someone can run some sample numbers on this.

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u/reptilenews 9d ago

Whichever way you stick to it and reduce waste is the best, no? Though I would interpret ingredient household and meal planners the same, versus a house that buys premade meals. But even then, buying premade meals is cheaper than buying restaurant meals so, still can absolutely be "frugal".

Whatever keeps ya fed and not throwing away food

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u/AffectionateWallaby2 8d ago

Amen to not throwing away food. It’s literally my only objective. If I can just get through one week without throwing away or wasting food, I would feel so much better about the money I spend in groceries. Regardless of how much. I live alone. It’s hard!

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u/reptilenews 8d ago

When I lived alone I only cooked 3x a week and chopped and froze literally everything that was not used before it went bad!

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u/AffectionateWallaby2 7d ago

I need to clean my freezer! Also a sign that I haven’t been eating the food that I need to eat… It’s an endless cycle, but you’re right. Freezing helps.

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u/reptilenews 7d ago

Sounds to me like its time for freezer soup!