4. Don’t forget about breakfasts, snacks, and lunches! Factor in these meals when either looking for recipes or thinking about what you can prep ahead of time.

5. Make a master shopping list. Aim to go to the store once a week. Of course, there will be exceptions when you might have to pop in for fresh produce or if your plans change, but by going once a week and getting everything you need you’ll save time and keep yourself from making in-store impulse buys. See here for more grocery shopping tips.

6. Get prepped. Look at what you’ll be cooking that week and make ahead anything that will save yourself time down the road. Some of our favorite things to do on Sunday to get a good start for the week are: hard-boil eggs, bake a batch of granola, cut up veggies, wash salad, roast a chicken or shred a store-bought rotisserie chicken, cook rice (or quinoa or other whole grains), roast vegetables, and make any sauces that can be done in advance.

7. Have the right containers. Invest in storage containers that can hold prepped food and leftovers. These can do double-duty as portable meal and snack containers.

8. Save your recipes. Do this so you don’t have to go digging for your favorites every time you want to make them. Use a binder or recipe box, download an app, store them in a spreadsheet, or create a board on Pinterest. Then any time you try something new that’s a big hit, add it to the collection. And be sure to make notes as you go: Did you make any changes? What did you serve it with? Did you have a great way to repurpose leftovers? I promise that future you will thank present you for the tips!

9. Mix it up. Don’t get stuck in a recipe rut! Make sure to try one or two new recipes every week so you don’t get bored with the same old meals. You can of course stay in your comfort zone, and definitely don’t give up on standbys that your family loves, but challenge yourself to take something new for a test drive. You might find the new family favorite!

Grocery Shopping Tips

Even though cooking more at home means more trips to the grocery store, that doesn’t mean it has to be a major pain. With a little bit of planning—which will soon become second nature—and a few smart tips, your shopping excursions will be quicker, less expensive, and much more enjoyable.

Shop once a week. Making several trips to the grocery store a week will cost you time and money. You may need to go back later in the week to freshen up your produce inventory, but aim for one big shop a week.

Make a plan. Figure out what exactly you’ll be preparing for the week, whether it’s recipes or un-recipes (here). To help narrow down your choices, consider what’s currently in season and also check out your store’s weekly flyer to see what’s on sale.

Take inventory. Before going to the store, take a peek in your pantry, fridge, and freezer to see what you already have so you don’t buy double. (This will take no time at all once you have things nice and organized—see here for more tips about that!) Also take note of any items that are running low. Check out here for a list of ingredients I usually have on hand because they lend themselves to recipes and to whipping things up at a moment’s notice.

Keep a list. This is a super helpful way to keep track of all kinds of kitchen business, from the weekly menu to a running grocery list. You could also do this with a dry-erase board, a notepad on the counter or fridge, or a clipboard.

Organize your list. Once you’ve written down all the items you need, sort them by sections of the grocery store, such as produce, bulk, fish, meat, frozen, etc. Knowing the layout of your store is a great way to make your shopping more efficient. Also, write down the specific quantities you need and make any notes that will be helpful when choosing a product. For example: If you note that you won’t be using your avocados until the end of the week, you’ll know to get firm avocados instead of super ripe ones.

Buy in bulk. When on sale or offered by a wholesale club, buying multiples of items that you use frequently will save you time and money. Designate a spot in your home to stock these items (a pantry, hall closet, garage), which will keep your kitchen from feeling too cluttered.

But don’t buy things just because they’re on sale. Don’t be tempted by the “Buy 5, Get 1 Free” promise, or any other, if you weren’t going to buy that item anyway.

Stick to your list. You made it for a reason! Impulse buys are what lead to more expensive grocery bills and more wasted food.

Don’t go to the store hungry. If you do, you’ll only end up with a cart full of items you wouldn’t normally purchase and definitely don’t need. I’m looking at you, pint of ice cream!

Leave your kids at home (if you can). You’ll be able to shop more efficiently and won’t have to deal with them begging for treats.

Compare prices by ounce, not just the sticker price. Consider the size of a package when figuring out which is the better deal. A carton of chicken stock might seem less expensive than its neighbor, until you see that it’s actually 8 ounces smaller.

Try store brands. They’re less expensive, and you might find you like them just as much as name-brand items.

If a sale item is out of stock, get a rain check. This is one of my favorite tricks! Most stores will honor the sale price of the item at a later date if they’re currently out of it.

Bring your own reusable bags. This doesn’t necessarily make shopping more efficient, but it is nice for the environment and, in the places where they charge for paper or plastic bags, can save you a few cents. Plus, if you invest in a few reusable bags with nice shoulder straps, it makes carrying the groceries into the house much easier.

Skip the trip. Another great option for the time-challenged is to see if your grocery store offers an order-ahead or delivery service. Some stores will allow you to order your groceries online then pick them up without even having to go in the store, or will deliver them right to your home.