How to Save Money With Meal Prepping: Eat Well for Less Than $200 a Month
How to Save Money With Meal Prepping: Eat Well for Less Than $200 a Month
Food is one of the easiest budget items to lose control of — and one of the fastest to fix. Between fast food runs, impulse grocery trips, and delivery apps, the average American spends $400–$600 per person each month on food.
But with a little planning and discipline, you can eat healthy, satisfying meals for less than $200 per month — even for a family of three.
At Lionhood Financial Coaching, we teach clients how to apply budgeting and discipline to every area of life, and food is one of the most powerful places to start.
1. The Math: How Meal Prepping Saves You Hundreds Monthly
Let’s run the numbers.
Average restaurant or takeout meal:
- $12 per person × 5 meals a week = $240/month (per person)
Meal prepping alternative:
- $50–$60 per week in groceries = $200/month (for up to 3 people)
That’s a savings of $500–$1,000 monthly for a small family — money that could go toward debt payoff, investing, or an emergency fund.
2. Why Meal Prepping Works Financially
Meal prepping eliminates:
- Impulse spending
- Food waste
- Daily decision fatigue
- Delivery fees and tips
It’s not just cheaper — it’s simpler. Once you plan your meals and buy ingredients in bulk, the savings compound every week.
Lionhood Insight: Financial discipline starts with daily habits. Food choices are one of the clearest reflections of your overall financial mindset.
3. Sample $200/Month Meal Plan (Feeds 2–3 People)
Here’s how a disciplined, smart meal-prepping strategy works in real life.
Week 1: Chicken Crockpot Meals
Ingredients (Cost per week ≈ $50):
- 6 lbs chicken breast ($14)
- 5 lbs potatoes ($4)
- 2 lbs rice ($2)
- Frozen mixed veggies (4 bags – $8)
- Seasonings, sauces, broth ($6)
- Eggs, oats, fruit, yogurt ($16 combined for breakfast/snacks)
Recipes:
Crockpot Chicken & Veggie Bowl
- 2 lbs chicken + 1 bag veggies + 2 cups broth
- Cook 6–8 hours on low, serve over rice or potatoes
- Makes 6 hearty portions
BBQ Chicken & Potato Bowl
- Shred cooked chicken, mix with BBQ sauce, serve over roasted potatoes
Breakfast rotation: Overnight oats, boiled eggs, yogurt parfaits
Each meal averages about $2 per serving — flavorful, filling, and budget-friendly.
4. Keep It Simple and Sustainable
The key to staying under $200/month isn’t deprivation — it’s routine. Choose 2–3 protein options (like chicken, turkey, or beans), rotate sides, and season creatively.
Tips for Long-Term Success:
- Shop once a week and avoid midweek impulse buys
- Use a slow cooker or Instant Pot to save time
- Reuse leftovers creatively (tacos, wraps, stir fry)
- Buy store brands and freeze portions
Once you lock in a system, you’ll eat better, save more, and reduce stress — all without feeling restricted.
5. Track the Results Like a Pro
Your grocery savings can become the foundation of your financial goals.
Use Monarch Money to track your weekly spending, categorize grocery expenses, and visualize how much you’re saving every month. When you see those results in real numbers — hundreds saved monthly — it builds motivation to keep going.
Budgeting doesn’t have to feel restrictive. Monarch Money helps make it visual, automatic, and easy to sustain.
6. Coaching for Financial Discipline That Lasts
Meal prepping is one example of how structure creates freedom. The same principle applies to debt management, savings, and business finances.
Lionhood Financial Coaching helps you:
- Build financial systems that reduce waste
- Create budgets that reflect your values
- Develop the discipline to sustain financial success
Faith, consistency, and intentionality build wealth — one meal, one dollar, one choice at a time.
Final Thought
You don’t need to sacrifice flavor or family time to save money. You need structure, discipline, and a plan.
By meal prepping strategically, you can feed your family well for under $200 a month — and use the savings to fund your next level of financial growth.