When it comes to saving money on groceries, having the right tools and strategies can make all the difference. I’m passionate about helping people like you stretch your grocery budget without sacrificing quality or nutrition. I share recipes and meal ideas on a budget in my YouTube Channel as well as on this blog, but today I want to share another popular tool that can also help you save time and money when it comes to meal planning and grocery shopping.
Chat GPT is an artificial intelligence tool that can be used for so many things…and that includes making a custom meal plan! By asking it a few simple questions, it will draft you exactly what you need. It can help you discover new recipes and even make a weekly meal plan.
But there’s a few things to keep in mind in order to make sure you are using it to the best of its ability… so keep reading to make sure you don't miss them!
Why Meal Planning Saves Money
Meal planning isn’t just about staying organized; it’s a proven way to cut grocery costs. By planning meals in advance, you can:
- Reduce food waste by only buying what you need.
- Avoid impulse purchases that often derail your budget.
- Stick to a structured plan for healthier and more cost-effective meals.
Now, imagine pairing these benefits with the power of ChatGPT, a tool that can simplify the entire meal planning process. In just a few minutes you’ll have a list of meal ideas and inspiration. I like keeping a list of meals in my grocery planner so that I can refer back to it anytime. I use ideas from my ChatGPT meal plans and add the new meals to that list. The planner also has room to write down your shopping list each week so I throw it in my purse when I head to the grocery store to pick up exactly what I need.
What is ChatGPT, and How Can It Help?
ChatGPT is an AI tool that can assist with a variety of tasks, from answering questions to generating ideas. For meal prep, it can:
- Create customized meal plans based on your budget, dietary needs, and family size.
- Generate detailed grocery lists so you’re never guessing at the store.
- Provide creative recipe ideas to use up ingredients you already have.
Think of ChatGPT as your virtual meal-planning assistant, available whenever you need it.The more you use it, the more you will understand its features and how it works. One of the best parts is that it is free!
It can help helpful if you have picky eaters and you seem to always be struggling with ideas for them. Additionally if you are trying something new like the keto diet or if you have specific essential nutrients you are trying to eat more of. With the help of ChatGPT you can get a clear plan of easy meal ideas with an ingredient list that fits your specific diet or accounts for your food allergies.
Step-by-Step Guide to Using ChatGPT for Meal Planning
- Define Your Goals Start by identifying your needs: What’s your grocery budget? Do you have specific dietary preferences, nutritional needs or restrictions? How many people are you feeding?
- Request a Meal Plan Use ChatGPT to create a meal plan. To use ChatGPT you will ask it questions and it will give you a response. For example, you could ask, “Can you create a 5-day dinner meal plan under $50 using seasonal ingredients?” “Create a list of ten dinner ideas for someone trying to eat a diet with low added sugar?”
- Customize Your Plan Review the suggested plan and make adjustments as needed. Swap out recipes, alter portion sizes, or add dishes that fit your family’s personal preferences.
- Generate a Grocery List Once the actual meal plan is ready, ask ChatGPT to create a corresponding list of ingredients for grocery shopping. For example, “Create a grocery list for this meal plan, prioritizing affordable options.”
- Repurpose Ingredients Get creative! Ask ChatGPT for ideas to use leftover ingredients from one meal in another recipe. For instance, “How can I use leftover roast chicken in tomorrow’s dinner?”
Tips for Maximizing Savings with ChatGPT
- Incorporate Local Deals: Share your local grocery store’s deals or coupons with ChatGPT. Ask it to plan meals around those items.
- Find Cost-Effective Alternatives: If a recipe calls for specific ingredients that are expensive, ask ChatGPT for a cheaper substitute.
- Use Pantry Staples: Save money by inputting the items you already have and asking ChatGPT to create a plan around them. Also when you get your grocery list from ChatGPT, make sure to check for items you already have and remove them from the list.
How to UseChat GPT for Meal Planning
Pantry and Freezer Inventory Tips
Having a well stocked pantry and freezer meal that you will often have most of the items from the delicious menu of meals that ChatGPT created for you. It is important that you take the shopping list that you get from ChatGPT and shop your pantry and freezer first!
Here's a list of items that I regularly keep in my pantry and freezer:
| Beef | Ground Beef | Pork | Pork Loin |
| Rib Steak | Pork Chops | ||
| T Bone | Pork Ribs | ||
| Filet Mignon | Hot Dogs (4pack) | ||
| Stew Meat | Bacon | ||
| London Broil | Keilbasa | ||
| Tri Tip | |||
| Chuck Roast | Chicken | Breasts | |
| Brisket | Whole chicken | ||
| Short Ribs | |||
| Dairy | Med Chedder | ||
| Lunch Meat | Ham (2 pack) | Moz Cheese | |
| Turkey | Cream Cheese | ||
| Butter | |||
| Ricotta Cheese |
| Fruit (Frozen) | Mangos | Vegetables (Frozen) | Riced Cauliflower |
| Cherries (1 Gallon) | Brocoli | ||
| Peaches | Peas | ||
| Blueberries | Corn on the cob | ||
| Strawberries | Tomatoes | ||
| Rhubarb | Peppers | ||
| Oranges | Onions | ||
| Mixed Berries | Tater tots | ||
| Ginger | |||
| Bread | Gyros | ||
| Flour Tortillas | Recipe Starters | Pie Crusts | |
| Corn Tortillas | Phyllio Dough | ||
| Hawaiian Rolls | Egg Noodles | ||
| Sour Dough | Beef Stock | ||
| Dave's loaf | |||
| Hamburger Buns | |||
| Hoagie Rolls | |||
| Croissants | |||
| Bagel |
*An important disclaimer is that I've built up these staple items over time. I use my past experience to stock up on items when they are on sale. This helps me know the best things to buy throughout the year. I use the 'one for now, two for later' idea when shopping as often as possible. All of these items were purchased with my $135/month grocery budget.
5 Tips to Save You Money on Groceries in 2025
Additional Resources to Help You Save Even More on Groceries
To help you get started, check out the recipes available on my blog. They’re designed with affordability and nutrition in mind.
If you prefer visual learning, my YouTube channel features free recipe videos. There are also produce washing videos. Washing and storing produce correctly can save you hundreds on your grocery bill each year.
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