Meal prep has a reputation for sounding like a task reserved for ultra-organized home chefs, but the truth is, anyone can do meal prep—and it can make a huge difference, especially when you’re looking to save both time and money. If you’ve never tried meal prepping before, think of it as your shortcut to smoother weekdays, healthier meals, and fewer stressful decisions at dinnertime.
The best way to begin is by keeping things simple. Start with a few basic meals that you know your family or household enjoys. Focus on recipes that store well and use affordable, versatile ingredients like rice, beans, roasted vegetables, and proteins such as chicken or tofu. Batch-cooking these essentials allows you to mix and match them into different meals throughout the week. For example, grilled chicken can top a salad one day and fill a wrap the next.
As you plan your meals, it’s smart to check cashback apps before you shop for supplies. Activate offers in Ibotta for basics like grains, canned goods, and produce. If you’re shopping online, Rakuten can help you earn rewards on bulk purchases of pantry staples or kitchen storage containers. And to make your savings even more immediate, use the Fluz app to purchase a gift card for your grocery store before you check out. Every time you pay with Fluz, you’ll earn instant cashback—helping you stick to your food budget while you stock up on essentials. Download Fluz and start today.
When it comes to prep day, block out a couple of hours to cook and portion your meals. Cook your grains, roast or sauté your vegetables, and prepare proteins all at once. Divide everything into individual containers so your meals are ready to grab during the week. For storage guidance and food safety, this guide from the USDA is a great resource to help you keep your meals fresh and safe.
One of the great benefits of meal prep is how customizable it is. You can prep full meals or just components, depending on how much flexibility you like during the week. Some people prefer to prepare complete dishes ready to heat and eat, while others batch-cook ingredients they can assemble into different meals on the spot. Either approach works—it all depends on what suits your schedule.
Meal prep isn’t just about saving money on groceries, though it does that well. It’s also about saving time, reducing food waste, and making healthier choices throughout the week. When your fridge is stocked with ready-to-eat meals, you’re far less likely to reach for takeout or convenience foods, keeping both your wallet and your well-being in better shape.
Getting started with meal prep doesn’t require perfection. Even prepping just a couple of meals a week can make a noticeable difference. The more you practice, the faster and more efficient you’ll become. Pairing this practice with smart shopping and cashback apps like Fluz, Rakuten, and Ibotta means you’re not just saving time—you’re saving money, too.
