Planning & Prep
Refine your routine with tips to get you through the week. Learn about the connection between grocery lists and budgeting, find lunchtime inspo, understand food labels & more.
![What is Meal Planning and Why is It Important?](https://www.instacart.com/company/wp-content/uploads/2021/10/meal-plan-paper-828x414.jpg)
Planning & Prep
What is Meal Planning and Why is It Important?
Meal planning sounds like a simple habit to get into, and for people who have always done it, it's something that probably comes pretty naturally. Indeed, for habitual meal planners, the idea of not planning out what they and their families are going to eat before visiting the grocery store is probably unnerving. But if you were a habitual meal planner, you wouldn't be reading…
Nov 29, 2022![17 Grocery List Categories to Make Shopping Easy](https://www.instacart.com/company/wp-content/uploads/2021/09/grocery-list-447x224.jpg)
Planning & Prep
17 Grocery List Categories to Make Shopping Easy
If trips to the grocery store leave you stressed, and you end up overspending on your grocery budget, buying duplicate items, or forgetting other essential items, then a categorized grocery list might be the perfect solution. Having…
Nov 16, 2022![What to Get at the Grocery Store: Basic Shopping List](https://www.instacart.com/company/wp-content/uploads/2021/09/grocery-list-447x224.jpg)
Planning & Prep
What to Get at the Grocery Store: Basic Shopping List
If you're just moving into a dorm room or a new home, there's a good chance you'll find that your refrigerator and cupboards are bare! That means you'll need to head out to the grocery…
Nov 11, 2022![How to Grocery Shop on a Budget: 8 Tips & Tricks](https://www.instacart.com/company/wp-content/uploads/2022/02/groceries-pink-447x224.jpg)
Planning & Prep
How to Grocery Shop on a Budget: 8 Tips & Tricks
Many factors can contribute to an individual's grocery shopping habits. These factors include marital status, family size, lifestyle choices, work schedule, free time, and food preferences, and they play a part in your grocery spending…
Nov 10, 2022![27 Essential Foods for a Vegan Grocery List on a Budget](https://www.instacart.com/company/wp-content/uploads/2022/02/groceries-vegan-447x224.jpg)
Planning & Prep
27 Essential Foods for a Vegan Grocery List on a Budget
There are many reasons people love consuming a vegan diet, but one problem some people have is that vegan ingredients can be expensive. What is easy to forget, especially for those who've recently made the…
Nov 10, 2022![25 Easy Meal Planning Ideas for Families + Tips](https://www.instacart.com/company/wp-content/uploads/2022/03/meal-planning-green-447x224.jpg)
Planning & Prep
25 Easy Meal Planning Ideas for Families + Tips
Feeding your family wholesome, delicious meals can feel like a herculean task sometimes. When you're already juggling so many things, spending time in the kitchen doesn't sound like fun. But that doesn't mean you have…
Oct 27, 2022![20+ Easy & Satisfying Meal Prep Ideas](https://www.instacart.com/company/wp-content/uploads/2022/09/meal-prep-2-447x224.jpg)
Planning & Prep
20+ Easy & Satisfying Meal Prep Ideas
Food prepping is when you prepare large quantities of a dish then portion it out for future meals. It is a popular way to save yourself time cooking time during the week if you have…
Sep 27, 2022![How to Clean a Wooden Cutting Board + 5 Care Tips](https://www.instacart.com/company/wp-content/uploads/2022/07/cutting-board-cleaning-1-447x224.jpeg)
Planning & Prep
How to Clean a Wooden Cutting Board + 5 Care Tips
Wooden cutting boards have a variety of uses. They look stunning in just about any kitchen and are especially gentle on knives, helping them last longer. Since wooden boards are typically pricier than plastic ones, it's worth…
Jul 18, 2022![24 Simple, Easy, & Delicious Vegan Gift Basket Ideas](https://www.instacart.com/company/wp-content/uploads/2022/07/vegan-treats-447x224.jpg)
Planning & Prep
24 Simple, Easy, & Delicious Vegan Gift Basket Ideas
Care packages are an excellent gift. Whether it's the holidays, a birthday, or just because, food makes for a lovely present. If your loved one doesn't eat any animal products, you can still put together…
Jul 15, 2022![How to Compost at Home: Step-by-Step Instructions + Tips](https://www.instacart.com/company/wp-content/uploads/2022/06/compost-3-447x224.jpg)
Planning & Prep
How to Compost at Home: Step-by-Step Instructions + Tips
Composting at home is a great way to create nutrient-rich soil that can be donated or used in personal gardens. Creating your own compost pile can also help cut methane emissions otherwise generated in landfills. However, composting…
Jul 13, 2022