Meal planning is a great way to de-stress your week and save some money, but it’s a good idea to plan a meal or two to skip too. Just like with a diet or other long-term goal, it’s good to give yourself a cheat day so your motivation doesn’t wane.




As Meghan Splawn at The Kitchn explains, the importance of taking a night off is threefold:



...you are resting, celebrating, and getting inspired to get back on the meal-planning horse.


Even if you’re meal planning because you’re on a tight budget, it’s important to take a break and congratulate yourself for being good. Who knows? The meal you get on your night off might even give you fresh ideas on new things to cook at home. And you can make your night off whenever you like. It can be once a week, every other week, or only once a month. Whatever you decide, lock it down so you have something to work toward. It can be a fancy meal at a nice restaurant or just some takeout, but whatever it is, you’ll know you have a reward on the horizon.



The One Thing People Forget When Meal Planning | The Kitchn

Photo by Don Lavange .