Plan a week of meals and a grocery list for two that came in just under $150

Try it yourself

What you get

A week of meals that fits your diet and dislikes, recipes for each one, and a categorized grocery list with ballpark prices.

Tools

• ChatGPT

Time / cost: Not stated in the source

Steps

1. List days, people, leftovers, dietary needs, dislikes, snacks, treats and your store.
2. Ask for the meal plan first, then swap out anything you don't like.
3. Ask for recipes for each meal.
4. Ask for a grocery list by category within your budget, then cross off what's already in your pantry.

Copy-ready prompt

Plan [number] days of [breakfast/lunch/dinner + snacks] for [number] people. Diet: [e.g. high-protein]. Avoid: [ingredients]. Leftovers are [ok/not ok]. Include one sweet treat a day. I shop at [store].
Step 1: give me the plan only. After I approve it, Step 2: give me recipes. Step 3: a grocery list grouped by store section with estimated prices, keeping the total under $[budget]. Prices are estimates, so mark them as approximate. I'll tell you what's already in my pantry.

Prompt written by AgentPlays from the source. Fill in the [brackets] and approve before anything is sent or bought.

Watch out: ChatGPT's prices are estimates, and some quantities were unrealistic (one protein bar for two people). Check before you shop.

Proof / source

Self-reported First-person article by the writer who followed the plan.