Here are some tips from Karen Munden of the Virginia Cooperative Extension Service on smart meal planning that also cuts costs.

Munden said with the economic downturn, many families will be looking for ways to save during the holidays. She said that planning a meal before the trip to the grocery store usually reduces unnecessary purchases. She also encourages families to take an inventory of the food items in their cabinets, refrigerator, and freezer and develop creative meals with the food already there.