Support
Need help? Email support@mealpenny.com.
How are prices estimated?
They are estimates, not quotes.
- Prices start from the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) Average Price Data (August 2026), adjusted for your Census region: Northeast, Midwest, South or West. Mealpenny uses the first 3 digits of your ZIP code to pick the region. Skip the ZIP and you get U.S. average prices.
- Where BLS doesn't track an item, we use a documented estimate.
- We price the packages you actually buy. If a recipe needs 1.5 cups of crushed tomatoes, we count a whole 28 oz can, and if two dinners share that can, it's counted once.
- The grocery list total is the same number as your week's estimate. The week also shows a range, from 15% under to 15% over that estimate.
- Pantry basics like salt, oil and spices are listed separately and aren't included in the estimate.
Why was my receipt different?
Your store, brands, sales, loyalty discounts, package sizes and sales tax all change the real total. Treat the range as a planning guide.
My week is over budget
Press Make it fit on your week. Mealpenny swaps dinners for cheaper ones until the week fits. If no week can fit, it shows the cheapest week it found, how much that costs, and a budget that would work. You can also allow more cooking time or skip fewer foods.
Accounts and sign-in
Do I need an account?
No. You can plan, swap and shop without one. A free account saves your weeks and answers, and works in the iPhone app when it launches.
How do I sign in?
Enter your email and we send a 6-digit code. Codes expire after 10 minutes. Didn't get it? Check spam, wait 30 seconds and press Resend, or make sure the address is spelled right.
What happens to the week I planned before signing up?
It moves into your account when you sign up or log in.
Allergies and diets
Mealpenny can leave out recipes containing foods you choose to skip (milk, eggs, fish, shellfish, tree nuts, peanuts, wheat/gluten, soy, sesame, pork, beef, meat), based on its own ingredient list. Brands and products vary and can contain or come into contact with allergens. Always read product labels and check every ingredient yourself. Diet options are preferences, not medical or nutrition advice.
Other questions
How do I change my budget or household?
On your week, press Change answers. Your week is planned again. To change what new weeks start from, use Settings → Plan defaults.
How do I swap a dinner or get a new week?
Press Swap on any dinner. Swap again to see more options. New week, at the bottom of your week, plans fresh dinners.
Who writes the recipe answers?
"Ask about this recipe" answers are written by AI (Claude, by Anthropic). They can be wrong; always cook to the safe temperatures on the recipe.
How do I delete my data?
Settings → Delete account deletes your account and weeks right away. Settings → Download my data gives you a copy first.
Is there an iPhone app?
It's coming. Join the waitlist for one email when it launches.