Although my mom was a wonderful cook when I was growing up, I didn't have much interest in making meals for my family. So, when I became a young wife, I didn't have too much experience in making dinners.
When I would do my grocery shopping, I would usually walk around the store and say..."Hmmm, that sounds like a good meal for dinner". Then, I would try to remember what all the ingredients were and whether I had any of them in stock at home already. That led to many extra trips to the store for missing ingredients and extra spending due to impulse buys.
Fast forward to the present. Each week, I sit down and make a meal plan at the beginning of the week. My family is not too adventurous, so it usually doesn't vary too much from week to week.
Benefits of a Menu Plan
- I know what I'm going to have each and every day for dinner before 4 pm so there's no stressing about deciding what I'm going to make and wondering whether I'm going to have to make a last-minute trip to the store for ingredients.
- I know when to pull meat out of the freezer ahead of time to thaw in the fridge (I have an aversion to defrosting in the microwave or on the counter).
- Without a meal plan, it can be very tempting to order take-out, which could ruin my budget.
- I make a plan to use the food in my fridge, freezer, and pantry, so I eliminate food waste
How I Meal Plan
As I'm planning, I check out calendar, to see what activities we have going on throughout the week to plan easy dinners, etc. when I know I won't have much time to cook. I also plan ahead for other activities where I may need to bring a dish, such as bringing brownies to a church small group meeting or making dinner for a new mom at church, etc. to ensure that I have the ingredients in the house when needed.
I also use my menu plan to make my grocery shopping list. For each meal, I'll shop my pantry, fridge, and freezer first to see what items I need to purchase. Often, I will have many of the items already stocked. Then, I add the items I do need to my list as well as the basic staples that we need like milk, bread, etc.
After I have my list, I search my coupon database to see if there's a coupon to go along with the item. I also compile a list using my coupon matchups of items that I wish to stockpile (to build up my pantry and freezer at rock-bottom prices). When I have a list at the grocery store, I can resist the urge to purchase impulse items, thus saving even more money.
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How do you plan your meals? Do you find that it saves you money?
Kelley with Amy's Angels
I'm all about meal planning because walking around the store endlessly saying, "What to have on Wednesday..." drove me nuts.
: )
chanelireli
I'm an avid meal planner too. We normally have it as a guide though because I usually move things around. Those are great tips!
The Koala Bear Writer
I need to start doing this... would definately help with the grocery shopping!
Grammy
That is great Ideals. May I suggest. Writing out your meals on cards and just pick from a box every week. Then you have you list done and can just take the cards to the store to get what you need.
Tina Anacleto
Hello everyone,
I, personally,pick 5 recipes from my collection on Sat. for the week-mon-fri, make grocery list (hopefully have or find coupons ) shop and then on Sunday I make as many recipes that I can portion out and freeze along with sides and deserts. On monday moring all I have to do is pick out my lunch for the day and possibly pull out my dinner to thaw in fridge. It works great for me -hope it helps you too. OH on Sunday while im doing all the cooking you have your lunch and dinner freshly made. bake a cake or some muffins and such to freeze too!
Sue
I have to say a lot of really great ideas! I work and planning can be challenging as sometimes my family doesn't want to eat what I made for dinner. Regardless, of the recipe. Food is pricey and time is maxed out. I wish there was more of an efficient way of doing meals, dishes, clean up, storage and variety. Any ideas?
Jessy Frable
Your family may not want to eat the dinner, but if you are offering a variety of items, they are also not going to want to starve. I have a 2 (almost 3) year old and I do not make special meals for her when she doesn't want what I have offered. There are days it may sit on the table (I have to resist cleaning.....) for two hours. She sees that I'm not going to give in and when she is hungry, she eats what is on the table. I basically don't create another option. It sometimes gets her to try new things, and it also keeps kids from over eating. They may not be hungry when we want them to eat, but also may love (said favorite food) at anytime, regardless of being hungry. Best advice, don't cave as long as you offer a variety of things at each meal.