Do you plan your meals?

Question

So I've been considering planning my meals out to try and eat better and to save money on groceries now that I'm living on my own. Have any of you had success with this? And if you have, do you have any suggesting for starting it?

Answer

I plan meals for the week every Sunday, and write them out on a dry erase board on the fridge. I also take inventory of the fridge and pantry, which helps me plan meals based on what we have. I have a recipe binder with meal ideas based on different meats/ingredients, cooking method (e.g., grilling, oven, crock pot, etc.). Certain days of the week my work schedule is busy or later into the evening, so I schedule minimal prep work or crock pot dinners on those days. I have a word doc of a master grocery list, color coded by category, which I keep a printed copy of in my purse. On Sundays I look through the whole thing when I take inventory, and check off anything that we need with a pencil. Then, I just erase my pencil marks as I throw things in the cart during my weekly grocery trip each Monday. It took me a couple years to get this whole system in place and use it consistently, but it makes my life way easier now and takes away the temptation to spend extra $ and calories on unplanned dinners out or takeout!! :)

Answer

I started last year and it works really well for me. Currently it is just my husband and I, expecting our first in November! We have a Mexican dish every week (our favorite) just switch it up from tacos/nachos/enchiladas/quesadillas. I would suggest making a list of all different kinds of dishes your family likes, or look at what's on sale that week and base your meals off of those. I try and buy all my meat for 1.99# or less. When its on sale I stock up (love my freezer). On Sundays I prep whatever needs to be done, chop up 3 bell peppers, 3 onions, make pizza dough and put it in the fridge, cook chicken, brown hamburger, etc. if you have any questions let me know!

Answer

Check out the blog "Thriving Home" they meal plan and use freezer friendly recipes! They've got a ton of helpful tips for meal planning too.

Answer

I plan our meals once a week and make my grocery list then. I use an Erin condren planner and she makes a meal planner insert so I can have my meals and shopping list on the insert. I always look at what ingredients I have at home and pick out meals based on what I already have and then just buy whatever is missing. I always give us one night a week to eat out and one night that has an easy dinner like frozen pizza with salad or something.

Do you plan your meals?

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