So often, friends see my calendar on my fridge or my organized grocery list and comment that they don’t know how I do it. And when people hear I only go to the store once a week, they’re amazed. Even this morning I was sharing my meal-planning technique with 2 friends who looked at me like I was crazy. I swear. I’m not. Well, at least not quite.
Every Sunday, without fail, I sit down with a magazine or two, my family-approved notebook of favorite recipes, MomAgenda Desktop calendar and MomAgenda Family Planner and map out the week. I’ve worked this plan down to perfection, and I’ve been using it for about 3 years now. Its about time I share it, yes?
First, I look at the calendar, transferring everything from my desktop calendar to my family planner (which then spends the rest of the week on my refrigerator.) Next, its time to bring in my husband, when I ask him about his plans for the week. Of course, I have to be flexible because know things will change. But it helps to get an idea of the days he plans to work late, or have dinner meetings, or be out of town. These “events” go on my calendar, along with lunch-bunch days, doctor appointments, football practice and birthday parties.
Then, with everything in front of me, I determine which nights I’m going to cook dinner (usually, its 4 nights a week.)
And then I assign a meal to each night. Daunting? At first, yes. The first several weeks I did this I got stuck on balancing my meals. And then I wanted to make things that were new and exciting for my family. (I still want to do that!) But I’ve learned that its okay to serve family favorites and a night of leftovers is a good thing. Especially when you get creative with it.
While I’m selecting the meals, I also write down all the ingredients I’ll need, making my shopping list. Now, here’s a trick that I can’t believe not everyone does: create your grocery list in sections. Create areas on a paper, categorized by areas of the grocery store. My categories are:
- meat/fish
- deli
- bread
- produce
- dairy
- cans/soups/sauces
- rice/noodles
- misc
- frozen
Then, using the recipes, I list the items I’ll need from each department so that I’m not skipping all over the list, and, therefore, skipping all through the store. This cuts my grocery shopping time immensely!
AFTER I complete my list, I go to the pantry, fridge and freezer and cross off anything I already have (usually tomato sauce, spices, etc.) and add anything I habitually need (usually milk, deli meats, spices…).
This routine has made me so thorough that I can now, successfully, go to the store only once a week, which has saved me about $50 each week.
And the relief of knowing what is for dinner each afternoon is a huge help. I can start preparing early if I need to and I never have to worry “what am I going to make for dinner tonight?” or “how am I going to find the time to get the ingredients I need for dinner tonight!?”
For more tips on how Save Time And Money By Planning Your Meals, check out the Menu Planning Guide.
Have you tried meal planning and weekly organization? What techniques work for you?
© 2010, Julie Meyers Pron. All rights reserved.
Twitter: Queenmotherblog
says:
I’m not as organized with my calendar, but I usually always do menu plan. I’m surprised that not everyone breaks up their list into categories, it would take forever jumping all over the store!
PS – I really like your “affiliate link” button at the bottom…I hate when it seems like I have a disclaimer at the end of every post & that would be a nice way to say it without being annoying!
Twitter: justprecious
says:
Thanks Bay! They’re a part of my design business. LMK if you want me to make them for you!
Twitter: girlymamamel
says:
love this! i do the same thing on fridays – my grocery shopping day. it makes a HUGE difference. especially for those nights when we have soccer practice and ballet and and we’re not walking in the door until after 6:30.
Twitter: tzdelar
says:
Here’s my simple plan…I honestly don’t pay much attn too it, but I have it out by the stove just in case and it allows me to be very flexible while having a plan to stay organized to some degree.
http://www.halloffamemoms.com/2011/08/a-picture-of-my-back-to-school-simple-monthly-meal-plan/
Twitter: mamatweets
says:
I totally agree with you on creating a list by department. I plan very similarly.