Each week in February, we're taking on a commonly avoided task with a Tackle It Tuesday assignment and encouraging our members to participate along with us. Today, we're taking on menu planning.
Creating a menu plan is a simple way to help save money at the grocery store and keep your household running smoothly and efficiently. As simple as it is, many of us still fail to create a weekly menu plan. And as the saying goes… “When you fail to plan, you plan to fail.”
The cost-saving benefits of creating a menu plan are numerous. You avoid takeout temptation by having ingredients on hand to create meals, there is less waste because you're shopping for meals as opposed to buying individual ingredients, and not only that — you can plan your meals around coupons and what's on sale at the grocery store to help save money.
Perhaps the biggest perk is simply knowing what's for dinner ahead of time so there isn't that 5:00 panic about what you're going to eat that night. It helps calm the household chaos.
Here are some simple tips to make menu planning easier:
- Set aside a half hour each week to compile your menu plan. Allow ample time so you can complete your menu plan and grocery list from start to finish.
- Start with the following supplies: your recipe book or file, your family calendar, a pencil and paper record your menu plan, another sheet of paper to record your grocery list, your coupons, and grocery store circulars.
- Decide on a time-frame for your menu plan. If you're new to menu planning, start with a weekly menu plan. If you're more experienced or feeling ambitious, try a bi-weekly menu plan.
- Do a quick inventory of the contents of your refrigerator. If anything is close to its expiration date, work those ingredients into your menu plan first.
- Work leftovers into your menu plan (for example, if you are having rotisserie chicken one night, consider using the leftovers for chicken in fried rice the next).
- Consider cooking double batches – one to eat, one for the freezer. That way, you've got a head start on a future menu plan.
- Consult your grocery store ad and build your menu plan around what's on sale at the store.
- Work high-value coupons into your menu plan to save money.
- Incorporate as much variety as possible so you don't tire of eating certain foods.
- Look at your family's calendar. Will you be gone or busy any of the nights of the week? For those nights, include a freezer recipe or crock pot recipe in your menu plan.
- If you are cooking more food than you can eat at one meal, plan a night to serve leftovers.
- Create a grocery list based on your menu plan and the ingredients you'll need for your meals.
- Don't forget to include items like snacks, breakfast foods, beverages and pet food on your grocery list.
Join our Tackle It Tuesday project by linking to your own menu plan blog entry below. We ask that as a courtesy you link back to Mommysavers.com. Linking will be closed on Monday, February 14th. Check out our list of upcoming list of Tackle It Tuesday projects.
I have been planning meals for a few years now and it is time consuming some weeks but oh so worth it. Less stress when I get home from work since I know what we are having. Shorter trips to the grocery store without impulse buys. I cannot imagine not have a weekly menu.
How long does it take you to complete your weekly menu plan, Alicia?
I’ve just started doing this 2 weeks ago, and I was stressed at first trying to figure out a bi-weekly menu(because I shop bi-weekly) but it sure felt good when it came the first day I used it! I always found myself racking my brain all day and stressing out about what’s for dinner. The first 2 weeks we didn’t eat out at all, and we’re usually a 2 night a week eating out family. So not only am I saving money at the grocery knowing what I’m making instead of trying to guess, but also saving money by not eating out. I’ll never go back to not knowing what I’m making.
I think this is a great idea. I tried but always fall off the wagon. Plus I noticed my food is getting freezer burned. Any tips on containers that work well in the freezer?
I’m working on mine now, I let this go way too long and things are so unorganized. I’d love to get back on track and I’m gonna start with menu planning and a grocery list.
Missy,
it is definitely worth the effort. It also eliminates the stress of “what am I going to fix for supper” when you get home from work. I also use my crock pot quite a bit.
I love the web site allrecipes.com. You can save recipes, create menu plans AND it will print out a shopping list for you. Saves so much time! Plus you can read reviews on hundreds of recipes before you try them. A meal time life saver for me!
I have fixed a menu for some time now. I usually fix mine for 2 weeks at a time -going along with my paydays. I check the freezer and pantry for items I have on hand and make part of my menu from the items I have on hand. I also check the local grocery ads. I usually buy most of my groceries at a “bag it yourself” store, then some items at the local grocery. If an item is on special, ex. roast, pork chops, cereal, etc. I will buy extra and put it in my freezer or pantry for the next menu. I cut my coupons and usually they are doubled at my grocery (up to 65 cents). This saves quite a bit of money. We have elimated eating out – maybe once/twice a month (using coupons for this also). I am also trying to lose weight and I am using more recipes (healthy ones) and my family is eating better and healthier than before. We are all working together -my kids help with the coupon cutting and giving ideas for meals. We have been pleased with the extra we are saving. It takes time and planning but worth it in the long run.
I have been doing this for a while now. My only problems are 1. It takes me forever to match up my coupons with the ads and my menu. and 2. I don’t seem to have enough variety without spending too much. Any suggestions? My favorite recipe site is Taste of Home, BTW. 🙂