“What’s for dinner?” I used to cringe when I heard this question. Coming home from work, I am already drained of making decisions and the mental power it took to think of what to cook was just too overwhelming. Sure, I have been to the store this week already and I have fixings for tacos, spaghetti or hamburgers, but this morning I forgot to thaw the hamburger, and I think I forgot to buy the breadsticks to go with the spaghetti. So really, I am not ready to make any of those options tonight. Let’s get takeout! (Both an unhealthy and expensive option.)
I struggled for years with this type of disorganization. Our cupboards always seemed to be full of food, but it wasn’t always easy to pull a meal together. I was also making multiple trips to the store within one week. This habit turned out to be costly and unhealthy.
I have since perfected my method to meal planning and in turn it has helped me save hundreds of dollars at the grocery store.
Some of you may be motivated by beautiful planners and organizers with pretty fonts and sparkly flowers or designs. Well, this isn’t for you! My method is so much simpler, but it works!
Here’s how:
- Spiral Notebook – I usually have 2 or 3 in the kitchen area, because if I can’t find the one I used last week, it doesn’t matter.
- Every week I sit down and plan the meals and make a grocery list based on the ingredients needed. I usually do this on Friday evening or Saturday morning, because I generally go to the store on Saturday morning.
- Top half of paper…list the days of the week and put a meal down for each night. I plan around activities and anticipate when I might be working late and need an easier meal.
- Bottom half of paper …I write down all of the ingredients that I may need at the store and add them to the list.
- Rip the bottom half of the paper out of the notebook and take to store as list.
- Top half gets taken out of notebook and put on refrigerator so everyone knows what we are having, and if I am not home, then they can make the meal for themselves.
You can click here for a sample meal planner with a list of 100 meal ideas, or sign up below!
Over the course of next week, if I remember things to add to the grocery list, I just start a new paper, that I keep in the notebook until I have done the full planning.
You might be thinking…yeah, but where are the lunches or breakfast items? We have an assortment of items that always seem to be on hand such as cereal, breakfast protein bars, eggs, toast, etc for breakfast. As for lunch, we also have the same items stocked away in the freezer such as fish sticks, chicken strips, mac and cheese, soup, etc. I have gone through the school lunch menu for the week and write down on which days each child will be having hot or cold. This keeps me from rushing each morning to look up what is for lunch and then finding each kid to ask them what they want. They make the decisions at the beginning of the week and I am ready for it, adding any additional lunch items to the grocery list.
You might also notice, I don’t have Saturday listed. That is because too often, we are pulled in many directions on Saturdays and we never know what will happen. We keep this as a free day, meaning we just kind of all eat when we need to and either eat leftovers on the run, or grab a sandwich.
This meal plan is flexible. If we need to switch a night around, no problem. Want to eat hamburgers earlier so the tomatoes don’t go bad in the fridge, we can move it to Monday. If on Wednesday we get invited out to eat with friends, we can save that spaghetti until another week. Super easy to shift things around.
Simplifying this process has been life changing for me and my family. When I hear the question “What is for dinner?” I don’t cringe. I simply check my list and move on. So much less stress!
Here are my final two pieces to remember to make this the most successful:
Be intentional!
Make this a habit!
Hello, I wish for to subscribe for this blog to obtain latest updates, thus where can i do it
please assist.
Rosalind recently posted…Rosalind
Everything is very open with a precise clarification of the issues.
It was really informative. Your site is useful. Thank you for
sharing!
My webpage cheap nfl jerseys
cheap nfl jerseys recently posted…cheap nfl jerseys
Very good post. I certainly love this website.
Thanks!
or g recently posted…or g
That is a good tip especially to those new to the blogosphere.
Short but very accurate info… Thanks for sharing this one.
A must read post!
g into recently posted…g into
Your style is really unique in comparison to other folks I have read stuff from.
Many thanks for posting when you’ve got the opportunity, Guess
I will just book mark this site.
for g recently posted…for g
Definitely believe that which you stated.
Your favorite reason seemed to be on the web the easiest thing to be aware of.
I say to you, I definitely get annoyed while people
think about worries that they plainly don’t know about.
You managed to hit the nail upon the top as well as defined
out the whole thing without having side-effects , people could take a signal.
Will probably be back to get more. Thanks
https://tinyurl.com/rsacwgxy g recently posted…https://tinyurl.com/rsacwgxy g
Superb post however , I was wanting to know if you could write a litte more on this subject?
I’d be very thankful if you could elaborate a little bit more.
Many thanks!
http://tinyurl.com/yc3czckj recently posted…http://tinyurl.com/yc3czckj
Good write-up. I certainly appreciate this
site. Thanks!
tinyurl.com recently posted…tinyurl.com
I don’t even know how I ended up here, but I thought this post was good.
I do not know who you are but certainly you are going to
a famous blogger if you are not already 😉 Cheers!
http://legride.com/UserProfile/tabid/61/userId/5347189/Default.aspx recently posted…http://legride.com/UserProfile/tabid/61/userId/5347189/Default.aspx
We are a group of volunteers and opening a new scheme in our community.
Your website provided us with valuable info to
work on. You have done an impressive job and our entire
community will be thankful to you.
http://www.asaadogawa.com/userinfo.php?uid=112977 recently posted…http://www.asaadogawa.com/userinfo.php?uid=112977
I simply could not depart your website before suggesting
that I extremely loved the usual info an individual supply to your visitors?
Is gonna be back regularly in order to check up on new posts
tinyurl.com recently posted…tinyurl.com
Yesterday, while I was at work, my sister stole my iphone
and tested to see if it can survive a 30 foot drop,
just so she can be a youtube sensation. My apple ipad is
now broken and she has 83 views. I know this is completely off topic but I had to share it with someone!
Yong recently posted…Yong
Great website! I am loving it!! Will be back later to read some more. I am taking your feeds also
Your style is so unique in comparison to other folks I have read stuff from. I appreciate you for posting when you ave got the opportunity, Guess I will just book mark this blog
Here is a good Weblog You may Find Intriguing that we Encourage You
Every the moment inside a though we choose blogs that we read. Listed beneath are the most up-to-date internet sites that we pick out.
I visited many web sites except the audio quality for audio songs present at this site is truly marvelous.
I know this web site gives quality based articles or reviews and additional stuff, is there any other web site which
gives these data in quality?
best website hosting recently posted…best website hosting
Way cool! Some extremely valid points! I appreciate you penning this article and
also the rest of the site is very good.
web host recently posted…web host
Do you mind if I quote a couple of your articles as
long as I provide credit and sources back to your site?
My website is in the very same niche as yours and
my users would definitely benefit from some of the information you
present here. Please let me know if this okay with you.
Thanks a lot!
website hosting recently posted…website hosting
Hi my family member! I wish to say that this post is amazing, nice written and come
with approximately all important infos. I’d like to peer extra posts like this .
scotts cheap flights recently posted…scotts cheap flights
This design is wicked! You obviously know how to keep a reader amused.
Between your wit and your videos, I was almost moved to start my own blog (well, almost…HaHa!)
Fantastic job. I really enjoyed what you had to say, and more than that,
how you presented it. Too cool!
cheap flights australia recently posted…cheap flights australia
obviously like your web site however you
need to take a look at the spelling on several of your posts.
A number of them are rife with spelling problems and I to find it very troublesome to tell
the truth nevertheless I’ll certainly come again again.
Penni recently posted…Penni
It’s awesome in favor of me to have a web
page, which is beneficial in support of my knowledge.
thanks admin
web hosting recently posted…web hosting
I used to be able to find good information from your blog
articles.
website hosting companies recently posted…website hosting companies
You really make it appear so easy along with your presentation but I to find this matter to be actually something which I
believe I would never understand. It kind of feels
too complicated and very broad for me. I am looking ahead for your subsequent submit, I will try to get
the cling of it!
web hosting sites recently posted…web hosting sites
Hi superb website! Does running a blog such as this take a massive amount work?
I’ve virtually no knowledge of coding but I was hoping to start my own blog soon. Anyways,
if you have any recommendations or tips for new blog owners please share.
I know this is off subject but I just wanted to ask.
Thanks a lot!
web hosting company recently posted…web hosting company
You could certainly see your skills within the work you
write. The world hopes for more passionate writers
like you who aren’t afraid to mention how they believe.
All the time follow your heart.
web hosting companies recently posted…web hosting companies
I know this if off topic but I’m looking into starting my own weblog and was wondering
what all is required to get setup? I’m assuming having
a blog like yours would cost a pretty penny? I’m not very web smart so
I’m not 100% certain. Any tips or advice would be greatly appreciated.
Cheers
web hosting providers recently posted…web hosting providers
Hi there I am so glad I found your web site, I really found you by error, while I was searching on Digg
for something else, Regardless I am here now and would
just like to say thanks a lot for a marvelous post and a all round enjoyable blog (I also
love the theme/design), I don’t have time to read through it
all at the moment but I have bookmarked it and also added in your RSS
feeds, so when I have time I will be back to read much more, Please do
keep up the excellent work.
website hosting services recently posted…website hosting services
Hey there, You’ve done a great job. I will definitely digg it and personally suggest to my friends.
I’m sure they will be benefited from this web site.
web host recently posted…web host
Hi there! This article couldn’t be written any better!
Looking at this article reminds me of my previous roommate!
He always kept preaching about this. I’ll send this post to
him. Fairly certain he’s going to have a good read.
I appreciate you for sharing!
web hosting providers recently posted…web hosting providers
This post is priceless. How can I find out more?
content hosting recently posted…content hosting
Greetings! Very helpful advice within this post! It’s the little changes that will make the biggest
changes. Thanks for sharing!
best hosting recently posted…best hosting
At this time it appears like Expression Engine is the best blogging platform available right now.
(from what I’ve read) Is that what you’re using on your blog?
web hosting reviews recently posted…web hosting reviews
I know this site provides quality based articles and additional information, is there any other website which presents such information in quality?
web hosting service recently posted…web hosting service
Appreciate the recommendation. Will try it out.
web hosting sites recently posted…web hosting sites
Does your blog have a contact page? I’m having trouble locating it but,
I’d like to shoot you an e-mail. I’ve got some suggestions for your blog you might be
interested in hearing. Either way, great site and I look forward to seeing it expand over time.
web hosting providers recently posted…web hosting providers
I truly love your blog.. Excellent colors & theme.
Did you make this web site yourself? Please reply back as I’m looking to create my own site and would like
to learn where you got this from or what the theme is called.
Thank you!
web hosting company recently posted…web hosting company
Good day very cool website!! Guy .. Beautiful ..
Wonderful .. I will bookmark your site and take the feeds additionally?
I’m glad to seek out a lot of helpful information right here within the put up, we’d like work out more
techniques in this regard, thank you for sharing. .
. . . .
Here is my blog post :: KasiMKroft
KasiMKroft recently posted…KasiMKroft
Hey there! Do you know if they make any plugins
to protect against hackers? I’m kinda paranoid
about losing everything I’ve worked hard on. Any suggestions?
free xbox codes recently posted…free xbox codes
Excellent blog right here! Additionally your web site lots up fast!
What web host are you the usage of? Can I am getting your associate link in your host?
I wish my web site loaded up as fast as yours lol
vbucks free recently posted…vbucks free
each time i used to read smaller articles or reviews that as well clear their motive,
and that is also happening with this article which I am reading now.
free vbucks codes recently posted…free vbucks codes
We stumbled over here from a different page and thought I should check things out.
I like what I see so i am just following you. Look forward to looking at
your web page for a second time.
free vbucks codes recently posted…free vbucks codes
It’s a pity you don’t have a donate button! I’d most certainly donate to this excellent blog!
I guess for now i’ll settle for book-marking and adding your RSS feed to my Google account.
I look forward to fresh updates and will talk about
this website with my Facebook group. Chat soon!
free vbucks generator recently posted…free vbucks generator
I’m really enjoying the theme/design of your web site. Do you ever run into any web browser
compatibility problems? A small number of my blog visitors have complained about my site not
working correctly in Explorer but looks great in Safari.
Do you have any recommendations to help fix this issue?
magazin pescuit recently posted…magazin pescuit
You actually make it seem so easy with your presentation but I find this topic to be
actually something which I think I would never understand.
It seems too complicated and very broad for me. I am looking forward for your next post, I will
try to get the hang of it!
cheap flights recently posted…cheap flights
I’m really enjoying the design and layout of your
blog. It’s a very easy on the eyes which makes it much more enjoyable
for me to come here and visit more often. Did you hire out a developer to create
your theme? Excellent work!
cheap flights recently posted…cheap flights
continuously i used to read smaller articles or reviews that
also clear their motive, and that is also happening with this post which
I am reading at this place. cheap flights 3aN8IMa
cheap flights recently posted…cheap flights
Really when someone doesn’t know after that its up
to other people that they will help, so here it happens.
cheap flights 31muvXS
cheap flights recently posted…cheap flights
Howdy very nice website!! Man .. Beautiful
.. Wonderful .. I will bookmark your web site and take the
feeds also? I’m happy to search out numerous helpful info here in the submit, we’d
like develop more strategies in this regard, thank you for sharing.
. . . . . cheap flights 3aN8IMa
cheap flights recently posted…cheap flights
Write more, thats all I have to say. Literally, it seems as though you relied on the video to make
your point. You obviously know what youre talking about, why throw
away your intelligence on just posting videos to your site when you could be giving us something informative to read?
34pIoq5 cheap flights
cheap flights recently posted…cheap flights
Having read this I thought it was rather informative.
I appreciate you taking the time and energy to put this
informative article together. I once again find
myself personally spending a significant amount of time both reading and commenting.
But so what, it was still worthwhile!
free the vbucks recently posted…free the vbucks
I truly love your site.. Pleasant colors & theme. Did you build this amazing site yourself?
Please reply back as I’m wanting to create my own personal site and would love to learn where you got this from or what the theme is named.
Thanks! 2CSYEon cheap flights
cheap flights recently posted…cheap flights
Attractive element of content. I simply stumbled upon your web site
and in accession capital to claim that I acquire in fact enjoyed account your blog posts.
Any way I’ll be subscribing in your augment or even I success you get admission to constantly quickly.
web hosting reviews recently posted…web hosting reviews
This post will assist the internet viewers for setting up
new webpage or even a blog from start to end. cheap flights 2CSYEon
cheap flights recently posted…cheap flights
Fantastic beat ! I wish to apprentice while you amend your
website, how could i subscribe for a weblog web site?
The account aided me a acceptable deal. I had been tiny bit familiar of this your broadcast
provided brilliant clear concept cheap flights 31muvXS
cheap flights recently posted…cheap flights
Hi, i believe that i noticed you visited my weblog thus
i got here to go back the prefer?.I am attempting to to find things to improve my web site!I guess its adequate to make use of some of your
concepts!!
cheap flights recently posted…cheap flights
I have been exploring for a little for any high-quality articles or blog posts
in this kind of space . Exploring in Yahoo I
finally stumbled upon this web site. Reading this info
So i am satisfied to express that I’ve an incredibly just right uncanny feeling I found out
just what I needed. I so much for sure will make certain to do not
omit this web site and provides it a glance on a relentless basis.
cheap flights recently posted…cheap flights
Hello! Quick question that’s totally off topic. Do you know how to make
your site mobile friendly? My blog looks weird when viewing from my apple iphone.
I’m trying to find a theme or plugin that might be able to fix this issue.
If you have any suggestions, please share. Thank you! cheap flights y2yxvvfw
cheap flights recently posted…cheap flights
Ahaa, its good conversation about this piece of writing here at this website, I have read
all that, so at this time me also commenting
at this place.
cheap flights recently posted…cheap flights
We’re a gaggle of volunteers and starting a new scheme in our community.
Your web site offered us with useful information to work on. You have
done a formidable process and our whole community can be grateful to you.
see more recently posted…see more
It’s an awesome piece of writing in favor of all the internet people; they will obtain benefit from
it I am sure.
cheap flights recently posted…cheap flights
What i do not understood is in truth how you are not actually much more well-favored than you might be now.
You are so intelligent. You know therefore considerably in relation to this subject, produced me in my view imagine it from numerous various angles.
Its like women and men are not interested unless it’s something to accomplish with
Woman gaga! Your own stuffs outstanding. All the time take care of it up!
cheap flights recently posted…cheap flights
hello!,I really like your writing so so much! proportion we communicate extra approximately your post on AOL?
I need a specialist in this area to solve my problem. Maybe that is
you! Having a look forward to see you.
cheap flights recently posted…cheap flights
Wow, that’s what I was looking for, what a information! existing here at this blog, thanks admin of this site.
cheap flights recently posted…cheap flights
I really like it when folks get together and share opinions.
Great site, stick with it!
cheap flights recently posted…cheap flights
Greetings! Very useful advice within this article!
It is the little changes which will make the greatest changes.
Thanks a lot for sharing!
black mass recently posted…black mass
Keep this going please, great job!
black mass recently posted…black mass
This paragraph will assist the internet users for building
up new weblog or even a weblog from start to end.
black mass recently posted…black mass
This is really interesting, You are a very skilled blogger.
I have joined your feed and look forward to seeking more of your excellent post.
Also, I’ve shared your website in my social networks!
hack pokemon recently posted…hack pokemon
Hi, always i used to check blog posts here in the early hours in the morning, since i love to learn more and more.
black mass recently posted…black mass
Thank you for any other informative web site. Where else could I get that type of info written in such a perfect approach?
I’ve a undertaking that I’m simply now operating on, and I’ve been on the
glance out for such information.
hack brawl stars recently posted…hack brawl stars
I blog often and I seriously appreciate your content.
Your article has really peaked my interest.
I will book mark your site and keep checking for new information about
once per week. I opted in for your Feed as well.
psn free codes recently posted…psn free codes
Thanks to my father who stated to me concerning this web site, this weblog is actually amazing.
free robux recently posted…free robux
This is my first time pay a quick visit at here and i am really impressed
to read all at single place.
web hosting service recently posted…web hosting service
Hey There. I discovered your weblog using msn. This is a very well
written article. I will make sure to bookmark it and come back to read extra of your useful info.
Thanks for the post. I will certainly comeback.
vbucks generator recently posted…vbucks generator
Everything is very open with a precise clarification of the challenges.
It was definitely informative. Your site is extremely helpful.
Many thanks for sharing!
netflix account generator recently posted…netflix account generator
I am genuinely pleased to read this internet site posts
which carries lots of helpful data, thank you for providing such data.
Also visit my web blog :: TitusISpruel
TitusISpruel recently posted…TitusISpruel
Hi, i read your blog from time to time and i own a similar one and i was just wondering if you
get a lot of spam feedback? If so how do you stop it,
any plugin or anything you can advise? I get so much lately it’s driving me
mad so any support is very much appreciated. online pharmacy https://pharmaciescegs.com/ pharmacy online
online pharmacy recently posted…online pharmacy
Moreover, electroacupuncture allows the electrical stimulation to be buy viagra generic buy viagra online no prescription
buy viagra generic recently posted…buy viagra generic
Real viagra uk https://lightvigra.com/ online pharmacy viagra 100mg
https://lightvigra.com/ recently posted…https://lightvigra.com/
20 mg sildenafil 30 tablets cost https://hopeviagrin.com
150 mg sildenafil
hopeviagrin.com recently posted…hopeviagrin.com
Sildenafil 50mg canada https://mygoviagar.com viagra online purchase usa
https://mygoviagar.com/ recently posted…https://mygoviagar.com/
Wonderful post however I was wanting to know if you
could write a litte more on this subject? I’d be very thankful if
you could elaborate a little bit more. Bless you!
my web-site :: CatheyUSteir
CatheyUSteir recently posted…CatheyUSteir
Wow that was unusual. I just wrote an very long comment but after I clicked submit my comment didn’t appear.
Grrrr… well I’m not writing all that over again. Anyway, just
wanted to say excellent blog!
best headlamp recently posted…best headlamp
Pretty! This has been an incredibly wonderful post.
Thank you for supplying this information.
headlamp rechargeable recently posted…headlamp rechargeable
Hello this is somewhat of off topic but I was wanting to
know if blogs use WYSIWYG editors or if you have to manually
code with HTML. I’m starting a blog soon but have
no coding expertise so I wanted to get advice from someone with experience.
Any help would be enormously appreciated!
petzl headlamp recently posted…petzl headlamp
Thank you for sharing your info. I truly appreciate your
efforts and I will be waiting for your further write ups thank you once again.
headlamp rechargeable recently posted…headlamp rechargeable
I’m not sure why but this website is loading very slow for me.
Is anyone else having this problem or is it a issue on my end?
I’ll check back later and see if the problem still exists.
bola168 recently posted…bola168
My partner and I stumbled over here different website and
thought I might check things out. I like what I see so now i am
following you. Look forward to looking over your web page yet again.
CBD Flower recently posted…CBD Flower
Wonderful blog! I found it while searching on Yahoo News.
Do you have any suggestions on how to get listed in Yahoo News?
I’ve been trying for a while but I never seem to get there!
Thank you
fcdh.cn recently posted…fcdh.cn
Thanks for sharing this information. I really like your blog post very much. You have really shared an informative and interesting blog post with people. By the way, Suorin Vape is a premium vape store and carries a wide selection of vape.
Are you looking for the latest business events and meetings that are local to you? If so why not check out our website which lists the most recent and upcoming business events which are local and nationwide events.
Ben Grounds recently posted…Top franchises UK review
I was recommended this blog by my cousin. I’m not sure whether this post is
written by him as no one else know such detailed about my problem.
You’re amazing! Thanks!
Ignacio recently posted…Ignacio
My family members always say that I am killing my time here
at web, except I know I am getting familiarity all the time by reading
such good content.
Lela recently posted…Lela
Hello! This is my first visit to your blog!
We are a team of volunteers and starting a new project in a community in the same niche.
Your blog provided us beneficial information to work on. You have done a extraordinary job!
Chang recently posted…Chang