Here are a couple of steps to get you on your way.
Decide how long you want to plan for.
First determine how long you want to plan for and then make a list. I get paid bi-weekly so I plan and shop for two weeks at a time.
Go through your recipes and pick your meals. I enjoy this part because I can try new recipes or have time to look and remember which ones my family really liked. No more, “Oh no! It's 5:00, what are we going to eat?!!”
Family Fun Tip:
Allow your family members to go through your recipes books or search online and pick meals they like. Maybe they'll even help you cook.Non-Recipe User Tip:
If you are too free spirited to be held down by recipes, just think of your favorites that you know how to cook (or think of new ingredients for something you'd like to try) and write those down.- Write out your meal plan. Take those meals you picked and put them in a meal plan. Your list can be as elaborate as a spreadsheet or as simple as…
- Sunday - Eggplant Parmesan
- Monday - Tuna Casserole
- Tuesday - Sausage and Peppers
- Wednesday - Slow Cooker Meal - Taco Soup
When you're done, hang it on the fridge or another visible place, and a quick glance in the morning will tell you what to pull out of the freezer for tonight's dinner.
Hectic Night Tip:
Look at your calendar and plan slow-cooker meals for nights when you have evening activities.Make a shopping list:
Divide your lists into categories such as “dairy,” “meats,” “canned goods,” “produce” etc. Go through your recipes that are on your meal plan and write in the things you need to buy under the correct category.Money Saving Tip:
Going to the grocery store with a list saves money because you will be tempted to do less impulse buying and won't have to keep running back to the store to buy what you forgot.
You're set! Hit the grocery store; pick up the items on your list. Go home and put them away. You're on your way to saner nights.
