How Meal Planning Can Save Time, Money, And Your Sanity
What’s for dinner?
Me: Honey, I need to run to the grocery store real quick.
Adorable and highly inquisitive Toddler: But why?
Me: I need to find something for dinner.
Toddler: But why?
Me: Because we don’t have anything for dinner.
Toddler: Ok, just let me pack my purse. Do you know where my green necklace is? No, not that green one. Can I get a cookie and a kids shopping cart while I am there? I can’t go unless I find my green necklace. And my Dora stickers.
If you’ve ever had one of these conversations with a child, then you feel my pain when I say that frequent “quick” trips to the grocery store can not only put a big dent in my wallet, but also my sanity. When I started to realize just how much these little trips were costing me, I began planning out my meals a week ahead of time and realized that this was much more economical and a lot less stressful. Once a week I spend about an hour going through recipes that I’ve pinned and start thinking about what I want to cook for the week. With my list prepared, I try really hard to only go to the grocery store once a week.
*Most, if not all, of the meals I make are recipes I’ve found on the internet, so don’t be expecting very many originals from me! (You probably wouldn’t want those anyway!)
My general meal planning guidelines:
- There cannot be a super long list of ingredients, especially ones that I’ll probably never use again. If there are some random ingredients that I don’t normally use, I try to buy only what the recipe calls for and/or plan another meal that uses those ingredients as well.
- The fewer the steps to the meal, the better. I’m fine with chopping veggies, sautéing, and throwing things in a blender, but that’s about as far as my prep work goes. If possible I try to do some of this ahead of time so when it comes to the actual cooking part, it’s less time in the kitchen. (Bonus points if it’s a one-pan or crockpot meal).
- I try and make at least one meal that I know will have leftovers that can either be used for the next day or re-created into a new meal (i.e. one day make a one-pan Mexican skillet and use the leftovers the next day in a Southwestern salad).
- The recipe has to be (mostly) healthy. We are trying to steer away from processed foods as much as possible and I try to make healthy substitutions as often as I can (see my post 5 Ways To Use Greek Yogurt As A Healthy Substitute). Once you start knowing what healthy swaps to make, it gets a lot easier to broaden your healthy cooking horizon.
Sample meal plan:
Monday: Baked Chicken Parmesan over spaghetti
Tuesday: Spring Quinoa Salad with Honey Lemon Vinaigrette (leftovers for lunch the next day)
Wednesday: Crockpot BBQ Chicken Sandwiches with Roasted Vegetables on the side
Thursday: BBQ Chicken Salad using the leftover chicken from the night before
Friday: Eggplant Pizza
Saturday: Anything someone else is cooking…Mama needs a night off too!
Sunday: Baked Eggs with Spinach and Tomatoes
Quick tip: I use the Mealboard App on my iPhone to make my shopping list. This app is really easy to use because it separates the ingredients by sections like you would find in the store and you just check them off as you go. Paper lists and I do not get along 🙂
Do you plan your meals out ahead of time or just wing it when you go to the grocery store? I would love to hear any money-saving tips you may have!
- 5 Ways To Use Greek Yogurt As A Healthy Substitute
- Using Apple Cider Vinegar To Rid Hair Of Product Buildup
I really need to start making meal plans! I have those same conversations with my three year old and it takes 15 minutes just to get out the door…
I also agree that the meals should have a short list of ingredients! If the list on the recipe is too long, I usually pass on it!
Visiting from Mom Blog Party
Haha, I’m glad I’m not the only one Lisa! Isn’t it funny how it can sometimes take longer to get out the door than to run the actual errand?! It took me a little while to get in the habit of planning my meals out ahead of time but it has definitely been helpful. Thanks for reading!
I can’t agree more. Meal planning saved me time, money and definitely my sanity 🙂
Yes, three very important things! 🙂 Thanks for stopping by Marina!
I will try new ingredients, but only in small amounts or if they last forever.
Yes, agreed! Thanks for stopping by Kristy!
I am a firm believer in meal planning! Thanks so much for the tips and for sharing with the Frugal Family linky!
Me too Laura, it has definitely saved me some stress at dinner time! Thanks for reading!
What a great idea! Thank you for sharing on last week’s Frugal Family Linky. Your post has been featured on this weeks Frugal Family Linky via Witty Hoots. Hope to see you sharing again soon and do pop back to grab your ‘I’ve Been Featured’ badge too!
Thanks so much Helen! Meal planning has definitely made my days a lot less stressful. Thanks for featuring my post, I will definitely be stopping back by the Frugal Family Linky!
I think people let the effort of meal planning put them off, when really not planning requires a lot more work in the long run. Thanks for posting. Hello from Frugal Family Linky.
Definitely Melissa! I feel way more stressed when I don’t have any ideas for dinner, plus then I usually end up having to make multiple trips to the grocery store. Thanks for stopping by!
Oh yes. Nothing worse than a last minute, I can’t think what to have for dinner. I tend to use my own blog recipes to give me ideas for my meals. Then looking at other peoples blogs for new ideas.
Thanks Jody,
I am remembering to leave your blog from another page to help your statistics
Kathleen
Fridays Blog Booster Party#6
Thanks Kathleen 🙂 Agreed, last minute dinner plans stress me out! Speaking of meal planning, I saw a recipe on your site for quinoa meatloaf that looks great. I’m definitely going to try it out! Thanks for reading!
Great post! Pinned and tweeted. We appreciate you taking the time to party with us. I hope to see you tonight at 7 pm.. Happy Monday! Lou Lou Girls
Thanks Lou Lou girls! I will be there! Thanks for stopping by.
I’ve been trying to do the weekly meal planning but somehow we never get to it. I like the suggestion of having a short list of ingredients. Maybe this will help with making it seem “easier”. Thanks for linking up #ConfessionsLinkUp
Yes Minh, having a shorter list of things to buy definitely helps! And I still struggle with setting aside time to sit and make my meal plan for the week but it does get easier as it becomes more routine. Thanks for reading!
Great tips. I hate buying a big bag of ingredients that I only need for one dish and can never use again. Thanks for sharing. #ConfessionsLinkUp
Thanks Amy! I agree…the shorter the ingredient list, the better for me! Thanks for reading!