Do you make a weekly menu plan? About This Page:

[Caldercup]

I'm considering this for next year and have checked out a few websites with info on how they do it.

Anyone else do this? Has it worked for you?

Anyone have anything to recommend?

Help!
Eileen

[eff051102]

Yes I do (when I'm making my list for store and coupons) and I take it to the
store. I might not stay with the plan for each day but we will end up having the
food that week. I also might fry up say hamburger meat a day ahead and that
will cut down on my time for the next day.

I don't use any online sites, I justs write it all long hand. Hopefully someone will
have an online option.

*I just talked to my BFF and she uses this: e-Mealz - A Meal Planning Resource for Busy Moms and Frugal Family Cooks which is from
the Dave Ramsey website.*

[fraydele]

I do when I have time to put one together. It makes things so much easier. As I put it together, I do my grocery list at the same time. I already have the recipes out so why not. I use a preprinted grocery list made by Real Simple. I just check the boxes for the items I need and write in the things that are not already on the list. It is already organized into the grocery store sections. That really saves time in the store.
When I create a new menu, I write it down and keep it in a binder when I'm finished. That way, I have menus to fall back on when I don't have time to put one together. I usually try to keep the grocery list as well to make it faster the next time.
Also, I keep a few staples in the pantry just in case. If I don't make it to the store on the usual day, I always have something in the pantry that is easy to make.

[jimmymac]

Nope

[mom2twingirlies]

I have done in the past, and when I do, I save time and money at the grocery store, but I don't always get the menu planned before I shop and then I just have to wing it.

I find if I make a plan, I try to plan more than 1 recipe in the week that will use some of the same things, then I can save money by buying in bulk, as well as time, by prepping one night for the next.

I have good intentions, but not always the follow through.

[emilyandlogansmom]

We do this. I've found some daily calendars for $1 at Michaels and I just write out the plan for the week. As someone else mentioned, we don't always stick to the specific days, but typically those meals will get eaten at some point that week. It really does help with grocery shopping and keeps the bill down. It's good for me to not have to come up with someone on the spot. I'll look at the list and know in the morning that I need to pull out some chicken or whatever. Very helpful! Good luck!

[ilovedisney247]

I have done this in the past when I was dieting or on a really strict budget.
I have used a couple of dieting sites for menu planning, but I normally find it easier to do it by hand or on my own spreadsheet.
Now my schedule changes every week and many of my meals are eaten via the employee cafeteria. (Thanks for the free meals Bill!)
These days when I have time off I just sort of wander around the grocery store until I'm inspired, but I think this is because my budget and the amount of food preparation I do has changed dramatically. If you only cook one meal a week--its different than if you do 7 x 3 meals a week!

[Caldercup]

Originally Posted by fraydele

When I create a new menu, I write it down and keep it in a binder when I'm finished. That way, I have menus to fall back on when I don't have time to put one together. I usually try to keep the grocery list as well to make it faster the next time.
Also, I keep a few staples in the pantry just in case. If I don't make it to the store on the usual day, I always have something in the pantry that is easy to make.

Great ideas! I'm totally "stealing" them.

I did just create a simple chart that I'm going to work with for a bit and see how it does. If you're interested, it's here (I'm gonna talk about it on my blog tomorrow.)

My meal planning chart - first draft

Eileen

[Luvsun]

It all depends on if I have the time to put it all together. The weeks I work.....I just don't have the time.
I have found that if I write down what I want for each day, then I make a grocery list from that.
It really was helpful when all of the boys were home.....they would always know what they were coming home to!

[cattayhi]

I don't use an online meal planner - I create a calendar and pencil in our meals for the week (so I can move things around). I have found I like this as it helps me keep track of foods we have just eaten and no repeats too often.
I also have a list that I keep populated with our favorite dishes with sides. That way family can look over the list and choose what they want for the week.
Only problem is dh - gets cravings all the time and likes to change my plan so I work around him or make him his own meal (he loves raw fish and poi, could eat it every day if we could afford it!).

[Tink and co.]

I do. It's essential in keeping our budget and busy family on track. We are five people who could easily be going five different directions on any given night. I don't stick to the days always, but I make my menu based on what's on sale in addition to what's in the pantry/freezer (I generally keep enough staples to whip up easy things like sloppy joes, a casserole, etc.) My menu lives in my brain. I've actually never written it down. Hmmm...I may have to try that.

[fraydele]

Thank you!
This is what I use. We're Jewish so our big meals for the week is on Friday dinner and Saturday Lunch. It also assumes that we will eat leftovers at least a couple of days a week. I print them out and use a hole punch to get it ready for the binder. Sometimes I write notes on it. If the kids didn't like it or it was really good (whatever). That way, I'll know the next time I pull it out I know what happened last time.
Happy Planning!!

[Chrissi]

I start on Sunday with sale ads and plan meals for Monday thru the following Sunday. I use MS: Publisher for the menu and just type in dinners. Usually 2 dinners for Walt to cook when he's home (he always makes leftovers for lunches), 3 for me to cook (+ leftovers for lunches) when he's at work, a frozen pizza, tossed salad, and fruit for me and DJ on Friday nights, and 1 night we wing-it with take-out.

[olendl01]

I meal plan and have been doing it now for a few years. I buy a weekly calendar like the ones they use for appointments to build mine. I do this so I can manage my carbs for the diabetes and still meet the nutritional needs for me along with my family. It has been a great help. I also write down my meals on index cards and keep them in a recipe box so it is easier for me to meal plan. I have them separated out based on the Carbs, starchy foods, fats, veggies and proteins. Doing it for my Diabetic needs allows me to consider portion control and can figure out how much insulin I'll need for the meal. It's been a contributor in managing my diabetes. Oh yeah, I also keep a log of my meter reads with the meals. If I have a spike in numbers I can reflect back on that meal to see if I should keep it in the plan or adjust it so it has a more positive affect on my blood sugar reads.

[olendl01]

I just checked out your meal plan draft...looks good, for me, I'd add the meter reads for my db and add snacks onto it. Love the extra activities spot you included.