Meal Planning 101

After Tonia's brilliant analogy of the "grocery list" theory, I thought I would attempt to aspire some of you to take your literal grocery list to the next level with meal planning.  I know there are a few of you who like me, are already experts at this and if you are one of those do not worry about reading the rest of this! 

Meal planning is something I started doing a few years ago and it has greatly changed my trips to the store, the amount of wasted food in my fridge/pantry, and most of all- THE GROCERY BUDGET!  If you are willing to take the time to meal plan, it will save you a ton of money and you will waste a lot less food!

I typically plan my meals on Sunday's when Addy is asleep.  I turn on spa music and this whole "process" totally relaxes me!  I look online for recipes, usually resort to at least one "old faithful" recipe, and get creative.  Since all of you have different amounts of mouths to feed and different schedules, you will have to decide what works best for you but I typically try to plan about 6-8 meals at a time. 

First, I decide on my meals BEFORE I make my list.  I actually plan mostly dinners, sometimes a few lunch options, and maybe one "special" breakfast.  I write down the meals I choose and keep the recipes handy.  Then, I start to make my list.  I start with all the groceries I need in general- fruit, veggies, cereal, milk, diapers, etc.  Then I begin adding in the ingredients needed for my meals.  I try to plan meals that I already know I have at least a few ingredients for.

I don't actually plan which day we will eat what because I never know exactly when these meals will be or what I'll be in the mood for BUT, I do hang my meals on the fridge with a magnet so that I know what I've planned to make and cross off as I go. 

I highly reccomend meal planning to you because it keeps you organized, and spending much less money!

Happy Planning! ;)

~Your Thrifty Nebo Fairy