I am NOT Mrs. Total Organization, but there’s no question: In those areas where I am more organized, life runs a lot smoother.
When I was a newlywed, I was fairly disciplined about planning out my weekly meals, at least for supper. It helped so much both at mealtimes and when grocery shopping.
But then somewhere in all the busyness of having babies and being surrounded by little ones, I fell out of the habit of regular meal planning. We survived, of course, but figuring out what to cook every night was a lot more chaotic and I wasted so much time on random trips to the grocery store.
In the last couple of years I have worked hard to get back to regular, detailed meal planning. I’ll be honest — it takes time to do it. But I do believe it saves time in the long run! It gives me a week’s worth of options for meals, and it helps me draw up a thorough grocery list so I’m making fewer trips to the store. And when you have a thorough list, it’s easier to stick to it and keep to your budget better!
I’ve been using a self-made meal planner for a long time now, but it’s about time I made one pretty enough to share! If you’re the plain, sensible type, then download and print the black and white copy, but if color makes you happy, there’s a lovely option for you, too!
So what good is a meal plan? Here’s how I do it and how it helps me…
I meal plan and make my grocery list on the same day every week. I usually do my grocery shopping online, too, (read my thoughts on that here,) but reserve pickup for the next afternoon because I’m usually out at that time anyway.
I fill out every meal on my planner, including main course and sides, taking into account my schedule for the week and any special events or appointments on my calendar. If somebody has a doctor’s appointment late on Monday, then I know I need a simple meal for that night, or maybe a slow-cooker meal I can drop in the Crock Pot before we go. Bible study/co-op days start early, so I need quick, grab-and-go breakfasts planned for that day.
Keep in mind that I don’t always cook the exact meal I have listed for each particular night. Sometimes I may cook the meal I had planned for Friday night on Monday. I mean, sometimes tacos just sound better than pork chops! And sometimes I’m just really tired and I’d rather make a simple spaghetti than a complicated Beef Burgundy. But I stick with my meal plan for the week — what I cook is listed somewhere on my planner.
We don’t do dessert most nights, but I like to plan for some sweets from time to time. I prefer to make desserts homemade, but I’m not opposed to an occasional gallon of ice cream. Whatever dessert(s) I’d like to have that week, or maybe one the hubby or kids have requested, I add it to the meal plan for the week.
It’s a good idea to plan for snacks, too. While cooking good, hearty meals cuts down a lot on snacking, it’s still good to have easy snacks on hand. My kids love fruit and nuts, so those are usually on my list. The more I plan for snacking, the less likely I am to buy a lot of junk food on impulse.
I include an “Extras” category for anything that may be… well… extra! Maybe I’m supposed to bring sandwiches to a luncheon or I’m making cupcakes for a church fellowship. This is where I list those extra things I don’t want to forget.
Then, when my meal plan is complete, I use it to make my grocery list. I keep a running grocery list on the refrigerator anyway — if I’m about to run out of trash bags, or the kids just used the last of their shampoo, I add it to the list — but then I go through every meal, dessert, snack, and extra for the week and check to insure I have all the ingredients I need to make it. Doing this takes time, and it often makes for a pretty hefty list, but when I do it carefully, I never have to make those crazy, last-minute trips to the grocery because I just realized I’m out of chili powder!
Find your printable meal planners here…
Meal Planner Printable Black and White
So will a meal planning printable absolutely change your life? Umm… probably not. Will it immediately turn you into Miss Super Organization so you can wow your family and friends? Again, no.
But it may save you some time and stress, and prevent some grocery shopping anxiety and cooking chaos! And what mom couldn’t do without any more of that?
