Do you menu plan? I’ve been doing it for 24 years!! I was asked how I do it so many times I finally wrote a book for a few family and friends many years ago. (I was a SAHM at the time and would type 5 recipes every nap time. My plan was just a Christmas gift for family but then friends wanted a copy so I actually sold them to people for about 3 years. Gave them as wedding and shower gifts too.)
I have menu planned for so long I don’t know how to function without it now. I plan my menus and completely base my grocery list off of that. I don’t know how to buy groceries without a menu. I can necessities and things I know we use every two weeks but beyond that, nope. Menu planning is not only a time saver but a money saver because you’re not running to the store all the time. The first month I tried it I cut our grocery bill in half!
If you’ve never done menu planning I have some tips to help you get started:
-You don’t have to plan the whole month, start with a week, then maybe two. I base ours around when paychecks come in.
-You are not tied to the plan. Don’t feel like what’s on the menu for tonight? Make something else you planned for that’s the beauty of having the plan and groceries on hand.
-Look at your schedule and plan accordingly. It’s okay to write down, “sandwiches” if you have a game or practice.
-If your family likes pizza every Saturday or tacos every Tuesday then put them in there. Go easy on yourself.
– Repeat menus are time savers. I use to know that if we had lasagna one month we’d have spaghetti the next month. Tacos this month? Nachos next month. Runzas one month, pizza pockets the next month. (Spread out that workload!) Can you tell I don’t like the same thing all the time? If you’re family likes the same five things each week you do you boo.
Do you menu plan? Does this make you want to start? Drop a comment and let me know any questions you might have!
Diffusing Hope 