• Skip to primary navigation
  • Skip to main content
  • Skip to primary sidebar
Moms Need To Know ™
  • Recipes
  • Gardening
  • Frugal Living
  • Subscribe
    • Twitter
menu icon
go to homepage
  • Recipes
  • Gardening
  • Frugal Living
  • Subscribe
    • Facebook
    • Pinterest
    • Twitter
  • subscribe
    search icon
    Homepage link
    • Recipes
    • Gardening
    • Frugal Living
    • Subscribe
    • Facebook
    • Pinterest
    • Twitter
  • ×

    Home » Frugal Living » general » How To Get Started With Meal Planning

    How To Get Started With Meal Planning

    by Mindi Cherry

    How to get started with meal planning

    How to Get Started on Meal-Planning

    Meal Planning is one of the biggest ways you can save money in your family’s food budget. The problem is, for  someone who has never made out a meal plan, the idea can be overwhelming. You may not know where to start or how to do it effectively. Here are some tips to get you started on meal-planning

    How to Get Started on Meal Planning

    You don't need to clip coupons to save money when you meal plan.  Here is how I save without clipping coupons!

    You don't need to clip coupons to save money when you meal plan. Here is how I save without clipping coupons!

    Get the right tools together. You will need a weekly planner, either one that is on paper in a book or one that is on a dry erase board and a notebook to jot down ideas and shopping lists. You will need this to be able to effectively organize and make sure you plan meals and snacks for all days.

    Sit down and make a list of all meals your family loves and that fit within your budget. Ask them for input if you need ideas. This is not for scheduling, but more so you have a group of recipes to choose from for your planning. Make sure you include snacks, desserts, breakfast, lunches and dinner. Don’t worry if you don’t make it very often, this is more for brain-storming. Don't forget to check out my Recipe Index for plenty of ideas for your menu planning!

    Now that you have those two things in order, these are the steps you should take each week you meal plan:

    1. Check local ads for what is on sale so you can build your meals around that. Make sure to include any coupon deals as well.
    2. Make sure to take into account any leftovers you could have from these meals and make plans for them either this week or the next (stick them in the freezer if you can to save them for when you need them).
    3. Note days that will be especially busy. Make sure to plan for fast meals these days.
    4. Make a list for what you will need from the store. Note amounts you will need so you don’t buy too much or too little.
    5. Make out your weekly plan. You may want to display it where others can see so you won’t have to hear the, “What’s for dinner?’ question every night.
    6. When you get home from the store, do some of the prep work for meals (you might want to check out my Freezer to Crockpot series!). This will save you time in the evenings and for meals like breakfast as well.

    To make it easier to plan meals, try doing daily themes. You could do Meatless Mondays or Taco Tuesday. This just means you will be rotating something into that slot for that day each week and it will cut down on the time spent figuring things out. If you are making family favorites on those days, your family might even look forward to those days!

    If you are stumped on meal ideas, try searching online. There are so many recipes to make that fit a budget-minded meal planner. Just follow me on Pinterest for so many meal ideas!

    Don’t make too much work for yourself to start. Coming up with a whole month of meals can be daunting. Instead, pick a day each week to plan the meals your family will be enjoying for the following week. Once you have that mastered, if you still want to, move onto monthly planning.

    What are your best tips for meal planning?

    « How To Grow Awesome Tomatoes
    Orange Creamsicle Cake Recipe »

    As an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases disclosure policy.

    Reader Interactions

    Comments

    1. Christine Smith

      July 12, 2015 at 10:25 am

      This is a great basic outline for meal planning. I have developed a simple system for creating a rotating, perpetual meal plan. Once it's set up, you never have to meal plan again. Check it out here:
      http://becomingchristinesmith.com/index.php/2015/06/26/meal-plan-for-life-now-available-on-amazon/
      If you would like a free review copy, let me know via my contact form or email me
      crbsmith68 at gmail.com

    Primary Sidebar

    • Facebook
    • Instagram
    • Pinterest
    • Twitter

    Hi, I'm Mindi! As a busy mom. I just want to put healthy and flavorful meals on the table quickly without having to rely on processed foods, while still trying to maintain a household.

    More about me →

    All Time Favorites

    • Hawaiian Ham and Cheese Sliders
    • Best Dip For Doritos Recipe
    • Companion Planting | What NOT To Plant Together
    • Oreo Truffles Recipe | Oreo Cake Ball Recipe!
    • Slow Cooker Beef Stew Recipes
    • Slow Cooker BBQ Pork Recipes | Dr. Pepper Pulled Pork
    • Cherry Thumbprint Cookie Recipe | Christmas Cookie Idea
    • Crockpot Chicken Tortilla Soup + More Easy Chicken Recipes

    Footer

    ↑ back to top

    About

    • Privacy Policy
    • Terms & Conditions

    Newsletter

    • Sign Up! for emails and updates

    Contact

    • Contact

    As an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases.

    Copyright © 2022 Moms Need To Know