Meal plan sheets how to#
Meal plan sheets free#

The meal plan printable includes a spot for breakfast and lunch, although those meals do not vary as much as our dinners. This is also the place I fill in specific sales or meal requests so that I will not forget. You want to make a note of these so you can plan for meals that can be eaten on the go, or meals that will feed more or less people accordingly. An evening outing, dinner with friends, part of the family out of town, etc. Write down any plans that will affect your meal times. Make a note of any special occasions or circumstances occurring in the planning period. It is not necessary to list everything, of course, but any meat or produce in the refrigerator or freezer should be listed since those are typically the key parts of any meal.Ģ. Typically, at least a third of our meals can be made at least in part with what is already in my freezer or pantry. This is an important first step because it helps to prevent food waste and spending money unnecessarily.

Meal plan sheets how to#

How to use the Simple Meal Planning Printable:ġ.Make a note of what you already have on hand. I will explain how I am meal planning and being strategic with our grocery budget in case you are in a rut too and could use some fresh planning inspiration. There are endless ways to meal plan and budget, this is simply what works for us. Meal planning is the remedy for that, as well as being a budget saver since extra trips to the grocery store are also avoided. All of a sudden, you have to think about what meat thaws the quickest and what meals can be thrown together in little time with little fuss. Planning this way gives us flexibilty and allows us to choose what we feel like, while still being prepared and and avoiding the last minute frantic dinner decisions.īecause we’ve all been there– dinner is fast approaching, everyone is asking what’s on the menu, and .idea.

I have planned meals according to categories– one pasta, one pizza, one meatless, etc, for each week.īut what I have found to work best for us is to simply plan for a number of meals that can be made over a two-week period, purchase what we need for those meals, and then decide each day what we want to eat. I have couponed and planned meals according to sales and deals. I have tried planning meals and filling them in for specific days on the calendar.

I have used a variety of meal planning methods over the years. (Each are available to print at the end of the post).Īnd then I took all four of my children to Whole Foods and Costco and almost died.īut since the kitchen and pantry are stocked with food and I know what I will be cooking for the next two weeks, I’d say my near-death experience was worth the effort.īlurry because I was busy bouncing a fussy newborn. I created a new printable to keep track of meal planning, and used price lists to create a shopping list and meal plan for the next two weeks. I sat down this week and pulled up my grocery budget spreadsheet and edited it with new amounts. Honestly, I’m ready for more routine and accountability. Maybe even a year since I really payed attention to our grocery budget.īut we are coming out of the newborn days and it’s time to once again to reign in our spending.

I have not meal planned regularly in several months.

Meal plan sheets free#

Check out these free printables to help you meal plan, shop, and stick to your grocery budget!