Maybe, the concept of meal planning is new to you. Perhaps, you’ve heard of how beneficial meal planning can be. Or do you possibly hear the words menu planning and wish to run to the furthest corner of the earth, screaming, “you can’t bind my wings of freedom! I will never let go of my spirit of spontaneity”? All the while, shaking your fist and declaring to the heavens, “you can’t enslave me with your chains of organization and routine!”

Yes, that was a bit melodramatic but at times I felt like that. For instance, I would go the grocery store and buy items on sale. Following my grocery trip, I would go home and figure out what I could make using my creativity, imagination and of course, Pinterest.

As I matured, and added more kids to my family, I realized that although I had a skill in whipping things up, I needed to be more intentional. INTENTIONAL, that word right there, means “adulting“.
When I became more intentional, I saved more money. Another major benefit is that there is so much less stress when dinner rolls around (Pun intended). To all my amazing “planner” friends, thank you for inspiring me to tame this wild heart and menu plan.

If you would like some more budgeting tips check out my 9 Budgeting Tips! You become a Budget Boss in no time!

My Meal Planning Method is a little Counterintuitive

Here is the order in which I plan my weekly menu:

1. Take Inventory
2. Make a list of Meals
3. Check the Deals
4. Finalize your Menu and Grocery List

Why is “Checking the Deals” the 2nd Step?

Are you wondering why I don’t check the deals as my second step? You are not alone. To illustrate, you’ll find my husband scratching his head in confusion, trying to understand the methods to my madness. Nevertheless, there is a reason I write down a list of ideas of what I would want to eat that week, before I check the Ads. First of all, I like basing most of my meals off of ingredients that I already have. While I take inventory, certain meal ideas pop into my brain and so I want to write those nuggets of wisdom down soon after I’m done inspecting my food supply.

Secondly, I peruse the grocery ads faster if I’m searching them with a plan in mind. Then, I can quickly adjust a few meals. Finally, I do not always have time look for deals very long. We don’t always have ample amounts of time. Looking at the deals with more focus helps me stay on track.

Lastly, I don’t always check for deals before I head to the grocery store. Specifically, I don’t always have time to do every step perfectly. When I’m in a “time crunch” I make a menu consisting of meals that are cheap, regardless of whether they are currently marked down a ton. That said, I rarely ever buy things full price, like ever!

A Tip for the Free Spirits out There

Here is a tip for those of us that aren’t as organized or structured. I make a list of meals but what day we have the meal, is not written in stone. I switch my meals around depending on how my week or day is going. Sometimes, I forget to get my dinner in the crockpot. As a result, I make a meal “switcheroo“!

Pin This to your Board on Pinterest!

4 Types of Meal Planning

I menu plan most of the time now. Yes, I said most of the time. Life isn’t always perfect for me. Sometimes, I go to the grocery store without an exact list of ingredients from my menu. Let me share a few ways to menu plan.

The “She’s Got it all Together” Meal Planning Method

Here is the ideal scenario.

1. Take Inventory of what you have and what you need!
2. Make a list of few meal ideas using what you have on hand already
3. Look at the adds to find the best deals on meat, produce, or anything else you eat!
4. Adjust your meals with those “best deals” in mind, and use some meals that you use regularly. I may add one or two new recipes to my weekly menu but I use “tried and true” for the rest because it cuts down planning time.
5. Look at the recipes you are using and while you’re in your kitchen write down the ingredients you do not already have.
6. Go to the grocery store or do grocery pickup and Bam!

The “Life is Crazy but I got this” Meal planning Method

1. You have to go to the store in 30 min. Before panic sets in, ask yourself, “do I need more fresh produce (Sprouts) or more pantry items?” (Kingsoopers/ Kroger/Sams)
2. Next, You think of all the meals that you are very familiar with make frequently.
3. Jot down 7 of them and try your best to remember all the ingredients and write them down.
4. Go to the Grocery store and get the ingredients on your list or change out certain meals depending on the sales.
5. When you pick up some food think of how you will use it before you put it in your cart.

The “I’m a Hot Mess” Meal Planning Method

1. You couldn’t make it to the grocery store. You do not have food for kids lunches/ dinner/ for anything. Ok let’s go shopping…now!
2. While you’re driving think of all the things that are essential
3. Do the Best you can and pick a rotisserie chicken, salad and french bread. Just get the basics.
4. Realize you will have to go back to the store, when you are better prepared! Ugh!

The “Life is Hard… the World hates me! Is it Tomorrow Yet?” Meal Planning Method

1. Cereal? PBJ? Popcorn and Smoothies? Life is going to throw you some curve balls. It’s ok to not be on your “A” game all the time. At least, that’s what I have been telling myself for years.
2. Today is not the day to meal plan! Just have food and try again tomorrow.

FREE MEAL PLANS!!

If you don’t like to meal plan then I’ve got your back. I send my subscribers two weeks worth of meal plans every other week and so you can use the menu plans as is or customize them to fit your schedule and tastes. I also include all the links to each recipe. ENJOY!

Feature image was taken by Photo by Vegan Liftz on Unsplash

Here is a free printable from Paper Trail Design

If you have room in your budget, check out these great products!

This page contains affiliate links. This means that if you click a link and buy one of the products on this page, I may receive a commission (at no extra cost to you!) This doesn’t effect our opinions or our reviews. Everything we do is to benefit you as the reader, so all of our reviews are as honest and unbiased as possible.