Meal Planning - how do you do it?

zippychick

meal planning how do you do it?

Also meal planning where to start? may also interest you

there are also loads of packed lunches threads starting with
Cold packed lunches

packed lunch for work

ideas for lunch at home

low carb recipe for lunch etc

sandwich fillings

homemade sandwich spreads

sandwich meat

exciting sandwich fillings on a budget

I take couscous, pasta salad, leftover dinners, lentil dahl, savoury rice, various sandwiches, omelettes - variety is key or else i would be off to the shop to spend money i don't have on an average take out lunch - my home pack ups are so much nicer!

Zip

Pink.

Hi Sparcia,

As your thread has dropped down the board I've added it to the main thread on meal planning to keep the advice together.

This is an older thread, but it may help too:

Mealplanning - weekly, fortnightly or monthly?

Pink

Spring_Time

Hello everyone!

This is going to seem a strange thread but hubby is away so I can't think aloud and have him nod and agree lol!

I have been trying to live off what we have in the cupboards and freezer already and only buying what we really, really need to make meals according to the meal plans I have whipped up.

The thing is, tomorrows shop is literally only going to be a few things...it feels wrong!:eek: I usually do a huge shop on a Friday and I keep looking at my list, then at my meal plan, then at my list, then in my cupboards, then at my list, then at my meal plan, then at my list, then in the freezer, then at my list....lol you get the idea? I am already feeling like I have forgotten something and I am not even in the shop yet lol!

This is such a strange feeling, its weird how we get into a routine and its hard to deviate from the "big shop"....a month ago I would of just gone and done the "big shop" anyway and just stuck it on top of what we already have!

I wonder if I should get some store items to make myself feel like I am not forgetting anything?! Shame this feeling won't be one I will have every week! We have guests descending on us soon!

Sorry for the strange ramble! Thank you for letting me think "aloud" lol! x

Bella79

I so know how you feel !, ive just come back from mr sains, and usually spend between 50/60 pounds, however i meal planned this week and stuck to it and only spent £27.00 mind you i didnt need any veg, but i got fruit and veg and even a couple of reduced sandwiches for 50p and a reduced bottle of cider for our supper ! lol

It felt soo weird buying that little amount and its gotta last the week, i keep checking the meal plan but its def right lol, mind you it feels GREAT knowing that i havent over spent and will have extra left for my visa at the end of the 4 weeks (i get paid 4 weekly)

vodkawitch1

Hi I do know what you mean it can be difficult to adjust but meal planning is a great way to cut costs. I now think of it as do I need the money in my cupboards and freezer or do I need it in my purse to pay a bill. Do the grocery challenge its a great way to get used to spending less on shopping.

Spring_Time

Thank you for the replies, its so nice that people get what I mean. Its a strange feeling. I think its the first time that its hit home that meal planning really does work! I have tried so often in the past then just got lazy and it went out of the window, whereas this week or so I have stuck to it like mad. You are both so right when you say about thinking of what that money can go towards instead! Thats exactly what I am doing. Its a nice feeling for once!

ragz_2

Totally know how you feel, went to the supermarket today for a few things and usually I would come out with over £30 worth for 'offers' etc, I kept looking at my trolley thinking it doesn't look right! Only spent £11 it felt very very odd!

nic_santorini

I agree with all of you, I meal plan and have hardly bought anything. I have a £7 off voucher from Mr T if I spend £50 or more, this would have been easy before on a big shop, but I really don't NEED £50 worth of food this week. I have saved so much money on my food shops in the last 3 weeks, I have treated the house to 3 new chandeliers I had my eye on for a year that were in the BHS sale for £40 each and we are still eating well, just not snacking on rubbish.

freudianslip

I like it when I only buy the ingredients needed to make a meal but where it gets me is the feeling of 'oh, I must stock pile just incase' I like a freezer full and a stock cupboard full otherwise I go into a bit of a panic, the dimwit that I am.

I do know the feeling though, especially the feeling that i've got it so wrong, this cannot be correct and I must have missed something too.

grannigrunt

Do you think it's because we have got used to having cupboards full of food? There are only 2 of us at home now but I have more food in my cupboards than I had when my 4 kids were young, because then I had to shop every day for fresh food. I've realised it's not necessary to stock all this food, we're not going to starve, it's just a bad habit I've got into. It's a good idea to meal plan, which is basically what I used to do years ago when I shopped every day. Must make the effort and follow your example and stop making Morrisons and Tesco rich!:)