october food plan and help!

Tracey04

where can I get ideas, to begin this, for the last few months I promise to do it but never do. Need to write meal plans, shopping list and sort out my food and laundry cupboards for cheap products like borax etc. Getting well stuck ...need some help...and advice...

And this is all before I begin with Christmas

Ps I cannot think what to make for tea so how can I choose what is for tea in 3 weeks time !!

Many thanks Tracey

Heth_2

Why don't you start with a meal plan for the next week? I never ever do a monthly plan, and rarely stick to my weekly one for every meal.
I don't want to plan now what to eat in 3 weeks time, I might feel like cooking something new then, or I might just need to have something quick. I write a rough plan for the week, but usually top up my shop as I pass sainsburys on my way home from work. I don't find that we spend more shopping almost every day compared to a weekly shop. We never throw food away, so it all gets eaten.

squeaky

There are lots of good ideas gathered here:-

The Menu Plans Collection


We've got some spreadsheets written by Old Style members collected here that might help you:-

Budget and Menu Plan spreadsheets.


(If I've missed any lately, and I may well have done, please let me know and I'll add them.)

JillD_2

doing it for a week or two first is a good idea.
Take a look in your fridge and freezer and se whats there, then think of some dinners youcould make with the stuff.
Write down a list of the dinners you think you like.
If you are having trouble search around here and online for other people's for inspiration.

Once you have 7 (or 14 or whatever) dinner ideas written down , slot them into your week or fortnight. Take into acount nights when you are on your own, or working late, or going out. For example, i work late on a Tuesday so Tuesday is always slow cooker night. My H can eat a plateful from slow cooker when he gets in and he just leaves it on for me and I have mine a couple of hours later.
Also work out what would be a good day for you to do your shopping and make sure that you make al ist the night before by working out what you have already in and what you need, to make up the next 7 days meals.

Well this is how I do it anyway and it seems to work quite well.

Good luck
Jill

Peem

Squeaky

thanks for these spreadsheets.

I'm looking at the menu planner one. It's causing me to scratch my head a bit (it says I need about 3 kg of mince, I know I only need 500g! )- but I will master it. I think the benefits overall will outweigh the time spent on it now.

It kept me busy during a sleepless night

thanks again

Peem

I'm sorry but the spreadsheet has got me beat.

I just can't get it to work - and I'm someone who used to be a programmer.

Unless that's the problem - Ho hum. back to good old pen and paper.

Edited to say - I think I'm making a meal of things! ho ho ho

Anastacia

Have you read the tightwad gazette ? She doesnt meal plan, just keeps a fully stocked pantry that she buys at rock bottom prices and then she has whatever she needs for whatever they fancy (from their usual repetoir). Excellent idea & its what i am trying- not just because meal planning seems a weird thing to do (what if i planned salad & its cold & yucky - i then want stew)but because you dont get any waste because you can always adapt to use what you have.

Excellent book, thoroughly recommended. I thought she was completely mad by the end of my first read & completely brilliant by the time i had been through again.

tiff

What is the tightwad gazette?

tankgirl1

tiff wrote:

What is the tightwad gazette?

lol- i was going to ask the same thing!

one quick google later, and here is the answer http://www.amazon.com/Complete-Tightwad-Gazette-Amy-Dacyczyn/dp/0375752250

leeegglestone

Ive been meaning to Plan Meals in advance too and at the same time work out how much each Meal Costs. Then use this info to work out my Monthly Food Spending.

I tend to find I just never know what to make and so a rough plan is probs the way forward

I did start this week. Managed to make Chicken Curry for 2days for just over a pound due to Bargain Chicken. Even worked out that my Lunch for 5days is about a Fiver.