Meal planning

princess84

Hi all, not sure if this is the right place o post or if there is a similar thread i couldn't find but here goes...Wondering how to go about meal planning? I have a diary with a space for meal ideas which I've been trying to stick to but inevitably end up going to the shops daily for something or other that i need for a recipe etc. I suppose i would also need to look at my shopping list too. Do most people find it most economical to do a monthly shop? I find fortnightly works best for us, but then i still seem to shop outwith that too. If any one has a diary or a template meal planner they could link for me i would very much appreciate it! Would like to have a food budge and stick to it, and also have all my meals planned out too. Thanks in advance!

Linda32

I don't have a template, just the simple idea of a pen and notepad in the kitchen drawer. Its quick and it works

Just before you are going to the shops, write down on the piece of paper the days of the week.

Then look in the cupboards/freezer to see what you have got.

Then write down the food items against each day. So if you have chicken pieces, you need potatoes,veggies and gravy. So if you havn't got potatoes, then this goes on the list.

Obviously if you have a freezer, then you don't need to buy the veggies every week or the gravy, (sorry if you don't use gravy from a tub) I do so I'm just saying what I do When you get towards the bottom of the tub, write this on your shopping list for when you go.

The idea being that you use what you have in the cupboard first before you buy more.
Also when its written down, you know what you are having for tea so no need to nip to the shops for one things, and come out £10 lighter. :rotfl:

I shop once a week, but if your happy to shop fortnightly that fine, whatever works best for you.

HTH

Snowy_Owl

I've actually just done mine!

Firstof all, I get an A4 piece of pape r and put three columns - one for the date, one for lunch and one for tea. Just like Linda32, I do this by hand - you can adapt for your needs - during the week I just do my lunches as hubby sorts his own out.

I then make a separate list of the main stuff that I have in the freezer and cupbaords - meat, cooking sauces, extras such as nann bread and garlic bread. ( If there is something I notice we're running really low on it goes straight on the shopping list)

Using this audit, I then plan for as much of the month as possible. If I leave a few nights free, that's fine, we can adapt & go with what we fancy, it gives us a wee but of freedom eg if we see something at the farmers market or on offer or M&S meal for 2 for a tenner etc.

I can then start my shopping list. AFter food is done, I then look at what we have and need for household things and toiletries. I will look at what vouchers I've got and that will help decide what and where I go for what aspects of the shopping.

Hope that helps.

Snowy

I go from payday to payday. I do a biggish shop at the start of the month. i may then do a smallish sho[p each week for veg & other fresh things.