The worlds worst meal planner!

MRSMCAWBER

Hi there

I have sat today and worked out 4 weeks of main meals(another 4 will be done in a minute)....each one will be turned into a shopping list ...it sounds quite sad i guess..but it means i can just get hubby to pick which ever week he fancies and i can just grab the list and go..i have to confess that i write the lists on a file card like mentioned earlier...and i cover them in clear sticky backed plastic:p ... saves dog eared, stained lists:D ...god i need to get out more:rotfl: :rotfl:

I dont bother working out lunches, because i always do a recipe for 4 (there are 2 of us) and i put the other 2 in the freezer...hubby then takes one with him every lunch time and nukes it at work :T ..and if i want something warm i do the same...

If there are 3 of you to feed...if you freeze 1 portion every evening...after 3 weeks you will have 21 evening meals...which means a week without cooking for you :j ....

Magentasue

Hi there, Carlih. I used to be addicted to this board and then got a full-time job and drifted away for 18months, Now my contract has ended, our income will be reduced by more than half and I'm back in OSland. While I worked, OH didn't and he did the cooking. He couldn't meal plan either but this is what I do:

1. Make a list of meals you like. Aim for at least 7 but, obviously, more meals means more choice.

2. What needs using up in fridge, then cupboard, then freezer? How could they be used in meals? For example, if you have some dying greens, you could decide on bubble to and squeak (we're mostly vegetarian).

3. Choose more meals so you have 7 and then list what you will need. Thriftlady's list looks like my basics too so I always have flour, sugar, butter, cheese etc.

4. Add basics to your list (milk, tea, coffee, salt, vinegar, shampoo etc).

5. Stick to your list unless you see bargains. For example, if you see some bargain meat/fish or whatever and can use that for a meal, buy it but put back the stuff for one of your planned meals.

6. I shop online now and again when I have a voucher for free delivery and stock up on cleaning stuff, loo rolls etc. Otherwise I do a weekly shop in Asda and send one of the kids down to Aldi for milk half way through the week.

7. If you go on tesco's site (or similar), you can put in your list and see how much it will cost - you could print it out as your shopping list.

I find it easier to stick to a budget if I shop alone and, for some reason, I spend less at 8am than later in the day.

Good luck!

dolly_day_dream

If you type your list into
http://www.mysupermarket.co.uk
they will do a comparison for you between the supermarkets that deliver to your area. It only includes Tesco, Sainsbury's, Asda and Ocado but that will give you a rough idea of costs and you can use it to find any cheaper alternatives using the 'Check it Out' button. I use this weekly to find out the best offers from them before I go to Aldi and so I know that I have got the best price I can. If you really find it difficult to resist buying the special offers in the supermarket then online is probably your best bet. I do it once a month cos I too have to get all my shopping into a wally trolly (chic shopper please!!) and there is a certain satisfaction in sitting at the computer in my nighty, drinking tea, doing the shopping, knowing that I have found their special offers but resisting their temptations.

carlih1

Right here goes,

I am actually useless, i have all these good intentions and then never follow them through but needs must at the moment i am on sick pay and broke broke broke!!!!!!1

Need to meal plan, would any of you lovely Old style mse'rs kindly help me. I will complile a list of cupboard stuff tomorrow and put it on this thread, i need to work out what to eat next week and what i have to buy, don't want to buy much tbh, can't afford it.

Please say someone will help?

Carls xxx

skintscotslass

Happy to help honey. Not that I'm an expert by any means. But many hands make light work etc etc

Have you got stuff in the freezer? Dont forget to add the contents to the cupboard stuff xx

Pink.

Hi carlih,

Of course we'll help! If you get a chance have a look at this thread for ideas:

The Complete Menu Plans Collection

Pink

lindsaygalaxy

I fully understand how you feel! I also have the same problem with budgeting, spening diary and cleaning planner!

Its strange, cause at work im really organised!

Irisheyes648

Don't panic!!! you have come to the right place, post what you have tomorrow and I am sure between us all we will come up with some suggestions!!!!:T

carlih1

Right here goes


Cupboard food

Bottom cupboard

Enchiladas kit
Long grain brown rice
Brown rice
Minced beef and onion pie
Smash
Spaghetti x2
Couscous
Egg noodles
Stock cubes
Riveta
Beef and veg BIG SOUP (DD loves these, would like to make a batch myself and freeze if anyone has any ideas?)

Top cupboard

Herbs – Ground cumin, chilli powder (x2), whole cardamon, ground turmeric, oregano, dried mixed herbs (x2), garam masalla, chargrilled chicken flavouring, ground ginger, paprika, mixed peppercorns, ground coriander, cajan spice, crushed chillis, dried basil, dried thyme, rice vinegar, soy sauce, Worcestershire sauce, red wine vinegar, sherry vinegar, balsamic vinegar, Italian seasoning, bay leaves
Corned beef
Mustard powder
Tin Creamed sweetcorn
Korma sauce
Red wine and onion sauce
Bisto gravy, chicken, beef
Saxa salt
Veg Boullion powder
Chicken stock granules
Tin Three bean salad
Tin Red kidney beans
Parmesan
Tomato puree –tube
Ketchup
Tin Tuna
Jacket Potatoes x4

Middle cupboard

Mixed nuts
Sunflower oil
Squash
Sesame seeds
Dried figs
Dried blueberries
Linseed
Raisins
Tin Sliced mango
Tin pineapple slices
Sponge syrup pudding
Tin apricots
YAWYE seed packets
Sunflower seeds
Dried tropical fruit mix
Dried prunes
Dried Apricots

Breakfast cupboard

Dumpling mix
Tea, (herbal and normal)
Hot chocolate
Cornflour x2
Food colourings
Ground nutmeg
Ground cinnamon
Ground mixed spice
Light brown soft sugar
Granulated sugar
Marmite x2
Chocolate ice cream sauce
Peanut butter
Marmalade
Blackcurrant jelly
Tassimo coffees
Chocolate milkshake
Short grain pudding rice
Sugar
Oatibix
Porridge

Fridge

HP sauce
Lemon sauce
Mayonnaise
Eggs
Carrots
Butter
Peppers – Need using up
Mushrooms – Need using up
Onions
Squeezy basil
Black olives
Capers
Mustard
Grated mozzarella
Shallots
Baby potatoes
Block cheddar cheese
Lemons

Freezer

Red berry smoothie mix
Tropical fruit smoothie mix
Strawberry and bananna smoothie mix
Tuna Steaks x2
1 small piece steak
Frozen Yorkshire puddings x6
Minced beef x 7
Quorn sausages x6
Frozen blueberries
Minced beef and veg pie x2
Frozen casserole veg mix
Small lamb leg joint
6 wholemeal rolls
Vegetarian mince
Garlic bread slices
Swede and carrot mix
Cheese and red onion sausages x2
Steam veg (Carrots Cauliflower, Green fine beans)
Beef flank x3



Doing this has actually given me the opportunity of chucking out a few bits that were out of date and cleaning the drawers in the freezer, feeling very proud of myself today and hope i can do a meal plan and get to tesco before the kiddies return later on. Thanks once again for all your help!!




Carls xxxx

carlih1

What i am trying to aim for is some meals i can batch cook, or duel purpose so i can have them two days in a row, but slightly different. I am thinking of doing a fruit cobbler and malt loaf courtesy of black saturns meal planner.

I also thought of a beef stew (which i will need to get a few more veggies for) and a roast dinner, could turn the beef stew into a pie the next day?