Not meal planning, but cheaper...

Churchmouse

liz545 wrote: »

I tried mealplanning, but it wasn't working for me as I'd get invited out or something and I got bored of pre-planning my meals. What I'm doing now,and it seems to be working, is I write the contents of the fridge/freezer/storecupboard on a whiteboard, and brainstorm possible meals I can make out of it beneath them. I can erase stuff as it gets used and add to it as necessary, and it stops me forgetting about stuff in the back of the cupboard/freezer. OH likes it because when he asks what's for dinner we can take a look at the board and work out what to combine - more fun than staring forlornly at the fridge! I also have a magnetic notepad on the fridge and as I finish something I add it to the list, so I can replace it when I'm shopping. This works out quite well for me, as I'm only feeding me and OH, but maybe not ideal for big families.

I'm liking your ideas:D I have found meal-planning to be a complete waste for me. I never know how many there will be for dinner until an hour or two before:rolleyes: So too often I have defrosted something and then half of it gets wasted. Now I try to determine by lunchtime how many I will be feeding! It can range from 2 to 6 (quite a difference!!) or even more:rotfl: I've always operated an *open* house where my children's friends are welcome and I'm not about to stop now. In fact DS1 who is married, and in Canada, one of his friends called round a couple of weeks ago and ended up staying for dinner:rotfl: I did (gently) remind him that in their student days he often found himself round this way at mealtimes:D

I do have 2 sons living at home (they seem to go away, and then come back again!!!) but can see your system could work better for me:D