I Plan Meals Ahead To Save Money & Food.

[Petapaw]

When I was in Italy what seems to be a VERY, VERY long time ago.. one thing I noticed about their kitchens (besides their brick pizza ovens which I am very jealous of) was the size of their refrigerators. They’re TINY! I remember asking why that was and was simply told that it was due to the fact that they don’t ‘keep’ things in their fridges other than some leftovers perhaps, some cheeses, drinks, etc.

So what do they do different?

They go to the market almost every day and pick up what they are having for dinner same day! What an excellent idea!! Of course, heading to Sobeys or Superstore every day to pick up some meat isn’t exactly what I would call a great idea – but for them, they had markets on what seemed to be every street corner.. so it made sense.

I’ve sort of incorporated that style of thinking into my own home this week, by planning meals ahead of time – and you know what? It’s worked beautifully so far. No longer am I heading to the fridge at dinnertime wondering what I’m going to be making that night, or even worse heading to the grocery store to pick up items that I already have or perhaps purchasing more food when I have a lot of food already in my fridge which is going to waste perhaps.

It doesn’t take long in fact to just think up some items that you’re going to have each day. I’ve also found that if you do it while you’re in the kitchen after taking a brief look at the cupboards and fridge to see what you’ve got in there already, you’re more likely to use things that have been sitting or not being used for awhile (see that can of beans way in the back? Why not conquer a recipe for chili this week?)

It’s also a good exercise to know how busy my schedule is for the week and to know what I will or won’t have time for. Example, last night we knew we were going to see the movie “Avatar”, and is customary for us – we always get ourselves a good heaping of popcorn at the Theatres. For that reason we had a relatively light dinner (or supper as my roommate would like to say) of hotdogs and caesar salad.

Anyhow, it’s also extremely useful to have a pen and pad somewhere near the kitchen so that when you run out of something or are running low, you can pick it up all at once instead of making multiple trips to the grocery store for one item. Freeing up some free time – I’m all about that!

My fav site Lifehacker just published an article on Menu planning and green shopping which would be useful to check out – but it’s all about planning ahead I’ve found.

[Aviallani]

that's how I do the shopping list each week - I decide what we're having for dinner each day then write down all the things I need to cook each meal - then I write the list and add in all those things and we're good to go

[daisybear]

I wish, I'm to all over the place. I've tried...always fail!!!
Good for you!

[anisa]

thanks for the nice post

[thecountess]

I wish I could meal plan but I always end up just winging it from day to day. But thanks for the great articles!!!!

[Woofy]

I am trying to get into meal planning now... I don't do a whole week's worth... I think it's too harrowing, having to think of what to eat for dinner 5 days down...

I just do it day by day... Tonight after dinner, think about what to cook for tomorrow's dinner... It kind of works.

I ended up cooking more at home and eat out less in the last week!

[Aviallani]

lol I can't fathom doing it any other way - how do you go grocery shopping when you don't know what dinners you are going to cook through the week??

[kazm-l]

that's how I do the shopping list each week - I decide what we're having for dinner each day then write down all the things I need to cook each meal - then I write the list and add in all those things and we're good to go

Me too!
I also bought a white board and stuck it near the fridge - that way, when someone finishes something or notices we are running low then they can add it to the list. Those things are then added to my shopping list before i go out.
When it comes to planning the meals i also ask for input from the kids.... its nice to have someone else decide what we are going to eat from time to time...its still up to me to make it as healthy an option as possible

[Woofy]

lol I can't fathom doing it any other way - how do you go grocery shopping when you don't know what dinners you are going to cook through the week??

I have 2 grocery stores that are less than 5 mins walk, and a lot that are less than 15 mins drive.

I guess that makes it easier for me to grab the stuff I need after work before I go home.

[Petapaw]

lol I can't fathom doing it any other way - how do you go grocery shopping when you don't know what dinners you are going to cook through the week??

Exactly. I was shocked at how much "junk" I buy if I am not following a list at the Grocery store.

[Aviallani]

I have 2 grocery stores that are less than 5 mins walk, and a lot that are less than 15 mins drive.

I guess that makes it easier for me to grab the stuff I need after work before I go home.

We've always found that shopping day to day tends to cost us extra in the long run - I guess there's extra impulse buys - I dunno

Exactly. I was shocked at how much "junk" I buy if I am not following a list at the Grocery store.

Oh we're so lost without the list!!

I usually sit the clan down and ask everyone what they would like for dinner through the week - everyone gets a shot at something they like that way and if they don't speak up then they lose out

[Petapaw]

Yea we have been doing this for years now and have been trying to convince our friends to change over.

[camera_mom]

This is my plan of action...
I go through th flyers of the grocers with 10minutes near me (food basics, shoppers, zehrs, no frills) I plan my weeks meals with what's on sale, I dunno about you but meats are incredibly expensive unless you can stock up on good finds.

I buy the week's groceries on Saturday morning with a note of what to buy where.

On Sunday I cook the week's meals and divide in portions so my hubby can take a cooler of meals with him to university. He's away at school during the week and it helps with cost of eating out.

If you cook on Sundays you'd be surprised how little dishes and stove you use during week.