Planning a Menu for savings!!!

[Charmie777]

Planning a menu really can save you time and money. And most of all ... it's FUN!!!!

Planning a menu for a week, two weeks or even a month or more takes a little time at first, but the savings of your money AND your sanity are enormous!!!!

What I do for planning for a week:

First, I take inventory of all I have in my freezer and pantry. Sometimes this is just a mental list. But every now and then I actually go to the freezer and pantry and dig and write everything down!!
If times are really lean, I will plan my whole week's menu using just what I have on hand, having to buy very little from the store other than fresh items.

Next, I look through the sale fliers from the grocery stores. Most weeks I only go to one store, but if I'm really looking for a great price, I might visit more than one store.

Then, I sit down with my blank weekly menu AND my calendar AND my shopping list at the same time.

I start putting down all the staples I need on the list, mentally going thru each room in the house to think of what I need (i.e. laundry room, bathrooms, kitchen)

I look at my calendar and then I know which days I have little time to cook, lots of time to cook, or where I need to make something to go, or put in the crockpot.

Then, I just start plugging in recipes and meal items, trying to mix up poultry, meat, pasta, different styles of foods.

I love to sit down at my computer and 'Zaar and use the Menu Function!!!!
I have 2 menus that I have set up with Group Headings for each day of the week.
(December 8 thru December 14, 2007).
I use the same 2 menus all the time, just deleting items as they are made, and then changing the title of the menu to reflect the current week.

Because I use the sale fliers, I plan my meals around what is on sale that week. SAVES $$$$$

Because I use my calendar when I plan my menu, I usually don't overload myself on days that I'm busy.

Because I make my shopping list at the same time as my menu, I know I'm going to have everything on hand for every recipe!

And because I use the menu function on Zaar, my menu is always handy, all recipes are available at a click, and I can link into the shopping list function and I'm set!!!!


Share your ideas for Menu Planning!!!

Do you plan for a week, 2 weeks, a month?? How do you do it?

(And don't forget to come visit us over the The Menu Ideas Forum!!! )

[katie in the UP]

I try to have approx 2 weeks menus planned before I hit the grocery stores. You are right....if I have a plan...it's not nearly as costly!
I need lots of crockpot or quick meals for during the week...otherwise DH and I will meet in town and go out too eat I try to have a few 'emergency' meals in the freezer (left over soup....taco meat....etc) for days I just don't have a clue
We also do Breakfast for dinner a couple times of month...it's generally quick...and tastey (we don't do breakfast in the AM's except week ends).

[dianegrapegrower]

I've been planning menus for years - typically for 2 weeks at a time. (my kids would say it's a "control thing") But besides saving money, it helps us eat healthier. And it really helps reduce stress in the evening, after work, when I'm feeling like I can't make another decision and don't have a creative thought. But I could still gather the family around the table for a hot meal. Now that the kids are off to college, I still plan meals for DH and I for many of the same reasons.

Diane

[faith58]

I usually try to plan meals for the week. If something comes up I change it but If I know what I am making and make sure I have all the ingredients it works out great. Charmie and katie great tips thanks for sharing.

[CheapThrills]

You got it, Charmie! I do pretty much the same, except I try to keep current daily on what's in the pantry and freezers, just by observing. I also plan out 3-4 weeks at a time. I do leave holes, though, for the unbelievable deals that drop down from the sky. And I keep track of what kind of meals I'm serving, to vary the fare (V, C, P, T, B, F). I mark the meals that will use leftovers with a * so I remember to make enough (and not eat t for lunch!). Meal planning and careful shopping have helped me keep our food budget to about $60/week for four (that's up from $50 this summer). Oh, p.s., I cook mostly from scratch. Now there's a savings plan!

[Debber]

CheapThrills wrote:
You got it, Charmie! I do pretty much the same, except I try to keep current daily on what's in the pantry and freezers, just by observing. I also plan out 3-4 weeks at a time. I do leave holes, though, for the unbelievable deals that drop down from the sky. And I keep track of what kind of meals I'm serving, to vary the fare (V, C, P, T, B, F). I mark the meals that will use leftovers with a * so I remember to make enough (and not eat t for lunch!). Meal planning and careful shopping have helped me keep our food budget to about $60/week for four (that's up from $50 this summer). Oh, p.s., I cook mostly from scratch. Now there's a savings plan!

Oh dear....do tell me what V, C, P, T, B, and F mean! I'm guessing Vulture, Cactus, Platypus, Toenails, Beetles and Flowers. That can't be right, can it?

[Kim127]

I bow to your organizational goddessness!!

I have dreams of being that organized, and even go so far to plan out a weeks menu and then by Tuesday have it all messed up.

[Missy Wombat]

I get paid fortnightly on a Thursday. The Wednesday before I check the supplies and plan about one week of meals mainly to cover the upcoming weekend.
Friday I hit one supermarket as they have their dairy specials then. I also go to the Asian emporium and the butcher next door to buy pet mince for the dogs. Saturday or Sunday I hit the local produce markets. After that we do the rest of the shopping using a list.
I then finetune the menu.

[Red Chef Mama]

I always plan menu's as well. I looooveee doing this!! LOL. I go shopping once a month (though there are always a few things during the month we have to go back for more of). I really get so excited at the first of the month when I get to do my grocery list and go shopping. I go in and see what is in my pantry, then go through all of my recipe's and pick 30 that I want for the month. Then I write down all the ingredients I will need for the month (and extra things)...I then organize my list by the way my grocery store is arranged. I write out my list of meals for the month in no particular order (I like being able to choose the day of) I typically put page numbers if necessary and/or keep all of the recipes for the month in a separate folder. We usually spend about 300-350 dollars a month for 4 people. That includes breakfast, lunch, dinner and snacks. Before I started menu planning we were going back to the store all the time and spending about 500 bucks a month!!!

[Charmie777]

Red Chef Mama wrote:
I always plan menu's as well. I looooveee doing this!! LOL. I go shopping once a month (though there are always a few things during the month we have to go back for more of). I really get so excited at the first of the month when I get to do my grocery list and go shopping. I go in and see what is in my pantry, then go through all of my recipe's and pick 30 that I want for the month. Then I write down all the ingredients I will need for the month (and extra things)...I then organize my list by the way my grocery store is arranged. I write out my list of meals for the month in no particular order (I like being able to choose the day of) I typically put page numbers if necessary and/or keep all of the recipes for the month in a separate folder. We usually spend about 300-350 dollars a month for 4 people. That includes breakfast, lunch, dinner and snacks. Before I started menu planning we were going back to the store all the time and spending about 500 bucks a month!!!

That's great!!!!
Have you ever tried out the menu function WITH the shopping list function? Or just the shopping list function...it's fun!

[Red Chef Mama]

Charmie777 wrote:

Red Chef Mama wrote:
I always plan menu's as well. I looooveee doing this!! LOL. I go shopping once a month (though there are always a few things during the month we have to go back for more of). I really get so excited at the first of the month when I get to do my grocery list and go shopping. I go in and see what is in my pantry, then go through all of my recipe's and pick 30 that I want for the month. Then I write down all the ingredients I will need for the month (and extra things)...I then organize my list by the way my grocery store is arranged. I write out my list of meals for the month in no particular order (I like being able to choose the day of) I typically put page numbers if necessary and/or keep all of the recipes for the month in a separate folder. We usually spend about 300-350 dollars a month for 4 people. That includes breakfast, lunch, dinner and snacks. Before I started menu planning we were going back to the store all the time and spending about 500 bucks a month!!!

That's great!!!!
Have you ever tried out the menu function WITH the shopping list function? Or just the shopping list function...it's fun!

I haven't ever used the menu function on zaar before. I think I will give it a go...do you like it alot??? I also do what you do when our pocketbooks are a little dry. I just plan meals by everything I have on hand....I actually find that is alot of fun being creative that way!

[Charmie777]

I love it!!! I do a weekly menu, like January 5 thru January 11, 2008, and also special occasion menus, like Zachary's Birthday Dinner.

[Red Chef Mama]

Charmie777 wrote:
I love it!!! I do a weekly menu, like January 5 thru January 11, 2008, and also special occasion menus, like Zachary's Birthday Dinner.

Do you have to be a premium member to do that? I am planning on switching to a premium membership as soon as I can. With the holidays finally coming to an end I hope I will have the $ to do that soon!

[Charmie777]

Red Chef Mama wrote:

Charmie777 wrote:
I love it!!! I do a weekly menu, like January 5 thru January 11, 2008, and also special occasion menus, like Zachary's Birthday Dinner.

Do you have to be a premium member to do that? I am planning on switching to a premium membership as soon as I can. With the holidays finally coming to an end I hope I will have the $ to do that soon!

Gee, maybe you do...I don't know, but that's a good question!

I just looked, and I think you do have to be premium...sorry!!! But I do love my premium membership!

[Red Chef Mama]

Charmie777 wrote:

Red Chef Mama wrote:

Charmie777 wrote:
I love it!!! I do a weekly menu, like January 5 thru January 11, 2008, and also special occasion menus, like Zachary's Birthday Dinner.

Do you have to be a premium member to do that? I am planning on switching to a premium membership as soon as I can. With the holidays finally coming to an end I hope I will have the $ to do that soon!

Gee, maybe you do...I don't know, but that's a good question!

I just looked, and I think you do have to be premium...sorry!!! But I do love my premium membership!

Even more reason for me to become a premium member!!!