Menu planning has always been daunting to me. I go through phases when I do it, and don’t do it. I am always glad when I have it done, though. Over the years I have learned a few things about menu planning that work for me and my family.

1. Simple is best. Sure…trying new recipes is fun but simple, basic recipes is when my family is happiest. That means mom is happy too.
2. Involve children in menu planning. They are more apt to not complain when they have a say in what is being eaten. There can be a kids choice night, they can help you decide the month in advance, or you can schedule fun food nights. No matter how you do it they will know you are thinking of them.
3. Prep more than one meal at once. If you are cooking hamburger for tacos one night, cook double and freeze the rest for your soup later in the week. Saves so much time.
4. Plan meals around leftover ingredients in your fridge and what you have in your food storage. If you are planning simple. basic meals that don’t have a lot of fluff you will most likely have everything you need on hand, except perishables. Making a quick weekly trip to the store for perishables is much easier than huge stock-up trips.

I have tried many different ways to menu plan over the years. I have spent hours and hours online looking at menu planning websites, cooking blogs, and recipe sites to get ideas. Sure, I was reading lots of great ideas but it was only overwhelming me not helping me. Binders, boxes, files….ACK!!! I decided that I was making things too complicated….and I just need to keep my menu planning simple, easy, and clean.

I started by going through my recipes and writing down lists of everything we like to eat…soups, meats, chicken, sides etc, so I had an idea of where to start with my meals.

For now, I will be planning on a monthly basis. I am first beginning with dinners, as that seems to be the most difficult. I left a spot at the bottom to write in treats I want to make during the month and breakfasts I want to make. I will fill those in later and as I see fit.

Click on this link to see a copy of my January 2012 menu plan.

Would you like to get started on your monthly menu planning? Here are also blank calendars for the first 4 months of the year for you to download! They are pdf files in Google Docs. I didn’t make this calendar, I used it a few years ago and kept in on my computer so I don’t remember where I got it from.

January 2012
February 2012
March 2012
April 2012

Tomorrow I will post about where I put all these menu calendars and my recipes for the month. Stay tuned!

Like many of you, I have decided that I need to do better when it comes to spending money on groceries. I try my best…I coupon, watch the sales, yada, yada, yada.

But the fact is this….my life has gotten so incredibly busy that I have let things slip. Like good meal planning, couponing on a regular basis (no time!), eating out too much, and even budgeting for my groceries. So a few months ago when I noticed that our grocery bill was $600 for our family of 6, I literally almost FREAKED out on the spot. And I knew things needed to change!! I just need to take the time to sit down, make a plan, and go.

And I will be accountable because I will be sharing my plan and experiences with YOU…and you can go along for the ride!

I have a good food storage built up. Most basic items I have on hand and try to keep at least 3-4 months worth at all times. Items like flour, rice, oats, spaghetti sauce, pasta, etc. So I figure I am going to plan my meals around what I have in my pantry at the beginning and only buy the fresh items.

I do make several thing from scratch…like muffins, desserts, etc. so that helps with costs. I need to do better about making bread again. I have gotten out of the habit.

Soooooooooooo…..

CRACK-DOWN PLAN

1. I would like to spend no more than $300 per month for my family of 6. We are starting to eat more fresh foods so I am leaving my budget flexible at the beginning until I see how much we eat and how much things will cost. I will adjust if necessary.
2. We will eat out no more than once per month. That includes Little Ceaser’s Hot N Ready Pizza (which has become too much of a friend to us).
3. I will plan my menus out a month at a time. I would like to get 6 months at a time if possible. Meal planning always helps me spend less at the store and takes the headache out of the end of the day.
4. Cook from scratch as much as possible.
5. Start couponing again as much as possible for the foods we eat.
6. Use supplies from my food storage and stockpile to fuel my meals. This will get us used to the food I store as well as rotate what I have.

Anyone else want to join me? Here is what I will be posting about the next few months:

*My menu planning: ideas, organization and recipes (this to come soon!)
*Why cooking from scratch is worth it
*Budgeting issues, helps, and ideas
*The ups and downs of my experience and how I am doing
*Why simplicity is best
*The pros and cons of couponing
*Keeping up a good, usable food storage supply

Let’s pinch those pennies!