Comments on: Guest Post: How I Save Money by Planning a Menu http://moneysavingmom.com/2009/01/anatomy-of-a-me.html Helping You Be a Better Home Economist Fri, 10 Feb 2012 06:23:16 +0000 hourly 1 http://wordpress.org/?v=3.1.2 By: Joy@Frugal Menu Mamas http://moneysavingmom.com/2009/01/anatomy-of-a-me.html/comment-page-1#comment-235688 Joy@Frugal Menu Mamas Sun, 25 Jan 2009 20:56:53 +0000 http://moneysavingmom.net/2009/01/anatomy-of-a-me.html#comment-235688 I loved this post on menu planning and linked it to my menu planning Monday post. Check it out on my blog... I loved this post on menu planning and linked it to my menu planning Monday post. Check it out on my blog…

]]> By: Lyn http://moneysavingmom.com/2009/01/anatomy-of-a-me.html/comment-page-1#comment-235687 Lyn Sat, 24 Jan 2009 20:18:33 +0000 http://moneysavingmom.net/2009/01/anatomy-of-a-me.html#comment-235687 To Honey - you can expedite cleaning out a freezer by using a hair dryer (just be careful). I find when I do this the food is not out for very long. It depends though on how much ice is built up. If you live in a colder climate you could also box up the freezer food and put it on your porch in a safe place until you are finished. To Erika - can you sit down with your dh and ask him if it's possible to meal plan for the week instead of daily (you could still get his input on what he would like to eat that week). To Honey – you can expedite cleaning out a freezer by using a hair dryer (just be careful). I find when I do this the food is not out for very long. It depends though on how much ice is built up. If you live in a colder climate you could also box up the freezer food and put it on your porch in a safe place until you are finished.

To Erika – can you sit down with your dh and ask him if it’s possible to meal plan for the week instead of daily (you could still get his input on what he would like to eat that week).

]]> By: Britt http://moneysavingmom.com/2009/01/anatomy-of-a-me.html/comment-page-1#comment-235686 Britt Fri, 23 Jan 2009 21:23:53 +0000 http://moneysavingmom.net/2009/01/anatomy-of-a-me.html#comment-235686 HA! This cracks me up! Well, not what you had to say...but the timing! I came to MSM to look up a recipe...I was going back and forth "should I menu plan this week, or wing it." Hmm...a sign? Thanks for the encouragement! God sure does speak to us! HA! This cracks me up! Well, not what you had to say…but the timing! I came to MSM to look up a recipe…I was going back and forth “should I menu plan this week, or wing it.” Hmm…a sign? Thanks for the encouragement! God sure does speak to us!

]]> By: Prudent Homemaker http://moneysavingmom.com/2009/01/anatomy-of-a-me.html/comment-page-1#comment-235685 Prudent Homemaker Fri, 23 Jan 2009 16:03:35 +0000 http://moneysavingmom.net/2009/01/anatomy-of-a-me.html#comment-235685 I wrote down four months of meals. Each one is seasonal reflecting what is fresh in my garden that season, as well as what things we like to eat during those months (warm things in the winter and cool things in the summer, for example). I can plan my meals from those (all include side dishes too, unless they are a one-dish meal) which really helps me to know what to put with it! I draw my weekly menus from these pre-planned menus, based upon what I have on hand (I never go to the store to get something for a specific meal, but instead plan my weekly meals on what I have on hand). I also have a week's worth of meals (soon to be three weeks' worth) from things only in my pantry, for when my garden isn't producing and we cannot add anything from the store. I wrote down four months of meals. Each one is seasonal reflecting what is fresh in my garden that season, as well as what things we like to eat during those months (warm things in the winter and cool things in the summer, for example). I can plan my meals from those (all include side dishes too, unless they are a one-dish meal) which really helps me to know what to put with it! I draw my weekly menus from these pre-planned menus, based upon what I have on hand (I never go to the store to get something for a specific meal, but instead plan my weekly meals on what I have on hand).

I also have a week’s worth of meals (soon to be three weeks’ worth) from things only in my pantry, for when my garden isn’t producing and we cannot add anything from the store.

]]> By: Erika http://moneysavingmom.com/2009/01/anatomy-of-a-me.html/comment-page-1#comment-235684 Erika Fri, 23 Jan 2009 15:28:05 +0000 http://moneysavingmom.net/2009/01/anatomy-of-a-me.html#comment-235684 I like the idea, and I have tried doing this before. However, my husband has a very strong opinion towards what we have for dinner each night. So essentially, I plan for different dinners (and shop the sales), but then I give the options to him and he picks what he wants. The bad part with this is that sometimes i don't use all the fresh produce in time, and I hate wasting food! Plus some meals involve defrosting, and if i didn't defrost ahead of time it limits the choices. I have tried saying I will come up with the planned menu ahead of time before, and I will pick the menu, but he wants to have a say in what we are having for dinner too and decide the day of. Does anyone have a good suggestion that might get him on board with meal planning? I like the idea, and I have tried doing this before. However, my husband has a very strong opinion towards what we have for dinner each night. So essentially, I plan for different dinners (and shop the sales), but then I give the options to him and he picks what he wants.

The bad part with this is that sometimes i don’t use all the fresh produce in time, and I hate wasting food! Plus some meals involve defrosting, and if i didn’t defrost ahead of time it limits the choices. I have tried saying I will come up with the planned menu ahead of time before, and I will pick the menu, but he wants to have a say in what we are having for dinner too and decide the day of.

Does anyone have a good suggestion that might get him on board with meal planning?

]]> By: Dawn http://moneysavingmom.com/2009/01/anatomy-of-a-me.html/comment-page-1#comment-235683 Dawn Fri, 23 Jan 2009 14:15:36 +0000 http://moneysavingmom.net/2009/01/anatomy-of-a-me.html#comment-235683 I love this too! I actually plan for a month because I buy my meat at Sam's Wholesale and freeze per meal. They are already cheaper than the grocers on meat and I can buy in bulk. I do have to run in now and then to local stores for produce but overall, I save tons of money because I don't double buy stuff. Your process is pretty much the same as mine. This frees me up to sew for my three year old, stamp/scrapbook, (another saving hobby,) and keep the books for my husbands business. thanks, you encouraged me today- I love this too! I actually plan for a month because I buy my meat at Sam’s Wholesale and freeze per meal. They are already cheaper than the grocers on meat and I can buy in bulk. I do have to run in now and then to local stores for produce but overall, I save tons of money because I don’t double buy stuff. Your process is pretty much the same as mine. This frees me up to sew for my three year old, stamp/scrapbook, (another saving hobby,) and keep the books for my husbands business. thanks, you encouraged me today-

]]> By: Robbie @ Going Green Mama http://moneysavingmom.com/2009/01/anatomy-of-a-me.html/comment-page-1#comment-235682 Robbie @ Going Green Mama Fri, 23 Jan 2009 14:02:23 +0000 http://moneysavingmom.net/2009/01/anatomy-of-a-me.html#comment-235682 Thank you for the tips! I always appreciate that you have a mix of information rather than just have sales and coupons. It's a reason why I included you on my tag list today. See the link. Have a great one! Thank you for the tips! I always appreciate that you have a mix of information rather than just have sales and coupons. It’s a reason why I included you on my tag list today. See the link. Have a great one!

]]> By: Converting A Spendthrift http://moneysavingmom.com/2009/01/anatomy-of-a-me.html/comment-page-1#comment-235681 Converting A Spendthrift Fri, 23 Jan 2009 14:00:03 +0000 http://moneysavingmom.net/2009/01/anatomy-of-a-me.html#comment-235681 I have started letting my kids do the menu planning and it is working out well. The also like the feeling of "knowing" what's for dinner and it has greatly cut down on the confusion and begging for differing meals. We have not gotten past planning a week to ten days in advance but I hope to begin planning and shopping for longer periods. I have started letting my kids do the menu planning and it is working out well. The also like the feeling of “knowing” what’s for dinner and it has greatly cut down on the confusion and begging for differing meals. We have not gotten past planning a week to ten days in advance but I hope to begin planning and shopping for longer periods.

]]> By: Sandy http://moneysavingmom.com/2009/01/anatomy-of-a-me.html/comment-page-1#comment-235680 Sandy Fri, 23 Jan 2009 13:46:39 +0000 http://moneysavingmom.net/2009/01/anatomy-of-a-me.html#comment-235680 I was just thinking this morning about doing a 2 week menu plan, which I NEVER do and whaaaalaaaa...I find this when I sign on this morning! I wanted to get started doing this because I care for my 88 year old mom and get very little time away, usually 4 hours a week. I thought doing a 2 week grocery plan would help me to be more organized and then utilize less of the time I get to run my errands on grocery shopping. Well, I did it and I was amazed at how little I bought at the grocery store. I had so much on hand that I never realized could equate to near complete meals. Thanks for the info and suggestions. Now I have 2 weeks to check out some new recipes and get my list together. I was just thinking this morning about doing a 2 week menu plan, which I NEVER do and whaaaalaaaa…I find this when I sign on this morning! I wanted to get started doing this because I care for my 88 year old mom and get very little time away, usually 4 hours a week. I thought doing a 2 week grocery plan would help me to be more organized and then utilize less of the time I get to run my errands on grocery shopping. Well, I did it and I was amazed at how little I bought at the grocery store. I had so much on hand that I never realized could equate to near complete meals. Thanks for the info and suggestions. Now I have 2 weeks to check out some new recipes and get my list together.

]]> By: Carrie http://moneysavingmom.com/2009/01/anatomy-of-a-me.html/comment-page-1#comment-235679 Carrie Fri, 23 Jan 2009 13:44:39 +0000 http://moneysavingmom.net/2009/01/anatomy-of-a-me.html#comment-235679 This is one frugal thing that I have just never gotten. I'm glad it works for other people. But for me, I just don't see the problem with basing the night's meal around whatever I already have in the fridge or freezer. If I can't think of anything that uses beef shanks and broccoli, I just Google. If I don't have the ingredients called for on hand, I either improvise or move on to the next recipe. Sure, I might have a use in mind when I pick up Italian sausage on sale -- like pizza or lasagna, especially if mozzerella is also on sale -- but I don't feel the need to write that down. This is one frugal thing that I have just never gotten. I’m glad it works for other people. But for me, I just don’t see the problem with basing the night’s meal around whatever I already have in the fridge or freezer. If I can’t think of anything that uses beef shanks and broccoli, I just Google. If I don’t have the ingredients called for on hand, I either improvise or move on to the next recipe. Sure, I might have a use in mind when I pick up Italian sausage on sale — like pizza or lasagna, especially if mozzerella is also on sale — but I don’t feel the need to write that down.

]]> By: Menu Maker Mom http://moneysavingmom.com/2009/01/anatomy-of-a-me.html/comment-page-1#comment-235678 Menu Maker Mom Fri, 23 Jan 2009 13:43:15 +0000 http://moneysavingmom.net/2009/01/anatomy-of-a-me.html#comment-235678 I am a total believer in menu planning! I cannot imagine having to stare into my fridge or pantry and come up with a meal to feed my family! I plan breakfasts, lunches, and dinners for several weeks at a time. I plan my meals based on grocery store sales combined with coupons and save tons! Here it is step-by-step: 1. Using my grocery store sale flyer, I refer to my Make-a-Menu binder for family favorites and recipes to try that use meats that are on sale. 2. I make sure that all the ingredients are on the shopping list. 3. After shopping, I prep and freeze the main ingredients , and add the meals to my menu. 4. I add the meals to my menu calendar, which is on my fridge. 5. On Sundays, I put all the dry ingredients for the week's menu in my Make-a-Menu Box, I put the fridge ingredients in the fridge box, and the freezer items in the freezer box. If I'm missing an ingredient, I add it to my grocery list. 6. The week starts, and I'm on auto pilot! Good luck & keep cookin' and lovin'!! ~ Menu Maker Mom I am a total believer in menu planning! I cannot imagine having to stare into my fridge or pantry and come up with a meal to feed my family! I plan breakfasts, lunches, and dinners for several weeks at a time.

I plan my meals based on grocery store sales combined with coupons and save tons! Here it is step-by-step:

1. Using my grocery store sale flyer, I refer to my Make-a-Menu binder for family favorites and recipes to try that use meats that are on sale.
2. I make sure that all the ingredients are on the shopping list.
3. After shopping, I prep and freeze the main ingredients , and add the meals to my menu.
4. I add the meals to my menu calendar, which is on my fridge.
5. On Sundays, I put all the dry ingredients for the week’s menu in my Make-a-Menu Box, I put the fridge ingredients in the fridge box, and the freezer items in the freezer box. If I’m missing an ingredient, I add it to my grocery list.
6. The week starts, and I’m on auto pilot!

Good luck & keep cookin’ and lovin’!!

~ Menu Maker Mom

]]> By: angie http://moneysavingmom.com/2009/01/anatomy-of-a-me.html/comment-page-1#comment-235677 angie Fri, 23 Jan 2009 13:40:21 +0000 http://moneysavingmom.net/2009/01/anatomy-of-a-me.html#comment-235677 For me, the biggest advantage to menu planning is that my meals tend to be more nutritious. Cooking healthy foods sometimes takes a little more effort, and it's more likely to happen if I plan ahead. For me, the biggest advantage to menu planning is that my meals tend to be more nutritious. Cooking healthy foods sometimes takes a little more effort, and it’s more likely to happen if I plan ahead.

]]> By: Kristia http://moneysavingmom.com/2009/01/anatomy-of-a-me.html/comment-page-1#comment-235676 Kristia Fri, 23 Jan 2009 13:26:59 +0000 http://moneysavingmom.net/2009/01/anatomy-of-a-me.html#comment-235676 Menu planning has helped me stay within my budget better than anything else I do. Because we eat alot of organic foods & fresh produce and not alot of processed foods, I don't find alot of food coupons that I can use. I only recently got serious about menu planning within the last few months and I have not gone over my budget since and I actually have some $$ left over, which never happened before. I review the sales flyer and my recipe binder and plan my weekly menu around that. Menu planning has helped me stay within my budget better than anything else I do. Because we eat alot of organic foods & fresh produce and not alot of processed foods, I don’t find alot of food coupons that I can use. I only recently got serious about menu planning within the last few months and I have not gone over my budget since and I actually have some $$ left over, which never happened before. I review the sales flyer and my recipe binder and plan my weekly menu around that.

]]> By: Jenny http://moneysavingmom.com/2009/01/anatomy-of-a-me.html/comment-page-1#comment-235675 Jenny Fri, 23 Jan 2009 13:19:24 +0000 http://moneysavingmom.net/2009/01/anatomy-of-a-me.html#comment-235675 Planning menus has been a huge part in decreasing the amount of money that we spent on food each month. Plus it is so nice to know what to fix and also know that I don't have to run to the store to get any ingredients. It is also amazing how far I can stretch some of the items in my pantry to make meals last an extra couple of days if we need to. Planning menus has been a huge part in decreasing the amount of money that we spent on food each month. Plus it is so nice to know what to fix and also know that I don’t have to run to the store to get any ingredients. It is also amazing how far I can stretch some of the items in my pantry to make meals last an extra couple of days if we need to.

]]> By: Brittany http://moneysavingmom.com/2009/01/anatomy-of-a-me.html/comment-page-1#comment-235674 Brittany Fri, 23 Jan 2009 13:11:51 +0000 http://moneysavingmom.net/2009/01/anatomy-of-a-me.html#comment-235674 Now the trick is to remember your grocery list when you leave for the store! :) Now the trick is to remember your grocery list when you leave for the store! :)

]]> By: Blakely http://moneysavingmom.com/2009/01/anatomy-of-a-me.html/comment-page-1#comment-235673 Blakely Fri, 23 Jan 2009 13:09:52 +0000 http://moneysavingmom.net/2009/01/anatomy-of-a-me.html#comment-235673 I love meal planning. It is so helpful. Thanks for the post you have made me think of ways to work on my meal plan. I love meal planning. It is so helpful. Thanks for the post you have made me think of ways to work on my meal plan.

]]> By: Michele http://moneysavingmom.com/2009/01/anatomy-of-a-me.html/comment-page-1#comment-235672 Michele Fri, 23 Jan 2009 13:04:18 +0000 http://moneysavingmom.net/2009/01/anatomy-of-a-me.html#comment-235672 Great post. I find that not only does planning ones dinners save money, but planning other things as well - trips to museums, parks, etc. Anytime I plan in advance I am able to take advantage of discounts, coupons, being prepared, etc. And most things that we do last minute cost more. Great post. I find that not only does planning ones dinners save money, but planning other things as well – trips to museums, parks, etc. Anytime I plan in advance I am able to take advantage of discounts, coupons, being prepared, etc. And most things that we do last minute cost more.

]]> By: Lana http://moneysavingmom.com/2009/01/anatomy-of-a-me.html/comment-page-1#comment-235671 Lana Fri, 23 Jan 2009 12:59:53 +0000 http://moneysavingmom.net/2009/01/anatomy-of-a-me.html#comment-235671 That's great! I just started doing this last week because I have a lot of food in my pantry and don't use it. I just keep buying more and more!- Great post! That’s great! I just started doing this last week because I have a lot of food in my pantry and don’t use it. I just keep buying more and more!- Great post!

]]> By: Rochelle Wilkerson http://moneysavingmom.com/2009/01/anatomy-of-a-me.html/comment-page-1#comment-235670 Rochelle Wilkerson Fri, 23 Jan 2009 12:53:10 +0000 http://moneysavingmom.net/2009/01/anatomy-of-a-me.html#comment-235670 I just wanted to say that there's a great website called menus4moms.com It sends out a weekly email with a week's worth of menus, recipes and a grocery list COMPLETELY FREE! You can also look through archives of menus on the site. I used to be a "hamburger helper queen" because I didn't know how to cook very many foods. This has really helped me alot! Hope it helps someone else. Rochelle I just wanted to say that there’s a great website called menus4moms.com It sends out a weekly email with a week’s worth of menus, recipes and a grocery list COMPLETELY FREE! You can also look through archives of menus on the site.
I used to be a “hamburger helper queen” because I didn’t know how to cook very many foods. This has really helped me alot!

Hope it helps someone else.

Rochelle

]]> By: katya http://moneysavingmom.com/2009/01/anatomy-of-a-me.html/comment-page-1#comment-235669 katya Fri, 23 Jan 2009 12:12:35 +0000 http://moneysavingmom.net/2009/01/anatomy-of-a-me.html#comment-235669 wow, great to see you hear, Karen!!!!! nice post, go mrs. Templin : ) totally agree thanks for the tips Katya wow, great to see you hear, Karen!!!!!

nice post, go mrs. Templin : )

totally agree

thanks for the tips

Katya

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