Meal planning is always a daunting task. It always seems like it takes so much time to figure out what’s for dinner. It does help; however, to have a meal plan. I have tried several different ways of planning meals for the week, and I recently found one I love.
I used to take a notebook and pen and would sit down with my cookbooks and make a grocery shopping list based off what sounded good. It was great, except by the time I went shopping I had forgotten what recipes I had looked at, and would end up spending more at the store because I’d have other great ideas while shopping of what to fix for dinner. Then, come the end of the week I didn’t know what to fix.
Then, I ran across this idea. This new 1-page meal plan/ grocery shopping list has been wonderful
I can print off this one-page meal planning and grocery shopping sheet and plan my meals for the week along with any snacks or treats.
Here’s how I use this:
First, I print off a blank sheet that I place on the fridge. Through the week as we run across things that we need, the family knows that they put those items on the list.
Second, I plan all my meals for the coming week. I like to do my grocery shopping on Tuesday, so I plan the following Monday and Tuesday into my plan and write it on the blank sheet on my fridge. First, I plan out my breakfasts. Then, I plan for dinners. We eat a lot of left-overs for lunch, so I can look at the meals I’m fixing and know which days I’ll have left-overs. Then I can fill in those empty days with lunch. I write down snacks/treats or if I know I have a special occasion coming up that I need to make something for I note it at the bottom.
Third, I go through my meals and make a list of groceries I’ll need to pick-up based on my meal plans. It is broken into categories, and I have made mental note of a few items such as tortilla shells that are in the same aisle in the grocery store as the bread, so I put those items together. I also have made a note while shopping which aisle number in the store the bread is found, so I can put the aisle number in the circle and know exactly where I need to go.
Fairly simple. Here’s an example:
The last thing to do is cut along the middle line. Put the meal plan on your fridge and take the shopping list to the store. Or, if you haven’t already, try Walmart’s grocery pick-up. It has been a huge time saver for me. I live about 40 minutes away from Walmart so it is a super convenient way to save time. If you use this referral link, you can save $10.00 on your first order
As a side note, I keep my weekly meal plans in a folder with my recipe books, then when I need a little help trying to decide what to fix I can pull those old meal plans out and get a quick memory jog.
You can download the free meal plan and grocery shopping list for your use Here:
*Note: I actually do most of my shopping every-other-week, so I have created a 2- week spread that has meal planning for two weeks on one sheet and grocery list on one sheet
I hope this helps cut down on your meal planning time as well as time spent searching the grocery store for those needed items.
Best wishes in your meal planning! If you loved this, please let me know in the comments below or remember sharing is caring
Have a great week!
~Heather
great tips and I love the easy easy plan and list! I have been meaning to give meal planning a go and this makes it seem much less daunting of a task.
Thank you, girl! It is much less daunting to have it all in one simple spot. I appreciate you stopping by and for your feedback! Have a great day 🙂
Great tips! I love the idea of meal planning. Around our house, it’s usually blank stares in the pantry and fridge trying to decide what to eat for the next meal!
lol…. that is too true Jonsie! Blank stares at the pantry and fridge occur way too often. This printable has helped me eliminate that- most days 😉
Thanks so much, I need to become more intentional about meal planning!
Thanks for stopping by Leslie! Being intentional about meal planning is a big step, but it’s helpful! I appreciate you coming by
Great tips! I need to become better at meal planning, it would probably cut down on waste and lower my food bill…and being able to close my cabinets would be nice too.
Thanks Dawn! It has certainly helped me stay within my food budget. Left-overs for lunch has helped me cut down on waste too!
Great ideas. I am so terrible at meal planning. I need to do it to save time, frustration and money. Thanks for the tips.
Thanks for dropping by Kristel. Meal planning seems insignificant until you do it intentionally, then it is so helpful! Thanks for your kind feedback
Love your easy ideas! We’ve been a meal planning family for years and once you get into the habit of it, it makes things so much easier for busy lives!
I agree, Darlene, it is so much simpler for busy lives to meal plan. It’s usually the habit that is difficult to begin. Thanks for your feedback and for coming by!
You make it sound so simple. I love having the shopping list and meal plan on one page because, I too, have fallen victim to forgetting everything I planned once I set foot in the grocery store.
lol…. Meghan, it’s so easy in the chaos of the grocery store to forget everything. I think it’s simple once it becomes a habit. It has made such a difference for me to have it all in one easy spot!
Great idea to make a one page list and plan! I meal plan every week, but usually just jot it down in a notebook or note in my phone. That looks like it would save a lot of time to write the list out at once.
I used to use a notebook, but it was cumbersome at the store to not have everything categorized. I tried my phone, but it was too hard for me to keep my list organized too. I love the ease of having everything organized and in one spot! Certainly a time saver! Thanks for stopping by Jordan 🙂
We are terrible at meal planning, but its just the two of us, so Its easier to figure something out than it would be if we had kids. We often look up recipies, but like you, by the time we get to the store we think of other great ideas!
Hi Diane! I learned to cook for 6 because my Mom was usually at work and Dad was at school and work, so I took care of dinner. When my husband and I were first married I cooked so much I only had to plan 1 meal a week (we ate A LOT of leftovers 😉 ) Sometimes meal planning with 2 is tricky, but just having a plan is always nice!
I love meal planning!! It really does make a world of difference. I really like your meal plan and shopping list combo. Thank you!!
Thanks Katie! I’m so glad it is helpful for you! I can’t express enough how much time and money I have saved by meal planning and making my shopping list as I go.
This is great! I always wanted to try meal planning, but it’s never worked for me in the past. I downloaded the meal plan paper and I’m going to have to give this a try. Thanks!
Yay! Thanks, Anna, I would love to know how it goes!
Thanks for the download! I get too caught up in the meal prep process and make it too difficult. I’m good some weeks, then others, like this week, not so good. We ended up going out for tacos. (It is Tuesday after all…) But now what’s for dinner tomorrow?! Argh! I’ll do better next week…
Thank for the feedback Julie! I think that we often do get caught up in making meal prep difficult, but the more we put forth the effort, the greater success we have…. and, there’s nothing wrong with tacos 😉