Meal Planning

Last week I definitely began meal planning for me and Husband. I found a downloadable template to write in what we are having for dinner that day and attached it via magnet to the fridge. This way, no more confusion on what's for dinner and if I need to remember where the recipe is, I include it on the paper.

Has this helped? Yes it has. We have been trying a few new recipes from a magazine I bought which so far, has been great. The magazine was a five ingredent recipe magazine and included sections for appetizers, desserts, chicken and turkey, seafood and maybe one on meat (not chicken or turkey). It was definitely worth the money and I have been amazed at how quick, easy and yummy the recipes are. I have been getting Husband involved on some of the recipes to help me make them and he has absolutely no problem with them either.

Since I get paid twice a month and Husband is now getting paid every two weeks, meal planning is for two weeks. So, we went to the grocery store together and I had made a list of the items we needed and it was a pretty good shop. The downside was the cost. But we did save by buying some things on sale and I felt it was good as I knew what I was getting and what it was being used for later. Definitely have to start doing a little stockpile and doing some recipes using what I already have in the home rather than buying all new things. I think that will help on the grocery sticker shock at check out.

So, I think that meal planning is letting us try new foods to find ones we like while still using some good stand-bys. By planning, I feel a bit more in control and knowing what is going on and have an answer for "What's for dinner tonight?" I like this. I also like having Husband involved with it. (Strange huh?) I think that getting a little stock pile and using coupons with the meal planning will help to keep our costs low but I think the first few times, it might not be so well. That is okay though. As long as I am learning and progressing, I know a bumpy start will lead to something good for grocery costs!!

I found my downloadable template for meal planning at: http://faithfulprovisions.com/
She has a great website and will post some deals at different stores. I really like her site so far but I have not explored all of her site yet. A big thank you for the templates and such a great site!!

Jennifer