Easy Meal Planner
I don’t know about you, but summers around here tend to be a free for all. All my organization, scheduling, meal planning, bedtimes…it all pretty much goes out the window. It’s nice for a while, but when school starts and cooler temperatures come, I also look forward to getting back into a routine.
Meal planning has always been an area where I struggle, for lots of reasons. Kevin has feeding issues, Brian is a terribly picky eater (ARFID), as is my husband. At times I feel like a short order cook in a diner. This weekend, I am definitely getting my sh*t together. I have to start meal planning again, for my own sanity. Brian’s football is starting, Right to Ed is starting for me along with my fall part-time job. I have to have a plan or it really stresses me out.
Meal planning has always been an area where I struggle, for lots of reasons. Kevin has feeding issues, Brian is a terribly picky eater, as is my husband…at times I feel like a short order cook in a diner.
I’ve tried the ready-made meal planners and they just don’t work for me. I have to change up too many things. It is much easier for me to just use the blank ones.
When I’m focused, I can do a weekly meal plan and order it on ShopRite Shop at Home in less than an hour. Seriously!
Here are 12 free printables for you to check out. Each one is a blank meal plan so they are customizable and easy.
I also have some of these tablet-type meal planners, which are fantastic for when my printer is out of ink. Which is often!
Monthly/Weekly Meal Planners
- Menu and Exercise Planner
- Sticky Note Weekly Meal Planner-from Planning Inspired
- Weekly-Dinner Planner-from Baked Bree
- Weekly Meal Planner-printable PDF (I like, very simple!)
- Breakfast, Lunch and Dinner Meal Planner(1)-from Southern Plate
- Breakfast, Lunch and Dinner Meal Planner (2)-from Home Life Weekly
- Meal Planner- from Bake Play Smile
- Monthly Dinner Planner-from Bake Play Smile
- Monthly Menu Planner (1)-from Picklebums
- Monthly Menu Planner (2)-from Frugalmomeh
- Plan and Grocery List-from Chef Evelyn
Easy Meal Planning
6 tips for you!
- Be realistic. Some nights we eat hot dogs, and that’s ok. Be realistic about what you eat and plan for it. You can always improve as you go.
- Go easy on yourselves, moms. Not every night is Beef Wellington. Grilled cheese and tomato soup is fine. Better to have a plan of something simple and nutritious than nothing at all.
- When you see great ideas on Pinterest or in a magazine, don’t just pin it and forget it. Write it down on your next meal plan!
- See if there is a grocer near you who delivers. I find that I spend much less money with delivered groceries because I stick to my list and no impulse purchases. It’s also a huge time saver and sanity saver. I can sit down one evening and shop and meal plan in less than an hour.
- Tell everyone in the family they get to choose one meal each week/month. Takes the stress off you for thinking of ideas.
- Don’t try to do everything at once. And by that, I mean, meal planning, eating healthier, save money….start small. Start with meal planning and getting back on a grocery budget. Improve from there.
Looking for ways to eat healthy for cheap? In the blog post “How to eat healthy for cheap-10 ways to save money on produce” I think you’ll find some healthy and useful tips.
More Ways for You to Save Money:
Lisa Lightner
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