How I Save Hours Of My Time Each Week Through Meal Planning

LEARNING TO MAKE THE MOST OF MY TIME

*DISCLOSURE, This post contains affiliate links. This means that if you use these links to make a purchase, I will earn a small commission, at no extra cost to yourself. Please read our full disclosure here for more information.

I grew up in a family where meal planning wasn’t really a thing. 

We would often go to the store with no real plan in place and end up coming home with more snacks than meals.

This lack of structure resulted in a lot of stress come mealtimes when we have to come up with things to make using the random slew of ingredients we had lying around the house. 

Once I moved out, I brought this lack of structure when it came to grocery shopping with me, but quickly decided to make a change.

You see, I found that I genuinely had a passion for cooking and just for good food in general. 

So, I began to research the meals I wanted to make throughout the week. I was sure to incorporate new meals into each weekly meal plan.

At first, I was worried that this might be expensive but was pleasantly surprised that it was quite the opposite. 

Having a clear meal plan for each day made us far less likely to throw in the towel and settle for eating out or making far less healthy dishes. 

Creating a meal plan provided more variety in our diets and saved SO much time for me to focus on the important things!

With careful planning, you can plan for meals that share ingredients, thus bringing down the cost. 

HOW IMPLEMENTING A MEAL PLAN WILL BENEFIT YOU

There are so many benefits to creating a weekly meal plan.

A few of which are,

• Lower stress
• More variety in your diet 
• Flexibility
• Saves money
• Saves time
• It’s simple
• No more wondering what to make
• Leftovers are awesome

10 STEPS FOR CREATING A GOOD MEAL PLAN

Here are the steps that helped me streamline meal planning and saved me SO much time and money. 

“The secret to getting ahead is getting started. Today is the day for new beginnings.”

– Unknown

1. CREATE A PINTEREST BOARD

Creating a Pinterest board specifically for meals you wish to make, or have previously enjoyed, is an excellent way to save you time when it comes to creating a grocery shopping list! 

I always refer back to my Pinterest board for inspiration when meal planning. 

Also, be sure to go back and remove those meals that just weren’t a hit! That way, you aren’t scrolling past recipes that hold zero interest to you. 

2. TAKE INVENTORY 

Before creating your shopping list, you should always take a quick inventory of the items in your home, i.e., spices, canned goods, the fridge, and pantry. 

This small step can also aid with meal inspiration if you come across an item you didn’t realize you had. 

This will also prevent you from getting home from a shopping trip only to realize you are out of an essential ingredient. 

3. SHARING IS CARING 

If you can, try to plan meals with shared ingredients. Not only will this save you money and time, but it will also save you kitchen space. 

For example, I usually plan about three salad meals a week. Those three meals generally share several ingredients. 

I also might plan two Mexican or Italian dishes, all with similar ingredients. 

4. TIDY UP 

I always find that doing a quick cleaning of my fridge and pantry helps when it comes to taking inventory of the food we do have in the house and helps make room for new food. 

Plus, it’s just a great feeling to have an organized fridge and pantry. 

5. FROZEN IS OKAY

My husband and I only go shopping every two weeks, so buying frozen veggies is a must. 

I also find that I don’t really miss the taste of fresh vegetables when it comes to things like broccoli, cauliflower, peas, or Brussel sprouts. 

Remember, it’s okay to grab a frozen bag or two to toss into the freezer for later!

6. CREATE A SHOPPING LIST

Never shop without a plan! 

Shopping without a plan results in overspending and broken meal plans. 

Pull up your Pinterest board and search meals you have interest in, number your meals. 

If I am trying to create a plan for two weeks, I will usually only plan out seven meals. 

I do it this way because I will often purchase enough ingredients to repeat the meals the following week, and this allows us to eat leftovers a few nights a week. 

Look at each recipe and write down which items you will need. This way, you are sure to have all the ingredients necessary throughout the week. 

Also, if you are looking to save even more money, remember to check which types of produce are currently in season!

7. NEVER SHOP HUNGRY 

I know you have probably already heard this tip, but it seriously makes a difference! 

Not to mention, it will save you money since you will be less inclined to scoop up every munchy and crunchy thing in sight.  

8. PLACE ITEMS WHERE YOU CAN SEE THEM

It’s essential to place food where you can see it in the fridge, that way it isn’t forgotten and left to rot.

Sometimes, this isn’t an option, which is why I often print off a family menu to hang on the fridge. This way, everyone is aware of what the meal plan is for the week. 

Having a visual reminder in plain sight also helps remind me which ingredients/meals remain on the list. 

9. JUST PREP IT 

If you know you have a busy week ahead of you, it is essential to plan for that!

Back when I worked my 9-5, I always prepped the meals for the week on Sunday. 

This way I wasn’t spending all my time cooking once I had gotten home from work exhausted. 

The amount of prep you need each week will likely vary, so be sure to regularly evaluate your needs and fit meal planning into your weekly routine.

10. TRIAL AND ERROR 

Everything takes time, so be patient with yourself as you figure out what works best for you and your family.

Find your motivation and go with it!

“Don’t be afraid to fail! Failing is often part of the process. Just get back up and keep going.”

— Unknown

CONCLUSION 

As I said, be patient with yourself and keep going! As with anything important, consistency is key! 

So create a list, scour the internet for meal inspiration, and maybe try something new! 

Creating a meal plan doesn’t have to be daunting; it can be quite straightforward. Make it a goal, and just do it!

YOU’VE GOT THIS!

If you’re looking for more resources for setting goals and achieving your best life, be sure to SUBSCRIBE to stay current on future articles and to receive our FREE 5-day Mind Reboot Camp email series! 

Also, be sure to check out our cute Printable Store!

Have you tried meal planning? How has meal planning saved you time? I’d love to know! 

Have a bright day!