Monthly Menu Plan
- everydaysuperwoman
- Nov 24, 2015
- 2 min read
"Plan Ahead -> Relieve Stress"
Our Monthly Dinner Menu & Family Calendar
For the past few years my family and I have been planning our dinners a month in advance. Yes, there were a few times where we either didn't finish the menu or we didn't stick to it! But 9 times out of 10 we complete it and stick to it! And it makes our evenings so much easier - all while answering the age-old question, "Mom, what's for dinner?" (I despise that question lol - makes my blood boil lol!)
Toward the middle of every month I take the time to ask everyone what they would want for dinner the coming month. I make a list of their choices & sit down with a blank calendar and plan away. Now even though the monthly menu is compiled of ideas from the family, I have the final say!
Even though the main purpose of the calendar is to display our dinner menu, I also utilize it to note our family plans - i.e. no school, birthdays, etc.
On top of allowing the family to see what's for dinner, it makes grocery shopping easier for me! With the entire month planned in advance, I am able to cut down on the number of trips I take to the grocery store. Once the menu is complete, I work on my shopping list. I break my shopping down 2 weeks at a time. I get all of the staples, non-perishable items, in the 2 big trips I take. I only make additional shopping trips for fresh fruits & veggies.
With the entire menu planned and shopping done, I am able to come right home and have dinner prepared at a descent time (6:30pm at the latest). Something as simple as planning our dinners ahead of time has so many benefits:
Cuts spending down tremendously! (be on the loockout for my shopping & couponing post soon!)
Less eating out
Fewer shopping trips = less spending
Less time in grocery stores
More time with family in the evening
Prepares the family ahead of time
Do you think the monthly menu is something you will try? Or do you already have something like this in your home?
Share your thoughts!
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