Question of The Day- Do You Meal Plan?
By DB
@dgobucks226 (37621)
February 3, 2022 9:59am CST
Do you plan out your meals for the week in advance? For me, sometimes I do and other times I'm just out of food ideas and will just eat a sandwich for dinner. I do have a shopping list, but mainly it's for restocking on food items I've run out of, not for figuring out a weekly menu.
Actually, there are some benefits to meal planning, one big one, the amount of money you save. When you organize what you will be eating for the week you will be less likely to buy items you don't need, or order take-out meals.
So, do you just wing it or are you a meal planner? Any shopping tips to add which saves you money?
photo- meal planning dinner
13 people like this
13 responses
@JudyEv (382329)
• Rockingham, Australia
6 Feb 22
@dgobucks226 Meal planning is a really good idea for all the reasons you list. But I guess we mostly keep ahead of our needs. As we start to run out of something, we buy more. But we always seem to come home with more items than are on our list. 
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@dgobucks226 (37621)
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8 Feb 22
@JudyEv I think that is common with most everybody 
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@dgobucks226 (37621)
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6 Feb 22
I also wing it at times, a good way to clean out freezer space. I do find for me making out a shopping list keeps me within my budget and keeps me from impulse buying.
Some other advantages from meal planning: no extra store trips, wasted time, or gas.
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@dgobucks226 (37621)
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6 Feb 22
Bulk buying. That's a good plan! Do you make out a shopping list or wing it in the store too?
If you do feel the urge to cook something different there are plenty of eating aps to try. One is called Yummly, which gives you recipe ideas, prep time and new menu trends.
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@snowy22315 (209044)
• United States
3 Feb 22
Sometimes, but usually just a day or two in advance. What do you do, if you have planned something to eat, and just aren't in the mood for it that day? Do you switch days or what? I have to be in the mood to eat certain things. Also, sometimes what I eat is a function of what I have to eat before it goes bad, etc.
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@dgobucks226 (37621)
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6 Feb 22
Yes, all of those things are true and can play into your meal planning. Sometimes I just look what I have in my freezer and will eat that, other times I have food items in mind to prepare. Most of the time I have a rotating list of meals I like and will prepare each week. When I'm feeling lazy or uninspired it's just a frozen pizza or something quick to make.
Do you prepare a list of items before going shopping? Some advantages I find from meal planning: no extra store trips, wasted time, or gas.
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@snowy22315 (209044)
• United States
6 Feb 22
@dgobucks226 Sometimes, but not always because I shop frequently. Also, sometimes I wait until I get in an area where I can go to a cheaper store to get what I need.
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@dodo19 (48166)
• Beaconsfield, Quebec
6 Feb 22
@dgobucks226 We do try to have a list when we go. And I'll definitely keep these in mind.
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@dgobucks226 (37621)
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6 Feb 22
Do you put together a shopping list beforehand? I find a few advantages from doing this, no extra store trips, wasted time, or gas.
Here are some more commonsense shopping tips:
-Buy produce in season. Out of season will cost you more.
-Weigh your produce so you don't buy more than you need.
Thanks for visiting and your feedback.
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@dgobucks226 (37621)
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6 Feb 22
I understand. I get that way too. Do you prepare a list of items to buy before going shopping?
If you do feel inspired to find new meal ideas, there actually are meal planning aps to assist you if you're interested. One is called Yummly, which gives you recipe ideas, prep time and new menu trends.
Thanks for your comments and visiting my post.
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@flapiz (23530)
• United Kingdom
6 Feb 22
@dgobucks226 I might try apps next time. I'm really quite comfortable with the microwave life at the moment.
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@dgobucks226 (37621)
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8 Feb 22
@flapiz I agree about the microwave. It's quick and efficient!
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@just4him (323168)
• Green Bay, Wisconsin
7 Feb 22
I'm a winger. I tried meal planning last month. It sort of worked. I decided on how many beef, turkey, and fish dinners I would have for the month. I didn't decide on the meals themselves. I tend to change my mind about what I want to eat, so meal planning doesn't work.
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@dgobucks226 (37621)
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8 Feb 22
I see. I do find for me making out a shopping list keeps me within my budget and keeps me from impulse buying.
Here are some more commonsense shopping tips:
-Buy produce in season. Out of season will cost you more.
-Weigh your produce so you don't buy more than you need.
1 person likes this
@dgobucks226 (37621)
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9 Feb 22
I see. When you have a "Full House" finding time to meal prep and find recipes would definitely be difficult 
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@RebeccasFarm (91297)
• United States
5 Feb 22
No I do not meal plan, I just live graciously and within my means.
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@RebeccasFarm (91297)
• United States
6 Feb 22
@dgobucks226 No list here, I am intuitively shopping
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@dgobucks226 (37621)
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6 Feb 22
Do you make out a shopping list to help you stay on budget? There are some other advantages from meal planning: no extra store trips, wasted time, or gas. I hate when I forget an item and have to make an extra trip 
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@LindaOHio (222624)
• United States
4 Feb 22
I was always a meal planner. I'm not a spontaneous person. Always check prices per ounce, etc. when buying an item. The largest package is often not the best bargain!
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@dgobucks226 (37621)
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6 Feb 22
My view is you have to meal plan to some extent. It keeps from buying stuff you really don't need and keeps you within your budget.
There actually are meal planning aps to assist you if you're interested. One is called Yummly, which gives you recipe ideas, prep time and new menu trends.
1 person likes this
@dgobucks226 (37621)
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8 Feb 22
I understand. For me I find some other advantages from meal planning: no extra store trips, wasted time, or gas.
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@CarolDM (203396)
• Nashville, Tennessee
8 Feb 22
@dgobucks226 Very true. Enjoy your day.
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@MarieCoyle (59258)
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8 Feb 22
When I worked, I planned every meal a week ahead. I keep enough between the refrigerator and the big freezer and the pantry that I can put a meal together any time with ingredients I have on hand. I try not to go to the grocery often, it saves a ton of money and time for me to buy sales and stay a bit ahead.
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@dgobucks226 (37621)
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9 Feb 22
That's a great organizing plan! Efficient and cost effective.
Here are some more commonsense shopping tips:
-Buy produce in season. Out of season will cost you more.
-Weigh your produce so you don't buy more than you need.
Thanks for visiting and your input.
@dgobucks226 (37621)
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6 Feb 22
There's something to be said for winging it which I also do at times although I do find making out a list of what to buy keeps me within my budget.
Some other advantages from meal planning: no extra store trips, wasted time, or gas.
@healerWitch (417)
• Portugal
3 Feb 22
Yes I plan my meals, from what I will be cooking as a main meal to my snacks (which is usually just fruit or 100% dark chocolate at the end of the main meal).
I agree, it saves us money this way, as we never have to order out. Even when the kids want pizza, instead of spending €30 on highly caloric unhealthy pizzas that take half an hour to deliver, I make a healthier (but just as delicious) version at home for just €3 and only a 1/10 of the calories, and takes only 10 minutes to make.
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@dgobucks226 (37621)
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6 Feb 22
Congrats! You definitely have the right idea.
Here are some more commonsense shopping tips.
-Buy produce in season. Out of season will cost you more.
-Weigh your produce so you don't buy more than you need.
Thanks for visiting and your feedback
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@healerWitch (417)
• Portugal
6 Feb 22
@dgobucks226 thanks.
I always buy organic and in season, and I do my grocery shopping online, this way it's easy to see discounts and buy stuff like laundry detergent in bulk when they're half price etc.
I also only eat once a day, so I don't cost a lot in food lol. Can't say the same about the kids though.
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