This Printable Weekly Meal Planner is my gift to you, friends! I want to help you get homemade dinner on the table, without a lot of stress.
To get a copy of it, put your email in the box below and I will send you the printable PDF along with recipe ideas for dinners and more.
Having a Plan = Time & Money Saved
Meal planning does not have to be complicated or hard! In fact, the benefits of meal planning will make your life so much easier.
Meal planning simply means thinking through your meals in advance. You're going to have to think about them anyway so thinking them through with enough time to prepare will actually benefit you in so many ways.
Let's talk about those benefits quickly. It's important to realize the many benefits to meal planning because it will help get you motivated to actually sit down and come up with your plan. Here's are a few of the benefits to having a meal plan:
- Your fridge will be cleaner. When you're buying only what you need, your fridge won't be full of random stuff all the time.
- You'll waste less food. When you have a plan and a shopping list, you won't over-buy or ultimately have to throw out food that goes bad before you can eat it.
- You'll feel like a boss. When you have a plan, you just come home and make your meal. No stress! No feeling frazzled! You got this!
- You can better
cater tomanage picky eaters. Everyone can weigh in on the menu early in the week rather than at the last minute or when food is already on the table.
Tips
To meal plan effectively, I recommend breaking it into just two steps:
- First, create your menu for the week. Print your the meal planner. Start with a few dinners and maybe breakfast ideas for the weekends. If you are eating out, write that on your menu. Don't feel bad about it. If you're too busy to cook, that's fine! But write down where you will be eating out and maybe even what you'll order so that you don't make a last-minute unhealthy choice.
- Then, write out your shopping list. Write down ingredients you need to make the meals on your menu. Simple enough right? It's not hard! If you want to get advanced, try to find recipes that use some overlapping ingredients so that you cut down further on waste.
I specifically designed this meal planner to be super simple yet functional. It's just one page so it's overwhelming.
How to use the Meal Planner:
- Fill out your menu for the week in the top portion.
- Check your fridge and cabinets to see what ingredients you already have. In the bottom shopping list portion, write in what you need to buy. The list is organized by department to make in-store shopping more efficient!
- Cut the planner in half.
- Take your shopping list to the store or save time and use a delivery or pick-up service. I personally love Walmart pick up!! Such a time-saver and helps me not impulse buy. (Mighty Mrs. is a #WalmartPartner)
- Post the menu half on the fridge as your guide and reminder for the week.
That's it! Super easy. So beneficial.
Get Your Free Meal Planner
If you're ready to start meal planning, sign up for my seasonal newsletter and I'll send you the weekly meal planner printable, FREE!
Ready to get started? Browse all my easy recipes for ideas!
Rachel Cloberdants says
Can I be added to your mailing list
Anna Marshall says
I would like a copy of your meal planner.
Thank you
Ghislaine Pollabauer says
Hi Angela
Would it be possible to get your weekly printable planner, please?
I just made your 5 ingredients stir fry and it was very good...
Angela G. says
Hi Ghislaine, Glad you enjoyed the stir fry! I will make sure you are sent a meal planner. 🙂
Judy Garris says
I am so excited to find your site. I was looking at a youtuber, Jessica O'Donnell, tried to find a breakfast casserole for me to take to a church Bible study, and she was doing your Cinnamon French toast. She delete your site and I followed it to you. I will be trying this tomorrow morning. Can't wait to receive you a meal planner printable.
Angela G. says
Hi Judy! I'm so glad you found me. Good luck with your cinnamon roll casserole, hope you love it. And I will send you a meal planner. 🙂
Cathy says
Love the planner! It will keep me more organized for the week.
Thank you
Nancy Mosey says
I would like a copy
Sharon says
I would like a copy of you meal planner please
Danny says
I would like a copy of your meal planner. Thank you!
Kathleen says
I would like a copy of your meal planner. Thank you!
Natalie says
Please could I have a copy of your meal planner as I need to be more organised this year as I am collecting my granddaughter from school 3 times a week.
Laurie says
I would like a copy of your meal planner. Thank you!
Bree says
Love that you can cut the list off, save a few trees using one page 🙂
Darlene Petry says
I’d love to have a free meal planner template
Stacy Y Brown says
I'd love to try a free meal planner. It would be a first experience for me.
Nikki says
I'd like a copy of your meal planner! I love the layout.