So if you’re reading this, I have to assume you’re a human.

Unless I need to add one of those Captcha things…

If you’re a human, sometimes you get busy. Such is life.

As a mother who also works a full time job, I can deeply appreciate the fact that we all get busy. But the thing is, no matter how busy we get, the ol’ tum tum is going to start yelling at you come supper time. Hands down one of my least favorite thoughts at the end of a long day is “What am I going to do about dinner?”

The panic of wondering what I have at home that I could feasibly throw together, and if I need to stop by a crowded post-five o’clock grocery store is the worst.

So I started doing a weekly menu, and it took a lot of the stress out of my afternoons.

Meal prepping is one of those terms I’ve never really liked very much. I don’t know what it is about it that just sounds so unappealing. Maybe because it kind of sounds like you’re prepping an entire weeks meals all at once, which honestly sounds like a nightmare.

I don’t think that having a weekly menu is “meal prepping.” It’s more like “meal planning.” So with all of that said, here are some things to think about if you want to start planning a weeks menu.

Have Some Meals In Mind

I actually have a binder with all my meals written on cards, and they’re arranged by protein type.

But hey, you don’t have to get that “fancy,” I just like to have all my options laid out in front of me.

However, having some meals in mind really helps. Try writing down all the meals you know how to make, and maybe even a few you’d like to try out.

Think About Your Week

Do you already know that certain days are going to be particularly busy? Classes, soccer games, Parent Teacher Conference, Gym visits; these are all things that can make the spare time in the evening feel practically non-existent.

You can pick these days to be the super easy meals. Something like tacos that take relatively little prep, and even less time, can be a lifesaver. The internet is chuck full of 30 minute meal lists as well, and I’ve gone through many a slideshow on the subject.

Is there a day of the week that’s forecasted to be colder or hotter than others? The kind of food you find yourself peeking through the fridge or pantry for on a rainy day is going to be vastly different than during a heat wave.

Future you may appreciate a day dedicated to a bright salad, or a comforting soup. Having meals that correspond to the weather can be surprisingly satisfying.

Dedicate A Day

Yes, you will have to dedicate a little bit of free time to the menu. But the headache you save yourself during the week is worth it.

There are two main things that your precious time is needed for: picking your meals, and shopping for the needed ingredients.

Sunday afternoons make the most sense for me, simply because I work a pretty typical office schedule. But honestly, everyone’s week looks different, pick a time that works best for you.

Spend Your Money Wisely

You worked hard for it, afterall.

Is there an ingredient in the fridge that needs to be used soon? Did you see a super awesome sale on hoagie rolls the other day? Someone down the street gifted you with a zucchini from their garden? These are all great opportunities to plan out meals that cost you a little less.

When I’m planning my menu I take it as an opportunity to take inventory on the household foodstuffs. I shock myself sometimes at how easily I forget what does and does not need to be bought if I’m not paying attention. I mean, c’mon, we’ve all bought a bottle of Ranch dressing thinking we needed one, only to come home and see two others already sitting in the pantry…

…No? Just me?

In any case, being thoughtful about what you’re purchasing is a must for any household. Yes, finding a great deal at the grocery store feels a bit like an “I win!” sort of moment. But just because there’s a buy one get one deal on honeydews, doesn’t mean you should buy two if one will just rot on your counter.

Be Nice To Yourself

Despite my best efforts, sometimes I don’t stick to my menu.

That’s right, I may be writing a whole blog post about making a weekly menu, but I am NOT perfect at it.

No one is! You can bet your sweet bippy that even Betty Crocker ate dinner from a can on a rough day.

Or at least she would have…if she were real.

In all seriousness though, even something like spaghetti, which I think is a fairly easy meal, can seem as daunting as making a Beef Wellington after a particularly long day.

A couple weeks ago I had Parent Teacher Conferences at two different schools, and a soccer game, and evening classes all in one afternoon. Making spaghetti that night would have felt like making a Beef Wellington while Gordan Ramsay himself watched on with that signature scowl of his.

We had pizza that night. And you know what? That’s okay.

So you’ve gone through all the trouble to make the menu. Then along comes Thursday, and you’re just beat, and that skillet you planned on making is stressing you out, and those nuggets in the freezer are calling out to you…

And that’s fine. Don’t beat yourself up if you have to deviate from the menu. I think earlier there was some mention of being human?

Bottom Line

I would recommend making a weekly menu to anyone. Parents, students, bachelors, retirees. Anyone.

The time I’ve saved myself in the afternoons makes all the difference. It gives me time for other things besides scrambling to come up with something edible. Time I could use on other things, like writing a blog post about making a weekly menu. Haha.

It’s also helped me to be more conscious about the money I spend on groceries, and paying attention to how those groceries can be used wisely to get the most out of my hard earned cash.

I feel like exploring new recipes is easier when I can look at my week and pick a day where I know I’ll have more time try out something new. And adding new meals to my collections makes me feel accomplished.

But you know what else I found? Making the menu can also just be fun! For me, but also for my kids. They like being able to see what’s for dinner without having to ask. And they enjoy being able to add new meals to the menu book.

Thanks for reading!

If you got this far, seriously, thank you for reading. I hope you found something useful here today. And if you have your own thoughts or ideas on meal planning, please share them below!

Have a great day!

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