Since we gave up credit cards three years ago, we are committed to cash only and the grocery store is a place that I can go over budget all to quickly. To avoid this scenario, I began planning meals and snacks, so that I only buy what I need. This keeps me on budget and works like a charm. The added benefit is I no longer hear….”WHAT’S FOR DINNNNNERRRRRRRRR?” The kids can just look at the fridge and see for themselves.
With our new way of eating, I feel like a fish out of water sometimes trying to plan meals. This is only the start of the third month, so I am definitely slowly adding in new recipes, figuring out what works and what doesn’t, and will continue to add more variety as we go.
My meal plan is nothing fancy. I download a free sample from this site, change up the lame font, and then fill it in accordingly. Once I am done, it is printed out and hangs on the side of my fridge. I have to say that I rarely go in the order of what its actually planned for that day. However, I always use all of the meals and snacks planned and cross them off after we eat that one. It all works out in the end.
Everyday I plan breakfast, snack, lunch, snack, dinner. The meals are in bold and the snacks are not.
When I say cereal-it is Shredded Wheat, Oatmeal from scratch not packets!, or homemade granola. The kids almost always add a few frozen blueberries, strawberries, or sometimes a bit of honey or maple syrup. I let them choose whatever they want to do for cereal days.
When it comes to sandwiches- it is grilled cheese, or pb and j, or honey. On occasion, we have sliced turkey.
I don’t deviate from the meal plan if the kids don’t feel like what is listed. They know they can skip it and wait until the next time to eat. I also don’t allow them to eat at any other time except those listed, unless it is carrots. They can always eat carrots, whenever they want, just because I’m nice like that.
Feel free to check out the link below. I am not technically savvy enough to have links on my calendar to the recipes for you. I am pretty impressed that I was able to even attach it! If there is a meal that looks yummy, feel free to ask for the recipe and I’ll get you to it! 
How does meal planning look in your house?
