I try and make a plan every week but it seems like I am always changing it as the week goes by. I do feel better when I make them so I make them!hehe I am like Tammy and really don't like making them because it is just so hard to think of things to make. It has been a little easier lately because I make myself go through all the Kitchen Tip Tuesday ideas and save all the recipes that I would like to try. Now I have many more options when it comes to finding something to make for the week. Another thing I do is go to Menu Plan Monday and look at the healthy plans, it always inspires me to do some healthier stuff. I love when people plan all three meals out, that really helps me.
Shorty

I always make a menu for the week. With home schooling the children it is one thing that will save me stress and brain time later through the week. I need all my brain cells during school as I now get to help in algebra! I use the menu template from the Hillbilly Housewife site. It has slots for all three meals and one snack. I don’t always plan all our breakfast and lunches. On Monday I go to the freezer and see what types of meat-veggie-cheese items we have and then work the menu from there. The menu goes on the fridge door to help me remember to lay out what is needed from the freezer. I also make little reminder notes on the menu so I don’t forget our plans for the week. Like when our library books are due back on Thursday or an upcoming baby shower.
DeDe

I really believe that this helps us keep on budget, and it helps me because I do not have to think "Whats for supper?" I make them weekly on Friday's usually then shop on Saturday. I try to use up pantry items, and incorporate the best bargains for meat. It definitely has worked for us. We spend $60 a week plus $20 a week I will buy extra special meat purchases or save for next week it depends on the sales. I do plan snacks and weekend meals.

I make a menu every Saturday morning before heading to the grocery store. That way I don't forget any items needed...OR.... buy anything not needed.

In short: I save time and money.

I plan out 5 weeks at a time. Then, I make a master grocery list that I can just cross off items in our pantry that I already have. It works for me. I love not having to think about what's for dinner. In fact, I'm just about to redo the menu for our summer meals, make the grocery list and I'll be set for summer.

Blessings,

Lisa

I have the most difficult time sitting down and making a menu. I did it one time. I think my stumbling block is having to sit down, go through my 1,000 cookbooks to find something that looks good and then having to go to the grocery store to get all those items. I understand that some people have "staple" recipies, but I have not developed many of these. I am attempting to get in the habit more of making dinner and bread, but this is still hard for me. Any tips on making it easier?

and life doesn't throw a curveball at me, yes! When my husband and children come down sick in the same week, my menu plans are thrown out the window, as nobody feels like eating anything more than fruit or dry toast with tea.

Menu planning really helps me know what to purchase at the grocery store or our coop. It also, as you point out, helps keep our meals balanced and healthy. I make sure all of us are getting our daily recommended fruits and vegetables, but often keep our grain servings lower than suggested by the USDA. (too many carbs seem to weigh us down and make us all feel sluggish)

No, but I keep telling myself I should!! ~Tanya - mama to 5 :)

I do plan the vast majority of the time, but not always. Like the previous commenters said, it's really hard when in the throes of morning sickness (although next time, I'm going to try moneysavingmom's emergency menu plan). In the summer, too, my meal plans are very general. As in, tacos one day, pasta one day, chicken one day, vegetable plate one day, frittata one day, curry one day. Then, I mix and match with whatever vegetable(s) need to be eaten that day.

For many years I planned menus, wrote a list from my recipes, etc. However, I currently spend only $20 to $30 per week for two of us or four if the college kids are home and this is seven days a week and three meals a day. I shop the discount racks, reduced produce, and the discount dairy plus any sales/free items. I think this is called the "pantry" method of planning meals. If I have chicken, turkey, and ham in the freezer, we won't be having meatloaf... I have cookbooks that have recipes grouped by ingredient so that is the basis of my cooking/menu.

I don't plan menus much, and when I do, I don't really stick with it. I find that even though I planned something, often I just don't feel like that item that day, and don't feel satisfied after eating when I'm really craving something else. I do typically make a list of items that we have that we need to use up, think of things we can make with those items, and work those in during the week. Right now there are only two of us, so it's not a huge deal to throw something together if we need to. I have a pretty full pantry and freezer, so we always have enough to choose from to make a balanced meal. With only two people, we also end up with lots of leftovers to eat for lunches and other dinners, though I have been finding lately that I'm getting tired of the leftovers faster than I used to. Maybe I need to start cooking less at a time :) Sometimes it's better when I pull it out of the freezer later, and sometimes I still just don't want it. I know I shouldn't be so choosy about what I "feel like" eating, especially having lived in Africa and currently living in a poor neighborhood, where many people are grateful to eat period, but I also know that I'm very in tune with my body and what it's telling me it needs. We don't throw anything out, but sometimes I'm not grateful for the food that I don't feel like eating. This is a good attitude check!