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[quote=Anonymous][quote=Anonymous]This is my first week trying to plan our meals and it is a lot harder than I thought. Kudos to you men and women who do this on a regular.

Do you use a spreadsheet or planner? I want to be sure that I'm not replicating the same meal too often and that I'm shopping for what's on sale but its time consuming! Please tell me it gets easier and faster[/quote]

The first few weeks are the hardest.  But after that, it makes life so much easier.  Start with a simple list of things you tend to make (or can make or would like to make).  I plan out the week in a list, but on my good weeks, I then put it into a calendar print out so I can write anything I need to do the night before or morning of to get ready (ex. pull chicken out of freezer to thaw, set up crockpot).

I admit, I don't follow sales that much (because grocery store near us is often sold out of sale items anyways), but I have found it best to find recipes that are in season.  For example, I once had a recipe that had a red pepper in it.  Some times of year this is affordable, other times they are $5 a pop.  I had to drop my plan while at the grocery store.  We do lots of fresh veggies, so staying in season really helps.

I sit down every Saturday and plan out the meals. I try to throw in a few easy ones, especially on nights I know I will be pressed for time, and if possible, try to use the ones earlier in the week that make the most leftovers (so I use them up at lunch).

I think its best to start with meals you are used to - so fine if you repeat often.  Then gradually try a new recipe or two. Always good to have a back up plan (something frozen you can heat up quickly) in case the recipe goes very wrong.

When I know I am making larger meals (like crockpot meals) I plan a night for leftovers.  If for some reason there's not enough, I just do take out or something from the freezer that night.

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