How to Create a Weekly Food Menu

Make one weekly trip to the grocery store to get all of your food needs.

Save yourself time and money by making just one trip to the grocery store per week. If that seems impossible to do, start by creating a weekly menu to easily keep track of your food needs. If you plan your family's meals ahead of time, you'll avoid making costly daily visits to the grocery store and buying items you don't really need. Set aside time each week to make a list of meals and required ingredients.

Things You'll Need

• Paper and pen

Instructions

1. Take stock of your pantry, cupboard, refrigerator and freezer items. Determine what ingredients will expire during the next week and work them into your meal plan so they don't spoil. Make a note of which basic items, such as ketchup and sugar, you're running low on and add them to your list.

2. Look through your coupon collection to determine which ones you want to use that week; not only will using coupons save you money at the checkout line, they'll also provide meal inspiration.

3. Make a seven-day list of meals keeping ingredients you already have on hand and any coupons in mind. Plan dinners, such as soups and stews, that you know will yield leftovers if you have a busy week ahead.

4. Make a grocery store list using your meal menu as a guide. Divide the list up into sections, such as "produce," "meat" and "baking needs," to make it easier to navigate the grocery store.

References

• Cheap, Healthy, Good: Weekly Menu Planning for Singles, Couples, and Working People
• Food Network: Easy Weeknight Dinner Recipes
• Cooking Light: Easy Weeknight Meals