How far do you make your menus in advance?

Admin frugalmama · #1 11-06-2009, 08:14 PM

I've been making my menus a week in advance. However, I'm starting to think that I want to change that, at least for the main dish. Sometimes my Sunday gets so busy that I don't get around to really planning a great menu, KWIM? Then I end up using my OAMC meals because I didn't plan, not because I really need them then.

I'm currently working on my Jan., Feb., March menu--12 weeks worth...and I'm realizing how much more I can plan and make sure that I don't repeat too often.

So, now I'm wondering if I want to do 2 week or monthly menus from my stockpile, and then just plan the veggies weekly around the sales. Then, if I hit an incredible deal for an ingredient that is perishable, I can always substitute it into my menu.

Does anyone do longer menus than a week? How does that work for you?

makintraks · #2 11-06-2009, 11:38 PM

I do about a 30 day menu, then replay it.

I add in food we eat more seasonally so it does change somewhat every 2 mos or so.

Just basic dishes and while I may jot down sides I never feel I have to stay on course, I substitute as needed or wanted all the time. Menus are guidelines for me not rules.
helps me not to serve chicken or ground beef 24 times in a month.

Katieboosmama · #3 11-07-2009, 03:00 AM

I'm pitiful, I don't plan. Just grab what I feel like cooking the day of. Sometimes for a bigger meal (roast whole chicken or beef) I will think ahead a couple of days to thaw it out. That's about it.

Lucy · #4 11-07-2009, 03:33 AM

Menu planning does not work in this house. I tried it one time and DH kept staring in the fridge saying there was nothing to eat so I posted it on the fridge and said it was not written in stone and he could choose anything from the list on any given day. That was my one and only attempt although I still do a lot of OAWC on just basic things then figure out sides.

Admin Randy's Wife · #5 11-07-2009, 05:06 AM

I normally plan a week out, sometimes two - but not very often. I will normally do one week and whatever I think of that I'd like to make, need/want to make, I will put it at the bottom of the list and I try to fit those in when I can.

Sunnyshine · #6 11-07-2009, 05:14 AM

I usually do a week at a time. I noticed yesterday that I have two weeks worth of meals planned! I recently had to start digging in my stockpile so I guess I "overplanned"

memoryworkshop · #7 11-07-2009, 09:50 AM

I don't usually, unless I buy certain veggies that I need to use up, then I plan around them.

My family is easy to please...meat, starch, veggie. Repeat. A casserole or pasta dish once a week or so. We eat alot of rice, which is el cheapo when I buy it by the 15 or 20lb bag.

I just grab a meat from the freezer and work around it. I vary the meat seasonings for my own entertainment, but honesty I could sprinkle anything with seasoning salt and they'd eat it.

Tigger · #8 11-07-2009, 09:58 AM

I have my basic menu planned about 6-8 weeks at a time. It is based on what I have at home in the freezer and pantry plus what is seasonal and I know I can easily get during that time.

I then do more of a final menu about a week at a time. This is when I check to make sure that I have all of the ingredients that I will need and that I also know what our schedules will be for the week. Everyone home together for a meal is different than a quick meal that everyone helps themself to one their own.

jasper · #9 11-07-2009, 10:10 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Katieboosmama

I'm pitiful, I don't plan. Just grab what I feel like cooking the day of. Sometimes for a bigger meal (roast whole chicken or beef) I will think ahead a couple of days to thaw it out. That's about it.

What she said.

bjp · #10 11-09-2009, 03:24 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by jasper

What she said.

Ditto