Planning your weeks menus can either be a fun job or a dreaded job. But did you know that by having a planned weekly menu you can save money?

First of all, make your weekly menu just before you go for groceries. Get the sale flyer and take note of what is on sale. If chicken legs are on sale for .88 a Pound then plan to have chicken several nights. Maybe even buy extra for the next week. Cook up enough chicken for a few meals and it will be simple to make chicken noodle soup, Cheesy Chicken Enchiladas, chicken lasagna, or Chicken Bacon Ranch Bubble, Japanese Chicken, or Chicken Cordon bleu Casserole.

Check all your ingredients for the meals you want to make and make sure you have them before you go for groceries. That way you won’t have to spend extra gas in the middle of the week running to pick up something you forgot.

When planning your menus check what is in your pantry and freezer. I always like to think that I know what is there but I do forget. Then some things  get stale or freezer burnt just because we forgot them.

If ground beef is on sale, buy a bunch and fry double the amount you need for a meal. Put enough black beans in the crockpot for two meals then add taco seasoning and beans to the meat. Then you are all prepared to make taco soup, Beef Enchiladas, Taco Quiche, tacos, or Mexican potatoe casserole.

Plan some crockpot meals for the days when you know you will be extra busy or gone for the day. You will save money by not buying take out on your way home because you don’t know what to make.

When planning menus make sure to leave room to eat leftovers some day. Just set out all the leftovers and let each one put on their plate what they want. Heat each plate individually in the microwave.

And if you need some ideas for your menus, I will give you my list for the week. Pizza buns, chicken and rice, pork and sourkrout, chicken lasagna, beef enchiladas, Mexican potatoe casserole, and pizza. I will try to share some of those recipes next week.

So have fun planning your weekly menu and remember that it will save you money!