How do you feel when you think about preparing dinner every evening for the rest of your adult life?
If that thought makes you cringe, take heart — there is a solution: meal planning.
Meal planning reduces stress, saves money, and calms the evening chaos.
My Story
The first time I wrote about meal planning was back in 2018.
Lately I’ve realized that I need a reminder— which probably means others do too.
The seeds of meal planning were planted in my life long ago by my mom.
Widowed at thirty‑six with three kids to raise, she had to stretch both her time and her money. Planning our meals was one of the ways she achieved that.
Fast‑forward to my own years as a mom, and I followed suit.
But somewhere along the way — I stopped.
Recently, life has felt like it’s spinning out of control. Our evenings are often rushed, chaotic, and overwhelming.
Last week, in an effort to calm the stress, I knew it was time to resurrect the habit that had gotten me through the evenings in the past.
So, on Sunday morning, before church, I sat down and wrote out a week’s worth of meals.
I added everything to my Walmart pickup order and posted the menu on the refrigerator.
I had forgotten how magical meal planning is.
No matter how late it was or how tired we were, I could instantly answer the question, “What’s for dinner?”
And while saving time and money are wonderful benefits, I’m convinced that the biggest gift of meal planning is the way it reduces evening stress.
If you’ve thought about meal planning but never started — or you started and then drifted away — maybe it’s time to revisit the habit.
It’s one worth sinking your teeth into.
The Benefits
Stress & Chaos Reduction
In my opinion, one of the biggest reasons to stick with meal planning is the way it reduces evening stress.
It’s one thing to come home late and still need to make dinner. It’s another level entirely when you have no idea what you’re making — or whether you even have the ingredients.
A meal plan eliminates that nightly scramble.
One glance at your list and you know exactly what’s on the menu. Even better, you know you already have what you need to fix it because you shopped with a plan in mind.
Everyone can benefit from a little less chaos.
The Savings Are Real
Someone once told me not to assume something is true without looking at the hard data. So, I did.
The week before I started meal planning, I spent $456.61 on groceries. My first week with a meal plan? $161.23.
The difference was so drastic I triple checked myself.
Making multiple grocery store stops was costing me big time.
Calming the Evening Chaos
If you’re anything like me, by the end of the day you’re done. One more decision might just push you over the edge.
A meal plan removes the need for last‑minute dinner decisions and emergency grocery stops — two major contributors to evening chaos.
Getting Started
If you don’t already meal plan, it’s a skill that’s easy to learn.
You can start with my post – Meal Planning Made Easy – or try subscribing to a meal‑planning service. Most offer a free trial so you can see if it fits your style.
A Final Thought
How do you feel when you think about preparing dinner every evening for the rest of your adult life?
If you too find planning and preparing meals cringe worthy, make meal planning part of your routine.
You may never love planning meals but hopefully having a plan in place can ease the pain.
updated 07/10/2026
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I love lists!!!!
Me too! That’s how I survive!
I have been trying to do this but haven’t been able to stick to it yet. I am learning to account for left overs. My meal monday and it’s leftovers tuesday. Wednesday something new and smaller. Thursday make enough for Friday too.