Creating & Organizing Your Meal Plan | Organization Tips + Meal Plan

Meal planning was a tool I used to help me lower the cost of my food budget. Ultimately, it gave me an organized food plan to prepare a grocery list, use food that I already had, and made it convenient to cook at home.
I am a monthly and weekly meal planner. What does this mean? Essentially, I like to create a meal plan every month, then every week I break it down into more detail and that's when I also go grocery shopping for that specific year.
In this video, I walk you through my monthly meal plan, my weekly meal plan, as well as my recipe binder.
CHAPTERS:
00:00 Introduction
01:00 My Monthly Meal Plan
02:59 My Weekly Meal Plan
04:40 How I Determine What Recipes To Use
05:57 My Recipe Binder
➡️ MY RECIPE BINDER SLEEVES: amzn.to/3ITpKbX
➡️ MY FREE RECIPE ORGANIZATION WORKSHEETS: bit.ly/3E3BMfp
➡️ HOW I TRACK MY SPENDING: bit.ly/3aIe89I
➡️ HOW TO USE A BUDGET CALENDAR: bit.ly/2IzF2Vj
➡️ FINDING YOUR WHY: bit.ly/3aJUryj
➡️ THE BUDGET MOM'S FINANCIAL FREEDOM STEPS: bit.ly/3cfJXsp
➡️ HOW TO GET STARTED WITH THE CASH ENVELOPE METHOD: bit.ly/2vQJaO5
➡️ HOW TO CREATE A PLAN OF ATTACK TO PAY OFF DEBT: bit.ly/2wDETxF
ABOUT ME
I'm the blogger behind www.thebudgetmom.com. I have a rambunctious 6-year-old son, live in Washington, and I'm passionate about helping people with money management and personal finance. Let me know what you like to learn more about! Leave me comments and suggestions on my video and let me know!
YOU CAN FIND ME AT:
📝 BLOG: www.thebudgetmom.com
📘 FACEBOOK: / thebudgetmom
📸 INSTAGRAM: / thebudgetmom
📌 PINTEREST: / thebudgetmom
GET STARTED
➡️Start Here: www.thebudgetmom.com/start-here/
➡️Free Email Course: bit.ly/2UYgNFf
➡️Free Resources: bit.ly/2PDmTHz
➡️GET 10% OFF my popular Budget-by-Paycheck Workbook - Coupon Code TBMKZbin bit.ly/2CR7U9n

[@candy2325]

I used to do weekly planning but it turned out I was never in the mood for the meals I planned in advance 😭 so I printed out recipes I really like and did grocery shopping around those recipes. Also, many recipes I cook all use the same ingredients or an additional ingredient I can grab at the store. I like to prep and chop my bell peppers and onions on Saturdays and put them in containers to use them for the week to make it easier to cook. I HATE chopping onions each time I cook, so I prep them ahead of time to make it easier.

[@CrazyCatLady0410]

I've have found prep chopped onions in the freezer veggie section. They even have bell peppers.

[@QuedemasBibleAndBudgets]

I meal plan every week. I've never monthly meal planned before. I think I will try it for January. Wish me luck you guys!

[@KellysCreativeDreams]

Good morning! Great tips. Here’s one to add. Use the recipe cards to note which cookbook a particular recipe can be found and file under the appropriate category. That way you aren’t searching for them over and over. Thank you for the printables. I will be sharing this video when I do mine. Be Blessed!

[@inspiteofbecauseof4745]

Or take a photo of the recipes and save.

[@irishgirl4977]

Glad I watch this! Never thought to make my own recipe booklet. Now to get started!

[@teresadouglas874]

Very good! I’ve got a binder from years ago. It’s so helpful when deciding a meal plan. 👍🏻

[@carasbudgetjourney8063]

I used to only plan my meals monthly but now I'm getting my budget in order I've realised how useful a weekly meal plan is too! Thanks for another great video 😊

[@mastandstars5869]

I am starting to plan monthly and weekly as well. It’s so much easier for preparing for upcoming events. Also I love my new BBP workbook I ordered from you on Black Friday! Already started using it.

[@fallondavis747]

This video is amazing!!! Love it ❤️

[@KateLloyd128]

So helpful, thank you for doing this!!

[@dsimone3720]

I love the meal planner in the BBP.

[@orchidgarden2553]

Perfect timing!!!!!

[@lanceandangelamendoza3744]

I LOVE my LRP SO MUCH!! The planner is used all the time and I take it for my grocery shopping.

[@pollydolly9723]

Thanks Miko!

[@Shantaya]

So helpful to me!! Thank you! And I LOVE the bloopers at the end 😂 love you and your mission ❤

[@candyhrdbby155]

Love this, definitely learned something today about organizing. 😊 just bought a weekly meal planner today and soon going to do that recipe binder ❤

[@angelcarroll2926]

I just made my first meal plan for the new week. I started it at Friday so it lines up with our checks. I used a printable I found in your resource library and I love it. ❤❤❤

[@dawnkulan4514]

Yay 👏🏻 I need this!! Perfect timing! Thank you 🙏🏻

[@hollihogan4191]

I definitely need this too!

[@budgetwithcee]

Yesss!!! Love this!!

[@sacredsongstudios]

Ok I’m off topic but I LOVE LOVE LOVE the new year envelopes!!! I can’t wait to print those babies out and STUFF THEM!

[@stitchbudgets3031]

Moving in January and working on a better focus for my meals!

[@lynettebester8502]

Insightful planning starting from the beginning in a doable process.. Thank you ❤

[@carolbuthane2697]

Hi.i really love your videos..so educational and informative.they have helped me a lot with fixing my finances and being good with my finances. Carol.all the way from south africa

[@lauracelestegomez-castillo6525]

I really like the way you label the main dishes by type of protein.

[@cherieluschkapaesch6285]

Thank you so much for all your help. I'm starting to cut on budget and like your idea for meal plan. Clean freezer, fridge and pantry. And really love your channel did subscibe❤

[@sharondorival8853]

I love your notebook when I see it I can see how much time you spend that I have learned when making these types of notebooks you have to have the Love of cooking first so that you'll know your categories. That is a lot

[@123kirmizi]

oh thank you, I love your KZbin videos

[@marlanatriggs1728]

Great ideas♥️

[@staceygrier1699]

I love watching your videos

[@hanab837]

Wooohoo! A new video 😍

[@passiveincomewithnora]

I love this❤️❤️

[@meekshouse21]

OMG .. I was just looking at the meal planning video you previously completed... look at God.🤣😘 Ok back to watching 🥰🥰

[@AdrianaRojas-bf3kl]

You are amazing!

[@alethlumagbasboniol4473]

❤this!

[@CoolCraftyCreations]

Can you do a video on preparing the Budget by Paycheck Planner for a first time user.

[@kimberlyupchurch2480]

Can you do a Christmas Budget ?

[@ashleighkinsey]

This is so inspiring. Also we have the same birthday!

[@EnigmaticPsyche]

OMG.... Birthday Twin!!!! I'm meeting/seeing more and more of us born on November 15.

[@nathalievazquez5045]

We have the same birthdaaaaaaay 🥰🥰🥰🤣🤣🤣 thank you for your advice and sharing knowledge. Not a mom just living and sharing some expences with my mom. Love these plans bc anytime soon i want to move by myself and it will help me to have a foudation 🤞🏿🙌🏿🙏🏿

[@EnigmaticPsyche]

Me too... I popped up QUICKLY when I heard our birthday!

[@aliceadler8658]

New subscriber!!! I am a Nov 15th baby too!!! Happy Birthday!!!

[@simplyjenxoxo4735]

Hey Kumiko! Your budget is the best I have found to stick too. I even purchased the printable budget by paycheck workbook last January! Are the meal plan sheets in there? I don’t remember seeing them. But, if not, I was interested in the coil bound workbook for this year. Is the peony cover coming back soon and will it contain the meal plan sheets?

[@johnandkathykeener7720]

Create ours weekly. Order the groceries so we don’t even waste time at the grocery store. I’ve also started prepping one meal a week so at least one night is easier.

[@futurefunz5870]

We monthly food shop , but we weekly plan our meals - unfortunately we always end up spending more money weekly which I think is due to not planning in school lunches and life shit - I totally agree it’s best to plan around what is happening and will start doing that going forward - can you not make a meal planner like your budget planner and incorporate food budget and fast food budget , party food budget , school meals budget in to it. During half term I do a pack lunch for my children as if they are at school this has saved tons of money and has put a stop to “I’m bored I’m hungry moments”

[@ladydirtold2371]

The link for the sleeves just goes to regular page protectors....can you help?

[@jkcrews09]

I love how you organize your recipe binder...ALL for FREE!! Thank you for sharing. As an avid bread maker, I make most our bread products from scratch YES save big money!! Will you be sharing your bread side category I wasn't included in the free file?

[@joanalorenzo6949]

I also make my own bread. There's nothing like making bread from scratch. That first piece of homemade bread is pure life.

[@user-br8ux4mz8i]

I can’t find the free organizing worksheets on your website

[@hollihogan4191]

I know I am a year late but wish you had your recipe binder sheets still out there in your library.

[@jennicleveland4894]

I couldn’t find the recipe binder print outs on your website. Did I miss them?

[@mardwella]

💜💜💜💜💜

[@feliciacranford3907]

The link isn't working for the Recipe Organizer.

[@ashleyvillarreal6814]

Which planner is the meal planner page in?

[@kimharrison1099]

I am not seeing the free recipe binder printable! I have looked several times. Could you link it again?

[@MamaRomm]

Hi there, I know this is a little late but I can’t seem to find the printable for the recipe binder on the free resource library… anyway it can be readded or a new link provided, thank you ❤️

[@areyannahernandez1729]

Hey Kimko, Im not seeing the printable worksheet on the free resource library. Did they get taken down? If not, where can i print them out at?

[@Shadowhuntedwizards]

I really want to try and meal plan more in 2022, i just have a hard time because my husband is so picky! He likes a recipe one week, doesn't like it anymore two months later. Very frustrating.

[@SecillyJonesandKids]

We have the same birthday!!! 🎂

[@kathychatterton5860]

Me too!

[@charlottehawk7433]

Can you check the recipe binder link please? I can't find them.

[@msrobe2012]

Where can I find those meal plan stickers? Like the microwave and the fruit/vegetables stickers?

[@frecklesandsass6275]

Dod you ever find the stickers? I want them too

[@jlstiles_artist]

I don’t see the recipe organizing worksheets in the free resource library under link you posted - am I looking in the wrong place? Thanks!!!!

[@rolandabradley6193]

I couldn’t find them either? Maybe not uploaded there yet?

[@mavang7804]

I don’t see it as well

[@reneehudspeth1093]

I can’t find them either.. I must be looking in the wrong place.

[@hollihogan4191]

Is there a way I can get access from this video your recipe printable to your recipe binder? I am a more recent fan of yours and wasn’t around when you posted this. Please??

[@clschaan]

I add an am and pm task to my menu plan so i dont forget to take something out of the freezer

[@dashaslaughter1655]

Where can I get those stickers

[@jessicahebb9803]

How do I get the book you're using?

[@melaniemassicotte4258]

Hi! I am a french canadian (Québec) and I learn new tips with your videos. I have a question for you (please excuse my english): do you have a video about budgetting when you don't have a regular income. I am a self employed and I never Know how much money will I get each month. Merci, Mélanie

[@KitKat-ve2em]

budget with the minimum you know you’ll have every month

[@zipporahzippie9424]

Me too I'm self employed and its tricky focusing on my business finances and expenses

[@sjannethgm]

Por favor, configura para poder ver subtítulos en español... Me parece muy interesante tus vídeos.

[@lilianrose715]

I need this highly I’m overweight my BMI to high and my stomach slightly hanging over my pants 👖 I have bad health habits and I’m to young to be in bad physical shape

[@monacarney2689]

Anyone else having trouble finding the binder printable in the free resources? I don’t see them

[@reneeval88]

The worksheets and printables are no longer on your resources page. Will you be offering a meal planning workbook soon?

[@ozarkmountainwoodshopandfa9500]

So is both the monthly and weekly pages in the live richly planner?

[@martharodriguez5897]

The live rich planner has weekly meal plan, the budget by paycheck book has the monthly

[@Sabrina1998]

I have been trying to sign up on your side with my name and my email address, but it will not go through and it keeps getting stuck telling me please wait but the sign-up procedure will not continue. I tried that on my iPad as well as on my phone. Just a heads up. Maybe somethings going on on your website. Thanks for the great video.

[@jessicarhiannon8002]

How do you do your nails?

[@nah6730]

The link to sign up for the free resources on your website isn't working

[@tinalovatt-reed6610]

Iamgladjoinup

[@sandymccrickard8609]

Hey, I ordered the savings work book for 2022. Don't want to push, but I need to plan Jan. as soon as possible. Is there a web site I am supposed to go to?

[@theautismmom1551]

The free printables are not in the library

[@71dixiemama]

They are, they're down toward the bottom...thumbnail says 'Recipe Binder Printables'.

[@user-br8ux4mz8i]

@@71dixiemama I cannot find it . Am I blind? Lol

[@jackiew9797]

Is it weird that there are no replies from The Budget Mom or a moderator?

[@eloisereid3437]

Over🎁 😅💋

[@feliciacranford3907]

Did anyone access the Recipe Organizer link?

[@nuwnkumara8524]

😢😢😢😢👊

[@elizabethfikes874]

Canuhelpmemealplean