How I plan 6 weeks of meals

I completed a massive stock check so I can talk you through the next six weeks of frugal menu meal plans.
Frugal Queen in France
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We are a British couple living in Brittany on a budget.
Frugal recipes, days out, home renovations and day to day making do in France.
We’ll give you hints, tips, advice and an insight into our life in France.
Website www.frugalqueeninfrance.com/
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Equipment used
Camera : iPhone
Editing : iMovie on a Mac mini
Music:
Audionautix is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 license. creativecommons.org/licenses/...
Artist: audionautix.com/
Some Sound from Zapsplat.com
KZbin Audio Library
Apple iMovie*

[@loriella6250]

You inspired me so much last evening that I woke up this morning, emptied my freezer, inventoried the contents, and put it back…all in 19 minutes. Thank you Jane! That has been on my to-do list for months.

[@FrugalQueeninFrance]

Great job!

[@trishacarlson4122]

I also find physically pulling EVERYTHING out gives me the ultimate visual of what I actually have AND what I forgot I had, too. The best part about doing long term food planning is that suddenly you have more food at the end of your paycheck & that means not as stressed. A little planning goes a long way. It's nice to have such great teachers like yourself who help remind us that we are doing okay :)

[@lilybee_]

You're a domestic wizard Jane! I can't even tell you how much you've helped me save money and be more organized ❤

[@FrugalQueeninFrance]

Happy to help

[@luba-healthywithluba6866]

Lily Bee, you are 100% correct. She has helped me too. 💝

[@elizabethcoates3024]

This really has motivated me to really try to use up all that we have on hand, and reduce any purchasing. We leave in 8 weeks for our extended vacation and I want to be sure that we are leaving minimal contents in our refrigerator. Also if I can do as little spending as possible for the next 2 months, that will afford me another special meals worth of food on our trip, or a music event. 😊😊

[@luba-healthywithluba6866]

Great job planning ahead for your vacation!

[@FrugalQueeninFrance]

Wonderful!

[@robynirons194]

Greetings from Aotearoa New Zealand It's 6 weeks until I leave on a 3 month trip overseas. I'm single, retired, and have supplies that could last me for months. I did a 3 month challenge last year where I only spent on fresh fruit and veges so kept out of the supermarket altogether. I know I could easily do that again. I have pet-sitters coming to stay, but they eat very differently to me and also bring their own food supplies, so clearing space for them is also a part of my purpose. Good luck on your mission to use up your supplies.

[@pamelastucker8335]

This is how I manage our food too. Especially the last week of the month before payday. I get everything inventoried and start coming up with ideas. Very helpful.

[@FrugalQueeninFrance]

Love that!

[@luba-healthywithluba6866]

Thank you, Jane! Leftovers certainty save time and money and help to avoid wasting food. 🌸

[@FrugalQueeninFrance]

You are so welcome!

[@ppresley9208]

Lovely seeing your planning system ... I'm currently trying to empty a large freezer as I transition to living alone without all the grandchildren dropping in for special meals and treats lol ! It's amazing what's "hanging out" on the freezer shelves ... I won't have to shop for weeks ! Thanks for sharing !

[@FrugalQueeninFrance]

Sounds great!

[@katherinerichardson1767]

Stock checking is the way to go! Thank you for taking the time to show us how you do your organizing. I have never tried a month's worth of meal planning. I am still working on one week at a time, but I have managed not to shop but every two weeks. After this show, I think I am ready to go three weeks without shopping. At present I am comfortable with planning my meals one week at a time. Thanks again for sharing. I really appreciate the time and energy you two put into this show.

[@debrapritts7978]

Definitely has inspired me to plan meals. I used to do that when my children were home. I know this will be helpful for my husband and I as we enter into our retirement budget and stop eating out so much!

[@mareebryant3909]

I make a delicious tarte with goats cheese & caramelised onion too & add roasted beetroots & walnuts as well! Try adding pumpkin & chickpeas to your Butter Chicken curry - not authentic but it helps stretch to leftovers! Thank you so much for your inspiration 💕

[@helens3707]

I have quite a bit of pumpkin on hand but hadn't thought of adding it to the vegetable curries that I make....thanks for the great advice!! Love you tart ideas as well!!

[@Silvergirl70]

Remarkable Jane, I am inspired. Have got approximately £100 to spend in September on food so that I hit my 6 month rolling average budget, am absolutely determined to achieve this and this is unbelievably timely with that in mind. Thank you so much both of you 🤗

[@Amanda-pv9kz]

Off topic but I wanted to tell you how much I like that bluish/gray color on the interior door. It looks fabulous next to the white cabinet pantry doors. Love how organized you are. -Amanda in Florida

[@FrugalQueeninFrance]

Oh thank you!

[@LynneAllison-ok5rn]

WOW Jane I am so impressed by your organization and meal ideas!! I really must put your ideas to good use for myself - it would definitely make me eat healthier and even cheaper than I am presently. Thanks Jane & Mike for your amazing inspiration!!

[@FrugalQueeninFrance]

Thank you so much!

[@tinablair2206]

Freezer blindness is something that has been an ongoing issue for me. I am in the process of preserving our garden abundance and reorganizing the cantry. I work through my stock and love the process you're describing. I've gotten a ton of great ideas that I'm going to incorporate into the next few months meal plans! Thank you very much

[@ellefson1]

Excellent video! I always find your content inspiring but this video was particularly informative and truly educational. Seeing you walk through the steps of meal planning was so helpful and makes the process seem more accessible. Many thanks for sharing your approach and using real world examples!

[@FrugalQueeninFrance]

Glad you enjoyed it!

[@qsmith5754]

Helpful advice as always, thanks for the inspiration to help me make my money go further! 👍

[@FrugalQueeninFrance]

Happy to help!

[@shelleyimmel8067]

You are so inspiring. My challenge is not wasting food since I am only cooking for myself. I can cook very well for a crowd and am more challenged just cooking for myself and working on portions. I am taking a trip in 2 weeks so eating what I have in my refrigerator and freezer is a priority, and don't think I will even need to go to store. So, we'll see. Tomorrow I will do the inventory. Thanks for all your videos. I bet you were a great teacher.🌹

[@FrugalQueeninFrance]

Thanks for watching

[@elainearchbold259]

Ive been up to the country park and picked blackberries, forgot my gloves and have sudocrem all over my hands typing this. Ihope they are worth it. Thanks for another great video x

[@loriella6250]

I love that you use a notepad and a tablet. I still love written lists. I’m 67.

[@corinneleppard1933]

Thank you for sharing your incredibly organised system. I must get into the habit of writing more down; I tend to know what I have and carry ideas around in my head, but that can't stretch for more than a couple of weeks. I got lazy over the school holidays and didn't keep up to date with my freezer, so have now found that I have some gaps in my cooking. This means I have to re-do my budget, so it takes more work to sort it out than it would have done to have kept the inventory going in the first place! Oh well, still learning as I go along.

[@FrugalQueeninFrance]

Thanks so much

[@suzanneoconnell9625]

Some great ideas there Jane! I’m very bad for shopping my freezer. So that’s a plan for today to see what I have there and in the pantry cupboard. Thank you!!! Hope all ok after the storm? I believe they are sending over our Irish electricians (ESB network) to help you guys over in Brittany xxx

[@FrugalQueeninFrance]

It was in the news that we are to be helped by the Irish, we're very grateful.

[@TheLongRunwithJoelandChristy]

Great share, Jane. We usually do 2 week meal plans at a time but we challenged ourselves to a one month meal plan and haul in August. It was fun recording the process for a video.

[@FrugalQueeninFrance]

Sounds great!

[@juliefranco9782]

Good day! I thought of you today when I made Instapot Ratatouille. It was so good and easy. Used up my squash and eggplant from the garden. Thank you for sharing todays video.

[@kerstinkiel5314]

I need to do this as I live with my 20yr old son and my 27yr old daughter has moved aback home for a bit, and so every other day seems to be a shopping day as they all want different things to eat. so i need to make a stock check and see who eats what and plan menu's fthat we can all eat together, but i think i will just start off with a week at a time as this is going to be tough !

[@lisadawson2652]

This video is a treasure trove of goodies corned beef is something that I love but I’ve not had in years 🤷🏽‍♀️I have things in my freezer I know I will have to throw out because I’ve not prepared a basic inventory of what I have and I’ve not really thought out the meals I could use with what I have 🤷🏽‍♀️with your help I know I can do better thank you soooo very much I’m going back to check out your past videos I know I’m late to the party but I’ll get it together real soon 👍🏾❤️

[@FrugalQueeninFrance]

Good luck 👍

[@melisia8876]

Thank you Jane! I cannot tell you how many times I have forgotten what I have in the bottom of the freezer let alone in the back of the cupboards. My freezer is on the bottom of my appliance so it is easy to just put stuff in there and forget as time goes on. I am challenging myself to create a meal plan - I am not really good at this, so it will be a challenge - I have been a grab and go type for far too long.

[@FrugalQueeninFrance]

You are so welcome!

[@sixfigurebookkeeper7588]

I really appreciate how thorough you are with showing exactly what you do and how you do it. You left me with no questions since you answered them all. and I appreciate the video of you doing a thorough “stock check” - this will help me remember your whole process. I really like the idea of doing a plan for 6 weeks - it must give you so much relief to know you are cycling through your goods and you can plan your grocery shopping accordingly. This is very valuable content - thank you Mike and Jane!

[@FrugalQueeninFrance]

Glad it was helpful!

[@grainneocarroll6427]

I am now mostly cooking just for 2 again, but we love an occasional roast. Apart from leftover meat related in gravy, I have lots of ways to use up chicken in particular. But roast pork, sliced very thinly before freezing, is really useful for making Chinese stir fries later, which is also a great way to use up small amounts of different veggies for the fridge drawer. Season with a dash or 2 of Chinese rice wine (the bottle lasts years) and sauce made with cornflour and water, and serve over rice or noodles. Might be a nice change for you guys.

[@gladyschandler6724]

What an incredible system.

[@bunnobear]

Love your planning videos, I don’t plan lunches but I am going to moving forward :)

[@cyclingonplants7444]

Hi Jane and Mike 🤗 This was great! it's very helpful to "see" this process. I'm good with planning out a week at a time but need to practice with 4 to 6 week periods. Thank you so much for making this video.

[@FrugalQueeninFrance]

You are so welcome!

[@corinneleppard1933]

I agree. I tend to manage a week, sometimes a bit more if near the end of the month. Jane's system is incredibly organised and all connects together so well, something for me to aim for.

[@Vangirhl]

Very helpful and interesting. Since school has started back up, I've decided to implement some better planning. This video helps tremendously! On Sunday I will batch cook a work lunch for 3 days for my husband and. The other 2 days work lunches will be leftovers from dinner. This week's batch was vegetable lentil soup. Next week is chicken salad. We have everything we need in the freezer and cupboards. Thanks Jane & Mike!

[@FrugalQueeninFrance]

Glad it was helpful!

[@christineregruto38]

thank you, very inspiring ! my husband is always asking me to plan meals but I had no idea how to do that (it's not my strong point !) ; now I can do that !

[@FrugalQueeninFrance]

Glad it was helpful!

[@irianweber9949]

This is wonderful- I have gotten some way into meal planning , but never much beyond a week, and never quite made it beyond ideas to „How many meals is that actually going to make?“ … which means I am often a little short of something or end up with the same meal too many times in a row and no space in the freezer 😅. Will probably come back to watching you plan quite a bit as I practice being a bit more organised! Thank you!

[@FrugalQueeninFrance]

You’re welcome and thanks for watching

[@janeoxley4829]

I was just looking for some new recipes, thank you for your inspiration.

[@lisam.8971]

Thank you! Your plan is inspiring! I'm going to do a stock check and make a plan. Thank you for sharing!

[@FrugalQueeninFrance]

You can do it!

[@garygnagey3569]

Very helpful and interesting! You are right! Sometimes I get freezer or cupboard blindness! Taking them out instead of glancing at them with out doing that is not nearly as effective! Thanks for the tips!

[@FrugalQueeninFrance]

Thanks very much

[@FloridaGrowing]

Great ideas today. I need it to save money this month.

[@FrugalQueeninFrance]

You can do it!

[@Littlewoods_permaculture]

At the beginning of the year I order 1/4 side beef and 1/2 side pork. I think the butcher actually kept 20% of it but anyhow buying in bulk for meat is really effective and we still haven’t got through it all. Especially if you bulk out meals with legumes

[@barbararoberts4471]

Wow, you are so organized Jane! I am so impressed with your meal planning, a lot of thought went into it.

[@lisafromindiana1718]

I especially loved your freezer stock check! Taking everything out is a grea idea! You have wonderful kitchen economy. Many other youtubers could learn from you!

[@FrugalQueeninFrance]

Thanks so much! 😊

[@Snookums1950]

Very motivating and interesting ! Thank youJane 😊

[@jonnaborosky8836]

Thanks, Jane! 😊

[@RVMcGowan100]

Love Pinterest. Baking a chocolate cake from a Pinterest recipe right now. Going to do a weekly meal plan today as I'm a newbie at meal planning

[@FrugalQueeninFrance]

Sounds great!

[@josephinesage8301]

Brilliant Jane

[@mirjamboleij3668]

Very inspiring video once again. Thank you!

[@Sally-wm5jh]

Watching you plan out your meals is going to help me get mine done easier. This is something I dread each month and will procrastinate doing it even though it will save us money when it's done. You make it simple and easy to do. Thank you for sharing this information.

[@FrugalQueeninFrance]

You can do it!

[@teresaearl5688]

Thank you, your kitchen cupboards look great, love the blue colour.

[@tonideluca8569]

Very good video thanks for all the great ideas ❤

[@jacquelinehenry3211]

Jane you are an absolute joy to follow❤! So many of your tips are extremely well explained. This video is a major change for me. The steps are easy to follow when explained by YOU! From 2 weeks To 6 weeks. Thank you so much. Your budgeting bas already changed my life last year and now this🎉. Gratitude from Québec Canada. ❤

[@FrugalQueeninFrance]

You are so welcome!

[@helens3707]

I don't comment a whole lot and I do watch every video you put out and I appreciate all the hard work that you and Mike do to put out the quality that you do. This video was invaluable to me. My budget will be get smaller shortly, for a reason that was expected. I live alone and am of retirement age. I'm not the best at being strict with myself, keeping to a plan, a budget etc. I am big at stocking up though. I have a large pantry stock and quite a bit in a small deep freezer that I bought last year. I don't eat meat/dairy so my budget doesn't have to be as large and some people have for food. I think it's best to pay for items on sale and then buy extra than paying full price for groceries. I have tried several times to do a menu plan. It should be easy....but I struggle with it. I'm going to go through this video several more times. Do the work you did and come up with a menu plan that works for me. I'll let you know how that works out for me.

[@thisorthat7626]

@helens3707, Work through your plan and be kind to yourself as you are learning a new way of doing things. The important part is that you are learning. Having a budget will serve you well over time. Blessings.

[@BeatriceOlofsson-bg1jr]

Thank you for your inspirering videos. I really like your meal planning system 👍🏻 and that it’s so flexibel. I have an app (Clear) in my phone, where I always write down what’s in my fridge, freezer etc. That makes my mealplanning easy and I don’t buy to much by mistake😉. Another tip is to take a photo of the open fridge etc as a reminder what’s in there. I will absolutely combine it with your meal planning system🤗.

[@FrugalQueeninFrance]

Thanks for sharing

[@gwenroireau6203]

So efficient and yet flexible!

[@booboo-ly6zn]

Thank you. This has helped me understand how to use my fridge,freezer and cupboard stores. I couldn't get my head round how to do this xx ❤

[@jeannetteshahenkari265]

Thank you so much for inspiring me to complete my much-needed freezer Inventory!! I had gotten pretty lax about it 😢. I need your valuable videos and insight to STAY motivated! Thank you Jane and Mike!!!!❤

[@FrugalQueeninFrance]

You are so welcome!

[@juliemoore6957]

Thank you! You've totally inspired me!❤

[@FrugalQueeninFrance]

I'm so glad!

[@marjimcmillan9265]

You are amazingly intentional in all that you Do! I could perhaps Do a two week plan and not feel overwhelmed. Must try it.

[@anita_R]

My favourite KZbin channel. Thanks. I'm going to do what you advised ❤

[@gypsylife7822]

Thank you Jane- this was so helpful!

[@FrugalQueeninFrance]

Glad it was helpful!

[@craftycalley]

Just clearing out my freezer and this video popped up. Excellent points you’ve made.

[@judithbuchanan9566]

Thank you Mike & Jane. Have a wonderful weekend ☺️.

[@FrugalQueeninFrance]

You too!

[@lindamcdonald9199]

Great prompt, Jane. I really need to do my supplies inventory. X

[@mysustainabilityjourney9321]

Brilliant. Some great ideas. Thanks!

[@FrugalQueeninFrance]

Glad you like them!

[@pastevens2577]

Thanks Jane, that was really helpful.

[@FrugalQueeninFrance]

Glad it was helpful!

[@marygovantes7219]

Thank you both this was very helpful

[@FrugalQueeninFrance]

Our pleasure!

[@sarahbockemeier7227]

Hi from Missouri in the USA

[@donnasnesko8280]

Thanks Jane! Very helpful!

[@FrugalQueeninFrance]

Glad it was helpful!

[@treehouse3240]

Thanks Jane, for all the great dinner ideas.

[@FrugalQueeninFrance]

You are so welcome!

[@hrhsophiathefirst4060]

I bow down to the queen! Truly inspirational. Unfortunately I cannot digest fresh pork but I can eat ham so I will buy a small one and slice to add to meals and make sandwiches or add next to breakfast!

[@mariasinclair9718]

I really appreciate your meal ideas They are a great help. Thank you

[@FrugalQueeninFrance]

You are so welcome!

[@kaylawild4019]

Just discovered your channel so will be binge watching over the weekend. Thanks for sharing 😊

[@FrugalQueeninFrance]

Hope you enjoy!

[@WhitakerSheila]

Great inspiration for a planning session, thank you

[@FrugalQueeninFrance]

You are so welcome!

[@anita_R]

Thank you xx

[@dianeroberts3533]

Thanks Jane that was an interesting and very helpful video.xx

[@FrugalQueeninFrance]

Glad it was helpful!

[@amelia2656]

Thankyou so much Jane. That was really helpful. Sometimes I get so stuck for meal ideas and not only is your way of planning super efficient, but it’s obviously money saving as well.

[@FrugalQueeninFrance]

You are so welcome!

[@DebfromVa]

This was so helpful

[@FrugalQueeninFrance]

Happy to help

[@marypeterson1053]

Your menu planning is so helpful.

[@FrugalQueeninFrance]

Glad you think so!

[@katherineskaggs4490]

This video is great. Very helpful for understanding how to do stock checks and on budgeting foods. I learned how to do this at a very young age from my mother. She did this very same thing once per month so that’s how I learned to do it. Thank you for sharing Jane. I’ve still learned a lot from you.

[@FrugalQueeninFrance]

Glad it was helpful!

[@lizriveragoldstein3421]

That was so impressive Jane! I have never planned for more than a week! I usually wait for the weeks sales flyers to plan my meals. You have given me a lot to think about. (PS-The potted plants outside and the lawn and garden are looking wonderful!)

[@FrugalQueeninFrance]

Thanks very much

[@robertaserracino2405]

Thanks this will surely help me with my planning

[@FrugalQueeninFrance]

Glad to hear that

[@bobbiewearing1549]

Thanks Jane. That's really inspired me to do my own stock take and meal plan.

[@FrugalQueeninFrance]

You can do it!

[@loriburgess1866]

This is the same way I do it! It works well and is also very flexible as the days go by. Thank you for the encouragement that keep doing this because it works.

[@FrugalQueeninFrance]

You are so welcome!

[@brendajones8948]

Such great ideas! Off to take an inventory so that I can do this for the rest of August and all of September. Thank you so much!

[@FrugalQueeninFrance]

You are so welcome!

[@user-pp6do9cr3k]

Very insightful! I think I can improve my organizing. Thank you!

[@FrugalQueeninFrance]

Glad it was helpful!

[@juliethompson5301]

Brilliant video Jane thank you so much . Chicken Cordon Bleu is gorgeous,mum always made it .craving it now😊

[@FrugalQueeninFrance]

We made a video of it

[@juliethompson5301]

@@FrugalQueeninFrance I'll watch it tomorrow and definitely going to make it .thanks Jane .x

[@user-tm5kc8oq4y]

Great info ,helps so much with this inflation. Thanks so much Jane and Mike

[@FrugalQueeninFrance]

Glad it was helpful!

[@katehorrell8732]

I was making a menu for 1 week at a time, but you showed me a better way of doing things. Thank you I always learn something new from y'all

[@FrugalQueeninFrance]

Glad I could help!

[@verenamartini8695]

Hi from Burgundy! Wish you a nice day!

[@FrugalQueeninFrance]

Thank you! You too!

[@stacel1972]

This is very helpful. I could do to be better organized and am going to try this. Thank you. 🙂

[@FrugalQueeninFrance]

Glad it was helpful!

[@denisebolin-clark8826]

This video was super helpful, thankyou. I cook for one and usually only buy things on sale but I definitely could plan better. You gave me some great ideas for planning. Thankyou.

[@FrugalQueeninFrance]

Glad it was helpful!

[@lizrandolph2085]

I do the same thing. I try to only buy what is on sale in the store and build meals around what I have on hand.

[@FrugalQueeninFrance]

Thanks for watching

[@stitchinginthegreenmountai9285]

Thank you for sharing.

[@FrugalQueeninFrance]

My pleasure!

[@sannevandeneijnde6716]

Great video! Gives my inspiration how to improve my own stock check and menuplanning. Now I mainly plan around fruits and vegetables that are on sale and add my stock items to those to create a meal.

[@FrugalQueeninFrance]

You can do it!

[@kellyvh1209]

Hi Jane. This was very helpful. I get pantry blindness.....these are all great ideas. Do you do a freezer restock (meat etc.), every couple of months? Love your videos!

[@janicefender2071]

Very impressed by your organisation skills. I definitely have freezer/store cupboard blindness. I've picked up so many tips from you in past posts. I think tomorrow could be a day of listing my food haul and planing meals beyond my usual seven days. I initially thought this would be overwhelming but you've explained the process so clearly I'm keen to give it a go.

[@FrugalQueeninFrance]

Just take it steady and it’ll get done. Good luck.

[@bradlafferty]

Could you please give us your recipe for buckwheat galette? We’ve recently discovered ployes, a buckwheat mix of Acadian heritage, and we really enjoy them as crepes. Thank you.

[@FrugalQueeninFrance]

It’s on our channel kzbin.info/www/bejne/a6HFdYB7hNtontk

[@sophiawolthof1238]

👍👍👍

[@naniedesbois3891]

Thank you, really, your way of doing is just so inteligent. I totally have freezer blindness and I am so sad when I discover some food inedible because of freezer burn at the bottom... Tomorrow I tackle an inventory and menu plan EVERYTHING... 😊, how much meals just from the freezer will I have ? I just can't guess but probably a lot.

[@FrugalQueeninFrance]

You can do it!

[@lynnhensley4326]

Hello from North Carolina, USA

[@sharonburling2262]

Great meal ideas! Very cute puppies you have, and your house is gorgeous! Were you affected by the earthquake? My son and his French wife have had their home badly damaged by it.

[@FrugalQueeninFrance]

No earthquake here