Meal planning is one of my favorite things.  I love the satisfaction I get from knowing what’s for dinner.  I don’t enjoy arriving at 4 pm and having no idea what to make for dinner when my children are hungry and I’m tired from a long day.  Payday is my reminder that it is time to plan my meals for the next pay cycle (2 weeks).  I like to have my Menu Planner and Grocery List printed and ready on a clipboard so that I can carry it anywhere: my favorite chair, the kitchen counter, the car, anywhere I might find myself with 5 or 10 minutes to add to the page.

For menu planning, grocery lists, and pantry inventories, check out what is available to members of ListPlanIt in Meal Planning.  Not yet a member?  Join today for just $5 and get organized in the kitchen and in the grocery store.

Here are some of my tools for meal planning.

• My 21 Meals page – is list of 21 of my most common family favorites.
• Input from your family – Give everyone a chance to suggest their favorites.
• Calendar – Check schedules and seasonal events and plan meals around activities.
• Recipe boxes/binders – These can be your own collected recipes.
• Cookbooks
• Internet – My favorite resources are AllRecipes.com and Pinterest.
• Menu Planner – ListPlanIt.com has several different menu planners in Meal Planning for different menu planning styles.
• Grocery List – Take one of ListPlanIt‘s grocery lists with you on your smartphone or tablet.  They make shopping for healthy meals a snap.

What do you use to meal plan?  For what amount of time do you plan your meals?  Leave a comment below with your tips.