Once a week we sit down as a family and talk about what we loved about that week’s menu and what we want the following week. It has started to become a real family affair as both the boys are now preparing and cooking at least one meal a week. I am a sucker when it comes to stationery, so I have gathered together some fabulous free meal planning printables to share with you.

I LOVE meal planning, it saves me money, time and sanity! I have put together a beginners guide to family meal planning that you will stick to in the hope of helping you. along with a list of family-friendly meals.
Ten Fabulous Free Meal Planning Printables
- I love this printable with meals and shopping list from I heart naptime for our planning.
- This super colourful meal and shopping list planner from Green Child Magazine really suits my colourful nature. They also have a pantry staples list too.
- If you are really organised then Organised Junkie has a monthly and weekly menu plan. Oh and a yellow and grey weekly menu plan too, which was my colour plan last year!
- While Sew Much Crafting has a six weekly menu planning printable.
- The Taylor House has a weekly printable for breakfast, lunch and dinner.
- If you are on Slimming World then this free planner from Tea and Nail Polish will be right up your street.
- DIY Home Sweet Home has a great home binder printable with a menu planning list to co-ordinate.
- This Handmade home has an adorable home binder with menu plan. I adore the colour and style of this, plus the fact it has a homeschool section too.
- Maybe you are more of a visual planner, then these two free weekly meal planners from Oilbird are much more your style.
- I love this colourful monthly planner with post it notes, perfect for people that change their minds!

Do you menu plan? Did you know that wasting food costs the average household £470 a year, rising to £700 for a family with children, the equivalent of around £60 a month. Menu planning can save you throwing away food, ensuring the food you buy is what you need and cook with.

I have my menu plan on our chalkboard wall in the kitchen and Cass from Frugal Family has a beautiful wipe clean planner in her kitchen that she made. What is your families favorite meal?

Do you have a post that is about thrifty parenting, decorating or lifestyle. One that is about frugal food or crafts and art. or even a post about making the post of what you have, then please do link up. Each week we make sure we pin the post, feature some on our facebook pages and then we each have a round up on a Sunday.
Let’s all share that being frugal can be fabulous.


Thanks for the mention!
I really need to start meal planning properly, I never thought to look for printable planners, these are fab! Can’t wait to print some out, thanks for sharing 🙂
Ooh great minds think alike – here’s my roundup of my favourite meal plan templates. I’ve even started a pinterest board as I love to change mine regularly 😉
http://www.frugalfamily.co.uk/2014/08/thriftythursday-my-favourite-meal-planning-templates-from-around-the-internet.html
Great collection of meal plans. I love meal planning- it saves my sanity and my wallet. Our favourite family meal that everyone LOVES (minor miracle!!!) is a stove top chicken casserole with bacon and Worcestershire sauce. So tasty!
I have a habit of buying meals and then changing my mind. I really should make a plan and stick to it x
Thanks for sharing these. Ive been looking for something like this.
This looks great. My daughter is getting more and more fussy and we’re going to try to involve her more in the meal decisions so planning would be a really big help, as would these so thank you!!
Snap! I have my meal planner on this desk as I type. So handy for planning meals and shopping trips.
We plan our meals and write the weekly plan on a piece of scrap paper – I must look at these printables!
These are lovely! I obsessively meal plan. We have a supermarket delivery on a Friday (I never go near the actual shop) and by about Wednesday the fridge always looks ’empty.’ In our house you have to get used to the concept of things running out before they are replenished rather than a continuous supply! 🙂
Thank you – now what I REALLY need is lists and lists of foods. In groups lol – so like a fish list – and tell me how many times I need to pick from that list. And quick meal ideas list. I keep meaning to start my own but I am not organised.
I am awful at meal planning it is something I really need to try and get my head around – love these printables.
I try hard to plan but the older your kids get the harder it is as plans change last minute almost daily! However I must be doing something right as we almost never waste food. Having two teenagers helps!!
i love this idea but for me its a day by day organise meals, but i shop monthly so am always stocked up with most ingredients i need to keep a good meal on the table each night
Oh, I do like the Ollibird ones! We are going to have to seriously start sticking to meal plans when my work contract ends next month and I think these would work well to get the whole family involved in the process. Thanks for sharing 🙂
I use a blackboard although its been wiped in favour of a holiday countdown this month
I really need to meal plan, the worst part of cooking is trying to think what to have!
I have reall ups and downs with meal planning – I have a couple of good weeks, then for one reason or another the weekly shopping gets delayed by a few days and I end up back at the local small supermarket over spending daily! Love the printables – maybe I will get some help from the kids with those!
Such a great collection of resources. As frugal as I am I don’t meal plan really – well only in my head!
We menu plan but normally on scraps of paper .. now i can upgrade! .. thanks Jen
We never really use meal planning but I know we should as it would make things much easier
These are great! I do waste so much food, and need to plan more!
I could really do with some meal planners, I’m really disorganised! xx