How I Create Weekly Meal Plans (and stick to them!)

When I meal plan, EVERYTHING is better. I save money (sometimes as much as 50%), the dinner time hustle is 100x easier, and I never have to hear the dreaded “what's for dinner” question.
So, I want to share how I meal plan for the week sharing what it looks like, how much it saves me, etc.

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Where else to find But First, Coffee and the creator, Kallie Branciforte:



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Disclaimer: This is not a sponsored video. I do not accept products in exchange for a positive review and so all thoughts, opinions and words are my own. All products were purchased with my own money unless marked with an asterisk (*). An asterisk signifies a product sent to me for review or as a gift. Some links in this description may contain affiliate links.

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Hi I'm Kallie Branciforte from But First, Coffee! I'm glad you found my video! I'm the content creator for the blog and YouTube channel But First, Coffee.

Here you'll find videos on topics on things a well-caffeinated woman needs to know including life hacks, budgeting, frugal shopping, mom life, and more!



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[tommybootlegger]

I remember when schools used to teach things like home economics, auto repair, and shop class, actual things that can be used in day to day life. Thank God for YouTube, a lot of people would be screwed.

[kimmathews]

Another way to make sure you don't make the mistake of buying something you already have ... take pictures of your pantry(s) refrigerator(s) and freezer(s) the day before or the morning of shopping - when in doubt while shopping...just pull out your phone and look at the pictures! Works like a charm!!

[karenrich]

My husband, when we had a young family, was a floating technician in telecommunications. So, he would find himself at produce stands and pick up corn, peppers, and other favorites to bring home. Sometimes this meant a lot of food prep, so we could use it later. The topper was the day he found farmers who were giving away 🍅! Because he was Italian, this was a goldmine. When he came home his car was LOADED with tomatoes. We worked for hours all weekend making spaghetti sauce, his mother's garlic sauce and chopping the little red nuggets for tacos, BLTs, or toppings on white pasta and pizza. In 2 days, every plastic container was full of something red and because of our freezer and crockpot, along with his frugal shopping, most of it was free. He passed away 6 years ago and I still laugh (and cry) over those memories. In short, when you're invited to dinner or receive a load of cheap food (like 🍅 tomatoes) you have to just sit back and accept it.

[joygoncalves]

I am a terrible planner. These tips really work. I think of a restaurant menu. ONLY a certain amount of choices. Make one for ourselves and repeat meal plan rotations.

[lillianmiller]

You can also cut things like carrots, celery, potatoes(sweet potatoes and white potatoes) all keep well in water.

[baileymaple]

I wish I could meal prep in 20-30 minutes! It's easily a 1-3 hr process for me between coming up with ideas, chrcking the pantry, and making the list. My husband and I have different tastes and I have dietary restrictions which makes it trickier. Hope it gets easier with practice! Love your method!

[chris...]

I have a 9"x12" magnetic-backed dry erase board on my fridge. Whenever I run out of something, I mark it on the board. Before I go food shopping (or before I meal-plan), I take a phone-photo to reference.
Before smart phones, before cellphones, I used to have a chalkboard hung up in the kitchen to mark foods as I ran out or to list things I wanted to get. Technology evolves, but need is a constant.

[robyn_southafrica]

This video is 4 years old and oh how I needed it!😅 Thank you Kallie! New subbie here too 🤗

[HomeSweetHearth]

Making the rice ahead or a getting a difficult prep out of the way early 🙌🏼game changer!

[TheChemist]

I would definitely say doing grocery pickup helps so much, if your store offers it. What sucks is some things just aren’t listed for pickup even though they’re in stock at the store…but if you can, do pickup. It’s usually free, it saves time, and you’re less likely to buy what you don’t need.

[Ella_kitty]

College should actually start a lesson about meal plans. Great vid!

[christinemorse]

Your "subscribe to this channel" clip was probably the cutest. Just random FYI. I 1000% agree when it comes to meal planning. On top of that I online shop with Walmart and do the pick up so I save even more because I ONLY get what I need. Great video!

[HowDebbieSaves]

You're sooo right. Meal planning can help you save soooo much money!! It's helped us get out of debt and I meal plan every single week. Nice job!!

[BlblR]

Every day 3pm I'm thinking "what's for dinner" 😭 I really needed a guide to help me get out of this horrible habit of wasting food & money. I'm starting right away with your meal plan method, hopefully I can come back for an update on how I adopted it to save my life!! Thank you 😍

[amandabray]

Loved this video 💕 One thing that has made meal planning easier for me is actually making my grocery list on my grocery store’s pick up app. I don’t actually pick my groceries up, but when I search for them I can easily compare prices and see if there are any coupons. So I don’t feel like I’m spending so much more time make my list/looking for deals and I know exactly what I’m buying.

[cperi]

Great video!! I've been meal planning for a few years now, even taught a class at my church! My biggest tip is to make a master list of meals that your family loves separated by protein/main ingredient or category, ex. chicken, beef, soup, new to try, etc. I will do a monthly inventory of the deep freezer and pantry and go from there. Also, Instant Pots are lifesavers!! HAHA

[sharaguzzetta]

I take a few minutes at lunch to think about the dinner plan. I'm already thinking about food and making a specific plan of steps sets me up for success when I get home and I'm mentally spent.

[redfebruary]

I don't think I have ever meal planned in advance. But its horrible thinking daily what to cook and running to the store just for 1 or 2 items.. I think I can start planning for 2 days and see how goes and hopefully advance from there. Thanks for sharing ur ideas

[thefreckledmama]

I created my own food inventory/meal planning sheets too. It makes things so much easier!

[kayleem]

Probably the best, simplest meal planning video out there. Most of them leave me overwhelmed with all the steps...this just looks so easy to do. Definitely helped relieve my overwhelm. LOL! 😆 Thank you!