Weekly meal planning should be a quick process that takes no more than fifteen minutes of time. The process is simple:
Keep a running list on the refrigerator of items that you run out of during the week.
On a 3x5 index card select the meals that you want to eat during the week. Choose 3-4 meals.
Look through the recipes to determine the ingredients you need and write those ingredients on the back of the 3x5 card.
Grocery Shopping
Grocery shopping should take about an hour and a half between getting to the store, shopping, and putting away the groceries depending how far away your grocery store is from home.
Tips:
Make sure you always bring your grocery list with you to the store!
Only buy items on your grocery list. Don't waste time wandering around the store.
It is helpful to keep your refrigerator and pantry organized so that you can easily find the ingredients you are looking for after you have put away the groceries.
After you become familiar with your grocery store, try to write the shopping list in approximately the same order that you find them in the grocery store to facilitate easy shopping. This way you can check off the items on your list in the same order you shop for them.
Many grocery stores now offer online ordering and curb side pick-up if you are short on time. Just order and schedule a time for pick-up.