What strategies does Hilary Erickson employ for effective menu planning?

Hi, I’m Hilary Erickson from The Pregnancy Nurse. I’m also the mom/blogger behind Pulling Curls, where I talk a lot about menu planning and budgeting.

Here are the main strategies I use for effective menu planning:

• I plan a small set of meals at a time (usually 5–7) for about two weeks, instead of assigning each meal to a specific day. That lets me cook based on my mood and schedule but still stay prepared and on budget.
• I choose meals based on what I already have on hand (garden produce, sale items I’ve stocked up on, pantry ingredients) to keep costs down.
• I keep my menu plan on my phone so it’s always accessible, and I pick what’s for dinner early in the day, pulling out any protein to defrost.
• I rely on a recipe binder of tried‑and‑true family favorites and sprinkle in a few “try me” recipes for variety.
• I build in flexibility with easy standbys like breakfast for dinner, nachos, or pizza night to use up odds and ends.
• I use menu planning as our #1 money saver, especially during tight financial times, so we’re not defaulting to eating out when I’m tired or unprepared.

Would you like help creating a simple 1- or 2-week menu plan using what you already have in your kitchen?