Not always. I know of people that plan dinners each month at a time. Every meal is only prepared once a month and then the next month might have the same meals, but on different nights or whatnot.

I think menus are great, if you can stick with them. I haven't ever been able to do it, but I've found a method of cooking that works for us without having a set menu.

I have a friend who sat down and came up with a month's worth of menus, complete with shoppng lists, and organized by week. Each week she shops according to that week's list and has the menus all ready. It's saved a huge amount of time and effort.

I don't know if I could do it, because our schedules are a little wacky and we don't necessarily eat at home every night or on the same nights, but I think in theory it makes a lot of sense and works great for some people.

Many food items can be used for several things. For instance 1 -2 lbs. of ground beef or chuck for meatloaf, meatballs, stuffed peppers, pigs in a blanket, stuffed meat rolls, tacos, impossible pies (cheeseburger, taco, etc), used for a meat sauce, etc. Italian sausage can be used in spaghetti sauce, for hoagies with peppers and onions, in casseroles, etc. Chicken - geez - there is so much you can do with it. Beans can be used in soups, stews, gumbos, salads, burritos, etc. That's about as close as I would ever get to a menu. The only time a list for a menu would work for me is when I am having a huge gathering and buying for that day only.

What we have been doing lately is taking out a meat and then last minute deciding what to have. Usually I will say one thing but we end up having another. I think we are going to start having the kids deciding. It might be easier.

I often may not plan a menu but I will buy meat that is usable several ways. For example I'll make some seasoned ground beef and then we can have quesadillas, tacos, etc. Or I'll roast a chicken and then decide where the leftovers go, maybe in a king ranch casserole or jambalaya.