The first two or three months will take some experimenting and some work to find the way this system works best for you. But once you get your routine down you’ll start enjoying the benefits of planning a dinner menu a month ahead of time. Some of these benefits include:

• No longer having to listen to that annoying question, “what’s for dinner tonight?”

• Because you know ahead of time what you’ll be making each night and the necessary ingredients, putting together your shopping list should be a breeze.

• Because you will be introducing a new recipe eight or more nights a month, you will bring variety to your dinner table instead of the same old things.

• Once again, knowing ahead of time what you need means you only need to make two grocery trips a month. Cutting down on the number of trips to the store automatically cuts down on impulse buying.

• Last, but certainly not least, my favorite benefit, you will save money. You have to commit yourself to staying with the menu you designed and cut out all impulse buying, but with a little will power and constantly reminding yourself of the money you are saving are good incentives to help you stay on track.