03 March 2025

What Kind of Planner Are You?

Meal planning isn’t just about deciding what’s for dinner tonight – it’s your secret weapon for saving time, money, and sanity throughout the week. Whether you’re using a meal kit, a handy app, a physical planner, or even a scrap of paper, the right tool combined with the four essential meal-planning steps will help you stay organised and on track.

Not sure where to start? Let’s find the tool that works for you. We’ve rounded up some great options – each with its own personality – to suit every type of planner.

The List Lover: Physical Planners

Meet The List Lover: always organised, obsessed with stationery, and powered by the joy of crossing things off. If you love putting pen to paper, physical planners are your perfect match.

Top tools for The List Lover:

  • LFHW NZ’s print at home Money Saver Meal Planner: Easy to follow with plenty of space for meals and family plans, plus a convenient tear-off section for your shopping list, ready to take with you to the shops!
  • Fridge Planners: Magnetic and mess-proof, it sticks to your fridge like glue and keeps the whole family on the same page. We love the Kiwi made options from our friends at Magnapix!
  • The Good Old Scrap of Paper: If you’re a fan of keeping things super simple, jot your plan down on a scrap of paper and stick it somewhere visible. It’s quick, fuss-free, and just as effective as any planner.

Pro tip: Keep old meal plans in a folder or notebook. They’re perfect for tracking family favourites and reusing menus during busy, no-time-to-plan weeks.

Why it works: With your plan front and centre, there’s no last-minute panic over what’s for dinner.

The Tech Guru: Meal Planning Apps

Say hello to The Tech Guru: always on their phone, always ahead of the game, and ready to let technology do the heavy lifting. Apps are the perfect tool for Tech Gurus who want meal planning on the go.

Top tools for The Tech Guru:

Favour your DIY Meal Kit App: This smart tool lets you explore hundreds of recipes to create your perfect meal plan. It automatically generates a shopping list, allowing you to tick off what you already have and seamlessly order the rest online via Woolworths for click-and-collect or home delivery. Easy, efficient, and waste-free!

 

 

VJ Cooks Meal Planning App: Plan your week with ease using over 400 recipes tailored to your preferences. This app generates a customizable shopping list, lets you adjust portion sizes, and even adds household essentials. With printable plans and exclusive recipes, it saves you time, money, and reduces food waste—all in one handy tool!

Why it works: Apps save time and offer inspiration when you need it most.

The Busy Bee: Subscription Boxes

Meet The Busy Bee: constantly on the move, juggling family, work, and everything in between. If you don’t have time to plan every detail or want to make sure you’re eating seasonally, meal kits or vege boxes can be a lifesaver!

Top tools for The Busy Bee:

Misfit Garden: Fruit and vege subscription box connecting farmers and every day Kiwis closer together.

 

 

 

HelloFresh: Simple, flexible, and stress-free meal kits with step-by-step recipes.

 

 

 

Wonky Box: Rescuing produce and giving it a new lease at life – in Kiwi kitchens across Aotearoa.

Pro tip: Don’t skip Step 2 Check What You’ve Got. Over-ordering can lead to food waste, so take a moment to factor in what you already have. Consider how you can utilise items that need to be used up alongside your delivery !

Why it works: Subscription boxes can take the heavy lifting out of choosing meals, freeing up mental load. They’re also a great way to eat seasonally and try new dishes!

The Hybrid Hero: Digital Tools with a Twist

Introducing The Hybrid Hero: practical, resourceful, and happy to combine the best of both worlds. Hybrid heroes love leveraging tech to Choose Meals (step 3) and Create Their List (step 4) but still want to jot down their plan to stay on track during the week.

Top tools for The Hybrid Hero:

Why it works: Hybrid Heroes enjoy using smart tools for inspiration and efficiency, but they keep things practical with a mix of digital and physical planning.

Choose Your Planner Personality

So, which personality fits you best? Whether you’re a List Lover, Tech Guru, Busy Bee, or Hybrid Hero, there’s a meal-planning tool ready to help you succeed. The key is finding a system you love and sticking with it.

No matter how you plan, you’ll save time, reduce food waste, and make your week run smoother than ever. So, pick your tool and start planning – your future self (and your fridge) will thank you!

Let’s make food waste a thing of the past, one planned meal at a time!