1. When do you start to think about what's for dinner?
   1. An hour before it's supposed to be on the table.
   2. I'm Type A... about a week in advance.
   3. 30 days prior... I practically invented Once a Month Cooking.

If you dread the "What's for Dinner" question, meal planning can help you reduce the stress of putting dinner on the table.

2. How long does it take you to meal plan?
   1. No time at all -- I don't even do it!
   2. 1 hour a week.
   3. 3 hours... I pour over recipe books and circulars.

If you take less than 30 minutes a week to create a meal plan and organized grocery list, you can save time at the grocery store and money avoiding take out.

3. How often do you cook at home?
   1. By cook at home, do you mean Papa Johns?
   2. 3-4 times per week.
   3. Practically every night.

Cooking at home can save you money and improve your health. It is less expensive than eating out and control the ingredients you use to prepare your meals. Another benefit of cooking at home is that studies show that the more often families eat together, the more likely children are to do well in school, eat their vegetables, learn big words, and know which fork to use.

4. Do you take inventory of your pantry before you plan?
   1. I think the bread crumbs from the recipe I made 3 years ago are still in the pantry.
   2. I know roughly what's in the pantry before I plan.
   3. Are you kidding? I used to do audit for Price Waterhouse Coopers.

Taking an inventory of what's in your pantry can save money and reduce waste. Use items in your pantry to guide your meal planning and find recipes that will incorporate what you already have on hand.

5. Do you consult your family's calendar when making a plan?
   1. I play it by ear.
   2. If there's a soccer game, we're getting Chinese.
   3. I sync my iPhone, Blackberry, Google Calendar, Outlook, and Cozi accounts before I plan.

Planning around your family's activities will increase the success of your meal planning efforts. Choose main dishes that will be appropriate for the time you have to spend at home in the evening. For example, if you have after-school activities that result in a late night out, try putting something in the slow cooker in the morning so you won't need prep time when you get home.

6. Do you plan using the grocery store circulars?
   1. Do you mean running circles in the grocery store parking lot?
   2. I see the circulars in my mailbox.
   3. I have every circular from every grocery store in my neighborhood filed and tabulated by date.

Grocery store circulars come to your mailbox once a week. They highlight the sale items from that store for the following week. Using the grocery store circular to guide your meal planning can help you save significantly. Most grocery store circulars can now be found online. Be aware that store sales vary from store to store, even in the same chain.

7. Do you get your family involved?
   1. They eat what I cook, period.
   2. I take suggestions.
   3. We plan together so everyone looks forward to a dinner they like.

Engaging your family in the meal planning process can reduce frustration during the week. When everyone had a chance to chime in, they're less likely to complain about a dish since they had a hand in choosing it.

8. Is your family getting tired of the "same old thing" for dinner?
   1. I only have 3 meals in my repertoire and I hate those eyerolls at the dinner table.
   2. I rotate pretty frequently.
   3. I introduce 2 new recipes a week. Rachel Ray has got nothing on me!

Introducing variety is a good way to expand your family's palates. The easiest way to get out of the family food rut is to experiment with a food your family already likes. For example, if you know your family likes chicken and potatoes, try serving chicken and pureed cauliflower.

9. Do you use a grocery list?
   1. No, I just pull what looks pretty off the grocery shelf.
   2. Yes, I keep a running list on a notepad in the kitchen.
   3. You bet! It's organized by department, brand, and quantity.

The grocery list is the key to saving money and time at the grocery store. Studies show that each additional minute you spend in the grocery store over thirty (30) minutes results in spending $1 per minute. If you have an organized list, you can avoid backtracking through aisles for a forgotten item. Plus, you buy only what you need so you can reduce waste.

10. How often do you go to the grocery store?
    1. Every day.
    2. Once a week.
    3. Twice a month.

Your Score:

If You Scored 10-16, you are a Novice Meal Planner

It's not your fault you're in diapers when it comes to meal planning. Meal planning takes time, and who has extra time lying around? Take baby steps: start by planning 2 meals a week and making a grocery list. See if this makes an impact on your grocery bill and stress level.

If You Scored 17-24, you are a Meal Planning Pro

You are in a routine where you plan ahead and save time in the grocery. Your family isn't sticking their tongue out at the dinner table, and you're good at managing your grocery budget.

If You Scored 24-30, you are a Meal Planning Ninja.

You are a legend on your block. You create thirty (30) day meal plans and organize folders with coupons and circulars. You once went to the grocery store and bought $200 worth of groceries for $50. You have emergency casseroles in your freezer, and some extras for when the couple down your street has their third child.

Improve Your Meal Planning Score with Food on the Table

Whether you're a Novice, a Pro, or a Ninja, we can all find ways to streamline our meal planning practices. Try Food on the Table's meal planning software to easily reap all the benefits of meal planning. Food on the Table gives you the following information so you can create a meal plan in less than thirty (30) minutes:

• Sales from your local grocery stores,
• Fast and kid-friendly recipes,
• Personalized weekly meal plan,
• Aisle by aisle printable grocery list.

Here's how it works:

• Select weekly sale items from your local grocery store circular,
• Choose what your family is in the mood for this week,
• Compare sales at your favorite grocery stores,
• Browse through thousands of easy recipes,
• Email or print your grocery list, or send it to your iPhone.

Let Food on the Table develop a meal plan and grocery list for you based on your family's preferences and grocery store sales. Sign up. It's free.