A colleague of mine shared a story that made me think. Her son had just moved into his first apartment at college. For the first time, he went grocery shopping on his own. When he got back, he called her in disbelief: “Food is so expensive! Can you help me figure out how to meal plan so I can shop smarter?”
At 19, he was getting his first real taste of adulthood – and beginning to see how much time and money matter.
That story made me pause. Meal planning isn’t just about food. It’s really about how you use your time, money, and energy. It shows your values, what matters most, and even how you approach the future. And surprisingly, the lessons we learn from meal planning also apply to estate planning.
In this article, you’ll discover:
- How your meal planning style reflects your values.
- Why protecting your T.E.A.M. (Time, Energy, Attention, and Money) matters in both the kitchen and estate planning.
- Simple strategies to make planning easier – and more effective.
Scramble vs. Strategy
Let’s look at two families:
The Smiths don’t plan ahead. Every week, Maria finds herself wandering the grocery store, grabbing whatever looks good. By midweek, nothing’s ready, so they order takeout. By Thursday, the budget is gone, the kids are cranky, and they’re having cereal for dinner.
The Joneses take a different approach. Every Sunday, Sam checks the family calendar while Mike makes a grocery list. Tuesday is soccer practice (crockpot night). Wednesday is date night (leftovers for the kids). Sunday is dinner with grandparents. They shop with a plan, stick to their budget, and even have backup meals.
The difference is clear: The Smiths treat time and money as unlimited. The Joneses see both as valuable and plan intentionally.
And here’s the connection: how you plan your meals reflects how you plan for your family’s future.
How Meal Planning Reveals Your Values
Meal planning isn’t just about food – it’s about priorities:
- Planning around schedules shows you value time together.
- Prepping ahead for busy nights shows you protect your energy.
- Shopping with a list shows you respect your money.
- Cooking family recipes or Sunday pancakes shows you value tradition.
These choices reveal your values. And those same values – or lack of planning – carry into your estate planning. Without a plan, families face stress, wasted resources, and uncertainty. With a plan, they have clarity and protection.
Your T.E.A.M. Resources: Time, Energy, Attention, and Money
My mentor, Ali Katz, teaches that we must protect our T.E.A.M. resources – Time, Energy, Attention, and Money.
Here’s the truth: money is the only resource you can replace. Time, energy, and attention – once spent – are gone forever.
Meal planning helps protect T.E.A.M.:
- Time: fewer last-minute store runs.
- Energy: less stress over “what’s for dinner.”
- Attention: more focus on family.
- Money: less waste, fewer takeout bills.
Estate planning does the same:
- Time: your loved ones avoid long court delays.
- Energy: no exhausting conflicts or confusion.
- Attention: they can focus on grieving and healing.
- Money: they save thousands in probate fees, taxes, and disputes.
Working with me saves your T.E.A.M. resources twice – first now, because I make the planning process simple, and again later, because your family avoids unnecessary stress and costs when the time comes.
Practical Strategies That Work
The same systems that make meal planning easier also make estate planning effective:
- Create a Master List.
- Meal planning: Rotate 7–10 favorite meals.
- Estate planning: Keep an updated list of assets so nothing gets lost.
- Match Plans to Real Life.
- Meal planning: Busy night? Crockpot meal.
- Estate planning: Customize your plan to fit your family, finances, and values.
- Shop with a List.
- Meal planning: Prevents overspending.
- Estate planning: Keeps your family from wasting resources and provides them with a clear roadmap.
- Have Backup Options.
- Meal planning: Quick emergency meals on hand.
- Estate planning: Backup guardians, trustees, and healthcare decision-makers.
- Review and Adjust.
- Meal planning: Change as your family’s schedule shifts.
- Estate planning: Update every three years so your plan works when it’s needed.
Why Planning Ahead is the Greatest Gift
When you don’t plan meals, you teach your kids that scrambling is normal. When you don’t plan for the future, you leave your family with stress and uncertainty.
But when you plan with intention – whether for meals or for life – you give the people you love the gift of security, clarity, and peace of mind. Estate planning is not just about documents. It’s about making sure your values and your care for your family continue long after you’re gone.
Bringing It All Together: Your Next Step
Meal planning might seem like a small thing, but it’s a powerful way to protect your family’s time, energy, attention, and money. Estate planning works the same way – just on a bigger scale.
As your estate planning attorney, my Life & Legacy Planning® process ensures that your family is protected, your values are honored, and your resources are used wisely. The planning process is simple for you now – and life-changing for your family later.
If you’ve ever felt the relief of knowing dinner is planned for the week, imagine giving your loved ones that same peace of mind about their future. That’s the power of planning ahead.
At Cheever Law, we don’t just draft documents; we ensure you make informed and empowered decisions about life and death for yourself and the people you love, starting with a valuable and educational Life & Legacy Planning Session. This will allow you to get more financially organized and make the best choices for the people you love. If you have already completed your estate plan, we will review that plan at your Life & Legacy Planning Session to ensure that it will work the way you intend and address any holes or gaps that may be present if circumstances have changed since you executed your plan.
To learn more about our one-of-a-kind systems and services, contact us or schedule a no-obligation 15-minute introductory phone call today.