THINGS COOKS KNOW - NEVER SWEAT SUPPER AGAIN

Armed with these meal-planning tips, you'll always have an answer to that dreaded 5 o'clock question: "What's for dinner?"

- LIZZY BRISKIN

1 Make a List of Go-Tos

It's easy to be overwhelmed when browsing through the zillions of enticing recipes out there. (Have you seen the options in this magazine alone?!) Start a catalog of old standbys and new must-trys to consult when you feel stumped, says Sally Kuzemchak, RD, creator of the blog Real Mom Nutrition. "I keep a giant ongoing list of the meals my family likes in a meal-planning notebook and constantly update it with new hits." She adds little notes, like "slow cooker," "quick cooking," and "meatless," to guide her. If you're more digitally inclined, the apps Paprika ($5; iOS and Android) and Recipe Keeper (free; iOS and Android) organize your favorite recipes from cookbooks and websites in one searchable spot.

2 Check the Sales and Your Current Stock

Browse your store's circular, app, or website for sales, then design the week's dinners around the best deals, says Toni Okamoto, author of PlantBased on a Budget: Quick & Easy. "Before you head to the store, take inventory of the pantry, fridge, and freezer to avoid overbuying," Okamoto adds. If you want to go the extra mile, keep a spreadsheet or note on your phone, detailing what you already have on hand, so you can check it at the store if need be.