🎧 Episode 70 – Meal Planning So You Don’t Go Crazy with Nick Loper

Meal planning is one of those everyday stressors that somehow never goes away. In this episode, Hannah Morgan sits down with Nick Loper, dad of two and host of The Side Hustle Show, to talk about the simple systems his family uses to take the chaos out of “What’s for dinner?”

Nick shares how turning an overwhelming open-ended question into a multiple-choice system has made weekly meals easier, faster, and way less stressful. From using a family favorites binder to embracing school lunch and even adding a garage freezer for back-up meals, this episode is packed with realistic ideas for busy families who just need dinner to feel less complicated.

If you’ve ever felt decision fatigue at 5PM, this one’s for you.

🔑 Key Takeaways

• Turn “What’s for dinner?” into a multiple-choice system
• Keep a running list of family favorite meals to reduce decision fatigue
• Kids don’t need endless variety — consistency can actually make life easier
• School lunch can be a time-saving tool and a learning opportunity
• A second freezer can be a game changer for bulk buying and leftovers
• Try a “live off the freezer” week to reset your food system and save time

💬 Quotes from Nick Loper

• “We tried to make dinner a multiple-choice question instead of an essay question.”
• “There’s comfort in the known quantity — especially for kids.”
• “What would it look like if it were easy?”

• “Sometimes the easy button is just letting the school handle lunch.”

📚 Resources Mentioned

• Side Hustle Nation – Nick Loper’s platform for earning extra income through side hustles.
• The Side Hustle Show Podcast – Nick’s podcast sharing real-life side hustle success stories and tips.
• ⁠Heron House Management⁠⁠ – Virtual house management for busy families: we handle your to-dos so you can focus on what matters most.

📝 Full transcript available on our website:
www.heronhousemanagement.com/podcast/episode-70

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💛 Sponsored by Heron House Management