Why Meal Planning and Estate Planning Are Surprisingly Similar
(And What That Says About How You Protect Your Family)
Most people don’t think twice about meal planning—until they don’t do it.
A colleague recently shared a story that stuck with us. Her son had just moved into his first apartment at college and went grocery shopping on his own for the first time. After one trip to the store, he called her, shocked:
“Food is so expensive. I need a plan—this can’t be right.”
What he was really discovering wasn’t just the cost of groceries. He was learning an adult lesson about time, money, and intentional planning.
And here’s the surprising truth:
The same habits that make meal planning work are the exact habits that make estate planning work.
Scramble vs. Strategy: Two Ways Families Live
Imagine two families.
The “Wing-It” Family
They shop without a list. Dinners are decided at the last minute. By midweek, the fridge is full—but nothing actually makes a meal. Takeout happens more often than planned, stress runs high, and the budget quietly drifts off track.
The “Plan-Ahead” Family
They spend 15–20 minutes each week reviewing the calendar. Busy nights get simple meals. Family nights are protected. Groceries are intentional. There’s less waste, less stress, and more margin.
The difference isn’t income.
It’s planning mindset.
And this same divide shows up—much more painfully—when someone passes away.
What Meal Planning Reveals About Your Values
When you plan meals, you’re making value decisions—even if you don’t realize it:
Planning around schedules shows you value time together
Prepping ahead respects energy
Shopping with a list respects money
Family recipes and traditions reflect connection
These aren’t food decisions.
They’re life decisions.
And when families don’t plan—whether meals or estates—the result is always the same: scrambling, stress, and wasted resources.
The T.E.A.M. Resources Most Families Accidentally Burn
One of the most important concepts in modern estate planning is protecting your T.E.A.M. resources:
Time
Energy
Attention
Money
Money is renewable—you can make more of it.
Time, energy, and attention are not.
Meal Planning Protects T.E.A.M.
Fewer last-minute store runs (time)
Less decision fatigue (energy)
More presence at home (attention)
Less waste and takeout (money)
Estate Planning Does the Same—At a Critical Moment
Avoids months or years of probate delays (time)
Reduces conflict and confusion (energy)
Lets loved ones grieve instead of guessing (attention)
Prevents unnecessary court costs and mistakes (money)
Without a plan, your family pays the price—when they’re least able to afford it emotionally.
Why “Having Documents” Is Not the Same as Having a Plan
Many people assume estate planning means “printing documents and putting them in a binder.”
That’s like buying groceries without knowing what you’re cooking.
A real plan:
Accounts for real-life schedules and family dynamics
Names backups and contingencies
Keeps assets from getting lost
Gets reviewed and updated over time
Comes with guidance for the people left behind
That’s the difference between scrambling and strategy.
Practical Lessons from the Kitchen (That Apply to Your Legacy)
Here’s how smart meal planning mirrors smart estate planning:
1. Match the Plan to Real Life
Busy nights get simple meals.
Estate plans should fit your family—not a generic template.
2. Make a Master List
Families rotate meals they already love.
Estate plans should inventory assets so nothing disappears or ends up with the State of California.
3. Have Backup Options
Emergency meals save the week.
Backup trustees, guardians, and agents save families from chaos.
4. Review Regularly
What worked last year may not work now.
Estate plans should be reviewed at least every 3 years—or after major life changes.
The Greatest Gift You Can Leave Isn’t Money
When families don’t plan, they unintentionally teach their children that stress and scrambling are normal.
When families do plan the right way, they leave something far more valuable than assets:
Clarity
Protection
Peace of mind
Time to heal instead of fight
Estate planning, like meal planning, is an act of love.
It says:
“I cared enough to make this easier for you.”
Your Next Step
If you’ve ever felt the relief of knowing exactly what’s for dinner this week, imagine giving your loved ones that same peace—during one of the hardest moments of their lives.
That’s what thoughtful estate planning is really about.
This article is a service of DeCosimo 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. That's why we offer a Life & Legacy Planning Session, during which you will get more financially organized than you’ve ever been before and make all the best choices for the people you love. You can begin by calling our office today to schedule a Life & Legacy Planning Session.
This material was created for educational and informational purposes only and is not intended as ERISA, tax, legal, or investment advice. If you are seeking legal advice specific to your needs, such advice services must be obtained on your own, separate from this educational material.