Hidden Gems: Meet Mandy Klentz of Plandy Mandy Meal Plans

Today we’d like to introduce you to Mandy Klentz

Hi Mandy, it’s an honor to have you on the platform. Thanks for taking the time to share your story with us – to start maybe you can share some of your backstory with our readers?
My name is Mandy and I’m the owner of Plandy Mandy Meal Plans. I write budget meal plans to help busy families save time and money on groceries. While my business launched in December of 2023, my systems have been something I’ve used with my own family for over a decade. I have a simple system for each meal of the day and it helps me grocery shop for about $5,000 less each year than the average American family (according to the USDA.) I share most of my recipes on my Instagram platform @plandy.mandy and in January 2024 a viral video made my account take off. I now have a platform with over half a million followers where I share budget recipes daily and info on my meal plans that will help my followers save time and money.

Alright, so let’s dig a little deeper into the story – has it been an easy path overall and if not, what were the challenges you’ve had to overcome?
Any business on social media takes thick skin because it’s an ever changing platform and sometimes it feels like you are doing all of the right things and not getting anywhere. The most difficult thing has been evolving as my platform grows bigger, because I’ve had to learn a lot of behind the scenes technology like automations to keep everything moving at a larger scale. It’s taught me to adapt and keep an open mind set to continually learning new skills.

We’ve been impressed with Plandy Mandy Meal Plans , but for folks who might not be as familiar, what can you share with them about what you do and what sets you apart from others?
My business offers pre made meal plans that families can utilize to make the daily tasks of feeding everyone a bit less stressful and a lot less expensive!

My meal plans include multiple systems that help families eat at home everyday without having to cook everyday. My “cook once, eat twice” system teaches families how to batch cook so that they can achieve a home cooked meal while only cooking three nights a week. My “Freezer Meal” system teaches families how to stock their freezer with pre assembled meals to create their own “convenience” foods.

Most importantly I build my meal plans to be as cost effective as possible. Inflation has driven up the cost of groceries to the point where 1 in every 8 families are struggling to afford groceries. I write budget friendly meals with large portions into my plans and I pre-build shopping carts to go with each weeks recipes. This helps save families time and money the easiest way possible.

I’m very proud of the community I’ve built with Plandy Mandy! As a parent myself I know how hard it can be to have to plan, cook, budget, etc. while also being a full time parent. The fact that I’m able to offer a product that takes stress and mental load off other parents is a wonderful feeling.

I’d love the families of Kansas City to know that all the meals I write into my plans come straight out of my own kitchen. They have graced my kitchen table for over a decade and my food, along with my plans are made with love. I started learning to cook on a budget as a stay at home mom to three little kids when my husband and I were struggling financially, so to see that blossom into a business that helps others is an incredible full circle feeling. I hope your family enjoys these recipes as much as mine has.

What matters most to you? Why?
My family always comes first. Since becoming a mother at a young age it’s been my very top priority to be present and serve my husband and children. The fact that I’ve been able to take that calling and turn it into a small business never ceases to amaze me. I hope someday my children grow up excited to come home for Mom’s mac n cheese recipe and we can talk around the table about all the different recipes I cooked up in the kitchen while also “cooking up” a business that allowed me to stay home and make memories with them.

Pricing:

• My meal plans range in price from $10.99-$12.99

Contact Info:

• Website: https://plandymandy.etsy.com
• Instagram: https://Instagram.com/plandy.mandy