🔎 Disclosure: WE DON’T SELL ANY COURSES. Money Vice is reader-supported. When you buy through our links, we may earn a commission at no extra cost to you. The ideas presented on this site are opinions and are presented for entertainment purposes only. We’re not licensed financial advisors. The information presented should not be construed as financial or legal advice. Always do your own due diligence.
1. Plan Meals Around Cheap Ingredients
Have you ever noticed how some meals feel like they’re designed to bankrupt you?
That $20 salmon with fancy sauce looks amazing, but your wallet is crying.
Here’s the trick: plan meals with cheap but solid ingredients like rice, beans, pasta, chicken thighs, and seasonal veggies.
Think of it as building your week like Lego pieces. You use what costs less and still get creative.
Plus, once you plan meals ahead, you stop running to the store five times a week.
👉 Here's How You'll Do It: Open Pinterest or a meal-planning app, search “cheap dinner ideas,” and make a simple 5-day plan using rice, beans, or pasta as your base.
2. Use A Budget For Your Groceries
Walking into a store without a budget is like going to South Beach with no sunscreen. You’ll regret it.
A budget gives you guardrails.
You know exactly how much you can spend and what you need to skip.
Apps like Rocket Money can help you keep track this.
It’s not about being stingy, LOL. It’s about not getting surprised at checkout.
👉 Here's How You'll Do It: Decide on your monthly spend (say $300) and use your phone’s calculator to tally items as you shop.
3. Buy Once A Month
Weekly grocery trips feel fun, but your bank account disagrees.
Every trip means more chances to grab “just one snack.”
Instead, buy the bulk of your stuff once a month and stick to it.
You’ll save on gas, time, and impulse buys.
Sure, you’ll still need milk and eggs weekly, but the big trip should be once.
👉 Here's How You'll Do It: Pick one Saturday, shop in bulk at Costco or Sam’s, and freeze extras so nothing spoils.
4. Write Down Only What You Need
Have you ever walked into the store for bread and come out with three bags of chips, a frozen pizza, and a random candle?
Yeah, same.
That’s why lists exist.
Writing down only what you need is like having a personal coach in your pocket, reminding you, “stick to the game plan.”
Impulse buys disappear when you’re focused.
👉 Here's How You'll Do It: Write your list in the Notes app and check items off as you go so you don’t “accidentally” add cookies.
5. Grab Bigger Packs To Pay Less
Smaller packs look cheaper… until you realize you’re paying more per ounce.
It’s like paying VIP entry prices for the kiddie pool.
The big packs usually give you way more for the money.
Just make sure you’ll actually eat it all before it goes bad.
👉 Here's How You'll Do It: Compare the unit price on the shelf tags and grab the larger size of rice, cereal, or pasta. It’s almost always the better deal.
6. Store Food Properly To Prevent Waste
Nothing hurts like tossing spoiled food.
It feels like you just threw dollar bills in the trash.
Storing food right means you actually use what you buy.
Simple hacks like freezing bread, using airtight containers, or keeping bananas away from apples can save you a ton.
The less you waste, the less you spend.
👉 Here's How You'll Do It: Grab a few cheap glass containers from Amazon and store leftovers airtight so they last all week.
7. Try Generic Instead Of Fancy Brands
Brand loyalty is expensive.
You’re paying extra for the logo on the box, not always better quality.
Most generics taste the same. Sometimes, even made in the same factories.
If you’re blindfolded, could you really tell the difference between Cheerios and “Toasty O’s”?
Exactly.
👉 Here's How You'll Do It: Next trip, swap just one brand-name item for the store brand. Cereal, pasta, or peanut butter. And compare taste.
8. Do Your Own Cutting And Chopping
Pre-cut fruit looks fancy, but you’re paying someone to use a knife.
That’s literally it.
A $6 pack of cut pineapple? The whole pineapple costs $2.
Yes, it takes a little effort, but you’re not so busy you can’t chop a pepper.
👉 Here's How You'll Do It: Buy whole fruits and veggies and spend 15 minutes on Sunday chopping them into containers for the week.
9. Limit Snacks And Processed Foods
Snacks are sneaky budget killers.
That $5 bag of chips looks harmless until you add up how many you’ve bought this month.
Processed foods also cost more and don’t fill you up as much.
Stick to whole foods. Your body and wallet will thank you.
👉 Here's How You'll Do It: Set a weekly snack budget (like $10) and grab popcorn kernels instead of pricey chip bags.
10. Buy Frozen Fruits And Veggies Instead
Frozen food isn’t the enemy.
In fact, frozen fruits and veggies are often fresher than the ones sitting out at the store.
They’re cheaper, last longer, and don’t go bad in three days.
Plus, they make smoothies taste just as good.
👉 Here's How You'll Do It: Stock up on frozen spinach, mixed berries, and broccoli. Perfect for smoothies, pasta, and stir-fries.
11. Avoid Shopping When You’re Hungry
You know that moment when you walk into the store starving?
Suddenly, everything looks like the best idea ever.
Hungry-you doesn’t care about budgets. Hungry-you want snacks, ice cream, and maybe sushi.
Solution? Eat first.
A full stomach makes smarter choices.
👉 Here's How You'll Do It: Have a quick sandwich or protein bar before you shop so you don’t buy half the store out of hunger.
📌 SAVE IT FOR LATER, BABY! 📌
And that’s it!
Never forget it, baby…
✌️ Your Rich Life Is Waiting For You!
😉 Dale!
