🔎 Disclosure: Heads up, babe: some links here are affiliate links, which means you might throw a tiny commission my way if you buy (zero extra cost to you). Only things you’d actually use and love get shared on this site.
1. Plan Meals Around Cheap Ingredients
You’ll save a ton when your weekly meals revolve around budget-friendly foods.
Think beans, rice, eggs, and frozen veggies. Those heroes never disappoint.
Focus on versatile ingredients like rice, pasta, and potatoes that can stretch into multiple meals.
Pick one protein (like chicken or lentils) and use it across different dishes.
Build meals around sales instead of recipes that require pricey extras.
👉 Here's How You'll Do It: Write your meals for the week on paper, pick 2–3 cheap staples, and plan dinners around them.
Make It Easy: Consider a magnetic weekly meal planner board to stick on your fridge and keep your grocery list handy.
2. Use A Budget For Your Groceries
Ever wonder where your money vanishes after every store trip?
Spoiler: it’s probably in snacks, extras, and those “Oh, I might need this” buys.
Set a grocery limit based on your weekly income, not your cravings.
Use cash or prepaid cards to stop yourself from overspending.
Track spending weekly so you know if you’re staying on budget.
👉 Here's How You'll Do It: Decide how much you’ll spend this week, write it down, and only bring that much when you shop.
Make It Easy: Consider using a zippered cash envelope wallet to separate your grocery budget and avoid impulse swipes.
3. Buy Once A Month
The fewer times you shop, the fewer “extras” you grab. Simple math, right?
It’s wild how just skipping one weekly trip can save you serious cash.
Do one big haul at the start of the month for shelf-stable and frozen items.
Plan fresh produce runs just once or twice later on to refill essentials.
Avoid “quick trips”. They’re budget traps disguised as convenience.
👉 Here's How You'll Do It: Make one massive shopping list, stick to it, and schedule smaller refill trips only for milk or produce.
Make It Easy: Get a rolling grocery cart to make your monthly haul easier to manage without breaking your back.
4. Write Down Only What You Need
You know that thing where you go in for milk and come out $100 poorer?
Yeah, a grocery list fixes that little “mystery.”
Make a list before shopping. No list, no cart.
Group items by section (produce, frozen, pantry) so you move faster and skip distractions.
Stick to the list like your life depends on it. Because your wallet kinda does.
👉 Here's How You'll Do It: Grab a notebook or phone note, jot down exactly what you need, and keep your eyes glued to that list in-store.
Make It Easy: Try a small reusable shopping clipboard to hold your list and pen. It keeps you focused while you shop.
5. Grab Bigger Packs To Pay Less
Buying small feels convenient, but you’re literally paying for packaging.
Those family-size bags and bulk packs? They’re your new best friends.
Buy in bulk for things you use often, like rice, coffee, or detergent.
Compare the price per ounce on the shelf tag. It’s usually cheaper for larger packs.
Store extras smartly in airtight containers so nothing goes stale.
👉 Here's How You'll Do It: Choose the bigger pack of your most-used item next trip. It’ll last longer and cost less per use.
Make It Easy: Get a set of stackable airtight storage containers to keep bulk food fresh and organized in your pantry.
6. Store Food Properly To Prevent Waste
You work hard for your groceries. Don’t let them rot in silence.
Keeping your food fresh longer is basically like printing money in your fridge.
Use airtight containers to stop moisture from spoiling your food.
Label and date leftovers so nothing hides in the back until it’s “mystery night.”
Freeze portions of meat, soups, and bread before they go bad.
👉 Here's How You'll Do It: Store leftovers in clear containers and freeze extras before they spoil. Simple and effective.
Make It Easy: Grab a set of reusable glass storage containers to keep your food fresh and visible.
7. Try Generic Instead Of Fancy Brands
You’re not buying the label; you’re buying the food.
Most store brands taste identical. Your wallet will thank you later.
Compare ingredients on the label. They’re often word-for-word the same.
Start with basics like flour, sugar, or pasta, where taste doesn’t change.
Keep a few favorites if you truly can’t swap certain brands (looking at you, coffee lovers).
👉 Here's How You'll Do It: Replace two name-brand items with store-brand versions this week and see if you notice a difference.
8. Do Your Own Cutting And Chopping
Pre-cut veggies are basically convenience disguised as a money trap.
Spend 10 minutes chopping, and you’ll keep a few extra bucks in your pocket.
Buy whole produce like carrots, lettuce, and onions instead of pre-cut.
Chop in batches and store for the week to save time later.
Use freezer bags for extra portions to avoid spoilage.
👉 Here's How You'll Do It: Buy a bag of whole veggies and chop them all at once while watching your favorite show.
Make It Easy: Get a sharp chef’s knife and cutting board set to make chopping fast and fun.
9. Limit Snacks And Processed Foods
You know that “just one bag of chips” moment? Yeah, that’s $50 a month later.
Stick to real food. It’s cheaper, healthier, and actually fills you up.
Shop the perimeter where fresh foods live; skip the center aisles.
Plan snacks like popcorn, nuts, or yogurt instead of packaged stuff.
Buy ingredients, not products. A bag of potatoes beats a bag of chips any day.
👉 Here's How You'll Do It: Choose one snack item to skip this week and replace it with a homemade option.
Make It Easy: Get a set of portion snack containers to prep your own snacks at home.
10. Buy Frozen Fruits And Veggies Instead
Frozen isn’t “cheap”. It’s smart.
They last longer, cost less, and have the same nutrients as fresh produce.
Stock up on frozen staples like spinach, berries, and broccoli.
Use them in smoothies, soups, or stir-fries to avoid waste.
Skip fresh produce sales if you can’t use it all before it spoils.
👉 Here's How You'll Do It: Replace two of your weekly fresh veggie buys with frozen versions next trip.
Make It Easy: Consider a large freezer-safe storage basket to organize your frozen goods neatly.
11. Avoid Shopping When You’re Hungry
Shopping hungry is how you end up with five frozen pizzas and regret.
Eat before you shop. Your brain and budget will both thank you.
Grab a snack before heading out so cravings don’t control the cart.
Stick to your list and skip the “just one treat” temptation aisles.
Schedule grocery trips right after meals when you’re least likely to overspend.
👉 Here's How You'll Do It: Eat something light before shopping. It’s the easiest way to keep your wallet full.
Make It Easy: Keep a pack of protein bars in your bag for a quick pre-grocery snack.
Hey, I'm Lily! I'm a mom who's really good at two things: stretching a dollar and talking about stretching a dollar. I created Money Vice after one too many grocery trips where I watched my total climb and thought, "There's gotta be a better way." Spoiler: there is. Think of me as your money-savvy friend who's always got a tip (and coffee in hand).
