Money Saving Tips: Grocery Edition
Trimming our grocery bill saves us a TON of money ever month.
Here’s ten ways we do it…
#1: Meal Plan
A meal plan = A shopping list = Less food waste (not to mention way less stress)
#2: We Only Buy What We NEED
Unless you’re entering a soup competition, why do you need five cans of chicken broth in your cupboard?!? Make a list and buy what’s on it. DONE.
BONUS: Less ‘stuff’ in your kitchen instantly makes meal prep WAAAAAY easier.
#3: Open to Produce Substitutes
We choose most of our fruits and veggies based on price/season – we normally put ‘3 fruit’ on our list and choose whatever’s fresh and inexpensive. For example, we love berries but in our area they are pricey (especially in the winter!) so they’re more of a treat item. When grapes are on sale…LOOKOUT.
#4: Choose Recipes Wisely
A few recipe resources I’ve found over the years that combine frugal and flavour:
Simplified Saver YouTube Videos: Abby has lots of $5 and $10 dinner recipes – AND she’s a great watch!
Debt Kickin’ Mom Cookbook: This digital cookbook is only $9 and easily pays for itself with the savings tips – recipes have a fun southwest flare.
Frugal Fit Mom YouTube Videos: She is FULL of life. And full of cheap meal ideas.
Good & Cheap Cookbook (it’s a FREE PDF!): I printed this off years ago and still reference regularly.
#5: Focus on BASIC Pantry Items
Trying new recipes can be fun. But when they require four types of flour, a sugar you can’t pronounce and pasta that you can only find at the specialty store, the price tag jumps. I stick to making meals using traditional pantry items.
#6: Shop your Pantry
ALWAYS shop your pantry first - and your fridge and freezer. That can of baked beans in your cupboard? Stop moving them around and eat ‘em up!
BONUS CHALLENGE: Try feeding your family for the week with only $30 + items you already have – you will be shocked at what you can create!
#7: Stick to ‘Real Food’
Individually packaged/processed items come at a price. At your local store try comparing the cost of 1 banana vs 1 individually packaged rise krispie square; or individually packaged oatmeal vs a large bag of rolled oats. Sometimes the convenience is totally worth it! But other times a small switch in routine can make a huge difference in your bottom line.
BONUS: less packaging makes a happier planet.
#8: Produce Boxes
Many local farms and community agencies offer monthly food boxes that are filled with fresh produce at a reduced price. We’ve taken advantage of many of them over the years. Here is our local community program (not just for low income residents!): https://cdcquinte.com/good-food-box/
Related: Some regions host free community gardens for those who don’t have a vegetable garden at home but want to plant their own produce. Full Disclosure: I have zero gardening ability…but my mom does this every year and loves it! Here’s our local program: https://www.belleville.ca/en/learn-and-play/community-gardens.aspx
#9: Coupons/Flyers/Sales/Points
I use this one carefully. Storing 5 cans of coffee for 6 months to save $1.50 is not worthwhile for us. But I DO consider sale items that we use often and provide significant savings – usually meat and cheese for us.
I haven’t jumped on the points train yet but if you use an app (that works in Canada!) I would LOVE to hear about it.
#10: Freeze It
All you need is a box of freezer bags + a sharpie.
Some of our freezer staples:
Chicken: I buy bone-in chicken, batch cook, shred and freeze in 1 Cup portions – use for soups, casseroles, dips, pastas and chili.
Bread Crumbs: Throw stale bread in the food processer then toss in a freezer bag.
Bananas: Remove the peels BEFORE putting in the freezer.
Chicken Stock: I make it in the crockpot and when I’m done I feel like I’m the next Pioneer Woman.
Cooked Rice/Pasta: 20 years later, still cooking way too much pasta on spaghetti night.
Freezer Meals: Casseroles, spaghetti sauce, chili, soup…we freeze it all
Honourable Mentions: Buy off-brand, stick to discount stores and use cash.
Our current grocery budget for our family of 4 is around $120/week. This doesn’t include diapers, paper products or toiletries.
But as always…DO WHAT WORKS FOR YOU! Everyone has different schedules, dietary needs, demands, skills and support. Go easy on yourself.
*NB*: If you’re serious about saving, decide on your reason for saving. A SPECIFIC reason. If you save $200/month where will that money go? Education fund? Pay-off your car loan? A week in the Bahamas? Having a goal will motivate you and push you when you want to give up and order pizza for the third night in a row.
You’re doing great, Mama. KEEP GOING.
Mary Ann K. xo
For more budgeting tips check out my blog post on How Simplifying Our Budget Changed Our Lives.
