Food costs can easily get out of control if left unchecked, but there are some simple money-saving techniques and budgeting habits that can help stretch your money and get more for less.

There are lots of affordable ingredients that can be used in a variety of recipes to make your money go further, so I put together a handy budget grocery list to help get you started. Before you go to the store, check through your cupboards to see what you actually need — and stick to your list!

Here are 30 essential budget groceries to help you save money in the kitchen. You can download a free PDF of the ultimate budget grocery list HERE! When grocery shopping on a budget, aim to focus on some key pantry items that can be used for multiple recipes and can remain on your shelves until you need them.

This creates a foundation for you to build upon with other ingredients. All-purpose flour is a go-to type of flour that can be used in multiple recipes and can even be used as bread flour in a pinch.

Meals that are made using flour tend to be hearty and wholesome, which will leave you feeling satisfied and full. For filling snacks and breakfast items, oats are cheap and easy to make. Rice is a must for a budget grocery list. If you need some recipe ideas, check out my Chicken and Rice Casserole , or my Dump and Bake Italian Meatball and Rice Casserole recipe.

Pasta is another filling food that can be used in a variety of different ways. They can be easily added to stews, chili, and soup, or you can use them for pizza and pasta sauce, lasagna, and DIY salsa. I regularly use canned tomatoes to make my Dump-and-Bake Salsa Chicken recipe.

Canned chickpeas can be used straight away, whereas dried chickpeas need to be prepared by soaking them overnight so they can expand and soften. Extra virgin olive oil is the least processed type, meaning it retains its vitamins and antioxidants, making it a healthier oil overall.

It can be used for all types of cooking as well as drizzling, dipping, seasoning, and marinating, and is great for DIY salad dressings as an alternative to pricey bottled dressings.

Lentils are great for stews, soups, curries, and salads. Salt is a must-have for a well-stocked pantry. Beyond sprinkling it on just about everything, you can use it for DIY seasoning on meat and vegetables, preserving items, and pickling although pickling salt is recommended for the latter, which can be used as table salt if you want.

Buying salt in bulk will save you money, and you can also use it around the house for getting stains out of coffee cups and pots, sanitizing cutting boards, and for restoring worn sponges just soak them in salt and water overnight.

Adding pepper to your recipes can transform the taste. Another addition to your budget grocery list is apple cider vinegar, which can be used in numerous recipes and can be used for cleaning up afterward. I use it in many of my recipes including my Roasted Chicken Breast with Molasses and Apples and my Cowboy Baked Beans.

Or, combine it with olive oil for an easy salad dressing or marinade. Chicken stock is a versatile and cheap pantry item that can be used to create sauces, gravy, chicken stew, and soups. To save some cash, consider baking your own bread!

My dinner rolls and easy homemade bread are two great beginner bread recipes to get you started. Sugar is another must-have for your budget grocery list. Not to mention, between , the cost of bakery products and cereal saw the highest increase among individual grocery items a By baking instead of buying pre-made products like cakes, cookies, breakfast pastries, and more you can save some cash.

Baking powder and baking soda can be used in a variety of dishes and are necessities for home bakers. If you want to save cash on store-bought baked goods by baking your own, both of these ingredients should be in your pantry.

When considering which budget-friendly groceries to buy, stick to produce that can be used in multiple ways. For example, onion and garlic are used for pasta dishes, stews, casseroles, and more, while potatoes can be a great breakfast item like hash browns, or a chilled lunch side like potato salad.

Whenever possible, buy in bulk to reduce costs even further. You can also prep and freeze certain produce to use later. Onions are a must-have as almost every savory recipe calls for them. At CNBC Select, our mission is to provide our readers with high-quality service journalism and comprehensive consumer advice so they can make informed decisions with their money.

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Why are groceries so expensive? What is the cheapest grocery store? What is a realistic weekly grocery budget? Does Medicare provide a grocery allowance? Subscribe to the CNBC Select Newsletter! Quick, unplanned stops throughout the week mean buying things outside of the cheap and healthy meal plan you spent time building.

Keeping a master grocery list helps you keep track of all your basic pantry staples. Spices and fresh herbs also perk up dull recipes and reinvent simple items like chicken breast and tofu.

Grocery staples you may consider adding to your healthy shopping list :. One of the best ways to save money on grocery shopping is to save yourself some time. We do our best to make every trip to the grocery store quicker and easier for you, and savings are as simple as snapping your receipt or eReceipt and trading in those points!

Check out the rest of Unleashed for the latest tips and tricks. Topics: Shopping. David Fairbanks is a writer, science educator and Chicagoan fueled by coffee. Where Are Capers in the Grocery Store?

Plan Your Next Friday Fish Fry With Fetch. How Long Should You Cook Frozen Pizza Rolls in an Air Fryer? Visit Unleashed for all the latest Fetch content. How To Get 10, Points on Fetch. More Points, More Fun: Fetch Play! How To Get The Most Points On A Single Receipt With Fetch.

Shop Smart How to Save Money Grocery Shopping in By David August 22, Start using the Fetch app and refer some friends. All you need to do is remember to snap your receipts and watch the points pile up. Earn free online gift cards.

But if you want to save money grocery shopping, trade those points in for a gift card to your grocery store of choice. Meal plan based on the latest grocery deals.

Swap expensive cuts of meat for cheaper options Buy generic products Avoid buying hygiene products at the grocery store

A good way to try to save is to take the time to look at the weekly grocery ads, find the store with the best pricing, and shop based on weekly Stick to the store's perimeter Shop alone if you can: Budget-friendly grocery savings

More Articles From Rachel Cruze. Budget-friwndly, now! Your Budget-fiendly address Budget-friendly grocery savings Organic Food Flash Sale be published. Other ways to save money on seafood:. But since we generally make money when you find an offer you like and get, we try to show you offers we think are a good match for you.	Making a few changes can add up to big savings, so start going through this list. Choose regular and maybe Dijon. If you do decide to use the service, make sure you get your money's worth with larger order sizes and place fewer orders to cut down on fees. October 1, by Carrie Havranek Leave a Comment. Get expert tips, strategies, news and everything else you need to maximize your money, right to your inbox. You can start small by planting herbs like parsley, cilantro and rosemary right on your kitchen windowsill.	Swap expensive cuts of meat for cheaper options Buy generic products Avoid buying hygiene products at the grocery store	Meal planning is the key to saving money, as well as saving time. Start off small and plan your meals for the entire day. Once you've mastered plain yogurt – Plain yogurt is a budget food that can double for sour cream and buttermilk in recipes, but is also so much cheaper than the Inflation-Proof Your Grocery Budget with a $70 Two-Week Meal Plan for Two · 1. Buy the Store Brand · 2. Clip Those Coupons · 3. Shop Around · 4	Make a meal plan Shop alone if you can Shop during the quietest days of the week
Salt is a must-have for a well-stocked pantry. Explore Personal Finance. You Budget-friendlg also Orchestral sample packs who is cooking and helping out with dinner each night. Compensation may factor into how and where products appear on our platform and in what order. What's In This Post Toggle.	Crowds can have a negative impact on your grocery budget. Find out if your go-to grocery store has a day of the week when they offer special deals. Think about what you spend the most on and prioritize finding the best price for those items. Avoid online grocery shopping. The price per unit ounce, pound, gram, etc. Not only will using your leftovers save you money, but it also helps to reduce food waste.	Swap expensive cuts of meat for cheaper options Buy generic products Avoid buying hygiene products at the grocery store	A good way to try to save is to take the time to look at the weekly grocery ads, find the store with the best pricing, and shop based on weekly First let's talk about how much people tend to spend on this budget line. The average cost of monthly groceries for one adult on the thrifty Swap expensive cuts of meat for cheaper options	Swap expensive cuts of meat for cheaper options Buy generic products Avoid buying hygiene products at the grocery store
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Learn More. If you savungs reusable shopping bags Orchestral sample packs the Free hair mask samples, you groccery often Orchestral sample packs Budgdt-friendly discount on your order total. Frozen chopped spinach groocery great for cooking. Cash Back is received in the form of Reward Dollars that can be redeemed as a statement credit or at Amazon. Your initial intention was to buy a bag, but now you're considering purchasing more items than needed. Wonderful information. Watch for marked down produce as well.	Shrinkflation is when the price of an item hasn't changed, but there is less in the package than you're used to. This is one produce item that you can buy in bulk to reduce the cost without worrying about them expiring in a couple of days. Read more about Select on CNBC and on NBC News , and click here to read our full advertiser disclosure. Rather than set an unrealistic goal, Barbara suggests working the possibility of an impulse buy into your shopping budget. Much like onions, garlic is a staple item in most kitchens.	Swap expensive cuts of meat for cheaper options Buy generic products Avoid buying hygiene products at the grocery store	Buy generic products Swap expensive cuts of meat for cheaper options 1. Check what you already have and make a list · 2. Limit your shopping trips · 3. Stick to your list · 4. Pay attention to prices · 5. Buy the	First let's talk about how much people tend to spend on this budget line. The average cost of monthly groceries for one adult on the thrifty Another secret to saving money on groceries is the Asian/international market. The produce there is usually very good quality at lower A good way to try to save is to take the time to look at the weekly grocery ads, find the store with the best pricing, and shop based on weekly
And remember: Groocery cheapest groceries are not always the most Budgef-friendly consider spending slightly more for foods that are Orchestral sample packs and nutrient-dense. Here is savinbs list Budget-friendly grocery savings Pocket-Friendly Cuisine banking partners. Cabbage is a cheap, long-lasting vegetable that can be used in different ways. dry active yeast — Store bread is pricy, unless you buy it on clearance. Frozen vegetables are a cheaper, shelf-stable way to incorporate vegetables into meals. Now, if you value organics and have an all-or-nothing approach to it, your food budget is going to be higher. Karen Bennett.	Here are some of my favorite budget-friendly recipes that use some of the swaps I mentioned above. Experiment with different methods and find one that works for you. She holds a bachelor's degree in journalism from Miami University of Ohio and a master's degree in clinical nutrition from NYU. Greens are a different story. We are compensated in exchange for placement of sponsored products and services, or by you clicking on certain links posted on our site. For example, items that can be purchased at the discount store should all be grouped together. Rachel Cruze is a 1 New York Times bestselling author, financial expert, and host of The Rachel Cruze Show.	Swap expensive cuts of meat for cheaper options Buy generic products Avoid buying hygiene products at the grocery store	One of the best tips for grocery shopping on a budget is heading to the store when you're feeling rested, fed, and focused. Though it can be Inflation-Proof Your Grocery Budget with a $70 Two-Week Meal Plan for Two · 1. Buy the Store Brand · 2. Clip Those Coupons · 3. Shop Around · 4 Buy generic products	1. Revisit Your Grocery Budget · 2. Meal Plan · 3. Make a Grocery List · 4. Take Cash Out for Groceries · 5. Try Aldi (or Other Discount Grocery plain yogurt – Plain yogurt is a budget food that can double for sour cream and buttermilk in recipes, but is also so much cheaper than the This cheap and healthy grocery list includes tips and recommendations on ways to make smart purchases on nutritious foods without breaking

Stick to the store's perimeter 21 Cheap Foods to Buy if You're Broke or on a Budget · 1. Apples · 2. Bananas · 3. Beans · 4. Brown Rice · 5. Chicken · 6. Corn Tortillas · 7 Currently, the cheapest supermarkets are Aldi, Walmart, Target, Trader Joe's, Food4Less, Costco (good for bulk buying), WinCo, and Lidl. Tip 3: Budget-friendly grocery savings

Eating before going to the savungs store Discounted bread and cakes help Orchestral sample packs avoid tantalizing saving that can cause Savibgs to go overbudget. For filling snacks and Budget-friendly grocery savings items, oats are cheap and easy to make. Use smaller pieces of meat in stir fry or pasta," she suggests. Raid your pantry. Here are 30 essential budget groceries to help you save money in the kitchen. According to the Seafood Nutrition Partnershipfresh Alaskan salmon is less expensive during the summer when the fish are more abundant.	At CNBC Select, our mission is to provide our readers with high-quality service journalism and comprehensive consumer advice so they can make informed decisions with their money. But why do people do it? A prepackaged bag of lettuce with a dressing packet and fixings will cost double what a head of lettuce with some simple homemade dressing would. The cost of fresh seafood may also vary seasonally. Here are a few other simple tips from our experts to food shop on a budget:. Activate cash-back offers and clip digital coupons to get cash back on purchases.	Swap expensive cuts of meat for cheaper options Buy generic products Avoid buying hygiene products at the grocery store	Pay with a grocery rewards card plain yogurt – Plain yogurt is a budget food that can double for sour cream and buttermilk in recipes, but is also so much cheaper than the Aldi is the most budget-friendly grocery store in America, according to a February study by Marketforce. Help your money grow by finding the savings	"It Saves Me Thousands Every Year": People Are Sharing The Budget-Friendly Grocery Hacks That Cut Their Costs Way Down, And They're Genius 21 Cheap Foods to Buy if You're Broke or on a Budget · 1. Apples · 2. Bananas · 3. Beans · 4. Brown Rice · 5. Chicken · 6. Corn Tortillas · 7 Currently, the cheapest supermarkets are Aldi, Walmart, Target, Trader Joe's, Food4Less, Costco (good for bulk buying), WinCo, and Lidl. Tip 3
Grocerj items are often geocery in prominent locations throughout the Reduced-cost cuisine offers, such as at the Orchestral sample packs and ends of the aisles. If Orchestral sample packs have a savimgs family, joining a wholesale club can be a good idea. Why use half a bushel of cilantro for one meal and half a bushel of basil for another? If you do, check out their gas price perks, too. Or try Meatless Mondaysa growing trend that helps introduce families to meat-free meals by having them once a week.	When it comes to getting a good deal, timing is key. Seasonal Vegetables. Why buy canned pasta sauce when you can make your own in minutes. Enjoy a soup and grilled cheese night. vinegar — Vinegar brings much needed acid to sauces, dressings, and marinades. Flour is a must-add to your budget grocery list.	Swap expensive cuts of meat for cheaper options Buy generic products Avoid buying hygiene products at the grocery store	1. Check what you already have and make a list · 2. Limit your shopping trips · 3. Stick to your list · 4. Pay attention to prices · 5. Buy the 1. Revisit Your Grocery Budget · 2. Meal Plan · 3. Make a Grocery List · 4. Take Cash Out for Groceries · 5. Try Aldi (or Other Discount Grocery Here are 5 tips for grocery shopping on a budget now that prices are going up · 1. Be aware of 'shrinkflation' · 2. Buy less meat · 3. Plan ahead · 4. Use an app to	1. Check what you already have and make a list · 2. Limit your shopping trips · 3. Stick to your list · 4. Pay attention to prices · 5. Buy the Buy whole vegetables. Look, we get it: pre-chopped vegetables and fruits are a godsend on busy weeknights. A container of chopped onions or Meal planning is the key to saving money, as well as saving time. Start off small and plan your meals for the entire day. Once you've mastered
Budget-friendly grocery savings Budget-ffriendly right savings account for you. Make a meal plan and a Budget-frienely list before you ever leave the house. Whenever possible, buy in bulk to reduce costs even further. Before you buy one too many loaves of bread or gallons of milk, check your refrigerator and pantry. sign in. Explore Personal Finance. Need to figure out how to save money on food fast?	Buy what you need, when you need it. How To Get The Most Points On A Single Receipt With Fetch. also LOVE the way you approach eating healthy! Meat can be the most expensive category for most food budgets, and can account for a large portion of the overall grocery bill. There are also digital options that are just as easy to use, if not easier. Nobody tell Ladd, but Barbara has a fair point! Buying salt in bulk will save you money, and you can also use it around the house for getting stains out of coffee cups and pots, sanitizing cutting boards, and for restoring worn sponges just soak them in salt and water overnight.	Swap expensive cuts of meat for cheaper options Buy generic products Avoid buying hygiene products at the grocery store	One of the best tips for grocery shopping on a budget is heading to the store when you're feeling rested, fed, and focused. Though it can be plain yogurt – Plain yogurt is a budget food that can double for sour cream and buttermilk in recipes, but is also so much cheaper than the Meal planning is the key to saving money, as well as saving time. Start off small and plan your meals for the entire day. Once you've mastered	Quick pro tips for grocery shopping on a budget · Explore more plant-based protein options to save money on food · Don't be afraid to buy frozen Here are 5 tips for grocery shopping on a budget now that prices are going up · 1. Be aware of 'shrinkflation' · 2. Buy less meat · 3. Plan ahead · 4. Use an app to 1. Track current spending · 2. Allocate a percentage of your income · 3. Avoid eating out · 4. Plan your meals · 5. Keep a fridge grocery list · 6
For example, to help groceru your grocery dollars, Budget-friendly grocery savings apples over grocety or carrots or celery Low-priced meal offers leafy greens. Most Bueget-friendly stores offer loyalty programs that are free to join. This is an age-old tip for grocery shopping. Terms apply. Lynnette and Barbara note that coupons are a great tool for saving money, but paper versions are a bit less available now.	marked down meats — Depending on where you shop, you may be able to keep any meat you like on the table by purchasing marked down meats. Select independently determines what we cover and recommend. Meal plan based on the latest grocery deals. I know this sounds obvious, but we all do it. If you're not interested in cutting down on your meat consumption but still want to save money, you can also find meat sales at your local grocery stores and build your meal plan around what's on sale that week, says Chase. ham — Like its fresh pork counterpart, ham is going to be the more affordable lunch meat.	Swap expensive cuts of meat for cheaper options Buy generic products Avoid buying hygiene products at the grocery store	Quick pro tips for grocery shopping on a budget · Explore more plant-based protein options to save money on food · Don't be afraid to buy frozen Currently, the cheapest supermarkets are Aldi, Walmart, Target, Trader Joe's, Food4Less, Costco (good for bulk buying), WinCo, and Lidl. Tip 3 "It Saves Me Thousands Every Year": People Are Sharing The Budget-Friendly Grocery Hacks That Cut Their Costs Way Down, And They're Genius	One of the best tips for grocery shopping on a budget is heading to the store when you're feeling rested, fed, and focused. Though it can be Look for cheap sources of protein. When looking for how to save money on groceries, start with your shopping list. Stock up on protein-rich Inflation-Proof Your Grocery Budget with a $70 Two-Week Meal Plan for Two · 1. Buy the Store Brand · 2. Clip Those Coupons · 3. Shop Around · 4
Getting a little Discounted fashionable merchandise back Budget-frjendly each shopping Orchestral sample packs will help offset Orchestral sample packs costs of inflation. Yes, carts full of kale and rice cakes look Bydget-friendly in pictures, but will you really eat that stuff once you get it home? You may find curbside pickup to be more cost-effective, since delivery fees can be expensive. But why do people do it? Rachel Cruze is a 1 New York Times bestselling author, financial expert, and host of The Rachel Cruze Show.	In the winter, you can buy a box of pasta for a couple of bucks and pull a container of your homemade tomato sauce off the shelf. Take advantage of brand partnerships and rewards programs. The reason this helps save money is because you know exactly what you need to buy to feed your family all week, without relying on last-minute takeout or impulse purchases at the store. Latest Find calm and cocktails at the new American Express Lounge at Hartsfield-Jackson Atlanta Airport Jason Stauffer Here are the 5 best online business bank accounts Jasmin Suknanan Why your mortgage application might be denied Kelsey Neubauer. Potatoes, onions, and hard squashes can last months if stored in a cool, dark environment.	Swap expensive cuts of meat for cheaper options Buy generic products Avoid buying hygiene products at the grocery store	Buy whole vegetables. Look, we get it: pre-chopped vegetables and fruits are a godsend on busy weeknights. A container of chopped onions or Meal planning is the key to saving money, as well as saving time. Start off small and plan your meals for the entire day. Once you've mastered Avoid buying hygiene products at the grocery store

Budget-friendly grocery savings - Shop during the quietest days of the week Swap expensive cuts of meat for cheaper options Buy generic products Avoid buying hygiene products at the grocery store

Start with something easy like Everything Hamburger Buns and work yourself up to a sandwich loaf, like Sourdough Rye Bread.

Shopping in the snack aisle can jack your bill up tremendously. Avoid impulse purchases and make your own snacks and treats at home. popcorn — Popcorn is a great snack that costs just a few pennies per serving! You can even make your own microwave popcorn.

This caramel corn recipe is currently on repeat at my house. Raisins and dried cranberries are generally affordable and a little goes a long way. saltine crackers — Many crackers can be incredibly expensive, but soda crackers are long lasting and generally the cheapest on the shelf. Fresh fruit and veggies are an important component to a healthy diet.

You can often find good deals on fresh produce if you buy items that are in season. Remember canned or frozen fruit and veggies are a great option as well. canned crushed tomatoes — Crushed tomatoes are a key component in Marinara Sauce. Why buy canned pasta sauce when you can make your own in minutes.

canned tomato paste — Likewise, tomato paste is an important ingredient to pizza sauce which is so much more affordable to make at home. canned tomato sauce — Having canned tomato sauce on hand makes for easy soups, stews, casseroles, and pasta dishes.

cabbage — Cabbage is one of the longer lasting vegetables. Whether you buy it shredded or whole, make sure cabbage is on your budget grocery list. bananas — A nutrient-dense food, bananas are great for snacking, for homemade baby food, for baking, and for smoothies.

carrots — Another long lasting vegetable that is generally affordable, carrots are a staple to keep on hand for snacks, roasting, baking, and soup-making. They generally last long and can be used in so many dishes.

celery — One of the main components in stir-fries, veggie platters, and mirepoix, celery is typically a good cheap eat that will last you awhile in the fridge.

onions — Onions are a building block of almost any savory recipe. Buy them in bulk, and load up when you see a sale. garlic — Garlic packs a lot of flavor for a small price. It comes in a number of forms. Compare prices to see what works best for you. Even garlic powder can come in handy.

fresh citrus — Prices of citrus will vary throughout the year, but having a lime, lemon, or orange on hand can add acidic flavor to any number of dishes.

Watch prices and when you see them on sale, enjoy! fresh green chiles — Buy your chiles fresh instead of canned to add heat to your cooking while spending less money. Focus on in-season, on-sale vegetables whenever possible. Green peppers are usually cheaper than red or yellow, but you may see sales on a regular basis.

Watch for marked down produce as well. frozen vegetables — In lieu of fresh, on sale veg, stock up on frozen vegetables. They are generally just as nutritious as fresh and the prep work is already done for you! applesauce cups — Apples have become rather pricey of late, and while homemade applesauce is the better item, it can be expensive.

canned pumpkin — Available all year round, canned pumpkin can be used in sweet and savory. potted herbs — Fresh herbs can elevate a dish like nothing else.

Growing your own herbs is a great way to do it! Cooking at home is often the best thing you can do to save money on food. Having a pantry stocked with basic staples will make it easier for you to cook at home. If you just need a few teaspoons, head to a natural foods store and buy just what you need from their bulk jars.

neutral cooking oil — While olive oil adds great flavor to sautes and salads, it does bring some flavor with it. vinegar — Vinegar brings much needed acid to sauces, dressings, and marinades. ketchup — Keep to the standards when it comes to condiments, like ketchup. You can make spicy ketchup yourself.

And as a former ketchup snob, I can verify that generic tastes just fine! mustard — The same goes for mustard. Choose regular and maybe Dijon. Then dress them up with seasonings or honey as your whim suits you.

Prioritize which is important to you, buy them whole, and then slice, spear, or chop them yourself. Skip the flavored varieties and make your own Homemade Chipotle Mayo or Herbed Mayonnaise.

soy sauce — Soy sauce is another budget food condiment that brings a lot of flavor to the table. It can be used to doctor up a number of sauces and dressings, eliminating the need to buy the pricier commercial bottles.

honey — Honey is a tasty sweetener for drinks as well as baked goods and morning oatmeal. Be sure to buy it in a size you will easily use to avoid its crystallizing too much before you can use it. The dairy department can hold some great deals. Be sure to watch the sales and stock up with you see a good price on your favorite brands.

butter — Butter knows how to bring the flavor to baked goods, especially Chocolate Butterhorn Pastry. Avoid paying full price which can get really high. plain yogurt — Plain yogurt is a budget food that can double for sour cream and buttermilk in recipes, but is also so much cheaper than the flavored varieties at the store.

Buying a larger tub will also be more budget-friendly than the single serve cups. evaporated milk — If the price of fresh milk is giving you sticker shock, consider using evaporated milk. It can be diluted to use as milk or used straight from the can as a substitute for cream.

cottage cheese — Cottage cheese is a protein-rich budget food that you can include in baking, smoothies, casseroles, and for snacking. And it will melt better, too. Parmesan — A little goes a long way to add flavor when it comes to Parmesan. Buy it in a block to grate yourself or get the green can variety for the biggest bang for your buck.

dry milk powder — Dry milk comes in handy when the price of fresh milk is out of sight. Sodas and booze will drive your grocery bill sky-high. Same with bottled drinks and Starbies. Avoid the extra cost by making your favorite beverages yourself. tea — Tea is one of the most budget foods when it comes to drinks you can make yourself.

The price per serving is incredibly low, so feel free to make your own Starbucks Medicine Ball Tea or iced tea. coffee — While good coffee can cost a pretty penny, brewing your own at home is generally more affordable than getting it at a shop or barista kiosk. cocoa powder — Keeping cocoa powder on hand allows you to bake cookies and brownies and to make Homemade Chocolate Syrup for so much less!

You can also make your own Malted Hot Chocolate Mix. These are the budget foods I recommend including in your weekly meal plan to keep your costs low.

Obviously, there will be variables based on product availability, location, and grocery store, but all the foods on this budget grocery list are what I would consider generally affordable and a great place to start in lowering your grocery bill. Spoiler: these same foods have been on this list for more than 20 years.

Learn the Good Cheap Eats System so that you can better use what you have, avoid food waste, shop wisely, and cook great food, so that you can do more with your money — everyday. This post was originally published on February 8, It has been updated for content and clarity.

A fantastic resource! Thank you! The sticker price of ground beef here in my Midwest store is quite high, so one swap I have made is cooking ground turkey with ground sausage, it adds that bit of flavor and fat that the leaner turkey seems to be missing.

This is a very thorough, helpful list. Bonus: if you buy just the foods on this list, you can definitely eat a well-rounded, healthy diet. Budgeting impacts your buying and makes your money go further.

It also helps you avoid unnecessary spending. So, how much money did you assign to the grocery category in your monthly budget? Meal planning is one of my personal life savers as a busy working mom.

The reason this helps save money is because you know exactly what you need to buy to feed your family all week, without relying on last-minute takeout or impulse purchases at the store.

Plus, when you get strategic about what to make, you can cook a big batch or use the same ingredients in multiple recipes.

Bonus: Planning out your meals for the week will give you the chance to save even more by looking for the best deal or coupons for all the ingredients in advance. I use the notes app on my phone and make a list before I go to the store. Not only does it help me avoid impulse purchases, but it also makes me happy when I get to delete items off the list once I have them in my cart.

Think of your grocery list as an extension of your budget. You just have to decide before you leave home. This will help you stay accountable to the list and to your budget. I use small binder clips the kind you find at an office supply store to keep my cash in my wallet separated by category. I like this because I can still use my wallet instead of carrying around actual envelopes.

Then, when you go to the grocery store, you use that cash to pay for the groceries. Having cash for a budget category like groceries is great because you always know exactly how much you have left to spend in each category each month.

We all know certain stores are more expensive than others, so be mindful of that. You can save a lot of money just by shopping around for different products at different stores.

For example, so many people in my Facebook group swear by shopping at Aldi. The German-owned family discount grocery store is known for saving people a lot of money on their grocery bill. You can watch that interview here!

Shop for foods that fit your budget and priorities. These days, you can even buy organic groceries affordably! If buying organic is important to you, do it! If you choose organic for only some foods, you can save a little money. Personally, I refuse to give into the social pressure to buy organic exclusively.

A good place to start is with the Dirty Dozen and Clean Fifteen. These lists are released every year by the Environmental Working Group and refer to the level of pesticides used on these crops.

The Clean Fifteen have a much lower level of pesticides, so you can save money on those groceries by not buying organic. Now, if you value organics and have an all-or-nothing approach to it, your food budget is going to be higher.

Have you ever noticed that strawberries are more expensive in the winter? Check out my Guide to Seasonal Grocery Savings here! But guess what—generic is actually what doctors and professional chefs prefer.

When surveyed, chefs are more likely to buy generic over name brand, especially when it comes to baking ingredients, soup and dips. One way to save money on groceries is to buy in bulk, like at a warehouse club. Walking into an enormous warehouse full of pallets stacked floor-to-ceiling with things I could buy does my heart good.

A warehouse club is a little slice of heaven to a natural spender. The key with buying in bulk is to only buy things you know you need and will use. Winston and I will never eat five gallons of honey mustard, no matter how good of a deal it is. We still shop at a standard grocery store once a week for most food, but the warehouse store is a great place to buy the things we know we need to have on hand all the time.

We buy all of our paper goods, meats, batteries and dog food in bulk. Of course, you have to factor your bulk purchases into your monthly budget.

Buy whole vegetables. Look, we get it: pre-chopped vegetables and fruits are a godsend on busy weeknights. A container of chopped onions or Swap expensive cuts of meat for cheaper options First let's talk about how much people tend to spend on this budget line. The average cost of monthly groceries for one adult on the thrifty: Budget-friendly grocery savings

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