Want to save up to 50% on your food bill? I've got tricks, tips, and hacks for grocery shopping on a budget. Get my insider knowledge of the grocery store and food storage tips to save some serious money!
Who LOVES throwing all of their money away at the grocery store? You don't?! Whew, good! I'm sharing some of my best hacks with you today if you're grocery shopping on a budget! Which… you totally should be. Check out how to set up your grocery budget here! Come learn how to spot the best prices and the cheapest products. You'll be feeling like the money-saving champion that you are at the end of it!
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I get so many questions about how I grocery shop, how I build a stockpile in my freezer, fridge, and pantry on a budget, and how to feed my family of 10 healthy meals, while on a tight grocery budget. Have no fear, Freebs, today's video covers it all! We're talking about grocery shopping on a budget.
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Are you ready? Click to watch below or keep on scrolling to learn these awesome tips for grocery shopping! Don't forget to subscribe to our YouTube Channel for new videos every Thursday!
Watch the video online HERE, or click and watch below:
Isn't that fun?! But wait! There's more! I have even MORE grocery shopping tips and hacks below! Go ahead and watch. Then let's get to the nitty and the gritty of how you can save up to 50% on your grocery bill!
Alright, you made it! Are you ready to read on for a recap for some great grocery shopping hacks on a budget? Let's go!
Want a super top-secret money EARNING trick for the grocery store that I didn't add in the video? I'm glad you said yes! Use Fetch and earn money by purchasing the items you were going to purchase anyway. You'll be surprised at how fast the money will pile up! It's as easy as downloading the app! Plus, if you use my code FUNCHEAPFREE (no OR), you get 4,000 bonus points when you scan your first receipt!
HOW TO START GROCERY SHOPPING ON A BUDGET
Here are the most important points you need to remember when you start grocery shopping on a budget!
- BUY EXTRA! When something is a good price, I like to say, “Buy 3…one for me, 2 to freeze” (or store). That way the next time you need it, you don't have to run out and pay full-price!
- Only go to the grocery store ONE TIME per week… NO MATTER WHAT. If you go to the store for one item, it will cost you at least $50 in impulse buys. Stay out of the store! Keep your own “store” at home, so you can grab what you need quickly, eliminating expensive impulse trips to the store.
- Use what you ALREADY have to make a full meal. Often times you only need one or two fresh elements to make a complete dish. Everything else can from from your freezer, pantry, or spice drawer. Plan your meals based on what you ALREADY have and need to use, not the other way around. If you are buying 100% of the ingredients for every meal, you might as well just eat out because you are spending through the NOSE to cook.
- Meal plan, meal plan, meal plan! Waiting until 4:30 to figure out dinner will result in pizza or takeout. Or loads of frustration and fist-shaking. No one likes a shaken fist. Get my best meal planning tips HERE.
GROCERY SHOPPING HACKS
These tips and tricks will help you to save a lot of money when you're grocery shopping on a budget. You can thank me later when your pantry and fridge are full without breaking the bank! Alright, let's hit the store!
HOW TO SPOT A GOOD DEAL
Sometimes the name brand goes on sale. So is it a better deal than the store brand, or is it still more expensive? There's a trick to always know how to find the best deals when you're grocery shopping — look at the price tag. Pretty much every grocery store will tell you what the price is for that item, but it'll also show you the price per unit or ounce.
The most important thing to do is to check that price per unit and compare it between all of the brands. This will let you know if it really is the best value!
GENERIC BRAND VERSUS NAME BRAND
Name brand foods are often marked up to twice as much as the store brand (or off-brand, generic, whatever you call it). People assume that the price is higher because it's better quality, but that's not always the case! The price is higher because you're paying for product testing, commercials, advertising… That's a lot of extra overhead that they have to cover.
Did you know that most of the time, store brand food is made in the EXACT SAME factory as the name brand? It just gets a different packaging. This is NOT something that I'm making up! I've been on Rachael Ray four times, and each time she has verified that this is true.
Buying the store brand is a GREAT way to save money when you're grocery shopping. Don't worry about the label, worry about the product inside of it. You'll save at least half of what you would pay for most items — true story! You're welcome 😉
BUY IN BULK
Most of the time, buying the larger package may cost a little bit more upfront, but will save you money in the long run. The price per unit is usually much less in the larger package versus the smaller package. Even if you won't use it all right now, you can package it in smaller amounts and freeze it to help it last longer.
With that being said, make sure that you always check the price tag. Sometimes, biggest is not always cheapest. So just double check the tag for the price per ounce before buying in bulk!
If you do like to buy in bulk, you may want to check out my Costco tips!
GROCERY SHOPPING AT EYE LEVEL IS A NO-NO
My next grocery shopping tip is to not shop at eye level. Because guess what? Companies pay a lot of money for their brands to be at eye level. I'll let you in on a little secret — the cheaper stuff is at the bottom. If you go down a couple of racks, you are going to save so much money!
LOOK AT THE DATES WHEN GROCERY SHOPPING
Usually the oldest product will be at the front of the shelf. If you reach to the back of the shelf, you may find a date that is up to a week fresher. Grab the freshest product that you can! It'll last way longer and will help you to not be wasteful and not have to throw food out that goes bad before you can finish it.
CHOP, DIVIDE, AND PACKAGE THINGS YOURSELF
When grocery shopping, it's really tempting to go to the section of the store that has all of the chopped and pre-packed fruits and veggies. The work has been done for you — those fruits and veggies are just sitting there, waiting for you to buy them without having to lift a finger to prepare them. But don't fall for it! You are going to pay AT LEAST double for those prepackaged foods!
Oh and here's a PSA for ya, when things are pre-chopped, they get chemicals put on them to keep them from going brown and mushy and gross. I don't know about you, but the last thing that I need is to put more chemicals in my body! So say no to the pre-chopped and buy it whole. Buy it, chop it, and package it yourself. Not only will you save money, but you'll stay away from the chemicals, too!
SMART FOOD STORAGE TIPS TO PREVENT WASTE
- Cheese – You guys, cheese freezes beautifully, and it's just too expensive to just throw out. And it's so easy, especially if your cheese is individually-wrapped, like string cheese. You can freeze an entire brick of cheese, but it's probably something you should shred first since it can become crumbly once thawed.
- Milk – Don't store milk in the door of your refrigerator! It's one of the warmest spots! Always store your dairy on the shelf or toward the back of your fridge where it tends to be coldest.
- Bananas – Separate your bananas from the bunch and place them in a basket individually when you get them home to prevent bruises and smashing. This also helps when kids damage fruit trying to remove one banana from the bunch.
- Cottage Cheese and Sour Cream – Tired of your dairy going bad after just one use? Flip the containers upside down in the fridge to create an airtight seal at the bottom, which helps keep the product fresh and prevents mold.
- Butter – You can freeze butter and then take out a stick at a time as you need it. It freezes perfectly!
- Vegetables – Moisture is the enemy of fresh fruits and veggies! Take produce out of the plastic bag. Then line your produce drawer with paper towels. Adding paper towels helps keep your vegetables fresher longer.
- Avocados – Keep avocados separate from your other fruits and veggies! Avocados produce ethylene gas, which can make other fruits and vegetables ripen faster.
- Brown Sugar– Stick a piece of bread in clumpy, hard brown sugar. After a day or two, it makes the brown sugar soft, powdery, and beautiful again.
- Cookies – The same bread trick works for cookies that have gone hard and crumbly! You can even use the heel of the bread! Get a much of the air out of the bag as you can, seal it, and voila! In a day or so, you'll have soft, wonderful cookies that taste like new!
- Berries & Fruit: Don't wash them until you're ready to use them. Even then, only wash what you plan to use. Have some damaged fruit? Cut off the step and damage, freeze the fruit, and use it in smoothies!
- Lettuce – Have a clamshell or a bag with chopped or separated lettuce? Throw a paper towel in the container or bag to absorb moisture. Then store the container or bag upside down.
Pro Tip: Write the date you buy your items directly on a food's package with a Sharpie so you're always rotating out the oldest items first. This is especially helpful when the “Use By” date isn't immediately apparent.
GROCERY SHOPPING AND SALES
A big part of grocery shopping on a budget is understanding sales. Are you one of the crazies like me that runs to an item when you see that glorious sale sticker that lets you know that something is at a discounted rate? I've got a few tips on how to grocery shop the sales stickers so that you know when to buy and when to pass.
STOCK UP WHEN ITEMS ARE ON SALE
When you find a sale item that is a REALLY good deal, stock up on it! This is one of our most important notes. If it's something that will keep in the pantry, or you can freeze and it won't go bad before you use it, then buy as many as the budget will allow.
My “formula” is to buy at least three — one for now and two for later. That way, you're saving money and slowly building a stockpile. This keeps you from running to the store the next time that you need this item and paying full price. You've got your own little stockpile and you can focus on shelf cooking!
What is shelf cooking, you ask? Read more about it on my sister site dedicated to everything shelf cooking! It's a thing, it's in the Urban Dictionary, and it's something that everybody should be doing, so get on it!!
DON'T BE TRICKED BY GROCERY SALES STICKERS
Now, I know that I just told you to stock up when you see a sale, but don't be tricked by a sales sticker. Just because something says that it's on sale doesn't mean that it's necessarily a GREAT deal worth impulse buying and blowing your budget.
Don't be led to buy an item, whether you need it or not, just because you're excited about the sale! If you're only saving 20 cents, then it probably isn't worth buying it unless you were already planning on it. Do the math to make sure that it's worth it!
LOOK FOR SALES STICKERS IN THE MEAT SECTION
Another great tip when you're grocery shopping on a budget — keep an eye out for the sales stickers in the meat section. I promise that they're not trying to sell you rotten meat! They don't want you to sue them, so they're not going to sell you something that has gone bad.
These sale stickers just mean that it's getting close to their “sell by” date and they want to move that product off of their shelves. Buy what your budget will allow and take it home. Then you can either plan a meal around it before it goes bad or you can freeze it with a vacuum sealer, or in freezer bags, for later.
ONLY GO TO THE STORE ONCE PER WEEK
I'm telling you. This tip alone will change your life. One thing I ask people is, “How much does a gallon of milk cost?” Because every time you walk in for a gallon of milk, you walk out with a cart filled with things. Walking into the store is going to cost you way more than it should.
Set aside one day per week to plan out your meals (for me, that's Sunday), then pick one day per week to pick up your groceries or have them delivered (for me, that's Monday). If I run out of something, I get creative (remember Shelf Cooking?). Use substitutes, do something different, and get creative with those foods and leftovers!
FOCUS ON HOW MUCH YOU'RE SPENDING ON GROCERIES IN GENERAL
Most people are overspending on their groceries. One of my best money-saving tips is to set a grocery budget per week (not per month). I recommend $100 per person per month (with a minimum of $300). For a family of five, $500 a month is a lot to manage. So break it down to $125 per week. This will help pace you throughout the month and will help you stay on a budget a lot easier than a big number once per month will.
GROCERY SHOPPING PRICE NOTEBOOK
How do you know if something is a good price if it doesn't have a big sale sticker on it? Sometimes it's really tricky to keep all of the “good prices” straight in your head. I mean, we've got more to worry about than the price of chicken, right?
My best tip for this is to keep a price notebook. It can literally be a little notebook that you carry around with you while you're grocery shopping at the store, or you can keep the notes in your phone (hello, technology!).
Whatever it is that you use, put down the prices for your typical grocery items that you buy. This lets you know what your basepoint is for each item. Then when you're at the store and you see something that's below that amount, you know that it's a good deal and that you could probably stock up on it. The more you do this, the more you'll learn about your prices and you'll be able to snag all of the good deals!
STORE LEFTOVERS SO THEY ACTUALLY GET USED
A lot of food goes bad before it even gets the chance to be used. Why? Because we tend to stick those containers in the fridge all over the place. Then they eventually get lost and pushed to the back.
I recommend setting aside a shelf in your fridge that's strictly for leftovers. By keeping the leftovers together, you can pull out the items from that shelf for leftovers night or for lunch, and go at those foods until they're gone. You can even visit our “ways to use leftovers” section of our Shelf Cooking site for some really clever ideas!
LEARN WHAT FREEZER MEALS YOU CAN MAKE
Alright, this is it. This is the big kahuna. This is the big mother lode grocery shopping hack of all hacks. Head to the freezer section, not to buy anything, but to LEARN what you can make and freeze at home! You will pay two to three times more for the pre-made frozen meals at the store than what you would spend making it at home.
Start off by finding an item in the freezer section. Take note of what ingredients they use to make that food, buy those ingredients at the store, and take them home to make that food yourself for a fraction of the price.
This is literally how I know what I can make and freeze at home! If it's frozen at the store, then you can freeze it at home. Don't buy it, make it yourself. It's more affordable, will probably be healthier, and now you've got a freezer stocked with homemade food! Huge win for families everywhere!
GET HELP WITH YOUR GROCERY SHOPPING
If you don't have time to go grocery shopping, but still need groceries, try out one of these awesome services that might just help you to prevent impulse buys! Plus, another benefit? You see your grocery total as you go which makes what you put in your cart very intentional.
You can easily order your groceries online from Walmart and have their personal shoppers gather them and load them up in your car. Or for a delivery fee, a personal Instacart shopper will do your grocery shopping for you and deliver your groceries right to your doorstep. Want to EARN MONEY being an Instacart Shopper? Sign up to do that here.
Also, I love Fetch Rewards! Whenever I go grocery shopping, whether it's physical receips that I get from going to the store or e-receipts that I get from ordering groceries online for delivery, you upload or scan that receipt into the app and it automatically gives you rewards. I love the Amazon gift cards, but there are also gift cards for shoes, entertainment, and more! If you download the app using my code FUNCHEAPFREE (no OR), you get 2,000 bonus points when you scan your first receipt!
So there you have it! Those are some of my tips and hacks for grocery shopping on a budget. Do you have any? I'd love to hear about them in the comments!
I also just had to include one of my best grocery haul videos from 2017! I'm not going to blab long, because the video definitely speaks for itself. So without further adieu…
Ta da!
What do you think? Doesn't seem too tough, right? With a little creativity, and a lot of trial and error with freezing things, you can master the art of Shelf Cooking and save at least HALF on your grocery bill each month.
Have you checked out ShelfCooking.com yet? Our brand new site is dedicated to helping you cook delicious, homemade, down-home-cooked meals for your family without spending too much time in the kitchen!
Basically every parent's dream, right? Join our Shelf Cooking Community today!
If you need more help with your budget, don't forget about my Secret Sauce online budgeting program, Budget Boot Camp! It's a super fun video program that makes money easy to understand. All you need is a screen and you're set!
And don't forget, if you don't save AT LEAST what you paid for the program, I'll refund every dime. You've got nothing to lose! Use the code FCFBLOG to get an extra 10% off, because I love you 😉
Do you need more food and grocery ideas?
- Learn how to store groceries and other food hacks!
- Check out even more tips on how I grocery shop HERE.
- You can cut down on your grocery bill and waste by inventorying your freezer, fridge and pantry before going to the grocery store.
Peace out, Freebs!
Awesome post as usual, thanks Jordan! Love watching your videos and reading your blog. Very helpful advice. Plus you are super funny and have a beautiful family. Thanks again from Canada!
Many people don’t realize that their grocery bill consists of MORE than just the groceries.Gas,car expenses,electricity or gas for example.Ditto for tp,paper towels,detergent,etc.etc.It all comes out of your food budget.Personally i would eat oatmeal for a week or two to free up a little discretionary income to get ahead on the grocery bill.For example,i am done,DONE with paper towels.I bought a 24 pack of white washcloths for 11 dollars at Walmart.I use these with white vinegar or diluted bleach to clean kitchen counters.Likewise a 12 pack of Wally World white bar towels( 15 bucks ) for drying dishes and hands.This replaces 7.60 cents worth of paper towels every 2 weeks. I bought a 1950s Gillette Tech razor off EBAY for 25 dollars.Since these razors were made out of solid brass with a heavy chrome coating,used is perfectly ok.These are literally 100 year razors.A hundred pack of Astra blades is 11 dollars on Amazon.Each blade lasts as long as a 3 buck Gillette replacement razor head.Shave quality is just as good.That freed up another 10-12 dollars a month. A little freed up money lets you take advantage of periodic sales——-and Life Gets A Little Bit Cheaper.
Quick question. What is your thoughts ad opinions on the great harvest freeze dryer? I love to can and buy a lot of extra food and have thought about getting one. They are up there in price.
I’ve always wanted one! The price-tag has scared me off though. Someday I’ll get one and try it and will let you know what I think!
This looks amazing! But I don’t see that you bought any meat, right? I feel like that’s where things add up for me quickly. Working on it!
I enjoyed watching your video and getting great ideas for stocking our freezer full of meals for the kids (4). I have found that having a master meal list is great for meal planning. I have written down all of the meals I make by category such as breackfast, lunch, dinner, snack. Then sub categories under dinner like soup, casserole, crockpot etc. It is helpful so that we are not eating the same meals over and over unless requested.
Jordan,
I am new to this saving thing-y! Canadian too. Everything especially food here in Canada is super $$$. I am looking for your Grandmas banana bread recipe. Link Please.
Loved this video, question though. I have 3 little ones, so 3 lunches a day go off to school. You stated that you put a freezer item in their lunch bag and it thaws by lunch time.
Do you make their lunch at night or in the mornings? Just making sure the thawing time is long enough for them.
Thank you!!!
We make them the night before but add fridge/freezer items in the morning before they go out the door!
Seriously I love your blog and am so thankful for all your tips!
I’ve read this post like 18 times and always find something new I didn’t remember from before! Thanks for so many great tips and resources!!
So excited to try this out next time I go grocery shopping
Oh i just love all of your wisdom & advice plus you guys are adorable!!!
I love all your tips!
I freeze everything! I love the clearance food section at the grocery store!
Definitely going to buy extra of certain items and freeze them!
No joke, every time I am at the grocery store I think of this video and think to myself how do I shop like Jordan?
I love how inspiring you are thank you for taking the time to put this together!
Thank you Jordan! These tips have kept food in my house for once! My husband is disabled and we are on assistance and I’ve struggled for years to really make it stretch and actually feed us. I’m not talking steak and lobster, I’m talking at least 2 meals a day feed us. And there’s only two of us! So from the bottom of my heart, again, Thank you!
Love this video and the tips! I really like the idea of buying extra of what you use frequently so you can have some always on hand. Whether it be food, laundry soap, whatever!
This was so helpful!! I’ve implemented your 100$ per person per month rule into our family the past three months and that along with meal planning has made the biggest difference in our budget! I’m learning so much from you!! So thank you, thank you, thank you!!! ❤️
Ive gone from spending 700+ a month on eating out and a Bunch of random stuff to $380 a month! my husband thinks it’s “hot” when I’m learning budgeting stuff from you hahahaha
I can’t wait to start stocking up!
MY husband thinks it’s hot when I work on my budgeting when I’m listening to you! Jokes on him I mostly do it because you’re hilarious and awesome!
Stocktober was my favorite!
Love your creative passionate energy. Helps me rethink grocery shopping and that grocery budget.
I enjoy all the great tips for grocery shopping and stocking up and budgeting. I’m a new follower and am hooked! I’m learning so much and implemented a budget finally!! So grateful for all you do! Keep up the great work!:)
I’ve been using the “buy 1 for now, 2 for later” tip recently and it’s totally helped me with cooking cheaper!
These are such great ideas!!
Thank you for more great ideas on how to save money on groceries.
Loved hearing this one. Changed my life for the better.
This is something I struggle at. I need to work on this for sure.
I am totally guilty of “running to the store for one thing” and coming home with a car full of stuff! I’m going to try and keep it to once a week and make do when I need something but don’t have it. You’re awesome!
I’ve recently starting using your tip of going grocery shopping one time per week, and I love it. I actually really love going to the grocery store, but I realize that I spend so much more than I need to when I go frequently. Thanks for this tip!
I participated in shelftember and it worked out great. There are a lot of great tips here. Thanks!
I shop this way too! Glad to know I’m on the right track!
I needed this!
I love the idea to buy 3 (one for now, two for later). It reminds me that I don’t have to go crazy and overspend when there is a good deal, and that stocking up can be done gradually and within a budget. Thank you!!
You have the best tips! Love watching you, you make budgeting not seem quite so horrible!!
I love this video/post. I found it back when you first published it and have visited it repeatedly since. I have now got a small stock pile to grow as soon as we move as the new house has a whole store room for me to store in!
I have been utilising so many of your tips over the last few months but stock up shopping is a big one as well as sticking to the budget and making the most of every $$
I love these tips! I feel like i waste way too much food by not freezing stuff. I’m going to try and do some make ahead meals and freezer meals this week.
Great ideas! Now I really want an extra freezer so I can stock up more! Thanks!
I love this!! I’ll implement the buying 3 (1 for now and 2 for later), it’s brilliant!!! And meal plan!!
Wow! I get overwhelmed with blogs because of all the chatter but I really like how yours is laid out! Thanks for sharing your awesome videos and your happy, infectious spirit!
-anneli
Love this post. I have been using your tips and tricks at the grocery store and my husband and I were able to pay off all his student loans in 3 months.. woot woot!! We have also been able to stock up on items as well! Thanks for all the great advice!
Such a bad impulse buyer!! That’s something I definitely need to work on. Thank you for sharing your tips!!
Thanks for the tips! Will have to try!
I like the buy 3 rule, I need to start doing that and build a stick pile!
I used to love watching TLCs “Extreme Couponing” and was so disappointed when I learned from experience how hard it is to “coupon” in Utah! Maybe I was going about it all wrong, but I really like your tips! I’ll definitely have to start implementing them!
Love this! Nice to see that my crazy grocery shopping ways are shared by someone else!
I was just talking to my husband today about how we need to cut back on groceries but I wasn’t sure how. I can’t wait to try this out!
This is one of my favorite posts! Since i started following you I’ve saved so much money grocery shopping. I only go once a week, and I have been using what I have in my pantry instead of running to the store for more ingredients! Love you Jordan!!!! Thanks for helping my little family! ❤️❤️
Do you make a dinner menu every week and shop for what you need?
Literally because of you I have overhauled my grocery shopping and only buy what I can make multiple use out of to last me and my family of 4 until everything is emptied out of the fridge!
This is honestly so impressive! You really use every penny to the fullest and that is something I feel like more people should focus on!
Love your grocery tips. My family of 6 always appreciates a good meal and I appreciate a good AFFORDABLE meal!
Yay! This is something I totally needed and that I know will help me every day! Thanks Jordan!
I love the way you shop ?? I HATE couponing too, and my husband keeps suggesting I “give it another go” lol. Wait until he sees this haha ? It is a little more challenging however, since I have celiac disease… cheap things like bread and pasta are like three time more expensive as GF. And let’s be honest, not even that good haha. But, I try and make it work!
I’ve really been trying to apply your tips when I shop, it’s given me a whole knew perspective!
Love these types of posts and videos! It helps me get motivated to do a meal plan and I need to start freezing a lot more than I do! Thanks for the tips and tricks!
I’ve saved so much by sticking to your $100 per person advice. I have also stocked my cabinets pretty full too.
So when you grocery shop do you come up with the menu before hand or do you first see what is on sale.? Also, I have always been under the impression that freezers use up a lot of electricity does it matter what kid if freezer you get or how do you make it so you are still coming ahead on savings?
I love these tips. I have been trying so hard to stay within a grocery budget and am failing hard. $100 per person per month seems easy. But somehow I am doing double that. ?
I love watching how you grocery shop! It gives me so many ideas! Like freezing cheese! Who knew!!
This is awesome. I feel like I have a set plan each time I shop but then I end up spending way more than I intend to on things I just don’t need. This put it into perspective for me. There’s been nights where I’m like oooh I want to make _____ But don’t have an ingredient or two so instead of going to the store to get those ingredients (which leads To over spending on things I don’t need) I make something else with items I have.
I love all your grocery shopping tips!
Hi Jordan,
This one of the first videos I watched. Thank you for all the amazing tips. You inspire me.
❤️❤️❤️
Love all the posts about grocery shopping! That’s an area we always tend to overspend in, so it’s been great learning all these tips from you!
Such helpful advice. It’s all very common sense, but sometimes you need to hear it to recognize what you’re doing wrong! So, thanks!!
Thank you Jordan! I follow you since a couple of years, and have become very financial-aware, in a good way! Grocery budget will never be the same, before we just bought everything we wanted and then wondered why we did not have anything left at the end of the months for savings…changed that! savings up-front and budget grocery shooping. When there’s no more money, there is no more money! And nobody suffers from it, we just get creative at home (and most likely, we are over buying in any case every week and acumulating at home for no other reason than “buying”, which for us does not make sense. Anyway, thank you so much for all the awesome, funny, contents that you put out there. Love your family too. Kisses from France
I love to watch your grocery halls!
I have implemented this into my families life and its going well!!! Thanks for sharing all your amazing tips and tricks!!!
Jordan, you’re tips are exactly what I needed to hear. When I think of how much we’re spending (and then wasting!) at the grocery store, I see where were going wrong!!
My husband and I are almost finished paying off our debt, but I’m so scared of going back into debt after simply because of FOOD. Food is my greatest pit fall, and I love to stock our pantry, but I always seem to go over budget. These and other videos/resources you have are going to be so helpful!
This was so helpful!! I definitely will use these tips to try and save money on groceries!! Thank you!!
I loved this post (and I watched the video on youtube). I have been using Walmart’s grocery pickup service and it has helped TREMENDOUSLY! I just add the items needed and when I hit my budget for the week I stop, or I go back and review items and take off what can wait and put in what I really need. I also take better inventory of what I have on hand while I’m “shopping”. Love that service and as I stated, has helped us tremendously to stay on budget. I love, love, love your videos and blog posts. You are truly a gift from God!
I am trying to build up my food storage, so I am grateful for this post! With a family of 6, we cruise through our storage kind of fast. I will have to remember the “use 1, freeze 2” rule. Thanks!
A lot of these tips I have been using for a while. I’ve been following you since I’ve been married almost 6 yrs in March! Whoa! Lol You are also the only blogger I follow. Follow anymore would be too much for my brain. Thank you for sharing/oversharing and all the tips, tricks and in between stuff you do!
Yes!!! I can’t wait to go shopping tomorrow!!
Love the concept on buy one for now and 2 for later! I meal plan but have to buy most of my ingredients everh single week. I think your meal planning system will help my family save money and waste less food!
Your grocery hauls are the best!
Thank you so much for all the tips! I started using your envelope system and it really helps me stay on track with my grocery budget.
I loved following along with you on this a few months back! I know these tips will be even more helpful as we start residency this summer!
This has helped me so much with my grocery budget! I have struggled with what to count as grocery and how you divide it makes so much sense! Thanks!
I love the rule of only going to the store once per week! And using what you already have to make your meals. But really, they’re all great tips and have helped me budget my grocery bill much better in the recent months. Thanks so much!
I totally need help with my budget. I think I spend way to much on food. It’s crazy! Thanks for the tips!
So this to me is common sense, but something I have never done haha. I feel like most things you talk about are. The funny thing is why I don’t do most of the stuff and have needed to hear you voice your opinion for me to get my butt in gear. Thank you for sharing your insights on stocking up. I have been doing this more. I meal plan more and when I am at the store getting things for a meal that we love I buy extra. Because next time I want t make it I won’t have to go shopping ?
I have been stockpiling sauces, beans, and canned veggies. It makes putting meals together so easy because most my items are just right there. I love freezing bread. My husband thought it was so odd when we were first married, but now he does it too!
Thank you, I’m investing in more freezers!!! Time to save?
This is my goal!!! Thanks for the awesome tips!
I love the big 3 limit. Sometimes I buy 5,6,7… because I LOVE me a good deal and find that with not shopping in other areas like decor, clothes etc I allow myself to splurge on food. Thanks for this awesome list!
This has been so helpful to me! I can’t grab quite the same deals being in Canada but the principles are universal! Thanks Jordan!
I have used the “buy 3” principle (1 for now and 2 for later) and it has totally saved extra shopping trips later! Thank you for sharing! Grocery budgeting is the trickiest one for me.
I love the tip of not going to the store more than once during the week! We have been trying this and it has helped so much!
Love your grocery tips and tricks!
Love this! I always struggle at the grocery store!
I’ve been trying this method lately. Thanks for great advice!
This has been so incredibly helpful to my family. We had been working for years to cut back costs and I couldn’t seem to trim any more. These did the trick! Jordan I’m a huge fan, please pick me for the budget boot camp giveaway!
These are my favorite posts! Why is it so fulfilling to watch grocery shop hauls? Please keep doing these!
i love that you brought out all your stuff and explained everything!! makes more sense being able to see it all!!
Thanks Jordan for your advice on grocery shopping and tips, with your help I have saved money!!!
I love how you put stickers on the items you are asking for a price match on and how much! Makes it so much easier for both me and the checker by doing this!!
This week I remembered and used the buy 3 rule, one for now 2 for later.
Trying so hard to follow your grocery shopping budget rules and tips! Diapers and formula are killers on the grocery budget!
Loved so much of this! I need so much help in this area ? I hate meal planning and I hate grocery shopping because I always spend more than I intend to. Starting to use your tips ASAP!!
I love your tips and stocktober Jordan! Always think keeping a bit of stock up money in grocery budget is a great idea so we don’t have to pass up awesome sales!
This post is great! Getting our budget on track with our grocery shopping. Also a plus for having extras.
Jordan I think this one really may have helped me the most. I am currently working on getting a freezer and have seriously changed our grocery budget tremendously! This month so far I have only spent 250 dollars because I have been stocking, “1 for now and 2 for later”! I love learning more about freezing everything too!
Love this! Will have to try it!
Such a better way to shop! Couponing was too time consuming for me!
I have always been interestes in saving money while grocery shopping. I have always wanted to build my food storage. I have never known how. It is sooo helpful to see it in action. I have learned so much!! Thankyou!!!
Granny’s banana bread recipe is my go to! Sooo good!
How do you justify paying a costco membership and sticking to a budget for groceries? Is your $100 budget per family member that you stick to for when buying at Costco and other grocery stores that week? Or do you not go to other grocery stores wheb you go to Costco that week?
I’ve been wondering lately how much our grocery budget should be, and whether I’m spending too much or not enough. This was very helpful!
As always-great tips!!
100k giveaway!
Great tips! Buying a little extra is something I’ve never thought of before.
U have some amazing talents thanks for helping us to do better!
Love all your tips! Your tip about cooking with what you already have has changed how we grocery shop and cute our grocery bill significantly.
I’m starting your budget, & 1 trip to the store each week tip on the 1st! (Pay day.. which is why we’re also starting our budget in March. Hopefully we won’t be out of money by the 5th ?)
It’s so hard for me to only go to the store once a week!!! I’m trying my best, but always seem to need a time waster when I’m waiting for preschool to let out. I need nice weather so the parks are accessible again!!
This is exactly what I needed to hear! My husband is heading to dental school and so we are going to be on a SUPER tight budget… I need help to take control of our finances so our finances won’t control us! ?
So amazing that you share off of these tips and tricks! I’m totally working to stock up!
I have been using these tips for a while and they have helped so much! We have had some creative meals but everyone still eats them and likes them! I have also been trying to be better at stocking our freezer.
Your shopping tips have been a life changer. THANKS!!!
Great ideas!
Great tips! Thank you so much!!!
I love this! The idea of your shelftember has really stuck with me, and while I couldn’t do it then, I’ve had a record low February grocery bill because I’m cooking smart! I’d consider myself a savvy chef, but your tips are still helping me slim down the budget and I LOVE it!
Common sense! Thanks for the tips and tricks. Love me a good savings and stock pile. It’s a piece of mind for me and my family.
A lot of great common sense information. The information you read and say “I can do that!”. Can’t wait to learn more and see what other ways I can simplify and improve our lives! ❤️
so much goodness
This still just baffles me. Even though it’s just my husband and me, I think the biggest part of our budget goes to food. This is something I really need to implement.
With twin babies this really spoke my language on once a week shopping and freezer meals!
Sooo helpful! Thank you!
Thanks for sharing!
You have many helpful tips! Thanks
Impulse buys get me every time. I have to try harder to go less!
Freezing pb&j??? I’m going to have to try that with my niece!
If you would have told me 10 years ago I would enjoy watching a video where someone talks about what they bought for groceries, I’d tell you you were crazy. Now I love these types of videos
Love the easy meal ideas!
So much good stuff here! Love the idea of buying 3 of something when it’s a good price.
Love the tips!!
Loving all these tips and tricks! Starting to put them to good use!
I think I need to watch all of this over agin with a pen and paper in hand! So much good advice. I love the trick with the cucumbers! I’m pretty sure I’ve been buying the big thick ones because they look delicious!
Yes…love this. Need to get better at meal planning.
Shelf cooking for the last 2 weeks! I actually had so much stuff!!! Shelf cooking is the best!
I will definitely start doing this for sure!
I love the buy one for now and two for later idea! I need to start doing that again because it was a total life saver!
I’m terrible about only going once a week. Need to work on this!
I’ve implemented these tips and seen a big difference in our shopping! 🙂
Thank you for this post. I moved to a pretty small town about an hour outside of Las Vegas & with just one grocery store, I have to be more strategic with buying food & storing it. Great tips!
Thanks for sharing your tips! It really is helpful!
I love your advice to meal plan based on what is already in your pantry!!
Jordan this is the video that got me hooked on fun cheap or free. I was laid off in May 2017. Unemployment ran out in 12 weeks and I finally was able to find another job this last week February 14, 2018. In that span if time I was really struggling financially as well as emotionally. Keeping my spirits positive and my head above water was exhausting. I found you and Bubba and life turned around. Needless to say now that I start my new job this next Tuesday, I am going to continue to be utilizing all I have learned from you especially from this video and blessing you and Bubba everyday for changing my thought process as well as uplifting me in times of hardship. Thank you again. Collette Alyson
You have no idea how much research and time and MONEY that I have spent on trying to figure out budgeting and meal planning and you are literally changing my life! The simplest budgeting tool has been great! What I loved about this video is you see all of that food and you come up with tons of options and snacks. My eyes just don’t work that way.. but I need to learn because my 3 year old son and my husband eat all. Day. Long. And buying a bunch of prepackaged snacks is breaking the bank.
Where do you shop now that WALMART doesn’t accept price matching? We are a family of 6 with 2 teenage boys who are ravenous. I switched to your simple budget method so we are now allotted $120-150 a month for groceries depending on the month. So far after 3 weeks it’s been manageable thanks to Fry’s (Kroger) deals. I used to price match but stopped when WALMART stopped doing that. I would love to see an updated video regarding this.
Thanks for all you do!
Hi Jordan,
Loved your grocery video, but where’s the meat for dinners?
Just wondering since meat is bigger expense.
Where is the protein? The meat for meals? I have been doing budgeted meals and meal planning for a while as I left my job to be a stay at home mom. I can plan for the month actually, but what kills me is the meat. I try to stock up on great deals and I have a freezer of meat. Do you have suggestions or advice to buying planning proteins for meals?
Meat can be so hard! You can split it in half and use legumes to bulk it up for less, then try using a butcher and going in on it with a friend (or a few). I watch for sales and then freeze it right away. I will let you know if I find any other tips for sure!
Amazing tips.. you have all the points have greatly define thanks for sharing informative post
Thank you!
Hello! Where can I find the salsa recipe and the banana bread recipe please!? Thank you!!
Hi! You can get the salsa recipe HERE and the banana bread recipe HERE. Enjoy! 🙂
Thanks and everything is shared in this blog in an unique way. keep it up.
Hey have you checked out Cooklist! It’s a great tool for budget grocery shopping.
This blog is definitely helpful and informative. Great blog by the way and thanks for sharing these! arlo app download
These are such useful tips that I will be trying and I enjoyed watching your video. Thanks for sharing.
Hi Jordan,
What a thorough list full of frugal grocery shopping tips! I love your point about generic versus name-brand. Personally, I can’t taste the difference between name-brand and generic tomato soups, for example! Generic products are usually just as good as the name brand. When you go to the grocery store, it’s important to look about and below eye level. Grocery stores usually put their most expensive, name-brand products at eye level.
If you have a large chest freezer or enough room in your regular freezer, flash freezing fruits and vegetables is another great way to save money. Buy in-season fruits and vegetables (since they’re generally cheaper than those out of season), cut them up and portion them into bags. Having veggies and fruits on hand is a great way to cut down on prep time. Additionally, you’ll be a lot less likely to order takeout!
– Jani, Frugal Fun Finance