5 min read
Cut your grocery bill by 20% without clipping a single coupon
Groceries are the most flexible line in most budgets. Four habits that save real money and still leave room for treats.
The average family I work with spends more on groceries than they think, often by $150 a month or more. The good news is that this category responds quickly to a few small changes.
Plan five dinners, not seven
Plan five meals and leave two nights for leftovers or something simple. Food waste drops fast when the fridge gets emptied twice a week.
Shop your kitchen first
Before writing the list, check what’s already in the pantry and freezer. Build at least one meal around what you have.
Set a weekly number
Take out the amount in cash, or use one card only for groceries
Keep a running total on your phone as you shop
Put anything over the number back, no guilt
Swap, don’t sacrifice
Store brands for staples, name brands for the things you really love. Saving money shouldn’t mean giving up your favorite coffee.