Not what you asked, but in some ways, I just accept our grocery bill is what it is. We cut other things in our budget first to reduce spending. I’d rather eat well than spend the money on mani/pedis, hair coloring, clothes, etc.
I find additions easier than restrictions. What are your favorite inexpensive meals? What are the easiest things to cook that don’t break the bank? Make them more frequently and think about variations of those recipes /cooking techniques:)
Also - look at your actual costs. Many people here are saying less meat = less expensive. But for our family, meat isn't what is driving food costs. Perhaps if we were eating Petrel sole a few days a week, but fresh produce can quickly add up too. We often spend more on fruit than meat.
I spend 5x more on fruit and veg than I do on meat 🤷♀️
I also buy cheaper cuts that I can spin into different meals throughout the week (pork butt for the win here lol). We've cut beef back to the point we only eat it 2-3 times a year, and we've started eating tofu at least once a week. I buy chicken and pork on sale and freeze the extra pieces. I still buy salmon fresh, but tilapia, mahi, cod, shrimp are fine frozen.
Most of my grocery budget goes to snack things like nuts and fruit (and cheese lol). Well, if I'm being honest I do spend a good bit on condiments and pantry stuff. But that really gives me the freedom to do whatever I want for dinner, so to me it's worth it.
If I have a bit extra left in the tank by 5pm, I'll put out a more intricate dinner - like a new recipe or something that takes multiple pots/pans and heating elements. If my cup is empty? Protein plus veg plus whatever else you want from leftovers in the fridge and I'm not turning on more than the stove OR toaster oven 😅
When I cook I try to cook well enough that the leftovers will be good. Leftover nights are awesome, but we have to actually want to eat the leftovers. Otherwise they just get tossed.
Anyway, I agree with thinking about additions rather than restrictions. It's helped me a lot to think, "Well so I don't have "fancy ingredient" but I could use the cooking technique and add these ingredients." It's helped me see stuff I have in a new light. Anything that reduces our food waste means I don't need to buy so much next week.
Not what you asked, but in some ways, I just accept our grocery bill is what it is. We cut other things in our budget first to reduce spending. I’d rather eat well than spend the money on mani/pedis, hair coloring, clothes, etc.
I had a conversation once many years ago with a coworker who was originally from India, and he said one thing that puzzled him about American culture was people complaining about food prices and trying to cut corners to save money on food (like the preponderance of fast food restaurants). He was like, "isn't food one of things you want to prioritize quality on the most?". So like not that quality has to equal expensive, but that why would you make dirt cheap food the goal or complain about having to spend a little more to eat well.
ETA - now that I think about it more, I think it wasn't so much complaining about prices, so much as acting like paying as little as possible for food was a 'flex'.
Seltzer water is a huge downfall for me. I primarily drink water and (1 cup of) black coffee per day, however I enjoy a seltzer at night with dinner. I'm partial to Polar which is stupid expensive. I've tried several store brands and don't like most of them. I have to try that again, and maybe bottles vs. cans, but you run out of fizz before it's all gone.
We really should return our cans because we have to pay a .5 deposit per can, which adds up.
We're slowly cutting back on alcohol, although we like burbons and whiskeys. I typically have 1, maybe 2 glasses on a weekend night, but that shiz is expensive. We at least have cup way back on beer and wine which are big money.
DH does our shopping so I don't know the price comparison, but we buy coffee beans and have a fancy grinder in the coffee maker. I think that helps keep it fresher longer. Plus it's so much easier to wake up to already made coffee, just pour and go (DH) or sip (me.)
ETA: I save a decent amount on gas not commuting. I still have to fill up because I'm driving a lot outside of work, but I wait to fill up until I'm close to or over 300 miles. I have the Upside app, but only fill up if the deal is better than the non-chain station down the road, or I don't have x cents off from Upside making the gas the same price. I also have Speedway rewards which usually gives me .3 off per gallon, so sometimes it's equal too or less than my home station when I'm traveling, and they work with Upside.
We like seltzer too. Do you have a Lidl near you? We mostly go to Aldi and like theirs, but if we go to Lidl for something we always pick up some seltzer because theirs is fantastic. Much cheaper than other brands too.
ETA - now that I think about it more, I think it wasn't so much complaining about prices, so much as acting like paying as little as possible for food was a 'flex'.
I think for me, some of my issues with the cost of groceries and food is I remember when couponing was big and you could get your bill down that way. So you could splurge on fresh stuff because you knew pantry and cleaning items had a ton of coupons.
Paper coupons have mostly disappeared and the digital ones aren’t comparable overall IMO.
Post by fancynewbeesly on Feb 24, 2024 20:31:36 GMT -5
yeah it is produce that kills the budget; plus cleaners/laudry detergnt/toilet paper. Also cereal is freaking expensive. I stock up when it is on sale, because it is a breakfast staple with my 12 year old during the week.
Also bread. We go through bread quickly for sandwiches and cold cuts.
Like it isn't just meat, because I can get some of that on sale---especially chicken. It is the "other" things that kill the budget.
For me, the added costs come from more from buying pre-prepared food (e.g. grab and go salad, pre-cut fruit) versus buying more raw ingredients and making it yourself. Also from food waste for when don’t have a plan and just buy produce, which rots before I can use it.
I’m totally willing to meal plan and cut up some fruit and put it into snack containers if that means I can afford nicer fish at Sprouts.
Post by emilyinchile on Feb 25, 2024 10:50:19 GMT -5
This thread inspired me to finally organize our (very small) freezer. Something involving frozen green beans and butternut squash will be happening soon, which doesn't sound that delicious, but gotta eat what we've got!
As far as the actual question goes I don't find a big cost savings with pickup or delivery vs in-person. I tend to buy the same stuff either way, and it's easier for me to see offers in person on stuff that I don't need that week but can stock up on.
This may seem like a "no duh" thing, but keeping my pantry and fridge/freezer clean and cleared out helps me save. I can clearly see what we have, what we need, and what we can work with for meals. It's the same with keeping my closet clean and organized- I wear so many more of my things regularly when I don't have things buried away or amongst a bunch of other things I don't wear.
This thread inspired me to finally organize our (very small) freezer. Something involving frozen green beans and butternut squash will be happening soon, which doesn't sound that delicious, but gotta eat what we've got!
As far as the actual question goes I don't find a big cost savings with pickup or delivery vs in-person. I tend to buy the same stuff either way, and it's easier for me to see offers in person on stuff that I don't need that week but can stock up on.
I would serve them as two separate sides. Maple roasted butternut squash and sautéed green beans. I'd keep the protein simple. Something like marinated grilled or baked chicken or seared pork chops.
Another thing I've been trying to do is accept that sometimes dinner is just going to be boring 😅
And I also prefer in person shopping for the same reason. There are meals we eat regularly that involve shelf stable or long lasting items. Even if I don't have those meals planned for a week, if that stuff is on sale better believe I'm grabbing it.