Are you staring at your grocery bill like, “Wait… how did THAT happen?” Groceries are out-of-control expensive right now—but don’t worry, I’ve got you covered. These 20 super simple hacks will help you slash your grocery budget without sacrificing tasty meals or healthy snacks.
Let’s dive into the easiest, most effective ways to save money on groceries (that you may have never tried before).
1. Stretch Ground Beef with Lentils
Ground beef is pricey, but you can double your meat (and nutrients!) by mixing in boiled lentils. They’re high in protein, have almost no taste, and blend beautifully into tacos, chili, or spaghetti. It’s a genius way to make one pound go twice as far—and no one will even notice.
2. Make Freezer Jam from Overripe Fruit
Got brown bananas or sad strawberries? Don’t toss them—jam them! Throw fruit into a pot with some sugar, simmer for 10 minutes, and boom: delicious freezer jam. No canning needed. It’s amazing on pancakes, cake, graham crackers with cream cheese—basically everything.
3. Pantry Pasta for the Win
Skip the expensive jarred sauce and make your own using canned tomatoes, veggies, and dry pasta cooked right in the same pot. The pasta starch makes a creamy sauce that tastes gourmet—for under $5 a meal.
4. Cold Pasta Salads for Days
Make a big batch of pasta salad once a week with whatever veggies you have on hand. It lasts up to five days, is super cheap, and doubles as lunch or dinner. Tuna pasta salad? Kids will love it—and it costs pennies per serving.
5. DIY Cleaners
Stop spending big on name-brand cleaners. Mix rubbing alcohol, water, and dish soap for a streak-free, disinfecting miracle spray that’s safe on almost everything. Add essential oils if you’re fancy. Want the recipe to make your own homemade cleaners? Download my faves for FREE right here!
6. Buy Ugly Produce
Farmers markets and some grocery stores sell imperfect fruits and veggies at a steep discount. Who cares if your carrot has curves? You’ll save at least $1 per pound and still get all the nutrients.
7. Take the No-Name Challenge
Store-brand and no-name canned goods are often made in the exact same factory as the name brands—just cheaper. Try it once and you’ll never go back.
8. Leftover Night
Designate one night a week as “Fend for Yourself” night. Eat up leftovers, make sandwiches, or clear out the freezer. It keeps food from going to waste and gives you a break from cooking.
9. Try a No-Spend Week
Once a month, challenge yourself to skip grocery shopping for a week. Use what you have in your fridge, freezer, and pantry. It’s fun, forces creativity, and can shave hundreds off your monthly spending.
10. Make One Big Pot a Week
Cook up a giant pot of something like chili or soup. It lasts all week and can be used in tons of ways—on nachos, in quesadillas, or just with toast. Use pantry staples, and it’s under $10 for multiple meals.
11. Become a Budget Betty Crocker
Don’t be intimidated by baking. Find easy “dump and stir” recipes for muffins, banana bread, or donuts using what’s already in your pantry. Make a dozen treats for the cost of one store-bought snack pack.
12. Snack & Lunch Prep
Take a cue from my husband Joe and prep grab-and-go snacks every Sunday—fruit cups, homemade Lunchables, salads. You’ll avoid fast food temptations and school lunch purchases all week long.
13. Shop the International Aisle
The international foods section is a goldmine for cheap staples—chickpeas, sauces, noodles. Don’t overlook the snacks either. Bonus: you might discover a new favorite cuisine.
14. Upgrade Ramen with Peanut Butter
Transform a 30-cent pack of ramen into a Thai-inspired peanut curry. Add a spoonful of peanut butter and some chili oil to the pot—bam, gourmet in five minutes.
15. Frozen is Your Friend
Frozen fruits and veggies are often cheaper than fresh, and they last way longer. My fave? Frozen mango from Costco—so sweet and firm, never mushy. Perfect for smoothies, snacks, or desserts.
16. Use Grocery Apps Like Flipp & Flash Food
Download Flipp to scan flyers and price match with ease. And check out FlashFood for major markdowns on food that’s nearing its best-before date. You’ll find crazy deals on meat, produce, and even bakery items.
17. Buy in Bulk—but Check the Unit Price
Yes, buy in bulk—but smartly. Always look at the unit price on the label to avoid shrinkflation tricks. Only buy what you’ll actually use, and compare costs before you toss it in the cart.
18. Themed Dinners = Easy Meal Planning
Not into traditional meal planning? Try themed nights instead—Taco Tuesday, Pasta Friday, Soup Sunday. It takes the guesswork out of planning and helps avoid takeout temptation.
(Grab my free Miracle Menu Planner printable here!)
19. Choose Pork Over Other Meats
Pork is often half the price of beef and chicken—and just as delicious. Try roasting a pork loin with some fennel or stuffing it with sausage and cheese. It’s budget-friendly and totally gourmet.
20. Grow Something—Anything!
Herbs, tomatoes, lettuce—grow it in pots, indoors, outside—wherever. Seeds are cheap, plants are practically free food, and you’ll feel like a magical garden witch every time you harvest.
If you try just a few of these grocery hacks, you could save up to $700 a month—that’s $8,400 a year! All while still feeding your family amazing, nourishing meals.
So what are you waiting for? Try a tip, try them all—and don’t forget to check out the free printables below
Download my FREE Miracle Menu Planner Here: https://clutterbug.me/products/miracle-meal-planner
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