Morning to all. It is early - haven't been outside yet, it is still dark. Just getting a headstart! It is warmer this A.M. than past mornings. Today will hit 40's and I am looking forward to that. I think it is supposed to be windy as well, but dry. It is going to get very cold and nasty this weekend for a lot of the country. I hate that for everyone. We are to get super cold - we are on the fringe of the weather system - we will see.
I probably (most likely) shop a LOT different than the average person. I have always been this way.
This past year (2025) I saved just under $1,000 using my digital coupons! I well imagine I saved close to that amount buying clearance as well. That is a lot off the grocery bills. That works out to a $166 savings a month.
I basically buy almost NOTHING that isn't a digital coupon item or clearance. It is rare for me to pay a regular price - very rare.
I do not shop every week - sometimes I don't go to the store for several weeks. I always make sure that I have enough milk on hand for a few weeks, and I seem to be able to keep fruits and veggies a good amount time.
I am not brand conscious, nor do I pay a lot of attention to 'best by' dates.
I use what I have. I have a great and PLENTIFUL pantry, between what I grow and can to the items I get cheaply.
I do NOT waste - I use leftovers in some way.
I have meatless days every now and then. When I do eat meat, I use less than called for in recipes. I can add beans or mushrooms to extend meat. I also use rice and pasta as extenders.
If I have leftovers that I don't want to eat soon - I freeze for another day. That makes for easy meals.
I buy whole fruits and veggies and not cut up ones. Buying the cut-up products costs more and often has been treated with something, or it goes off quicker. I try to stay as pure as possible.
I substitute a lot. If I am out of something - I figure out a sub. I don't run out to buy what I am out of.
I tend to MAKE UP a lot of my cooking as I go. I 'play' with food!!!!!! I love trying new things and ways of putting food together.
I make most of my sauces and mixes and treats.
I do NOT buy water. (once a year only for company). I resist pop. I drink water or tea at home. I am not a coffee drinker.
I always go with a list of what I really need, then I do look at clearance goods.
I don't have to shop this way - but it just makes good sense to me. I can use my funds on other things. I like getting the best deal I can and making things last as long as I can.
Hope this gives someone some ideas on ways to cut the grocery budget back a little. There are ways to not spend a ton at the store. People keep saying it can't be done - YES it can.
Be open to new ways, new ideas, new recipes and new ways of shopping. Eyes WIDE OPEN can make a HUGE difference.
Have a beautiful day and stay safe and warm out there.
Fresh veg and fruit seem rarely 'on sale'. I choose to buy them anyway. Apples and clementines are the 2 that do appear in sale ads on occasion.
ReplyDeleteCheers to savings!
My Kroger has a great amount of fresh produce marked down every time I go there. Not just their clearance bin, but all through produce. Kind of nice.
DeleteSeems apples and clementines do go on sale a lot.
I shop several times a week at different stores. I always check the ads. At regular grocery stores (Publix and Winn-Dixie in my area) I only buy sale items or in a few cases Publix store brands. Almost always my bill is less than $20. At Publix I use their digital coupons but mostly they don’t apply to me. I use their BOGO deals on things I buy regularly and when I know the price is less than Walmart’s price (checked online).
ReplyDeleteI do go to Walmart but infrequently. A few days ago I went there to buy 4 of one item I know is much cheaper than Publix and not available at Aldi.
At Winn- Dixie I scan my card (on my phone) to get a small amount back and also use their digital coupons. I don’t buy much there and it looks like the only store near me will be closing this year (lease will be up and landowner wants to redevelop it).
Most of my shopping is now at Aldi. I buy ALL of my produce there - so much cheaper! I keep 2-4 of items I use regularly in my “pantry.”
I don’t shop at Dollar Tree or the other Dollar stores for groceries. I do not buy red meat at all (not against it, just don’t prefer it) and I don’t drink coffee so I’ve avoided the biggest price increases, I believe. For protein I mostly buy chicken and eggs. I want to buy more fish.
Last year I spent $2,158 on groceries ($179.83/month average). My budget was $250/month and I’ve kept that same budget for 2026. Is that a lot or a little for a single person? I’m not sure but this works for me. This is how I’ve shopped most of my life. Barbara M.
One more thing. I use a credit card that gives me 6% cash back at grocery stores. It doesn’t apply to Walmart but does apply to Aldi, Publix and WD.
DeleteI love all the strategies you use. I do hope you keep enough in house just in case there would be nothing open or no getting there for shopping. You just never know.
DeleteI think you did really good on the grocery budget. $179 for a month is pretty darn good in my opinion. As long as it is good for you that is all that matters.
That 6% back is great.
I do take advantage of sales when I can. Our local Independent Grocer does offer some digital coupons, which we take advantage of sometimes, but their prices are quite high even then. Our Co-op has sales a few times a month - the warehouse sale offers items for $10 -it might be soup at 5 for $10 or another product 3 for $10. Usually these are decent, not great sale prices but definitely worth stocking up every few months. As Elle said above, it is rare for fresh fruit and veg to be on sale and at this time of year the quality often isn't terrific. For example, I'll buy a head of lettuce and discover the middle is mush, probably because it froze somewhere along the line or it's simply taken too long to get to us. That's when I buy the kits as they don't go to waste.
ReplyDeleteHere in Yuma, I get much better produce and fruit - I'm closer to the source. I do have to buy water though, as it is not advised to drink tap water.
From what I keep hearing groceries are much higher in price in Canada. When I buy lettuce I get Romaine so I don't have to worry about bad centers on heads. We really do have good produce selections even at this time.
DeleteI bet you do get better prices in Yuma.
Cheryl, I shop & cook for my husband and myself much as you do. I rarely pay the regular price. If I do it's probably from Aldi's. Because I live near so many grocery stores I can find things cheaper than Aldi's including produce. But Aldi's does have some things cheaper than other places that I buy regularly.
ReplyDeleteI stocked up on coffee from Kroger recently. I found bags of ground coffee regularly $15 for $4. I bought 10. I don't drink it but hubs does. They also had $26 steaks for $8. I bought several. They're slightly over a pound each. Back in the day I would've never paid $8 for a steak! I don't eat it but I do like to get it for hubs to keep him happy since I do a lot of no beef meals. I eat starches, beans and vegetables so my own meals are pretty cheap. So between the 2 of us our spending on groceries isn't extravagant. We only do restaurants a handful of times a year. If it was up to me I'd do it even less than that!
Recently my husband wanted to have a party to watch a playoff game. We don't do that sort of thing often (if ever lol- it's literally been 2 decades!). It's an expense we don't usually have. I only bought food marked down at Kroger and a couple of cheap things at Aldi's. The leftovers went in the freezer and hubs will have dinner meals for the next few weeks.
I live close to a lot of variety in stores as well. I usually stick with clearance and sales at Kroger or Aldi.
DeleteWhat a great deal on coffee. I am not a big steak eater or lover, so all good here! Same for me on restaurants - just lunches a handful of times a year.
You sound like a smart cooker. Neat that he wanted a sports party. Lots of people do those and spend a fortune - good for you on getting deals. Nice to have leftovers in the freezer as well.
I shop often, but my food bill is under $200 a month so I'm ok with that. My most expensive items are fresh vegs and fruits (and that's why "often" - because no point in buying what goes "off" before getting used!) There's only one grocery in town, closest others are 20-30 miles away and are in an expensive area of the next city. My grocery does not have a clearance section, but I do try to buy things that appear to be on sale. Fruits and vegs hardly ever are on sale here.
ReplyDeleteI drink tap water, and every day a cup of milk and instant coffee. Most meals are meat-free. Lately I've been working on more fruits and vegs, less fillers (bread, rice, potatoes, pasta). Seems to suit my insides more. :)
My long term storage is canned goods as our power does go out and I've lost too much that way. Also long term is rice, dried beans, and pasta.
I'll happily use store brand if it's any good... some are really inferior so I buy good national brand for those.
MaryB
I would hate to have only one place to shop. Guess that is small town. Not much choice and they charge whatever they want.
DeleteI drink water too and have a glass of milk every day. Noting wrong with meat free meals - I seem to feel better when I eat no meat. My sugar levels don't seem to go whacky (like sleepy after eating).
That canned good and dry goods pantry is important.
It is interesting to hear how ladies shop and the variety of grocery stores around the country. We used to shop at Cub Foods when they were open. Menards even has a pretty good selection of canned goods. Of course, our favorite way to "shop" is for grow-ceries in the backyard. The Farmer has some seeds already started in the garage.
ReplyDeleteSunny today but sure is windy. We ran errands yesterday so probably won't be out again until next week. Riley goes to the vet on Monday and Jacob on Wednesday. The vet is close and it is easier to take the boys one at a time.
Enjoy the sun, I'm sure Bits will find a sun puddle.
I used to love Cub Foods - there was one right up the street. Yes, Menards does have a good selection and often very good prices on food. I don't get there much any more.
DeleteBackyard shopping is the best.
I ran out this morning, and yes, that wind is crazy! The temps aren't bad - but the wind!!!!! I will probably be in the remainder of the month - no plans for anything. Have tons of cat food now, so set to go!
You shop like me. I just bought milk, fruit and yogurt. The dog food was the most expensive item.
ReplyDeleteYep - I always spend more on the animals than myself - every month! I ran to stock on cat food since it is going to get so cold, and I got milk and bananas for me. The rest was cat food!
DeleteThis is an excellent blog post, Cheryl. We are kindred spirits as I run my kitchen in many of the same ways as you know. It just makes good sense to me. When people are discussing the higher prices of restaurant meals and fast food prices rising, you’ll find us eating at home.
ReplyDeleteThe weather went from 20 degrees this morning to 50 degrees right now. Mother Nature can’t make up her mind. lol
Our temps went from 15F this morning to 49 right now, and I was out in the sunshine moving wood around for my woodstove as we're looking at "wintry mix" this weekend and 4F one night. :( Critters are having trouble with these temps too - last time I set up a woodstove fire I found 2 dead flying squirrels in there. Poor little things, my woodstove is not a good shelter, y'all!
DeleteToday I saw a flock of turkeys out working through the dead leaves and there was a daffodil blooming and several purple crocus. Don't think they'll make it through this weekend, alas.
MaryB
Belinda I agree on Mother Nature! It is 45 right now and we will be frigid over the weekend. We have been frigid up until today. Up and down. So ready for Spring.
DeleteI eat from home 99% of the time too. It tastes better too, as well as costing less.
MARY - Oh my goodness - flowers already? Nope they won't make it over the weekend. Turkeys hunting for goodies! Poor squirrels - just trying to find warmth. I added more layers to the greenhouse and little house today.
I always take advantage of sales, but unlike many areas do not have markdowns other than at Walmart and usually by the time they reach that shelf things are pretty bad. I do use up and try not to waste any food at all, and my shopping usually happens every two weeks or more.
ReplyDeleteGoing to feel like almost 40C below here this weekend, so will definitely be staying in and staying warm.
I wish everyone had access to the kinds of sales I see here. They sure do help. Using it all up helps so much.
DeleteStay in and stay warm. We may highs in singles digits this weekend. Not sure about snow.
I shop similarly to you. I buy a lot of frozen veggies. I also make a lot of chicken stock. Today I shopped and my total was about 70$. Last week I had a use it up week which produced some really good meals! I'd rather buy something fun for a project or save for a trip or the future. I think I am frugal for sure, but I think what I'm really good at is not wasting. I'm not sure what the word for that is? I feel like I get a lot for my money. I really like your blog.
ReplyDeleteHi Katie glad to have you here. If one can't get fresh produce, frozen is the next best in my opinion. No reason not to have those veggies.
DeleteNit being wasteful is HUGE. Finding new ways to expend the leftovers and things in our fridge. It really does extend the dollars spent. Good job.
I do most of the stuff on your list, except I have a weakness for diet fruit sodas and KFC. As for produce, I save a truckload of money by checking Fred Meyer's flawed fruit/veg shelf, the local produce stand also has this. I get bags of perfectly good produce items for a dollar each.
ReplyDeleteYou might consider getting a Soda Stream. I make bubbly soda water here and can add whatever flavor I want. Just uses tap water! I haven't been to a KFC for years - they got too expensive for me.
DeleteBut we all do what we like, and that is cool. I love finding the bags of mark down produce. Kroger always has plenty of it. Not always the same things, but you can get variety that way for less $.
I shop much like you do, Cheryl. We shop Aldi for our basics and Jewel using digital coupons and only what is on sale or discounted, mostly produce and meat. I try very hard to not throw food away, although I still do sometimes. If I find we won't eat something before it spoils, I will put it in the freezer for another meal. Oh, I'm so ready for Spring! It is going to be very cold for the next few days.
ReplyDeleteI think many of us shop similar. I like hearing everyone's strategies. Interesting. I just try to find the best deals I can, and it seems in this part of the world, I can find quite a few. We truly are so lucky compared to a lot of other areas and countries.
DeleteFreezing saves it and makes for a quick meal sometime in the future. Win-win.
Yep, the weather is about to get frightful! Stay safe.