How to save up to $400 a month on groceries l GMA

[@anniesshenanigans3815]

I went from 600 a month to 200 a month by doing the following... 1. DO NOT EAT OUT. That cut 300 off the top right there. 2. Make a list and stick to it. 3. cook your food, don't eat processed or prepared dishes. Just because you bought it in the grocery store does not mean it doesn't count as 'fast food' or 'eating out' type of food. (i.e. the deli or the bakery).

[@mamajune3864]

I've been intermittent fasting for a couple years and save a heck of a hell lot of money on groceries.

[@V.E.R.O.]

Same, I only eat twice a day now.

[@stanbalo]

Louder!!! There will be enough resources in the world if everyone is doing IF.

[@starberrydrink]

But also: you can double the quality of this IF by only having nutritious and good foods that will energize and fuel your body for your day 👍

[@joyj1219]

Instead of calling a hack, it’s just common sense.

[@victoria.xseven7913]

Don't know if it's just me, but when planning or deciding the next meal, the deciding factor is usually the food going bad first, check the dates and that decides the next meal.

[@lhead7226]

When it doubt don't throw them out freeze your berries before they go bad, you can always use them for smoothies.

[@pamelawing5747]

I just did that with some strawberries this morning and I have pineapple, mango, bananas, and avocado all waiting for the blender. I haven't thrown out fruit is ages, and if something gets by me, it goes to the compost.

[@cynthiaromero2658]

I purposefully buy berries and freeze so i can always have fruit on hand. Meal planning does help.

[@FreeSpirit47]

I love spinach. It's extremely easy to grow. 2 packets of seeds for $3. will give you $300. worth of spinach. It's only leaves growing up out of the soil. It can grow in containers or in a garden plot. Plus? No pesticides, always fresh.

[@trayrite4040]

Or just buy what you need.

[@Chewbucksa]

How much do you have to spend per month on refrigerator food if your WASTE SAVINGS are $400? Is she feeding the whole school bus?

[@happycook6737]

Exactly! She is buying expensive, high end groceries. 🤦

[@mariat6171]

No one is throwing out $300-$400 a month of food going bad in their refrigerator. It's click bait to make you think you can really save $400 a month on food. I have yet to see a story on saving money on food that has any real information in it.

[@kenyonbissett3512]

Depends on your food budget. Usually that high of a number includes very poor planning. But, just throwing out salmon you didn’t cook could be $30+. It probably includes fresh expensive produce and leftovers from eating out. My son came home from a friend’s friend disgusted because they ordered sandwiches from Wawa that cost $120 for one meal with delivery, then decided they didn’t want sandwiches but wanted pizza instead when the sandwich delivery took too long. The sandwiches were thrown out. What a waste of money! Never happen in my house.

[@sarahmorris389]

You’d be surprised. me and my boyfriend spend a little under $100 a month on groceries. we always make a list if we in fact don’t have what we need. We use paper coupons and digital coupons to save us more $ on things we need. helps a lot

[@kenyonbissett3512]

@Sarah Morris you are doing great! I’m impressed. Do you meal plan? Do you eat meat? What are a few meals you eat as examples, please?

[@ellengrace4609]

And if they are throwing $300-$400 away each month, they probably have bigger issues than a “need to use bin” is going to solve.

[@kenyonbissett3512]

@@ellengrace4609 absolutely, 1,000% agree

[@Iworkwithnitwits]

You can start saving money by not buying the most expensive spaghetti sauce in the store. There are many less expensive brands than that jar of Rao's pasta sauce.

[@stanbalo]

A cheaper option is buy tomato paste and chop some fresh tomatoes for texture and sprinkle some italian seasoning

[@Maspets]

Rao's has the lowest sugar content though, we need more vegetables and less sweet, so it's worth it.

[@tmitchem81]

RAO'S is one of the healthier versions of tomato sauce, not everyone has time to make tomato sauce from scratch. Most folks whom are diabetic or on keto use it because it doesn't spike insulin levels high.

[@happycook6737]

@@Maspets It is $8 a jar where I live! Ragu $1.49 (on sale) no sugar added version is my emergency jar sauce. Or I can take a can of stewed or diced tomatoes and spices for under $1. Making my own proper sauce and freezing it is also an option.

[@ellengrace4609]

@@happycook6737 Yes, it is around $8 a jar here also but I stock up during the “buy one, get one” sale, making them $4 a jar. Ragu is around $3 a jar. So only about $1 more for a much higher quality, healthier product. Worth it for me.

[@15minoflame]

you can also freeze things if they are looking like they will go bad. if you have adiquate time in your life and like pickles you can do refrigerator pickling. which is super quick

[@AC-qi9wo]

But only if you plan to use that too it's just another place to clutter up and still not eat the food.

[@_A4A]

My problem was bananas going from green to brown in just a few days and then into the trash, once I made it home from the market. I learned to buy them super green, separate each banana from one another and also keep them away from other ripening fruit. Not only do the bananas stay greener/fresher longer, but they last much longer and if you really like ripe bananas for banana bread or smoothies, just freeze them once they are ripe and then use them in your bread or smoothie when ready....

[@DavidSchneiderIP]

I can't remember the last time we threw out fridge food. People really throw out $300.00 a month?

[@kenyonbissett3512]

Yes, definitely for some families. I know families that will not eat leftovers, throwing them in the trash. It doesn’t even make it to the fridge or freezer.

[@youngz13o]

Its a BS story

[@antoinettepeeps2640]

Same!

[@ndnaf3705]

Same! I half ass meal plan and it does saves time and money. I always have a general idea of what we're eating or I'm cooking in a week.

[@kenyonbissett3512]

@@ndnaf3705 when our family hit a rough spot financially, the most drastic food savings initially came from menu planning. Next, it was choosing low cost but nutritious meals to choose from while trying to get the ingredients for those meals at a lower and lower cost. Eventually, we saved 75% on our food bill each month. That and other cost cutting saved us from losing our home and declaring bankruptcy.

[@alisonfraser8231]

Lifestyles of the rich and wasteful. It is actually a lot better to cook and freeze at peak freshness instead of gorging on near-rotten food. If you always have stuff going bad, you are buying too much!

[@robertwalton1054]

I went to a Thanksgiving dinner once of some friends and they had so much food and barely put a dent in it. The hostess asked if I would stay to help cleanup and I said sure. I looked at the table and there was enough food to feed their family of 5 for at least 5 days. I went to grab something out of my car and when I walked back in the kitchen at that moment, she had the aluminum pan with what was probably at least 60% of the turkey left in her hands and she dumped it in the garbage. I asked what she was doing and she said, "just getting rid of this garbage. We do not eat leftovers in this house and with garbage day being tomorrow I can't wait to get rid of everything"

[@preciousgem84]

Sorry this is nothing new. Poor people have been doing this for years.

[@jbtpa895]

I live alone, I only buy fresh food that can also be cooked and frozen or just frozen. Roast tomatoes and peppers. Chop celery and onions and freeze for soup. Only buy greens,spinach arugula,bok choy that can be frozen. Avocado,mash cover with a thin layer of oil,freeze. Almost everything can be preserved!

[@latinalopez2385]

I saw this clip and thought to myself "why click, is just money hacks which I already know" but I clicked and glad I did! I am notorious for forgetting about left overs in the fridge. Loved this!

[@d.g.4499]

Same!

[@ericacasey2547]

Buy frozen berries

[@kathleenweinberg]

Buying frozen vegetables can last up to two years and I always go out and shop when I'm hungry

[@Marnimarni18]

Thank you gonna start buying more frozen vegetables

[@XammoX89]

I don’t even spend $400 a month on groceries. She did have some good tips.

[@MsBird22]

I was thinking the same thing

[@dontstalkmedeltoro8816]

Are you single? Our family of 4 spends about 1200 a month.

[@elvirasher4891]

@@dontstalkmedeltoro8816 my family of 2 spends $1200. Sometimes i wonder what people eat

[@dontstalkmedeltoro8816]

@@elvirasher4891 I cook most of our food from scratch. No pre-made foods in my house. I have a lot of low cost meals and that's how we keep it at only 1200. Maybe it's where people are living that's the difference. I'm not sure what's the deal.

[@XammoX89]

@@dontstalkmedeltoro8816 I better be single if my groceries are less than $100 a month. Lol. Wasn’t trying to put my business out there… I don’t eat meat & I’m also an assistant manager at a restaurant in SLC, UT.

[@calidreams5379]

You can also freezer bag berries or vegetables and have a need to eat FREEZER bin which will last longer if you have too much for the fridge bin. Frozen berries are great for adding to cereal, oatmeal, even cocktails like Sangria. Stir in extra frozen veggies to soups, stir fry, pasta etc. I never throw away bananas, always have sliced frozen bananas for banana bread, smoothies and oatmeal. Cooking a few slices of frozen bananas with oatmeal adds sweetness without sugar and a nice smooth texture.

[@denissealdana7816]

Oooh this is good!

[@stanbalo]

Use the freezer to prolong food

[@patticurry565]

Since a family should not even have to spend $400 a month on food let alone save that much by not letting it spoil, here are some tips you can actually benefit from! Tastes and habits are going to have to change in the coming months of shortages but you can begin, if you aren't' already, by buying generic products, buy many of your fruits and vegetables frozen which is just as healthy and lasts, buy fresh foods that have been low cost over the years such as bananas, green cabbage, onions, carrots, and potatoes; and ,most of all , eat low on the food chain: whole , unprocessed, plant foods as much as possible to stay healthy and save money . These foods are vegetables, fruits, grains, legumes, seeds and nuts. Also buy a few extra non-perishable foods (and other non food items) you already use each week, to be rotated by best by date, so you are dollar cost averaging as well as ensuring you have things that may not even be available as we approach the fall and winter months. Also find a local farm stand to support.

[@NativeAmericanSwag]

Ummm that's called common sense and the FIFO (First In First Out!) method, I thought everyone knew what! 😳🤦‍♀️🤣🤣🤣

[@carriesmith7165]

It's a good idea, one I had not thought of before. I typically purposely buy staple veggies, breads, some fruits that are on clearance racks. I will chop and freeze the veg for chili, soups, stews, stirfrys which I make in big batches using dried legumes and freeze. Breads/pastries I will freeze if bought on clearance. Fruits I will make a simple mixed berry pie, no extra sugar or apple/pear/peach/cherry cobbler. Also buy literally everything on sale unless it's a must have that week. You can even buy and freeze cheese on sale. Farmers market at the end of the day is your chance to get a basket full of fruit or vegetable at rock bottom price as they want to get rid of it before closing up for the day. Learn how to cook, make big batches and freeze in dinner size portions. My lunches are probably 10 cents, dinner maybe 50 cents to a $1.00 and are healthy. rarely get takeout.

[@xoxoxoxoxo7997]

Price of food is ridiculous

[@Lotusblume.8]

I go shopping once a month and use EVERYTHING in the fridge or cupboards, creating new combinations. I also have a MUST USE ASAP section in my fridge. Saves me lots of money.

[@dontstalkmedeltoro8816]

That was a great tip. I am going to implement it asap.

[@anilaclarke]

Nice food hacks, but that green skirt with the flaps is gorgeous!!!

[@Candie4JC]

I’ve…never spent anywhere close to that on monthly groceries… my brain can’t compute 😂

[@garlicgirl3149]

It depends on where you live.

[@profoundclarity8497]

Until we handle corporations all time record profits....none of these tips really help the 85% living pay to pay in america.....

[@debbieframpton3857]

You can always find Savings no matter how small the budget

[@kootiblu113]

I don't even spend 300 to 400 dollars a month on groceries for my family of 4. I agree with other commenters though. Freezing things that are about to expire is very useful to prevent waste.

[@GreenPenguin82]

I freeze leftover white or brown rice. Whenever I make those boil in a bag rices, we eat about half of them so I freeze the other half for another meal.

[@stacy-annmorgan6685]

Ahh come to Canada u gonna spend over 600 for a family of 4. I try so much to save on grocery but it’s really expensive.

[@tthappyrock368]

The only time I threw out that much food was after last year's ice storm when we didn't have power for a week! We don't even use $400 worth of groceries in a month!

[@nayjavu]

There is no way she figured out that dollar amount from those fundamental things. Lol

[@garlicgirl3149]

Funny, I started doing this when watching videos on decluttering home including the kitchen...refrigerator. It really does help. It makes you use up everything and you find really good recipes too.

[@Tamar-sz8ox]

Need to use bin , simple & easy , many people use Frozen berries

[@andrealujan2989]

Who pays $400 a month for groceries???!!!!

[@profoundclarity8497]

tune in next week....how to sell your kidney on the black market ....

[@kenyonbissett3512]

With skyrocketing costs, maybe a loaf of wheat bread

[@sereneblue202]

My eyes need to see so I dont forget. I like to use up most of the stuff in the pantry and then go shopping. It helps. Also some vegies that don’t last can go in the soup.

[@febyfrancois5438]

You can place in freezer before get old to make smoothies or toppings and buy new berries for children snacks..or grab and berry ziplock small bags..

[@swong705]

If you have fruit on its last leg, cook them up to make compote. It will last longer.

[@kellythomas7619]

Hello

[@Iworkwithnitwits]

Or freeze and use it later to make in a smoothie.

[@ryotaarai3816]

as soon as you bring them home, wash your berries in water with a bit of vinegar to kill the fungi on them and prolong their life a bit.

[@wownewstome6123]

But even a doctor said don't get produce wet and then put them in the frig, because the moisture allows bacteria to grow. Mold, too, I believe.

[@suetilston8733]

watch videos on here about dumpster diving....some pay very little to nothing for groceries...good food is wasted by being thrown out in almost every country! "expired" does not necessarily mean unusable!!

[@valoriecarmona1982]

I check my fridge often for things that are going bad and try to freeze them if I catch it in time. I also plan dinners and try to use the same ingredients that week. If the family dynamics change often like they do in my home (my kids arnt always home), plan to cut back and save on groceries during that time.

[@lulacraftbyjess8064]

Veggies and fruits that are about to go bad can be frozen as well and used for smoothies later.

[@mariewilson345]

Just freeze if you’re not using fruit or veggies that are going to go bad. Spinach, kale freezes. Throw it in a smoothie.

[@Cmon_Nah123]

Good starter video

[@Imbatmn57]

Put crackers/ bead in the freezer, it stays drier so they don't get moldy/ stale

[@stephaniecannon410]

Lot's of Great stuff, Ty. 🌹

[@chan2582]

Yes good tip

[@tomsimpson5317]

The greedy rich is destroying the world

[@KA-eu9sy]

Shop groceries after you've had a full meal. Never shop hungry.

[@bluestonemetallic7]

….you know how I save a buck or two….I eat one hearty meal per day….and two small meals every weekend.

[@stevenmcmillian1977]

Buy produce in season.

[@Matthew-cz3gk]

Better yet. Go to the store once a week and buy only what you need.

[@ArtTheSinger]

In NYC I spend 1k-1200 a month on food.

[@MsBird22]

The fridge in an apartment is NOT that big.

[@sarahm415]

Really?

[@alinewright1093]

Broth in cartons put leftover broth in a plastic bag or another freezable container for later. Yes Use fresh produce in the first of the week in salads, tacos and sandwiches. What is left use for with eggs or soup including Ramen. My Carrots got very old so I just baked the while cooking something else cooled then smashed them. Pkg them to freeze now used in soups or with taco meat as a extender .

[@happycook6737]

These fridges have VERY expensive foods in them. Who can afford to buy this? Out of touch with most people's reality!

[@linzys3193]

Great tip if you can keep to it lol 🤣

[@evelyntobias8081]

I started doing this about 6 months ago and I really throw out a lot less food. I only put veggies like potatoes, carrots, limes or anything that will last longer in the bottom drawer in the fridge. Everything else I put in a basket right on the 1st shelf. I seen somewhere here on YT to put those foods that you need to use up on your fridge door. That's another option.

[@HODATKHO]

eat less

[@ArchnaKapur]

Spend money to save money.

[@chynadoll785]

how about plastic wrap that end of the cucumber? It'll last longer...

[@rh-w8158]

Except my fridge is very small...no space to Organize per food. And canned goods are a help but not as healthy as fresh things!

[@youngz13o]

Of all the times a news report should sound ominous… this is the time….

[@traciepowell6315]

So I should put a container to hold foods that folks been looking at been knowing they don't want and won't eat 👀? 🤔

[@jessicacole8404]

I do like this, but I've tried to cut out most fresh food all together, and that's saved me more. Frozen is life!

[@helgageraldine513]

Do not shop hungry... Or else you'll find yourself dropping by a restaurant or a food court to eat which is not part of the shopping budget.

[@berthacorona3862]

You have how much to spend on food 🤨 Some of us don't have the luggage to spend a few 100 dollars a month for food. Your way of organizing and non-waist of food works for ( I'm assuming financially you are NOT living pay check to pay check🤔 ). In reality there are many people as myself going to food banks, Safeway on Friday's to get the $ 5 deals and going to 3 different grocery stores just to get those sales in order to put food on the table and are not wistful.

[@kenyonbissett3512]

I did hear a good tip for those who use food banks. Food banks are frequently heavy on carbs. Use your food assistance and cash to buy meats & proteins. My local food banks give out venison as the meat. And they give out ham at Easter and turkey at Christmas & Thanksgiving. The food plan needs to include low cost but nutritious meals. My personal favorite is Lentils & Brown Rice casserole from Amy Dacyzyn. Costs about $1.75 with inflation) total to feed 4 people. May I also suggest foraging. Chickweed, dandelions, garlic onion greens and bulbs, purslane, plantain all taste great, especially this time of year.

[@debbieframpton3857]

I buy nothing but Mark down meat at Kroger at a fraction of the cost the only hamburger I buy is marked down and I usually find enough 93% lean tonight I had a mark down steak baked potato and beets. Today at Kroger I asked the meat manager why they have so much pork she said it gets shipped to them and hardly anybody is buying pork that's why they have a lot of pork markdown

[@kenyonbissett3512]

@@debbieframpton3857 you are another example of a way to to buy meat for a families protein needs. My area does have markdown meat. We do not have markdown breads/fruits/veggies/dairy because it all goes to the local food pantries. Every now and then there is some fruit/veggies marked down, but not enough to use it as a frequent money saving strategy.

[@debbieframpton3857]

@@kenyonbissett3512 , I'm glad you can at least find mark down meat my Kroger also has markdown produce bakery deli items and in the aisle with the pet food is a whole section of markdown foods it might be cereal chips canned goods or household items. Besides using paper and digital coupons it's the best way I know to save money at the grocery store do you have other stores in your area that does markdowns

[@kenyonbissett3512]

@@debbieframpton3857 I live in an area of solidly upper middle class (majority) and working poor. Our food banks/pantries support those struggling, the working poor and those on assistance. We have a very strong system including every school receiving Backpacks 🎒 for education. Our state has a program allowing specially licensed hunters (unpaid) to hunt deer 7 months of the year. The deer are assessed by Natural Resources then given to licensed deer processors. The meat is distributed to food pantries for those in need. Win-Win for Hunters, Citizens & the Hungry. Between donations, the grocery stores and deer 🦌 program our families in need are helped. These programs have been in place for many years. I have adjusted and learned ways to shop to still survive and thrive. I have been blessed enough to not need a food pantry. I coupon for household and personal items. I menu plan and shop in bulk the bargain bottom prices to keep food prices low. Most of the digital and paper coupons for the past 3 mos haven’t been food. But the stores in my area offer $10 off $75 of $20 off $100. They all accept each other’s coupons so I use those coupons at whoever has the best deals. Safeway/Giant offer free food several times a month. $5 off $5.01 purchase or 10lb russet potatoes, 1lb butter. I don’t travel far so I use grocery points to lower my gas prices and get $ off or free food like a rotisserie chicken. This week a 5lb box of crackers with a $25 purchase. That will be my bread for awhile as it’s the equivalent of 5 loaves of bread. I love crackers and hummus. Hummus is so nutritious, easy and cheap to make from scratch.

[@janna4994]

Frozen vegetables are inexpensive and awesome, I literally just throw them in a frying pan and heat em up, delicious!

[@MISSLOVELY_REE]

that's why I ❤ frozen foods thank you walmart life saver

[@carolbenson6524]

I only spend 300 a month. These tips are just common sense everyone! Gee!

[@sierrachoco5271]

Video states the obvious!!

[@ArchnaKapur]

Half cut cucumber.....sick

[@rl4849]

Ummm, don't eat?

[@jjbutterbeans1515]

Stop eating.

[@shawnalynn8428]

I do this now and yes I save as much as I can but my food bill for 6 people is still 800-1000 a month

[@raleemay]

Good tip but I doubt it will save me $300-$400 😂

[@ayishaablake4397]

If you're wasting $300 to $400 in food waste your can't cook. There's no plastic container that is going to save you money if don't not the basics on creating dishes for you family to eat. This clip was just stupid.

[@sandraschneider8438]

Medicaid clients get mega $$$$ for food. Way more than they need. Thing is the unwed dad’s eat most of it and the kids eat junk or go hungrier than they should. Who spends I’ve $400 /month on food?

[@happycook6737]

I just found out people can pay for Starbucks cold drinks using food stamps if the Starbucks is inside a grocery store. What an outrage! I asked one of my students why he has a Starbucks fancy cold drink daily and he told me, "We don't pay for it with real money...." Oh my, how sad. I also see food stamp people buying single serve water bottles! In my city you can drink the tap water.

[@sjmom5119]

just 9% ?

[@PH-tv2sw]

Only buy two to three days of food at a time

[@ltrg361]

What is that annoying background sound?

[@bambils123]

They say 8.5 percent 😂 up to 50% in one year.

[@MilaMila20240]

Wanna save money ? Don't Eat At All. 😂😝 Just kidding. Do what you think is the best option for you or your family.

[@gasparma2316]

That seems more like a fantasy fridge I’ll I see is snacks what about real food? Let’s be realistic not many families can’t afford the healthy food cuz it’s more expensive and specially if u have a family of 4 or more. The real way to save money is eating left overs for a couple of days.

[@tessabishop5455]

I can't so I don't use $300-400 a month for Food. That's an incredible amount for a single person.

[@theshelbypalace]

lol maybe dont buy too much food that you're not going to be using right away ..DUH

[@kris2455]

Lol I spend about 400USD a month and we are a family of 3.

[@carolbrasket7119]

Sure spend 200$ for bends to save money, alot of people's refrigerator don't miss food because they don't have alot of food,

[@margitbruckl5540]

I only spend 300 a month - shame on me vor click 😣

[@katekramer7679]

LOL if you can already afford to spend $400 on groceries and throw out food because you've let it spoil, you don't need "tips". You need common sense.

[@lee9604]

These "tips" are all common sense ideas. How elementary. Shop the sales. Learn to cook and don't buy pre- anything.

[@TotalofZero]

I definitely needed multi millionaires telling me to look for sales and eat less. This time in history will be known as the tipping point for capitalism.

[@maricel0602]

How to save money on groceries? Don’t vote democrat

[@danielteegarden8982]

lmao..................bs

[@ndnaf3705]

I've found that it's about the same cost to go out to eat instead of buying too many expensive groceries as of late.

[@happycook6737]

I can fix most meals for between .25 and $2 a serving. Going out to eat isn't cheaper for us

[@claudiacorral4559]

this video is ridiculous!!!! not useful at all

[@demekonrn]

I've been putting my suspicious fruit into pancake sheet pans mix & it's a quick reheat in the microwave for an easy breakfast.

[@kristen2693]

Lol sus fruit