25+ Clever Tips to Save Money on Food (How to Reduce Your Grocery Expenses Quickly)

[@karikendrick1158]

Something we did at my house was cancel Amazon Prime. We add to the cart things we need, look it over when ready to get rid of the unnecessary stuff, and place an order once a month. Shipping is still free, we got rid of the monthly fee, and stopped the frivolous purchases.

[@maria_w311]

Reduce food waste with twice weekly leftover checks. Every Wednesday & and Sunday, I pull all the leftovers out of the fridge. Use them that day or freeze for later.

[@sarahandrade8462]

Great habit to get into

[@marybethfrain7165]

I often freeze bits and pieces of leftovers ..then make soup and dump them in

[@holdenkendrick1062]

😊

[@holdenkendrick1062]

😊😊😊😊😊

[@shaunaleessnackidies]

Great idea!

[@ms6760]

Don‘t be afraid of an almost empty fridge - use up as much as you can, before you do you shop for fresh groceries. If you practise this and get a bit creative, nothing goes to waste. Added bonus: Cleaning the fridge is super easy. I clean my fridge weekly on the day before I do my weekly shopping trip and it takes just a few minutes to take everything out, wipe and put the items back, because it is not much left.

[@THEJENNIFERCOOK]

Great advice! Thank you for sharing 🤗

[@americafirst9144]

When you have 18 kinds of hot sauce and a slow cooker full of homemade yogurt in your small fridge, it is never empty.

[@PREPPYGIRLy01]

I am so happy to see my fridge almost empty because yes it means nothing went to waste and I can easily clean beforr I shop again 😊

[@saharamir930]

I do the same 😊

[@rhondashephard-z7p]

Use a carrot peeler for buttering hard butter. Use less and melts better

[@leecolebatch7371]

After the roast chicken is finished with don't just throw the carcass away, put it in a pan and cover with some water and simmer until all the little bits of meat fall off. It makes a great base for chicken gravy or soup.😊 Leonie from Australia

[@THEJENNIFERCOOK]

Thank you, Leonie! Great tip 🤗

[@thedabler8470]

Meal planning is absolutely key to saving money. In fact it’s impossible to save and provide meals for a family without it. I watched my mother AND grandmother meal plan and shop. They both lived through the depression, and ever lived outside of their means. I meal plan also, but I admit I get busy sometimes and get lax and when I do I immediately see an increase in money spent. For anyone doubting what Jennifer says here, take my advice and listen to hers 😊

[@maryjanegibson7743]

It's worth remembering that stores put their higher-profit items at eye-level. Make a point of checking the bottom and top shelves when you buy something, and you'll often find a similar product at a lower price.

[@WooshMagoosh]

Holy crap, this is a massively underrated comment. I've been budget shopping for years, never surmised this.

[@nmkuemmerlein9996]

Jennifer, during a long year of low income I taught myself to shop with a list and cash, rounding each item UP to the next dollar and keeping a cumulative total . At checkout, I was amazed that this method accounted for any tax. I never went over budget and often came in quite a bit below.

[@THEJENNIFERCOOK]

Love that!

[@jennaleonard3870]

I always eat fresh food first and then I cook with my canned/boxed/frozen food to combat food waste.

[@melaniecastillo9786]

I appreciate all of these tips. We have developed 'freezer roulette or freezer lotto'. I freeze my leftovers because I can't stand them more than twice in a row. Then the days I dont want to cook, I pull something out and have that for my meal. My sister labels her meals. I dont. That takes the fun out of it. One tip to mention.. if it it wasn't good the first time, don't save it. Being food smart doesn't mean you have to suffer twice!

[@buckeyedav1]

Something I have been doing as a new widow is my brother in law showed me these black trays he's been buying at Sams Club they are Hefty brand there are something like 30 trays in a pack for $10.00. I still cook big meals like I did when my husband was alive but I portion them in to single serve meals put them in those trays and label with freezer tape. I cook a couple meals at a time usually and freeze them. I put most in my deep freezer but put 1 or 2 in my top freezer of my refrigerator. I also do this with frozen fruit that I like to have so a sweet. I buy bulk size brocolli florets and portion those out too and cucumbers which I use often in place of chips/fries/ snacky stuff put in frig. and label. So it's easier to resist the temptation of going out for fast food if I have meals to go in the freezer I just look in the morning usually and decide what I want for dinner and pull one out to thaw you can always microwave frozen meals but for me it's just easier. So I have things like Tuna Casserole, Egg Rolls that I precooked, Chili, Navy Bean Soup. I am a Canner so I often will Can up Beans so when I am meal prepping I just make my usual crockpot meals and then freeze in the containers. I also cook up hamburger patties and freeze in those containers. They have made life so much easier and cost effective. I gave up hamburger buns in the now older days our parents never bought hamburger or hot dog buns we used sliced bread and I am totally o.k. with that. I hope this helps give others ideas on how to prep ahead. I also buy apples/pears when they are on sale and Can those up as apple sauce or pear sauce for quick easy and healthy dessert options. I recently looked at ingredients for Motts Applesauce only to discover they use corn syrup in their product that's a big No on my list of foods that aren't healthy choices when I can make my own cheaper and simple healthy ingredients Sugar or No Sugar they both taste good along with water and lemon juice that's it. Anna In Ohio

[@fourdayhomestead2839]

👍 lots of good tips. Freezer meals & fresh items preserved for later without the added junk. Great job.

[@lindamcteer]

A neat and organized pantry can save money. I went to the grocery store and bought grape jelly and mustard to make sauce for cooking a dish in the crockpot for Sunday dinner today. Later I found that I already had both items in my messy disorganized pantry! Great video.

[@THEJENNIFERCOOK]

🤗

[@kenyonbissett3512]

Just a thought, before shopping take pictures of your pantry and fridge contents. You don’t have to remember perfectly.

[@kenyonbissett3512]

@@bnbtemple5936 I admit I got the idea from someone else ☺️

[@viviandunbar1505]

This may be old news, but I decided to learn how to make my favorite restaurant meals. For instance, we love our local pub's Thai chili chicken wraps. I makrmy own version of it. It tastes almost identical, I like mine MORE and it costs SO LITTLE BY COMPARISON!! 😊

[@THEJENNIFERCOOK]

Sounds delicious!

[@melaniecastillo9786]

We need that recipe!

[@viviandunbar1505]

😂 Cut up some cooked chicken breast, set aside. In a frying pan, cook some shredded carrots and cabbage with a little sesame oil and a tiny bit of water. When that's wilted a bit, add some garlic, ginger and onion (if you want to) . Meanwhile cook a cup of rice or more. Once your veg is cooked enough, combine with the rice and chicken and pour on prepared Thai Sweet Chili sauce to taste. I use probably a cup or so. Put it in a tortilla. Hope you enjoy ❤

[@seraluna893]

Make your own spice mixtures. Sometimes the mixtures you can buy in the stroe have a lot of sugar mixed in and are still more expensive than the single ingredients. Just have a look on the ingredients of your favorite mix and go ahead mix it yourself.

[@Dana-ml7sy]

I meal prep my basics, root vegetables to bulk out bolognese or shepherds pie or baked potato topper, beef stew & proteins to add to salad in a jar, boiled eggs, grated cheese, tuna & bean mix for adding to salads & sandwiches, roast chicken & green vegetables & peeled onions, sliced & put in bags in the freezer ready to use. (You can just snap them if you want them smaller.) I put celery & carrots in jars of water to add to hummus, or grapes/apple/pears with cubes of cheese. Most prepped food can be adjusted for different meals & they become tastier. Greek yogurts portioned into small kilner jars & fresh berries or stewed frozen fruits on top with nuts or coconut flakes. Sugar free jelly with fruit in jars with added custard & cream & toppings. These are my basics to ring the changes. If pressed for time recipes change & sometimes we have just fried eggs & chips with beans or tinned peas just because we like them. I keep staples like sausage rolls, spring rolls & complete meals that I’ve made or bought on special offer in the freezer. We like take away Chinese & Indian boxes so I buy the supermarket ones, usually on SO & keep them in a freezer drawer labelled Take Away. I add the odd meals to them to eke it out for another day. I keep the bones of chicken & washed vegetable trimmings in a plastic box in the freezer to make stock once full. My husband thinks I can make something out of nothing at the drop of a hat, little does he know!

[@MichelleFouche1]

Parents can really help their children by teaching them to eat mostly everything. When they grow up it will help them save a lot of money and be healthy!

[@stepher6338]

After buying chicken at our closest Costco was spoiled by the time I got home. I began keeping a picnic cooler in my car . I haven’t had issues since. We now have a closer Costco but keeping a cooler in the car has saved the day several times.😊

[@lindap.p.1337]

I use those freezer bags the same way.

[@ΠανωραίαΚόκκινου-ι4σ]

Wow that is good! Thanks!❤

[@hmoobmama]

I only go grocery shopping once a month (beginning of the month). I’ve been doing this for close to ten years. My cart is usually full over the rim. My favorite store is Aldi, and an oriental store. I have a family of five adults, and I only spend $500-600 a month. I only buy the usuals. We don’t get too crazy or creative with our meals, and I never meal prep or meal plan. Shopping once a month definitely saves me trips to the grocery store. If we run out of milk, I’ll just get a gallon at the gas station.

[@jenniferdurbin6176]

You can freeze milk eggs bread and cheese. I have a deep freezer that I do this with. Also buying a cow pig and chicken to freeze from a local rancher/ farmer saves money and will last for a few years. So the years you don't buy meat you can save for the next one. I bought 1/2 a cow for 900 and it filled a 15cb freezer. Lasted use 2 years until my nephew unplugged my deep freezer. Lucky we had used almost all of it but ma'am the smell was horrible.

[@lindap.p.1337]

How do you possibly shop once a month and not meal plan? Impossible.

[@adz5bneweng589]

I have a great book: "Frozen Assets: Cook for a Day, Eat for a Month". All about prepping food in advance and freezing. Can be meals, but is typically prepping meal components that you combine into different meals over the month.

[@THEJENNIFERCOOK]

Thanks for sharing!

[@sallycampbell7892]

M😢5

[@dianethompson6804]

I knew of a family that Sunday's evening meal was popcorn! They usually had a big meal for lunch, so the evening was one big snack. Not necessarily nitrious, but inventive.

[@Lynn-qp8xv]

to save carrots just peel them and put in the container filled up with water, they will last months!! That’s what I always do. They are also super crispy, and ready to snack/use right away because they’re already peeled. 😊

[@Dana-ml7sy]

Months? I have put carrot sticks in a jar filled with water & it will last about a week. After that they lose the crunch & then the taste will change. May even last a few more days but not months. I’m in the U.K. so maybe carrots are different in different countries.

[@bettyir4302]

@@Dana-ml7sy USA here. I just wash them and let them air dry. Put them back in a clean breathable bag in the drawer of the fridge and they last a month. Chop and freeze/dehydrate/home can if need be.

[@danat5983]

​@bettyir4302 my carrots last several months that way also

[@Silverstar257]

I have ADHD, and therefore, not only do I get distracted easily but I also have low motivation to cook. However, I have a family of 5 to feed and a budget to stick to. Every time I come back from grocery shopping, I write down the meals I’m going to make in the week as I put away my grocery. I also take note of Left-overs and To be Consumed Fast items. That way, I can literally see what’s in my fridge right in front of my eyes. It’s also great that I get to check off my To Cook list throughout the week,

[@brendaborgmeyer7772]

I add bread with lots of grain as filler for ground beef. Put in blender to get crumbs. It’s delish, even my picky picky eaters can’t tell the difference.

[@THEJENNIFERCOOK]

Brenda, that's a smart idea!

[@chrisrickenbach8167]

Is that like making the meat and adding whole grain bread to it, kind of like a meatball?

[@AdaPeterson-r1i]

Freezing leftovers works great to reduce waste. When making dinner, I look at leftovers to see what can be made from it. Leftovers can be used to create different food. For example taco meat can be used in soup or sloppy joes.

[@THEJENNIFERCOOK]

Great tip!

[@sheilafreisthler4421]

I have a Kroger, Walmart, and ALDI within a half mile of each other, all on the same side of the road!! Makes for easy shopping. Shopping with a list is a must! There’s an Amish store about an hour away that has wonderful premade soup mixes. I go every couple of months and pick up several of them, fix the entire mix, then freeze what I don’t eat right away. Saves a lot of time and money this way.

[@THEJENNIFERCOOK]

Sheila, that is wonderful! Definitely makes the in and our of multiple stores quick and easy.

[@rhondashephard-z7p]

Think outside box. Taco soup next day as taco salad with or without the bowl. Keeping a master list of what’s in your kitchen Use that to make list or subtract. Chop up small amounts or carrots onions potatoes celery odds and ends left over vegetable freeze as you go. Then make soup with can of tomato juice and you have prep done. Toss in hamburger chicken pork

[@mrpmrp226]

One of the first things I did when I got out on my own was learn to make pizza. I bought an inexpensive Ateco pan in the aisle of a supermarket, and it was the best pizza pan I ever had, including the fancy ones. I've still got it, and that's the one I've used all these years. So don't be fooled by expensive equipment. I use very cheap aluminum pans for making bread, and it comes out perfect for sandwiches. Anyway, making pizza was one of the best things I ever learned to save money. It was not only inexpensive, and versatile, but acceptable for guests, kids love it, you can dress it up or down.

[@Spot4art]

Prepped for a good year’s worth. Now we restock and plan. Leftovers are used up. I am earnestly planning one week ahead for our main meal. We shop every two weeks. That notes app is a help on my phone😂 and the wipe off board on the fridge. 👍 runouts go there.

[@mrpmrp226]

It took me 2 years, but I transposed all my recipes, family recipes too, onto my computer. When I see things on sale, like chicken breast, I just type it into my computer and all my favorite recipes using chicken breast pop up. It gives me ideas on what to make. I added tags on each recipe like Christmas, New Years, Birthdays, Partys, Picnics, Cookout, Make Ahead, Italian, Asian, etc. so I could search by them. Then, I made flash keys of my recipes and put them into little boxes, giving them away as little gifts to family and friends, including the file of Favorite Family Recipes that have been handed down through the generations.

[@janeulness2119]

Rotisserie chicken is never cheaper than throwing a dollar a pound chicken in a slow cooker or insta pot. When going to two stores, if they aren’t close together, piggyback the second store with another errand, . The rest of your ideas are stellar! I’ve been saying the same things in my blog for years, you have a more eloquent way of saying it! Thank you, 😊

[@crystalh1402]

I absolutely love the channel living on a dime and buying only on sale or clearance so you only meal plan and eat from your pantry and sales of the week.

[@shirleylangton7967]

Jennifer, you really spent time and effort on this video, it was great! I shop like the teacher. Certain items are much less expensive, or better quality (eg meat) at a neighbouring store. I will shop the two stores to get what I need at the lower cost or for the quality.❤❤

[@THEJENNIFERCOOK]

Thank you so much!

[@reginaeldracher4299]

I've recently discovered for meal planning that I only have to meal plan from Monday till Thursday. I'll grab fish for Friday and somehow I manage to make all of those groceries stretch for an entire week. Meal planning for the entire week wasn't working for me because I wasn't always sticking to the meal plan. That led to me having tons of extra food laying around.😅 I love your videos! This has been very helpful. Thanks so much!❤

[@SBL1932]

When my son was growing up we had free for all Friday. I did not cook and we ate the leftover in the frig. I also had a jar I keep left over vegetable in and made veggie soup.

[@THEJENNIFERCOOK]

Love it!

[@hollysouthall7739]

I label leftovers with painters tape and a sharpie. My adhd teens said it’s overwhelming to have to look inside the containers and food was getting wasted. Since I started labels food gets eaten 😊Sometimes even stuff I wanted to eat is gone before I get a chance.

[@amyk6028]

Yes! I go to Walmart for cleaning supplies, paper towels, toilet paper, Chips, etc. Then I across the street to the Publix and get the BOGO foods we eat. I meal plan around whatever meats are on sale. We do what we gotta do to stay afloat! Thanks for another great video ❤

[@carolyn683]

If your buying cold things and shopping multiple stores bring your cooler with ice along! I just pop the refrigerator good into the cooler and then i can take my time.

[@THEJENNIFERCOOK]

Great idea!!

[@ΠανωραίαΚόκκινου-ι4σ]

Great idea! Thanks! And you take your time for the rest of things you have to do! Wow 👌 ❤

[@jeanshoults573]

During the week I keep tract on the COZY app.on my phone the things we run out of or know we need. We (retired couples) have a written list of everything in our 2 freezers, updated as needed. I plan our weekly menu based on what we have and any new ingredients needed for different meals. I write our menu with my calender so I can see our plans for week. We stick to menu for the most part but if something comes up we may switch up days or do something totally different. Flexible if needed. May sound like a lot of work but once it's set up it's a breeze.

[@THEJENNIFERCOOK]

Jean, thank you for sharing all the ways you save on meals 🤗

[@sozod2000]

Not only do I grate my own cheese, but I also slice it up for the sandwiches… I’ve been doing that for a long time, and I know it saves money. Once you get in the habit of doing these things it’s like second nature. Sounds like it takes a lot of time but it’s just the learning curve that takes a little bit of time and then remembering to do it the next time. I also shop at two grocery stores. The funny thing is so do other people… I see the same people in the second store that I saw in the first store. Pretty funny!😅

[@THEJENNIFERCOOK]

Love it! 🤗

[@americafirst9144]

I prefer to go shopping twice a week. I alternate between big grocery stores. Then I'll add in smaller stores each time.

[@thefunfam1433]

I grew up doing that and can’t stop buying the pre shredded! I probably should start up!

[@kaleighmjones]

Something else that I didn't see or hear mentioned is to do a kitchen/pantry inventory before going to the store or meal planning. My normal grocery shopping/meal planning process is 1. kitchen/pantry inventory - write down every item you have that can be used to make a meal/snack, 2. meal plan - using the kitchen inventory plan meals with items you have on hand, 3. make a list of items needed for each meal, 4. grocery list - using the list of items needed for meals and the kitchen inventory make a list of items still needed from the store, 5. grocery pickup - using your phone/laptop pull up the stores you shop at frequently (Kroger, Walmart, Aldi, etc.) and compare prices for each item on your list. I have found in my area that 9 times out of 10 Walmart has the cheapest items, but always compare because of weekly ads! 6. My last tip is to spend $5-10 (sometimes more) and stock up on pantry items. I'll also buy extra meats when they are on sale and deep freeze them so that I don't have to buy meat every time I grocery shop.

[@sukanyakhan]

Hi Jennifer, have a small request to make Your videos are extremely helpful regardless where your viewers reside from Would suggest putting sections to the videos for each tips.. just so that its user friendly for the ones where they might not relate to a point or an advice..

[@THEJENNIFERCOOK]

Great suggestion!

[@ShatteredRippleBooks]

I've started having salad for dinner a couple of times a week and sometimes I just have chicken burger sandwich. Then other nights I'll have something like pie, potatoes and vegetables.

[@THEJENNIFERCOOK]

That sounds yummy!

[@pamelamonteiro9601]

Exactly how I eat & never waste a thing.

[@frenchfruga4851]

Good evening jennifer from south of France ! I like watching everything about frugalism , as far as a i am concerned , i only spend 90 euros on my food because i eat lot of vegetables , i don't care about industrial receipes and no smoke , no alcohol and no fast food too I cook myself and i look like a 20 years man instead of 40 and i eat between 12 and 20 o'clock Last year , i closed the reimbursement of my flat bought in 2014 thanks to my savings on transport-food-accomodation I can invest in real estates and stock market now because i'm really excited by my FIRE plan , i hope to be in it as soon as possible and for you too 😉

[@THEJENNIFERCOOK]

🤗

[@lilypudd]

I have a side by side refrigerator that's deeper that wide. I found that things would get pushed to the back and go bad before eaten. I purchased some clear narrow but long bins and utilized them. They are great and work like drawers. I also put less used condiments at the back of these bins & anything fresh at the front.

[@marciamakoviecki3295]

Best for health and budget... fast for a day every week! Or eat one meal a day.

[@mrpmrp226]

Buying fresh herbs in the supermarket are so expensive if you use them in anything but small quantities. Years ago I planted my yard with perennial herbs: sage, oregano, thyme, chives, French tarragon, spearmint. Each year I let the parsley bloom and it reseeds itself and I am rewarded with several more plants. Chives and lettuces also reseed. I put my rosemary and basil in pots inside for the winter and put them out again in the late spring. To keep herbs fresh in the refrigerator, I use a mason jar with an inch of water in it. I cover the jar with a plastic bag you get for vegetables in the produce section, blow into the bag to give it some carbon dioxide for the plant, and secure it with a rubber band. I can keep some herbs that way fresh for a 6 weeks. If your potatoes or onions are sprouting, plant them if the season is right for them and watch them grow.

[@willardkathy9588]

We live in hot south Georgia. It takes 30 minutes to get to town . We combine our shopping , Walmart, kroger, foodlion, for people tractor supply for the critters. We keep our food safe by bringing a cooler with ice packs. We pack a lunch in there also. When we get home there is not so much of a rush for the cold stuff. I can take my time to divide up meats and cheeses for the freezer. We are retired so have time in a day. When I worked I put a cooler in the car when I knew I was going to shop on the way home.

[@gabbyholloman177]

be sure to check out you local discount grocery stores. i stop by there as my first shopping trip each month and use what i get there to help plan my meals. i was able to get a whole deli turkey (un cut) for 10$ when at the store they are selling it (cut) for 10.70 a pound. we use this to help us stretch our thanksgiving leftovers and have plentily more in the freezer for sandwiches'

[@vonalaird1883]

This one youtuber that I watched a year monitored her fridge every day, so i have been doing that. And if things need to be used i have been putting it right where i can see it when i open the door. The biggest mistake that I make letting food go to the back of the fridge. It really doesn't take that long every morning for me.

[@THEJENNIFERCOOK]

Great tip!

[@thefunfam1433]

Most food can be salvaged though. I hardly go by the dates I just use my nose

[@tanial8171]

I am seriously listening to your advice and what not, I receive an instagram link from my husband about a fridge organization, you know with all those clear containers and dividers especific to a product and a bunch of processed food and it looks so nice but so far from what I am intended to do with our finances. Hopefully he takes me serious about saving. Have a nice sunday

[@Sweet87671]

I like that zone of leftovers in the fridge! And leftover day!

[@upcountrycharlottemason]

We don't eat snacks anymore. We eat whole foods at mealtime and so we stay full longer. We eat a meal until it is gone (I don't cook something new until we do so). I go to the produce and meat sections of the store; then I get oils/fats; that way as I am adding up the bill in my head I know that I have the essentials before I reach my budget.

[@shaunaleessnackidies]

Great reminders, and I never thought of a blog on my grocery store to get deal ideas, thanks! I totally agree on these!

[@THEJENNIFERCOOK]

You are so welcome!

[@jekalambert9412]

Lots of great well thought tips. Thanks. I keep a list in my phone that has all the stores I shop at regularly. When I'm running low on an item, it goes on the list for the appropriate store(s). I find this way more efficient than running around on shopping day trying to figure out what I need to purchase. It also helps me plan where I need to shop. I learned this nest tip when living in Hawaii. Always keep a cooler in your car. When you're heading out to grocery shop, put a couple of frozen blue ice blocks in the cooler. When bagging my groceries, I separate perishables from non-perishables. Perishables go in the cooler. This prevents food spoilage in hot weather, especially when you shop at multiple locations. I cannot do meal planning, so I keep a diverse array of veggies in the fridge and meats in the freezer, as well as an assortment of pasta, rice, dried and canned beans as well as other grains. This way I can be spontaneous about preparing foods that appeal to me on the days I cook. I always try to make leftovers so I can eat them for breakfast or lunch the following day(s). I eat dinner for breakfast, then eat another light meal around 4-5pm. I don't do well when eating sugary foods for breakfast because these types of foods spike my blood sugar, then it plummets a few hours later, leaving me dizzy, light headed and unable to function. I usually don't eat after the 2nd meal, but if I'm really hungry, I'll snack on some carrot sticks, fruit, a few nuts or a slice of cheese.

[@brg2743]

We are buying mostly lost leaders and Aldi deals and things we need at Aldi and local grocery. Freezing potatoes after blanching and flash freezing when they are cheaper than frozen. Then we vacuum seal them. It is time consuming, but worth it. Next will be baking acorn squash and butternut squash to mash and put in to vacuum seal flat in freezer.

[@bettyir4302]

Since you're already mashing it, make squash soup so it's a ready meal.

[@brg2743]

@@bettyir4302 Good idea. We have never tried that.

[@gladyschandler6724]

I did an inventory of my pantry and put on a memo pad with expiration dates on my phone. Restock when I'm low and a particular item.

[@olaola3692]

Great tips! Especially the one to round up prices, love it and will implement in my shopping routine. Ps. They add chemicals to preserve shredded cheese so not only pricey but also unhealthy

[@THEJENNIFERCOOK]

Thanks for sharing!!

[@kenyonbissett3512]

There are many ways to meal plan. Like there are many ways to learn to read or ride a bicycle. Find one the fits your style and use that or modify it to fit your style, you won’t regret it. My personal is reverse meal planning, but that’s what I needed when I first started. I also do it by pricing: meat averages $1-2 a lb for each meal, carb averages around $0.60-$1 a lb and vegetables equal $0.64-$1.50lb, for lunches and dinners. That keeps dinners for 4 at around $2.25-$4.50. I add a budget of $10-15 for fruits and $5-10 for dairy. 7 dinners X $3.50= $24.50 7 lunches X $3=$21 7 breakfast X $3=$21 Fruit $12 Dairy $10 Total $90 or less. Can I do it for less? YES, but this is loose planning.4X$90=$360 month.

[@goodenoughgirl8102]

My best savings have been staying flex with reverse meal planning and going with the mega markdown flow. (Buying mega deals in multiples). And also the great digital coupon deals. I also do generic on some things and keep a running list of “regulars” on my fridge. And most def “rethink” dinner. Lol. This month was extra crunchy (whopper 6 months car insurance due) and I’m pretty much just buying milk and eating off of my clearance stock. Also learning how to store my food better so it lasts longer and strive not to waste. Single person w lots of cats (that I plan out some grocery meat for-often chicken deals and liver). Mid month I’ve spent $25 and it easily looks like about $25 more is all I’ll need for the rest of the month. My latest fun thing is getting tortilla chip deal at grocery store and getting my $3 pint of salsa at the restaurant. 5 month average for groceries is about $165/month and I don’t at all feel deprived and my pantry/freezer is still pretty full. Dining out/take out average $62/mo. Great tips. Lol. I do most of these things now but I used to be such a train wreck in the kitchen and all of it was such a giant ball of stress for me. If I can do it, anyone can. The main thing for me was relaxing the freak outs I was having over meal planning. So my “planning” now is more relaxed and it helps me not stress over what to plan. As I often will let the deals “help me decide.” And then the follow through is just commit to eating a lot from what all I bought. Reverse meal planning and reverse psychology. Lol. The rest was just practice, practice, practice. And then when you’re busting at the seams with the deals, you just slow down or pause all the shopping and eat more of what you already have for awhile.

[@maryjanegibson7743]

Something I have done for a long time is to develop a roster of recipes that stretch expensive ingredients like meat so that you can get more than one meal from whatever it is that you are making. And we love hearty soups and we don't mind having soup more than once in the week. Ingredients like beans and barley are inexpensive and filling, and they are delicious in soups.

[@turbotehe]

Thank you for this video. I discovered your channel recently and your videos have given me so much inspiration on different ways to save money. I tend to put your videos on while I'm working and just listen as I go about my day.

[@THEJENNIFERCOOK]

I'm so glad! Thank you so much 😊

[@maria_w311]

Fill the freezer and use up the special ingredient tip. Triple your recipe. Eat 1 today and freeze the rest for easy meals.

[@THEJENNIFERCOOK]

Great tip!

[@claudinavivo7416]

You’ve just given me the best idea I’ve ever had!!! I’ll keep it for me it it’s time for me to come out. Thanks again!!

[@debbiedorsey2371]

I was so happy to see your frugal tips video! Thank you for your tips! ❤

[@THEJENNIFERCOOK]

You are so welcome!

[@evapmama-blue77]

Thank you - really trying to get better a meal planning for the week 😊

[@THEJENNIFERCOOK]

So glad!

[@ReturnToSenderz]

I use my meal plan more as just a list of meals I know I have the ingredients for rather than a schedule. Sometimes I have a bunch of leftovers I need to use up or a different meal works better that day for whatever reason, but being able to just choose something from the list instead of having to think through my whole inventory is great. 😎

[@mrpmrp226]

I used to keep a bottle of SoftSoap by every sink in my home, but over time, I found the quality of the product deteriorated as the price went up. So I saved those pump dispensers, and now I use economy dish soap to wash my hands, and it works so much better. Lots of bubbles. Plus I can use it to wash dishes if I need to, though i usually prefer Dawn for that.

[@Nonidee]

When our kids were young we always had a Musgo night , you know this must go, that must go. I always save my veg. scraps and bones and add them to a freezer bags than when I have enough I make stock. I also save all my cookie crumbs in a jar when I have enough I make a cookie crust. I save the bits from different kinds of cereal add nuts, raisins, choc. chips, pretzels seasoning and make my own trail mix. Love your video……Dee

[@THEJENNIFERCOOK]

That's a great name for the clean out night 🤗

[@elizabethsydnor5247]

Thank you for your ideas

[@ReturnToSenderz]

I have one exception to the “shop the perimeter” rule: the convenience items! I’m talking about the cute little bottles of lemon juice and minced garlic and things like that. Those are almost always the most expensive version of that item, so if I see one and think, “Oh yeah, I ran out if that!”, I go to the juice aisle, the spice aisle, or wherever it would be and get a cheaper item from there.

[@THEJENNIFERCOOK]

You are right! They do sprinkle in those high-priced convenience items. Great reminder! Thank you 😊

[@teresablack6270]

Love it all! I make enough each dinner meal to have a second dinner later in the week as well as 2 lunch portions. Some meals I will purposely double when cooking then split half of it to freeze. I will pill it out on nights when I don't have time to cook. Taste of Home has some terrific cookbooks devoted to this. They call them Freezer Pleaser meals!

[@THEJENNIFERCOOK]

Great idea!!

[@temmietaft2552]

Thanks for sharing this video. I really enjoyed it.

[@ritakrizsan3740]

I keep learning new things, I just found your channel. I really enjoy it. I will have my notepad out!:)

[@THEJENNIFERCOOK]

Rita, welcome 🤗

[@jimlaregina]

Regarding driving around to more than one or two grocery stores: Add everything you spend on automobile ownership, including the car's price, gas, maintenance, repairs, insurance, tolls, parking fees, and cash washes. It works out to 55 cents or more a mile. A round-trip of ten miles costs at least $5.50.

[@AlC-k2j]

Time stamps would be great Jennifer. Thanks for all your efforts.

[@barbaratozzano6364]

I use store brands all the time. Mostly i cant tell the difference. Even on sale, name brands usually cost much more

[@samanthadudley6412]

Last Friday when I went to groceries, I had my list wrote out and done figured out how much it should be and while going around the store I would add up the items as I put them in the shopping cart so I could make sure I was staying under budget. By the time I got done getting my groceries and went to check out I had a shopping cart full of stuff ( we are a family of six with 4 boys and 2 of them are teenagers) and when it was time to pay the cashier was shocked that I got everything for $178, I told my husband that is why I go and figure everything out before going to the store.

[@adrianatapper5273]

I have a tip if your cheese wedge gets hard, which can prevent you from grating it. Wet a paper towel/cloth and wrap it around the block of cheese, (put on plate) for 1-3 days and put it in the frige. Then remove the paper towel/cloth. The cheese absorbs the moisture from the wet paper towel/cloth which brings the cheese soft enough to grate. Repeat the process when necessary. Do not leave the wet cloth on the cheese for more than a few days bec it will start to grow mold. I also bought a mini cheese grater at Marshall's that my children loved to use bec it made grating fun.

[@randomnielle]

Thank you for the tips! I’m trying to spend $1600 or less on food this month. I’ve always gone over my budget and then give up halfway through the month.

[@THEJENNIFERCOOK]

You've got this! Stick to it 🤗

[@kenyonbissett3512]

When you first start it can be overwhelming. Give yourself a lot of grace and humor. One thing to try is making just one meal a week that is filling, delicious with a lot of dense nutrition. An example would be a burrito with brown rice, beans (pinto or black) with cheese. You need Brown rice (Walmart $1.64 for 2lbs), black beans (Walmart $0.78 can or $1.48lb) cook quickly and cheese (Walmart sharp cheddar 16oz $3.98) and flour tortillas ($2.48 for 30ct). Total for a family of 4 is 2 cans beans $1.56 Cheeses $1.49 8 tortillas $70 Rice $0.41 = $4.16 for dinner Extras plain yogurt to replace sour cream 8oz=$1 Salsa 8oz $2 Total = $4.16+$3=$7.16 Breakfast Oatmeal plain 42oz $3.98. (30 servings) 1 serving $0.14 Milk 1 gallon $2.58 (32 -4oz servings) 1 serving $0.08 Banana 0.25 2 servings). 1 serving $0.13 = $0.35 ea or 4 servings =$1.40 Lunch repeat dinner = $7.16 Add 2 veggies $2 Meals for the day = $7.16+7.16+1.40+$2=17.32 After a month add a 2nd day. In 6 months your grocery bill should be $124. Next try to reduce the cost of ingredients for these meals. Add to veggies $2

[@randomnielle]

@@kenyonbissett3512 You laid this out so well, thank you! We are a family of 9 and our youngest is on formula. She’s starting to eat what we do so it’s less formula, and we are starting to mix with whole milk as well. We also struggle with the “need” for convenience items. Sometimes we are too tired to cook but we are slowly getting better at cooking anyway. We have drastically reduced our eating out category, I’m getting better at saying “No.” This is definitely taking time for us but progress is still progress.

[@kenyonbissett3512]

@@randomnielle You are welcome. 9 children are a lot but systems can help. It will not always go smoothly. At times with one, I wished I could buy bottles of patience, forgiveness and grace. I’d have been drinking frequently, lol. There are many ways to approach meal planning. I liked it because after it’s up and running you have a lot of flexibility. And, some days you are just on autopilot and can do it on automatic, no thinking. There are other tricks and tips that help but your great help should be your children. I love contributing and helping in the kitchen. I felt so grown up as I got old enough to move from one skill to another.

[@thefunfam1433]

1600??????

[@lerinberwick3424]

Oh gosh! When you said you were raised on whatever was on sale and you mentioned mayo! That’s so me!!! Some people are so opinionated when it comes to mayo 😂

[@THEJENNIFERCOOK]

Yes, I could never win a game of what brand mayo is this 🤣

[@angelwings1]

I have a white board in our kitchen where I write down things we’ve run out of. Also our grocery delivery app has an option to buy our usuals (the reverse list), or I can shop from last weeks order for regular thongs like milk/cheese/bread etc. Whole I’m shopping online I have a pen & paper and I create a meal list for everyone in the family. I have a son with autism so he doesn’t eat everything we eat. My daughter has a gluten intolerance plus she’s veggie, so hers is different, then there’s my teenage son, then my husband & I. Some weeks like the coming one, he’s on a shift where he’s not home for dinner but eats it at lunch time before work. So we both have different meals.

[@THEJENNIFERCOOK]

Sounds like you have a great routine that helps with your planning ❤️

[@summerbaby4600]

What helped me was to calculate how much I was spending on each meal. Monthly food budget was like being told I needed 62000 calories per month. That number is too big, and too vauge for me to know what is appropriate for each day, and for each meal. But if I think "2000 calories/day" then I can work around that. So, it is with money. I may buy in bulk, but still needed to know how much I was spending on each meal or per day. It doesn't have to be a exact number, but I needed to know roughly how much I was spending a day, and on each meal. Am I spending $5 a meal? or $10 a meal? Also if I just tally up at the end of the month, there is no wiggle room to alter my behaviour. So having some concreate numbers really guided me to see if I'm on track, and to see where I can adjust, and what to buy.

[@karenmartin9008]

I mostly do an online order and pickup from my local grocery store, and use the app to keep my shopping list up to date. As soon as I use my designated "time to order" item, I put it in my cart. If I haven't decanted the item I can scan the barcode to save searching. If it's not currently available, I add it to a specific list that I check before shopping to see if it's become available. I also have a list of staples I need most weeks, so I can load that into the cart, and just remove the few items I don't need this time. Hubs prefers to shop in-person, so if he's going to the store, I can send him a screenshot of my list to add to his.

[@Spot4art]

We make 4 fresh meals a week and planned leftovers or do overs are the other 3 days of eating.

[@THEJENNIFERCOOK]

Fantastic plan!

[@dominiquehazzard5925]

the left over zone will be a new one but a needed one in our house, yes they often end at the back and I get really upset

[@THEJENNIFERCOOK]

Fantastic!

[@sharonjennings1282]

OMG! I can’t believe I never thought of this before. Thank you for suggesting that if you can’t make yourself create a budget, at least create a food budget. I can’t believe I never thought of that myself. Do you include your household goods such as toilet, paper, napkins, shampoo, soap,ap etc. in your food budget. Thank you so much for that comment! You have just saved my life ha ha.

[@THEJENNIFERCOOK]

Hi Sharon, I like to leave items, not specifically food, out of my food budget. Toilet paper, soap, etc. comes out of a separate budget for us. I think just starting with a food budget is a great way to start! Just set an amount you can stick to and start there 🤗

[@BobbieNatividad]

So I always eat the fresh food first and then the second week I usually eat the frozen food. Sometimes you can make it go 3 for weeks depending if you just use freezer or if you have like box beans that you can buy at whole foods that are not in a can to actually taste better healthier for you like kidney beans. I agree I don't always like to go into the store anymore if I do I just look for what aisle I need to go down and keep my eyes on where I want to go and think about that that only purchase I want to make is what I came in for.

[@sharonsomers5513]

All good advice. I do some of the things.

[@lemonteapot1061]

I’m sure you have this in America, but here in the UK most of our major supermarkets (except Aldi and Lidl) do delivery, I think it’s a great way of seeing what’s in your trolley. You can come back to it and as long as it’s before the cut-off you can remove or add stuff. I shop online with Ocado who I love and I can see which of my normal products are on sale. I do still go to the supermarkets but I think delivery is a great money saving tool.

[@beatricealcaraz5799]

Great tips Jennifer thanks for sharing .

[@THEJENNIFERCOOK]

Thank you, Beatrice!

[@marybethfrain7165]

You can also freeze carrots

[@annhope3210]

I love your chili recipe please share your veggie lo mein recipe! More recipes please!

[@carolgraham6669]

Love your videos thank you❤❤

[@THEJENNIFERCOOK]

You are so welcome!

[@hello-vs4me]

Love your videod thsnks

[@amanarunganaikaloo1470]

Thank U 💙❤ From Lawrence Gladys And Son Simon East London England.,❄️❄️🎉

[@jessicacanfield5058]

Also if you shop for groceries at walmart. Stay in the areas you need to shop. If you need clothes or greeting card or car oil and other stuff, either shope for those items another day or take a break, look at your list and make sure you only buy those things. I can kot tell you how easy it is to get something it is not on your list. SO look all over your house if you shop like i do which my "groceries" are not just food but pet food, toiletriesbatteries etc. She said you can use the extra money somewhere else. If you are very tight like i am save that money for sales that you will miss if that money goes somewhere else.

[@bethanyg153]

We were in such a pinch for a while I refused to buy tortillas for several months because I had rice. I just put my chicken enchilada filling over rice, taco fixings over rice, Mexican pizza layers over rice. It save a bit but it also set the tone for every optional purchases. How could I grab a bite out if I wasn’t even purchasing tortillas.

[@donkeydoo73]

Omad one meal a day, feel better, be more adapted to fat burning, more energy. Our bodies are not designed to eat 3 meals a day or more

[@Awakened5555]

Peas are gross!! Pizza is delish! Pizza and salad sounds better. Good advice girl! Thank you.😊

[@kennethbailey9853]

Thank you.

[@ginagonzalez6547]

Hi Jennifer, I really enjoyed your video because you shed light on almost everything we overlook and we are throwing away money unnecessarily. There is one thing I learned about cheese and other foods that they add in order for companies to make more money. When it comes to shredded cheese and other grinder dry foods. Companies add sawdust. No wonder I feel a residue when I put the shredded cheese in my hand to sprinkle it evenly on the food. I always knew it didn't feel right bit when I learned what it was, I stopped buying shredded cheese. Companies put so many unknown ingredients in our foods we don't feel safe. Best to buy from mom and pop stores as well as farmer's market.

[@Simplylisette]

I learned you can dehydrate frozen veggies and some fruits as well. So when say bags of frozen peas or corn are on sale, I buy extras and dehydrate them. They are already blanched too, so you keep the nutrition values. I also learned that you can dehydrate canned foods such as beans or say peaches. I had a giant can of garbanzo beans a friend gave me. I rinsed them and dried them so I could make hummus. They are so delicious I just snack on them. They are crunchy yet tender and as a bonus, my dogs love them too as a treat other than processed dog treats. I also grew my own garden, particularly lots of squash, greens and tomatoes. I dehydrated them too. No extra processing for tomatoes, just slice and dry. The squash I peeled and either sliced or shredded (I used my food processor) and steam blanched and dried. I also blanched and dried greens, so delicious! I layered the squash I shredded fairly thickly, and dried until crispy dry, it was like squash lace and so yummy, my dogs also love all dried things mommy makes😉 I layered the green pretty thick too, but when dried they were also like lace, or dried seaweed snacks. Who knew they would be so delicious?