THE BEST GROCERY SHOPPING HACKS TO SAVE MONEY | MEAL PLANNING ON A BUDGET FOR 5 | ALDI HAUL 2021

[@rosegroshek1218]

My biggest lifesaver was switching to pick up. I can see how much I am spending and delete stuff from my cart as needed, versus being in a grocery store and not wanting to walk back around if I need to put something back

[@jgator6694]

Me too! Curbside pickup I get exactly what I need…and I modify and edit and/ or delete until I am spending not a penny more than my budget. And it is a timesaver, too.

[@clusterbungle]

I do something similar but I can't drive (and don't want to pay for delivery), so i figure out my list on the grocery store app where I can see the prices and switch things in and out until I'm happy. Then I'll write down my final list to take to the store and will stick to it unless I see an amazing reduced deal that could replace something on my list and bring down the overall price

[@audrirose839]

This is what I needed! Tell myself to change my life and sacrifice the things I don’t need! Going grocery shopping soon and I just made my plans!! I love this

[@rhondajaneblake5311]

In my younger years 🤣 I had $50 cash per week to spend on groceries. I took a list, a calculator and the cash to the store. Your ideas are amazing, they work and you’re going to help so many people.

[@jvickie17]

I still do this. I check in my pantry, deep freezer & freezer before making a menu for the month. Income is once a month for me but daughter does this cause 2 pay checks a month. We both shop with cash & man does it work.

[@stevenlopez1717]

Lol

[@kenyonbissett3512]

In the 1990s to 2010s, I had a budget of $40 a week. Ten dollars went toward stocking up items. The remaining $30 was household, personal and groceries. I had about 28 fall/winter meals we rotated thru and 28, spring/summer meals. I mostly shopped my pantry/freezer for meals because of bulk shopping.

[@bassgurl16]

Meal planning it awesome. I do it basically the same way as my mom always did it (and you do it!) except I add in my calculator as I go so I know how much I’ve spent as I go. I also stock up on meat whenever I can and the next 3 weeks after I stock up I’m usually able to keep my bill at 60-70. It’s awesome!

[@tarynngoodwin]

This is almost exactly what I did to start getting out of debt several years ago. I can personally attest that this WORKS. Know exactly where every penny of your income is going, and put all of those pennies in a place that will benefit your FUTURE. I’m out of debt now besides a car and house loan, but I still budget and save for the future. It’s a lifestyle, and it’s worth the trouble to become financially stable.

[@jessicak7965]

Maybe you know this, but topic can cook regular oatmeal in the microwave too! We just cover the oats with water and cook 1:30-2min depending on how much

[@littlehummingbird1015]

microwaves denature your foods. Never micro wave anything...even water!

[@sjonessj260]

This is the system I've been needing!! This makes so much sense for me and it's pretty easy. Keeping it all in one notebook is so helpful for me. I always have random pieces of paper everywhere and then forget them when I'm actually shopping lol

[@kenziedegraaf]

Love that I’m not the only one taking my meal plan notebook in the store!

[@thesimplifiedsaver]

i will ALWAYS do that! haha

[@tinasmith7587]

Girl. Shred your own cheese! It taste so much better and you will save! A block of cheese is basically a 4 cup bag of pre shredded. And usually blocks of cheese are cheaper. Thanks for all the great tips. My family of 4 needs to start budgeting better and I'm starting with our groceries. Wish us luck! ❤

[@brg2743]

Also, shredded cheese in oackages I heard have wood pulp in them. Yuck

[@liveoutlight]

This was a fabulous video! I like the didicated meal planning/shopping notebook. Lord help me, I have a 6 foot+ teen and a UPS delivery man husband my people eat ALL the food. Aldi is a life saver. And food rationing 😂

[@ScrapbookingBug]

Great tips ! I meal plan for years. Then, since 2020, I curb pick up at Walmart. It was a game changer for me. I shop from their app. I add to cart truly what I need , or what it is on sale that week. Then, I cook around what I got that week instead of pre meal planning. Plus, I don’t get temped to buy anything I want, it’s cute , or it’s just $5 lol, but I do not really need! Good luck everyone!

[@Sheskis]

This is exactly how I budget and shop, addling as I go and buying a few extra items if I’m under. Also, so many channels don’t include household items in their grocery videos… not realistic for me. Thank you, I just found your channel.

[@renaygoulding6400]

So encouraging! I love the “ journal” method for meal planning and list! I am a very visual learner and prefer paper and pen over my phone. Totally looking forward to your Academy!

[@catalinahernandez7585]

only 7 minutes into this video and i already love it omg

[@teacupsandlipstick]

That first tip is SO IMPORTANT for me! Anyway, I am going to show this video during my senior’s homeschool home management class! Thank you!

[@jessicahatton3351]

I love the notebook! That’s such a good idea

[@agebeforebeauty1012]

OMG! I absolutely love this content. Thank you so much for creating this video because this has always been my biggest struggle to budget food. How you explained it and the method to break down the plan, within the plan. I genuinely feel such relief to have learned this today. xo

[@LivingFreeTv123]

I save SO much money eating beans and legumes instead of meat. It blew my mind when I added up the difference per month. Holy cow - pun intended!!

[@WackyWitchTV]

Living in Los Angeles, the cost of groceries here are unbelievable! I spent $26 making spaghetti!! The prices just keep going up!

[@jodythomas1159]

I’ve never thought of setting a dinner budget! Genius!! Question: Does anyone ever eat what was meant for a meal (like chips & salsa) and come meal time....it’s an ut oh moment? Because I do that ALL THE TIME! I’m a snacker so this shrinks my meal planning and expands my tummy lol. I’ve even considered sticking a colored label or something on meal components just to keep me from eating them (goodbye cheese meant for tacos). But then again, if I had a DESIGNATED snack, I wouldn’t ruin my meal planning.....ohhhhhhhh I’m catching on!!!!! Someone give me a gold star ⭐️

[@uweschroeder]

Forget about a designated snack. If you wouldn't snack you wouldn't have that tummy. Chips and salsa can not seriously be meant as a meal component - they're luxury snacks and that's two words that should already get them off your shopping list in the first place. Consider this: self-control. If you want to snack and go to the fridge, drink water instead - lots of it. There is absolutely no reason to snack if you had half way decent meals. Plus, if you don't buy snacks, you won't eat them

[@mamabear3376]

Thank you for opening my eyes! My family needs to save!!!

[@bonniewilson8509]

100$ seems like a dream to me! I'm from Canada so we spend about double that per person. 200$ a week or 800$ a month for 4 people. And thats with a meal plan for everyday and really simple recipes! For reference that 2.99 bag of cheese is about 5.99 where in from.

[@kimberlyschroeder7409]

Yup Canadian family of 4 here too. I’m lucky if we spend 200 a week! The big bags of store brand shredded cheese are 10 dollars, so I don’t even buy shredded cheese, it’s cheaper to buy it in block and shred it yourself! I try to use these principles without sticking to the actual numbers because the cost of living is just so much higher here that it’s laughable to spend only 100 a week. In comparable jobs, I think Canadians generally get paid more, but our grocery prices are crazy compared with the US. One time I was visiting my snowbird parents in Phoenix and chicken was buy one get one free and I just laughed and laughed.

[@crystalyusten-li2539]

I'm sorry.

[@michellemybelle22]

Yep it will be like that here too before long...that’s where we are headed

[@kassandrahenrikson2118]

Truth!!! I live in MB and it’s astounding the difference in grocery prices

[@clairedriscoll8628]

What about punching the price of everything directly into your phone or a small calculator to check the balance as you go. Here in the UK we have online delivery (not Aldi yet) which is fantastic to keep a hold on what you are spending. Thanks for the great video some great tips x

[@thesimplifiedsaver]

Good point!

[@fefewa14tx]

This is what I do!

[@taylorgilpin1502]

I've never thought of setting a budget for each dinner. That is such a smart idea! This is going to make budgeting so much easier🙌🏻

[@thesimplifiedsaver]

Glad it was helpful!

[@Leafkittie]

Same here. I love that tip.

[@alanclark3955]

@@Leafkittie ⁿòl*

[@uweschroeder]

If you never budgeted a dinner you're not on a budget.

[@hillarybaker1368]

For salsa lovers that are budgeting, Walmart great value brand salsa is 98¢ for a HUGE jar. It taste good. Highly recommend for budgeting

[@Karisa1316]

I wish it was that price at my Walmart. At mine it’s almost $3, and actually costs more than the Pace brand for some weird reason 🙁

[@soniahawkins3821]

Make your own salsa

[@soniahawkins3821]

💃🏻💃🏻💃🏻

[@treythedford3512]

I will sign up for BFA if you go out with me. Are you available??? Please respond ASAP!!

[@cg1868]

Ha ha! You are really going to confuse people who don’t know that you are Abby’s husband. I noticed that she didn’t respond🤣

[@treythedford3512]

@@cg1868 😂

[@leahirvine3522]

🤣🤣

[@crystalyusten-li2539]

😂😂

[@brittanykeith9561]

💃👏 well done sir...well done.

[@kimzeppelin5112]

Great tips! Can’t wait for the Budget Academy!

[@mandy6062]

I wish I was this organized and had this much self control. The middle aisle is the bomb! Totally agree with you though. Don’t even look at it. 😂

[@Pointvoucher]

I wish I'm this organized too when it comes to grocery shopping😆

[@ashwood911]

Thanks for the video. If you don’t already, please clip in your purse with the child seat belt. It saves it being stolen. Our Aldi is fabulous and the app calculates prices for you. Great tips!

[@happymama1015]

You should make another though when getting meat and paper goods. This is like the ideal situation.

[@ann6854]

Yeah! Paper products are expensive too!

[@chelseajanette19]

I live with my boyfriend and we spend easy 100 a week eating out for dinner 😳 I’m motivated to eat at home and save that money !

[@thesimplifiedsaver]

Love that! you can do it!

[@annenoir9409]

It's funny to see you manually doing what I do with a scanner when shopping. I see live the total while putting things in my cart

[@veronicacanisalez9519]

Thank you for your dedication and time you are giving for this budget fix program

[@jamielacy8552]

Awesome tips, Thank you! Also, please don't turn your back on your purse. My mom did and her wallet was stolen super quick,.

[@christydodgin3712]

Love it ! I’m a Texan but recently moved to Wyoming and all we have is a Smiths ( like Kroger) and Walmart and Albertsons . I am totally getting off track lately making frequent trips for small stuff throughout the week but these tips will help now I just gotta learn how to cook better ! LOL !! Thanks for sharing !

[@tayloralexander4001]

What a helpful video! I watched it just in time too because today is my meal planning day!

[@TimeWizard727]

As a disabled person one of my biggest hacks is buying from stop and shop's delivery app. It's like 6$ a delivery and stops me from adding extra stuff to my cart, calculates the total as you go on screen, you can keep a shopping list of desired and past purchases, and my calculator and notes are also both just on my phone. It works better for me than instacart, and I don't have a Walmart or anything else really near me.

[@kf1683]

I like to base my weekly meals around what goes on sale. Makes it cheaper and I double my recipe for certain meals so I only have to cook 2 or 3 nights out of the week since my husband works very long hours.

[@pixell8r596]

Walmart protip, prices in Walmart ads don't change week to week, those are set prices. Unless something says rollback, it is going to be that price for a while.

[@alexa574]

Great tips! I have not heard of many of these. Regarding oatmeal, overnight oats are real easy and delicious!

[@debramacpherson3017]

Your kids are absolutely adorable 🥰

[@vernabryant2894]

I love their Salsa

[@meganpalmer1281]

Super helpful! Thankfully for myself walmart is the cheapest place to get groceries and the pick up option has been a game changer to stay on budget!

[@kellykimball2099]

Leftovers for lunch is a great idea, big saving,

[@HeidiCornelio]

Super cool tips! It’s really nice to see I’m not the only one that shops that way hahaha 🤗

[@jogirl837]

I LOVE your tip about writing down how much each item is on your list. I have often brought a calculator or tried to add things up in my head & got distracted or bumbed a wrong button & gave up 😏I ALWAYS have my list & often buy more than one of an item. If I just wrote the price of each & number I got behind the parentheses, it would make it a TON easier. For example: carrots 1.59(3)

[@kyrstinhoff3461]

I always love your budget grocery shopping videos. I still use your tips of pre-planning weekly meals as well as checking my pantry for things that need used up. It always makes our meals more fun with different items I don’t always use.

[@mrs.c3523]

I'm about to make our meal plan and what not for this week. We added a 3rd adult to the household so I've been struggling a bit. I can't wait to use your tips!

[@abigaila2024]

Thank you I love this and needed it

[@sheliapeters2082]

Yes shop the sales. Good tips for saving money. Great video.

[@jerrychetty2524]

Wow Abby such a great presentation by you especially you being a young person and having good planning ideas that are fairly easy to implement ❤️❤️👌💯👍. I am impressed - guess I am going to be a better me, thanks to you. A single 53 year old father of 2 kids. Best shopping ideas ever

[@debbiegoble786]

Thank you so much Abby!! With your help & guidence we are on our way to financial freedom!! 💕

[@thesimplifiedsaver]

You are so welcome!

[@dawnpren2559]

This video has brought to light that I don't have a food budget. I live by myself. If I don't buy meat, my grocery bill is about $33, but I buy a lot of fresh produce and dairy. Time to google grocery budgets.

[@twxn_twxst9510]

What a good purchase. So much for under $100

[@lianyshernandez5744]

Thanks for the tips! ❤️ BTW, I love your brows

[@marietamura4534]

If you have access to a Winco truly try them. I have to make a "field trip " when I go so I stock up on pantry staples which last me for months. They have the biggest bulk food section. At non Covid time even spices. You use your own container but save a fortune. I get most of my spices included Ranch and Onion soup mix and spend $5 or 6 dollars for a big variety. When I do this I do splurge but then I shop my pantry for a long time. Last time we spent $200 but got meat as well ( Portioned everything)

[@TMCEH]

Budgeting and planning seems overwhelming but it’s not once you get the hang of it. Sticking to it is difficult in the beginning but once you get used to it- it becomes like second nature and it’s really easy.

[@girliedog]

Smart lady I wish I would have learned these lessons long ago.

[@tinaackermann7818]

Love this and you reminded me to go check out my deep freezer before formulating the menu. Also, I didn't know about the Aldi meat mark down. You continue to bless.

[@thesimplifiedsaver]

thank you!!

[@guylainevincent3704]

I’m sorry, I adore your chanel but it’s impossible for me to make a grocery with $25 a week. Here, in Quebec, mine is at least $150 per week and I live alone. It’s way more expensive here. Even if I go to Walmart, we don’t have the same products. Here, for a dozen of eggs it’s almost $5 sooooo. I’m so sad but I still watch your video for your delicious recipes. Thank you anyway. By by

[@rachelp276]

Thank you! For explaining the tips and showing us in store! Please do more of these maybe like weekly?!;)

[@aquaseahorselove3939]

This trip was only a year ago and most of these prices have pretty much doubled. 😔 Life has become a suckfest.

[@katiefloyd7238]

You’re my soul sister ! I love shopping at aldi and I’ll be doing this for sure !!

[@laurielyon1892]

I HAVE to meal plan. I don't want to shop unless I can. For me, when I make my list I will write down things I know I need because I'm out of them, and I do that during the week as I realize I need it so it is already on my next list. I look at the sales ads for my stores which are Aldi and Kroger. I look for what seems to be the best deals, then I look at the meat that I have on hand in the freezer. I actually have an inventory of both my freezers so I know what is in there. Then I make meals based on the sales ads and what I have. There are 3 of us in my home now. We get paid every 2 weeks. I take out $150 each paycheck and I also have $25 for misc (toilet paper and such if needed) and I take out another $25 for stocking up on things. Oh and I shop with cash. When I'm out of money I'm done until next pay day. I don't always use that. This week I used some of it because Sweet Baby Rays bbq sauce was on sale for .99 and I bought 5. It is something that will last a while. Also when it comes to cheese at Aldi I always buy the block and shred it myself. You have a lot of good ideas and ones that I already do. You mentioned leftovers. I've been working from home since March of 2020, but my husband still goes to work. I usually on Sunday fix something that will make leftovers so that he can take to work and then later on in the week fix something else that will work for lunches

[@lauriebertrand9319]

First time watching and I loved your video! So many great ideas! Thank you!

[@allisonmarcelle8627]

Awesome video with helpful tips! I need to start writing my prices down too. Good to know about how much you’ll end up spending.

[@thesimplifiedsaver]

thank you!! Im glad it was helpful

[@sueperez21]

Thank you for breaking down your meal budget and journaling your meal plan and grocery list. This has been very helpful. Dont know why I've never really thought I about this.

[@thesimplifiedsaver]

You are so welcome!

[@sarahtiru3528]

Single people can't do that $100 a person rule 😭🤣

[@marias8007]

This actually is great tips

[@scrunchymommabear5877]

Everything you said is so true no matter how blunt

[@destinyw7002]

The Aldi aisle of shame gets me every time 😩

[@barbarabartelme5809]

I love your videos and have learned a lot from you. I noticed your bread recipe and love it. It is very similar to one that has come down in my family. You do a great job. When ever our family gets together, we have a lot of fresh vegetables and chips for an appetizer or first course. I would love to see a video on making dips that are healthy and inexpensive. I have seen hummus for as much as 4.00 for a container. Hummus is just pureed chickpeas or garbanzos. It is really cheap to make and can have a lot of flavors. Please do a snack video with homemade hummus!!

[@alyssacoville2741]

I use quick oats and just add cinnamon and brown sugar, and add boiled water from the kettle let it sit for a minute or 2

[@pearlyb51]

I really enjoyed your video and appreciated that you took us along with you. You’re a good teacher! ❤️

[@thesimplifiedsaver]

Thank you so much!

[@melindabanning4497]

Great idea of having a plan for the price of each meal. I have learned to not buy for the week we are in but to stock up for the weeks ahead. My only exception is fresh produce.

[@sarahlawrence333]

Shared! Such a good tips I'd say one of your best videos.

[@sarahbast2075]

This sounds like the budget from Jordan Page. I do this and it has saved is so much money. Although I love your addition to it adding categories. I should probably do this 😂

[@patriciariddle1602]

i never have done a budget im going to try this i have been watching you for awhile ive tried the crockpot meals and i like it and it is good for me and my dad thanks

[@amandaanundson7389]

Thank you for this. We are already budgeting. But I never thought to budget my grocery budget money! This will help me stick to my budget now that I have an extra tool. Thank you so much

[@debimorsette1685]

I actually 20% of my budget for stocking up loss leader/sale foods. I use it mostly on meat and poultry. Gotta buy meat when it’s on sale!! Debi in Vicksburg, MS. 🥰🥰

[@robertadunaway7030]

You could save more and make your own hummus.

[@S58885]

This was so helpful! 💗💗

[@minecraftplayslmg9608]

Love your lipstick!!! Which one are you wearing. Thanks for the video. Indi!

[@thesimplifiedsaver]

thank you! its called sandy by nu skin

[@nancyfranks3505]

I wish we had Aldi in Colorado

[@liahmeliambro907]

Or if you live in Australia minimum $200 per person per month 😬 I spend $1400- 1600 per month for 7 people.

[@crystaldon4995]

I would love to see the budget though with everything through the week and meat included and then I'd like to see you cook those meals so we can follow and do the same !!

[@aliciaamond8148]

I like the $10/meal. Im trying that next. I get a lot of food items when on sale and stock up to save money in the future. My real struggle is buying two different size diapers and etc. A toddler and infant.

[@TheMeggels3]

Thanks for being blunt. I had to hear that, thank you!

[@EmilyDowgialo]

Your tips are on point!!

[@autobotdiva9268]

fav place to get seasonings especially low sodium taco packets like 33 cents each

[@lisastaggers1328]

Thank you so much for breaking this down, I’m trying to trim my grocery budget and this was so dang helpful!!!! Love your videos, thank you, thank you!!!!

[@lauramaillie3745]

I've found the same kind of journals at Dollarama for $2, a lot of what you say makes cents (little money pun). I find that if we try a new recipe it costs a lot of $ for new ingredients and spices that we most likely will never use again. But sometimes if you do some investigating you can substitute ingredients for things you already have or will use in other recipes, ie pomegranate molasses can be substitute with raspberry jam.

[@owenspencer8887]

Yes

[@keshiawatson3177]

So helpful. Thanks for sharing

[@e.jackson1308]

Thank you 🤗

[@Gramaron1313]

You are so BEAUTIFUL! GOD has Blessed you so much with tour absolutely amazing children! 🥰

[@littlehummingbird1015]

did you mean four?

[@Oururbanhomestead1966]

Another great video, am going to try the idea of doing one breakfast and one lunch for the week 😊

[@thesimplifiedsaver]

thank you!

[@alissap1290]

My kids wouldn’t go for veggies and hummus for lunch each day, maybe in addition to sandwhich and fruit. Also, 3 different nutritional requirements for family of 6. One person with no sugar and low carb, 1 with gluten free, 1 with no salt. No Aldi here. Several teens. Usually pay $300 a week.

[@amandakemp4805]

I also try to only go to the store once. If I forget something or we run out... It will be okay for a few days

[@ann6854]

Hi Abby! Love your videos! This was great but how do you stay on budget when you need meat? It is expensive. I do meatless meals and I know beans are cheap and a good source of protein. Can you please do a video on buying meat? Thank you!