Are you trying to save money on groceries without sacrificing the quality of your family’s meals?
I get it—feeding a family on a budget in today’s economy feels harder than ever. But it is possible. I currently feed my family of five (with two teens and a preteen!) for under $600 a month, often closer to $500—and yes, we eat well.
Let me share how I learned to stretch a food budget without relying on coupons, and some of the frugal shopping habits that help us eat well for less.
A Frugal Foundation
I grew up the third of seven kids in a single-income household. Being frugal wasn’t optional—it was a lifestyle I learned at my mother’s knee. But being frugal didn’t mean going without. It meant getting the most value out of every dollar.
My mom kept a tight grocery budget but always made sure we had homemade, nourishing meals on the table. And here’s the surprising part: she rarely used coupons. Her philosophy? Coupons can be useful if they’re for items you already buy. But relying on them can backfire—you may end up purchasing things you don’t need or indulging in pricier snacks that are only “a deal” because of marketing.
How My Budget Has Evolved
When I went to college with my older brother, I used what I’d learned at home to feed the two of us on less than $100 a month.
Fast forward to marriage, and my husband and I ate well on less than $150 a month. Over the years, grocery prices have obviously gone up, but the principles I use haven’t changed.
Today, with two hungry teens and a preteen at home, I still feed our family well on under $600 a month. And I still rarely use coupons. Here’s how I make it work:
My 8 Tried-and-True Grocery Budget Tips
1. Make a Shopping List—and Stick to It
Impulse buys can wreck a grocery budget fast. Create your shopping list based on what you’re out of and what you’ll need for your weekly meals—and then stick to it.
Start with your staple items (milk, bread, eggs, etc.), then build the rest of the list based on your meal plan. If it’s not on the list, it doesn’t go in the cart.
2. Plan Your Menu First
Your weekly menu is the foundation of your shopping list. When you know what meals you’re cooking, you know exactly what to buy—and how much.
This helps reduce food waste, too. If two different meals each call for half a bell pepper, you only need to buy one. Smart meal planning = smart shopping.
3. Never Shop Hungry
It’s simple but powerful. Shopping while hungry leads to all kinds of unnecessary (and expensive) cravings. Even a quick snack before heading to the store can save you from grabbing those extra snacks and convenience foods you don’t actually need.
4. Know Which Stores Have the Best Prices
Don’t assume one store has the best prices across the board. Some of my favorite deals come from stores others overlook.
Take time to compare prices on your most-purchased items across your local stores. You’ll start to notice which places are best for what—and shopping at 2–3 stores can save you hundreds over the course of a year.
Want help tracking those prices? Grab my free Grocery Price Comparison Printables
5. Use Weekly Sale Ads to Plan Your Shopping
Once you know the regular prices of your family’s staples, weekly ads become your secret weapon.
After a few weeks of watching ads, you’ll start noticing sales cycles—especially on meat, which tends to rotate every 4–6 weeks. That means you can plan ahead and stock up when prices drop.
6. Shop the Loss Leaders
Loss leaders are items that grocery stores price super low (sometimes below cost!) just to get you in the door. Be strategic: grab those deals, but don’t feel like you need to do all your shopping there.
By combining loss leader sales from a few different stores, you can get the best deals without overspending out of convenience.
7. Buy and Prep Meat (and Produce) in Bulk
Meat is usually one of the biggest line items in any grocery budget. So when my go-to cuts go on sale, I stock up.
When I get home, I divide bulk meat into meal-sized portions in freezer bags, label them with the contents and date, and pop them in the freezer. I do the same with in-season fruit—so I always have fruit on hand for smoothies, baking, or school lunches.
One roast or family pack of chicken can stretch into multiple meals when portioned right!
8. Try Store Brands
Today’s store brands are not the same as they used to be. In many cases, they’re just as good—or better—than the name brands, at a fraction of the price.
Start by trying a few store-brand versions of items you already buy. If your family doesn’t notice a difference (or even prefers them), you’ve just found an easy way to save consistently.
A Few Extra Tips to Stretch Your Food Budget
Invest in a chest freezer: This lets you stock up on meat, frozen produce, and other items when they’re on sale.
Build a rotating food storage: Set aside part of your tax return each year to stock up on shelf-stable pantry items your family regularly eats. It’s a smart way to buy low and avoid paying full price later.
Let’s Talk Budgeting
What’s your biggest struggle when it comes to grocery shopping on a budget? Leave a comment and let me know—I’d love to share more posts and printables to help!
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