My grocery bill in Denver dropped by $40 a week after I tried something simple

I was getting killed by my food costs, especially with meat prices. I kept buying chicken and ground beef every trip without thinking. Last month, I decided to try a 'no meat in the cart' rule for one week. I filled my cart with beans, lentils, eggs, and whatever veggies were on sale. I was sure my family would hate it. We ended up having a big pot of lentil soup, black bean tacos, and a frittata. The surprise was that nobody complained, and I saved that $40. Some people say cutting meat is the only way to save big, but others think just buying cheaper cuts works fine. What's your take on the best way to cut the food budget without a fight?

3 comments

3 Comments

taylor.jordan3mo ago

That "no meat in the cart" rule is such a good trick! It forces you to get creative with what's left. My angle is to check the unit price on everything, even the cheap stuff. A big bag of rice or oats looks pricey at the register, but the cost per meal is tiny. It makes those meatless meals stretch even further.

roberts.jordan3mo ago

Totally, @taylor.jordan, unit prices are a lifesaver for real.

grant.jason1mo ago

Ever notice how most of the tricks we use for saving money actually come down to slowing down and paying attention? Unit prices are a perfect example, most people just grab the cheapest looking box without doing the math. Same thing goes for checking the weight on produce, I've seen two bags of apples right next to each other where the bigger looking bag actually costs less per pound. It's like the grocery store is designed to keep us moving fast so we don't notice this stuff.