She Strengthens

The Secret to Cutting Your Grocery Bills in Half

When it comes to managing our finances, one of the biggest challenges we face is controlling our spending on food. With the average Canadian spending around $200 per person per month on groceries, it’s no wonder why this expense can quickly add up. However, with a few simple strategies, you can significantly reduce your grocery bills without sacrificing quality or nutrition.

Our Approach to Grocery Shopping

As a family of three, we’ve developed a few rules to help us keep our grocery costs under control. First and foremost, we’ve adopted a vegetarian diet at home, which has not only improved our health but also reduced our spending on meat. We do, however, allow ourselves to indulge in meat when we dine out or order in – a luxury we reserve for special occasions.

Four Go-To Meals That Won’t Break the Bank

To give you an idea of how we manage to keep our grocery bills low, here are four of our favorite meals that cost under $5 per serving:

• Oatmeal with frozen fruit and brown sugar ($1.53 CAD per serving)
• Warm Couscous Salad with hummus, cooked frozen vegetables, and cashews ($2.50 CAD per serving)
• Pasta with gnocchi, pasta sauce, and frozen green beans ($1.94 CAD per serving)
• Vermicelli Bowls with vegetarian spring rolls, vermicelli noodles, and shredded carrot ($4.28 CAD per serving)

The Three F’s: Fast, Frugal, and Full

Our approach to grocery shopping revolves around three key principles: fast, frugal, and full. We focus on meals that are quick to prepare, affordable, and filling. By sticking to these principles, we’ve been able to reduce our grocery bills while still enjoying nutritious and delicious meals.

10x Your Favorite Meals

Another strategy we use is to recreate our favorite restaurant meals at home. By doing so, we can save up to 10 times the cost of eating out. For example, we used to spend $9 on three salad rolls from a Vietnamese restaurant, but by making them at home, we can enjoy 12 rolls for under $5.

Boring Is Best

As a busy family, we don’t always have the time or energy to cook elaborate meals. That’s why we rely on staple meals that are quick, easy, and affordable. By sticking to what we know and love, we avoid the temptation to order takeout or dine out, which can quickly add up.

Produce Can Be Dangerous

Fresh produce can be a significant expense, but we’ve learned to navigate this challenge by buying frozen fruits and vegetables, which are not only affordable but also nutritious. We’ve also developed some clever hacks to extend the shelf life of our produce, such as using paper towels to keep spinach fresh.

A Peek into Our Grocery Receipts

To give you a better idea of how we shop, we’ve shared our receipts from two recent grocery trips. In January, we spent $296.81 CAD ($226.14 USD) on groceries for our family of three. By being mindful of our spending and sticking to our rules, we’ve been able to save thousands of dollars over the years.

Conclusion

Cutting your grocery bills in half requires discipline, creativity, and a willingness to adapt. By adopting a vegetarian diet, recreating our favorite meals at home, and sticking to staple meals, we’ve been able to reduce our spending on food without sacrificing quality or nutrition. With a little bit of effort, you too can save money on your grocery bills and enjoy a more affordable and sustainable lifestyle.