Creating a cheap grocery list can be a challenge when money is tight. But it doesn't have to mean sacrificing good, nutritious foods. With a few tips and tricks, you can make the most of your budget and still get the best food for your money. As an expert in budgeting, I recommend starting by setting weekly meal plans ahead of time.
Choose recipes with fewer, fresher ingredients and adapt recipes with ingredients that do double duty. Keep an up-to-date shopping list in the fridge so you don't forget anything. When you go to the grocery store, compare prices, choose store-brand items, and understand price and quality. Use apps like Fetch Rewards to get discounts on items you already buy.
Download the app on your phone and get 2000 points when you scan your first receipt and use my code. Fresh fruit can often be expensive, but there are some options that are always quite cheap. Apples, bananas, oranges, pineapple, and applesauce are all great options that won't break the bank. Bananas are perfect to eat on their own or cut into yogurt or cereal.
Applesauce is a great inexpensive snack to have on hand. Vegetables are also essential for a cheap grocery list. Carrots are incredibly cheap and can be used in many ways - as a basis for soups and sauces, as a side dish or snack, or even as a dessert or breakfast dish in baked apple oatmeal. Onions are another cheap staple to always have in the pantry - they add flavor to almost every dish.
Potatoes are also incredibly cheap and versatile - they can be used as a main course or side dish. Cornmeal is ideal for making homemade cornbread, breaded foods or corn cakes and is very affordable. According to MyMoneyBlog, there are also a handful of fresh vegetables that are more affordable than others - such as broccoli, cabbage, cauliflower, celery, mushrooms, spinach, sweet potatoes, and zucchini. Don't forget essential tips such as buying whole vegetables (as opposed to pre-cut or chopped) which can save a lot of money in the long run. And don't be obsessed with prices if yours are higher - this list will still be cheaper than other foods. Canned vegetables can also provide you with some nutritional benefits when you're broke and need food fast. Canned tomatoes can be used for soups, stews and pasta toppings - just add some spices to turn it into BBQ sauce, pizza sauce or salad dressing. Boxed macaroni and cheese is another great option for lunch or dinner - it's one of the best cheap foods on this list and can serve as a vehicle to stretch the dinner portion of meat.
Rice is also incredibly versatile - make it a main course or side dish with sauce, cheese or butter. By prioritizing what foods to buy with your shopping budget and understanding price and quality at the grocery store, you can create a cheap grocery list without sacrificing health, taste or comfort.
