Change Your Grocery Game
Hey mamas, here’s the real talk: if you’re feeling squeezed by your budget or anything else in life, change starts with you. Want more cash in your pocket? It’s not just wishing—it’s about making bold moves, embracing sacrifices, and tweaking your habits. It’s tough, no doubt, but those changes? They’re worth it. You’ve got the power to rewrite your story, and it’s incredibly rewarding when you do.
Feeding you and your two little ones on a tight budget isn’t just possible, it’s a game-changer. This isn’t a post about eating “healthy” but surprisingly, the simplest, most basic foods are actually the cheapest way to shop and fill bellies. We’re talking real food: meat, veggies, starches, and water. No frills, no fluff. Not only will you save cash, but you’ll probably even drop a few pounds in the process and let’s be real who isn’t trying to, right? Here’s how to make it happen with a no-nonsense plan, plus a Sunday prep trick to keep your week easy.
Every House is Different
Look, every family's setup is unique—there's no one-size-fits-all when it comes to grocery budgets. In my house, it's just me and my two little ones (ages 3 and 1½), which keeps things simpler and cheaper than, say, feeding a few hungry teens. Your situation might look totally different: Do you commute to work five days a week and need grab-and-go breakfasts? Are you meal-prepping for the whole family? Do your kids require packed lunches for school? I don't know the ins and outs of your life, but I'll share what works for me in hopes it sparks ideas to tweak your own grocery routine.
The Don’ts: What’s Gotta Go
Skip Processed Foods: Stuff like cereal, crackers, protein bars, goldfish, and chips? They’re budget killers and gone in a flash. I’m not saying my kids never get treats—I’ll grab Cheerios or goldfish once in a while as a special thing, not a weekly must-have. Keep those as rare treats, not staples, to save cash.
Ditch Bottled Drinks: Iced coffee, apple juice, soda—these are money pits and not great for you anyway. You can make iced coffee at home for pennies. Water and milk are where it’s at for daily hydration.
Forget Morning Coffee Runs: I know, I know—Starbucks and Dunkin’ are tempting. But swap those $5 lattes for instant coffee or grounds in a basic coffee maker. Ditch the Keurig or Nespresso pods; they’re pricey. I sip instant every morning—it’s cheap and gets me going.
Stop Ordering Takeout: Real talk—delete Uber Eats, DoorDash, or Seamless from your phone. Cooking at home is way cheaper and you control what goes into your meals.
Pre-Cut Anything: Pre-sliced veggies/fruit or thin chicken cutlets cost double. Buy whole carrots or full chicken breasts and slice them yourself.
By cutting these, you’re freeing up dollars for the good stuff that actually fills you up. Stick with me, and I’ll share what to buy instead in the next section!
These hacks can cut your bill by a third and keep everyone fed.
The Do’s: Back-to-Basics Staples
Proteins: Grab chicken thighs, ground beef, eggs, or beans. Cheap, versatile, and perfect for tacos, stir-fries, or soups. Buy meat on sale and freeze portions.
Starches: Rice, potatoes, pasta, oats. Get them in bulk—they’re super affordable and make meals filling (rice bowls are a staple in my house).
Veggies: Carrots, broccoli, cauliflower are huge. Frozen peas are always added to pasta in my house.
Basics: Water and milk only. Add a block of cheddar or plain yogurt (sweeten with fruit at home) for snacks or breakfast.
These staples whip up kid-friendly meals like rice bowls, veggie-packed soups, or pasta with meat sauce that everyone loves. Forget fancy gourmet dishes—this is about staying full and fueled on a budget. It’s not a nutrition lecture, but real talk: load up on protein to feel satisfied longer, save cash, and maybe even slim down.
Sunday Prep: Cook Once, Eat All Week
No need to be a meal-prep pro to simplify your week. As a work-from-home parent managing two young kids, I dedicate an hour on Sunday or Monday to preparing a batch of protein (like grilled chicken, steak, or ground beef) and a starch (sweet potatoes are my go-to or rice). Then, I mix and match ingredients for quick, versatile meals throughout the week. Here are some ideas:
Scrambled eggs with sweet potatoes (surprisingly delicious!)
Chicken and sweet potato tacos
Asian-style chicken, broccoli, and rice bowls
Ground beef, beans, and sweet potato combo
None of this food is groundbreaking or will end up in any cookbook. But its (in my opinion) delicious, good enough for now(!!), and is so cheap it should be illegal.
Make the Change, See the Difference
Life ebbs and flows, right now I need to ebb and that means making sacrifices. I refuse to compromise on taking my kids on adventures and exploring the world with them. To make it work, I’m cutting back elsewhere—no fancy gourmet meals for now, and I’m perfectly fine with that. My budget’s breathing easier, and that’s what counts.
