(this grocery cart is actually not a great example, but it’s the only one I had).

Ok. So it makes perfect sense that if you buy something that’s a single serving item, it will probably cost more in the long run, even if it seems inexpensive now.

Ex:
$5 for lunch at Subway x 5 lunches = $25.

And that’s only 5 individual meals.

Now, if instead of shopping in the freezer aisle and the prepared foods aisle (which I will admit is really hard not to do, there are definitely days I crave the ease of just putting in a frozen pizza) and stopped buy those little 100 calorie snack packs. I shop in the bulk section and get a ton of vegetables.

The bulk of my groceries usually include different types of beans (for salads, soups, lentils, etc.), brown basmati rice, spring mix, spinach, kale and other veggies (like spaghetti squash, carrots, butternut squash, broccoli, red potatoes), apples & bananas, frozen fruits,  tofu/chicken/protein.

Initially it might be a bigger grocery bill. And you will probably give me a disgusted saying that I lead you astray. But wait.

Now let’s say you buy a bag of rice and it’s like $3.50. Well that’s almost the same cost as a single Subway meal. BUT instead of getting a single serving out of that $3.50, you get what like 20?

Even simple things like finding a place that sells bulk honey or making your own black/pinto beans instead of buying them in a can will save you money. Yes… sadly it will take more time. As does making all your own meals.

But in the long term, you end up saving money. But like I said, It might seem like more money initially, but once you start paying attention to the price per serving, it feels like a steal. Additionally, when you stop buying prepackaged food, you stop paying for the packaging (irony?).

Basically I spend anywhere from $110 to about $200 every two weeks on groceries. Now, you might say, “hey Sarah, that’s the same amount you spent on groceries before, so what’s the point?”

Well. The point is I’m buying breakfast, lunches and dinners for 4 (occasionally 5 people), two of whom are men, one of whom is my giant husband.

So, math wise, let’s say I spend $200 every 2 weeks on groceries, that’s $100 a week. Divided by 4 people, that’s $25 a week per person.

I seriously doubt you could spend that little eating out or buying processed food. Cooking saves you a bundle.

Staples:

• Oatmeal
• Brown basmati rice
• Low-sodium vegetable broth
• Black beans, lentils, occasionally garbanzo beans for hummus
• Kale, spinach, baby mixed greens, carrots, celery, zucchini, squashes, red potatoes
• Frozen fruit (costco bag sizes of strawberries and blueberries) and apples, bananas, avocados
• Almond and soy milks
• Tofu/chicken/cheese
• Bread/pitas/or tortillas
• (Earth balance) Butter

Maybe it’s just me, but as long as I have this stuff in the house I can find meals to make. Sure I have olive oil and all the flours and spices and stuff, but that stuff lasts forever.

Oh, one final thing. A great way to stay on budget is to plan at least a week of meals in advance, usually just dinner will cover it unless you’re super adventurous with your lunches and breakfast. Plan your meals, make your grocery list and stick to it :-)

Anyway, I’ve rambled enough now.