You know things are bad when you leave the grocery store with five bags and wonder if you accidentally bought plane tickets. If food costs have gone way up and you’re trying to get your budget back on track, this episode is packed with three super practical tips that are working for my family—plus a fun way to save money and make bulk shopping fun again. Let’s fix this, together.
Links for This Episode
- Check out these DIY Resources and Templates
- Download your FREE Family Budget Worksheet
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Podcast Episode Recommendations
- #76: Are Your Groceries Shrinking? How to Combat ‘Shrinkflation’
- #75: Debt-Free Families Following These 5 Simple Rules – Do You?
- #74: How to Break Free from the “I Deserve It” Spending Habit
- #73: The Myth of the ‘Best Deal’—What Saves You Money?
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3 Easy Tips To Cut Your Grocery Bill Now
Well hey there and welcome back to the Financial Fix Up Podcast! I’m your host, Sarah Brumley, and today we’re diving into something that’s been stressing a lot of families lately—grocery prices.
I was talking to my sister on the phone the other day about our grocery budget, and I mentioned that my goal is to spend $25 per person per week.
The line went quiet. And then she said, “Are you serious?”. And honestly? I don’t blame her.
Because right now—we’re closer to $50 per person per week. And for the 4 of us still living at home, that’s a total of $800 per month. Which is way more than we’d like to be spending.
But here’s the thing—this isn’t just about poor planning or impulse shopping. Prices have gone up. Packages have gotten smaller. And it’s happening to all of us. So if your budget feels out of control? You’re not alone—and it’s not your fault.
The Budget Goal (And Why It Matters)
For me, $25 per person per week is the sweet spot. It normally means we can eat well, without letting food costs take over our whole budget.
But lately, we’ve blown right past that—and I think it’s time to reset.
Because when the grocery bill creeps up, it crowds out everything else: savings, debt payoff, family fun. And honestly? That just adds more stress.
So we’ve been experimenting. Making a few intentional shifts. And today, I want to share three practical things we’ve started doing to bring those numbers back down.
3 Practical Grocery Budget Fixes
Tip #1: Change Where You Shop, Not Just What You Buy
Sometimes it’s not about what’s in your cart—it’s about where you’re filling it.
We have three grocery stores just a few minutes from our house. Super convenient, right?
But here’s the truth: if we shop at any of them regularly, we end up spending double or even triple what we would at a store that’s a bit farther away.
So we’ve made the decision to drive out of the way—on purpose—to a store with better prices. And here’s the key: we only go once a week, sometimes every other week, and we usually couple it with something else we need to do anyway—like a stop at the hardware store, or even a trip to meet a friend at the park.
It’s not just about saving money—it’s about making the most of our time and fuel, too.
Now, depending on where you live, your lower-cost store might look different.
Maybe it’s WinCo, Walmart, or Grocery Outlet.
Whatever it is, don’t underestimate how much the location alone affects your grocery total.
We’re buying the same foods—but from the right store—and that’s helped us bring and keep our monthly grocery bill way closer to our goal.
Tip #2: Set a Per-Person, Per-Day Target
Instead of thinking in big, overwhelming chunks like “$500 a month,” I break our grocery budget down to something much more manageable:
$5 per person, per day.
That means for our family, we’re aiming to feed everyone on about $20 a day total—breakfast, lunch, dinner, and snacks included.
And while that might sound tight, here’s the secret:
It gives me a clear framework to work within.
Because let’s be honest—“staying on budget” can feel vague.
But when I know that dinner should cost no more than $10 for the whole family, I approach the store differently.
I pause and ask:
- Can this meal feed all of us for under that $10 mark?
- Will it stretch across lunches or leftovers?
- Does it need a pricey side—or can I round it out with rice or veggies we already have?
If something costs $7 and only feeds one person once? I’ll pass.
Instead, I’ll choose ingredients that work across multiple meals—like a bag of potatoes, a whole chicken, or a big tub of oatmeal.
Even snacks become more strategic—one big bag of popcorn kernels lasts way longer (and costs less) than a box of single-serve bags.
And honestly, it’s been a game-changer. That small mental shift—from “How much can I buy?” to “How can I make this stretch?”—has made me feel more in control at the store instead of constantly reacting to prices.
Even if you’re not ready to set that exact number, just trying it for a week—breaking it down by day and per person—can give you a whole new level of clarity.
Tip #3: Make Bulk Shopping Social (and Strategic)
This one has been such a win for us lately—sharing bulk purchases with friends.
We don’t go shopping together or coordinate our grocery runs. It’s much simpler than that.
If I’m planning a Costco trip or stocking up on something in bulk, I’ll send a quick text:
“Hey, I’m grabbing the double bag of baby carrots—want to split it?”
Or: “I’ve got more shredded cheese than we can possibly use in a month—need some?”
It’s informal, easy, and honestly? Such a budget-saver.
Because let’s be real—bulk buying is only a good deal if you can actually use it.
And there are plenty of things that sound like a great price per ounce… until they go stale or spoil in your pantry.
By splitting things like meat, produce, snacks, or even baking supplies, everyone wins:
- You each save money
- You avoid waste
- You don’t have to store quite as much
- And you stay stocked up on the basics your families actually use
Not to mention, it also builds community in a really natural, low-pressure way.
You’re not organizing a co-op or running a spreadsheet—just being generous with the extra and offering the same in return.
And bonus? It gets you thinking more intentionally about what you’re buying in the first place. Instead of grabbing a bulk deal “just in case,” you’re considering who might benefit alongside you.
Challenge of the Week
Alright, here’s your challenge, friend—and don’t worry, it’s totally doable.
Try to shave just $10 per person off your grocery budget this week.
That’s it. No complicated spreadsheet, no meal plan overhaul. Just $10.
So if you’re currently spending around $50 per person, set your sights on $40 instead.
For a family of five, that’s $50 back in your pocket. And that’s just one week.
Do it again next week? You’re up to $100.
Stick with it for a month? That’s $200 saved—without eating scraps or feeling like you have to deprive your family.
And that $200?
It could be your emergency fund starter.
It could go toward next month’s bills or back-to-school supplies.
It could cover a date night, a birthday gift, or a little margin in a season that doesn’t leave you much.
The point isn’t perfection—it’s awareness. It’s realizing that with just a few intentional choices, you can shift the direction of your money without sacrificing the joy of feeding your people well.
So give it a try. Just one week. One small shift.
And then do what we always do around here—celebrate the win, no matter how small it feels.
Because you’re doing the work. And that absolutely counts.
Which Grocery Budget Fixes Will You Use?
Groceries might be more expensive than ever—but that doesn’t mean you’re stuck.
And you definitely don’t have to do everything at once to start seeing progress.
Try just one of these this week:
- Skip the closest store and drive a little farther to save big
- Set a per-person, per-day target so you have a clear number to work with
- Split a bulk buy with a friend and cut costs without overstocking
These aren’t massive changes—but they’re meaningful ones. And when you stack them over time? That’s how budgets shift. That’s how peace of mind grows. That’s how you take back control without the stress.
So whether you’re feeling totally overwhelmed or just ready for a small reset—start where you are, with what you have. You’ve got this.
And hey—if this episode sparked a new idea or helped you rethink your grocery game, I’d love to hear about it! You can always reach out at sarah@lemonblessings.com.
Whatever you decide, just know that I’m cheering you on! You’ve got this! Have an amazing day and I’ll chat with you again next time.
