While the price of groceries continues to rise, our need for food on a daily basis hasn’t changed. And while you can’t control food costs, you can focus on how to plan, cook, and store food to make the most of your weekly groceries. With a few simple systems, you can ensure your groceries last longer, taste better, and fit your budget week after week.

After lots of chatter and excitement about 4 of my top tips for saving on groceries while eating healthy, I wanted to share more of the tips and tricks I’ve used over the years to ensure I stay on budget and fueled with quality ingredients.

Grocery shopping on a budget

Budgets vary from person to person, but no matter who you are, I highly recommend you have a budget set aside for food each month. As Peter Drucker once said, “You can’t manage what you don’t measure.” By measuring your spending and managing your budget, you are able to be a better steward of what you have.

Each month, I budget or set aside a portion of funds for food that will be used for grocery shopping, under ‘Groceries’. This is a separate portion compared to our restaurant fund, which falls under the ‘Entertainment’ category. I made a personal decision to separate these two to prioritize eating healthy meals at home, while allowing special occasions and events to dictate the times we choose to eat out. With a clear account of how much we spend on groceries versus eating out, there is not a good excuse to eat out “just because.”

Be realistic when preparing the monthly budget for you/your family to ensure that you are able to purchase enough food to nourish your bodies, before allocating funds to hobbies or extra activities.

How to save money at the grocery store

From prepping and planning to being particular about brands and organics, you can strategically grocery shop to ensure that you save money every time you head to the store.

1. Have a plan - Before I head to the grocery store each week, I’ve already reviewed the weekly meal plan, audited my pantry, and prepared a grocery list. (Check out more details about my pre-shop process here.)

Bonus Tip: Join the community, where Grace & Greens subscribers get a downloadable grocery list every week to save time, mental space, and stay within a reasonable budget week after week.

2. Buy only what you need - By going to the grocery store prepared with meal ideas and a list in hand, there usually is far fewer impulse or random ingredient purchases. This process helps to ensure that I don’t waste money on items that I don’t truly need.

3. Opt for the store brand - While there are a few brands that I am very loyal to when shopping, I often opt for the store brand version, which is generally cheaper while still being effective. Sometimes, the store brand and name brand are manufactured and packaged in the same facility (they might even be the same formula), with different branding and a different price tag.

4. Shop the sales - I personally love shopping at Whole Foods because of the partnership with Amazon. Here, I am able to purchase local and seasonal ingredients, while getting the special discounts and sales offered. Often my shopping list includes on-sale ingredients and I simply reap the benefits just by scanning my Amazon code. Looking online ahead of time is a great way to know what’s on sale at grocery stores near you.

5. Get extra benefits with Chase - Some major credit cards, such as the Chase Sapphire Preferred, offer extra points for ordering groceries online or shopping at certain stores. This is a wonderful added benefit because you get rewarded by doing your normal weekly activities, with points adding up to save on your next vacation. Right now, get added bonus points when you sign up for a Chase card here!

6. Decide when to buy organic - Let's Feel Good shared a simple saving tip when grocery shopping, with a section in her guide called Do You Really Need to Buy Organic? Check it out here to help you determine when to purchase organics and when to skip them.

7. Check expiration dates - Prior to purchasing your groceries, be sure to check expiration dates to ensure that you can enjoy them before they go bad. Getting home with a bag of spoiled lettuce is the WORST!

A note on buying in bulk

There are times when buying in bulk can hike up your grocery bills and there are times when it can save you money. It’s important to know the distinction by being strategic with your purchases. The key is to only buy in bulk what you know you’ll use, otherwise it’s money wasted. Here are items I like to purchase:

• Non-perishables like nuts and seeds

• Oils like avocado & olive oil

• Beans

• Bone broth

• Rice & quinoa

• Nut butters like unsweetened organic almond and peanut butter

• Frozen fruits & veggies.

See the full video of my recent Costco haul here, where I share some of my favorite items to buy in bulk.

Freshness & Food Storage

How to store fruits and vegetables to make them last longer

After purchasing fresh ingredients from the store, it is vital that you store them properly so they will last until you can enjoy them.1

Cold storage

• Berries and greens are washed and dried, then stored in an air-tight container in the fridge with a paper towel to absorb extra moisture.

• Carrots and celery are washed and chopped, then stored in a jar of water in the fridge.

• Fresh herbs and green onions are stored like flowers, in a jar of water with a grocery bag over top of them.

• Lemons, limes, apples, pears, peppers, zucchini, squash, cucumber, and oranges are always stored in the fridge.

• Watermelon and cantaloupe are washed and sliced, then stored in an air-tight container in the fridge.

Counter storage

• Avocados are stored on the counter if not yet ripe** or in the fridge if I need them to last a few more days.

• Bananas are stored on the counter, away from avocados**, until they are ripe and ready to freeze in a zip-lock bag for smoothies.

• Potatoes and tomatoes are stored on the counter, away from onions**.

• Garlic and onions are stored on the counter, away from the potatoes**.

**Fun fact: Some fruits and vegetables produce a gas called ethylene which speeds up ripening. If two ethylene-producing ingredients are next to each other, it will cause them to ripen more quickly and potentially spoil before you can enjoy them.2

How to store meal prepped food

• Food should be stored within 2 hours of cooking in an air-tight container in the refrigerator.

• Place large amounts of food into smaller, individual containers to help the food cool more rapidly and prevent bacterial growth.

• You can place hot food in the refrigerator directly to help with quicker cooling.

• Leftovers will remain fresh in the refrigerator for 3 to 4 days and the freezer for 3 to 4 months.3

A note on ingredient prepping

I still rely on the same system for eating healthy while balancing a busy lifestyle that I first discovered in college. Ingredient prepping truly has been a game changer, making it easy to nourish my body with delicious foods and a diverse range of meals throughout the week.

My favorite containers

After cooking all of the ingredients during my weekly prep sessions on Sundays, I let them cool slightly before closing them in air-tight, glass containers in the fridge. Some of my favorites are this Pyrex 5-piece set, this Pyrex 12-piece set, and these Weck 742 Jars.

Food Safety

No one wants to get sick, and food safety is a great way to ensure that you are consuming healthy & delicious food with care.

How to handle leftovers

• Only store leftovers that have been safely cooked to the correct internal temperature and refrigerated properly to prevent food-borne illness.4

• Only reheat food one time after it has already been cooked or thawed. After that, it is best to throw it away. I recommend taking a portion of the leftovers and putting them on a separate plate to minimize waste.

• Do not thaw leftovers at room temperature, but instead thaw them in a cold-water bath in the refrigerator or by heating them in the microwave.

• Do not leave food out for more than 2 hours.5

How to ensure food safety when cooking

• Wash your hands frequently, especially when handling raw meat or unwashed foods.

• Clean surfaces regularly, both before and after cooking a meal. I prefer to use brands like Seventh Generation All Purpose Cleaner or Target’s Everspring All Purpose Cleaner.

• Wash fruits, vegetables, or grains, under room-temperature water prior to using them. Be sure to scrub potatoes, peel onions before washing, and wash avocados before slicing. For an extra cleaning method, soak berries in 3 parts water: 1 part baking soda: 1 part vinegar in a bowl for 10 - 15 minutes before draining. 6

• Do not rinse your meat prior to cooking, as it has been discovered this spreads more bacteria and is unnecessary.7

• Using disposable gloves has helped me to handle meat and sticky ingredients in a more sanitary way.

• Ensure that you are cooking all meat to the correct internal temperature. I prefer to use a meat thermometer and I also have a printed Kitchen Conversion Companion to know correct times and temperatures for cooking.

  
  

For more resources to support shopping on a budget, keeping your food fresh, and following food safety:

Grocery shop with a plan - my weekly grocery guides drop every Saturday, but you can check out the previous editions here.

My favorites - Shop the products and containers I love for keeping meals fresh here.

A kitchen resource - A printable guide for cooking times, temperatures, and healthy swaps here.

Eat well, spend less: My top tips for saving on groceries while eating healthy

How to reset your pantry & stock if for a healthier you

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Let’s make the most of your groceries

While you can’t control rising grocery prices, you can implement a few systems to ensure you can enjoy healthy and delicious meals all week long, while staying on budget. I hope these strategies have made you feel more equipped to ensure your groceries last longer, taste better, and fit your budget week after week.

Stay tuned to get the inside scoop next week for everything that I keep in my pantry to ensure healthy and easy meals all week long!

All the best,

Grace