How to Grocery Shop on a Budget

Jessica Quindlen: [00:00:00] Welcome back to the Sound Cents Podcast. I'm Jessica Quindlen. Today we're discussing saving money on food. I have today with us Laura Straub, our Community Educator Lead. How are you, Laura?

Laura Straub: Doing good.

Jessica Quindlen: Yes, I'm glad. And Bree Shellito, our Senior Manager of Community Impact.

How are you, Bree?

Bree Shellito: Great. How are you, Jess?

Jessica Quindlen: I'm good. I'm very good. All right, so let's just get right started here with Laura. What is one of the first things to consider when you're thinking about saving money on food? We all need to eat, right? We can't just be like, yes, we're going to save money by not eating.

So, what can I do?

Laura Straub: Yeah. First things first is just to consider having a food budget. So, whatever that amount you're comfortable with, but just setting that budget aside that you know this X amount of money is going toward groceries and eating out. So, it's just a plan for our money. A way to get that magic number that I'm talking about is to look back like three to six months’ worth of your expenses.

On average, how much were you spending on those groceries and dining out, and all of those things that encompass food? And that way you can kind of [00:01:00] determine like, okay, per month, this is about how much I'm spending. This should be where my budget is at. Or you realize like oh that's a lot more money than I realize maybe I can start cutting back on that. And setting yourself with that budget and kind of sticking to it so that way when you are going out to eat or you're at the grocery store, you have that mindset of okay, maybe today I don't necessarily need the, the Coca-Cola with my dinner or whatever that may be, but.

You know, simple things. I will always do that, by the way. I always have a soda with dinner, but…

Bree Shellito: The fizzy, it just gets you.

Laura Straub: Exactly. It's just a treat. But whatever it is, if there are things where you can cut back if that's what you're looking for when it comes to your budget, that's a way you can start to do that is just setting that budget up, having it in place.

And then I like to have separate budgets for dining out versus groceries just because to me those are very different. So, dining out also encompasses, time with friends and family and things like that, things that I do [00:02:00] value. So, I do want to make sure they're in my budget still, and I'm accounting for that money of going out with friends, but then also making sure my grocery budget is in place too.

Jessica Quindlen: I love that. And then would you recommend doing this monthly, like setting up a monthly budget?

Laura Straub: Monthly, biweekly. It really depends on how often you're getting paid too. So prior when I was getting paid once a month, it was easier to have a monthly budget. Now having every other week or whatever it is it's a little easier to do biweekly.

So, whatever that looks like or how often you go shopping, you can kind of help determine how much you split your budget in.

Jessica Quindlen: Fantastic. All right, so let's dive into specifically grocery shopping. Bree, what are some tips I can do while I'm out there buying food.

Bree Shellito: Yeah. We all need those tips. The grocery shopping has just gone way higher. We don't even grab a cart anymore. We grab two of the little hand baskets because it's still going to be a hundred dollars.

Jessica Quindlen: This is true. But that is a good idea to keep, because you get the big cart and then it's so easy to fill.

Bree Shellito: Exactly. So smaller [00:03:00] cart, first and foremost, is always a good tip. Also, just making sure you're looking for deals and sales and always comparing. Especially when it comes to bulk buying. I know that a lot of folks tend to turn to that, especially if you have larger families, but depending on the price, it might not actually be a cost saver.

So look at the price per unit and see how much you're saving, especially if one of the smaller items not in bulk is on sale. Because if there's a sale there, then there's a potential that just buying several of those will save you more. Also, just understand that unfortunately, every store, including the grocery store, is kind of set up to have you spend money.

From the music to the layout, to the way that things are set on the shelves. Things that are right there at eye level are going to be the more expensive name brand products. Whereas if you look a little higher or a little lower, you may save some money on some of those other brands, so definitely just understand that.

Also, just knowing if you're stopping in for certain things, there's a reason that milk is at the back of the store. That's so often what folks have to stop into for a quick [00:04:00] stop because you have to pass everything else. So the likelihood that you'll buy something else is going to come up pretty quickly.

Also, just understanding that coupons are not a bad thing, either paper or digital. So going through those, looking at your house before you go is also a great practice. So instead of just going to the store and saying, “Oh, how are we doing on milk?” Or “How are we doing on sugar?” Or something like that and buying it, if you can kind of get a quick inventory of your own kitchen, refrigerator freezer before you go that way you don't forget your coupons either.

You're already thinking about the store before you go. Or if you're not someone who likes to go to the store anyways, order online order for grocery pickup. That way you aren't even stepping foot in that store. There are no temptations, especially from the samples. No temptations to buy more things, try more things.

It's just all ordered ahead of time for exactly the meals that you'll need.

Jessica Quindlen: I love that. That's fantastic. So, Laura, back at you. I've gone grocery shopping, I saved my money, I've followed all the rules that Bree laid out. What are some tips when it comes to actually saving when I'm [00:05:00] cooking and preparing meals for myself, for my family, or my friends or whoever?

Laura Straub: Yeah. And I would argue this might happen before you go shopping too - meal planning. So, figuring out what is it that you want for the week? Are there nights when you're not going to be home? And that's going to be, you know, your dining out funds. But just make sure you're not buying groceries for every single day of the week if you're not going to be at home either.

Bree Shellito: And even multi-use ingredients. Buying one thing to put in several meals.

Laura Straub: Absolutely, yes. I love to do that. Just to make sure. Yeah, you're kind of being a little bit more practical with what you're buying too. So, you're going to use it throughout the week.

Bree Shellito: We buy the big bag of cheese, we're always going to use it.

Laura Straub: Yes. I'm the same. The big block of cheese too. But yeah, having a plan for what you're going to be eating. That way, like Bree said, you can have those items throughout the week in your meals. So, I always joke too, like cilantro comes in this huge bundle, so having different dishes that you're going to be utilizing that with so you have less waste at the end too, can really help [00:06:00] you when it comes to saving in the kitchen.

But yeah, having a plan for your week, so writing it out, so Monday, having. nachos or whatever taco Tuesday, Wednesdays, pizza night, et cetera. Just kind of having that plan in place so that way you know what you're going to be preparing. It also helps you too, because then, you know, and you're not sitting there at 5:30pm, like, “what do you want to have for food?”

You already kind of set that aside before and you're more likely to kind of stick with it if you had that plan going into the week. So just spending, you know, an extra half hour, an hour or so with your family to figure out what you want for that week can be a really big game changer when it comes to saving in the kitchen because you are utilizing those items you already have in the cupboard you already have in the fridge and then you're only shopping for whatever's left with your recipes.

Bree Shellito: I love the plan, Laura, because the biggest marital fight we have is what we're going to eat. Honestly. And we've even created rules. Whoever asks first, “what do we want to eat?” The other person has to [00:07:00] come up with at least two things to then have the other person narrow down.

You can't say, “I don't know.”

Jessica Quindlen: Oh, nice. So do you rush to be the first person to ask?

Bree Shellito: Yes. Every day.

Jessica Quindlen: Every day you walk in the door, “what do want to eat?”

Bree Shellito: That's pretty much how it goes, Jess.

Jessica Quindlen: Yes, that is genius. I love that. Okay. And then it's two options and you have to narrow it down.

Laura Straub: You have to pick, yeah.

Bree Shellito: Do we always do it? No. But is that the rule? Yeah.

Jessica Quindlen: That is the rule. I like this. All right, so really, we should start with the budget, of course, then go to the meal plan. Then we list coupons. Great. Fantastic.

Okay, so, you know, I'm working late, something's going on and I need to dine out, I want to dine out, whatever. What are some strategies to save there? Because I think we can’t be realistic and say don't dine out because we're going to. It's going to happen. I know I do it. I got pizza last night because I didn't feel like cooking. It happens.

Bree Shellito: Absolutely.

Jessica Quindlen: And I know you love to dine out as well, Bree.

Bree Shellito: I sure do. You know, I've tried. I've tried food plans. I've tried lots of different things to learn how to cook. I've taken classes, it is not my [00:08:00] forte. So yeah, we do eat out frequently, but we use a lot of food apps. Food apps are my favorite. They don't take up a ton of space on your phone, and the rewards are really worth it for the majority of food retailers.

We've got just about every fast-food app, some restaurant apps, fast casual. The way that they add up to offer you actually free entrees, free drinks, free, different things. They're well worth using, and I don't think I've come across one that charges you anything to use it, so, it's just cost savings off the top there.

Jessica Quindlen: And are these really to order when you want to eat at home or can you also be using these apps even if you're going physically into that restaurant that has the app?

Bree Shellito: Both. Definitely both. And I'll say that some of the more chain restaurants tend to have them more often, but I've seen a lot more local restaurants offering those through different perk programs. If they have one, I'd highly recommend that you get it. It used to be frequent punch cards. We don't have to carry around those cards anymore. It's right on our phone. You're not, not bringing your phone. So, bring it along with you and use those apps.

There's [00:09:00] plenty of coupons, special offers. That's great. So, make your decision on where you're going to eat based on if you have an offer to somewhere, because it's likely you do.

Jessica Quindlen: That's great. I wouldn't have thought of that. That's fantastic. All right, so what else? What are some other great strategies for me?

Bree Shellito: So, you said either at home or at the restaurant, and one of the biggest ones we see with one of the largest costs is actually getting your food delivered.

Jessica Quindlen: Oh, interesting. Okay.

Bree Shellito: Completely understand that it's convenient. We totally appreciate if you do that every once in a while. Especially those of you with kiddos, I understand it's not a great time to get them in the car, get the car seat, the whole deal.

I get it. But if you can or if you're going to be on your way home and you've already decided and you can just stop in and pick it up on the way. Highly recommend those apps that are using that. Things like Uber Eats, GrubHub, not only is there a cost to deliver, there is a cost for the tip, but the food menu items are actually higher.

Jessica Quindlen: Really? Well, that's how they make their money.

Bree Shellito: Exactly. Exactly.

Jessica Quindlen: So, as I'm saying it, I'm like, oh yes, that tracks. Okay.

Bree Shellito: So, if you cost compare and look at how much you're going to pay through one of those apps [00:10:00] versus directly through the restaurant itself, then it's a little bit higher.

So, I suppose that's a good tip as well, just making sure you're looking, if you can order it another way instead of through a third party. So just using that tip as well.

The other thing when going out, especially since Laura, you talked about spending time with family and friends. Sometimes it gets a little awkward when that bill gets dropped off. Have a plan ahead of time. That's okay. Talk about whether it's going to be split, whether someone's going to cover it. You don't want it to get awkward, especially with your friends and family. So have an idea. Just set the expectation from the beginning of, “Hey, I'll go out, but as long as we're splitting checks” or as long as we know how that's going to be covered. I think just setting that expectation is going to stop a lot of awkwardness and potential arguments.

Jessica Quindlen: Absolutely. And if you're on different budgets, I mean, someone could be having lots of drinks and desserts and salads and you're like, I had a cup of soup. Like, you know, so okay. Having a plan. All right. I love that. All right. Any other tips we have on saving money with food ladies?

Bree Shellito: Laura, you mentioned the block of cheese and as soon as you said it, I [00:11:00] thought about it. That's a great tip, is to buy things unprepared, I'll say. The block of cheese, you get so much more for your money if you are willing to shred it and it tastes fresh.

Laura Straub: It does, yeah.

Shredded cheese actually has like a little film on it so it doesn't clump up in the bag. Yeah, so it does taste better from the block. So yes, I just put it in a food processor. It takes like five seconds. It's amazing. And you get a huge thing of shredded cheese.

But yeah, exactly. Having unprepared food is really helpful in that regard. Or just making stuff from scratch can actually be cheaper too. So I know like noodles are only a dollar sometimes when they're on sale, but I make my own fresh pasta at home because it's cheaper to buy flour.

Jessica Quindlen: So, when we're recording, we'll all be going to Laura's house and she'll be cooking us fresh pasta and cheese.

Laura Straub: Right, exactly. No, but flour is cheaper. Yeah. Cuz flour's cheaper to buy in like a big, huge amount. You can use it for lots of different things versus buying everything [00:12:00] individually. Now that's extreme. I like cooking though. So unlike Bree, I do like spending time in the kitchen.

Bree Shellito: She's making her own pasta. That's where I'm going now.

Laura Straub: Exactly. So, you know, play to your strengths if you are not into prepping food, that is not a good option. Just buy the pre-made noodles. But just another example though too of like stretching your dollar where you can if it's valid.

Bree Shellito: I've been buying a lot for you fruit too. And fruit already prepared and cut up is so much more expensive than if I just decide that I'm going to cut up that watermelon myself. And so, looking at those pre-prepared foods versus just actually willing to…

Jessica Quindlen: Yeah, and I think there's certainly, there's levels. You know, you can buy a watermelon. You don't necessarily have to make your own pasta, you're fine.

Level of fanciness.

Laura Straub: Like salad bags too, you know, like difference in that. You know, your own lettuce,

Jessica Quindlen: You can get more salad by just buying a thing of lettuce and a thing of this and a thing of that. Makes sense. Stretches longer. I love that. So, do either of you pack your lunches like in meal prep?

Laura Straub: Yeah, I do. I definitely have that meal plan for the week. So today I had chicken, [00:13:00] rice and sweet potato stuff. I premade it on Sunday, just had a few in the fridge. So that way either myself or my husband can grab a lunch. We don't have to think about it, don't have to spend money going out to lunch.

We can save that and have it so we can go out with friends later in the evening or happy hour or something like that. We just kind of balance it in that way. But also leftovers. I love leftovers. Some people do not. So yeah, if you do have leftovers from the night before, heat those up the next day for lunch. Fabulous.

Jessica Quindlen: All right, anything else that's jumping to mind? No. Awesome. Well, that brings us to the end of our show. Laura, Bree, thank you so much for being here. It was great having you.

Bree Shellito: Thanks Jess.

Laura Straub: Absolutely, same here.

Jessica Quindlen: Thank you for listening to Sound Cents from Ent Credit Union. Be sure to follow our podcast as well as rate and review us. I'm Jessica Quindlen. I will see you next week, same time, same place.