I cannot tell you how many times lately my jaw has been on the floor while grocery shopping. Prices are climbing weekly. I watched my coffee beans jump $5 in price over the past couple months!

Even though it feels unmanageable, we have to adapt. 

While there’s nothing I can do about the price of coffee beans, I can share some tips that have saved me a few bucks. 

We’re talking easy, low-stress ways to cut costs.

1. Start with a good plan

I NEVER go shopping without a plan otherwise I’d blow through my budget in Aisle 1. 

I usually have a ballpark idea of how much I can spend. Then I go through my list, totaling as I go - if I’m having a rough day I use my phone. 

Then if I come in under budget I can go back to grab something spontaneously.

Get the Grocery List Plan for free by clicking here 

2. Weigh Your Options

It's not ALL about the price. The quantity matters too.

Two items with the same amount of product can be vastly different in price based on the brand, country of origin, ingredients, or any number of extravagances. 

Sometimes I can afford a bulk option that’s a lot cheaper, other times we’re getting the smallest container. 

Compare the prices based on how much food is in the package. Some stores have digital screens will tell you the price per unit weight. No work involved! 

I usually shoot for the middle, not the cheapest, not bulk, but the deal in between.

The cheapest option is usually not the best deal or quality; bulk is a large upfront cost and not everyone has space to store large quantities of food.

The middle price is usually manageable.

3. Consider Simple Swaps

Reconsider your staples, the same things you always buy without thinking twice, and assess your options with fresh eyes.

For example, instead of canned fruits and vegetables I usually buy frozen. Sure, canned tastes a little better, but if they're being cooked or blended, the difference is unnoticeable.

I buy the cheapest coffee beans, because I can't tell the difference. Hey - if you're one of those people and you can tell the difference - don't switch!

A few other things I swap on occasion are bread (I make my own when I can), canned tomatoes instead of fresh (when cooking them), frozen fruit and veg for smoothies and cooking...

It's all about your personal preferences.

4. Try Different Cuisines

We have all experienced THE RUT. We get stuck in the same old recipes and routines, nothing sounds good, and it's just plain old BORING.

Trying a new cuisine can shake things up in a cost-saving way.

For example, stir-fries can be super cheap and even more delicious. There are countless Asian cuisines with unique sauces and tweaks. Pinterest is a great way to discover new recipe ideas.

5. Embrace Casseroles

"It's such a shame there's a stigma against meatloaf" - direct quote from my husband.

YES! Let's go all the way back to the 50s. There are so many good casserole concepts that can be modified to suit our tastes today.

For example - Shepherd's Pie, Pot Pie, Baked Ziti, to name a few.

Skinny options are available on Pinterest, as these tend to be heavy sometimes.

6. Challenge Yourself to Make Dough

I've had a mental block about making any kind of dough for 30 years. I thought it was just something you were either born with or weren't.

Then I discovered Brian Lagerstrom on YouTube. (No affiliation fyi)

Now I exclusively make my own pizza once a week. Hey, it's cheap and DELISH. I've saved SO much money and it is barely any more work.

He has a one hour dough thtat is to die for. You can check it out here.

Same with bread loafs, boules, buns, you name it. He simplifies it to the point it's impossible to mess it up.

7. Buy Sale Items

My meal plan starts with what meat is on sale. Then produce. I hardly EVER buy meat or produce that isn't on SALE.

Looking at 2 to 3 grocery stores, you can easily decide on 5-7 meals using the meats and produce that are on sale.

Dairy and Pantry are tricky. Sometimes you luck out and can get a few items on sale, but to me, you take what you can get.

Household items like paper towel, toilet paper, laundry detergent I try to stay ahead of and buy them when I see they are on sale.

It means you can't be as whimsical, however, it forces you to expand your horizon.

8. Limit Waste

Waste used to be my biggest downfall. Each week I had good intentions while shopping, but ultimately I got too busy or plans changed and I threw away so much food, usually produce.

Now, I try to play devils advocate while I meal plan and ask myself, "Will I really use a WHOLE head of lettuce?"

One useful thing I do now when I notice food is accumulating is make broths. Vegetable scraps and chicken and beef bones make delicious healthy broths. They can be frozen in 1 or 2 cup containers and easily pulled out for those casseroles!

The Super Cubes my sister-in-law bought us have been a game-changer. There are also cheaper options available, but I can't speak to their quality.

9. Explore New Nutrition Sources

It SUCKS that we live in a time where the economy is so bad we can't afford traditional nutrition sources.

That said, there are many nutrition sources we don't regularly use in North America, which are commonplace elsewhere.

• Beans. They're cheap and easy to incorporate into many meals. Black beans go nicely in Mexican cuisine. Chili is delicious. Bean burgers are new for us and totally satisfying.

• Frozen fish. It took some time for me to find my groove with frozen fish, however, there are so many choices, from fried fish to fish tacos. I totally understand how it's not for everyone though.

• Protein powder. Great in cookies, brownies, pancakes, if you have a sweet tooth. Or smoothies, but how basic...

It takes time to explore these new recipes and find what you like, but there are incredible options out there. Check out my recipe page for more ideas!

10. Join a Rewards Program

We buy groceries ANYWAYS so why not.

Many rewards programs seem like a waste of time - there are hardly any perks or rewards, but if you're making a purchase why not take the couple cents.

I joined a program at a local store and after using it weekly for around one year I have $8 accumulated. That's laughable, I know. But it didn't take any work and now I'll get a case of Sprite Zero for free. So...cool, I'll take it.

Other programs, like PC Optimum, are AWESOME and I do save a lot when I participate in the weekly offers. For example, they run the baby product offer about once a month. You get $10 in points when you spend $50 on baby products, which anyone with kids knows is easy to do in diapers and wipes alone.

They key is not to go out of your way to spend money on an offer. If it's something you already need, then it's worth it.

So. The takeaway is, have an open mind and find small changes you can implement without making your life a COMPLETE MISERY.

Advice that includes not buying coffee out, restrictive diets, or ANY one-size-fits-all solution is NOT for me.

I'm happy to share what brings ME joy and what works for us, and if you can take anything away I'm satisfied.