Creating a grocery list on a budget
Let’s face it mama, this world we live in is getting tougher and tougher by the day. Whether you are a working mom or SAHM, prices of food are making it harder to stick to a budget or avoid wasting food that you definitely didn’t need to buy, and not having enough stocked up to last you to the next shopping trip. (I’m guilty of all these things). Having a basic idea of what your family members tend to like for quick breakfasts and snacks help to keep your pantry stocked as well.
For me, my biggest down falls for planning a grocery list are figuring out what I need for dinner preps, and not checking what I already have enough of to save me from extra purchases that are so unnecessary. I end up over-buying, even things that I think we need but don’t. A “6 item grocery list” quickly becomes a “35 item list” because I went through aisles with decor, office supplies, and fancy hand lotions. So why do I do this to myself? It’s my weakness. Shopping at a one-stop-shop like Walmart, when I really just needed those 6 items, is dangerous on a budget.
What do I do?
The truth is, there are ways of figuring out a smart grocery list, but you have to stay organized. Whenever a new week begins, and I’ve forgotten to create a meal plan or grocery list, I end up scrambling through the kitchen to see what I’m out of, or what I’ll need for the week to feed these tiny humans with healthy meals. This is still a good strategy for building your list, don’t get me wrong. But I always have to have it figured out before my shopping day or something gets forgotten, and I’m walking through the grocery aisles throwing unnecessary items in my cart.
So! Let’s take a look at a few lists of food staples, meal ideas, and tips on how to stay on track and on budget. It will help get started, and it’s always just the basics. Feel free to add your favourites.
- Eggs
- Veggies
Staple veggies:
- Carrots
- Broccoli
- Spinach
- Cauliflower
- Sweet potatoes
- Yellow potatoes
- Onions
- Garlic (yes, it’s a vegetable)
- Lettuce
3. Fruit
Fruits available year round:
- Strawberries
- Bananas
- Oranges
- Apples
- Kiwi
- Frozen berries
Tip**purchasing frozen fruits and veggies is always a money saver. The fresh fruit will be whatever your family eats within the week.
4. Dairy
- Milk
- Cheese
- Yogurt
5. Lean meat
- Whole chicken
- Ground chicken
- Chicken thighs or drums
- Chicken breasts
- Ground beef
- Ground turkey
6. Pantry staples
- Pasta
- Instant (or regular) brown or white rice
- Spices and dried herbs
- Dry beans (white/kidney beans etc.)
- Lentils
- Oats
- Tortillas
- Sliced bread
- Flour
- Sugar and/or honey
- Cereal
- Peanut butter
7. Canned foods
- Tomatoes (purée, diced)
- Broth
- Tuna
8. Frozen food
- Fruit
- Vegetables
- Hash browns
- French fries (and sweet potato fries)
- Pizza
- Ravioli
Tip**Investing in a deep freezer for the basement will help you keep stocked up on frozen foods. We even have an extra fridge in the basement where we keep meat for the week that can defrost.
5 Bonus Tips on saving money with groceries
- Stock up on favourite items when they’re on sale (get the app “Flipp” for deals in your area)
- Plan meals based on listed items
- Check out clearance section
- Buy the generic brand
- Stick to your list
10 Meals on a Budget
- Tacos
- BBQ Pulled Chicken (in the slow cooker)
- Homemade burgers
- Spaghetti
- Quesadillas
- Sloppy Joes
- Pizza (using homemade or store-bought dough, or english muffins, bagels, or flat bread)
- Breakfast for dinner (eggs, sausage, buttered toast)
- Meatloaf
- Salad (make it all veggie or lettuce version)
Those other meals
Save those pancake breakfasts for Sunday, and serve up a muffin or cereal for a school day to keep it simple and stress free. School lunches don’t have to be extravagant or stressful either. I’ve learned to just keep lots of snacks, both healthy and fun, and maybe a small ham and cheese sandwich. Crackers, granola bars, apple sauce, carrot sticks, are all great snacks to have prepped for each day to quickly throw in a lunch pale. Often Jackson will finish all his snacks because he likes to pick away at his food during school. If he is too chatty at lunchtime and can’t finish everything, it’s okay. They are snacks that can be repacked tomorrow or eaten after school. Dinners are my only real “plan-out meal” because I want everyone to have at least one decent meal to look forward to after their long day. Get to know your families taste and have them vote on favourites, giving you ideas for your weekly meals. If you’re a family that cooks together, or your partner is the main chef in the house, work on your lists together. After all, sharing meals you love is one of the ways we bond as a family unit.
In conclusion
I hope these lists help you mama. Parenthood is hard enough without stressing over what to make for dinner, what to put in lunch boxes, and making one meal that the whole family will eat. Especially when you’re on a budget. Always having a basic knowledge of cooking and what pairs well with side dishes, will definitely help you bring a whole meal together. Having your food prepped or ideas lined up for each day that week, will help big time when you don’t have all day to stress about being prepared. Plus you will stay on track with your budget.
Choose a day of the week where you can focus on your grocery list and meal ideas and it will all fall into place!
Good luck mama!