I think you could get it down to 400 per month if you are diligent about meal planning based on grocery sales and introduce beans into your diet. Both canned beans and dried beans are inexpensive and a great protein source! There are many varieties and they are super versatile--can be used instead of meat in most casserole or one-pot type meals.
One thing I hear you saying is, Time and Money. When you save more of one, you spend more of the other.
Agree that beans are a healthy, inexpensive choice -- it's hard to beat Red Beans & Rice. But they are carb-heavy.
I have saved 25% per week shopping exclusively at Aldi now so I suggest giving them a try
Aldi has lots of good bargains (and a few rip-offs mixed in), but I don't think I could shop them exclusively.
if you are'nt 'married' to a particular brand of an item give the store brand a try. i grew up in a household where canned beans were always s&w, veggies green giant but once i tried the store brands i found i liked them better and the cost savings was great.
Yes, ignoring name brands is a great way to save -- most of the time. Occasionally sales make the difference, and occasionlly you find a weird item that defies "the rule". I can count on one hand the name brands I "must have".
1. You're shopping at lots of stores. How far apart are they? Does the savings outweigh how much you're wasting on gas?
Eh, I don't think this is a fair question. I shop at that many stores -- or more. But I don't shop them every week. For example, I love the Chinese grocery and The Chef Store, which are both an hour away. I shop them 2-3 times a year, and -- when I do -- I stock up heavily on the things I like.
I wish those were egg prices here. I love eggs but ours are 2.60 for a package of 18 Large store brand.
I bought a pack of 18 at Walmart this morning -- $1.18 .
I guess I never really thought about the price of eggs. We buy no more than a dozen a week, unless I make French Toast, when I use 6 eggs just for that, so I'll buy an 18 pack those weeks.
It makes sense not to put too much effort into things you don't buy often. Even if they're expensive, it's not a big deal. On the other hand, your "every week" items matter more.
it was fascinating watching my oldest kid's eating habits change once she moved into her first college apartment and was responsible for her own shopping/cooking. initially it was all processed/heat and go foods but she quickly found that her budget didn't go very far on that route. over time she began learning more about cooking esp. after she discovered the joys of a crockpot.
I remember my mom giving me a crock pot when I was in college. My first meal was Beef Stew, which I left to "simmer" while I went to work on a Saturday. When I came home, I opened the door to the stairwell and was hit with a delicious smell -- I ran up the steps saying, "Be my apartment, be my apartment." It was!