Groceries $$

[RH]

Having a hard time controlling the food costs a bit. Seems like a bag of groceries at Safeway goes for $50 these days. Any tips or websites for a variety of cheap, healthy meals?? We eat anything, no dietary restrictions. Variety is important. 

[nessness]

Do you have other options besides Safeway? I mostly shop at Grocery Outlet and WinCo, and every time I go into Safeway I'm shocked by how much more expensive it is.

[erutio]

Aldi is a good place to find bargains if you have one close by.

[uniwelder]

What's in that bag and what kind of area do you live in?  Maybe your $50 bag of groceries is hyperbole, not sure.  Is it possible you mean a short shopping trip winds up around $50?  I'm trying to think of how much expensive stuff I can get into a grocery bag and what it would take to surpass the $50 mark.

Otherwise, it would be more useful if you laid out what kinds of things you're buying and people can give lower cost alternatives.

[TrMama]

Do you meal plan? Or just wing it every night? I find planning ahead reduces our grocery spend by a lot, even when I'm not even trying to save money.

Curbside pickup (or delivery) also saves money because it makes it harder for impulse purchases to jump into the cart.

[Catbert]

Any ethnic grocery stores in your area?  They are a great source for items typical of their cuisine (e.g., rice at an Asian grocery, feta at a Middle Eastern deli) and cheap produce.

Note that grocery prices are definitely UP since the pandemic.

[RH]

We have a Safeway, a pricy Co-Op, an even pricey fish monger, and a farmers market on Saturdays. No Aldi. A Winco or Costco would be an hour drive. 
I guess I'm looking for alternate meals that are budget friendly with not too many ingredients so that we can eat less meat, less seafood, etc.. a few times a week. I think an easy meal plan would help us.

[NorthernIkigai]

The Budget Bytes website has served me well for years. There are so many recipes on there that I always find something new to try, even though we skip the ones with meat. I find that the recipes also encourage me to vary them and sub stuff when needed.

[Fomerly known as something]

For me the budget gets blown on good coffee and cheese.  If I take away those two items (or went to a cheaper but in my opinion less yummy variety) I’d cut between 25-50% of my spending.

[Cranky]

Let me second BudgetBytes. The recipes are easy, tasty, and don’t demand a lot of hard to source ingredients.

[Dreamer40]

I keep a 3-ring binder for recipes that are worth making again. As you find budget meals that you like, you could keep them somewhere accessible so it’s easy to flip through them next time you’re meal planning. It’s harder to come up with ideas each time out of thin air.

One budget-friendly style of eating is to make grain bowls or grain salads. Loads of recipe ideas for this online. It’s also easy to mix together the odds and ends of vegetables and herbs with couscous. Like if I have a carrot or two, a bit of onion, and some random herb, that can all go with couscous drizzled with oil and vinegar (or lemon juice). Add some canned white beans or crumbled feta for protein. Veggies can be raw, sautéed, or roasted. Great way to feel fancy while cleaning out the fridge and reducing potential food waste.

[ysette9]

I like the app Plan to Eat. It is a subscription model, so not free. But worth it in my experience.

I upload all of the recipes I like and some I want to try, tweak the formatting if necessary to work for me, then do a week’s worth of meal planning by dragging recipes onto the calendar in the app. It auto populates a grocery list from the recipes that I adjust accordingly to what I already have on hand. It saves a lot of time for planning which is t or mentally difficult part for me. I can also ad notes for future times I remake recipes as I learn things about them, which is helpful to save. My husband also has the app so we can coordinate between us real time for the shopping list.

[seattlecyclone]

I regularly shop at Safeway and each bag of groceries averages much less than $50.

Look at the weekly ad before you shop. Items where they limit the quantity you can buy at a particular price are a good place to start (why would they limit your purchase if that price was profitable for them?). Try to plan meals around the things that are on sale. For example in my area this week I see they're advertising avocados for 99¢, sour cream for 99¢/pound (limit 4), a head of Romaine lettuce for 99¢, Roma tomatoes for 99¢/pound. That looks like the beginnings of a taco night. Add in some tortillas, a can of beans, maybe some rice or meat, and some cheese you stocked up on the last time it was on sale and you're eating a tasty, easy dinner for not very much money.

[American GenX]

There are some past threads about ALDI and saving money on groceries.  You could do some searched for more money.

I only have Walmart, HyVee, and ALDI close by as far as grocery stores.  It's a much further drive out to get to others, which are more expensive for most things.  I admit I rarely go to ALDI and should check it out more.

[StarBright]

Can you shop online and do grocery pickup?

I found my spending went down when I switched from Aldi to the more expensive store w/ curbside pick up because I could see my total as I put things in my virtual cart. As my total would approach 100 I found myself reconsidering my shopping plan.

Our monthly grocery spend has dropped about $50 a month during the pandemic (even with rising food costs).

re: cheap meal plan. there are several "Feed 4 for $50" type plans around the internet. Like this:
https://dontwastethecrumbs.com/one-week-50-meal-plan-for-a-family-of-four/

Obviously food costs are higher lately but still a great cheap base menu. I rarely use all the recipes at one time but sub them into my meal plan when my grocery bill is looking high.

[mistymoney]

We have a Safeway, a pricy Co-Op, an even pricey fish monger, and a farmers market on Saturdays. No Aldi. A Winco or Costco would be an hour drive. 
I guess I'm looking for alternate meals that are budget friendly with not too many ingredients so that we can eat less meat, less seafood, etc.. a few times a week. I think an easy meal plan would help us.

we get 5 pound bags of lentils from nuts.com. discount of ?5%? if you sign up for autodelivery.

reminds you to eat your lentils when they arrive!

[Metalcat]

Learn to cook meals with cheaper ingredients.

Budget Bytes has already been mentioned, but it won't just give you great recipes, it will help you start recognizing what kind of recipes are cheaper to make.

I built a collection of over 150 recipes with serving costs around $1-2, some of them from Budget Bytes, but many from elsewhere.

Rice and beans is a cliche for a reason though. But that really expands to a huge range of cuisine when you actually conceptualize it as "legumes and grains".

A lot of my meals are extremely flavourful because I use a ton of spices for flavour instead of the typical flavour centers in meals, which are meats and cheeses.

So my step father makes a delicious Irish stew where the bulk of the flavour comes from beef, and I'll make a delicious black bean stew where the bulk of the flavour comes from spices. Both are rich, hearty, and filling, but mine is less than a dollar per serving.

You will find inexpensive, but intensely delicious inexpensive recipes from Indian, African, Asian, Middle Eastern, Mediterranean, Eastern Europe, and Latin America, places where historically there have been large populations of people with not a lot of money.

North American cuisine is based on meat and dairy, so that's why it's so expensive.

[mm1970]

Can you shop online and do grocery pickup?

I found my spending went down when I switched from Aldi to the more expensive store w/ curbside pick up because I could see my total as I put things in my virtual cart. As my total would approach 100 I found myself reconsidering my shopping plan.

Our monthly grocery spend has dropped about $50 a month during the pandemic (even with rising food costs).

re: cheap meal plan. there are several "Feed 4 for $50" type plans around the internet. Like this:
https://dontwastethecrumbs.com/one-week-50-meal-plan-for-a-family-of-four/

Obviously food costs are higher lately but still a great cheap base menu. I rarely use all the recipes at one time but sub them into my meal plan when my grocery bill is looking high.

This totally worked for me too.

Now that Delta is going crazy, I might just start doing this again.  I was at the grocery store 3x this week for crying out loud, and DH is at Costco right now.

I can schedule pickup for the store that is across the street from DS1's high school.

[hooplady]

A very helpful thread... https://forum.mrmoneymustache.com/share-your-badassity/have-a-sub-$200month-grocery-budget/

[American GenX]

A very helpful thread... https://forum.mrmoneymustache.com/share-your-badassity/have-a-sub-$200month-grocery-budget/

Yes, that's the one I was thinking of for low cost meals.  And there are some ALDI threads also.

[Monocle Money Mouth]

Walmart. I know it's cool to dunk on them, but if you are ok with using their store brand for most items, you can save a ton of money. I've found that most of their store brand stuff is less expensive than the comparable item from Aldi. They have a better selection too. I can buy 4 lbs of chicken thighs and a spark plug on the same shopping trip.

The only thing I will ding Walmart on is keeping things in stock. I have seen some items be out of stock for months at a time. Walmart's grocery website is pretty good about letting you know what the stores have in stock. You can at least make a plan to stop at a regular grocery store if they don't have something you need.

[seattlecyclone]

A very helpful thread... https://forum.mrmoneymustache.com/share-your-badassity/have-a-sub-$200month-grocery-budget/

MMM's classic "Grocery Shopping with Your Middle Finger" post is also good. That one basically mirrors my own way of shopping: keep track of prices, stock up on things when they're underpriced, and just don't buy stuff ("discreetly stick up both of my middle fingers, swear under my breath, and move on to a substitute good") that is overpriced.

[draco44]

If you've never read the classic frugal living text The Complete Tightwad Gazette by Amy Dacyczyn, one thing I really appreciated about her perspective is that it's very helpful to be able to think beyond specific recipes and be able to make up your own recipes based on general "frameworks" for how to cook a category of food.

For example, maybe the concept of a master soup recipe would involve something like:
- Saute a chopped onion in olive oil in a big pot.
- Add two-three other chopped vegetables to the pot.
- Add water or broth (I like to use water + a spoon of Better Than Bouillon, rather than buying boxed broth), as well as a protein source such as a package of chicken thighs or a can of beans. Or a few potatoes, if you don't want a protein-heavy soup.
- Add one-three spices.
- Simmer 25-45 minutes.

You could also have a master recipe concept for smoothies, salads, pancakes, stew, chili, and even some more forgiving baked items like muffins. When you are able to think beyond single recipes, it becomes easier to take advantage of ingredients that are on sale on the store, or to use up bits of leftovers in a new dish (e.g. dumping a bit of extra cauliflower in chili works out beautifully).
 

[Loretta]

Are you using the justforyou digital coupons?  It can help. Safeway is my grocery deliverer of choice.

[Wolfpack Mustachian]

Learn to cook meals with cheaper ingredients.

Budget Bytes has already been mentioned, but it won't just give you great recipes, it will help you start recognizing what kind of recipes are cheaper to make.

I built a collection of over 150 recipes with serving costs around $1-2, some of them from Budget Bytes, but many from elsewhere.

Rice and beans is a cliche for a reason though. But that really expands to a huge range of cuisine when you actually conceptualize it as "legumes and grains".

A lot of my meals are extremely flavourful because I use a ton of spices for flavour instead of the typical flavour centers in meals, which are meats and cheeses.

So my step father makes a delicious Irish stew where the bulk of the flavour comes from beef, and I'll make a delicious black bean stew where the bulk of the flavour comes from spices. Both are rich, hearty, and filling, but mine is less than a dollar per serving.

You will find inexpensive, but intensely delicious inexpensive recipes from Indian, African, Asian, Middle Eastern, Mediterranean, Eastern Europe, and Latin America, places where historically there have been large populations of people with not a lot of money.

North American cuisine is based on meat and dairy, so that's why it's so expensive.

Where do you get the best bang for you buck in terms of spices?

[Rusted Rose]

Where do you get the best bang for you buck in terms of spices?

Of course I'm not Malcat, but if I may: those international cuisines she lists are often a great source of very economical spices if you can find a grocery that caters to them or even "international" sections of regular supermarkets -- look there first before the "regular" spices aisle.

Trader Joe's limited selection is still better priced than typical supermarkets if you happen to be in one.

Then there is Penzey's, a spice specialist whose quality is high for the relatively low prices, and if you don't have a local shop you can get everything online.

[Metalcat]

Where do you get the best bang for you buck in terms of spices?

We have a chain here called Bulk Barn where I can buy a huge range of spices. It costs about 30 cents for an amount of spice that would cost me a few dollars per packet at the grocery store.

I also have a huge number of small ethnic grocers in the area for more rare spices.

[OtherJen]

Where do you get the best bang for you buck in terms of spices?

Of course I'm not Malcat, but if I may: those international cuisines she lists are often a great source of very economical spices if you can find a grocery that caters to them or even "international" sections of regular supermarkets -- look there first before the "regular" spices aisle.

Trader Joe's limited selection is still better priced than typical supermarkets if you happen to be in one.

Then there is Penzey's, a spice specialist whose quality is high for the relatively low prices, and if you don't have a local shop you can get everything online.

Seconding Penzey's. Everything is very good quality. The local Mexican, Asian, and Middle Eastern grocery stores are also reliable sources.

[Runrooster]

I third the recommendation for budgetbytes, but I can also simplify it a bit: eat more carbs, they will fill you up for low cost.  Actually oil comes in at a similar $/calorie, but I prefer the bulk of carbs.  Eating too much protein just make expensive urine.

I read that you're about to FIRE, so your budget must be pretty lean already.  What do you ball park you spend? What do you wish you spent?  What are you willing to spend in time to bring it down?  How many people are you shopping/cooking for? 

I spend on the order of $150/person for 3 people, but I also "enjoy" grocery shopping, finding deals.  I hit 5 stores this weekend, usually 3 for me, and two of the stores were next to each other, but even so I'd guess each store adds half an hour.  I spent $76 total.  Stocked up on a couple of items, (roti and a2 milk and cereal), but stock up on something every week.  I'm a culprit of the low-carb expensive urine, so the super cheap cereal is my way of getting back to normal.  Picked up a couple of free items - individual yogurt and hand soap at Safeway, more yogurt at Giant.  Also got some super cheap cantalope, mushrooms, and kale off the clearance rack.  We buy a lot of fresh produce, which is inching up in price but we try to keep at $1/pound.  I've been happily paying double that for cherries and blueberries though.  My mom is willing to prep and cook the veg, otherwise I'd buy more frozen.  I think we eat pretty well but we dont eat out and i rarely buy seafood.  The smell of cooking fish bothers my Mom so sometimes I'll go to Safeway and get whatever's on the half-price deal and have them steam it for me. 

[seattlecyclone]

Where do you get the best bang for you buck in terms of spices?

We have a chain here called Bulk Barn where I can buy a huge range of spices. It costs about 30 cents for an amount of spice that would cost me a few dollars per packet at the grocery store.

I also have a huge number of small ethnic grocers in the area for more rare spices.

Yes, absolutely find a store that sells bulk spices. Those little pre-filled spice jars in the baking aisle of your supermarket are probably the biggest waste of money once you discover the bulk section. Other bulk goods can save you a bit of money too, but spices are just absolutely crazy to not buy that way.

[Zamboni]

Learn to cook meals with cheaper ingredients.

Budget Bytes has already been mentioned, but it won't just give you great recipes, it will help you start recognizing what kind of recipes are cheaper to make.

I built a collection of over 150 recipes with serving costs around $1-2, some of them from Budget Bytes, but many from elsewhere.

Rice and beans is a cliche for a reason though. But that really expands to a huge range of cuisine when you actually conceptualize it as "legumes and grains".

A lot of my meals are extremely flavourful because I use a ton of spices for flavour instead of the typical flavour centers in meals, which are meats and cheeses.

So my step father makes a delicious Irish stew where the bulk of the flavour comes from beef, and I'll make a delicious black bean stew where the bulk of the flavour comes from spices. Both are rich, hearty, and filling, but mine is less than a dollar per serving.

You will find inexpensive, but intensely delicious inexpensive recipes from Indian, African, Asian, Middle Eastern, Mediterranean, Eastern Europe, and Latin America, places where historically there have been large populations of people with not a lot of money.

North American cuisine is based on meat and dairy, so that's why it's so expensive.

Where do you get the best bang for you buck in terms of spices?

Believe it or not, the Dollar Store sells common spices. It's hit or miss what they have, but the container that would be $4 or $5 at the grocery is only $1. I've bought them and they seem just as flavorful as other dried spices I have purchased.
My local grocery also has a Latino food aisle, and all of the spices on that aisle are way, way cheaper than on the baking aisle, where they stock different brands of the same spices for more than double the price.

[Rusted Rose]

I third the recommendation for budgetbytes, but I can also simplify it a bit: eat more carbs, they will fill you up for low cost.  Actually oil comes in at a similar $/calorie, but I prefer the bulk of carbs.  Eating too much protein just make expensive urine.

You are going to hate me, but no, it is not all about cheap at the expense of optimal health. Protein is absolutely essential, and animal sources are far better healthwise than "plant-based." Too much protein isn't really a thing. If anything, people are getting less than they should. We are NOT ruminants or herbivores. We are omnivores.

We need to eat fewer carbs and fewer industrial oils. Case in point, one of the issues absolutely driving the worst effects of the pandemic is insulin resistance -- too much sugar in the blood. People who favor carbs over fat (I mean real fat, not industrial oils) are much more likely to have that going on.

https://www.frontiersin.org/articles/10.3389/fpubh.2021.695139/full

[Runrooster]

I don’t hate you but I hate your science. Agree to disagree we can all afford to eat pounds of meat a day. Is it worth it, you decide. The diabetic family members like to say they’re on a keto diet snd can certainly afford it but a. It’s not highly palatable and they cant stick to it rigorously b. Even to the extent they have converted their diet, weight and diabetes problems still linger after 10 years. But obviously to each their own. Insulin resistance is a problem stemming from obesity which is an excess of calories of any type.

[Dreamer40]

Another way to reduce grocery bills is to utilize u-pick farms or grown your own. Right now, organic blueberries in my area are $1/lb if you pick them yourself. And my hobby garden has all kinds of stuff ripening right now.

[Metalcat]

I third the recommendation for budgetbytes, but I can also simplify it a bit: eat more carbs, they will fill you up for low cost.  Actually oil comes in at a similar $/calorie, but I prefer the bulk of carbs.  Eating too much protein just make expensive urine.

You are going to hate me, but no, it is not all about cheap at the expense of optimal health. Protein is absolutely essential, and animal sources are far better healthwise than "plant-based." Too much protein isn't really a thing. If anything, people are getting less than they should. We are NOT ruminants or herbivores. We are omnivores.

We need to eat fewer carbs and fewer industrial oils. Case in point, one of the issues absolutely driving the worst effects of the pandemic is insulin resistance -- too much sugar in the blood. People who favor carbs over fat (I mean real fat, not industrial oils) are much more likely to have that going on.

https://www.frontiersin.org/articles/10.3389/fpubh.2021.695139/full

I think you're perhaps talking past each other.

There are high carb/low nutrient diets that have insufficient protein, like someone who lives on pasta and donuts; then there are low carb diets, like Keto, and then there are higher carb diets that are high in nutrients, like legume based vegetarian diets.

What matters is enough protein and enough micronutrients.

So yeah, cost per calorie is kind of meaningless compared to cost for nutrients. However, someone recommending not being afraid of increasing carbs also isn't necessarily a recommendation to live on pasta and donuts either.

[Runrooster]

I think you're perhaps talking past each other.

There are high carb/low nutrient diets that have insufficient protein, like someone who lives on pasta and donuts; then there are low carb diets, like Keto, and then there are higher carb diets that are high in nutrients, like legume based vegetarian diets.

What matters is enough protein and enough micronutrients.

So yeah, cost per calorie is kind of meaningless compared to cost for nutrients. However, someone recommending not being afraid of increasing carbs also isn't necessarily a recommendation to live on pasta and donuts either.

Thanks for trying to mediate, but I am talking about adding back in more carbs of the low-protein variety, including pasta, brown rice, cereal, oatmeal, barley, etc.  Not living on them and purer carb than donuts, but relatively low on the micronutrient list.  Rusted Rose disapproves of vegetarian protein sources and says "there's no such thing as too much protein", so legume based vegetarian is out for her.

[Anon-E-Mouze]

You are going to hate me, but no, it is not all about cheap at the expense of optimal health. Protein is absolutely essential, and animal sources are far better healthwise than "plant-based." Too much protein isn't really a thing. If anything, people are getting less than they should. We are NOT ruminants or herbivores. We are omnivores.

We're omnivores, not carnivores, so that means we can thrive on a purely plant-based diet. That's a diet that is also compassionate and better for the planet, too. It's inefficient for the planet to feed plants to animals so that we can eat animals.

Although some animal proteins may provide certain nutrients in a somewhat more concentrated format than vegetable proteins, most animal proteins are also laced with hormones, antibiotics and pollutants. Chickens bred to be laying hens suffer from incredibly high rates of reproductive cancer as well as horrible diseases like Mareks. I don't know about you but I don't want to eat the products of cancer machines.

And let's not forget that intensive animal agriculture is fertile ground for human pandemics.

I'd much rather top up my inexpensive vegetable proteins with a couple of vegan supplements like B-12. (B-12 comes from the ground, but it becomes concentrated in animal flesh. However, there are also vegan sources.)

[seemsright]

I am finding that we need to buy less and eat everything we buy. That box of pasta that got bought and only ate half. Have a cup left of the dried beans, the grain you bought for the salad but never made it.

I am currently eating out of the garden, eating what we have on hand. This weeks grocery shop should be around $10 for eggs, milk, and potatoes.

It is a work in progress but I am headed in the right direction

[Morning Glory]

I am finding that we need to buy less and eat everything we buy. That box of pasta that got bought and only ate half. Have a cup left of the dried beans, the grain you bought for the salad but never made it.

I am currently eating out of the garden, eating what we have on hand. This weeks grocery shop should be around $10 for eggs, milk, and potatoes.

It is a work in progress but I am headed in the right direction

That was great when I was downsizing! Total household consumables budget was <500/ month for the first half of the year as we used up the freezer and pantry. That was for 4 people and a dog, and included all food, alcohol, tp, diapers, personal care products, etc. In July it was 900 but we were traveling for 3 weeks and eating a lot of convenience meals. Hoping to get back on track now.

[Morning Glory]

If you've never read the classic frugal living text The Complete Tightwad Gazette by Amy Dacyczyn, one thing I really appreciated about her perspective is that it's very helpful to be able to think beyond specific recipes and be able to make up your own recipes based on general "frameworks" for how to cook a category of food.

For example, maybe the concept of a master soup recipe would involve something like:
- Saute a chopped onion in olive oil in a big pot.
- Add two-three other chopped vegetables to the pot.
- Add water or broth (I like to use water + a spoon of Better Than Bouillon, rather than buying boxed broth), as well as a protein source such as a package of chicken thighs or a can of beans. Or a few potatoes, if you don't want a protein-heavy soup.
- Add one-three spices.
- Simmer 25-45 minutes.

You could also have a master recipe concept for smoothies, salads, pancakes, stew, chili, and even some more forgiving baked items like muffins. When you are able to think beyond single recipes, it becomes easier to take advantage of ingredients that are on sale on the store, or to use up bits of leftovers in a new dish (e.g. dumping a bit of extra cauliflower in chili works out beautifully).

I have never read the book but this is how I describe most things I make.

I was making my own bone broth when we had a lot of meat but I want to do more vegetarian meals so I will get some better than bouillon. I used to buy a bunch of turkeys after Thanksgiving, hams after Easter, etc. to save money on meat. I really need to re-learn how to shop now that we have much less storage space.

[draco44]

That's a good tip from @Morning Glory about buying ingredients not only by what's in season agriculturally but culturally (e.g. after Easter is the time to buy discount ham).

Also, I see to my horror that I forget the last word of the book I was suggesting: The Complete Tightwad Gazette. Oops! I got too excited drafting my soup meta-recipe.

[Fishindude]

Do you have the space and ability to grow a garden?
We get an amazing amount of great fresh produce out four raised beds.   A large area is not needed.

[boarder42]

Shop the loss leaders each week and build up a good supply. Can goods last for ever. Cheese last a long time. Meat can be frozen.

My philosophy being the main cook in the house is to meal plan around what's on sale for fresh veggies and fruit bc those are what's in season and pull proteins from the freezer and pantry unless there are good fresh meat deals that week. Also if you can shop around noon or figure out when your store puts discounts on meat expiring in a day you can get good deals on meat that isn't a loss leader for the week.

I even apply this philosophy on Maui at Safeway on vacation and we eat like kings

[SunnyDays]

So much depends on where you live.  Where I am, in Canada, even our "sale" prices would make an American die of shock.  Yes, we have Costco, but for a single person, it's just too big a quantity a lot of the time.  Plus for me, it's an hour away, so more on gas.  And then you have to have room to store it, so another freezer or a bigger pantry, which also costs money.  Ethnic?  Also an hour away.  I do the best I can, but honestly, I don't sweat the grocery bill.  Generally, I spend about $200/month on food and paper products for one person, and it probably could be less, but I'm only prepared to spend so much mental energy on it.

[Metalcat]

So much depends on where you live.  Where I am, in Canada, even our "sale" prices would make an American die of shock.  Yes, we have Costco, but for a single person, it's just too big a quantity a lot of the time.  Plus for me, it's an hour away, so more on gas.  And then you have to have room to store it, so another freezer or a bigger pantry, which also costs money.  Ethnic?  Also an hour away.  I do the best I can, but honestly, I don't sweat the grocery bill.  Generally, I spend about $200/month on food and paper products for one person, and it probably could be less, but I'm only prepared to spend so much mental energy on it.

I'm in Canada too, this is why I focus on cheaper foods in general as opposed to shopping sales.

[Wolfpack Mustachian]

Shop the loss leaders each week and build up a good supply. Can goods last for ever. Cheese last a long time. Meat can be frozen.

My philosophy being the main cook in the house is to meal plan around what's on sale for fresh veggies and fruit bc those are what's in season and pull proteins from the freezer and pantry unless there are good fresh meat deals that week. Also if you can shop around noon or figure out when your store puts discounts on meat expiring in a day you can get good deals on meat that isn't a loss leader for the week.

I even apply this philosophy on Maui at Safeway on vacation and we eat like kings

This is exactly how we do things. It's really not difficult at all. We could certainly save even more money if we put more mental energy in it, but it's just so easy. I don't have to plan anything.

In fact, it's why I get really annoyed at people who make the inaccurate claim that eating healthy is so expensive. In some rare unicorn situations, sure, it's possible. It's also possible that food, in general, is just expensive overall, so healthy food is as well. However, in general, healthy food is just as cheap as non-healthy food and often much more so if you follow these rules. Buy things on sale. Look for fruits and veggies that are cheaper. Some are cheaper overall (I get premade salad mix for less than a dollar for enough to make 2 salads for myself and baby carrots are a dollar a pound). Even in the off season, apples and bananas are always cheap. Sure, if I get what I want and don't care about the prices I can pay $5 for a single pineapple or $5-6 for 4 small avocados or whatever, and I can look at it and complain that eating healthy is so expensive. Alternatively, I can do what boarder's describing, buy some rice in bulk, sweet potatoes or regular potatoes very cheaply, and look for meat that's marked down and stock up on it in my freezer, pulling it out during the weeks it's not on sale. It means I don't get avocados every day like I might like or plums or pineapples or whatever, but I can get fruits, veggies, and meat to cook for substantially less than it would be for eating out, eating pre-packaged meals, etc.

[Arbitrage]

Safeway

Well, there's your first problem.  Aldi, supplemented by Sam's Club, provided most of my groceries for the past few years.  Occasionally some items from Walmart or ordered online.  Only in an emergency would I stop by the Albertson's, Ralph's, or the like.

I moved recently, and no longer have access to Aldi or Sam's Club.  Still figuring it all out, but thus far I'm getting most groceries from WinCo, Grocery Outlet, and Costco. 

There's a lot more to saving money on groceries than that - see various threads - but it's a huge first step to avoid shopping at the standard, super-pricey grocery stores.  Doing that, plus a a bit more mindfulness about our choices, saved more than 50% on our previous grocery bills, even though we were eating at home more frequently (nearly 100%) than before.

[Gone Fishing]

Do you have the space and ability to grow a garden?
We get an amazing amount of great fresh produce out four raised beds.   A large area is not needed.

This.

[Gone Fishing]

Beans, eggs, chicken leg quarters, and pork shoulders are ridiculously cheap sources of protein.  Buy large units of meat and break them down into smaller packages for the best price. Check around for discount bread stores.  You can get the nice whole grain bread really cheap.  Especially on "clean out" day.  Between cheap protein, cheap bread, and homegrown veg, you can eat less than $5 per person per day without too much trouble. Possibly even half that.

[boarder42]

Beans, eggs, chicken leg quarters, and pork shoulders are ridiculously cheap sources of protein.  Buy large units of meat and break them down into smaller packages for the best price. Check around for discount bread stores.  You can get the nice whole grain bread really cheap.  Especially on "clean out" day.  Between cheap protein, cheap bread, and homegrown veg, you can eat less than $5 per person per day without too much trouble. Possibly even half that.

Yeah x10 on chicken quarters how in the hell did these get so cheap. 10lb bags are like 5 dollars here and run on sale for 2.50 . But if you want to buy legs or thighs alone you're over 2 a lb. And dont get me started on wing prices.