Looking to save money on groceries while still eating well? These tips will help you spend less and without stress.

Less is more. – Ludwig Mies van der Rohe

Really? Is it THAT expensive?

It sometimes feels like the checkout counter is pulling a trick on me.

Just a few items, and there goes another 40 euros. Seriously?!

But the cash register isn’t tricking me. It just quietly waits for a hefty sum for very few groceries.

Does this sound familiar?

Groceries have become incredibly expensive in a short time. It’s frustrating because you still need to eat, so there’s no avoiding it.

So, what do we do besides groaning at the cash register? We save, of course, by paying attention to the little things.

We all know the common tips: check the price per kilo, bend for the cheapest items, buy what’s on sale, and never shop on an empty stomach.

Sure, these are great tips, but if you’re like most people:

1. You already know these tips and
2. You’re just not that into them.

Here’s the thing: if you can afford those more expensive groceries, you might get a little lazy.

You want to spend less but are not keen on completely changing your habits. Besides, everyone’s spending a lot of money these days—so it feels normal.

But deep down, it’s not making you happy.

In this article, I’m sharing tips to help you save significantly without too much hassle. I assume you’re not in a super tight spot (though these tips will help if you are) and that you, like me, prefer eating healthy.

Let’s dive in!

1. Challenge Yourself with a Shrinking Budget

Turn saving into a fun challenge!

Determine how much you presently spend each month on food to start. Then, for next month, set a slightly lower goal. For example, if you spend €500, aim for €450.

Challenge yourself (and your household) to hit that target. If you succeed, lower the goal the following month to, say, €400.

Having a clear goal will help you resist temptation, and gradually lowering your budget will give you time to explore alternatives and break old patterns.

A penny saved is a penny earned. – Benjamin Franklin

2. Apply Minimalism to Your Shopping

Think about your goal and ask yourself: “What obstacles within me might stop me from reaching this goal?”

We all have them:

• “I buy too many luxury snacks.”
• “I could switch to water instead of expensive soda.”
• “I often go for convenience and pre-cut veggies.”
• “I visit the store daily, and I’m constantly tempted.”

It’s simple: buy only what you need and nothing more.

What’s the goal?

Tasty, healthy, and affordable food. If a product doesn’t tick all three boxes, leave it behind; it’s probably the best option.

Adopt a minimalist path to your shopping. Identify what’s essential—and cut out the rest.

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3. Keep Your Emotions in Check

Emotional eating is a struggle for many.

Manufacturers know they can charge a hefty price for the most comforting foods.

By learning to regulate your emotions better, you can save a lot of money and improve your health.

A good starting point is a daily meditation routine.

That’s right—meditation and mindfulness can help you save on groceries. Is there anything they’re not suitable for?!

I’m not sure.

4. Eat Less

This won’t apply to everyone, but it will for many.

On one hand, we complain about expensive groceries; on the other, we complain about our love handles.

I don’t know about you, but this presents an opportunity.

Eat less!

You’ll save money, get healthier, feel fitter, and have more energy. The only downside? You’ll have to spend some of that savings on new clothes.

To lengthen your life, lessen your meals. – Benjamin Franklin

5. Find Cheaper Versions of Your Favorite Recipes

We often eat the same meals over and over.

These meals are likely optimized for taste. But what if you optimized your favorite dishes for cost instead?

You’d save money consistently. For example:

• Do you need to make your oatmeal with that expensive oat milk? Or is store-brand soy milk just as good?
• Must blueberries be in it daily, or could apple slices and cinnamon also work?
• Could you make that smoothie with frozen spinach instead?

Figure out what your favorite meals cost, find ways to make them cheaper, or discover new, more affordable recipes.

I think I heard someone suggesting lentil soup.

6. Create a Rotating Meal Plan

Take your favorite (cheap) recipes and create one or two weekly meal plans.

This helps you shop more efficiently, which saves money. You’ll plan affordable recipes, preventing the temptation to opt for something easy and expensive.

It also helps you eat healthier and more deliciously because you’ll always know what’s on the menu.

Start your week with fresh ingredients, and later in the week, use items that are more shelf-stable or frozen. You can use this meal plan as a default and adjust it based on your schedule, taste, and what’s on sale.

7. Choose Ingredients First, Then Decide the Dish

Pick your main ingredients based on what’s currently cheap, and build your meal around that.

This way, you’ll naturally eat seasonally (which is also more sustainable).

You’ll also avoid buying an out-of-season cauliflower for a ridiculous price just because it’s in the recipe. And maybe make that tasty veggie burger when meat substitutes are on a 1+1 sale.

There are plenty of dishes where the type of vegetable doesn’t matter much:

• Simple casseroles
• Soups
• Pasta sauces
• Stews
• Veggie omelets
• Stir-fried veggies
• Mixed vegetable salads
• Roasted veggies
• Veggie curry
• Ratatouille
• Veggie burgers
• Vegetable quiche
• And more

Check the deals first, then decide what you’ll make. Add it to your meal plan, and you’re good to go.

Adopt the pace of nature: her secret is patience. – Ralph Waldo Emerson

8. Stock Up and Shop Smarter

Maybe you don’t feel like doing all your shopping at a discount supermarket.

But with this technique, you can still benefit enormously without much effort:

• Identify which non-perishable products are significantly cheaper at the budget supermarket (toilet paper, (plant-based) milk, coffee, tea, canned vegetables, cleaning products, etc.).
• Keep a list of these items (a monthly checklist).
• Go through the list each month. Check what you need and make a shopping list.
• Visit the budget store, stock up, and keep a supply at home.

If you buy these items during a sale, you’ll save even more.

This can make a surprising difference, especially for frequently used items.

In my household, for example, orange juice disappears quickly—and it’s not cheap. We’ve found a great budget brand I buy in bulk, saving us a good chunk of change.

Here’s our approach:

• I order groceries online from Picnic (:link:) every week based on my weekly menu.
• Once a month, I bike to a budget supermarket.

Buying in bulk monthly also streamlines your weekly shopping because you already have so much at home!

If you also order from Picnic via my link, We both receive a €10 discount! Picnic is not a sponsor.

9. Opt for Surprisingly Cheap Healthy Foods

A bag of dried lentils doesn’t cost much.

The same goes for tofu, seasonal veggies, regular potatoes, rice, and oats.

A simple, unprocessed diet is incredibly healthy. It’s also surprisingly affordable—especially if you don’t resist the temptation of expensive yogurt alternatives.

You can often find fresh ingredients at a reasonable price at your local or farmer’s markets.

10. Try Meal Prepping

A meal plan is a good start, but you can take it one step further.

Prepare your meals (or at least some) and freeze them. This saves you money, energy, and time.

For example, I always make soup in bulk and freeze it in portions.

With meal prepping, you can maximize deals—if your freezer allows it. Make a big stew with that cheap broccoli now and enjoy it once a week for a month.

11. Embrace the Freezer

Your freezer can help you save money in more ways than one.

It can prevent food waste (freeze leftovers) and allow you to stock up on frozen fruits and veggies—preferably when they’re on sale.

Frozen vegetables are super healthy and often cheaper than fresh ones. Plus, you’re less bound to the season and can use them in small portions (a few cauliflower florets, a handful of peas, spinach cubes, some kale, etc.).

This makes it easy to avoid waste and eat a varied diet.

12. Reduce Food Waste

The more of your groceries you consume, the cheaper they become.

According to the Dutch Nutrition Center, we waste about 33 kg of food per person each year.

That’s equivalent to around €100-€200 annually!

• Don’t cook more than you’ll eat.
• Don’t buy products that you regularly end up throwing away.
• Prioritize ingredients close to their expiration date.
• Only serve what you’ll eat.
• Practice good habits for safe food storage: store leftovers airtight, cool them within 2 hours, use them within two days if refrigerated or within three months if frozen, reheat them thoroughly, and never reheat leftovers more than once.

Reducing food waste not only saves money but also minimizes your environmental impact.

13. Quit Alcohol

Alcohol is expensive and harmful to your health.

The less you drink, the more you save—and the healthier and more energetic you’ll feel. Please don’t see it as a punishment but as something positive you’re doing for yourself.

Are you struggling with the idea? Challenge yourself to a month without alcohol. January is a good time because you can say, “I’m doing Dry January,” everyone will respect your choice without argument.

A period without alcohol helps you find new ways to enjoy life. It also makes you realize you don’t need alcohol to have fun—and the mornings after a fun night out will feel incredibly fresh and fabulous!

Even if you don’t quit, this break will help you drink less.

I’m glad I don’t drink myself. It saves me a lot of money and headaches.

14. Make Inexpensive Cold-Brew Iced Tea

Tap water is the cheapest drink around. And with a little effort, you can turn it into a healthy homemade cold-brew iced tea.

• Choose a tea (or herbal tea) you enjoy.
• Let a tea bag steep overnight in a liter of tap water in the fridge.
• The next day, you’ll have a delicious drink that costs very little.

Cold-brew iced tea is packed with antioxidants and endless flavor options.

Even if you choose fancier tea bags from a pricey supermarket, this will only cost you around €0.18 per liter.

In my experience, you can easily make 1.5-2 liters:

• Pour a glass, but leave the tea bag in.
• Refill the bottle with water.
• Let it sit again.

This way, it costs you only about €0.10 per day.

Making it with green tea bags from a budget store will cost you about €0.01 daily!

Tip: Try it with ginger tea, which is way cheaper than a glass of ginger ale. 😅

These are my tips for now. What are your money-saving strategies? 😁

The little things? The little moments? They aren’t little. – Jon Kabat-Zinn

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