Other than foraging for all your food like a squirrel (see tip #15), there are easier ways to spend less on food. Check out 50+ best ways how to spend less on food, and still enjoy what you’re eating.
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How to Spend Less on Food: 50+ Ideas to Save Money This Month
Food is one of our biggest expenses, after housing and transportation.
These top three areas are the most important ones to reduce spending on as it will give your budget the most impact.
In this list there are some more serious (maybe standard is a better word) ideas for how to spend less on food, and some silly ideas (that still work!)
Pick and choose the ways to spend less that will work for you in your life right now. Even a few will help you save money on food.
Related post: 30 No-Spend November Ideas to Save Money Before the Holidays
1. Cook at home instead of eating out.
Even fast food has become expensive.
Have breakfast-for-dinner meals once a week and save lots of money on dinner.
Choose one day a week to be meatless as a way for how to spend less on food.
Have a pasta night every week, a super cheap meal that kids love.
And check out these 5 borderline genius ideas for stocking the pantry on a budget.
2. Plan your meals in advance and make a grocery list.
With all my experience meal planning, being frugal with food, and owning a catering business (so wanting to reduce my food expenses), I created this Ultimate Meal Planner for Busy Families.
It includes everything you need to meal plan for the week and month, and save lots of money on food.
It also includes 40 cheap & healthy recipe ideas (breakfast, lunch, dinner, snacks).
For a simple way for how to spend less on food, grab your own copy of the meal planner here.
Check out my new e-book: It’s a totally doable meal planning guide + full meal planner that’ll teach you how to meal plan, save more, and stress less.
3. Buy generic or store-brand products instead of name brands.
4. Take advantage of sales and discounts at the grocery store.
5. Use coupons or digital apps for additional savings.
6. Buy fresh produce in season when it’s more affordable.
I used to hate doing this one but it really makes a big difference with post-pandemic grocery prices.
I stick with basic apples and oranges and bananas year-round, and load up on berries in the summer.
If I want a berry fix mid-winter when a small container costs as much as a hipster-made pizza, I try to buy frozen berries instead.
Also check out this post on ways to save money on groceries even during/after the pandemic.
7. Avoid pre-packaged and convenience foods, as they are often more expensive.
8. Buy in bulk for items you frequently use.
Since I bake bread a lot so invested in a couple food storage bins, and buy the large bags of flour to save money.
I love these bins on wheels (they are not just for dog food!)
I have one for unbleached white flour, and one for whole wheat flour, and a smaller one for sugar for baking.
9. Consider joining a wholesale club for lower prices on groceries.
10. Utilize leftovers to create new meals and reduce waste.
11. Reduce meat consumption and opt for more affordable protein sources like beans, lentils, and eggs.
12. Compare prices at different stores before making a purchase.
13. Grow your own herbs and vegetables if you have the space.
Check out what 5 vegetables you need to grow to save money on your garden.
And read 5 vegetable garden hacks you need to save money this summer.
14. Use frozen fruits and vegetables when fresh ones are expensive.
Sometimes frozen berries or peaches are in better shape and fresher than their non-frozen counterparts!
15. Join a squirrel gang and master the art of foraging for acorns. Free snacks!
16. Cook large batches of meals and freeze them for later use.
17. Avoid impulse purchases and stick to your grocery list.
18. Bring your own lunch to work instead of buying meals.
19. Limit dining out to special occasions or choose budget-friendly restaurants.
20. Cut back on expensive beverages like soda, alcohol, and specialty coffee.
21. Make your own snacks instead of buying pre-packaged ones.
22. Avoid buying single-serve items, as they tend to be more expensive.
23. Shop at local farmers’ markets for affordable and fresh produce.
24. Use leftover bones and vegetable scraps to make homemade broth.
25. Preserve excess produce through canning or freezing.
Check out my new e-book: It’s a totally doable meal planning guide + full meal planner that’ll teach you how to meal plan, save more, and stress less.
26. Buy generic spices or buying them in bulk to save money.
27. Start a competitive eating career. Win enough food challenges, and you won’t have to pay for meals again.
28. Avoid buying bottled water and use a reusable water bottle instead.
I already have several water bottles I love (for different purposes lol), but this is the next one on my list. 🙂
29. Prepare meals from scratch instead of relying on pre-made mixes or sauces.
30. Don’t shop when you’re hungry to avoid unnecessary purchases.
31. Try international grocery stores for affordable and unique ingredients.
32. Use loyalty cards and rewards programs to earn discounts and savings.
33. Organize a “Leftover Olympics” where friends compete to create the most epic meals using only the contents of their fridges.
34. Minimize food waste by properly storing leftovers and using them promptly.
I prefer glass containers like these so I can put the leftovers straight from the fridge to the microwave the next day, minimizing dishes.
35. Use cheaper cuts of meat or poultry for stews, soups, and slow-cooked dishes.
36. Make your own salad dressings and sauces instead of buying pre-packaged ones.
37. Purchase whole grains in bulk and cook them yourself instead of buying pre-packaged versions.
38. Replace expensive snacks with healthier and more affordable options like fruits and nuts.
39. Learn basic cooking techniques to make the most of cheaper ingredients.
40. Avoid buying pre-cut or pre-washed fruits and vegetables as they tend to cost more.
41. Become a professional coupon collector.
Soon, your wallet will be overflowing with discounts, and your friends will envy your “coupon ninja” skills.
42. Buy eggs directly from local farmers if possible.
43. Shop at discount grocery stores or dollar stores for budget-friendly options.
44. Avoid buying individually packaged snacks and opt for larger packages instead.
45. Use your freezer to store perishable items before they go bad.
I have started doing this with berries, on the rare occasion we don’t gobble them all up in the first day or two after purchasing.
They seem to get mushy and moldy so fast in the fridge, so to prevent food waste, I freeze them if needed.
46. Cut down on processed and packaged foods, as they are often more expensive.
47. Try meatless meals once or twice a week to save money on protein.
48. Instead of a clothing swap or book swap, organize a food swap with your friends.
Trade your most bizarre and undesirable food items, or just things you don’t like that your friends might.
49. Make your own bread and baked goods instead of buying them from the store.
If you love making homemade sourdough bread, I put together this big list of sourdough discard recipes, so you don’t have to discard the discard!
50. Consider purchasing a slow cooker or Instant Pot for economical and convenient cooking.
51. Use leftovers creatively to make new dishes and avoid food waste.
52. Develop a taste for edible insects.
This is one of the most unique ways for how to spend less on food.
You’ll save money and become the ultimate conversation starter at dinner parties.
Sounds weird, but insects are the food of the future.
Did you know you can already buy cricket flour to bake with?
I have tried a cricket before (I shared one with my daughter actually lol).
It was baked and salted and tasted a bit like chips), and I also tried an ant.
I definitely preferred the cricket.
For the food adventurous, try cricket flour here. It’s high in protein and omega-3s.
53. Participate in community gardens or food co-ops for affordable produce to spend less on food.
You also get the benefit of doing physical work outside, and meeting people in your community.
54. Practice portion control to stretch your meals and reduce waste.
This is a huge one – pun intended.
Reduce the size of your dinner plate to a side salad plate and fill that up with food at home instead of the large dinner plate.
This will help you eat less and is a great way to spend less on food overall.
55. Avoid buying pre-packaged beverages and opt for tap water or homemade drinks.
56. Keep track of your food expenses and analyze where you can make further cuts.
Bonus Tip for How to Spend Less on Food:
Eat at Starbucks more often.
I’m kidding!
Just checking to see who is still with me. 😉
No no no, don’t follow my example!
Well I meal prep, meal plan, buy food on sale, eat leftovers, eat what’s in the freezer/pantry, etc.
I have a lot of frugal food habits engrained so I still save money on food, even though I splurge on Starbucks. 😉
What are the ways you spend less on food?
Check out my new e-book: It’s a totally doable meal planning guide + full meal planner that’ll teach you how to meal plan, save more, and stress less.
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