Grocery Haul: Family of Four for Under $165

Here’s what I snagged on this week’s shopping trip for under $165:

•Dairy & Protein:

1/2 gallon milk, cottage cheese, Parmigiana cheese, pack of steak (on sale!), value pack of 5 large chicken breasts, 3 lbs ground beef, and a pack of hot dogs.

•Produce:

2 lbs red potatoes, 2 lbs russet potatoes, 1 bag salad mix, 1 bag spinach, 1 bunch of bananas, 1 pack mini cucumbers, 2 yellow onions, 1 pack cherry tomatoes, 1 bag mini tangerines, and 2 large lemons.

•Pantry Staples:

2 cans peaches, 2 cans corn, 1 can refried beans, 1 box oatmeal, 1 box rice Chex, 1 bottle olive oil, and 1 bottle vegetable oil.

•Bread & Grains:

2 packs of mini bagels (on sale), 2 boxes Pasta-Roni, 1 pack hot dog buns.

•Drinks:

1 1/2 gallon orange juice, 2 cases of soda (Coke, Root Beer).

Money-Saving Tips:

1.Plan Before You Shop: I take time on Saturday night to map out meals for the next two weeks, ensuring each ingredient serves more than one meal. This keeps my two-week budget capped at $250.

2.Check Weekly Grocery Ads: Sale items are a great starting point, so I review the ads and plan meals around what’s discounted, especially for big-ticket items like meat and dairy.

3.Review Your Pantry: Before shopping, I make sure to check what I have on hand. This prevents duplicate buys and helps me track what to make from scratch.

4.Buy in Bulk & Portion Out: When meat is on sale, I’ll buy large packs and vacuum-seal portions for easy meal prep. This saves money long-term and keeps things fresh in the freezer.

5.Stock Up on Essentials: Keeping basics on hand means fewer trips to the store, and I can always whip up a last-minute meal if plans change.

For our family, a variety of dietary needs, including vegetarian, means a little extra planning. I have been vegetarian for about 20 years, however the rest of my family is not. I make sure we have breakfast, lunch, and dinner covered with every grocery haul, focusing on fresh ingredients and pantry staples. This means I rarely buy snacks like chips, candy, frozen food snacks, unless requested by one of my kiddos. Every once in a while I will find sales on items such as chicken nuggets, pizza rolls, etc. And buy bulk to put away for when my family wants a quick snack or lunch. This helps ensure the cravings don’t go unsatisfied but I can also get them in a more affordable way.

Question of the day:

What tips do you have for folks on how to save money on their next shopping trip?

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