Do you want to save money on groceries, but not sure what to make? I only spent $124 a month on groceries and CNBC asked me to share EXACTLY what I bought and the meals I made. I said, sure, let’s do it! Little did I know last September every single meal I made would be shared on a major media outlet across the nation!!!
CNBC shared my number one tip to spend less on groceries. They followed up with my exact grocery lists and mentions the meals I made.
Now, I want to do a deep dive with more details of the exact meals I made with my groceries and links to some recipes! People online see my grocery lists and wonder, how can I replicate this? What is she eating? I’ll show you!
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I Only Spent $124 a Month on Groceries
My #1 Top Tip to Spending Less on Groceries
The best way to spend less on groceries is writing a grocery list. I think of my grocery list like Santa! Make a list and check it twice. Before hitting the store, I write out a list of what I’m eating for breakfast, lunch, and dinner. I think through what’s going on in my life, like are there any friend’s birthday parties or fun events? Then I’ll plan my meals around my life.
Once I know what meals I’m making, then I’ll write my grocery list for the ingredients I don’t have on hand. I check the list once, before I hit the store to make sure I’ve thought through everything I’ll need for the upcoming week.
Then I take my list with me. The key is to only buy the items on the list! This helps avoid impulse buys and is the secret to spending less on groceries.
You can write out your grocery list on paper or a note in your phone! Since I geek out over this stuff, I created a financial (day) planner. It’s a financial planner and day planner in one. It helps me put a dollar sign for my to-do list and it’s where I plan my meals! You’ll see pictures of what I use for my grocery list and what my class students use too.
My Exact Meals When I Only Spent $124 a Month on Groceries
Week One Meal Plan: $21.16
The first week was Labor Day Weekend! For breakfast Sunday through Friday, I had one of my go-to morning meals: oatmeal with granola, and banana.
My main lunch for the week was potstickers, broccoli, and rice. This is one of my favorite meals for when I don’t feel like meal prepping. It’s super easy.
This was admittedly an off week because I had two holiday celebration weekends! I floated the river with friends and made these energy balls for a snack and a vodka slush!
My day job is a Community Manager at a coworking place. I get to plan fun events for the members. We had a Labor Day Potluck before Labor Day Weekend. I made pulled-pork sliders and baked beans. This was technically from the previous’ week’s grocery trip. I had leftovers for dinner on Sunday and Wednesday.
I didn’t cook as much and that’s why my groceries were only $21.16. Some people in the comments weren’t happy seeing me also eat out! I believe in including eating out as part of your meal plan. It’s way more attainable than meal prepping every single meal (in my opinion!).
On Monday, Labor Day, I had take-out and bought a rice and beef bowl for $10.80. Then I hung out with my friend on Tuesday night for happy hour and dinner. I got a margarita and burger for $18.75 with tax and tip. On Thursday night I had left over burger. Friday was my brother’s 40th birthday so I went home (from Austin to Fort Worth) for the weekend. I ate the food he provided at his party. My family did treat for brunch and dinner over the weekend too.
Week 2 Meal Plan: $31.66
I had breakfast tacos on Sunday and Saturday, then throughout the week I had frosted mini-wheat and a banana! My lunch was a turkey and cheese sandwich with an apple and salad. My main meal of the week for dinner was a shrimp spinach rice bowl I had most nights of the week.
This week I went to a comedy show with my friends. The tickets were low, but there was a two-order minimum food or drink purchase required. I spent $30.01 on my meal out. On Thursday, the coworking place held a happy hour with free pizza. On Friday night, my neighbor had a wine and cheese night. We had a girl dinner with snacks! She provided most everything, and I brought leftover vodka slush.
Week Three Meal Plan: $29.57
My breakfast this week was exactly the same as the previous week. I had scratch made breakfast tacos on Saturday and Sunday, then cereal with a banana Monday- Friday. My lunch was turkey and cheese slider with an apple and salad.
On Tuesday, our coworking place held a Taco Tuesday for lunch, this was then free for me! My meal of the week for dinner was a copy-cat Chipotle style chicken burrito with rice, onion, and tomatoes.
Week Four Meal Plan: $30.36
For the last week in September my breakfast again was exactly the same, except this week on Wednesday the coworking place provided free donuts for breakfast with a happy hour that had apps for dinner!
On Sunday for lunch, I ordered my favorite take-out again, a rice and beef bowl for $10.80. Then my lunch throughout the work week was a turkey pinwheel with yogurt and an apple. My main meal of the week for dinner was Chicken Pesto Pasta with broccoli. On Saturday, I ate out with a friend for Oktoberfest and spent $30.69 with tip.
Those are the exact meals I ate when I only spent $124 on groceries!
Hope you try out one of my meals. Most importantly, make your list and check it twice!
❤️Carly
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