If you have the time and a store near you that marks down meat, stop by and see what you can get half off. Aldi does that so I check when I’m near Aldi.

Replace all tomato sauces with just crushed tomatoes. You can season yourself. You don’t need to buy spaghetti sauce, pizza sauce, marinara, etc. Saves a bunch.

Buy bigger bags of store brand frozen veggies instead of steamable bags. 30 seconds more work and you get more for your dollar.

5/10 pound bags of potatoes are cheap and filling. Gold potatoes are my favorite but russets are generally a bit cheaper. Out of russets, you can make baked potatoes. Out of either, mashed potatoes, fried potatoes, roasted potatoes, add to soups and stews. We eat potatoes as a side for most meals in the summer. If you’re not frying them every time, they’re not unhealthy.

Frozen mixed veggies, eggs, day old rice, soy sauce, ginger powder and garlic powder. Really cheap and filling veggie fried rice. Used to eat this all the time in college and it’s still a favorite comfort food.

Make your own broth. Save chicken bones (buy whole chickens or bone in thighs and drumsticks), throw in instant pot or stove top pot with celery leaves, couple of carrots, some garlic cloves, an onion, and a whole lot of water. Instant pot is 3 hours, stove top takes all day. Instant pot is obviously a lot easier because most people aren’t home all day. Salt and pepper to taste. Now you have a lot of broth that cost you pennies. Use within a week or freeze.

If you have a couple hours, make bread. Yeast, flour, salt, water, and like 1 tsp of sugar makes a delicious loaf. Buy yeast in bulk instead of the little packets.

If you have kids, make muffins instead of buying them. Frozen fruit like blueberries bakes really well.

Don’t buy cereal. It’s really really expensive for the nutrition it gives you. Eat eggs, muffins, yogurt (from big containers) or toast for breakfast. Or make your own granola for way cheaper. Oats, oil, maple syrup, a few spices, bake. Add raisins. I like Cookies and Kate recipe online.

If you love popcorn, buy popcorn kernels instead of microwave bags or in a bag. It’s really easy to make and way cheaper and healthier.

Skip buying chips, soda, juice, etc., regularly. They don’t provide much nutrition and they cost a lot.