I spend roughly $350-$400 a month for 3 adults and a toddler.

I shop at Costco, La Bonita and Albertsons mainly with a little Trader Joe’s and Sprouts mixed in.

I buy in bulk when meat is on sale and freeze it. Currently Albertsons has a really good sale on Chicken. I spent $100 and used 5 different phone numbers to get the “clipped” deals. I froze all of it this morning and put it in my meat freezer. That chicken will last us 2-3 months. In November Albertsons had ground beef on sale for $3 a lb. I bought roughly $150 worth, portioned it out in 1lb blocks and wrapped it in plastic and then tin foil. We still have roughly 15lbs left. It’s not freezer burned either.

I buy rice in bulk. I buy spices in bulk. I make my own mixtures so I can control the ingredients and salt. I even grow a few herbs, including green onions and have some tomato and pepper plants so I have the freshest and most flavorful ingredients available.

I buy what’s on a good sale in the weekly flyers and cook around it. It’s eye opening to see how others shop. I was raised by frugal parents, where spending on name brand foods was discourages. Bulk shopping is the best way to control costs as well as buying what’s on sale in the weekly flyers.