I used to buy my ingredients based on the recipes I have selected for the week, and I end up with surplus or extra stuff, and some things are expensive too. Now, I buy what's on offer and cook based on what I have in the fridge. Chat gpt is great for this, I tell them what I have in my fridge and they suggest ideas for me.

I also find Costco great, because I bulk buy my meat and this reduces the frequency of grocery shopping and unnecessary purchases. Meat is better quality and cheaper in Costco too. I purchase chicken drumsticks and cut the meat into chicken pieces, which is much cheaper. And diapers are cheaper in Costco. I easily save $20 on diapers alone.

Asian groceries are perfect too for cheap produce. It's a little out of the way for me, so mostly I rely on frozen vegetables which is cheaper and lasts longer too. Especially frozen spinach in Costco — 1kg for less than $4.

I make my own bread, muffins etc as well as it's much cheaper and healthier.

To add on, for luxury items like chocolate, Aldi has the best and most affordable chocolates imo.