Meals With Maria

How To Save Money on Groceries in 2024

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Embarking on a journey to save money on food? You’re in the right place! I’m sharing how to save money on groceries in 2024. Use these practical steps to revolutionize your approach to budgeting, meal planning, and grocery shopping.

Step 1: Set a Realistic Budget to Save Money on Groceries in 2024

It’s true, you can’t stick to a budget if you don’t have a budget. If you want to save money on groceries in 2024, a budget is the first step!

  • The first step is setting a budget that works for you. Whether it’s 10% of your income or a benchmark like $100-$125 per person monthly, find what suits your lifestyle.

If you’re a newbie…

Maybe you’ve never been able to stick to a budget or you just don’t know where to start. Here’s a good way to start:

  • Look over the past few months and see how much you spent on groceries.
  • Average how much you spent by week.
  • Set your budget to 95% of that average and gradually reduce your budget by 5% each week.
  • Do this until you reach a comfortable level.

This slow approach saving money on groceries in 2024 will help avoid overwhelm. Remember, every small effort counts in the grand scheme of budgeting and saving.

Step 2: Craft a Simple Meal Plan

The best way to save money and stick to a meal plan is to be realistic. Complicated meal plans are a recipe for disaster, especially if you’re new to meal planning. Start with uncomplicated meals your family loves. As you become more accustomed to meal planning you can get more creative.

Here are some key tips for beginner meal planning success:

  • Don’t forget to include breakfast and lunch in your meal plan! It’s easy to get bogged down on dinner and forget you’ll need food for these meals too! If you’re looking for ideas I have 8 of my favorites here!
  • Utilize lower-ingredient meals for cost-effectiveness, steering clear of complex recipes.
  • If you’re looking for inspiration, you can subscribe to my Youtube Channel here: Meals With Maria

If you’re a more seasoned meal planner looking to save more money in 2024:

Step 3: Create a Strategic Grocery List

Once you have your budget and meal plan, it’s time to make a grocery list. If you’re a pen and paper person grab your favorite list pad and get writing. If you’re more tech savvy, I recommend using my FREE Grocery Budget Calculator.

Here are the steps to a successful grocery list:

  • Write down your regular purchases (think milk, butter, etc.)
  • Write down what you need for your meals
  • Add in snacks
  • Estimate the cost of each item. It’s ok if you’re not used to this, give it your best guess. As with anything, you’ll get better at this with practice.

What to do if you’re over budget:

  • Make strategic choices such as substituting meat with beans.
  • Opt for meals with fewer ingredients.
  • Choose more pantry friendly meals based on what you already have on hand.

BONUS TIP!

GO EASY ON YOURSELF!!! Remember, diving headfirst into budgeting, meal planning, and grocery shopping can be overwhelming. Embrace shortcuts like semi-homemade meals or grocery pickup to save time. And, if you do go over your budget, don’t fret; consider it a learning experience. Commit to the process and with each passing week, you’ll refine your skills and save money in 2024.

You’re Going to Love Saving Money On Groceries in 2024!

By following these three steps consistently—setting a budget, crafting a simple meal plan, and creating a strategic grocery list—you’ll not only save money but also develop a sustainable and enjoyable approach to managing your food expenses in the new year. Remember, it’s a journey, so go easy on yourself and celebrate the progress along the way! Cheers to a budget-savvy and delicious 2024!

Watch Share How to Save Money on Groceries on My YouTube Channel:

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