Y’all groceries are so expensive and I know I don’t have to tell you that because we are all feeling it. Every single time without fail I spend hundreds and hundreds of dollars and then look at an emptying pantry and fridge wondering what the heck just happened.

I meal plan and budget and do my best to make a dollar stretch in the food department and growing up we didn’t have much so I feel like I have definitely mastered the art of stretching our groceries so I thought today, I would share my top 5 mom hacks in stretching your groceries in hopes that if you too are feeling the squeeze at the grocery store, this will help even if just a little bit.

Alright, let’s dive in, shall we?

1. Meal Plan - I know you have heard this again and again but it really does help friends. Having a plan for your buying is always a good idea especially when you are on a budget. Here’s the thing though, you don’t have to plan what days you will eat something, just plan the meals you will have and each day pick what you want. Don’t be so strict in thinking you have to have tacos on Tuesday because you wrote it down. Also, always plan for a leftover day and clean out that fridge instead of throwing it away.

2. Clean it out - Every couple weeks I will refuse to go grocery shopping when I really feel like I need to. I am doing that right now. Our fridge and pantry look bare but ya’ll we have food, we just push it to the back and open something new. So right now my kids lunches are a hodge podge and we have breakfast for dinner because I bought bacon and sausage we keep not eating. So, we are using what we have even if its a little quirky together.

3. Use what you have - Plan your meals based on what is already in your house. Have a couple cans of beans? Make chili. Already have a taco kit and salsa? Buy some ground beef and have taco night. Shop your house first and fill in the rest so you aren’t spending money when you have already spent it. You can even search on Pinterest meals using “x,y,z” if you can’t think of anything to make with what you have.

4. Keep it simple - I love to make big meals throughout the week when I have time. But sometimes, we just need simple. I always have simple meals in mind like spaghetti where the ingredients are cheap and the meal feels larger than maybe it is. Go meatless and save even more money!

5. Grocery Delivery - Look, I used to fight it too but it really does save money. Ordering online keeps you from impulse buying, falling for sales on things you don’t actually want and spending money you may not have. I have tried many different services but I find Kroger to be the best one and cheapest. For a family of 5 I have cut down our grocery bill by at least $200 using Kroger online shopping and delivery.

Times are tough but so are you and I have every faith that no matter your circumstance you can get creative and resourceful to save a few bucks on the grocery bill. You got this mama and remember, fed is best and that goes well beyond breast or bottle!