I Cut My Grocery Bill by 40% – Here’s Exactly How

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My weekly grocery run? $180. For a family of 3 in Chicago. Eggs $5/dozen, milk $4/gallon — 2025 prices are brutal.

Then I slashed it to $108/week (40% off) without eating ramen. Real food: chicken, veggies, pasta. Saved $3,000 last year. Shared my exact hacks — from Aldi swaps to zero-waste tricks.

Month 1 Results: $720 → $432. Here’s how.

  1. Shop Smart: Aldi + Walmart Great Value. Store brands = 25% savings. (Milk: $2.50 vs. $4.)
  2. Meal Plan Around Sales: Scan apps (Flipp) Sundays. Built 7 dinners from $20 flyers.
  3. Buy Bulk Basics: Rice/pasta at Costco ($0.50/lb). Froze portions — no waste.
  4. Cut Meat 3x/Week: Lentils/mushrooms sub. Saved $40/week.
  5. No Pre | Cut: Whole veggies. Carrots $1/bag vs. $3 baby.
  6. Eat Before Shopping: Impulse buys down 30%.
  7. Freeze Everything: Bread, herbs, leftovers. Zero $30/week waste.
  8. Coupons + Cashback: Ibotta = $15/week back.
  9. Smaller Trips: Twice/week, buy fresh only.
  10. Grow Herbs: Windowsill basil — free flavor.

Weekly Breakdown:

  • Before: $180 (waste $25)
  • After: $108 (zero waste)

Sample Menu ($108/week):

  • Mon: Lentil soup ($8)
  • Tue: Chicken stir-fry ($12)
  • Wed: Pasta primavera ($9)
  • Thu: Bean burritos ($7)
  • Fri: Veggie fried rice ($8)
  • Sat: Homemade pizza ($10)
  • Sun: Roast chicken + veggies ($14)

Pro Tip: Track in Excel. My template: Download here

Tried it? Share your wins at hello@pennywiseusa.blog.

Alex Rivera
Founder, PennyWiseUSA.blog
X: @pennywiseusa

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