One store, One list. Real food for a week!  I was tired of spending too much on groceries and then bringing home less and less items.  I put AI to the test.  My exact quote to AI was:
“I need to know how to cut grocery costs. Where to buy and what to buy.”

One week of groceries under $80. – Can you do it?

I got a list of stores in my area (Where to Shop).  These included discount grocers, warehouse stores, ethnic markets, and local farmers markets. The list described the store and gave tips on when it is best to buy.

What to buy – What to avoid:

Example:  Buy more of these: Whole ingredients – dry beans, lentils, rice.  Whole chickens, store brand

Avoid example:  pre-cut veggies, fruits and single serve frozen meals, yogurt cups.

AI also gave me smart shopping habits:

example – Make a meal plan and shopping list, shop your pantry first.  eat leftovers.

Here is the grocery list I used for Walmart.  I did Walmart pick up so I knew as I made my list how much I was spending.  I already had the olive oil, lemon juice and some of the spices on the list so that helped me keep the cost down.

Guess what?  The list came to $71. 45 – I couldn’t believe it.

I made one tweak from the list given.  It listed to buy a whole Chicken to roast and cut it up for other meals.  I chose to buy the 10lb bag of chicken leg quarters which was cheaper and provides a lot more chicken.

Ok, so what is on the list?  Here you go:  (Most of these are the “great value” brand from Walmart)

1. 3 lb bag of yellow onions
2. 2 lbs carrots
3. 5 lb bag of Russet potatoes
4. 1 head of green cabbage
5. 6 bananas
6. 3 lb bag of apples (I chose gala)
7. 1 bulb garlic
8. 1 bunch celery
9. lemons 2 ( I had lemon juice so I skipped the lemons)
10. spinach (I chose frozen)
11. 2 lbs of brown rice
12. 18 oz of quick oats
13. 5 lb all-purpose flour
14. 2 lb cornmeal
15. pasta – 2 boxes – penne or elbow
16. Bread – (I chose great value wheat)
17. 2 cans of black beans
18. 2 cans of diced tomatoes
19. 1 jar of pasta sauce
20. 16 oz peanut butter (I chose the natural – great value)
21. frozen mixed vegetables 12 oz
22. 12- 16 oz frozen berries
23. 1 dozen eggs
24. milk – 1/2 to 1 gallon (I bought almond milk)
25. shredded cheese 8oz
26. 10 lb bag of chicken leg quarters
27. ground turkey – 1 lb
28. misc. – olive oil and basic spices – salt, pepper, garlic powder,  paprika

That’s it and I got it for $71.45!

Ok, so now you want to know what meals these groceries will make?

Here is the meal planning list:

Breakfast: (rotate all week)

– Baked oatmeal cups

– Egg, toast and fruit

– Yogurt parfaits

Lunches: Rotate all week

– Chicken salad sandwiches

– rice bowls

– PB and Banana sandwich

Dinners: 

– Roasted chicken Dinner with baked potato and steamed carrots

– Chicken fried rice

– Cabbage and ground turkey skillet

– pasta night – canned tomatoes, spinach and cheese

– Veggie soup with toast or cornbread

– sheet pan breakfast – pancakes, roasted potatoes and/or fruit

– leftover soup or bowl night – use leftover to make soup or a veggie bowl, etc.

 

Zero waste ideas:

chicken bones – broth

bananas getting soft – freeze for smoothies or banana bread

leftover rice – fried rice, rice pudding or soup thickener

cabbage – stir fry, slaw or soup

leftover oatmeal – mix with eggs and make pancakes or muffins

 

Alright, are you ready to take the challenge?  Please try it!  Let me know how you did.

If you want the meal recipes, message me/comment below.  You will receive the recipes and start receiving my newsletters.  Include your email address.  Thank you!