Buying salt in bulk will save you money, and you can also use it around the house for getting stains out of coffee cups and pots, sanitizing cutting boards, and for restoring worn sponges just soak them in salt and water overnight.

Adding pepper to your recipes can transform the taste. Another addition to your budget grocery list is apple cider vinegar, which can be used in numerous recipes and can be used for cleaning up afterward. I use it in many of my recipes including my Roasted Chicken Breast with Molasses and Apples and my Cowboy Baked Beans.

Or, combine it with olive oil for an easy salad dressing or marinade. Chicken stock is a versatile and cheap pantry item that can be used to create sauces, gravy, chicken stew, and soups.

To save some cash, consider baking your own bread! My dinner rolls and easy homemade bread are two great beginner bread recipes to get you started. Sugar is another must-have for your budget grocery list. Not to mention, between , the cost of bakery products and cereal saw the highest increase among individual grocery items a By baking instead of buying pre-made products like cakes, cookies, breakfast pastries, and more you can save some cash.

Baking powder and baking soda can be used in a variety of dishes and are necessities for home bakers. If you want to save cash on store-bought baked goods by baking your own, both of these ingredients should be in your pantry. When considering which budget-friendly groceries to buy, stick to produce that can be used in multiple ways.

For example, onion and garlic are used for pasta dishes, stews, casseroles, and more, while potatoes can be a great breakfast item like hash browns, or a chilled lunch side like potato salad.

Whenever possible, buy in bulk to reduce costs even further. You can also prep and freeze certain produce to use later.

Onions are a must-have as almost every savory recipe calls for them. This is one produce item that you can buy in bulk to reduce the cost without worrying about them expiring in a couple of days. If you store them correctly in a cool, dark, and dry place, onions should last for months.

Much like onions, garlic is a staple item in most kitchens. Potatoes are an incredibly versatile and economical food with a fairly long shelf life about two months if stored in the refrigerator.

They can be mashed, baked, roasted, fried, and steamed and are great for filling up hungry bellies. Cabbage is a cheap, long-lasting vegetable that can be used in different ways.

You can add it to recipes such as hearty stews and soup or create a tasty side dish. For an easy cabbage recipe that you can make in bulk and stash away in the freezer, try my Crockpot Cabbage Soup recipe. They can be eaten raw as a healthy snack or roasted, baked, and steamed.

Plus, they make a colorful addition to soups and salads. One of my favorite things to do with carrots is to make homemade carrot cake. Celery is a budget-friendly vegetable with a distinct and unique flavor that can be added to multiple recipes. To prolong the life of your celery, place it in a jar with a small amount of water.

Lemons are great for adding an acidic kick to your dishes and can be used in both savory and sweet recipes. They make great marinades and dressings as well, like my Lemon Vinaigrette. For example, powdered milk is a cheap alternative to fresh milk. Sweet cream butter is often the cheapest option, and since butter can be easily frozen until you need it, if you see a deal, stock up!

If you really want smooth whipped butter, you can make your own! My Honey Butter recipe is a perfect option for spreading on cornbread or biscuits.

Instead of buying smaller containers of flavored yogurt, buy non-fat yogurt in larger containers and add cinnamon, honey, raisins, or other flavors yourself.

Plus, yogurt can be used as an egg substitute in baking if the cost of eggs is too high. Avoid the pre-sliced cheese bags and save some cash by grating your own cheese.

Opt for harder cheese like Cheddar, Colby, Gouda, parmesan, and Swiss, which last several weeks in the refrigerator after being opened. If you need some hearty meal ideas to stretch your budget, check out my Stovetop Mac and Cheese and my Cheese Grits recipe.

Frozen items last much longer than fresh and can be portioned out, which means less waste in the long run. You can also save even more money by freezing your leftovers for another day. Frozen mixed vegetables like peas, carrots, corn, and beans , provide a good selection of different nutrients and are one of the most affordable bags of frozen veggies.

Berries can be added to a number of items including desserts, overnight oats, or cereals. I use berries in breakfast recipes like my Croissant Breakfast Casserole , as well as in sweet treats like my Strawberry Cake recipe. Ground beef can be used to make a variety of meals, including chili , burritos , spaghetti bolognese sauce , and casseroles.

You can save money by buying larger packs in bulk look for sales , portioning, and freezing them. Similar to ground beef, buying chicken breasts in bulk can be very cost-effective, and buying it frozen is often cheaper than fresh. In the U. Do your homework before you shop to find the stores that have the best deals and prices.

Sign up to benefit from member-only discounts and special offers. Buying in bulk is almost always cheaper than buying individual items. The savings might seem small, but it all adds up.

Going along with buying in bulk, if you order a larger cut of meat like chuck roast for example , it can be cooked and then used in many different recipes like filling casseroles or hearty stews. Generic grocery products were first introduced in the s during record levels of inflation and are still incredibly relevant today.

Branded products are more expensive than generic or supermarket-owned brands. If an item wasn't available at one retailer, I selected the next closest thing, since that's what a shopper would likely do.

In some cases, a product was only available in a larger or smaller size. In those instances, I prorated the amount and price to ensure it was an even cost comparison. While there are other places to order groceries online , Amazon Fresh, Target via Shipt and Walmart are three of the most popular US grocers with a national presence and the option for online delivery.

You'll also get Amazon Prime Video and a few other perks. As of Feb. All three offer free in-store pickup in some form, although Amazon has fewer locations than Walmart and Target.

Target-owned Shipt will send groceries to your door in a matter of hours but there are some staples, including meat, not available for delivery. While I tried to use only items that were available for delivery, it wasn't always possible.

Target and its national shipping partner Shipt don't have every grocery staple available for shipping, particularly fresh meats and some produce.

If you want to shop for your full list of groceries at Target, you're likely going to have to visit a brick-and-mortar location. In general, Walmart and Target offer the same prices online as they do in brick-and-mortar locations, but not always.

Sales items, in particular, are not always coordinated between online and in-store. Amazon Fresh is mostly online-only save for a few locations, although many products on Amazon Fresh can also be found at Whole Foods.

Hungryroot is a cross between a grocery delivery service and meal kit company and encourages you to go rogue from the recipe. Instacart is a popular national delivery service and functions as a third-party shopper and delivery outfit that allows you to order groceries from a selection of local supermarkets.

Fresh Direct is another popular grocery delivery service and one of my favorites. It's currently only available in the Northeast. The prices here are a bit higher than the three retailers I analyzed above, but the grocery selection and customer service are both excellent.

Hungryroot is a quirky grocery delivery operation that functions differently than the others. With a subscription, you'll get weekly deliveries of curated groceries based on your preferences and eating habits.

Hungryroot also populates recipe ideas when ordering and will send you the ingredients to make them if you so choose. Thrive Market is yet another members-only grocery service.

Thrive has lots of high-quality and organic meats but no produce or dairy products. com is a good place to find dry goods, pantry items and paper products at low prices but it's not a full substitute for a grocery store since it lacks the fresh foods you would typically buy at a market.

If you don't mind getting your various groceries from different vendors, we've tested to find the best produce delivery services , best meat delivery services and even the best online fish and seafood markets for Why You Can Trust CNET.

They can be easily added to stews, chili, and soup, or you can use them for pizza and pasta sauce, lasagna, and DIY salsa. I regularly use canned tomatoes to make my Dump-and-Bake Salsa Chicken recipe.

Canned chickpeas can be used straight away, whereas dried chickpeas need to be prepared by soaking them overnight so they can expand and soften. Extra virgin olive oil is the least processed type, meaning it retains its vitamins and antioxidants, making it a healthier oil overall.

It can be used for all types of cooking as well as drizzling, dipping, seasoning, and marinating, and is great for DIY salad dressings as an alternative to pricey bottled dressings. Lentils are great for stews, soups, curries, and salads. Salt is a must-have for a well-stocked pantry.

Beyond sprinkling it on just about everything, you can use it for DIY seasoning on meat and vegetables, preserving items, and pickling although pickling salt is recommended for the latter, which can be used as table salt if you want.

Buying salt in bulk will save you money, and you can also use it around the house for getting stains out of coffee cups and pots, sanitizing cutting boards, and for restoring worn sponges just soak them in salt and water overnight.

Adding pepper to your recipes can transform the taste. Another addition to your budget grocery list is apple cider vinegar, which can be used in numerous recipes and can be used for cleaning up afterward. I use it in many of my recipes including my Roasted Chicken Breast with Molasses and Apples and my Cowboy Baked Beans.

Or, combine it with olive oil for an easy salad dressing or marinade. Chicken stock is a versatile and cheap pantry item that can be used to create sauces, gravy, chicken stew, and soups. To save some cash, consider baking your own bread!

My dinner rolls and easy homemade bread are two great beginner bread recipes to get you started. Sugar is another must-have for your budget grocery list.

Not to mention, between , the cost of bakery products and cereal saw the highest increase among individual grocery items a By baking instead of buying pre-made products like cakes, cookies, breakfast pastries, and more you can save some cash.

Baking powder and baking soda can be used in a variety of dishes and are necessities for home bakers. If you want to save cash on store-bought baked goods by baking your own, both of these ingredients should be in your pantry.

When considering which budget-friendly groceries to buy, stick to produce that can be used in multiple ways. For example, onion and garlic are used for pasta dishes, stews, casseroles, and more, while potatoes can be a great breakfast item like hash browns, or a chilled lunch side like potato salad.

Whenever possible, buy in bulk to reduce costs even further. You can also prep and freeze certain produce to use later. Onions are a must-have as almost every savory recipe calls for them.

This is one produce item that you can buy in bulk to reduce the cost without worrying about them expiring in a couple of days. If you store them correctly in a cool, dark, and dry place, onions should last for months.

Much like onions, garlic is a staple item in most kitchens. Potatoes are an incredibly versatile and economical food with a fairly long shelf life about two months if stored in the refrigerator. They can be mashed, baked, roasted, fried, and steamed and are great for filling up hungry bellies.

Cabbage is a cheap, long-lasting vegetable that can be used in different ways. You can add it to recipes such as hearty stews and soup or create a tasty side dish.

For an easy cabbage recipe that you can make in bulk and stash away in the freezer, try my Crockpot Cabbage Soup recipe. They can be eaten raw as a healthy snack or roasted, baked, and steamed.

Plus, they make a colorful addition to soups and salads. One of my favorite things to do with carrots is to make homemade carrot cake. Celery is a budget-friendly vegetable with a distinct and unique flavor that can be added to multiple recipes.

To prolong the life of your celery, place it in a jar with a small amount of water. Lemons are great for adding an acidic kick to your dishes and can be used in both savory and sweet recipes.

They make great marinades and dressings as well, like my Lemon Vinaigrette. For example, powdered milk is a cheap alternative to fresh milk.

Sweet cream butter is often the cheapest option, and since butter can be easily frozen until you need it, if you see a deal, stock up! If you really want smooth whipped butter, you can make your own!

My Honey Butter recipe is a perfect option for spreading on cornbread or biscuits. Instead of buying smaller containers of flavored yogurt, buy non-fat yogurt in larger containers and add cinnamon, honey, raisins, or other flavors yourself.

Plus, yogurt can be used as an egg substitute in baking if the cost of eggs is too high. Avoid the pre-sliced cheese bags and save some cash by grating your own cheese. Opt for harder cheese like Cheddar, Colby, Gouda, parmesan, and Swiss, which last several weeks in the refrigerator after being opened.

If you need some hearty meal ideas to stretch your budget, check out my Stovetop Mac and Cheese and my Cheese Grits recipe. Frozen items last much longer than fresh and can be portioned out, which means less waste in the long run.

You can also save even more money by freezing your leftovers for another day. Frozen mixed vegetables like peas, carrots, corn, and beans , provide a good selection of different nutrients and are one of the most affordable bags of frozen veggies.

Berries can be added to a number of items including desserts, overnight oats, or cereals. I use berries in breakfast recipes like my Croissant Breakfast Casserole , as well as in sweet treats like my Strawberry Cake recipe.

Ground beef can be used to make a variety of meals, including chili , burritos , spaghetti bolognese sauce , and casseroles. You can save money by buying larger packs in bulk look for sales , portioning, and freezing them.

Similar to ground beef, buying chicken breasts in bulk can be very cost-effective, and buying it frozen is often cheaper than fresh. What surprised us the most was that we were spending equal amounts of money on groceries as we were on eating out. One should be at least drastically lower than the other.

We needed to change something. I am naturally a frugal person. It is very rare that I will spend money or pay full price for anything.

But for my husband and I, food is something we both love. We enjoy eating a delicious meal at our favorite restaurants, trying new ones, and making home cooked meals at home.

So, we have no problem spending money on GOOD food. However, like anything else in life, things should be done in moderation. We agreed that we needed to set a food budget and eat more of our meals at home. We basically cut the amount we were spending on food in half. Could we do it?

And would we be able to have meals that were satisfying. Where would I begin? I announced my food budget on Instagram stories and I was flooded with responses on how all of you stay on budget when it comes to grocery shopping.

One of the responses was from an Instagram friend, Ashley, who I have been following for years. She used to have a couponing Instagram and for a brief period, I was addicted to couponing because of her. She is always making unique and fun dishes.

Because why should food be boring on a budget? I asked her if she could share her tips and tricks for staying on budget when it comes to grocery shopping. My name is Ashley, I am a registered nutrition diet technician and teaching nutrition education was something I love to teach. With healthy eating, having a wallet friendly shopping budget goes in hand with that and hopefully here to help you save some money whilst shopping.

Within that same tone, healthy can be affordable too! These are just a few tips I use all the time! Rather what are you going to have for meals daily. It helps you stick to the list and buy only what you need. Granted this can be a given for most, it still helps me every time.

As I can seriously spend some time in the grocery store just browsing products, that the nutrition expert in me. Another benefit of having a list, you wont forget items you need for your planned meals, no more wasted time and energy to the store to pick up that single item.

Meal planning also helps you figure out if you may have excess of foods, which can be later used for another meal i. cooking a value pack of chicken to use later to make salads, wraps, chicken fried rice, etc. Every Wednesday for most stores is when the new weekly sales cycles starts.

You may get the ads in the mail, papers and even see them online! So chose your stores and make a game plan for the week. Usually the front of the ads are the best deals and decent sales within the rest of the pages. If you are a Sprouts Farmers Market shopper, you are even luckier because only on Wednesdays you have the opportunity to shop both sales weeks.

They also have the added convenience of you able to scan the product to check for a coupon is available. Do you buy rice or oats often?

Then is may benefit you buy in bigger options than the convenience packs. Remember that convenience does add up in your grocery budget. Its summertime! Melons, peaches, cherries and much more are in season! As much as I love pomegranates, they are a winter fruit.

Leftovers are the unsung heroes in my house lately. As with any meal I try to keep it balanced, a protein, carb and vegetable. So if there is leftover chicken and rice, fried rice could be ready in less than 10 minutes.

Cutting coupons that you receive in your Sunday newspaper seems like a thing of the past, but thanks to apps like Ibotta and Rakuten , consumers can receive rebates or cash-back on their grocery purchases. Both Ibotta and Rakuten offer rebates on grocery items purchased from national chains like Walmart and Target.

You can receive rebates on items purchased in-store or online, so you can use it regardless of how you're grocery shopping. Moncel and Chase both recommend the Flipp App , which allows customers to enter their location and find coupons and sales for grocery stores in their area.

By using the right card when checking out at the supermarket, you can end up saving a lot of money on groceries. There many credit cards that have higher rewards on groceries such as the Blue Cash Preferred® Card from American Express. See rates and fees. Cash Back is received in the form of Reward Dollars that can be redeemed as a statement credit or at Amazon.

com checkout. See rates and fees , terms apply. If you're looking for a card with no annual fee , you might consider the Freedom Flex or the Freedom Unlimited, as both offer a grocery benefit for the first year of card membership.

If you want a card with rotating categories, you should opt for the Freedom Flex, but if you want a card with a flat cash-back rate, the Freedom Unlimited offers 1. For rates and fees for the Blue Cash Preferred® Card from American Express, click here. Skip Navigation. Credit Cards. Follow Select.

Our top picks of timely offers from our partners More details. Choice Home Warranty. National Debt Relief. LendingClub High-Yield Savings. Freedom Debt Relief. UFB Secure Savings.

Select independently determines what we cover and recommend. Among the cheapest staples are dried and canned beans — they're also easy to prepare and provide a great source of plant-based protein and fiber, two very important nutrients that are often only available in more costly foods.

Grains like brown rice and oatmeal also score high in cost-effectiveness and nutrition. Frozen foods can be stored in your freezer for months. Again, consider buying in bulk when frozen products are on sale. Items worth stocking up on include:.

More ways to save money on groceries. Here are a few other simple tips from our experts to food shop on a budget:. Even in tough times, it's possible to find affordable and healthy groceries with a few smart strategies.

The best ways include buying in bulk when items are on sale, shopping seasonally and loading up on pantry staples. Compare prices online when you can look for coupons while you're there and stick to grocery stores nearby. With a little planning, your meals will be healthy and nutritious without breaking the bank.

And if you need a week off, consider ordering from one of the more affordable cheap meal delivery services. She holds a bachelor's degree in journalism from Miami University of Ohio and a master's degree in clinical nutrition from NYU. Prior to Good Housekeeping , she worked at one of the largest teaching hospitals in New York City as a cardiac transplant dietitian.

She has authored numerous chapters in clinical nutrition textbooks and has also worked in PR and marketing for food company start-ups. What to Eat for Breakfast to Feel Your Best.

Why You Should Eat a Banana Every Single Day. These High-Carb Foods Are Seriously Good for You. The Superfood We All Need More Of. The Real Health Benefits of Eating Carrots.

What You Need to Know About Collagen Supplements. Brown Rice vs. White Rice: Which is Better? Avocado Vs. One of the responses was from an Instagram friend, Ashley, who I have been following for years. She used to have a couponing Instagram and for a brief period, I was addicted to couponing because of her.

She is always making unique and fun dishes. Because why should food be boring on a budget? I asked her if she could share her tips and tricks for staying on budget when it comes to grocery shopping. My name is Ashley, I am a registered nutrition diet technician and teaching nutrition education was something I love to teach.

With healthy eating, having a wallet friendly shopping budget goes in hand with that and hopefully here to help you save some money whilst shopping. Within that same tone, healthy can be affordable too! These are just a few tips I use all the time!

Rather what are you going to have for meals daily. It helps you stick to the list and buy only what you need. Granted this can be a given for most, it still helps me every time.

As I can seriously spend some time in the grocery store just browsing products, that the nutrition expert in me. Another benefit of having a list, you wont forget items you need for your planned meals, no more wasted time and energy to the store to pick up that single item.

Meal planning also helps you figure out if you may have excess of foods, which can be later used for another meal i. cooking a value pack of chicken to use later to make salads, wraps, chicken fried rice, etc.

Every Wednesday for most stores is when the new weekly sales cycles starts. You may get the ads in the mail, papers and even see them online! So chose your stores and make a game plan for the week. Usually the front of the ads are the best deals and decent sales within the rest of the pages.

If you are a Sprouts Farmers Market shopper, you are even luckier because only on Wednesdays you have the opportunity to shop both sales weeks. They also have the added convenience of you able to scan the product to check for a coupon is available. Do you buy rice or oats often?

Then is may benefit you buy in bigger options than the convenience packs. Remember that convenience does add up in your grocery budget. Its summertime! Melons, peaches, cherries and much more are in season!

As much as I love pomegranates, they are a winter fruit. Leftovers are the unsung heroes in my house lately. As with any meal I try to keep it balanced, a protein, carb and vegetable. So if there is leftover chicken and rice, fried rice could be ready in less than 10 minutes.

Lidl has been offering affordable groceries since the s and is actively expanding across the East Coast of the U. Although there are fewer locations than Aldi, they're constantly in close competition for stocking the cheapest groceries.

The selection of items is curated to keep the essentials in stock, instead of the added expense of keeping every variety and brand on the shelf. Their private label brands also have a Love It Guarantee , which means if a product doesn't meet your standards you can get your money back and exchange the item for something else.

This big-box store has all of the appeal of members-only clubs like Costco or Sam's Club , but without the expensive fees. WinCo Foods boasts locations across the West Coast, and is almost entirely employee-owned—which means their staff receive better wages and benefits.

And yet the prices are still low. WinCo purchases directly from farmers and manufacturers and has a large quantity of bulk foods, which means their prices undercut many other low-cost retailers.

Another way to cut costs is by not accepting credit cards for payment. But fear not: they do allow payment with debit cards and federal food assistance cards. Market Basket is one of the smaller chains on this list, but their savings make it one of the most affordable places to shop in the U.

A recent study provided by the customer data firm dunnhumby revealed that the New England-based chain was the "top grocery retailer for inflationary times. For over years, Market Basket has maintained the fierce loyalty of their customers for the high quality food at low prices.

You can find anything from international cheeses, freshly squeezed juices, to even handmade sushi without racking up a massive grocery bill. Trader Joe's is one of our go-to spots for affordable essentials, some of the best frozen food around, and unique snacks.

Beyond the adorably kitschy decor and friendly staff, it's also one of the best grocery stores to visit when you're on a budget. Even amidst the current egg-price hike, the cartons at Trader Joe's remain inexpensive.

While some items can get more expensive than at standard grocery stores the produce section can get costly if you're feeding a big family , their private label goods deliver on quality without sacrificing affordability.

With inflation rising and supply chain issues, budget foods may seem scarce these days. Part of the Good Cheap Eats System is to meal plan to save money. Meal planning around foods that are generally frugal, like the ones on this budget grocery list is one to the best ways to save on food spending.

When you focus on the cheapest foods, especially the ones that are the most nutrient dense, you get a bigger bank for your buck! Enter your email below and get it sent straight to your inbox. Grocery Budget? System to save money? Booming economy? The good news is that there are some simple strategies you can implement to reduce your grocery spending while still enjoying great meals.

With a food budget and a system for making budget-friendly meals, you can make ends meet with extra to spare. The secret is knowing which food items deserve your hard earned money. Lower your food bill when you plan meals based on generally affordable ingredients. A budget grocery list offers flexibility.

I first created a cheap grocery list after we purchased our first home and money was tight. I started a spiral notebook and jotted down all the budget foods we enjoyed along with meal ideas to go with. In this way, I was never short of inspiration for cheap meals.

Your budget grocery list is nothing more than a list of generally affordable ingredients that you can turn to when you need to pivot. If chicken breast is too expensive this week, what can you have instead? One of the easiest ways to save a little money is to build your grocery shopping list with the best cheap foods your household enjoys.

Here are some of the cheapest groceries you can buy these days:. Protein is usually going to be the most expensive category in your local grocery store.

When you find a great price on foods you normally buy, buy extra to store for later. eggs — Eggs are great budget foods in baking, but also serve as a key protein element on their own or worked into casseroles, salads, or sandwiches.

canned beans — Add beans to soups, salads, chilis, and burritos in addition to serving them as a side dish. Add them to your list tout de suite.

lentils -Lentils are a hearty budget food, a cheap protein that you can add to soup and salads. You can also make homemade dal and save on restaurant food prices. dry split peas — A key ingredient in Instant Pot Split Pea Soup , split peas are another cheap plant protein.

canned chick peas — You can serve garbanzo beans in salads and soup, but you can also make your own Homemade Garlic Lime Hummus.

Some cuts will be cheaper than others, but generally speaking pork will be cheaper than most chicken, beef, or fish. Load up when you see a sale and stash the extra in the freezer. chicken legs and chicken thighs — Bone-in chicken legs and thighs tend to be the most affordable cuts of chicken.

Compare prices at the store though! I have seen situations when the boneless skinless breast was cheaper than chicken legs or quarters. Consider it as a viable option for soups, casseroles, and Chicken Salad Sandwiches.

ground turkey — While ground beef is super easy to stretch, the price of beef can be too high for many budgets. Ground turkey is a nice alternative, but make sure that the only other ingredient besides turkey is rosemary extract.

This will ensure a very fresh clean flavor and not that weird ground turkey thing that turns people off. canned tuna — Widely available and generally affordable, canned tuna has been a good cheap eat for generations.

sausage — Bacon may be your preference, but bacon prices probably are not. Consider sausage as a more affordable alternative to bacon. You can find it in all kinds of flavors, including turkey, pork, and even plant-based options.

ham — Like its fresh pork counterpart, ham is going to be the more affordable lunch meat. marked down meats — Depending on where you shop, you may be able to keep any meat you like on the table by purchasing marked down meats.

Talk to your butcher about their manager specials and when they sell those items at a discount. Use or freeze these cuts prior to their best-by dates. It can be fried, scrambled, grilled, baked, and even worked into smoothies. peanut butter — Peanut butter is another affordable plant protein, one of those budget foods that can jazz up smoothies, breakfast toast, and baked goods.

protein powder — While you might not consider protein powder a budget food, it can boost your baked goods and smoothies with protein that might be harder to come by otherwise. Grains such as white rice, brown rice, oats, and pasta are cheap and filling.

You will often, but not always, find the best deal in the bigger bags of grains. Be sure to store them in airtight containers to prevent food waste. rice — Rice is key for breakfast, lunch, or dinner: in Cream Of Rice , Vegetable Fried Rice , or as a base for bowl meals.

Rice is one of those no-brainer budget foods to add to your list of pantry staples. oats — Use oats for Baked Oatmeal Cups, as oatmeal, or in granola. They are a powerhouse of fiber and super cheap to buy.

It makes for a good cheap eat any night of the week. Ditch the msg-laden seasoning packet and make your ramen something more. For rates and fees for the Blue Cash Preferred® Card from American Express, click here. Skip Navigation. Credit Cards. Follow Select. Our top picks of timely offers from our partners More details.

Choice Home Warranty. National Debt Relief. LendingClub High-Yield Savings. Freedom Debt Relief. UFB Secure Savings. Select independently determines what we cover and recommend. We earn a commission from affiliate partners on many offers and links.

Read more about Select on CNBC and on NBC News , and click here to read our full advertiser disclosure. There are some offers mentioned below that are no longer available. For chicken, sub in white beans and extra vegetables If you're not interested in cutting down on your meat consumption but still want to save money, you can also find meat sales at your local grocery stores and build your meal plan around what's on sale that week, says Chase.

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