Grocery Budgeting for the Holidays

Tariffs, government shutdowns and rising grocery prices, oh my!

There’s no doubt about it, prices are going up. And whether you are affected by recent government policies or not, there’s never been a better time to get serious about grocery budgeting, especially before the holidays hit.

While cutting down on entertainment and other extraneous expenses can be an easy cut, what we eat is a line item we can’t axe. Food is a necessity, so spending smart is the name of the game.

But that doesn’t mean eating unhealthfully. In fact, I’ll argue that eating on a budget can actually increase the healthy foods in your house … if you do it right.

Let’s talk top tips for grocery budgeting this holiday season and see how you can still eat well but with less $$.

Grocery Budgeting: Snacks

You might think the snacks have to go … but not so fast. Proper grocery budgeting does mean we need to think twice about packaged convenience foods, but fresh whole foods and other simple snacks can still work.

What snacks work best? Think:

• Fresh fruit, dried fruit
• Cheese
• Nuts
• Hard boiled eggs
• Yogurt, cottage cheese
• Vegetables
• Hummus
• Nut butters

Many of these staples often go on sale, so stock up when you can.

What to avoid? Chips, I love you, but the prices have simply skyrocketed. Same with bars, crackers and cereals. For the sake of your budget, ditch these expensive, highly processed choices and opt for some of the ideas above.

Better yet? Make tasty treats at home. Try my homemade, oil-free granola recipe or these homemade protein balls. There are lots of inexpensive ways you can keep some ready-to-snacks around, keeping your tummy and your wallet full.

Grocery Budgeting: Drinks

Drinks are tricky. Personally, I’m not a fan of drinking my calories or my money, so when it comes to grocery budgeting, most of them need to go.

Budget-friendly drinks:

• Regular ol’ tap water! Most municipal water sources are just fine, so avoid the high priced “alkaline” waters or any bottled water for that matter that just creates more plastic in the environment. If water in your area is a concern, consider getting a Brita filter or similar.
• Milk or dairy-free milks. Rotate options based on weekly sales.   
• Seltzer waters. These are not a necessity, but often can be quite cheap if found on sale. Something fun for times when you need a little spice in your day.

Drinks that break the budget:

• Energy drinks. I know, I know. Y’all love them, but just saying, you can save a lot of money here by giving them the ax.
• Flavored milks. Stick to regular milks to reduce sugar and $$.
• Soda. These can be cheap at times, but let’s save the money and the monstrous amount of sugar and put that money towards fruit instead.
• Coffee drinks.  Say goodbye to Starbucks, or at least limit. Those drinks can tank a budget.
• Alcohol. Another budget killer. Keep to an absolute minimum.
• Fancy water. As referenced above, tap water is just fine. I drink tap water anywhere and everywhere, unless explicitly told not to. And in those cases, I bring along a filter, like this one. Anytime I have to buy water I get really upset (Charles de Gaulle airport, I haven’t forgotten…).

Grocery Budgeting: Meals

You know I’m going to say it … meatless meals! Yep, cutting down on meat purchases is probably the #1 way to reduce your grocery budget.

But protein, you say! Here’s a quick list of plant-based proteins to use in your meals that won’t break the bank:

• Beans, lentils
• Tofu, tempeh, edamame
• Seitan
• Whole grains

And surprisingly, even vegetables and most other plant foods offer small amounts of protein, adding to the overall total in your meal.

To reduce costs even further, consider buying dried beans and preparing from scratch, finding cheaper tofu at your local Asian grocer, or making a big pot of grains (quinoa, for example) to use in meals throughout the week.

With a little planning and smart purchasing, grocery budgeting  can slash your grocery spendingt significantly each week.

Get Your Homesteading On: Hobbies that Help the Budget!

For those of you that have the time but not the money, making more things from scratch at home can be a great way to save money.

I’m not saying go full on trad wife here, but finding a few staples to work into your routine can be fun while also being budget-friendly. Also, don’t forget learning new skills is good for the brain! Double win.

Examples? When local loaves of bread starting hitting over $7 per loaf, I took up making sourdough. It has been a rewarding, albeit somewhat frustrating at times, experience that my family really appreciates. And the taste is 1,000 times better than the store. Trust me.

The prices of simple things like granola have also skyrocketed, so we’ve pulled out the granola recipes and started up that practice again. Probably will do the same with the bars as well.

My yogurt maker is yearning to come out of retirement, so we may get those jars humming again soon.

Here’s a list of make-at-home ideas to consider:

• Yogurt
• Granola
• Bread, bagels, tortillas
• Nut milks
• Beans
• Spread, dips
• Condiments
• Chicken broth

Not sure how to get started? YouTube is good first step. Or, ask friends or family for tips and tricks. Many of these take time to master, so pick one and invest the time. Your taste buds and your wallet will eventually reap the rewards.

A Few Other Creative Ideas to Save Grocery $$

Here are a few other creative ways that can help with grocery budgeting while still eating well.

1. Buy a few kitchen tools to ease cooking at home

Time is always of the essence, so consider adding tools to your repertoire such as the Instant Pot, Air Fryer, slow cooker, etc. You can often find these easily at second stores, saving even more $$.

2. Have communal meals

Make a habit of eating meals with others. Communal meals (aka potluck dinners) can help everyone save money by cutting down on the need to make a full meal while at the same time fostering a sense of connection and community.

3. Buy at ethnic markets

Have you ever passed by some of those tiny, ethnic markets that are common in some areas and thought, what do they sell in there? I have.

Where I live, we have this area called White Center, and it’s dense with local, immigrant owned markets. They do not look fancy by any means, and initially I thought they wouldn’t have any foods or products that I typically use.

But boy was I wrong. They have everything, and SO much cheaper than Safeway or other regular grocery stores, especially when it comes to produce, bottled sauces and condiments, and spices. 

And not only do you save money, but you literally are supporting small businesses and local families in your community. So next time you drive by one of these small shops, stop in!

4. Sharpen your knife

You might be saying, huh? How does this matter?  Nothing ruins a mood and makes people want to order out more quickly than struggling to cut veggies, meats, etc while meal prepping. And, a sharp knife is often safer than a dull one because it cuts more quickly and precisely, and it will add hours of joy back to your life as you whimsically slice through peppers, tomatoes and broccoli like a boss. Of course, first boost your knife skills with a quick YouTube course or even ask your local butcher who can give you tips and even sharpen your knife for you.

Final Thoughts

We all need tighten the belt a little bit this year, and working on grocery budgeting is a good way to get started.

But grocery budgeting doesn’t mean buying cheap, unhealthy foods. It means being strategic: shopping sales, making more things from scratch, and reducing unnecessary snacks and drinks. Even the simple act of eating with others can be a joyful way to save money.

In fact, your diet may become healthier than ever by simply paying more attention to prices and prioritizing whole foods and other staples over flashy processed options.

And while your pantry may not look as sexy, it will be more useful. Like a back-to-basic wardrobe, you’ll have endless options to mix and match that will last so much longer than those one and done fashion pieces from Shein.

So, pick a few ideas to get started, and let’s make this your less stressful holiday season yet.