Keeping Our Grocery Bill Low While Still Being Eco-Conscious

There are two things I love: Being kind to the planet and saving money.

With both of us -technically- being unemployed right now and how the current economy is, I have been trying hard to cut costs on our weekly grocery bill while still upholding our values of an eco-conscious lifestyle. I have shaved off an average of $40 on our weekly grocery bill following this, which I am super proud of!

Buying only what we need

Taking a quick look through our pantry and fridge before grocery shopping has helped us avoid buying more of something we already have, eliminating food waste coming from our household. 

I have also pushed myself into the mindset that some things can be saved for a treat, or special occasion - things like ice cream, wine, beer, and other junk food do not have to be totally eliminated from your life, just make it a once-in-awhile thing. You can save so much money just by reducing how often you buy these types of things.

Excess food leads to food waste. If you do have extra food to spare, consider donating it to a food pantry or community fridge that helps people with food insecurity.

Using the bulk bins

Bulk bin shopping is better for the environment because you can avoid plastic packaging altogether. You also have more power over how much you pay by choosing how much you buy. I do feel lucky that we have access to multiple stores with bulk bins. We get most of our pantry staples: beans, nuts, spices, coffee, and snacks from the bulk bins whenever possible.

Choosing plant-based proteins

Plant-based proteins, like beans, are commonly available in the bulk bin section, so totally plastic-free. It is cheaper per pound than meat, and healthier. Beans also have a much longer shelf-life than meat, which helps reduce potential food waste.

Cooking from scratch

Prepackaged meals usually come packaged in plastic and typically cost a lot more than making it yourself.

Learning a few basic cooking skills has helped us avoid buying prepackaged foods. It tastes better, is cheaper, and is healthier! I am not eating any weird preservatives or unknown ingredients. I’m also not cooking super fancy dishes, but rice, beans, soups, breads, tortillas, tacos, we make all from scratch. You do not have to be a master chef to cook delicious food. A few YouTube videos and blogs can teach you a lot of simple skills to elevate your cooking game.

Eating seasonally and locally as much as possible.

Paying attention to what is in season and what is grown locally might sound like an extravagance, but it is almost always cheaper than imported produce. It also has a lower carbon footprint because it did not have to be transported a far distance. 

Was this helpful to you? Let us know in the comments below how you save money on your grocery bill.