1. Shop at Trader Joe’s

When searching for meals items that help save time, Trader Joe’s has reasonable prices for groceries. I am a near empty nester, so frozen prepared meals come in handy when we are not eating as a sit down family dinner. Salad kits save time. Here are some of the items I buy from TJ’s as a semi-homemade cook:

• Single-serving frozen meals like curry, orange chicken, Japanese rice, potstickers and more

• Crackers, Chips

• Salad kits

• Spice mixes (I’m an avid TJ spice mix user)

• Frozen breakfast potatoes, roasted corn, falafels

• Garlic and ginger cubes

• Coffee

The trick is not to buy animal protein from here or indulge in all the delicious snacks they produce.

2. Shop the ads

When buying animal protein, shop the sales at the local chain grocery store or at your local Costco. Also, Costco is especially good for stocking up on toiletries, too.

Find out what is on sale, stock up, divide it up, eat protein as a side. If you don’t have a membership card, ask a friend who has one and do a shopping trip together. I have friends that also do a joint shopping trip and split the product as a cost saving measure.

3. Don’t buy pre-bottled drinks

My family stopped buying soda and fruit juice cocktail drinks many years ago. We rarely drink them when we go out, too. Drinking a dark soda now brings on a headache.

What’s in the soda bring on a headache?

The only drinks that make it in our cart now are milk and orange juice. At home we usually drink iced water or things I make at home like iced/hot tea, limeade, mint iced tea and more.

4. International grocery stores

Prices for vegetables and fruits are amazing at international grocery stores. Find one in your local area to check out.

I find a lot of joy bringing home a bunch of vegetables from my local Asian grocery store. Then spending the afternoon washing, cutting, blanching and bagging them for the freezer.

5. Fill your plate with wholesome goodness

Animal protein is usually a side dish with our meals. Beans, vegetables, grains and a side of fruit make up a majority on our dinner plates. It’s definitely a cost effective lifestyle if done right and taste delicious.

Frugality is my vibe, but I make sure my food is nutritious even while trying to curb high prices. Health is wealth, too. I look forward to living a full and healthy life.

6. Enjoy leftovers

Leftovers make a great breakfast when cooked with some eggs. Or I will grab other random bits from my fridge to make a whole new meal. Like:

• adding to ramen

• making a stir fry

• tossing with a salad

• make a burrito

There are so many ways to be creative with cooking.

7. Budget to eat out once a week

I realize going out to eat sounds counterintuitive to saving money. But being intentional with a food budget does save money. You are saving money by not eating out whenever you feel hungry or have a craving. We all deserve a night away from the kitchen.

8. Choose the meal with intention

When we want to eat out more than once a week, while staying in budget, we opt for our local budget food – tacos! Choosing to eat at a taqueria versus a full service restaurant can save a good amount of money.

What food is considered budget friendly in your state?

9. Shop for clothing at thrift stores and buy basics at Kohls or Costco

I have a very simple “style” (if you can call it that). Jeans and concert T-shirts. I will spend on a good pair of jeans that last me forever, but buy my concert T-shirts from the thrift or re-sale store. For socks, underwear or basic tank tops, I buy them at Kohls or Costco.

Why are women’s basic cotton underwear SO expensive?

10. Stick to the basics for cleaning

I use baking soda, salt and/or vinegar for 80% of my cleaning the house. The other is a big bottle of Simple Green or some Comet. Ways I use the basics:

• keep the drains clear: baking soda, salt and vinegar chased with hot water

• clean the cast iron pan: baking soda, vinegar and hot water

• clean fruit: vinegar and water

• smelly clothes: vinegar

• coffee pot: vinegar

• window cleaning: vinegar and water

With that…

Frugality is about finding balance. I enjoy a low-spend and pantry challenge to save extra money or during leans times. But I am mindful of both my spending and time, prioritizing what matters most – like taking days off for hiking or travel. Every penny save contributes to moments that truly matter.