January Resolve: Cutting Grocery Costs

Black eyed peas and collards over rice, a Southern staple

I have started off my January with 

One Specific Grocery Goal: Reduce our grocery spending

In the South, there is a New Year tradition of having black eyed peas and greens. This tradition is said to represent health and wealth for the upcoming year. Last week we just finished off a batch of frozen collards made in November and used our last dried black eyed peas with the collards and rice. Not given to superstition I decided to forego spending extra for the New Year's meal and focus on writing and resolutions. Hoping to save more and spend less, I decided to designate January a low-spend grocery month. 

I am fortunate that we are beginning the year with a stocked frig and well stocked pantry and larder. To start the month, I began cooking before the new year rang in and we are having left overs. Two days before New Years I cleared the frig of all the tofu and baked it into seasoned cubes. I used the Instant Pot to make 3 cups of dry black beans (9 cups cooked) and combined it with the tofu, some veg, and seasoning to make burritos. We have a little left of the tofu-black bean mix but on January first, I realized I had to use some old potatoes and wilting cilantro. I made my potato cilantro curry to change up the menu a bit. This too makes a burrito wrap when it is mashed to thicken, served with a yogurt coriander mint sauce. Before mashing, it makes a great main course or side dish. 

This weekend, we will finish the black bean tofu mix, maybe with a side of cilantro rice. And we'll finish the potato cilantro curry. But the meal I am looking forward to the most this weekend is a raw veg, cold pasta salad with a Balsamic Vinaigrette sauce and feta as a topping. Filled with black olives, cucumbers, broccoli, red and green peppers, there is more veg than pasta and it is great when nicely chilled. I had hoped for even more cucumber than just an single English cucumber but WM was out of the multi pack of mini cukes. 

To finish the weekend, I am making a basic Thai green curry with coconut milk on Sunday. I sauté an onion and 2 TBSP each of garlic and ginger. Then I add in red, orange, and yellow bell peppers with a steamer pack of long green beans. I may add in tofu cubes or chick peas if I do not have enough vegan chicken on hand. Then I finish with a prepared green Thai curry mix and a can of coconut milk, cooking it down slowly. Served over warm basmati rice, it is perfect for a cold winter's day. 

Our desserts for the first of the year weekend are from pantry goods I stocked up on when they were on sale. The brownies have no dairy so I am enjoying those. The dairy laden spice cake mix is off limits and a nice treat as mini Bundt cakes, topped with whipped cream for the guys. Peter also made a prepared muffin mix for his breakfasts.

Looking Back At December Costs

In December we spent $847.60 for groceries and household items. Of that, $158.00 was specifically for our son and his personal tastes. The difference is $689.60. Of that, $113.25 was for long term pantry items leaving $576.35 in immediate use items. But of that total I saw toilet paper, cleaning agents, and misc non-foods. This does not include all the medicines and supplements like cough drops when all three of us came down with Covid. Let's round that grocery total less cleaning goods and TP down to $530.00. So that means $265.00 each for me and my husband. 

Of course that $265.00 per person number is a little hazy because we do share with our adult son some items which are not ear marked specific to his tastes, that $158.00 figure. In addition, I used food goods already in the frig and from the pantry and larder. We spent $130.00 on fresh veg and fruit and a nearly equal amount of vegan meat substitutes in December. 

Looking back we indulged quite a bit with pizzas and vegan sausages and burgers, fries, onion rings, some mini pies, and non-dairy ice cream. Seeing this I am a little disappointed in us but we had a rough two weeks battling Covid. After three days of downing hot soups, saltines, and hot drinks we all wanted to splurge a bit for some tasty things which required little prep. Our daughter picked up our grocery order for us and left it in my car trunk. We were so grateful for her help and all the treats.

Looking at the 847.60 total for December, and ignoring all the splurges and non foods, it still breaks down to $282.00 per person for 3 adults for a month. We can do this because we buy long term pantry items ($113.25 in December), things which restock and add into our pantry. Eating for less than $70 a week per person is rather cost efficient but I think we can improve on that.

January, 2026

I realize that no one really starts from scratch, having bits left in the frig and freezer and on the shelves. So for January I am going to count our last December purchase on December 30th towards January- even though I included it in the December totals above. 

I have left out items specific to our son, his frozen burritos, pancakes, and all the things that make life a little easier after returning home from 12 hours away with 10 hour work shifts and his commute. 

Going into January I will start with $73.13 counting towards our overall grocery costs for January. This is a breakdown of the last purchase from December, 2025.

Food $73.13

Produce $43.10

Fresh Broccoli Crowns, Each, Qty 2, $2.00

Fresh Roma Tomato, Qty 5, $1.14

Marketside Fresh Spinach, 10 oz Bag (Fresh) $1.84

Fresh Green Onions Bunch, Each 96.0¢/ea

Green Bell Pepper, Qty 4, $3.28

Fresh Curly Parsley Bunch, Qty 2 $2.14

Fresh Romaine Lettuce Hearts 3 Count, $3.86

Fresh Produce Whole Color Bell Peppers, 3 Count Bag $2.47

Fresh Blueberries, 18 oz. Container $4.48

Fresh Fuji Apples, 3 lb Bag $5.52

Fresh Long English Cucumber, Each $0.97

Fresh Sweet Onions, 3 lb, Bag $3.88

Birds Eye Steamfresh Whole Green Beans, Frozen Vegetables, $1.76

Kraft Real Mayo Creamy & Smooth Mayonnaise, 48 fl oz Jar, $7.13 (Long Term)

Grains & Breads $10.82

La Banderita Burrito Grande XL Flour Tortillas 8 Count Qty 3 $9.42

Great Value Orzo Pasta, 16 oz $0.98

Dairy $10.99

Great Value Lactose Free Whole Vitamin D Milk, Half Gallon, $3.16

Chobani Oatmilk Extra Creamy 52 fl oz Carton, Qty $4.16

Dannon Plain Whole Milk Yogurt Quart, 32 oz $3.24

Extras $8.22

Great Value Rising Crust Cheese Pizza, 28.10 oz (Frozen) $4.46

Plant-Based Salted Caramel Oat Milk Non-Dairy Frozen Dessert, 16 fl oz $3.44

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Looking over this list I see one item I will not buy again, the Salted Caramel non-dairy ice cream. Whether it was the Covid which dulled my taste buds or just the indulgence, no matter. I won't buy this flavor again. And let's see if I can manage to stay away from buying crazy sweets this month. The pizza is an indulgence my husband likes once a week and cutting it just isn't an option.

As our son returns to work after a week off I will have to buy a few things on Sunday so I'll add some sandwich bread and lunch slices for him along with fresh produce for everyone. Toss in yogurt for L's lunches and another WM pick up on the 4th is planned sooner than I had hoped. 

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Game Plan

Because our son has certain convenience foods he relies on, I am following the low-spend grocery challenge based on food for me and my husband. Using the lowest per person approximation for December, my goal is to keep spending for groceries to under 265.00 for each of us, $530.00 for the month. I feel that we ate very well for that amount in December. But the goal for January, 2026, is to reduce spending as much as possible. How much lower than $530.00 can I go?

(1) I want to lean into our pantry and larder reserves. We have an excess of a few things such as rice and beans. I buy these differently than other foods which I maintain a base minimum for at all times. 

(2) At the same time, I do not want to fall below our minimum reserves. For example, the XL Mayo I purchased above was to keep our Mayo supply at a minimum of three in stock with one open in the frig. I need to continue to buy for our long term stores.

(3) I want to shift our produce purchases a bit. I rely on some staples year round. However, I want to see what is on sale, in season, and cheaper. I want to see how I can save money by actively seeking out things which are outside the norms but at cheaper prices.

(4) I want to reduce the amount of yogurt parfait I make for L's lunches. The fruit, yogurt, and granola mix is intended as a snack for a break. His meal is separate and during a lunch break. I think if I add extra food to the meal or add in a side of bread that the yogurt parfait can be reduced in size. The parfait is more expensive than the meal portion most of the time. 

(5) What can I make to sate our sweet tooth or to meet the desire for a treat? Sometimes savory is a treat too.

(6) It is easy to default to the same old same old. What can I make from the ample stores I maintain of spice, baking supplies, and dry goods like beans and rice. This past week I pulled out the brown rice and added some veg that needed to be used. It had been a while since I used brown rice. What else do I have that has been overlooked? What different combinations can I try?

(7) What do I have that needs to be used ASAP? Sometimes I will freeze veg that is beginning to wilt? Instead, what if I plan a meal around this? I already do this. I need to do it more often. Or do I need to stagger my purchases so I use it before it ages?

(8) Plan more. Use fewer convenience items. After Covid we wanted food treats that would make us feel good and be super easy to make. Even as I write this I am craving French fries. Will I be able to avoid temptation?

(9) Going into this month, I have a cash back credit of $100.70 on the credit card. Sometimes I see this as an excuse for a splurge. Instead, I want to use it for a regular expense such as gas or a medical co-pay instead of a food treat, an indulgence.

(10) How empty will I let my frig and freezer get? We keep enough non refrigerated foods that I don't need to use cold foods, excluding condiments and spice like chutneys and minced garlic. Sometimes we buy because of expectations. I expect the gas tank to stay over half full. I expect the frig to have leftovers and fresh produce. Will this low spend grocery challenge change the way I view food and food storage?

(11) I had planned to go to Sam's Club after the first of the year. Part of it had to do with avoiding Sam's Club during the holiday buying crush. But my list has grown. This past week we spent nearly $10 on 24 tortillas instead of buying a 20 pack for $5.24 at Sam's Club. I Know there are savings but I also know Sam's holds certain temptations for me, especially when it comes to stocking up long term. How will I approach this? Will saving money win or will I ignore the list and buy on a whim when I get there? Will Sam's defeat me?

As I tackle this month's challenge to reduce grocery buying I will try to post some meal plans and updates on my grocery purchases. 

Happy New Year!