But research says otherwise.
Well, that requires a little know-how.
Start with a plan
Cooking at home can translate into big savings.
Javier Diez / Stocksy
But you’ll need to have the right foods on hand.
Next, make a list to ensure you won’t forget anything.
Eat all that you cook
The average American tosses more than 240 pounds of food a year.
Jacob Fox
“That’s why I’m a big fan of repurposing leftovers.
And you could toss frozen veggies and herbs directly into hot soup or pasta sauce.
If you have a smartphone, download your store’s app for access to digital coupons.
Jacob Fox
If not, clipping coupons from the newspaper works too.
Venture beyond the butcher counter
There are loads of inexpensive protein options throughout the store.
“It’s frozen at the peak of freshness, so its nutritious goodness is locked in.
Plus it’s possible for you to often find your favorites at lower prices than fresh produce.”
Not only is frozen produce less likely to spoil, it’s pre-prepped so it’s a huge time-saver.
Be savvy about beef
Cuts of beef can vary substantially in both price and fat content.
Sirloin and top, bottom, and eye of round are the leanest cuts.
Eye, top, and bottom rounds are more economical.
Consider generics
Choosing generic products over brand names can save you 20 to 30 percentbut it pays to compare.
Yet, that’s not always the case.
Other convenience products, like canned beans, are so inexpensive that they’re practically a no-brainer.
Shop in season
Seasonal produce doesn’t just taste better, it’s also less expensive.
To learn what’s in season where you live, download theSeasonal Food Guide app.
Bang-for-Your-Buck Foods
The average grocery store carries a whopping 30,000 different items to choose from!
Here are 12 of our favorites, with their average prices per ounce:
