It's February and I made it through my month of not buying groceries with ease! I really "cheated" only a couple of times—once, buying my husband's favorite cereal, and once, mindlessly picking up a four pack of muffins at Trader Joe's as I checked out. Otherwise, I stuck to veggies, fruit, eggs, and dairy (plus a loaf of bread, some parmesan, and olive oil that might be considered optional), but that was it. I spent a total of $112 on groceries. Go me! Who knew surviving without cereal could feel like a superpower?

This experiment went so well that I’m excited to keep it going and see how far I can take it. As luck would have it, we won't be home for about half of this month (Thailand, here we come!), so I'm confident February will be a breeze.

Here's what helped me succeed—and what might help you too if you’re considering a grocery-buying challenge:

**Getting Creative:**

Try out those recipes you’ve been wanting to make but never seem to get around to. Adding some culinary adventure to the month was surprisingly fun! I even baked several times, which is not my usual style. You’ll be surprised how fun it is!

**Staying Practical:**

Be realistic and work with what you have. Some nights, when I was tired, I found joy in going to the freezer or pantry and grabbing something quick—a pot pie, a can of chili, or frozen fruit for a smoothie. These easy options were satisfying and helped me use up what I had on hand.

**Batch Cooking:**

Whip up big batches of your favorite meals. I made noodle dishes and soups several times and froze half each time. Later in the month, those leftovers became effortless dinners!

**Being Committed:**

I have to confess, I felt a bit proud when my grocery store trips were so minimal. Sticking to the plan was surprisingly satisfying!

Of course, everyone’s needs and routines vary, so find what works for you. Don’t worry if you bend the rules—progress is what matters! My takeaway is that this idea turned out to be fun, financially rewarding, often delicious, and a little bit challenging. For sure, I’ll do it again—once I finish this round!

I'd love to hear your grocery-saving stories or any tips you might have. You can do it too!

Oh Oh Oh! - Jingle