Cheap Grocery List

Getting a good price for groceries is not as easy as it used to be. Whether you're a student on a shoestring budget or a professional balancing the household finances, the deals you find at the grocery store can make a big difference. Right now, millions of people are looking at their grocery receipts considering how to save money while still enjoying tasty, filling, and nutritious meals.

The good news is that you can find the cheapest food at the grocery store (without sacrificing food quality) if you know how to shop. We're diving into the ideal $200 grocery trip that can help you feed a household without dipping too deep into your budget.

Let's start with the grocery list, and then we'll explain why each option is your best bet.

Cheap Yet Nutritious Grocery List

Dry Goods
- Rice
- Pasta
- Dry Beans
- Oatmeal
- Lentils
Fresh Produce
- Seasonal Fruit
- Seasonal Vegetables
- Potato Sack
Bakery
- Store Brand Bread
- Corn Tortillas
Meat
- Chicken Quarters
- "Chuck" Steak
- Beef Liver
Frozen
- Frozen Mixed Vegetables
- Corn Dogs
Snacks
- Popcorn Packets
- Tortilla Chips

Stock Up on Dry Goods

Rice
Pasta
Dry Beans
Oatmeal
Lentils

Dry goods, also called "bulk" foods, are really good for your budget. They are also much, much cheaper than canned or prepared foods, and you can enjoy them freshly boiled.

Get yourself a big bag of rice, as buying in bulk is cheaper than getting little packets. Pasta comes in fairly large boxes at the store, and it lasts forever at a good price. A whole canister of oatmeal also costs less than $5 and will provide nutritious breakfasts for a few weeks.

Snag dry beans (black beans are nice, but go with your favorite) from the bulk section and lentils, if they have them. Beans and lentils are a good way to bulk up recipes with fiber, starch, and protein. Beans will need to boil for a few hours, but lentils are ready in about 20 minutes and make good soup.

Fresh Produce

Seasonal Fruit
Seasonal Vegetables
Potato Sack
Carrot sack

Seasonal fruits and vegetables grown nearby are almost always cheaper than exotic stuff from far away. Get flexible with your recipes and learn how to make soup or stir fry from any combination.

For extra starch, potatoes are always in season and the big bags of russet potatoes are a great value. Bags of carrots are also almost always affordable and in season.

Bakery

Store Brand Bread
Corn Tortillas

You don't have to give up on breads, just shop smart. Find the cheapest store-bought bread, usually about $2 a loaf, for sandwiches. If you want tortillas, corn tortillas are always cheaper and they're also healthier than flour tortillas.

Meat

Chicken Quarters
"Chuck" Steak
Beef Liver

Ground beef and even chicken breasts are getting pretty pricey, but there are some meats that are always cheap. Chicken quarters (leg and thigh) are a great deal and they make great roasts or soup. "Chuck" or "Stew" meat are cuts of beef typically put into stew or roasts, but the steaks fry up nicely at a lower price. You can also get creative with "sweetmeats" like beef liver. Organ meats tend to be really low-cost and quite high in nutrients.

If you can find a grocery store with a real butcher (not just name-brand packaged meats), you can often get better prices even on good cuts like chicken breast.

Frozen

Frozen Mixed Vegetables
Frozen berries
Corn Dogs

Frozen foods can sometimes be cheaper than fresh, especially if you crave something out of season. mixed veggies can add bulk and nutrients to any soup or casserole recipe, while frozen berries can sate your sweet tooth on a budget. The only sacrifice is sometimes a difference in texture depending on the food. Frozen meat is cheaper, too.

If you're craving something special and nostalgic, corn dogs are often the best price at about $5-6 for a 16-piece box.

Snacks

Popcorn Packets
Tortilla Chips

Snacks can be an essential part of your diet, so plan them into your budget. Popcorn and tortilla chips are often the best way to add that salty crunch. It's OK to choose the cheapest option because there's not a noticeable quality difference between the 'gourmet' and 'budget' popcorn or corn chips.

Try Different Grocery Stores

Once you have your budget grocery list in mind, check out several of the grocery stores near your home. Different brands and chains have different prices. Some grocery stores have cheaper produce, meat, milk, or bread, or more options for bulk dry goods. Shopping around can help you save as much as $20 to $50 per grocery trip, so it's worth it. Try researching grocery stores like Sam's Club or Costco.

Buy Bulk Online

In some cases, it will be more affordable to buy a few "bulk" non-perishable groceries from online retailers instead of buying them from your local store. Rice, in particular, is easier to get in a $20 sack from markets like Amazon or your local Asian store if your grocery store doesn't offer bulk sizes and deals. You might also find deals on canned goods (which are going up in price) available for cheaper by the pallet from online stores and even restaurant supply sources.

Living Well in Affton, MO

Building a good lifestyle requires the perfect balance of location, home design, and a smart budget. If you're looking for apartments in Affton, MO to build a good life, join us at the Villages at General Grant. Our welcoming blend of affordable apartments and amenities can help you create the lifestyle you need, and we're directly on the bus route so you can access all the local grocery stores to find the best prices and cheapest groceries.

Testimonials

The resident manager is excellent, efficient, knowledgeable and responds to requests. Thank you for being responsive and welcoming. The office staff is very friendly and helpful. I
- Google Review

I have been here 3 months and I absolutely love it. Spacious, safe, clean. Pet friendly and plenty of space to walk your dog. I’ve already had friends who want to move in here too!
- Google Review

I lived at the Villages at General Grant for the last two years in a one bedroom and loved it. The leasing office was always on top of everything, and was very polite. And the maintenance team never let the day go by without addressing one of my concerns, though I only had to reach out to them on a couple of occasions. On top of that, the unit I toured was very nice, but the one I was given seemed in even better shape.
- Yelp Review

I lived in two different units from 2002 to around 2008 maybe don't remember exactly maybe longer. I moved back recently after selling my house that's another story but being pet friendly and close to work were 2 huge draws for me. I've found I like to just come and go and not worry about what will need to be fixed next or lawn maintenance. Everyone seems friendly. I have no real complaints. I was happy to see that the units were more updated then when I last lived there.
- Google Review

The last 5 years have been all I expected and more!! The Managers have always gone above and beyond to accommodate my family and I. The grounds keeper is the best at keeping the property well maintained and beautified. You can always count on maintenance to respond quickly to requests even if they can’t resolve the issue at that moment. I love this location also because it’s close to everything! I can go on and on about this great community! I love it!
- Google Reivew

I lived in an apartment at the Villages at General Grant from 2020 to 2024, and it was an extremely positive experience for me. The location was perfect for work and it was easy to navigate to all the major highways. Any issues that I had were addressed quickly by the maintenance team and the staff. I felt like policies were clearly explained during my leasing and then move out processes.
- Google Review

I can't say enough good things about *The Villages of General Grant Apartments*! From the moment I walked through the door, I was greeted with warmth and kindness by the entire office staff. Every single person I interacted with was so friendly and accommodating—it truly felt like I was part of a community before I even officially moved in.
- Google Review

Thank you for fixing my garbage disposal and blinds in a timely manner and a super sweet guy! Been living here for only a few months and every experience I’ve had with their staff has been awesome, great people and a really good environment.
- Google Review

I’ve lived here since 2014 and it’s a great place to live. Conveniently located. Just recently, one of the maintenance men replaced my kitchen faucet and he did it in a timely manner. Great job.
- Google Review

He was a very polite man. Very helpful and sweet. Thank you so much.
- Google Review