Groceries don't have to be a major financial burden, thanks to these tried-and-trusted tips

Published May 30, 2026 10:30AM (EDT)

Preparing linguine vongole (GMVozd / Getty Images)

It was during a recent fridge clean-out when I came to the uncomfortable realization that I’m pretty bad at shopping for groceries .

I’ll admit: much of it is due to poor planning and, frankly, laziness. Amid the hustle and bustle of everyday city life, a trip to the grocery store — whether it’s the local markets in my neighborhood or the Lidl just a short Subway ride away — is always a spontaneous decision. It’s a quick pit stop before coming home after work. It’s a last-minute excursion when I’m craving something specific and missing several key ingredients. It’s a dreaded task when I’m already caught up running other errands — or simply procrastinating.

The consequences are always the same.…