Money Matters: Dinner time. The toddler’s crying, the fridge echoes, and your older kids suddenly discover they're starving—again. Sound familiar? At a time when grocery bills are climbing faster than toddler energy levels, feeding a family of four feels like a full-contact sport. If you’re ready to win the budget game without serving PB&J every night, this issue is for you.

Since 2019, grocery prices in the U.S. have surged about 28%, and essentials like meat, poultry, fish, and eggs rose nearly 3.8% more just last year.

The USDA estimates that a “thrifty food plan” for a reference family of four costs around $993/month, but many families are now spending over $1,200–1,400/month.

And prices aren’t done rising—in 2025, food‑at‑home prices are projected to increase another 2.2%, with eggs and beef expected to jump especially hard.

Food is still the biggest budget hit for families—but this issue delivers fresh, research‑backed hacks to keep quality meals coming without emptying your wallet.

Survey says: 89% of Americans (who budget) now use some sort of budgeting tool. AND 100% of people who keep staring at the sun at too much, ate too much of the “human grade” paste provided in kindergarten class.

Here is what on that portioned plate today:

😎 Our Favorite Resources
🧠 Research‑Backed Grocery Hacks (Expanded)
🥦 Smart Swaps & Meal‑Prep Cheat Sheet
🚀 Instant “Budget Wins” You Can Do Today
🤷‍♂️ Sneak Peek: Next Issue

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Cool Links

Our favorite resources

💵Budgeting

• EveryDollar – Still our go‑to budget app if you want your numbers on autopilot.

• Savings APPS – Rakuten, Flipp, Ibotta, Flashfood, Honey can stack discounts, coupons, and flash‑deal markdowns.

👀ICYMI

Check out Jimmy’s post last week on a super impactful allowance plan for the kids!

Today’s Main Event

🧠 Research‑Supported Grocery Hacks

1. Beat Price Spikes with Predictable Purchase Cycles

Staples like meat, produce, and snacks go on sale every 2–6 weeks—learn that rhythm. When chicken drops to $1.99/lb, buy enough to freeze and ride that deal for months.

2. Shop the Perimeter, Avoid the Aisle Ambush

Start with fresh produce, milk, meat—and only hit the middle aisles after. By the time you get to chips and chocolate, your budget’s already on thin ice. Prioritizing essentials first cuts impulse buys significantly.

3. Frozen Produce = Fresh Savings

Frozen fruits and vegetables often retain as many nutrients as fresh and cost way less. They last longer, reduce waste, and let you skip seasonal markdown panic purchases.

4. Subscribe to “Ugly” Produce or Flash Deals

Services like Imperfect Foods and Misfits Market deliver cosmetically imperfect—but perfectly edible—produce for massive discounts. Flashfood apps save up to 50% on meat, bakery, and dairy close to expiration.

5. Choose Store‑Brands & Always Unit‑Compare

Most generic items come from the same factories as name brands, but cost 20–30% less. Before you add to cart, check the unit price (cost per ounce or per count)—it’s your secret weapon.

6. Order Online or Use Curbside Pickup

This helps avoid impulse buys and allows you to instantly see your running total. Grab it curbside to skip delivery fees. Bonus tip: never shop while hangry—your list stays cleaner that way.

7. Personalize Apps That Hunt Bargains

Apps like Flashfood, Too Good To Go, or Kroger digital deals automatically notify you of markdowns. You can save big time on quality food that might otherwise go wasted.

8. Make Grocerying a Family Strategy Session

Get the kids involved—let them compare prices, suggest meals, and help sort coupons. It cuts surprise shopping lists and teaches them real money smarts.

🥦 Smart Swaps & Meal‑Prep Cheat Sheet

Meal‑Prep Master Tips:

• Choose a weekly prep day (Sunday afternoon works).

• Batch‑cook soups, chilis, and casseroles; freeze single servings.

• Label EVERYTHING—so lunches don’t become day‑old mystery mush.

Meal prepping can reduce restaurant spend by over $75/week, saving nearly $2,300–$3,900/year on food‑away‑from‑home expenses alone.

🚀 Quick‑Wins for Smart Grocery Savings

Do any—or all—of these this weekend for instant budget relief:

1. Price‑tracker in Notes – Record sale price of 1–2 staples; only re-stock when sale appears.

2. Freezer rotation week – Shop only your frozen bins and pantry for 5 meals.

3. Impulse blocker – Use a curbside order or pickup instead of walking aisles.

4. Pantry challenge – No supermarket visit for 3 days; build meals from what you already have.

5. Buy bulk when you see markdowns – Freeze extra meat or cheese—good for 3–4 months.

6. Coupon stacking – Use app coupons, store rewards, and manufacturer deals on the same trip.

7. Community shopping list – Swap non-perishable deals with neighbors to split costs.

8. Kids budget breakdown – Give your older kids 80% of snack allowance; teach them to stretch it.

Completing three of these can cut your grocery spend by 10–20% almost instantly.

✅ Budget Saver Wrap‑Up

• Grocery inflation remains high—expect another 2–3% hike in 2025‑26.

• USDA’s thrifty food plan benchmark is $993/month for a reference family of four, but many are spending $1,200+.

• Strategic hacks—from frozen substitutions to smart apps—can bring your monthly spend under $1,000 without sacrifice.

Until Next Time

What’s Up Next Week

Jimmy’s back with a list of the BEST assets to own at every age to build a life that is inflation resistant!

As always, fill out our one‑click survey—it helps us tailor content to what you care about most.

Follow us on Twitter @MoneyHoot—dad jokes, budget wins, and money advice that doesn’t suck.

Feel free to forward this email to other parents trying to tame grocery bills—it’s lonely in the cheap lane, but cheaper together.

Peace Out,
—Nico & the Hootsquad

DISCLAIMER: None of this is financial advice. This newsletter is strictly educational and is not investment advice or a solicitation to buy or sell any assets or to make any financial decisions. Please be careful and do your own research.