What if you only bought 20 grocery items a week? Would that be enough to live off? And what difference would it make to your food bills?
Let’s get straight into some simple money saving tips that prove you can simplify your grocery shopping without sacrificing quality.
The fact is, most households could live off just 20 grocery items per week and eat healthier than they did before!
It’s a bold claim, I know, but I’ve seen it work for us.
All you need is a couple of hours on the weekend or an evening to get you ahead of the food prep game! And some good storage containers also come in handy!
Today, we eat more nutritious meals, with less waste and lower cost, using this smart list.
It’s not about restriction, though; it’s about getting real value from basic ingredients.
Why just 20?
The average supermarket stocks around 30,000 products. Most of that is noise. It’s there to get you buying more than you need.
The result? We overspend, overeat, and throw away far too much food.
So I stripped it all back and said forget the packs and cartons, and pre-prepared meals, and just list out the items we truly need that will make us dozens of different meals.
This list is the result and it’s what my family of five lives on most weeks, give or take.
There are other pantry items we use, but don’t need to buy every week.
And it’s worth saying if you’ve got allergies or dietary needs, of course you’ll need to adjust.
But this is a very solid foundation, and one the best money saving tips I have for those who need to get control of their food spend..
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What goes on the list?
1. Olive Oil
Healthier than seed oils and more versatile than you think — just don’t crank the heat too high or it’ll burn.
2 & 3. Garlic + Onions
They’re not a duo. They’re two non-negotiables. Base flavour for almost everything we cook in this house.
4. Whole Chicken
Roast it, spatchcock it, make stock from the bones. More meals, more value, less waste.
5. Beef Mince
Still affordable, still endlessly useful. Burgers, tacos, Bolognese, cottage pie — take your pick.
6. Lentils or Beans
One or the other each week. Budget stretchers, protein-packed, and perfect for soups, salads or bulking out your mince.
7. Eggs
No intro needed. Just don’t run out.
8. Canned Fish
We treat tinned tuna as essential. High protein, long shelf life, and underrated in pasta.
9. Salt
Yes, just salt. Herbs and spices are great, but you won’t need to rebuy them every week. Salt does plenty on its own.
10. Fresh Vegetables
Carrots and celery are our go-tos. Pick ones you’ll actually eat. Nothing fancy required.
11. Frozen Mixed Veg
Always on hand. Decent nutrition. Cheap insurance against the midweek “what’s for dinner?” panic.
12. Canned Tomatoes
The backbone of sauces, stews and casseroles. If I had to keep only one canned good, it’s this.
13 & 14. Pasta + Brown Rice
Pasta for quick meals. Brown rice for longer cooks and better nutrition. Both store well and go with everything.
15. Flour
You’ll be baking and cooking more if you follow this list. Bread, pancakes, sauces — flour earns its place.
16–18. Milk, Butter, Cheese
Dairy trio. Butter for cooking and spreading, cheese for flavour, milk for drinks and recipes. Swap in alternatives if needed.
19. Peanut Butter
Get the good stuff. Toast topper, smoothie thickener, snack-maker. We even eat it with yoghurt.
20. Fruit
Apples, bananas, oranges — whatever’s in season and gets eaten. Great for snacks, lunchboxes, or smoothies.
Want more money saving tips?
We can debate which 20 items go on this list until the cows come home, but honestly, that’s not the point.
The point is when you start listing out ingredients like this, you’re going to notice the difference in how you shop and what you spend.
It keeps things simple, lowers waste, and stops the aisle-wandering. It also proves that healthy, home-cooked food doesn’t need an overflowing trolley.
So, start your smart list today and tell me how you go with it. And don’t forget to subscribe to the montly newsletter for more money saving tips!
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I have a peanut and tree nut allergy that arrived in mid-life. I use sun butter instead. It’s a good swap. But I still crave real peanut butter.
Tahini is also a great swap!