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StitcherYou are not doing groceries wrong, groceries are doing you wrong. Because even if you try to buy less, grocery prices today are through the roof. So in this episode, we’re breaking down why food prices have risen so much, if they’re going down, and what regular people can actually do to save money on groceries in 2026.
The more you're being creative intentionally, the more you’ll see opportunities outside organically.
Why Groceries Are So Expensive
Jen explains that from 2020–2022, global supply chain breakdowns and labor shortages in meatpacking, trucking, and grocery stores drove food prices up. Jill says that in 2023, the Russia-Ukraine war and an extreme avian flu outbreak spiking the commodity and egg prices. And by 2024, “Greedflation” set in, with meat industry consolidation allowing price hikes, and studies show profits drove over 50% of inflation in some sectors.
Unfortunately, USDA’s Economic Research Service’s 2025-2-2626 outlook projects grocery prices will rise more slowly and that means grocery prices will not go down.
How to Overcome and Actually Save Money This Year
Jill kicks off with reverse meal planning which means shopping your pantry first before heading to the grocery store, seeing what you already have, and building your meal plan from there. This helps you buy less and waste less. Jen introduces the 4-Meal Rotation Method, where you create a rotation based on your own or your family’s needs. Jill adds that weekly themes can make it more fun. Finally, they suggest the “Buy Once, Use Thrice” method, meaning each ingredient should be used in three different meals.
What grocery saving hack will you bring with you this year?
Jen will stick with meal prepping and minimal eating outside. Meanwhile, Jill will also stick with meal planning and she will always choose and buy from discount grocery stores.
Bill of The Week
Thank you Maeve for sharing your BOTW about thrifting at a rummage sale – getting $10 in-line skates (+pads & helmet)
Thanks so Much for Listening!
Thanks so much for listening. We love love love reading your kind reviews of our book Buy What You Love Without Going Broke and we especially loved this one from:
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Relatable & Actionable!
Thank you Jen & Jill for being so raw and real! The emphasis on the “radical middle” rather than the financial extremes we often hear about really hit home with me.
The narration between the two authors was very well done and natural. I appreciated how relatable the stories & examples they gave are, as well as how actionable the takeaways are. 10/10 recommend!
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