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StitcherEvery year, there’s new ways to save money on grocery shopping and this year is no exception! In this episode, Jen and Jill kick off a new era of Frugal Friends, with fresh strategies to get food for free, at a low cost, on a deal, or guilt-free all while keeping your table full and your budget happy.
These resources are available and there’s always room for people to be using them if they need them.
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- Apps and websites. In doing research for this episode I found some amazing apps and websites I had no idea existed that I’ve already started. You’ll hear them here first but you know where we’ll be showing them? On our YouTube! These resources are so cool that we’ll for sure be talking about them on our Frugal Friends YouTube channel in the future so if you don’t want to miss it head to youtube.com/frugalfriends and subscribe!
Check out some relevant episodes
Free Ways to Find Food
Even if it seems impossible, there are free ways to find food! Jen and Jill suggest finding food pantries or a community fridge near you because some cities have public refrigerators where people donate food. Take something, and when you have something, give back too!
Jen and Jill also recommend apps to start with like FoodHero, Odd Bunch, Too Good to Go, and Olio which help reduce food waste and save money by connecting consumers with discounted groceries, restaurant leftovers, and free surplus food.
Another great app is Flashfood which partners with grocery stores to offer fresh groceries nearing their best-by date at 50% off helping you save money while reducing food waste. Use JENN68MG9. If your first purchase is over $7, you’ll get $5 off! Use the code when you sign up or on the Rewards tab. Download the app today!
Easy Ways to Save on Groceries
If you want the lowest grocery prices for the best fresh produce, Jill suggests shopping in-season while Jen recommends going to farmers markets at closing time for a discount. You can also sign up for CSA (Community Supported Agriculture) shares, or visit U-Pick farms where you can harvest your own produce at lower prices.
Discount stores like Aldi, Lidl, and Grocery Outlet are great for budget-friendly groceries, while ethnic grocery stores often have lower prices on staple ingredients. For bread, day-old bakery outlets like Wonder Bread or Pepperidge Farm offer discounted baked goods.
Freshest Produce for Best-est Prices!
Jen and Jill suggest NOT buying from dollar stores since the price per unit is often higher and assuming bulk purchases are always cheaper. Plus, buying too much can lead to food waste if you don’t use it all.
Instead, take advantage of loyalty programs and double coupon days, or shop at warehouse clubs like Costco and stock up on sale items you use often. You can also use apps like Fetch and Ibotta for cashback, or Flipp to compare weekly ads from local retailers and find the best grocery deals.
Good Food, Good Choices
If these don’t work for you, here are some guilt-free options. Jen suggests starting a vertical garden—while not the cheapest upfront, it’s an investment that pays off over time. Jill also recommends supporting small independent grocery stores to keep local businesses thriving.
Most beloved grocery store purchase?
Jill loves fresh produce and Jill, of course, loves getting coffee!
Bill of The Week
Thank you Meghan for sharing your bill with us about your dad who is retiring – worked for the same
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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This book was like a warm hug as a personal finance guide where not only was it a breeze to read, but also relatable and practical. I loved the focus on finding what you value, and prioritizing what you value — instead of what others/social media tells you. Jen and Jill make saving (and spending) fun where it’s possible to see it as a hobby instead of a chore. Thank you for the ARC copy of this book and I look forward to hearing more from the Frugal Friends podcast!
If you want to check out our monthly challenge community head to frugalfriendspodcast.com/club to see what challenge we have coming up next.
And keep leaving us reviews on iTunes or Stitcher, and sending the screenshot to reviews@frugalfriendspodcast.com. And don’t forget to share your favorite quote from the episode by using the hashtag #FrugalFriendsNote. 
