288. Reverse Meal Planning, Stock-Up Staples & Grocery Hacks for Real Life | Christine of Frugal Fit Mom

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May 6, 2025

Christine Ashby, the mind behind Frugal Fit Mom, brings her budget-savvy expertise to the conversation. She shares practical strategies for feeding a family of five on just $200 a month, and her approach to reverse meal planning, making use of pantry staples to keep costs low. Christine explains how she spots true stock-up prices on meat and why she skips many grocery delivery services. Find out how to indulge in fun foods without overspending, and discover her go-to bread recipe, perfect for a busy family!

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ADVICE

Skip Instacart, Use Walmart Pickup

Avoid Instacart due to high markups and fees, as it nearly doubles grocery costs.
Use Walmart Pickup instead for cheaper prices and less impulse buying.

ADVICE

Stock Up on Staples, Freeze Meat

Stock up on pantry staples like flour, sugar, and rice when they go on sale.
Freeze meat bought at deep discounts in meal-sized portions to extend savings.

ADVICE

Start Budget at $150 Per Person

Use $150 per person per month as a starting grocery budget on the thrifty side.
Adjust budget up or down based on location, dietary needs, or financial goals.

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I’m chatting with Christine from Frugal Fit Mom all about feeding your family well on a budget—without stressing over perfection. Christine shares her tried-and-true strategies for keeping grocery costs low in today’s economy, including how she stocks her pantry, finds the best meat deals, and plans meals based on what’s already on hand. We also dive into the hidden costs of organic and local food, why she skips most grocery delivery services, and how you can still enjoy fun foods without blowing the budget. Whether you’re shopping for two or ten, this episode is full of real-life tips you can start using today.

In this episode, we cover:

Why Christine avoids Instacart and prefers Walmart Pickup for cost savings
The key pantry staples she stocks up on—and how that helps reduce impulse grocery runs
Her method for spotting true stock-up prices on meat and stretching it to feed a large family
How she feeds a family of five (including three teen boys) on as little as $200/month
A realistic starting point for grocery budgeting: $150 per person per month
Why she generally skips organic (aside from milk) and how local sourcing can dramatically increase grocery costs
How reverse meal planning works and why it saves more than traditional recipe-first planning
Tips for making frugal meals taste amazing with salt, fat, and acid
Christine’s go-to bread recipe (not sourdough!) and how she keeps it soft for days
Her rule for buying fun foods like chips and ice cream—only when they’re 50% off
How shopping less frequently helps avoid overspending (even for perishables)

View full show notes on the blog + watch this episode on YouTube.

RESOURCES

Check out Christine’s banana bread recipe

Join my FREE masterclass to learn my 4-step framework for making money on YouTube

Master the rhythm of sourdough with confidence in my Simple Sourdough course

Gain the sewing knowledge and skills every homemaker needs in my Simple Sewing series

Turn your content creation dreams into a profitable business with my YouTube Success Academy

Keep all my favorite sourdough recipes at your fingertips in my Daily Sourdough cookbook

CONNECT

Christine Ashby of Frugal Fit Mom | Website | YouTube | Instagram | Facebook

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