What I Feed My Family on a $150 Weekly Grocery Budget

Let’s be real—grocery shopping lately feels like a financial workout. With prices going up on pretty much everything, it’s easy to feel like feeding your family on a budget is impossible. But over the past year, I’ve slowly figured out how to make it work.

Each week, I feed my family of four on $150 or less, and while it’s not always easy, it is doable. No, we’re not living off beans and toast. Yes, the kids get snacks. And no, I’m not spending hours in the kitchen every night either.

If you’re feeling stuck or overwhelmed by your food budget, I hope this gives you practical ideas and a little dose of encouragement.

Why $150 Works for Us

This number isn’t magical—it just fits our current season. For some families, $150 might be tight. For others, it might be a goal to work toward. I chose this number because it helps me:

• Keep our spending in check
• Still buy nutritious, realistic meals
• Avoid wasting food

Some weeks we come in under. Some weeks we go over. It’s not about being perfect—it’s about being intentional.

If you want to take it even further, check out my post on 21 frugal living tips that will save your family hundreds. It’s full of small changes that really add up!

What We Ate Last Week for $150

This is a real meal plan from a recent week. I always shop with a plan (see my post on how to start meal planning when overwhelmed), but I also leave wiggle room to adjust based on what’s on sale.

🍳 Breakfasts:

We rotate between:

• Weet-Bix or porridge with fruit
• Toast with peanut butter or avocado
• Scrambled eggs on toast on weekends
• Smoothies (with frozen bananas + oats + milk)

🥪 Lunches:

• Sandwiches or wraps (ham, cheese, or tuna)
• Boiled eggs + veggie sticks
• Leftovers from dinner
• Homemade muffins or banana bread (cheap and filling)

🍽️ Dinners:

Want more dinner ideas that come together fast? I shared my 5 go-to toddler meals you can make in 20 minutes—super handy for nights when you’re done.

My Actual Grocery Budget Breakdown

Here’s roughly how I divide the $150:

This changes week to week depending on sales, but I try to stick close. When I bulk buy (like meat or rice), I spend less the next week.

I also shared a full breakdown in my post on how to build an emergency fund on a tight budget, if you’re looking to pair grocery savings with long-term goals.

Smart Grocery Habits That Make a Big Difference

1. I Shop My Pantry First

I start my meal plan by checking what we already have. A half-used bag of rice? Frozen mince? Boom—dinner sorted.

2. I Meal Plan Around What’s On Sale

Instead of picking meals first, I check the catalogues. Chicken thighs on special? Great, they’ll be in two meals. I shared more on this in my 10 practical ways to save money on groceries.

3. I Use Cheaper Cuts + Plant-Based Protein

Lentils, beans, and eggs are in constant rotation here. I also stretch meat by mixing with veg or grains.

4. I Shop Once

The more often I go to the shops, the more I overspend. One big shop a week, with a tiny top-up (if needed), saves money and time.

Common Grocery Budget Mistakes to Avoid

When you’re trying to stick to a food budget, it’s not just about what you buy—it’s about how you approach the shop. These are some of the mistakes I used to make all the time (no shame if you’re doing them too—we’re all learning as we go!).

❌ Buying Without a Plan

We’ve all been there—wandering the aisles thinking “Hmm, what should we eat this week?” while randomly tossing things in the trolley. Spoiler alert: it usually ends in overspending, missing key ingredients, and still not knowing what to cook.

Even if you’re not a big planner, just jotting down 4–5 meals and a loose shopping list can make a huge difference. I usually list:

• 5 main meals I’ll cook
• A few lunchbox items/snacks
• Any staples we’re low on

If you’re overwhelmed, I get it. That’s exactly why I wrote this post on how to start meal planning when overwhelmed. It’s super simple—no fancy spreadsheets required.

👉 Quick fix: Before you shop, take five minutes to list what meals you’ll make and check your fridge/pantry first.

❌ Letting Food Go to Waste

This one used to hit me hard. I’d feel so good after a big grocery shop, only to throw out sad lettuce and forgotten leftovers at the end of the week. It’s basically tossing money in the bin.

Now, I try to:

• Use up fresh produce earlier in the week
• Plan at least one “use it up” dinner (soup, stir fry, loaded wraps)
• Freeze what I can before it goes off

If you’re not already doing some light meal prep, it’s a game-changer. Even just chopping veggies ahead or portioning snacks saves time and stops you forgetting what’s in the fridge. I share more in my 10 genius meal prep hacks.

👉 Quick fix: Pick one night for “leftover night” or build a stir fry out of whatever’s about to turn.

❌ Thinking Cheap = Bland

There’s a myth that budget meals have to be boring—and I believed it for years. But honestly? Some of our favourite dinners are the simplest ones.

Take baked potatoes: super cheap, but when you load them with beans, cheese, sour cream, and a sprinkle of herbs—chef’s kiss. Same with wraps, soups, or even toast dinners with fun toppings.

I keep a few low-cost flavour boosters on hand like:

• Garlic, onion, lemon juice
• Soy sauce, curry powder, taco seasoning
• A jar of pesto or BBQ sauce

These stretch a plain meal into something crave-worthy.

👉 Quick fix: Add flavour with spices, sauces, and texture. Budget doesn’t have to mean boring.

Sample Grocery List (For a $150 Shop)

Here’s a rough list from one of my recent shops. Prices vary, but this should give a realistic idea of what I’m working with.

🥦 Fresh Produce

• Carrots
• Potatoes
• Onion
• Apples
• Bananas
• Lettuce
• Cherry tomatoes
• Cucumber

🍖 Protein

• Chicken thighs
• Beef mince
• Eggs
• Canned lentils
• Canned chickpeas

🥛 Dairy

• Milk
• Cheese block
• Yoghurt tubs

🥫 Pantry

• Pasta
• Rice
• Tinned tomatoes
• Tomato paste
• Tortilla wraps
• Crackers
• Peanut butter
• Weet-Bix

❄️ Frozen & Extras

• Mixed frozen veg
• Bread rolls
• Ice cream
• Muesli bars

If you want to see more of the things I make from scratch to save money, I’ve got a full post right here, I also make a lot of non-food items at home!

Final Thoughts

Feeding your family on a budget doesn’t mean sacrificing nutrition or joy. It just means getting a little creative, letting go of perfection, and remembering that frozen veg and toast nights are still valid.

This budget isn’t about being restrictive—it’s about being intentional. And it’s honestly freeing to feel in control of your grocery spending (even if it takes a few “oops” weeks to figure it out).

💬 I’d Love to Hear From You!

Do you stick to a grocery budget? What are your go-to cheap meals? Come share in the comments—or join me over on Pinterest so we can chat all things budget, mom life, and what’s actually working in real homes.