As someone who writes about food for a living, there are three places you can find me over the course of my workday: writing in front of my computer, whipping up something delicious in my kitchen, or wandering through the grocery store as I cry a single, dejected tear over just how expensive everything is.
Though the thought of returning to my lackadaisical 2019 grocery shopping habits gives me full-body chills (remember when you could spontaneously add "fun" items to your cart and still come in under budget?), I'll admit that my Inflation Era has one silver lining — it's made me one hell of a budget shopper.
I've made tiny changes to my weekly meal plans incrementally to keep grocery costs down, like reducing my meat consumption and bulking up meals with cheap ingredients. But the most effective strategy shift I've implemented is to make sure my fridge and pantry are always stocked with several cost-effective staples.
When I keep these items within arm's reach, I know that I can always turn them into a delicious meal when combined with whatever odds and ends I have around my kitchen. These are the budget-friendly ingredients you'll always find in my grocery cart, along with the tasty, filling meals that warrant them being regular purchases in the first place.