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Groceries are pricier than ever—but with a simple plan, a small set of pantry “power buys,” and a few budget-friendly tools, a $70/week shop can still be a realistic stretch goal for many families. Use this guide as a framework: if your local prices run higher, aim for $80 as baseline and treat $70 as the challenge week you hit with sales, coupons, or a pantry boost.
How the challenge works
- 1 cart, 7 days, 3 meals/day (with smart leftovers)
- Cook once, eat twice (batch staples → remix into new meals)
- Shop the list, not the aisle (swap by price: chicken ↔ beans, broccoli ↔ cabbage)
- Use unit price (price per ounce) and buy store brands whenever possible
Quick gear picks (save time & money)
- Rice Cooker (hands-off grain base) 👉 Aroma 6-Cup Rice Cooker
- Sheet Pans (bulk roast veg/protein) 👉 Nordic Ware Half-Sheet Pans, 2-Pack
- Meal Prep Containers (portion + pack) 👉 Glass Meal Prep Containers, 10-Pack
- Immersion Blender (soups/sauces from scraps) 👉 Mueller Immersion Blender
- Digital Food Scale (portion control + recipes) 👉 Etekcity Digital Kitchen Scale
Pantry “power buys” (stock when on sale)
(These stretch countless meals; buy once, use for weeks.)
| Item | Why | Uses |
|---|---|---|
| Rice (10 lb) | Cheap calories | bowls, stir-fries, soups |
| Dry beans/lentils | Protein + fiber | chili, curry, tacos |
| Oats | Breakfast + baking | overnight oats, bars |
| Canned tomatoes | Base for sauces | pasta, soup, shakshuka |
| Peanut butter | Protein/fat | sandwiches, sauces |
| Eggs | Versatile protein | frittata, fried rice |
| Frozen veg | No waste | soups, sides, stir-fries |
7-Day $70 Meal Plan (family-friendly)
Day 1 (Sun)
- Breakfast: Overnight oats (oats + PB + banana)
- Lunch: Veggie & bean soup, toast
- Dinner: Sheet-pan chicken* + carrots + potatoes
Day 2 (Mon)
- Breakfast: Scrambled eggs + toast
- Lunch: Leftover sheet-pan bowl (chicken, veg, rice)
- Dinner: Lentil red sauce over pasta, side salad
Day 3 (Tue)
- Breakfast: Yogurt + oats + frozen berries
- Lunch: Tuna (or chickpea) salad wraps
- Dinner: Fried rice (day-old rice, egg, frozen veg)
Day 4 (Wed)
- Breakfast: Peanut-butter banana toast
- Lunch: Soup + grilled cheese
- Dinner: Bean + cheese quesadillas, salsa, cabbage slaw
Day 5 (Thu)
- Breakfast: Oat pancakes (2-ingredient: eggs + oats)
- Lunch: Pasta salad with veggies & vinaigrette
- Dinner: Potato, onion & egg frittata + simple greens
Day 6 (Fri)
- Breakfast: Smoothie (banana, PB, oats, water/milk)
- Lunch: Leftover frittata + fruit
- Dinner: Pantry chili (beans, tomatoes, spices) + rice
Day 7 (Sat)
- Breakfast: Breakfast burritos (eggs, beans, salsa)
- Lunch: Quesadilla pizzas (tortillas, sauce, cheese)
- Dinner: Curried lentils + roasted carrots over rice
*Swap chicken for extra beans/lentils when prices are high.
Sample shopping list (swap by price & store brands)
Produce
- Bananas (bulk), carrots (3 lb), potatoes (5 lb), cabbage or lettuce, onions, garlic, cheapest in-season fruit, frozen mixed veggies, frozen berries (small bag)
Protein
- Eggs (1–2 dozen), dried lentils, dried beans or canned (on sale), canned tuna (optional), chicken thighs (1 family pack if affordable)
Grains & bread
- Rice, old-fashioned oats, pasta, tortillas, sandwich bread
Dairy & fridge
- Milk (or shelf-stable alt), plain yogurt, cheddar or mozzarella
Pantry
- Canned tomatoes (2–3), tomato paste, peanut butter, oil, vinegar, salt, pepper, chili powder, curry powder, garlic/onion powder
Optional add-ons if budget allows
- Salsa, salsa verde, canned corn, applesauce cups, popcorn kernels
60-minute Sunday prep (pays you back all week)
- Cook base starch: big batch of rice (rice cooker).
- Roast tray: carrots, onions, potatoes (sheet pans).
- Make a pot: lentils in tomato sauce or bean soup.
- Prep grab-and-go: overnight oats for 3 days; wash/chop cabbage.
- Portion: load glass prep containers.
Smart swaps (keep the total low)
- Protein: chicken ↔ beans/lentils ↔ eggs
- Produce: broccoli ↔ cabbage ↔ carrots ↔ frozen medley
- Dairy: yogurt ↔ milk + oats (DIY overnight oats)
- Grains: pasta ↔ rice ↔ tortillas (buy what’s on sale)
Stretch & save tips
- Unit price wins: Compare per ounce, not sticker price.
- Buy once, use twice: Cook double rice; turn leftovers into fried rice or burritos.
- No-waste freezer: Portion leftover soup and chopped veg.
- One treat rule: If kids want a treat, pick one sale item (cookies or chips), not both.
3-Item “Budget Kitchen”
Half-Sheet Pans (2-Pack)
- Batch roast
- Easier cleanup
- Lasts for years 👉 Shop on Amazon
Glass Meal Prep Containers
- Portion control
- Microwave/oven safe
- Less waste 👉 See today’s price
Rice Cooker (6-Cup)
- Hands-off
- Fluffy every time
- Great for bulk cook 👉 Add to cart
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FAQ
Can a family really hit $70 in 2025?
Yes—many can on sale weeks with pantry help and store brands. If your area runs higher, aim for $80 baseline and treat $70 as a challenge week.
What if someone is gluten-free or dairy-free?
Use rice/tortillas/potatoes for grains and swap yogurt/cheese for DF options or skip. Lentils and beans are naturally GF and budget-friendly.
How do I handle picky eaters?
Keep the base plain (rice, roasted veg), let kids add toppings (cheese, salsa, PB, fruit).
How do I avoid food waste?
Cook once, portion immediately, freeze extras, and use a “use-first” bin in the fridge.
Final nudge
Pick a shopping day, print the list, and do a 60-minute prep on Sunday. Start with the $80 baseline if prices are high and work down to $70 when sales stack or your pantry is stocked. The magic is in the routine—not perfection. You’ve got this.