Use the 6-to-1 Grocery Method to Save Money & Stick to Your Budget

The method emphasizes purchasing 6 types of vegetables, 5 types of fruits, 4 types of protein, 3 starches, 2 sauces/spreads, and 1 fun item per week.

In theory, this should make grocery shopping easier, cheaper, and more efficient. It helps you get in and out of the supermarket without being tempted by impulse purchases or sales.

It’s based on the idea of structuring your grocery list around specific categories of food items. By setting a number in each food category, you know exactly how many items you can purchase.

You can create a menu based on the items you intend to buy, and this will help you stay focused in the supermarket.

This creates a simplified shopping experience. The clear guidelines of the 6-to-1 method eliminate the need for extensive meal planning and decision-making at the store. You go into the market with predefined categories and quantities, making shopping a more streamlined and efficient process.

By focusing on limited items in each category, we’re less likely to spend on impulse purchases.

It’s also a great method for maintaining a balanced and nutritious diet. It ensures that we include a variety of nutrient-dense foods in our diet. It reduces food waste as well, by limiting quantities and creating planned meals.

We’re less likely to buy excess food that will end up in the trash.

We like to start by creating a meal plan and menu for the week first. This helps us figure out what exactly we need to buy, and how much we’ll need.

To narrow things down, we consider dietary preferences and cooking methods. We also narrow our options based on which fruits and vegetables are in season.

We try to add as much diversity as possible to each of the 6 categories so that we don’t get bored, and we feel satisfied with what we have.

Once we have our meal plan set, we create a shopping list. When we get to the market, we buy exactly what’s on the list, and nothing else.

6-to-1 grocery method

You can pair the 6-to-1 method with other useful techniques like batch cooking. When possible you can prepare large portions and section them off for different times in the week. That way you don’t have to cook as frequently.

The 6-to-1 method is a great way to maintain a balanced diet and keep your shopping focused and minimal. It provides an excellent framework for getting you in and out of the market quickly and keeping your budget on track.

Have you ever tried this method? What do you think of it? Leave me a comment and let me know.

Next, check out these 15 Easy Old Fashioned Frugal Living Tips.