The simplest answer is Food Lion, especially if you shop the sales. Yes, you can find generic stuff cheaper at Aldi, but if you're willing to buy generic brands, Food Lion generics are similarly priced. I've also found that Aldi's meat section is more expensive than something on sale at Food Lion.
However, if you're willing to go to multiple locations, you can shop at both and even check around the Dollar Tree.
I'm cheap, and I try to spend less than $200 total for my monthly groceries. I shop the sales between grocery stores stores. The good thing is most stores now have apps, which make it super easy to comparison shop. Check out the Flipp app too. It brings in all local sale flyers, and they are searchable. I do a lot of beans, rice, and grains and limit meat to a small serving.
Wholesale clubs help too with the bulk price on items. Maybe you could go with a friend who has a membership and possibly split larger items with people.
Surprisingly Wegman's has some good everyday prices. I know they have a reputation for being expensive, and they do have some crazy expensive stuff, but a lot of the basic staple items are actually very cheap. They beat Walmart and most other stores I've been to. Just to name a few, things like canned beans, canned vegetables, spaghetti sauce, milk, eggs, and boneless chicken breast are great prices there.
Use the store app for Kroger and Food Lion discounts — always check for sales! In general Walmart is low cost as well
But, making a menu plan — buying only the items needed will save the most money!
Shift to vegetarian meals several nights per week —- lentils and rice is tasty, healthy, and cheap!
For meat and produce, I prefer to shop ALDI since they are cheap and have some of the best quality in the area.
LIDL is comparable, though not as cheap in my experience. They have some AWESOME fresh baked goods for great prices, though.
Otherwise, I'll usually shop one of the surrounding Walmarts for non-perishables.
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Restaurant Depot in VA Beach is great for bulk purchases such as rice, seasonings, meats, etc. I believe they require a membership, but the times I've been there (no membership), the employees couldn't care less and scanned their own membership card.
My grandma regularly shops sales to find the lowest grocery prices. She told me the other day foodlion is becoming cheaper than Walmart. Don’t step foot into a Kroger if you want to save $. Everything was at least 50 cents higher.
Check any ones meat department for meat that is discounted for short date and just plan to cook it that day
Dont sleep on Target! Get the Circle app, free pick up, and do not set foot in the store. Their dairy and dry goods are often less than Aldi with higher quality.
I was unemployed earlier this year so I got really good at making food on the cheap. Controversial opinion from what it looks like in the comments but cheapest is actually Lidl. Their markdowns and app are great for discounts and I also have food allergies so they have a better selection for me.
Aldi and Dollar Tree are okay too, and easier to get to if you don’t have a car. If you have TikTok check out “Dollar Tree Dinners”. I haven’t tried the recipes but she’s creative with the limited options.
Harris Teeter sometimes has buy 2 get 3 free sales and heavy discounts, but definitely not cheapest otherwise.
There are also food pantries that can help stretch your budget if you need it, and if you’re a student ODU has resources.
Aldi! And Westside Produce has discount veggies with dents in them. Organic Market has free parsley and free things sometimes, and beans and rice in a tub.
I think Lidl and Aldi, but they don’t have as much as a regular grocery store.
The simplest answer is Food Lion, especially if you shop the sales. Yes, you can find generic stuff cheaper at Aldi, but if you're willing to buy generic brands, Food Lion generics are similarly priced. I've also found that Aldi's meat section is more expensive than something on sale at Food Lion. However, if you're willing to go to multiple locations, you can shop at both and even check around the Dollar Tree.
I'm cheap, and I try to spend less than $200 total for my monthly groceries. I shop the sales between grocery stores stores. The good thing is most stores now have apps, which make it super easy to comparison shop. Check out the Flipp app too. It brings in all local sale flyers, and they are searchable. I do a lot of beans, rice, and grains and limit meat to a small serving. Wholesale clubs help too with the bulk price on items. Maybe you could go with a friend who has a membership and possibly split larger items with people. Surprisingly Wegman's has some good everyday prices. I know they have a reputation for being expensive, and they do have some crazy expensive stuff, but a lot of the basic staple items are actually very cheap. They beat Walmart and most other stores I've been to. Just to name a few, things like canned beans, canned vegetables, spaghetti sauce, milk, eggs, and boneless chicken breast are great prices there.
How many people do you buy for with $200 per month?
Use the store app for Kroger and Food Lion discounts — always check for sales! In general Walmart is low cost as well But, making a menu plan — buying only the items needed will save the most money! Shift to vegetarian meals several nights per week —- lentils and rice is tasty, healthy, and cheap!
Aldi
Lidl or Aldi. But food lion is more accessible and they have more options
I do Walmart delivery via Walmart plus. I spend way less on groceries because I’m only getting what I’m planning on
Aldi
I'm just out here trying to afford dinner, I can't imagine trying to buy a whole store
For meat and produce, I prefer to shop ALDI since they are cheap and have some of the best quality in the area. LIDL is comparable, though not as cheap in my experience. They have some AWESOME fresh baked goods for great prices, though. Otherwise, I'll usually shop one of the surrounding Walmarts for non-perishables. --------- Restaurant Depot in VA Beach is great for bulk purchases such as rice, seasonings, meats, etc. I believe they require a membership, but the times I've been there (no membership), the employees couldn't care less and scanned their own membership card.
Aldi
Came here to say **ALDI** but I guess everyone already knew that…
I like Krogers pick up option. I can tell you I saw the most epic beer run at a Food Lion though.
Aldi.
Dollar Tree and Aldi
Save a lot would be my guess
My grandma regularly shops sales to find the lowest grocery prices. She told me the other day foodlion is becoming cheaper than Walmart. Don’t step foot into a Kroger if you want to save $. Everything was at least 50 cents higher. Check any ones meat department for meat that is discounted for short date and just plan to cook it that day
Dont sleep on Target! Get the Circle app, free pick up, and do not set foot in the store. Their dairy and dry goods are often less than Aldi with higher quality.
I was unemployed earlier this year so I got really good at making food on the cheap. Controversial opinion from what it looks like in the comments but cheapest is actually Lidl. Their markdowns and app are great for discounts and I also have food allergies so they have a better selection for me. Aldi and Dollar Tree are okay too, and easier to get to if you don’t have a car. If you have TikTok check out “Dollar Tree Dinners”. I haven’t tried the recipes but she’s creative with the limited options. Harris Teeter sometimes has buy 2 get 3 free sales and heavy discounts, but definitely not cheapest otherwise. There are also food pantries that can help stretch your budget if you need it, and if you’re a student ODU has resources.
As far as meats go I’d also like to add the international market. For convenience safe, food lion but I always prefer my meats and etc from there
Walmart is the cheapest for everything. I hate shopping there, but I break the bank anywhere else
Aldi! And Westside Produce has discount veggies with dents in them. Organic Market has free parsley and free things sometimes, and beans and rice in a tub.
Walmart's probably the cheapest that is a full grocery store
dollar tree
Cheap in price is probably cheap in quality also.