<prompt> Human: Ive just recently moved in with my partner and weve been buying food together for at least 5 months. We take a list but sometimes over buy and even under buy. I know there has to be a better way of buying chow?!How do you know how much money should be spent on food? Are we supposed to know what were cooking every night? What tips might you be able to spare? Thank you!  <response>: I am NOT a couponer because I am lazy and it seems like so much effort to buy things you wouldnt ordinarily, or to stock pile things when they go on sale. I realize Im probably missing out on some savings by not couponing, but my time is valuable to me. Heres my strategy for cost effective grocery shopping: First, I meal plan. This does not mean I meal plan for 3 meals a day x 7 days a week. Typically, I plan for 4 dinners. This usually means some things I can easily make on the stove top or the crock pot. I also add to my list easy lunch things, like PBJ, snacks, fruit, veggies, etc. Make a list of ingredients required for each meal and any additional things. Shop at ALDI if you can. Most things are equivalent to the traditional grocery chains, just about half as expensive. I even buy organic foods there, including meat. Usually I buy all of my shelf stable items, eggs, dairy, some produce, and snack things at Aldi. Once youve completed your Aldi trip, take inventory of the things you couldnt find at Aldi. For me, its usually one or two specialty items, like coconut creamer or maybe some produce they didnt have at Aldi.This process might take me about 30 minutes longer than it would if I wasnt shopping at Aldi, but its worth it to only have to spend 75 a week at the grocery store and have a full fridge rather than 150 by exclusively shopping at Giant Eagle or something. I usually pack leftovers for my lunches. Still eat out on the weekends. Save tons of money. TL;DR: Obsessed with Aldi. OBSESSED.P.S. Dollar Tree is amazing for cleaning suppliescheap tupperware. Seriously - its great. 