I spend just $50 a week on groceries for 2 people — I follow these 3 rules to avoid breaking the bank

Kristy Nguyen, 23, says she spends a maximum of $50 per week on food for her and her partner so that they can save for their first home.
Kristy Nguyen, 23, says she spends a maximum of $50 per week on food for her and her partner so that they can save for their first home.

Check out Kristy’s thrifty 50.

Amid ongoing inflation, most Americans are forking out close to $300 each week for groceries — but not Kristy Nguyen.

The California woman, 23, says she spends a maximum of $50 per week on food for her and her partner so that they can save for their first home.

“Food doesn’t have to be expensive if you know how to find the best deals and budget properly,” Nguyen told The Post in an interview on Wednesday, saying her cut-price grocery haul allows her to make three nutritious meals every day.

The penny pincher proclaims that her grocery bill can even be as low as $35 per week if she already has bulk items left over in her kitchen cupboard.

Nguyen — who lives in the Los Angeles area — currently works multiple jobs to achieve her dream of homeownership, juggling a full-time manager role at Aldi and a part-time sales associate gig at Walmart. Combined, the two jobs bring in about $60,000 per year.

“Food doesn’t have to be expensive if you know how to find the best deals and budget properly,” Nguyen told The Post. TikTok / @asap.kristy
“Food doesn’t have to be expensive if you know how to find the best deals and budget properly,” Nguyen told The Post. TikTok / @asap.kristy

Additionally, the canny Californian has a lucrative side hustle as a TikTok content creator, which has already generated an additional $12,000 this year, she claimed.

“I didn’t settle for just one 9-to-5 job because in this economy, to even afford to buy a home by 25, I knew I had to work three jobs,” she declared.

Nguyen buys most of her groceries at Aldi, saying the German chain has the best prices — and they haven’t risen drastically amid inflation.

The penny pincher proclaims that her grocery bill can even be as low as $35 per week if she already has bulk items left over in her kitchen cupboard. TikTok / @asap.kristy
The penny pincher proclaims that her grocery bill can even be as low as $35 per week if she already has bulk items left over in her kitchen cupboard. TikTok / @asap.kristy

“A bag of spinach costs less than $1.50, and most of the fresh meats that they have available range from $3 to $12,” Nguyen declared, adding that she does not receive a discount despite being an Aldi employee.

Nguyen does, however, get 10% off at Walmart and occasionally shops there, stocking up on bulk items for her kitchen cupboard.

Knowing exactly how to make every dollar stretch, she’s sharing her tips and tricks with The Post, saying there are three rules to follow if you want to make serious savings at the supermarket.

Nguyen buys most of her groceries at Aldi, saying the German chain has the best prices — and they haven’t risen drastically amid inflation. TikTok / @asap.kristy
Nguyen buys most of her groceries at Aldi, saying the German chain has the best prices — and they haven’t risen drastically amid inflation. TikTok / @asap.kristy

Map out your meals in advance

First, Nguyen makes a detailed list mapping out exactly what she needs for each meal.

“This will make it easier to shop with purpose instead of impulse shopping on items you may not need,” she declared.

Use plenty of ‘staple’ items throughout the week

Nguyen currently works multiple jobs to achieve her dream of homeownership, juggling a full-time manager role at Aldi and a part-time sales associate gig at Walmart. Combined, the two jobs bring in about $60,000 per year, she said. TikTok / @asap.kristy
Nguyen currently works multiple jobs to achieve her dream of homeownership, juggling a full-time manager role at Aldi and a part-time sales associate gig at Walmart. Combined, the two jobs bring in about $60,000 per year, she said. TikTok / @asap.kristy

Secondly, most of Nguyen’s meals consist of repeat ingredients, which further helps to avoid waste and keep her bill down.

“Some of my most purchased items include ground turkey, ground beef, white rice, tortillas, bananas and frozen fruits,” she explained. “These are staple items that I can use to essentially make anything.

“My meals are quite healthy and nutritious,” the penny pincher proclaimed, adding that he can whip up burritos, smoothies and stir-fries with her base ingredients.

“I still eat veggies, fruits and protein on a daily basis with the type of shopping list that I have.”

And while most of her food does come from Aldi, Nguyen isn’t above shopping around for discounts.

Comparison shopping is key

Most of Nguyen’s meals consist of repeat ingredients, which further helps to avoid waste and keep her bill down. TikTok / @asap.kristy
Most of Nguyen’s meals consist of repeat ingredients, which further helps to avoid waste and keep her bill down. TikTok / @asap.kristy

Her third tip: compare prices at each store to get the best deal possible.

“On Wednesdays, for example, Aldi usually has major deals on the produce section and some meats included,” she revealed, noting that many supermarkets target their sales by day of the week. “Every store has deals on a specific day — you just have to call and ask beforehand so that you’re aware.”