Every year, I tell myself, “Next year, magiging mas organized na ako sa gastos.”
But 2025 came with a surprise — food prices suddenly felt like they were climbing every month.
The first time I noticed it was during a quick midweek grocery run. I reached for our usual milk, and the price tag shocked me. Then I looked at eggs. Then the chicken. And then I knew… this wasn’t just me. Everything really went up.
That grocery trip changed the way I shop forever.
1. I Started My “Smart Grocery Routine”
Before, I’d do one big grocery haul, buy whatever looked good, and hope everything fit in the budget. Now I do it differently:
✔️ I check prices online before leaving
SM, Robinsons, Puregold, and even Waltermart have updated prices online.
This helps me choose where to shop depending on what’s cheaper that week.
✔️ I only buy 1–2 “treat items”
Before: chips + ice cream + chocolate + kung ano pa makita.
Now: ONE treat for me, ONE for the kids.
Surprisingly?
The treats feel more special.
✔️ Veggies first, snacks last
I fill my cart with real food first, then see what’s left for snacks.
Huge difference in our weekly budget.
2. The “Meal Plan Without Pressure” Trick
I don’t do strict meal plans — kasi hindi ako robot, at hindi rin robot ang cravings ng pamilya ko.
What I do is simple:
✔️ Choose 3 major proteins for the week
Example last week:
- chicken
- ground pork
- tokwa
Then I create rotating meals around them:
Chicken → tinola → adobo → chicken steak
Ground pork → torta → misua → sautéed veggies
Tokwa → sisig → tokwa-guisado → crispy tokwa
It makes budgeting easy, and I don’t feel chained to a “meal plan.
3. I Track Which Stores Are the Cheapest for Specific Items
Every mom eventually develops a “mental map” of where things are cheapest.
Mine looks like this:
- Meat → Supermarket near our house (fresh and slightly cheaper)
- Veggies → Wet market (big savings!)
- Snacks + milk → Big supermarkets (more promos)
- Condiments → Warehouse-type stores
This change alone cut ₱400–₱700 per grocery week.
4. The “₱100 Ulam Challenge” Became a Lifesaver
Not everyday can be shala ulam day.
On some weeks, I challenge myself:
“How many masarap ulam can I make for under ₱100?”
Here are my top winners:
- Ginisang sayote with egg
- Ginisang pechay + sardines
- Tokwa’t talong
- Chicken adobo flakes (leftover hack!)
- Ginataang kalabasa
It’s fun, practical, and makes me feel like I unlocked a new “mom level.”
5. I Started Choosing “Stable Pantry Items”
These are ingredients that don’t go bad easily AND can transform into many dishes:
- Potatoes
- Onions
- Garlic
- Canned sardines
- Misua
- Evaporated milk
- Soy sauce, vinegar
Whenever prices jump again, these staples save me.
6. Most Importantly… I Stopped Feeling Guilty About Budgeting
There was a time I felt bad for saying,
“Anak, next time na lang yan, ha?”
But now?
I see budgeting as an act of love.
I save so I can give more — not immediately, but sustainably.
More experiences, more memories, and fewer money-stress moments.
Food prices rising isn’t something we can control, but how we adapt… that part is ours.
My grocery routine now is simpler, smarter, and kinder to my wallet — without sacrificing the joy of feeding my family well. And honestly, that’s the kind of growth I’m proud of as a mom.
