The Stacking Benjamins Show

Episode: Grocery Bill Tips and Budget Bites SB1680
Release Date: May 9, 2025
Hosts: Joe Saul-Sehy and OG
Guests: Janice Torres, Len Penzo, and Doug

Introduction

In this episode of The Stacking Benjamins Show, hosts Joe Saul-Sehy and OG delve into effective strategies for reducing grocery bills and managing food expenses. Joined by expert guests Janice Torres, Len Penzo, and neighbor Doug, the discussion centers around practical tips for saving money on groceries without compromising on quality or enjoyment.

Grocery Budgeting Strategies

1. Meal Planning

The conversation kicks off with a focus on the importance of meal planning as a foundational strategy for managing grocery expenses.

• Len Penzo shares his experience:
  “We are religiously plan. I mean, we have to. Other things we would get way out of control with our spending.” [25:15]

• Janice Torres emphasizes strategic planning over drastic measures:
  “I like the word strategic more than drastically because that makes me feel like we're just going to eat rice and beans every day.” [15:59]

2. Reducing Meat Consumption

With meat being a significant portion of many grocery bills, the panel discusses various approaches to cutting back without sacrificing meals.

• Janice Torres mentions her shift to pescatarian living for both health and budget reasons:
  “I had to cut back on eggs recently... I tried the pescatarian thing, but... fish and seafood is hella expensive.” [49:08]

• Len Penzo responds by maintaining a balanced approach:
  “We go through a lot of meat in our household, but it is expensive.” [50:07]

3. Minimizing Food Waste

Addressing the common issue of food waste, the guests share their methods for ensuring purchased groceries are fully utilized.

• Len Penzo highlights the savings from eating leftovers:
  “I save $2,000 a year eating leftovers.” [28:26]

• Janice Torres discusses her challenge with food waste and strategies to mitigate it:
  “I've thrown out way too many bagged salads that never got made.” [27:45]

4. Utilizing Grocery Apps and Technology

The panel explores how technology can aid in tracking and reducing grocery expenses.

• Janice Torres advocates for using apps like Instacart for budgeting:
  “It helps me cut costs because I can see the total before I check out.” [46:10]

• Len Penzo shares savings from store-specific apps:
  “We get off usually 25% of our entire grocery bill just by using their app.” [47:26]

5. Buying in Bulk

While bulk purchasing can lead to savings, it requires careful consideration to prevent overbuying.

• OG explains his family's bulk buying habits and the precautions they take:
  “We buy the bulk stuff from Costco... we'll make two separate dishes instead and put one in the freezer.” [42:00]

• Janice Torres points out the challenges of bulk buying for smaller households:
  “I'm just like, where the hell am I even gonna put that?” [43:57]

6. Freezer Meal Strategies

Freezing meals is another tactic discussed, albeit with varying levels of success among the guests.

• Janice Torres admits difficulty in maintaining freezer meal plans:
  “Things get lost in my freezer, so I'm gonna say no.” [41:17]

• OG shares his system for organizing and utilizing freezer meals effectively:
  “We make two separate dishes instead and put one in the freezer.” [42:00]

7. Planting a Garden

While gardening can potentially reduce grocery costs, the panel expresses mixed feelings about its practicality.

• Doug humorously critiques the effort vs. reward of gardening:
  “...it forces you to focus... but it's still a slippery slope.” [50:23]

• Len Penzo believes certain plants like tomatoes are worth the effort:
  “If you're just going to plant one vegetable, and a tomato plant will push out a lot of tomatoes over a season.” [51:03]

Interactive Trivia Competition

Midway through the episode, the hosts engage the guests in a trivia competition, injecting humor and camaraderie into the discussion.

• Doug poses a serious trivia question about tuberculosis cases in 2021, eliciting both laughs and groans:

  “How many new cases were there of tuberculosis in 2021?” [32:07]

• Janice Torres emerges as the winner with her accurate guess, lightening the mood after the challenging question.

Conclusion and Key Takeaways

Wrapping up the episode, Doug summarizes the essential lessons shared:

1. Budgeting and Planning: Prioritize meal planning to control spending and minimize waste.
2. Avoid Prepackaged Items: Cutting out prepackaged goods can lead to significant savings.
3. Leverage Technology: Use grocery apps to track spending and apply discounts.
4. Utilize Leftovers: Incorporate leftover meals to reduce waste and save money.
5. Flexible Meal Preparation: Adapt meal plans based on available ingredients and sales.

The hosts encourage listeners to implement these strategies to achieve substantial reductions in their grocery bills while maintaining a satisfying and nutritious diet.

Notable Quotes

• Joe Saul-Sehy on sustainable budgeting:
  “I hate the word drastically because it just sounds extreme. Let's be strategic.” [15:59]

• Len Penzo on the impact of leftovers:
  “I save $2,000 a year eating leftovers.” [28:26]

• Janice Torres on the therapeutic aspect of cooking:
  “It's been a sanctuary because it forces you to focus.” [21:23]

• Doug on the challenges of gardening:
  “...it forces you to focus... but it's still a slippery slope.” [50:23]

• Janice Torres on using technology for shopping:
  “It helps me cut costs because I can see the total before I check out.” [46:10]

Final Thoughts

This episode of The Stacking Benjamins Show offers a wealth of practical advice for anyone looking to trim their grocery bills. Through engaging discussions and relatable anecdotes, the hosts and guests provide actionable strategies that balance cost-saving with maintaining quality and enjoyment in everyday meals. Whether it's through meticulous meal planning, leveraging technology, or simply being mindful of food waste, listeners are equipped with the tools needed to make smarter financial decisions in the kitchen.

For more insights and detailed strategies discussed in this episode, visit StackingBenjamins.com.