11 Under $20 Purchases That Help Me Save Money on My Food Budget

If you're searching for ways to trim your runaway food budget, you're not alone. Since 2022, we've seen escalating grocery costs, and the trend doesn't appear to be reversing anytime soon (we're looking at you, egg prices).

If you're like me, food is one of the biggest expenses in your budget. Luckily, it's also the one you have the most control over. Since the pandemic, many people have begun cooking more meals at home to save money on groceries — myself included.

But to make this habit sustainable, it helps to have the right tools in your arsenal. Here are 11 purchases (all under $20) that have helped me trim my food budget.

I got started making home-cooked meals out of necessity. My husband and I were providing for four little kids on a single income, so eating out was just not on the menu economically.

Learning to cook was intimidating at first, and I mostly stuck to the recipes I grew up with. But as I explored more blogs and videos, more complex recipes and processes seemed doable. I learned how to bake bread and make jam, and at one point, I even made my own tortillas.

While my budget isn't as constrained now as it was when my kids were little, I still like to optimize my grocery budget, and we make most of our meals at home. When you're cooking for a big family, having the right supplies can make a big difference. Here are the best purchases I've made that have given me the most bang for my buck in the kitchen.

Price: $8 (Walmart)

I don't have the time or willpower to cook every night, so high-quality food containers help me cook once and eat twice. I prefer clear ones so I can glance at the fridge and know what I still have to eat. Their stackability helps maximize my space, and they allow me to cut down our food waste immensely.

Price: $12.89 (Amazon)

Slicing veggies with dull knives is a drag, and I don't always put as much care into maintaining them (yes, I put my knives in the dishwasher. Sorry, not sorry). The solution? A quality knife sharpener. For just over $12, you can give your knives a quick refresh when they need it. They save me money on expensive precut veggies, too.

Price: $12.95 per month (Walmart)

While this may sound like a splurge, my Walmart+ subscription actually ends up saving me money. I spend less on gas going to and from the store, and by shopping online or through the app, only the things on my shopping list make it into the cart — no impulse buys or snacks from the checkout line. The app also shows me manufacturer's coupons I don't get in person.

Price: $14.99 (Amazon)

Save yourself the extra dishes and disposable plastic wrap and invest in bowls with lids. If I have a half-eaten salad or leftovers from a side dish, I simply snap the lid on the bowl and put it back in the fridge for later. The best part is they cost less than $15.

Price: $17.77 (Walmart)

Why buy pricey treats when you can bake your own for less? I prefer homemade sweets to store-bought ones, and they also tend to be cheaper. My $18 cookie sheet puts out perfect chocolate chip cookies every time. After all, life is too short to burn dessert.

Price: $17.96 (Walmart)

We snagged one of these for cheap at a thrift store, but even a new one only costs about $18. Bags of microwave popcorn run about double the price per ounce compared to popcorn from a popper. And when you pop your own, you can use real butter, too.

Price: $19.79 (Target)

This cute kitchen appliance makes just enough ice cream, sorbet, or frozen yogurt for one or two servings. Instead of shelling out $5 a scoop for specialty ice cream at the shop, I invested under $20 in an ice cream maker — and I can create whatever flavor combos I want (with unlimited mix-ins, too).

Price: $19.89 (Walmart)

I held off on buying this for a long time because I'm hesitant about kitchen appliances that only serve one function. However, I discovered that blending hot soup in batches in a food processor is messy, dangerous, and ineffective. An immersion blender helps me make copycat potato and tomato soups from my kids' favorite restaurants, which means less money spent on dining out.

Price: $19.99 (Walmart)

Our family grows and harvests a lot of our own food. In fact, my husband is a hunter, which enables us to have a year's supply of meat from an elk or a few deer. This means making it last is a big part of saving money on groceries.

To do so, we vacuum seal our food. And for about $20, you can snag a basic vacuum sealer to preserve and freeze fruits, veggies, meats, leftovers, and more.

Price: $19.99 (Amazon)

I've burned every pot of rice I've ever cooked outside of a rice cooker or instant pot, so this purchase was a no-brainer for me. Thrift stores tend to have plenty, but you can grab a new one on Amazon for $20. With room for up to six cups of rice, you can meal prep and save even more money, too.

Price: varies

Once you master your cooking skills, you learn to make better and cheaper food than even restaurants do. The key to this, however, is to have quality ingredients — especially the spices that create the signature flavors you crave.

Our stock of garam masala, dill, cumin, ginger, and coriander helps us make tasty (and affordable) chicken tikka masala and Greek gyros at home. Amazon has great prices on spices, especially if you buy them in large quantities. A 0.65-ounce container of oregano costs just $1.03 through the retailer.

When I was looking to reduce my food budget, it helped me to look at things from multiple angles. Maybe you can't change the price you pay for carrots or cheese, but you can avoid wasting money by making your food last longer or eating the leftovers instead of tossing them.

While you can't change inflationary trends, you can change your habits by cooking from scratch or using grocery delivery to prevent impulse purchases. Focus on the changes and investments you can make in your own kitchen for the maximum savings on your food budget.