Food prices are crazy in 2026. These simple thrifty shopping habits helped me cut my monthly food bill while still eating well living in Nigeria.
I used to finish my salary by the 20th mainly because of food. Then I changed how I shop and cook. Here are the changes that actually worked:
Go to the market very early on Saturday mornings, prices are lower before 9am.
Buy in bulk what doesn’t spoil fast (rice, beans, garri, onions).
Negotiate hard, I now save at least ₦1000–₦2,000 per item by asking politely.
Cook once and eat twice, Sunday jollof rice becomes Monday lunch.
Grow small things like ugu or scent leaf in buckets on my balcony. It’s not much but it reduces buying every week.
Avoid pre-packaged items, they are always more expensive.
Last month these habits helped me spend less on food instead of the huge amount I spend monthly. That extra money went into my side hustle capital.
Small changes like this add up fast when you’re hustling in this economy.
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