The 6 to 1 Grocery Shopping Method Promises to Save You Money on Food

Everything’s expensive. Everything. Is. Expensive. You don’t need me to say it – you probably feel it already – but it feels like we’re reminded of this fact every single day. We’re all feeling the pinch, and so anything that helps reduce this is very welcome indeed, even if you’re already shopping at the least expensive grocery stores. 

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So, when we heard about this viral shopping hack, which says that it’ll save you money when buying food, our interest was certainly piqued. Will it actually work? We’ll let you be the judge of that. Introducing the 6 To 1 grocery shopping method, created by cookbook author and chef Will Coleman.

It All Starts with Your Inventory

Coleman’s method, which he explains in his book From Cart To Kitchen, begins with taking stock of what you already have. Before you go to the grocery store, figure out what you’re going to eat that week, and then open up that fridge to check what you’ve already got. This sounds simple, but it’s always worth being reminded of – we can’t tell you the number of times that we end up buying dupes of things that we had sitting in our pantry. 

Then, you start on those numbers. You begin by picking six vegetables to buy, and then five fruits. Both of these can be either frozen vegetables and fruit or fresh ones, depending on your needs and tastes. You then pick four proteins, which you can build your dishes around, and three starches or carbs. Two sauces, spreads, or dips come next, which can deliver flavor, and the last item is just for you: Pick up a treat for you or for your family. This could be a dessert, some candy, your favorite snacks (or our favorite snacks), whatever you want – it’s your opportunity to go off-piste. 

Does It Work?

Apparently, yes! We didn’t realize that we needed a grocery hack to help us save money (even though we always spend more than we want), but people who have tried the 6 To 1 method have reported that they do spend less than they ordinarily would. The secret sauce here is in the relative strictness of the method: By sticking to a set number of items per category, you’re forced to think tactically, and not go for impulse buys. Plus, we like that it prioritizes fruit and vegetables and promotes a feeling of variety. 

That said, there’s obviously a bit of flexibility in this method. If you’re already well-stocked on sauces or starches, you don’t have to pick up two or three a week, just ‘cos you’re trying to follow it. You might also be well-stocked on fresh items from your last shopping trip. Plus, if you’ve had a killer week, then you might want to get more than just one treat. But hey, if you’re looking for a way to streamline your grocery shopping, this one’s worth a try.