At Penlanco Federal Credit Union, we believe that financial education is one of the most important tools our members can use to navigate rising costs and everyday financial challenges. That’s why we’re sharing practical strategies like the 6‑to‑1 grocery shopping method — a simple approach that can help you stretch your food budget without sacrificing the meals you enjoy.

We hear it all the time on the news, but we don’t need reminding because we already know it for ourselves: Everything is expensive! Budgeting can always help with this, and cutting out “wants” and only focusing on “needs” absolutely helps, but what about the necessities like food? We can’t cut that out because we still need to eat, and while making lists is always a good start, the impulse buys always creep in and run up the bill. Enter the 6‑to‑1 grocery shopping method.

What is the 6‑to‑1 method?

The 6‑to‑1 method was coined by Will Coleman, a New‑York based chef and cookbook author. It involves sticking to set numbers of particular food items to buy, which we’ll highlight below. The intention was to reduce impulse spending and maximize meals, and while it tends to be geared towards households of one or two (depending on portions you end up purchasing), you can adjust the portion sizes accordingly for your household.

Before you head to the store…

The first steps to take before even leaving the house are to plan your meals for the week with intention (based on the food‑item shopping structure below), and then to take inventory of what you already have on hand. This way you won’t end up potentially wasting food or having duplicates, plus it helps narrow your focus so that you can shop more mindfully. Once you’ve completed these steps, you’re ready to go shopping.

• Buy 6: Vegetables — First on the list, you’ll want to buy six vegetables. These can be either fresh or frozen, such as onions, leafy greens, or root vegetables. Keep in mind if you’ll want certain vegetables for snacks such as baby carrots, so that you purchase accordingly.
• Buy 5: Fruits —  Next, you’ll want to buy five fruits. Again, these can be either fresh or frozen, and the intention here is to use the fruits for snacks or even smoothies if you’re so inclined. Fruit can be a great start to your day too!
• Buy 4: Proteins — After you’ve selected your vegetables and fruits, you’ll want to buy four proteins. These are the centerpieces for your meals, around which you’ll base some of your other shopping (vegetables, etc.). Some great choices here could be chicken, pork, tofu, fish, beans, yogurt, eggs, or even other vegetarian options if that’s what works for your household. While beef would also work, beef prices are quite high and so it would require more focused shopping for discounted cuts at select locations.
• Buy 3: Starches — After you’ve picked out your proteins, you’ll want to buy three starches. Ideally, these should include versatile grains and carbohydrates such as potatoes, rice, or pasta. Other options could include crackers which could be used for snacks, or bagels as a breakfast option.
• Buy 2: Sauces/Spreads — Next on the list will be sauces or spreads, of which you need to buy two. The intent here is to have a ready option to boost any meal you create. Some examples include barbecue sauce, pesto, sriracha, chimichurri, tomato sauce, hummus, or even a cheese spread to use with snack items such as crackers (a starch from above).
• Buy 1: Fun item — At the end of the list is one fun item to buy. This should be a treat for yourself or your family to enjoy the shopping experience. This could be a particular snack that catches your eye, or maybe a jar of peanut butter, or even ice cream – Have fun with it!

Is there any flexibility with the list?

The idea is to stick to the list, but it’s okay to leave a little space for something that might catch your eye along the way. If it’s something fresh and that’s appealing and can maybe enhance some of your planned meals, then go for it!

What folks are saying…

The feedback on this method has generally been positive, though some folks have noted that it can be challenging at first to come up with meals around which to structure the list. Also, you have to be dedicated, which isn’t always easy, and if you choose certain specialty proteins or name‑brand sauces then the costs can be driven up.

However, a great majority of people have noted how much time and money they save, with some noting they save around $15–$20 a week while others report saving as much as $40 per week! If we do the math, even if you’re “only” saving $20 a week, that’s upwards of $80–$100 a month, which comes out to upwards of $1,200 a year in savings, and every bit helps!

Why Penlanco FCU is sharing this

At Penlanco FCU, we’re committed to helping our members find practical, everyday ways to stay financially strong. Grocery shopping is something every household does — and small changes can lead to meaningful savings over time. Sharing tools like the 6‑to‑1 method is just one way we support your financial wellbeing, both inside and outside the credit union.

With a little planning and dedication, this grocery shopping method could be a valuable tool in your budgeting toolbox — and any money saved these days is a win‑win.

Give it a try and see how it works for you!