Ever feel like your grocery cart has commitment issues? You plan on grabbing a few basics. But then you’re somehow standing in line with oat milk you didn’t come for, six bags of snacks you swear are “for the kids,” and three rogue condiments that you’ll use once and forget in the fridge next to last year’s mustard. Yeah, same. But I’ve been testing a new strategy and it’s so simple, it’s dumb. I call it the “One Box Combo” Theory, and it’s honestly saving me a ridiculous amount on groceries, Target runs, and even Amazon orders.
What Is the “One Box Combo” Theory?
It’s fast food logic, applied to real life.
Think about what you get in a standard drive-thru combo meal:
- One protein (burger, chicken, whatever)
- One carb (fries)
- One filler (soda or a second side)
It’s clean. Predictable. No overthinking.
Now copy and paste that idea onto your weekly grocery haul:
- One protein
- One veggie
- One carb
Done!
You’re not building a 10-day meal plan. You’re building a series of ultra-simple, budget-conscious combos.
No spiralizing zucchinis. No “just in case” items. No $80 carts that somehow don’t equal an actual meal.
PRO TIP: GROCERY STORE FLYERS ARE YOUR MENU BOARD
Before heading in, scan your store’s weekly ad like you’re ordering off the dollar menu.
If chicken is on sale, that’s your combo base. This helps prevent “dream meals” that require full-priced everything.
See Also: 13 Easy Frugal Hacks That Save You a TON of Money
Why It Works (and Why It’s Weirdly Fun)
It turns grocery shopping into a low-effort game.
One that stops you from doing dumb stuff like panic-buying your third jar of sesame oil or committing to six bananas when you know you’ll eat two.
Here’s what makes it genius:
You stay out of “fake meal planning” mode.
You know the one. You grab lentils and tofu because “one night I’ll make a curry” (no you won’t).
You slash impulse buys.
Your cart’s full of actual meals, not snacky chaos or Pinterest-fueled delusions.
You eat what you buy.
Because it’s simple, good, and already fits together.
PRO TIP: STICK TO THE 3-ITEM RULE FOR WEEKDAYS
Overwhelmed meal prep is where overspending happens.
Be sure to only pick 3 combos that work and put it on repeat:
- Chicken + frozen veggie + rice
- Eggs + toast + fruit
- Ground beef + salad mix + tortillas
No guesswork. No waste.
See Also: 26 Pantry Items That Seem to NEVER Expire
Real-Life Example (My Actual Grocery Run Last Week)
Let’s say I need three quick dinners this week.
Here’s how I combo’d it out:
Meal #1
- Protein: Chicken thighs (bone-in, way cheaper) – $6.59
- Veggie: Frozen green beans – $1.89
- Carb: Rice – $1.39
- TOTAL: $9.87 — Feeds 3, and you’ll probably end up with leftovers.
Meal #2
- Protein: Canned tuna (don’t knock it) – $2.99 for 2 cans
- Veggie: Chopped celery + mayo from fridge = tuna salad
- Carb: Multigrain bread – $2.29
- TOTAL: ~$5.28 — Lunches for 2 days if you’re flying solo.
Meal #3
- Protein: Eggs – $3.29
- Veggie: Bagged spinach – $1.99
- Carb: English muffins – $2.59
- TOTAL: $7.87 — Breakfast-for-dinner night. Add a pound of bacon for $7.99 and it’s still a cheap meal.
All in, that’s three full meals for under $23.
Compare that to one random “Oh I’ll just get a few things” Target run, where $23 gets you a candle, a bag of trail mix, and regret.
PRO TIP: MAKE IT A CHALLENGE
I highly recommend turning it into a fun budgeting game.
For example, set a $40 weekly dinner goal and try to build 4 “box combos” with that cash. If you win? You’ve got money leftover for snacks (or wine…you earned it).
See Also: All the Grocery Stores That Slash Prices Before “Best-By” Dates
Bonus Round: Use It at Target or Amazon
This combo method isn’t just for groceries.
The “One Box Combo” theory can seriously rein in spending drift during:
- Target runs
- Amazon orders
- Impulse shopping black holes
Here’s how:
For Amazon:
Before you click “Buy Now”, run this test:
- One thing you need
- One thing you want
- One thing with a coupon or discount
That’s it. Build your “cart combo” and skip the 3 a.m. browsing spiral where you accidentally order a matcha whisk and three packable rain ponchos.
PRO TIP: SNEAKY AMAZON MOVE
On Amazon, check the “Other Sellers on Amazon” box as often the exact same item is cheaper from a third-party seller (with free Prime shipping).
I’ve found it’s super easy to miss, but this section often hides price drops, open-box deals, or warehouse returns in like-new condition. You still get the same 30 day return policy, but you might save 10–30% without lifting a finger. Sneaky? Yep. Smart? Absolutely.
For Target:
Use the same rule:
- One practical essential (toilet paper, soap, etc.)
- One treat (Target Dollar Spot, go ahead)
- One clearance or Cartwheel deal
You’ll feel like you shopped, but without the $88 surprise.
PRO TIP: TARGET SPECIFIC HACK
At Target, always scan clearance items with the app, even if they’re already marked down. Sometimes the app reveals an even lower hidden price you can grab at checkout (or get price adjusted at customer service).
This trick works best in the beauty, toys, and home sections where markdown tags lag behind the system. Bonus: You can stack it with Circle offers or gift card promos for double the savings.
Bottom Line: Grocery Stores Want You to Be Disorganized
Every grocery aisle is designed to tempt you into “just grabbing” one more thing. But when you walk in with a fast-food mindset, you stop letting the store decide what ends up in your cart.
You don’t need spreadsheets. You don’t need a binder. You just need one protein, one veggie, one carb…and a little confidence.
Try it once. Then check your receipt. Then try not to gloat when your friends say they spent $280 and “still have nothing to eat”.
Ask the Reader: Are you game for trying this grocery spending strategy? Or maybe you already do something similar, let me know in the comments.
By Kyle James
I started Rather-Be-Shopping.com in 2000 and have become a consumer expert and advocate writing about out-of-the-box ways to save at stores like Amazon, Walmart, Target and Costco to name a few. I’ve been featured on FOX News, Good Morning America, and the NY Times talking about my savings tips. (Learn more)