LATEST POSTS

The Aldi Challenge: Can You Really Feed a Family of Two for $50 a Week?
You’ve seen the headlines, the social media posts, the triumphant photos of grocery carts overflowing with food for a seemingly impossible price. The fifty-dollar weekly grocery budget is the stuff of frugal legend,

The 6 Worst Peanut Butter Brands, According to Nutritionists
Peanut butter is an American staple. It’s a protein-packed, budget-friendly powerhouse that can anchor a quick lunch, enrich a breakfast smoothie, or become the base for a savory dinner sauce. For the frugal

The ‘Shrinkflation’ Report: 12 Products That Are Secretly Getting Smaller
You feel it at the checkout. That nagging sense that the same hundred-dollar bill buys less food than it did last year, or even last month. Your grocery cart seems a little lighter,

Store Brands vs. Name Brands: A Blind Taste Test of 10 Common Products
Walk down any grocery aisle and you face a wall of choices. On one side, the familiar, brightly colored packages of national brands you grew up with. On the other, the simpler, store-brand

The Ultimate Guide to Saving Money on Groceries in 2025
The American grocery bill feels like a runaway train. Each week, the total at the checkout counter seems to climb higher, even when the cart feels lighter. You’re not imagining it. Food prices

The 10 Best and Worst Deals at Costco This Month
The magnetic pull of Costco is undeniable. The towering shelves, the tantalizing samples, and the promise of saving a fortune by buying in bulk can make any frugal American’s heart beat a little

A Complete Breakdown: Are Costco’s Kirkland Brand Vitamins Actually Good Quality?
Walk down the pharmacy aisle of any Costco, and you’re met with a wall of imposing, oversized bottles. The Kirkland Signature logo is everywhere, promising hundreds of doses of everything from Vitamin C

DIY Home Repairs: 5 Simple Fixes That Will Save You from Calling a Professional
There’s a certain sound every homeowner dreads. It could be the constant trickle of a running toilet in the dead of night, or the drip, drip, drip of a leaky faucet that echoes

Beyond Groceries: A Guide to All the Services Costco Offers
For millions of Americans, the word “Costco” brings to mind giant carts, delicious free samples, and the unbeatable value of a $1.50 hot dog. We stock our pantries with their Kirkland Signature products

Senior Discounts You’re Probably Not Using (But Absolutely Should Be)
Welcome to The Frugal American, where we believe financial security is for everyone, at every stage of life. If you’re living on a fixed income, you know that every dollar counts. The good











