Expert says biggest grocery mistake is not planning ahead Cookbook author Jen Lueke says failing to plan meals before shopping wastes money and offers tips to stretch a $50 to $75 grocery budget by using versatile ingredients and base recipes. A grocery shopping mistake that costs Americans money begins before they even enter the store, according to cookbook author and content creator Jen Lueke. The number one biggest mistake is simply not taking the time to plan ahead, Lueke told Fox News Digital. Lueke, a Boston-based author of the cookbook titled Don't Think About Dinner, is known online as Jenn Eats Goood. She shared practical tips for stretching a food budget of $50 to $75, including choosing versatile ingredients and preparing affordable dinners throughout the week. While social media can offer inspiration, Lueke said home cooks can lean on familiar meals and switch them up with ingredients already in their pantries.Jen Lueke Base Recipe ApproachShe uses a base recipe approach, which allows for flexibility and creativity in the kitchen. One example from her cookbook is a one-pot chicken thighs and rice dish. Lueke said cooks can swap in different proteins or add seasonal ingredients such as squash in the fall or asparagus and peas in the spring. Keeping pantry and freezer staples on hand can also help.Items such as canned beans, rice, pasta and quinoa can be bought in bulk or picked up on sale. Frozen proteins can also help cut down on weekly shopping trips. For shoppers trying to stretch a $50 to $75 grocery trip, Lueke suggests bulking meals up with hearty, lower-cost produce such as carrots, onions, potatoes and sweet potatoes. She also recommends proteins like chicken thighs.She also recommends getting more than one use out of an ingredient. If a recipe calls for only part of a can of artichokes, for example, use the rest in another meal later in the week. Spice blends and homemade sauces can also change the flavor of a protein, allowing shoppers to prepare the same ingredient in different ways. This helps prevent boredom and reduces waste.Stretching Food Budget TipsThe biggest thing is having that plan, but also using one ingredient in more than one way, if you can, she said. By planning ahead and being resourceful, Americans can save money on their grocery bills without sacrificing flavor or variety.