Turns out, saving $3,000 a year might be easier (and tastier) than you think. This week, we’re dishing up big savings with Bryan Suddith, who turned his family’s runaway grocery bill into a budget-friendly game—complete with freezer hacks, local meat tips, and food waste strategies that actually work. He joins Joe, OG, and guest co-host Len Penzo (yes, that Len Penzo of LenPenzo.com fame) to share how mindful meal planning can make your wallet and your taste buds happy.

We’re also talking about a Wall Street Journal piece that reveals why high schoolers are ditching traditional degrees for skilled trades... and landing $70K jobs right out of the gate. Plus, Doug helps us navigate one of life’s most awkward questions: What do you call your friend’s mom? (Hint: it’s not “Linda.”)

What’s stacked inside this episode:

🧾 How Bryan gamified his grocery budget and saved thousands—with zero meal-prep burnout

🥩 Freezer hacks, locally sourced meats, and the joys of slow-thawed financial wins

🥦 Food mindfulness: the surprising connection between awareness and grocery savings

🎯 Why budgeting doesn't have to feel like punishment (especially when TikTok is involved)

🎙️ Bryan’s bonus storytelling and public speaking tips for anyone who has to talk to humans

🔧 Trade school is trending: why $70K jobs are showing up before diplomas

🧰 Should your teen consider HVAC over Harvard? We unpack the growing case for skilled trades

🤷‍♂️ Conan O'Brien, Doug, and the Great Parental Naming Debate of 2025

💡 If you’ve ever overpaid at the grocery store or underestimated a plumber’s paycheck... this one’s for you.

Full Show Notes: https://www.stackingbenjamins.com/avoid-food-waste-and-save-benjamins-bryan-suddith-1688/

Deeper dives with curated links, topics, and discussions are in our newsletter, The 201, available at https://www.stackingbenjamins.com/201

Enjoy!

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