TikTok Mom Gets Slammed For Sharing Questionable Hack On How To Save A Few Cents At The Grocery Store

Armed with a knife and a budget warrior attitude, she’s cutting costs—literally.

Jesse

• Published in News
• September 26, 2024

When it comes to grocery shopping, everyone loves a good deal. Clipping coupons, scouring for sales, or buying in bulk—there are plenty of ways to keep those grocery bills from giving you a heart attack. 

But one Florida woman has taken frugality to a whole new level, and the internet has some feelings about it. 

Meet Meia Carter, a TikTok mom who’s causing quite a stir online with her unique approach to saving a few bucks at the grocery store. In a now-viral video, Meia shared her unconventional method for saving money on broccoli. 

Instead of buying the vegetable as-is, she whips out a knife and chops off the broccoli stems right there in the produce aisle. Because broccoli is priced by the pound, Meia figures, why pay for the part you won’t use? 

Armed with a knife she claims is for self-defense (and, apparently, stem-cutting), she trims off the extra weight and leaves it for the store to deal with.

The video has racked up nearly six million views and an avalanche of responses. Meia’s broccoli hack quickly spiraled into what TikTokers dubbed "Broccoligate." 

Now, before you roll your eyes or start sharpening your own knives, let’s pause to consider the reactions. The online world did not hold back. Some applauded her for being a frugal genius, while others roasted her harder than yesterday’s leftover vegetables.

One small snip for Meia, one giant mess for the entire produce aisle.

She’s trimming costs with a little DIY broccoli surgery. Check out the loot—crowns only.

Meia is trimming down her grocery bill one stem at a time.

Words of wisdom from the domestic goddess herself. Take notes, people.

But it’s not just TikTok users who have opinions. The debate spread to other platforms and even caught the attention of the media.

Even a Walmart employee got in on the action, dismissing the controversy as a non-issue. She explained that workers don’t mind customers leaving parts of vegetables they don’t want. 

Not all heroes wear capes—some just carry a knife to cut broccoli stems in the store.

Broccoli stem slayer in action!

However, in a twist worthy of a reality show, one store took things a step further by posting a stern warning that breaking broccoli stems would be considered theft. The grocery drama thickens!

That smug look you get after another successful day of avoiding paying for things you don’t eat.

Should we tell her?

Meia isn’t new to these frugal strategies. In another video, she shares how she only takes the best-looking three bananas from a bunch and leaves the rest. 

Watch how one woman’s bizarre shopping technique is saving her money and sparking a viral debate.

From “Why stop at the stems?” To “Can’t wait to see her return the peel after eating a banana,” the comments ranged from humorous to downright brutal. There was no shortage of jokes about Meia’s rather extreme frugality.

Do you, Meia?

Meia might actually have a few other useful tips to share with us on this show.

Do it for a year, and you can easily afford a small private island.

The cents must be saved at all costs.

Dear God.

I don’t even want to know what happens when she buys pistachios.

As you should.

Clearly, someone who values cents over anything else.

Taking zero-waste shopping to a whole new level. Meia has sparked an entire movement.

Our ancestors ate from trees, after all.

Don’t forget to bring a cutting board next time—because meal prep starts at aisle 5.

Wow, taking prep work to a whole new level.

When budgeting becomes a full-blown personality.

Hope you’re not making a trail to find your way out.

So, what’s the verdict? Is Meia’s hack a clever way to save a few bucks, or is it just plain tacky? We’ll leave that for you to decide. Let us know your thoughts in the comments!

Jesse