What practical first steps reduce grocery waste and plastic on a budget?

[Matthew.J]

I've been trying to adopt a more zero waste lifestyle, but I'm finding the initial transition overwhelming and expensive, especially when it comes to finding affordable bulk stores and replacing everyday plastic items with sustainable alternatives. My biggest challenge is managing food waste and packaging from groceries. For those who have made significant progress in reducing their household waste, what were the most impactful and practical first steps you took that didn't require a complete lifestyle overhaul or a huge upfront investment?