Living solo with a small garden: can growing veggies really cut my food costs?

I recently moved into a small apartment with a tiny balcony where I started a modest vegetable garden - mostly tomatoes, herbs, and peppers. I hoped that growing my own produce would help trim my grocery bills, which have been a bit tight lately since I’m working part-time and trying to build a savings cushion. So far, I've spent around $50 on seeds, soil, and pots, but I’m not sure if the harvest has saved me enough to justify the time and effort. I’m also juggling some stress because the plants require daily care, and some days I feel like I’m just keeping them alive rather than producing much. I want to know if anyone has experience with a small-scale garden actually making a noticeable dent in their monthly food expenses. Have you found certain vegetables or herbs that are worth the investment and effort? How do you balance the time commitment with your budget goals?