How to Save Money on Groceries: Grocery shopping can take a big bite out of your budget. The average household spends over $4,000 per year on groceries. With food prices steadily rising, it’s more important than ever to find ways to save on your supermarket bill.
This comprehensive guide will provide you with 25+ proven tips, strategies and hacks to slash your grocery spending. By implementing just a few of these savvy grocery savings methods, you can easily save $50-100 per month. Pretty soon, you’ll be an expert at getting the most bang for your buck when grocery shopping! 💡
- 1 Make a Weekly Meal Plan
- 2 Make a Grocery List
- 3 Buy Store Brands
- 4 Shop Seasonal Produce
- 5 Buy Frozen Fruits and Vegetables
- 6 Buy Meat in Bulk
- 7 Don’t Shop When You’re Hungry
- 8 Compare Unit Prices
- 9 Use Digital Coupons
- 10 Use Rebates Apps
- 11 Price Match Items
- 12 Use Cash-Back Credit Card
- 13 Organize Your Fridge and Pantry
- 14 Shop Sales Cycles
- 15 Check Clearance Sections
- 16 Shop Late Night or Early Morning
- 17 Buy Generic Medicines
- 18 Use Manufacturer’s Coupons
- 19 Buy In-Store Over Pre-Packaged
- 20 Shop Farmers Markets
- 21 Buy Whole Ingredients Over Processed
- 22 Join a Warehouse Club
- 23 Shop Discount Grocery Stores
- 24 Grow Your Own Produce
- 25 Use Cash to Limit Spending
- 26 Don’t Shop Hungry or Thirsty!
- 27 Faqs
- 28 Final Tips and Conclusion
Make a Weekly Meal Plan
🍽️ One of the best ways to save money on groceries is to plan out your meals in advance. This prevents you from making impulsive purchases and buying ingredients for dishes you never end up making.
Here are some tips for effective meal planning:
- Sit down on Sunday and plan out all your breakfasts, lunches and dinners for the week ahead. Consider what you already have on hand so you don’t buy duplications.
- Incorporate leftovers into your plan to avoid food waste. For example, roast chicken one night, use the leftovers in sandwiches or salads on subsequent days.
- Browse grocery store flyers and online coupons to inspire meal ideas based on what’s on sale each week.
- Cook in bulk and freeze portions to enjoy later on busy days. This saves both time and money.
- Mix up meal formats to add variety, such as casseroles, stir-fries, sandwiches, salads, etc.
Planning ahead saves you time and reduces food waste, ultimately slashing your grocery costs.
Make a Grocery List
📋 A grocery list is a simple but powerful way to save money at the supermarket. Without one, it’s easy to make impulsive purchases that blow your budget.
Follow these tips for grocery list success:
- Write down everything you need for the weekly meal plan, including ingredients for recipes. Check your kitchen first to avoid duplications.
- Take inventory of staple items you’re running low on, like cooking oils, spices, canned goods, etc.
- Review store flyers and cut out or note coupon deals, sale items and seasonal produce you want to buy.
- Organize your list into sections by store department – produce, dairy, frozen foods, pantry items, etc.
- Keep a running list on your fridge or phone so you can add items as you run out throughout the week.
Shopping with a comprehensive grocery list keeps you focused, avoids impulse buys, eliminates duplications and ensures you get everything you need in one trip.
Buy Store Brands
🏷️ Most grocers offer cheaper store brand alternatives for common grocery items like cereal, bread, pasta, canned goods and more. Store brands typically cost 20-50% less than big national brands.
For example, a 32 oz jar of Skippy peanut butter costs about $5 whereas Walmart’s Great Value brand peanut butter is just $2-$3. Buying the cheaper store version for staple pantry items can rapidly decrease your grocery bill.
While no-name brands used to be considered lower quality, many major stores have stepped up their generics and now offer great value options comparable to brand names. Give them a try – you may become a convert!
Shop Seasonal Produce
🍅 Sticking to seasonal fruits and vegetables is one of the best ways to cut costs in the produce section. Out of season items must be imported or grown in greenhouses, increasing the price.
For example, a pint of fresh berries may cost $5 in January but only $2 during peak summer months when they are abundant. Tomatoes, peppers, zucchini and other summer veggies will also be cheapest and freshest in summer.
Shift your produce shopping to align with what’s in season locally and you can expect savings of 20-50% or more in the produce aisle! Check guides online to see what’s in season monthly in your area.
Buy Frozen Fruits and Vegetables
❄️ Stocking up on frozen produce is a smart way to save money without sacrificing nutrition. Fruits and veggies are flash frozen at peak ripeness, locking in nutrients.
Plus, frozen varieties are often less expensive – for example, a 12 oz bag of frozen berries is about $2 vs. $4 for fresh berries out of season. And frozen veggies don’t go bad like fresh ones, reducing waste.
Maintenance is easy too – just keep a stash in your freezer to throw into smoothies, sautes, casseroles, oatmeal and more! Excellent savings with minimal effort.
Buy Meat in Bulk
🥩 Buying meat in bulk or in larger family packs can offer big savings compared to individually packaged portions.
For example, at Sam’s Club you can get a 4.5 lb package of ground beef for around $11 vs. $6 per pound if you purchased 1 lb packages from a regular grocery store. That’s nearly 50% savings!
Consider going in with family to split bulk packages of meat or simply invest in a deep freezer. Portion the meat into freezer bags for easy access all month. You’ll slash your meat costs buying in bulk.
Don’t Shop When You’re Hungry
🥪 Ever notice your grocery cart seems to fill up faster when you shop while hungry or thirsty? Food seems more tempting when your stomach is rumbling!
Try to shop only when feeling full and satiated. Eat a snack or meal beforehand. You’ll likely have fewer cravings for impulse snack purchases. Drinking water also provides satiety.
Shopping while hungry often leads to pricier impulse buys that can blow your budget. Meal planning ahead helps prevent the urge since you shop with a list.
Compare Unit Prices
🧾 To find the best deals, compare unit prices listed on shelf price tags. This shows the cost per a standard unit (e.g. ounce, pound, liter, etc).
Often, larger or store brand packages have the lowest unit prices. For example, the unit price may reveal a 32 oz bottle is cheaper per oz than a 16 oz bottle.
Carefully comparing unit prices ensures you get the most bang for your buck and don’t pay more for less. Getting in this habit can lead to impressive savings over time.
Use Digital Coupons
📲 Gone are the days of clipping coupons from the newspaper! Today, digital grocery coupons offer a convenient way to save using your smartphone or online accounts.
Check apps like Flipp and Ibotta which aggregate available grocery offers in your area. Grocery stores like Safeway and Kroger also have digital coupon apps.
Link your loyalty card for automatic digital discounts, and check online sites like Coupons.com. With just a few taps, you can load dozens of grocery coupons and save at checkout.
Use Rebates Apps
💰 Rebate apps like Ibotta, Fetch Rewards and Shopkick reward you cash back for buying certain grocery items. Simply submit your receipt after purchase.
For example, Fetch may offer $1 back for purchasing a certain yogurt or ketchup brand. These rebates can add up to big savings over time!
Make submitting easy by linking your loyalty card – the app automatically detects qualifying items purchased. Remember to scan receipts after each grocery trip.
Price Match Items
🔎 Many grocers like Walmart, Target and Kroger offer price matching if you find an item cheaper elsewhere. Bring proof of the competitor’s price to the customer service desk.
You can also use apps like ShopSavvy to scan barcodes in stores and compare prices elsewhere. Ask for a price match if you locate the item for less. Just like that, the store will match the better price for you!
Price matching policies vary by retailer, so check their website for specifics. But when done consistently, this price protection tactic can yield impressive savings.
Use Cash-Back Credit Card
💳 Consider using a credit card that offers bonus cashback at grocery stores like the American Express Blue Cash Preferred (6% back) or Chase Freedom (5% back quarterly).
The cash back really adds up over the course of a year. Let’s say you spend $400 per month on groceries. With a 6% cashback card, that’s $288 earned back annually – just for groceries!
Just be sure to pay off the balance each month to avoid interest charges. And look for cards with no annual fee. The cashback offsets a big portion of your grocery spending.
Organize Your Fridge and Pantry
🧹 A cluttered pantry and overflowing fridge makes it harder to keep track of what you have. This leads to buying duplications or items gone bad.
Get your kitchen organized! Use clear bins to neatly store shelf-stable items. Label fridge bins and shelves. Keep produce visible.
Meal plan using what needs to be used up. Don’t let items expire and go to waste. A tidy kitchen saves you money through reduced waste and fewer duplicate purchases.
Shop Sales Cycles
🛒 Stores run sales in predictable cycles, with items going on promotion every few months. Learn these cycles for your favorite items to stock up at the lowest prices.
For example, salsa may go on sale one week every 3 months. Canned beans may be the third week of each month. When you spot a great deal, buy extra if it’s non-perishable. This ensures you have enough until the sale comes back around.
Pay attention to holiday weekends like Memorial Day, July 4th and Labor Day when food items like condiments, snacks and beverages tend to go on sale. Mark your calendar for big savings opportunities when sales roll around.
Check Clearance Sections
🛍️ Check the clearance sections at your grocery store for major savings on food approaching its sell-by date.
Often, you can find dairy, meat and bakery items marked down significantly. You can freeze or cook them that day.
Also comb through shelves for yellow clearance tags on packaged goods nearing expiration. Think snacks, pasta sauce, cereal and much more.
As long as you plan to use the items quickly, huge markdowns make clearance shopping very worthwhile! Open dates are guidelines and food is often still fine to eat past the sell-by.
Shop Late Night or Early Morning
🌙 The most savvy grocery shoppers often shop late at night or early morning to score discounts. Many stores slash prices in the hour before closing – look for special sticker deals.
Early birds also benefit – some stores deeply discount bakery items first thing in the morning since they won’t sell later. Others offer an entire day’s worth of manager specials early on.
You can save a bunch by timing your trips strategically to take advantage of late night and early morning deals. It’s not an urban legend – the early or late shopper gets the savings!
Buy Generic Medicines
💊 You can realize serious savings by opting for generic over name brand medicines. By law, generics contain the identical active ingredients.
For example, the cholesterol drug Lipitor costs over $200 whereas generic atorvastatin is just $10. That’s a 95% savings for the same effective treatment!
Generic pain relievers, cold medicines, acid reducers and more can also offer dramatic savings. Talk to your pharmacist about safe generic options for prescription medications as well.
Use Manufacturer’s Coupons
📄 Old school paper manufacturer’s coupons that come in newspaper inserts and magazines can still offer great grocery savings ranging from $1-5 off.
Look for coupon inserts in the weekend paper, magazines and catalogs. You can also print online coupons from sites like Coupons.com.
Manufacturer’s coupons typically offer higher value discounts than those printed by grocers. Combine them with store coupons and sales for maximum savings at checkout.
Buy In-Store Over Pre-Packaged
🥬 Purchasing loose produce, meats and other in-store items instead of pre-packaged and ready-to-eat foods saves you paying for the convenience.
For example, grab a head of lettuce instead of pre-washed salad bags. Hit the olive bar instead of a container. Choose loose onions over pre-cut. Get meat from the butcher counter vs. packaged.
Not only does this save you money, but the food is often fresher! Cutting back on grab-and-go items can make a big dent in your bottom line.
Shop Farmers Markets
🌽 Farmers markets offer fresh, seasonal produce direct from the farm, eliminating middlemen markups. Prices can be up to 30% less than supermarkets!
Supporting local agriculture brings you ultra-fresh fruits, vegetables, eggs, meats, dairy and baked goods at a fraction of the grocery store cost.
Bring cash and go early for the best selection. Farmers markets make eating local affordable. Balance with supermarket buys for maximum savings.
Buy Whole Ingredients Over Processed
🧅 Processed and prepared foods are inherently more expensive than buying core ingredients. For example, a box of pancake mix may cost $5 whereas buying flour, baking powder and salt only costs $2 to make way more.
You’ll find ingredients like rice, beans, oils, fresh produce, chicken and ground meats to be far cheaper than ready-to-eat packaged meals or mixes.
Skip the middle man and make more from scratch to realize huge savings over a month’s time. Minimal effort yields massive payoff!
Join a Warehouse Club
🔑 Shopping at warehouse clubs like Costco or Sam’s Club allows you to buy groceries and household items in bulk quantities for wholesale prices. You can save 20-50% off regular retail this way.
Pay the yearly membership fee and then split bulk goods with roommates, family or neighbors. Stick to shelf-stable items like paper goods, cleaning supplies, oils, sauces, snacks, etc for easy storage.
Warehouse club runs also work for fresh produce, meat and dairy you can prepare and freeze. Just avoid perishables in amounts you can’t use up. In bulk, the warehouse savings add up fast!
Shop Discount Grocery Stores
🛒 Deep discounter grocery stores like Aldi and Save-A-Lot offer consistent savings with their no-frills approach. You bring your own bags, bag your items, and pay via quarters.
Brand selection is limited but you’ll find cheap prices on everyday basics like produce, dairy, bread, meats and pantry staples. Private label brands offer steep savings too.
If it’s mainly ingredients you need, discount grocers keep costs low across the board. You can expect prices 20-50% less than regular supermarkets.
Grow Your Own Produce
🌱 Consider planting a small backyard or patio garden for fresh, cheap produce. Herbs, greens, tomatoes, peppers, beans and squash are all relatively easy first crops.
With just a bit of effort, you can enjoy homegrown fruits and veggies that are way less expensive than the store. Initial start-up costs pay off long-term.
Gardening also reconnects you to your food. Get the whole family involved for fun and savings. Check out community gardens too if you lack outdoor space.
Use Cash to Limit Spending
💵 Studies show people are more conscious when using physical cash over cards. The tangible payout of bills makes you acutely aware of what you’re spending.
Commit to using only cash or setting a firm budget at the grocery store. When you literally see money leaving your wallet, you’re less likely to overspend on impulse buys. Removing credit cards from the equation is wise.
This tactic also works well with kids – give them a budget in cash for their own purchases to learn money management and staying within limits.
Don’t Shop Hungry or Thirsty!
😋 We covered this earlier, but it bears repeating since shopping while hungry or thirsty often leads to impulsive junk food purchases that blow your budget.
Drink water before heading to the store and eat a filling snack to curb hunger pangs. Make a list so you’re not tempted by every tasty snack calling your name. Stick to the essentials you wrote down.
Saving money on groceries requires discipline and resisting temptation. Never shop hungry or thirsty!
Faqs
What day of the week are groceries cheapest?
Wednesdays tend to have the most grocery promotions, making it one of the cheapest days of the week to shop. Stores are gearing up for weekend crowds. Fridays and Saturdays also host good sales. Check weekly ads online to confirm the best deals.
How can I get free groceries?
Extreme couponing can yield free groceries when you combine store and manufacturer coupons. Apps like Ibotta offer guaranteed cash back through rebates. Many stores offer free items, coupons or points on your birthday or when you download their app.
Is it cheaper to grocery shop online?
Online grocery ordering through services like Instacart may have delivery fees and higher item costs that offset potential savings in impulse purchases. Clipping digital coupons yourself and shopping with a list often yields better savings. But for convenience, online shops can save time.
What grocery shopping hacks save the most money?
Making a detailed list, meal planning, buying store brands, comparing unit prices, shopping sales cycles and buying bulk and frozen are some of the most impactful ways to cut grocery costs. But consistently applying small savings hacks adds up tremendously.
Final Tips and Conclusion
🛒 With some planning and clever strategies, you can save big on your supermarket spending. Meal plan, make smart purchases, look for deals and shop with discipline.
Remember, every dollar you save at the grocery store is freed up for other goals like debt repayment, retirement funds or vacations. Over time, small savings do grow fast with compounding!
Implement just a few of these hacks during your next trips to see lower spending right away. Pretty soon, you’ll be a rock star bargain hunter in the grocery aisles. Saving money on essentials allows you to enjoy life more.
Now that you know how to save loads on groceries, it’s time to put this knowledge into action. Here are the key
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