Let’s face it, going to the grocery store can be a budget-buster, especially these days. We all feel the pinch when grocery prices go up, but luckily there’s a ton we can do to take back control. That’s by learning how to save money on groceries!
Learning how to save money on groceries isn’t about depriving yourself—it’s about making smarter choices and adopting habits that add up to real savings in the long run.
Top 14 Tips on How to Save Money on Groceries
With a little bit of planning and some savvy shopping strategies, you can eat well without draining your bank account. Throughout this post, we’ll explore a bunch of practical, actionable tips that’ll transform your grocery shopping routine and put more money back in your pocket.
By the time you finish reading, you’ll be ready to tackle those grocery aisles like a budget pro.
1. Make a Grocery Plan that Rocks Your Budget
One of the biggest mistakes people make is going to the grocery store without a plan.
They wander through the aisles, tempted by flashy displays and deals, and wind up with a cart full of stuff they don’t need (and probably overspend, too). The goal is to plan your grocery purchases, which can lead you to rock your grocery budget without even trying.
2. Plan Your Meals in Advance
One of the steps you need to take when planning your budget is also to conduct meal planning.
Take a little time at the start of the week to map out your meals. This is honestly the single most crucial step in how to save money on groceries, and it’ll also help you avoid food waste.
Jot down a simple menu, starting with a foundation of protein and veggies. Be sure to consider things like leftovers or family-sized recipes for cost efficiency.
Smart shoppers Steve and Annette Economides, the minds behind MoneySmartFamily.com, emphasize the power of sticking to a meal plan for big-time savings. It helps keep those extra grocery runs in check (more on that in a bit).
Without a clear plan, it’s easy to make impulsive buys and fall victim to the temptation of takeout or pricey prepared meals. And these food costs can add up.
3. Become Best Friends with Sales Flyers
Here’s the insider’s tip most people don’t even realize: local grocery stores send you flyers packed with sale items for a reason. Once you’ve outlined your meal plan for the week, pull out your local store’s flyer and compare the sale items to the dishes you planned.
When you deliberately build your menus around those sales, you dramatically reduce those scary numbers on your grocery bill.
If you compare a week’s worth of grocery trips where most of the ingredients are on sale versus when they’re not, the difference can be an astounding 20% to 25% higher when prices are regular price.
4. Check Your Inventory
Before you make a final shopping list, take a peek inside your pantry.
Do you need to buy items like another gallon of milk or is there an unopened bottle hanging out in the back? Take inventory—look in the freezer, fridge and cabinets, checking expiration dates and organizing as you go.
This helps reduce impulse buying at the grocery store, thereby decreasing food bills.
Sometimes, what you need for your planned meals is already staring at you from the depths of your refrigerator. Discovering forgotten ingredients can spark creative meal ideas and prevent unnecessary purchases.
For example, finding a bag of frozen spinach could inspire a quick and easy frittata for breakfast or a flavorful addition to your pasta sauce. That’s why doing inventory check is crucial before having a final grocery shopping list.
5. List Like a Champion to Conquer Overspending
Now, arm yourself with the grocery list of all lists—the secret weapon to budget-friendly grocery bills. Organize it by grocery store sections—this way you conquer those aisles like a boss.
Here’s how to make your grocery list more than just chicken scratch on a napkin:
Mark those Sale Items by brand to snag deals quickly (and avoid those sneaky substitutes).
Include the exact amounts needed so you sidestep overbuying, which, sadly, leads to throwing things away—the ultimate budget killer.
Think about items you consistently use (like coffee, pasta, or your favorite cleaning spray), but only stock up on stuff that’s on sale this week.
That last one keeps your grocery bill for this week lean since stocking up on good deals that might not be used anytime soon can easily make that grocery total climb.
It’s also a great opportunity to try new products at a discounted price. If you have an abundance of a particular item, challenge yourself to create meals centered around it.
6. Apply Shopping Savvy Strategies Like an Expert
Once you’ve got a grocery game plan, the next step is shopping like an expert bargain hunter.
To do this, you should arm yourself with practical tips on how to save money on groceries that’ll leave those checkout lines trembling. Before swiping your credit card, find discounts from loyalty programs, digital coupons, or cashback from credit card points.
You may even want to try the Ibotta app, which lets you earn cashback or points when buying groceries. Better yet, have a loyalty card from your favorite grocery store to save points or take advantage of their exclusive discounts.
7. Avoid the Pre-Chopped Produce Trap
It’s understandable; we’re busy people, right?
While grabbing pre-cut fruits or veggies can be time-saving, those convenient options often come at a higher price. Instead, choose those full onions, those potatoes that haven’t met a peeler yet, and those un-diced carrots because that’s where those clever cost-conscious savings hide.
You can do this; your grocery list, your awesome knife skills (and your wallet) got this.
And while you’re at it, those huge blocks of cheese often give you a way better deal compared to their pre-shredded, convenient cousins. So grab your trusty cheese grater and prepare to shave off some dollars from that final total.
8. Ditch those Impulse Purchases
Stores are designed to entice you with fancy displays and tempting smells. So, to dodge those impulse buys, never go grocery shopping hungry—seriously.
Grab a quick snack before you leave the house.
Ever notice how grocery stores place their priciest brands right at your eye level? Well, now you know the trick. Most items that don’t cost much are below or above the eye level.
Another is to start comparing prices between stores if there are multiple ones in your area, or even compare the sales ads. Once you know which ones have better prices, go to those stores that truly cater to budget-conscious shoppers.
That way, even when those cookie aisle smells start taunting you, your list stays strong (and your grocery bill stays small).
9. Join Membership Clubs Wisely
Lots of folks think warehouse clubs like Costco mean big savings, but it depends. Warehouse clubs can definitely be budget-friendly for items like bulk meats and toilet paper, but only when they genuinely fit how you shop (and eat).
Right now, Costco memberships start at a yearly fee of $60, so unless you plan on bulk shopping, you probably won’t be saving.
Before you buy anything in bulk (not just at clubs.), pay close attention to the per-unit cost, which shows how much you are actually paying. Remember: that bulk bag of frozen blueberries only helps if your family will eat them before those little suckers become freezer-burn victims.
10. Incorporate Meatless Meals Each Week
Have you tried Meatless Monday yet?
Going without meat for one or two meals a week doesn’t have to mean surviving on flavorless salads or watery tofu. The plant-based world is booming—find delicious, protein-packed, meatless recipes online and have a blast.
Your taste buds (and budget) might just be amazed by the savory possibilities.
You don’t need to become a vegan or vegetarian for good; this is about cost efficiency while having a lot of flavor. What’s important is to have healthier meals, as lentils, beans, and tofu are incredibly versatile and budget-friendly protein sources.
Better yet, explore different cuisines that don’t have meat for inspiration—Indian, Mediterranean, and Asian cuisines are known for their delicious and often inexpensive vegetarian dishes.
11. Maximize the Perks of Your Credit Cards
A good grocery rewards credit card can slash money from your overall bill each year. If you use your credit card for regular expenses (and always pay it on time), those perks work like cash back. Consider specific grocery rewards cards, as those can bring the biggest payoff.
With careful usage and payment on time, your everyday purchases become little points of cash-back success.
Many grocery stores offer store-branded credit cards, which often come with additional perks, like gas discounts or special promotions. Some points even allow you to enjoy free hotel stays, so why not use these credit cards perks?
To ensure you’ll have a great deal, research the options available in your area to maximize your savings potential. Some cards even offer bonus rewards for specific categories, such as dining out or online shopping, making them even more beneficial for everyday spending.
12. Don’t Ignore the Store Brand
Lots of generic brands taste similar to name brands.
Why? Because many store brands are often produced in the same facilities as name-brand products, using similar ingredients.
That means big flavor for smaller prices, and this works across pretty much all the aisles. Try generic options for everyday pantry staples—you might surprise yourself with how similar they taste, all while saving loads.
For instance, the average grocery spend is $5,703 per year—if you cut 10% from your total by switching some name-brand choices with generic, you’ll save an impressive $570 every year.
Convenience Store Swaps—Clever Ways to Win the Grocery Game
Sometimes, it’s those little last-minute trips that sneakily destroy a carefully crafted grocery budget. Those instances where you just need milk or bread and wind up spending $40 on a dozen additional, random things (that weren’t on the plan.)
Here’s how to get back in control with unexpected ways to navigate the sneaky convenience store and actually incorporate it as part of how to save money on groceries.
13. Resist Those Extra Grocery Runs
Convenience stores typically cost more; we get it. But running out of everyday necessities often happens in the middle of the week. If you really just need a loaf of bread and have time for another full-fledged grocery run, try opting for the closer (and faster) convenience store instead.
This can really help avoid those big midweek spending sprees.
Let’s be honest: A trip to “just grab some bread” can quickly become a basket of chips, a sugary beverage, and a magazine about how to live better or cook gourmet dishes with 25 ingredients you’ve never even heard of before.
If those extra grocery trips average between $30 and $40 and happen several times a month, you could be saving hundreds of dollars just by incorporating this simple tactic.
14. Create Homemade Staples for a Budget-Friendly Kitchen
Ready for the real game changer when it comes to long-term how to save money on groceries, better health, and way more flavor?
Creating just a handful of simple homemade staples can easily trim money from those monthly costs, boost the overall healthiness of your family’s meals, and often lead to significantly improved flavor.
And that’s no wonder: Those freshly prepped dressings or sauces are nothing like the commercially prepared options—that’s how it’s said in our neighborhood.
By preparing homemade staples, you’re essentially avoiding the high markup prices stores charge for commercially prepared dressings and sidestepping that extra spending altogether.
While we totally get that finding time for prep work can be tricky, here’s a little thought to inspire your next grocery shopping adventure: commit to preparing at least one batch of this simple, fresh dressing, along with your favorite marinades and sauces, just once a month to get the ball rolling.
Trust us, it’s easier than you think. It helps in the quest to trim your budget over the long run.
FAQs
What is the 6 to 1 grocery method?
Some budget-minded shoppers follow this rule, aiming for six planned trips at the beginning of each month. Those are when the bulk of your spending occurs, covering everything you need.
Those savvy budget-followers then try sticking to one final shopping trip (with significantly reduced spending) for additional needs throughout those last few weeks. Of course, life sometimes throws in curve balls and unexpected situations.
What is a realistic grocery budget for 2 people?
This entirely depends on your area, eating habits, and lifestyle. You could choose to track all your costs using a detailed spreadsheet. However, an alternative approach could involve tracking everything for just a couple of weeks.
Use a dedicated notepad, take photos of your receipts using your phone’s camera (digital records mean no cluttered paperwork), and then assess how those spending trends are working with your income and additional spending.
Factors to consider include dietary restrictions, whether you prefer organic produce, and if you enjoy dining out frequently. By analyzing your spending habits, you can determine a realistic budget that aligns with your needs and financial goals.
What are 3 tips for saving money on food?
1. Incorporate just one additional meatless meal each week.
2. Become best friends with your store’s generic brand—seriously, don’t knock it til you’ve tried it.
3. Use that grocery reward credit card (responsibly, of course) and treat each swipe like tiny points of victory toward an epic annual saving goal. It’s like giving that checkout cashier an extra wink when your bill shows significantly less.
How to get the grocery bill down?
This ties in nicely with our previous tips, so here are some quick recaps to make this tip a powerhouse:
1. Never shop on an empty stomach—you’ll avoid loads of unplanned treats.
2. Use that loyalty program—most grocery stores have free memberships with instant digital discounts.
3. Think long and hard before choosing anything pre-cut; prep work may be tedious, but you’re essentially taking back the higher prices the store is using for the “convenience” factor.
Conclusion
Successfully learning how to save money on groceries is within reach.
And with all the tools and resources available, slashing that final bill and staying true to your budget can actually be kind of fun (or at least way less stressful).
Whether your strategy involves mastering credit card cash-back rewards like a points-based guru or committing to a few home-prepped meal components (which, honestly, can even make weeknight dinners an opportunity for kids to help and get those imaginations cooking), it boils down to awareness—seeing what your choices are.
So, embrace those fresh-start opportunities each time you write your next list.
And don’t forget, we’re here to help, offering a constant stream of updated tricks and hacks because learning how to save money on groceries is an ever-evolving game. Let’s face it: saving money, eating well, and feeling awesome about our choices feels kind of powerful.
