Are you struggling to buy groceries? Does your monthly grocery bill need some help? For most of us buying food has been tough. Food expenses are a huge part of your monthly budget, as important as it is, you don’t need to break the bank.
Here are 20+ tips to save money the next time you go grocery shopping!
1. Know your budget.
This is the best place to start. For my family $630 is our monthly food budget. Of course depending on where you live and the size of your family you will need more or less. Knowing my monthly budget helps keep me on track and lets me know what I can spend. For me personally I go once a week to the grocery store. With that being said I divide our monthly budget by 4 so I know how much I can spend each week on food. This works well for my family and I and helps to stay on track with our food budget.
2. Check your cupboards before you go shopping.
Search your cupboards, refrigerator and freezer to see what you already have. Another thing I like to do is the minute I run out of a staple or a common item I use regularly I will make a list. My list is on going on my phone and helps me to never run out of items I need, also plan meals according to what you have on hand.
3. Make a meal plan and grocery list.
Now that you know what you have on hand make a meal plan or a menu based on that. I am a meal plan junkie, want to try my meal plan method, check it out here. I take pride in sitting down and selecting 7 meals for the week, trying to use what I already have. Of course I can’t always do that, there are times I need to restock certain items. With a list of 7 meals, I make a list of the items I need. Write down everything you need, meals, snacks, drinks, etc…. This list will keep you on the path to saving money. Never go to the grocery store without a plan and list.
4. Look for sales.
Whether you still get paper grocery ads, or are a Flipp user this is where you will grab your grocery list and look for the items you need. If they are on sale at particular store, you will want to stop there. Check out all their sales and see if they work for you. A word of advice, don’t just buy something because it’s on sale. Buy items only if you NEED them. Grocery stores are smart and like to lure you into thinking you need to buy something because it’s on sale. Buying only what’s on your list will keep you on budget and save you money! You can also base some of your meals off of what’s on sale. For instance if ground beef is on sale but you don’t have any ground beef meals on your menu, than you may want to adjust. Remove a meal and add in another one that will need that ingredient. Doing this always saves me money and keeps my from impulse buying.
5. Join loyalty programs.
Stores often offer loyalty offers for members. The majority of them are free. I have never joined one that I’ve had to pay for. Where I live there is a Frys Food & Drug, Safeway and Bashas. Each offers a free option to get deals on food and items you are already buying. They are definitely worth signing up for.
6. Limit shopping trips.
The more you go the more you will fall victim to impulse shopping. I have been a victim myself. You will end up spending more every time. Even going once a week I consider a lot but it works for me and I am able to stay within budget and keep food in the house for my family and I. For me a once a week grocery trip saves me money. So if it works for you to go every other week or even once a month, then do that! You will not only save money on food but also on gas. Don’t even get me started on the price of gas! Save where you can when you can!!
7. Shop store brands.
I am a total believer in store brands. I do the majority of my shopping at Walmart and will always buy Great Value over the name brand. I have never noticed a difference in the taste or value and it saves me quite a bit. Walmart continuously adds their version of a lot of their items. I literally saves me a ton shopping the off brand or store brand.
8. Clip coupons.
In this day and age, most coupons are digital. Whether you are using paper coupons or digital coupons, this will save you some money as well. Again just use the coupons for what you need. It isn’t beneficial to clip a coupon for something you don’t even need. Stick to your budget and only clip the coupons you NEED!
9. Shop your local Famer’s Market.
If you love fresh produce and have it on your list, you may want to see if you area has a local farmer’s market. The fresh veggies and fruit are typically of great quality, and usually a little cheaper than the big stores.
10. Grocery apps.
So like I said I tend to do most my shopping at Walmart. I have noticed that using their app they will sometimes offer special pricing that you may not see in store. Many big-box stores have apps. It is often a good idea to check out their app before purchase to see if you can save on any of the items on your list.
11. Shop the store from front to back.
This step may seem unnecessary to some but this method has also saved me a lot of money. To be honest also time. Now a days I will do grocery pick up, but before I would go in the store to shop, (still do every once in a while) I would write my list according to the store I shopped. My list coordinated with store starting with the food in the back and ending with the front near the registers. I promise you it will save you time and money!
12. Only buy what you need!
This step is a lot like step 4, looking for sales. Only buy what you are going to need! I don’t mean the sales where you have to buy one to get one, that one works out. It’s the buy 2, get one free that will get you every time. Just remember re you going to be able to eat it all before it goes bad? It’s not a good deal if you end up throwing it away!!
13. Skip the non food items.
Don’t buy toiletries, paper products or cosmetics at a typical grocery store. More often than not, you will be able to find these much cheaper at other stores! Grocery stores don’t typically have good deals on these items. If can try Costco or Sam’s Club, often Walmart has great deals on cosmetics, toilet paper and paper towels.
14. Avoid pre-packaged items.
While buying pre-cut veggies or pre-shredded cheese can save you time while cooking, stores often charge more for the convenience. Opt for whole items, like fresh or frozen veggies and block cheese, to save money. Invest in some good reusable containers and create your own single servings. I like to buy larger bags of snacks and divide them into Ziploc bags for grab and go snacks. The pre-packaged snacks are always more expensive. This is an easy money saving option!
15. Say no to bottled water.
Not only is bottled water expensive it is not good for Mother Earth. We have a water cooler, I refill our 5 gallon bottles at Walmart. It saves us a lot of money doing it this way and is a greener way of doing things. Another option is to use a water filter for your sink faucet and use the tap water you already have available.
16. Shop the cheaper cuts of meat.
There a lot of delicious meals you can make with a cheaper meat option. Chicken thighs and legs, a whole chicken and often ground beef are a little on the cheaper side. You can make a variety of meals without sacrificing taste while saving money.
17. Buy in bulk (if possible).
Shopping Costco or Sam’s Club can help you rack up savings when buying in bulk. If you have a large family, joining a wholesale club can be a good idea. But remember that buying in bulk isn’t for everyone since you’ll have to spend more money upfront, even though you’re saving overall. This may not be an option depending on your cash flow.
18. Check the unit price of items.
Just because something costs less doesn’t mean it’s cheaper. Looking at the price per unit will give you a better idea of what actually are the best deals and the best prices.
19. No more K-Cups.
If you’re trying to save money on your grocery bill, try using the My K-Cup that came with your machine, or purchase a reusable pod and fill with your own coffee. Buying coffee in the canister saves you money while still enjoying your cup of jo! If you are an iced coffee drinker, like myself try making your own cold brew (my recipe here) I use a cheap canister of coffee and am able to enjoy an XL cup of iced coffee a couple times a day.
20. Buy frozen.
You can often save a lot by buying frozen meat (hamburger patties, seafood, etc.) cheaper than buying fresh. It saves money and gives you a longer time to use these items. When I buy frozen hamburger patties there are 12 patties in the bag, for my family that is 4 meals. Same for out of season fruits! Frozen fruit makes great smoothies and treats!
21. No end cap shopping.
Unless it’s on your list put your blinders on while passing the end caps of aisles. They will get you every time and make you think it’s something you have to have, and they aren’t always the best deal. So skip the end caps and unnecessary items calling your name as you go by.
22. Make it quick.
My 3rd tip in this post was to make a meal plan and grocery list. Give yourself a time limit and stick to your list. Cross off each item you bought starting from the back of the store. As you end the list will be done and you will be at the registers. Don’t linger, the longer you are there the higher the chances you will find something you don’t need and ultimately spend more money.
I hope this helps save you some money. These are all things I do on a regular basis and am able to save every month on food expenses. I don’t feel we go without, just makes me more aware of what I am paying for things and if we really need them. Being the list queen that I am, I enjoy making my grocery list every week and feel it disciplines me to stay on track! Give these a try, let me know if they are a help at all. Or have anymore tips? Share with me, maybe I can add them in to my own money saving routine.
