How to Save Money on Groceries: 11 Ways to Save Money

Grocery shopping can consume a big slice of your budget, but it doesn’t have to. With some savvy approaches, however, you can cut costs dramatically while still enjoying meals that are both good for you and delicious. Here are 11 grocery saving tips to help you shop smart and save more money.

Ways to Save Money on Groceries

Groceries can eat up a large portion of your budget, but they don’t have to. By employing some savvy tactics, you can easily trim your food budget without sacrificing nutritious and tasty meals. Here are 11 ways to save money on groceries so you can come home from the store with more food and/or more bucks in your pocket.

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Stick to a Shopping List

One of the best ways to save on groceries is making — and sticking to — a shopping list. A list will save you from making impulse purchases that can add up. Take stock of what you already have in the house before going to the store, and make your purchases based on what you need. Use a budgeting app such as PocketGuard to sort your list and monitor how much you’ve spent (so the total doesn’t exceed your set grocery budget).

Create a Weekly Meal Plan

Do you need help with grocery savings? Planning ahead means you can only buy what you need, and avoid wasting (money or food). Schedule a weekly session to plan breakfast, lunch, and dinner while keeping in mind ingredients that can be used in multiple dishes. It helps trim the fat not only on your grocery purchases, but in how you cook things, too.

Here are some real-world steps to help meal planning align with your budget:

Shop your shelves. Check what you already have: First, don’t forget to check the nonperishables in your pantry and the perishables hiding out (or hiding from you) in your fridge or freezer, so you won’t buy duplicates.

Plan sales and discounts. Check the weekly store ads and plan meals with items that are on sale.

Cook in bulk – Cooking bigger quantities means you can spread meals over several days, or freeze what you don’t need now.

Go for double-duty ingredients – Rice, beans, chicken, and vegetables are all examples of food that can be made one day and on reused in a different dish later.

One “flex meal” (for spillover or delivery, in case plans change last-minute)

Through a simple four-step process, meal planning becomes a cost-saving machine that keeps grocery spending in check and limits the risks of eating out at expensive restaurants.

Use Discounts and Promotions Wisely

There are two significant weapons in the battle to save money on groceries: coupons and promotions. Check store flyers, apps, and websites for weekly deals and discounts. To make couponing faster and more convenient, I look for discounts to clip to my store loyalty card. Be strategic — concentrate on a discount for something you already regularly use rather than purchasing an item just because it is on sale. That way, you always get the most bang for your grocery buck.

Buy Seasonal Fruits and Vegetables

In-season fruits and vegetables are frequently less expensive and fresher than out-of-season varieties. So head to your local farmers’ market, or take a look at the year-round seasonal section of your grocery store for great deals on fruits and vegetables. For instance, purchase berries in the summer and root vegetables in the fall to get maximum savings. Knowing what’s in season where you live can save you a substantial amount of money at the grocery store and ensure your meals are just as tasty and nutritious.

Choose Store Brands Over Name Brands

Sometimes store-name brands are just as good, but cheaper. Most grocery stores offer their own “store brands” of staples such as cereal, canned goods, dairy, and many other products. After comparing ingredient lists and looking at a number of different products, you may well find that store brands are just as good an investment for less. Simply swapping out branded groceries for store brands can help trim grocery costs without sacrificing taste or quality.

Compare Prices Across Stores

Grocery stores don’t all price the same, so it pays to compare prices. Download apps and check on staples, or look at prices online for stores before you go shopping. Some stores — or additional sites — may offer better deals on items like meat or produce, so you might want to consider shopping at more than one location. It’s a little bit of work, but this tactic can get more out of your grocery money.

Freeze Food and Leftovers

Freezing food and leftovers is a smart way to cut down on waste and grocery costs. Or divide meals between freezer-safe containers, portioning out especially perishable items like meat, vegetables, or cooked dishes. This way, you can stock up when prices are low and then use the food later. When stored properly, several foods can keep for months in the freezer, enabling you to get the most bang for your grocery bucks.

Buy Pantry Staples in Bulk

Stocking up on pantry staples like rice, pasta, beans, and spices can save you a ton of money in the long run. The bulk section: Wholesale clubs, discount stores, or the bulk sections of grocery stores are often where you’ll find a lower per-unit cost than with smaller packages. For instance, a 10-pound bag of rice is almost always less expensive per serving than several little boxes. That can really add up over a year.

But there is a strategic element that is important to consider. Buy only what you can reasonably store and consume before it spoils, or those “savings” become wasted food — and a waste of money. If you live in a small space, prioritize nonperishable products or those with long shelf lives that don’t require much storage space.

To get the most out of bulk buying, consider meal planning to capitalise on any deals, and use a budget calculator to monitor your spending. “You’ll know exactly what percentage of your monthly grocery budget is going toward stocking up, and you won’t be tempted to overspend in the interest of savings,” Lyness says. Not to mention, earmarking a small amount of your budget each month for “buy in bulk” shopping trips means you’re gradually building a better-stocked pantry without breaking the bank.

Use Grocery Apps and Budgeting Tools

There are grocery apps and budgeting tools designed to save us all money on groceries. Apps such as PocketGuard allow you to monitor spending, create budgets, and seek out deals at local stores. And certain apps also offer money or rewards for select purchases. Add these tools to your shopping routine to stay organized and make smart decisions, which can decrease the cost of groceries each time.

Avoid Shopping on an Empty Stomach

Being hungry while shopping can often lead to impulsive purchases that will derail your overall grocery savings. Have a meal or snack before going shopping so that you stay on track with your list. It’s a small practice that can help you avoid tempting snacks or processed convenience foods, which can increase your grocery costs. Discipline is essential in order to help keep your grocery money in check.

Join Loyalty Programs and Rewards Cards

Most grocery stores have loyalty programs or rewards cards, providing access to special discounts, points, cash-back, or gifts with purchases. Here are some programs where you can sign up to earn even more cash back on your existing purchases. Some apps offer custom deals based on your shopping habits, making it easier to save money when grocery shopping. Contact your closest store to find out about their rewards program and begin saving!

Final Thoughts on Grocery Savings

Adopting these 11 tactics can help shave your grocery bills and keep you from busting the budget. Whether it’s sticking to a shopping list or taking advantage of loyalty programs, every tip provides an actionable way to lower your food bill. Ease in by testing out one or two strategies first, and rely on resources such as the PocketGuard budgeting app to monitor your success. With a little forethought and self-discipline, you won’t believe how much money you can shave off your grocery bill.