How to Save Money on Groceries
A year ago, a simple trip to the grocery store felt like the most stressful event of the week. That’s because food prices usually go up about 2% each year, but we saw an 11% increase from 2021 to 2022. And our budgets felt that change. Big-time.
Thankfully, the increase has slowed down. But it is still rising. Right now, groceries are up around 2.4% over last year, and since things were already so high, you’re probably still feeling the pinch in the checkout line.
But this isn’t all doom and gloom here. Yes, those inflation rates are out of our control, but you’ve got way more control over your spending than you might think.
With these tips on how to save money on groceries, you can start shopping with way less stress, even when you get the cart with that squeaky wheel. (You know, sometimes I think they all have squeaky wheels.)
How Much Do People Spend on Groceries Each Month?
First let’s talk about how much people tend to spend on this budget line. The average cost of monthly groceries for one adult on the thrifty plan ranges from $242 to $303. And when it comes to a family of four, the average cost for their monthly grocery bill is about $975.
Those averages might seem low to you, spot on or crazy high. So many factors come into play here: like where you live or how many special dietary needs you have. But in any case, you can still be more intentional and save more money on groceries. So, let’s get to those tips!
How to Save Money on Groceries
Sure, grocery prices are high, but here are 15 ways to help you fill your carts, fridges, pantries and stomachs—while still respecting your budget.
1. Redefine dinner.
If the word dinner makes you picture a big homemade meal with a pot roast fresh out of the oven, two carefully-prepped sides of fresh veggies from the farmers market, a warm loaf of French bread, and a huge, freshly baked chocolate cake from scratch—it’s time to give yourself a break. This isn’t 1952, and supper doesn’t have to be a huge, complicated feast.
Serve. Simple. Meals. Have pancakes, scrambled eggs and fruit for dinner—your kids will love that. Enjoy a soup and grilled cheese night. Pick some simple, cheaper meals to shrink your stress and your grocery budget.
2. Crunch some numbers while you shop.
Pull up the calculator on your phone and keep track of everything you put in the cart. If you keep a running total of groceries as you go, you’ll save yourself from any bad surprises when you get up to the checkout counter. Just don’t forget sales tax, or your numbers will be way off in the end.
3. Round up your grocery cost estimates.
Next time you’re wondering how to save money on groceries, try this trick: While you’re walking around with your calculator, round up each item’s price. The $1.49 avocado becomes $2, that $7.75 bag of coffee beans becomes $8—you get the idea.
If you do this for everything in your cart, you’ll still know roughly what you’re spending, but you’ve set yourself up for a fun surprise when the actual total is less!
4. Raid your pantry.
Challenge yourself to look through your pantry (or fridge) and see what kinds of meals you can throw together with the ingredients you already have. Who says you have to stock up on more groceries when there are perfectly good chicken thighs shoved in the back of your freezer and a couple unopened cans of black beans and salsa on your shelves?
You might still need to buy a few items to make full meals, but you’ll save a lot by using food you already have.
5. Think before you buy in bulk.
Buying in bulk is amazing . . . when it actually saves you money. But don’t assume the big bulk buys at the discount stores are automatically the cheaper option. When you’re grocery shopping on a budget, you need to compare the price per unit or ounce. The bigger bottle of shampoo isn’t always the best deal!
Also, as tempting as it is to stock up, don’t buy more than you really need—especially when it comes to things that go bad. Throwing half of your giant bag of oranges away because they rotted in your fruit basket doesn’t save you a dime.
6. Know when to shop.
When it comes to getting a good deal, timing is key. Find out if your go-to grocery store has a day of the week when they offer special deals. Also, make sure you know the sales cycles. Some grocery stores put out their new weekly deals on Sunday, but others do on a random day of the week!
7. Start freezing and storing meals now.
Need to figure out how to save money on food fast? Say hello to freezer meals. I love these because you can set aside time to prep ahead and end up having great meals in the week with less stress.
Look online for great recipes, do prep work for most of the week in a couple hours, and then you’re just pulling things out of the freezer every night and never worrying ingredients will go bad before you get to them!
You’ll save time. You’ll save money. You’ll lower your stress. And you can confidently say no to those drive thru temptations because you know an easy dinner is waiting at home! This tip is a lifesaver for busy budgeters.
8. Pay with cash.
I say it all the time, people: Cash is king! If you want to set and stick to your grocery budget—pay with cash.
Get yourself a cash envelope system going for this budget line (and any others that are hard to keep in line). When you go to the store with cash in hand, you know exactly how much you can spend—because once the cash runs out, that’s it.
9. Make a meal plan.
This is one of my absolute favorite tips for how to save money on groceries. Are you ready for this? Make a meal plan and a grocery list before you ever leave the house. Look to see what you already have in the fridge, pantry and freezer while you plan. Use the sales ad and any coupons you have when you make your plan—so you know you’re getting the best deals all around.
10. Stick to the grocery list.
Okay, making the grocery list from your meal plan is just the first part here. When you get to the store, stick to the list. I mean it! That’s how you’ll say goodbye to impulse buys that rack up your bill and avoid purchases that seem like a good idea but end up in the trash. You’ll save so much when you stick to that grocery list.
11. Order curbside pickup.
If you get a little sidetracked when you’re shopping in person, order your groceries for curbside pickup. Let’s face it, the food images on your screen are way less tempting than that freshly baked coffee cake that catches your eye when you’re innocently reaching for the pizza dough that’s actually on your list.
Shopping online is also an easy way to compare brand prices, see what’s on sale, and watch the total add up in real time without the calculator! Plus, you’ll save time by avoiding all that walking around the store.
Just remember: Lots of stores offer this service at no charge. But even if there’s a small fee, you might save overall with this method—so do some math and see for yourself.
12. Shop in season.
When you’re grocery shopping on a budget, it’s super important to shop produce that’s in season. Buying fresh mangos in January will cost you way more than average—and they might not even taste good! So, make those mango salsa recipes in the summer and only buy fruits and veggies when they’re in season.
13. Ignore eye-level items.
Have you ever noticed that the most expensive items on the grocery shelves are right at your eye level? That’s no accident. Grocery stores are smart. They want you to see those items and splurge.
Instead of falling for those marketing tricks, look up and down as you shop. The more affordable brands tend to be higher or lower on the shelves. Now that you know what those clever stores are up to, you can literally keep your eye out for grocery savings.
14. Try different grocery stores.
You guys, it may be time to break up with your go-to grocery store. It’s not you—it’s their overpriced produce.
Find the cheapest grocery store in your area. I’m talking about Aldi, Market Basket, WinCo Foods, Food 4 Less, Costco, Walmart and Trader Joe’s. But don’t get too comfy at just one of those. Check the weekly ads to see what’s on sale at competing grocery stores. Go where the sales are! That’s how you really save on groceries.
15. Save certain purchases for when they’re on sale.
I’ve got a few name-brand items I simply will not skimp on. But here’s the way I make it work with my budget: I only buy those pricier items when they’re on sale or I have a coupon or—better yet—both!
If you watch sale trends and stock up on your favorite things only when you’ve got a deal, you’ll save so much on groceries!
Read the entire article here: How to Save Money on Groceries