Let’s face it, grocery shopping is one category that can eat into your budget these days.
More than ever, it is important to keep a close eye on how much you are spending at the store.
According to recent data, the average American household spends about $270 weekly on groceries, which is roughly $1,080 every month.
That’s a big chunk of your income, especially if you are trying to make ends meet.
In 2023, the average U.S. consumer spent 11.2% of their disposable income on food. That breaks down to 5.3% on groceries and 5.9% on eating out.
What stood out from these statistics was that for lower-income households, food costs hit even harder. They ended up spending around 32.6% of their after-tax income just to put meals on the table.
Given these statistics, there is a need to find effective strategies that can help you save money on groceries without compromising on nutrition or quality. In this post, you will learn several ways to cut costs and save money on groceries.
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Make a Grocery List and Stick to It
If you want to save money on groceries without a coupon, this is one habit that can make a huge difference.
Creating a grocery list may sound like a basic task, but it’s a very powerful one. It helps you focus on what you need instead of getting distracted by things that just look good at the moment.
Without a list, you are more likely to wander through the aisles and grab items out of impulse, adding more items to pay for.
PRO TIP: Before you go shopping, take a few minutes to plan your meals for the week and check what you already have at home. Then write down only what you need. You can use a pen and paper or a note app on your phone to do this, the goal is the same.
Use coupons and promo codes
One of the easiest ways to cut down your grocery bill is by using coupons and promo codes. While it may seem old-school to some, it works, and you don’t have to spend hours clipping newspapers like people did years ago.
Today, you can find coupons almost everywhere. Many grocery stores still offer physical coupons in flyers, newspapers, or directly in-store.
If you prefer paper, just grab a few before you shop and match them with items on your list. But if you’re more of a digital person, there are plenty of apps and websites that make couponing super easy.
Apps like Honey, Rakuten, Ibotta, and store-specific apps like Target Circle or Kroger Digital Coupons can help you find discounts in seconds.
You simply browse deals, activate them with one click, and save them automatically at checkout, either in-store or online.
Some stores even offer loyalty programs where you can unlock personalized discounts based on your shopping habits.
If you are shopping online, promo codes can give you instant savings or even free delivery. Just search for promo codes before you check out, it takes less than a minute and can save you a lot of time.
Plan Meals Around Sales and Flyers
One of the smartest ways to save on groceries is by planning your meals around the sales and deals you see in store flyers. It might take a little extra time upfront, but it can help cut down on your overall grocery expenses.
Start by checking your local grocery store’s weekly flyer or online promotions. Most stores release their flyers on a regular schedule, either weekly or bi-weekly.
These flyers highlight the sales, discounts, and special offers available during that week. When you take a few minutes to review them, you can see which items are on sale and which ones are a great deal.
Once you know what’s on sale, plan your meals around those ingredients.
For example, if chicken breasts are on sale this week, you could plan for a few chicken-based meals like stir-fries, soups, or salads.
If fresh vegetables are discounted, consider making hearty vegetable soups, salads, or side dishes.
When you base your meals around what’s on sale, you don’t have to stick to a rigid menu. You might have planned to make a pasta dish, but if tomatoes are on sale, you could switch it up and make a tomato-based sauce instead.
This not only saves you money but also gives you the chance to try new recipes based on what’s fresh and affordable.
In addition to checking the flyers for specific deals, also keep an eye out for bundle offers.
Many stores offer discounts when you buy in bulk or purchase items together, such as “buy one, get one free” offers or discounted multi-packs.
Take advantage of these deals, especially for non-perishable items or things you know you’ll use regularly.
Selectively Buy in Bulk
Another way to save money on groceries is to buy them in bulk. It is also important to be selective about what you buy in bulk.
Non-perishable foods like rice, beans, pasta, and canned goods are perfect examples of things to stock up on in bulk.
These items are necessities in many households and have a long shelf life, which means you can buy them in large quantities without worrying that they will go bad before you use them.
When you buy in bulk, you often get a lower price per unit, which adds up to significant savings over time.
For example, buying a large bag of rice or a bulk pack of pasta can cost more upfront, but you are paying less per pound or unit than if you bought smaller packages.
This can lead to big savings, especially if you cook these foods regularly.
Canned goods, like beans, tomatoes, or tuna, are another great example. They are usually cheaper when bought in larger quantities, and they last for months or even years in your pantry.
However, it’s important to avoid buying things in bulk that you are not sure you will use up. Groceries like fresh produce or dairy products aren’t ideal for bulk buying because they spoil quickly.
You also want to be careful not to buy too much of one item just because it’s on sale and only stock up on what you actually need and will use within a reasonable time frame.
Shop Store Brands Instead of Name Brands
One of the simplest ways to save money on groceries is by choosing store brands over name-brand products.
It might feel tempting to grab the well-known brand, but when you really compare it, you discover that many store brands offer the same quality at a much lower price.
Store brands are often produced in the same factories or use similar ingredients to the big-name brands.
In fact, many store-brand products are manufactured by the same companies that make the more expensive name brands.
The difference is the packaging, marketing, and the price tag. When you choose store brands, you are essentially getting the same product without paying for the fancy label.
For example, store-brand cereal, pasta, or canned vegetables are usually just as good as the name-brand versions.
The taste, texture, and nutritional value are often nearly identical, but you can save anywhere from 10% to 40% by opting for the store version.
Avoid Shopping When Hungry
Have you ever gone grocery shopping on an empty stomach and ended up with a cart full of snacks and extra treats?
This is a common mistake and one that can seriously sabotage your grocery budget. Shopping when you are hungry makes it so much harder to stick to your list and avoid impulse buys.
When you are hungry, your brain craves quick energy, and what’s easier to grab than chips, cookies, or a candy bar?
Those processed snacks may look tempting, but they aren’t necessary for your meals and will only add to your grocery bill.
Additionally, when you are hungry, you are more likely to throw extra items into your cart, things that weren’t on your list, and that you probably don’t need.
To avoid this, try to make sure you eat before you go to the store. Even a small snack like an apple or a handful of nuts can help curb your hunger and make you less likely to buy items you will regret later.
If you’re shopping after a long day or you are feeling rushed, consider grabbing a quick bite before heading to the store, or at least drink some water to fill you up.
Freeze Leftovers or Batch Cook
One of the best ways to save money on groceries and reduce food waste is by freezing leftovers or doing some batch cooking. Both of these habits can help stretch your grocery budget and make your meals go further, giving you more bang for your buck.
Let’s start with leftovers. Often, after a meal, we end up with extra food that either gets thrown out or sits in the fridge, only to be forgotten.
Instead of wasting it, freeze the leftovers for later. Most cooked foods freeze well and can be reheated for a quick and easy meal later on.
You will save money because you are using up what you already bought, and you won’t be tempted to buy takeout when you are short on time.
Now, if you are really looking to maximize your savings, batch cooking is your best bet.
Batch cooking means preparing large portions of meals in advance and then freezing them in individual servings.
For example, you could cook a big pot of chilli or stew, divide it into smaller portions, and freeze them.
On days when you don’t feel like cooking, you can just pull out a portion of the pre-cooked meal and heat it.
This not only saves you time during the week but also reduces the temptation to order expensive takeout.
Shop at Ethnic Markets or Local Vendors
If you are serious about saving money on groceries, you shouldn’t overlook ethnic markets or local vendors.
These smaller, community-focused stores often offer a variety of products at lower prices compared to large chain supermarkets, especially when it comes to certain items like spices, fresh produce, and bulk goods.
Ethnic markets, for example, tend to specialize in ingredients and products that are common in specific cuisines which could be Asian, Latin, Middle Eastern, or African foods.
These stores often have great deals on fresh produce like vegetables and fruits, which are usually cheaper than what you’d find in big supermarkets.
They also carry spices in larger quantities at lower prices, which is fantastic if you love cooking at home and want to experiment with new flavors.
Additionally, many ethnic markets offer bulk items like rice, beans, lentils, and grains at more affordable rates.
Buying these in bulk helps you save on packaging costs, and these items tend to have a long shelf life, making them perfect for stocking up without worrying about spoilage.
Local vendors, such as farmers’ markets or small neighborhood shops, are also worth considering.
These markets often offer fresher produce and can give you access to items that aren’t widely available in grocery stores. Plus, you are supporting local farmers and businesses, which is always a great way to help your community.
Join or Start a Grocery Co-op or Buying Club
Joining or starting a grocery co-op or buying club is another excellent solution to consider. These cooperative buying groups allow you to pool your resources with others to purchase food in bulk, which helps reduce costs for everyone involved.
A grocery co-op is essentially a group of people who come together to buy food and household items at a discounted price.
By purchasing in large quantities, co-ops can often negotiate lower prices from suppliers, which translates to savings for all members.
Buying clubs work similarly. They are groups of individuals who buy items in bulk and split the costs.
For example, a group might decide to buy a large bulk order of rice, beans, or frozen vegetables and then divide the quantity among the members. This can save a lot of money, especially on non-perishable items you use regularly.
You can start your own grocery co-op or buying club by gathering a few friends, family, or neighbors who share similar food preferences or grocery needs.
It’s also a great way to buy organic or specialty foods at a more affordable price. You can also look into existing co-ops or clubs in your area, as many communities already have established groups.
Buy from Clearance Racks
One of the easiest ways to save money on groceries is to take advantage of clearance racks or sections where stores offer heavily discounted items, especially those near their expiry date. These items may have a shorter shelf life, but they can still be perfectly good to use, and the savings can be significant.
Most grocery stores have a dedicated clearance section where you can find items marked down due to factors like approaching expiry dates or overstocked products. Sometimes, stores also discount items that are being phased out or replaced with newer products.
Buying near-expiry items can be a great option, especially if you plan to use them soon.
If you’re flexible with your meal planning, you can often find great deals in these sections.
For example, if you see a box of cereal or a pack of cheese marked down, but you didn’t plan to buy it that week, consider adjusting your meals to incorporate those items.
You are still getting quality products, but at a much lower price than usual.
It’s also worth noting that clearance items are typically marked down significantly, sometimes up to 50% or more, making them an easy way to cut down on your grocery bill. Just make sure to check the expiry dates and ensure you can use the product before it goes bad.
Learn How to Regrow Veggies from Scraps
Regrowing vegetables from kitchen scraps is an easy and cost-effective way to save money on groceries.
Instead of buying fresh green onions, lettuce, or herbs like basil every week, you can regrow them from the leftovers you already have in your kitchen.
This means you are getting fresh, home-grown produce without spending extra money at the store.
For example, if you regularly buy green onions, you can regrow them from the root ends that would otherwise be discarded. This simple method allows you to keep growing your green onions for free, reducing the need to buy them each time you need them.
Lettuce and herbs like basil can also be regrown from scraps. By reusing the leftover parts of the vegetables you have already used, you won’t have to purchase these items as often, and you’ll always have fresh ingredients available.
In addition to the immediate savings, this practice reduces food waste by giving you a second chance to use parts of vegetables that would typically go to the trash. As a result, you are making the most of what you have, which leads to less frequent grocery trips and a lower overall grocery bill.
Trade or Swap with Neighbors
If you are looking for a creative and budget-friendly way to save money on groceries, consider starting a trade or swap system with your neighbors.
We all have pantry items that we buy in bulk or end up with extras of, so why not swap what you have for something you need? It’s a simple, effective way to cut down on grocery costs while building a sense of community.
For example, maybe you have bought a large bag of rice that you are not sure you will finish anytime soon, while your neighbor has an excess of pasta.
Instead of letting that rice sit unused or buying more pasta when you run out, you can trade. Swapping items can help both of you make use of what you have, avoiding waste and unnecessary spending. It’s a win-win situation.
Follow Stores or Farmers on Social Media
One smart and often overlooked way to save money on groceries is by following your favorite stores or local farmers on social media.
Many stores now use platforms like Instagram, Facebook, or X (formerly Twitter) to share updates, and sometimes those updates include flash deals, exclusive discounts, or limited-time offers that never make it to printed flyers or official websites.
Staying connected will help you be among the first to know when there’s a clearance event, a seasonal sale, or even surprise giveaways.
Some local stores also post when they have extra stock to clear out fast, which usually means deep discounts on fresh produce, baked goods, or pantry staples.
Small farms or markets, especially, may share posts when they have fresh harvests, special bundles, or “ugly produce” sales at a lower price. These offers are often limited and get scooped up quickly, so being in the loop gives you a major advantage.
These small changes can grow to big savings over time, helping you stretch your budget without stress.
Which of these tips do you already use, and which one are you excited to try next? I’m eager to hear how you save money on groceries in your own unique way.
