Saving money on groceries doesn’t mean you have to skimp on quality or nutrition. It just takes a little getting creative with your shopping. Whether you’re alone or feeding an endless munching horde of family members, enable these 15 supermarket tricks to save money so that your pantry is never empty and healthy after a intense workout. Here are a few techniques you can use to save 20–40% on your grocery bill starting today!
Planning & Preparation
1. Make a Detailed Shopping List. The first step to smart grocery shopping and saving money is having a plan. Do a little meal planning before you go shopping and then check to see what you already have at the house. By doing so, you will avoid the impulse buys and buying stuff that you actually do not need. The whole idea is to save money, so stick to your list! For example, apps like AnyList, Google Keep, or Apple Reminders will help you organize your shopping list.
Consider investing in a magnetic meal planner for your refrigerator or reusable shopping list notepads to keep your planning visible and organized. A phone holder for shopping carts also makes it easier to reference your digital lists while shopping.
2. Shop with a Full Stomach. Have you ever noticed how your cart fills up quicker when you are hungry? You may buy up to 64% more goods when you go shopping starving. Therefore, get a snack or meal beforehand so you do not fall into this costly mistake.
3. Set a Budget and Bring Cash. Establish a grocery budget ahead of time if you want to avoid overspending on souvenirs, don’t bring your credit cards with you (leave them at home) and only carry cash. Paying with cash also helps you be more mindful of your spending cash than just swiping a card.
A cash envelope system wallet can help you stick to your grocery budget by physically separating your grocery money from other expenses. Pair this with a budget planner book specifically designed for tracking grocery spending.
Strategic Shopping Timing
4. Shop During Off-Peak Hours. Timing can be everything! For the best deals on perishables and less of a crowd, it is perfect to shop in the early morning or late evenings. Weekdays are usually less crowded than weekends so you can easily get all the material.
5. Shop During Sales Cycles. Supermarkets reset most sales every 6-8 weeks. Shop midweek (Wednesday, Thursday) when the new sales cycle starts and end-of-month clearances on seasonal items. Pro Tip: Join your store’s email newsletter to get notified of sales.
Smart Product Selection
6. Shop the Perimeter First. The outer edges of the store usually have fresh produce, dairy, and meats—the essentials for healthy meals. That being said, the aisles in the center are stocked with already-prepared foods that tend to be more expensive and not quite as good for you. Fill your cart with whole foods first to help keep costs down.
7. Buy Generic/Store Brands. Don’t forget about store brands! Typically, they are 20-40% less expensive and can be as good as the name brands. Often, they are actually made by the same companies. Begin with staples such as pasta, rice and canned goods to save money.
8. Choose Seasonal Produce. Purchasing fruits and vegetables in season will save you money. They are going to be fresher, tastier and cost a fraction of the out-of-season alternatives. Buy in bulk and freeze or conserve them for when prices fall. Example: Strawberries are cheapest on summer. Stock up, freeze them and drink smoothies all year!
To maximize your seasonal produce savings, consider a vacuum sealer machine for long-term storage and reusable silicone freezer bags for portioning. Herb keeper containers and produce storage containers will also help extend the life of fresh items, reducing waste.
Quantity & Storage Strategies
9. Buy in Bulk (Strategically). Buying in bulk is a great way to save some money, but only if you do it right. Concentrate on the nice savable staples, like rice, pasta and canned food. But as with any sale, always pay attention to price-per-unit to ensure that you are getting a good value. When it comes to those items which spoil easily – unless you are absolutely confident that would use them up soon enough, stay away from buying stuff in bulk.
Airtight food storage containers and clear storage bins with labels will keep your bulk purchases fresh and organized, preventing waste and duplicated purchases.
10. Embrace Frozen and Canned Options. And you know what — those frozen veggies and canned goods can be equally nutritious as their fresh counterparts. Buy staples like beans, tomatoes, and canned tuna on sale so that you always can have access to healthy food.
Lazy Susan turntables in your pantry can help you see and access all your spices and herbs, preventing items from expiring.
Advanced Money-Saving Techniques
11. Use Multiple Stores Strategically. Different stores often have different strengths. Another store that has nice prices for some produce will be expensive for meat or whatever. Plan your shopping so that you visit only 2–3 stores but avoid using too much money on gas or time.
12. Master the Art of Substitution. Adapt when prices change. Aggressiveness is good for making money, but flexibility will keep it. For instance, if chicken is expensive some weeks, perhaps you will have eggs or beans as an alternative. Plan your meals loosely based on what’s on sale and you’ll save a ton money.
13. Search the Shelves Low and High. When it comes to supermarkets, the more expensive items are usually right at eye level. Look for cheaper options at the low and high ends of the shelves. Good savings can be made by comparing prices across different shelf levels.
Technology & Coupons
14. Utilize Store Apps and Digital Coupons. Take advantage of technology! Supermarkets like Target have an app that may include discounts and digital coupons only available through the app. Turn it into a moneymaker with cash back apps like Ibotta or Checkout51. Pro Tip: Take 10 minutes before you head out to the store and get your digital coupons loaded — it makes a difference!
Keep a portable phone charger handy to ensure your phone stays powered throughout your shopping trip for accessing apps and digital coupons.
15. Price Match When Available. Some stores will match a competitor’s price if you show proof of a lower price elsewhere. Bring ads or use price comparison apps to take advantage of this policy. Just be sure to check your store’s rules first.
EXTRA TIPS FOR MAX SAVINGS
- Cooking at Home: You can spend up to 3 to 4 times less cooking at home than having a meal in a restaurant.
- Meal prep: Prep meals to reduce food waste and prevent those costly last-minute purchases.
- Go by Price Per Unit: Look at the price by ounce or pound, as well as just the package price.
- Limit Shopping Trips: The less often you go, the fewer impulse purchases you will make and save on gas and time.
Home Cooking Success. Invest in quality tools that making cooking easier and more efficient: glass meal prep containers for batch cooking, a slow cooker or Instant Pot for transforming cheaper cuts of meat into delicious meals, and a food processor to quickly prep vegetables bought in bulk. These tools pay for themselves by making home cooking more convenient and helping you use every ingredient you buy.
Expected Savings
Families could save from 20-40% on their grocery bills overall by exploiting these supermarket tricks as a routine habit. Add any or a few of these strategies to start slowly building the habits in your daily life. And remember, the point is not to only buy the cheapest food you can find but rather to get great bangs for your buck on healthy, delicious meals that work within your budget.
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Additional Resources. For readers who want to diver deeper into budget cooking, consider picking up cookbooks focused on affordable meals like “Good and Cheap” by Leanne Brown, or books on canning and preserving to maximize your seasonal produce savings.
Check out this other article from Meneration X: Investing Beyond the Savings Account: A Beginner’s Guide to 10 Smart Strategies for Long-Term Growth.