27 Ways To Save Money On Groceries
Are you wondering how to save money on groceries this week? This is how to make grocery shopping feel less overwhelming while keeping more money in your budget each week. Grocery prices have gone up, and a lot of families are looking for simple ways to spend less on food without making life harder. Learning how to save money on groceries can help make meal planning easier and cut down on stress around shopping trips. A few smart habits can really help stretch your grocery budget and make everyday meals feel more manageable. These easy grocery saving ideas are realistic for busy homes and normal weekly shopping.
I started paying more attention to my grocery spending after realizing how fast food costs were climbing from one trip to the next. It felt like I was buying the same things but somehow spending more every single week. Once I became more mindful about the way I shopped, I noticed a big difference in how organized and relaxed my week felt at home. Finding simple ways to make groceries fit the budget better can really make life feel easier for them
How To Save Money On Groceries
1. Create a Meal Plan
Creating a meal plan before grocery shopping can help keep food spending more manageable throughout the week. When meals are planned out ahead of time, it becomes easier to shop with purpose and use ingredients more efficiently instead of grabbing random extras at the store. A meal plan can also make busy evenings feel less stressful since dinner ideas are already figured out in advance.
We also have a ton of make ahead overnight oats recipes to help you stay away from fast food right here on our blog. Start with our easy make ahead breakfast ideas.
2. Use a Shopping List
A shopping list is your best friend when it comes to grocery shopping. By jotting down the items you need before heading to the store, you’re less likely to be swayed by tempting promotions or items you don’t actually require. If you use Google Sheets, this spreadsheet by Serenatas is amazing for keeping your lists organized.
3. Buy Generic Brands
Choosing generic brands is an easy way to bring grocery costs down without changing what ends up on the table. Most store brands come from the same suppliers as name brands, just with simpler packaging and a lower price tag. Swapping a few everyday items like pasta, rice, canned goods, and snacks can make a noticeable difference in weekly spending.
4. Shop Seasonally
Shopping for seasonal produce can make grocery shopping feel more fresh and budget friendly at the same time. Fruits and vegetables that are in season are often more affordable and taste their best because they are picked at the right time. Farmers markets are a great place to find seasonal items, and they often have local options that feel a bit more special than what is in the grocery store.
5. Clip Coupons
Clipping coupons is a simple way to bring down the total at checkout without changing what goes into the cart. Many grocery stores have digital coupons right in their apps, making it easy to save on items you already buy each week. Paper coupons from flyers or mailers can also add extra savings on pantry staples and household basics.
6. Join a Rewards Program
Many grocery stores offer loyalty programs that reward you with discounts, cashback, or exclusive offers. Take advantage of these programs to maximize your savings every time you shop. One time I went to a store that I don’t normally shop at and I saw that they have a fantastic rewards program so I go there whenever I need to stock up on their sales.
7. Buy In Bulk And Preserve
Buying in bulk can help bring the cost per item down, especially for pantry staples like rice, oats, beans, and flour. It also works well for family sized packs of meat or produce when it is on sale. Preserving extras by freezing or storing in airtight containers keeps food fresh longer and makes it easier to plan meals ahead. Cooking larger portions and saving leftovers for another day can also help reduce waste and keep grocery trips less frequent for them
Freeze drying is getting really popular right now. The machines are quite expensive but what many people are doing is buying them and then offsetting the cost by making freeze dried packages and selling them at craft shows and bake sales. I have a friend that does this and when I went to her house she had a ton of stuff ready to go for her next show. She’s starting to make some really good money with her freeze dryer. Some of her top sellers are freeze dried vegetables and full meals like lasagna.
Here’s an article about how to freeze dry and also a list of foods that can be freeze dried.
8. Use Cashback Apps
Download cashback apps like Honey to earn cash back on your grocery purchases. These apps often provide additional savings and rewards beyond what you’d get with traditional coupons.
9. Compare Prices
Pay attention to unit prices on the shelf labels to determine which product offers the best value. Sometimes, buying a larger size may be more cost effective in the long run, but not always. I like to use my phone calculator to do actual number because sometimes buying the larger thing can be more expensive than buying two smaller things, so really know the numbers.
10. Avoid Pre Packaged Foods
Pre packaged foods can add up quickly at the grocery store, especially when they are part of everyday meals. Choosing whole ingredients and preparing simple items at home can help lower the total spend while still keeping meals filling and familiar. Things like chopped fruit, shredded cheese, and ready made snacks often cost more than the basic ingredients on their own.
How to make your own salad dressing
11. Limit Impulse Purchases
Limiting impulse purchases can help keep grocery spending more steady each week. Sticking to a list makes it easier to focus on what is actually needed instead of adding extra items along the way. Shopping after a meal can also help keep choices more thoughtful since you are not picking things up out of hunger.
12. Use Leftovers
Using leftovers is an easy way to stretch meals further and make grocery shopping more budget friendly. Extra portions from dinner can turn into lunch the next day or be mixed into a new meal with simple ingredients. Cooking once and eating it more than once helps reduce waste and keeps the fridge from getting crowded with unused food.
13. Shop Online
Shopping online for groceries can make it easier to keep track of spending and stick to a set list without extra distractions in the aisles. It also gives a clear view of prices as you add items to your cart, which helps with planning meals for the week. Grocery delivery or pickup can save time on busy days and keep things more organized at home. Amazon has a grocery section that makes it simple to add pantry items, snacks, and everyday basics right from your phone or laptop.
14. Try Frozen Produce
Frozen fruits and vegetables can be just as nutritious as their fresh counterparts and are often more affordable. Plus, they have a longer shelf life, reducing the risk of spoilage. The frozen food section might have some really great deals on.
15. Invest in a Deep Freezer
A deep freezer can be a helpful addition for keeping groceries organized and making food last longer. It gives extra space to store meats, breads, fruits, vegetables, and cooked meals so nothing goes to waste when life gets busy. Buying items when they are on sale and freezing them for later use can help stretch a grocery budget over time. It also makes it easier to prep meals ahead so there is always something ready to heat and serve.
16. Use Your Freezer Properly
Maximize your freezer space by storing leftovers, bulk purchases, and homemade soups, sauces, and casseroles. Properly labeled and stored, these items can save you time and money when you need a quick and easy meal. Another tip is to put food into the freeze that is cold, so put it in the fridge overnight first before putting it into the freezer. That just helps it so it doesn’t have to work so hard.
17. Go Meatless
Going meatless a few times during the week can help bring grocery spending down while keeping meals filling and simple. Ingredients like lentils, beans, chickpeas, rice, and pasta work well as the base for easy dinners and lunch ideas. These pantry staples stretch far, cook quickly, and blend nicely with vegetables and sauces already in the kitchen.
18. Price Match
Price matching is a simple way to bring grocery costs down without changing what goes into your cart. Many grocery stores will match a lower price from a competitor when you show proof, which helps you get the better deal in the moment. Checking weekly flyers or store apps before shopping can help you spot items that qualify for a match.
19. Cook in Batches
Cooking in batches is a simple way to make grocery shopping and weeknight meals feel easier. Preparing larger portions of soups, pasta, rice dishes, or casseroles at one time means you already have meals ready to go for later in the week. It also helps use ingredients more fully so nothing sits unused in the fridge. Freezing extra portions for another day keeps meals ready for busy moments and keeps weekly planning smoother.
Meals like this baked blueberry oatmeal is fantastic for making in batches and freezing for later.
Another recipe to make ahead in batches is this best soft and chewy oatmeal cookies. You can make a whole bunch and freeze them for lunches.
20. Buy Whole Grains
Whole grains like brown rice, whole wheat pasta, and oats are not only healthier but often more affordable than their refined counterparts. They’re also more filling, meaning you’ll eat less and save money in the long run.
21. Limit Dining Out
Limiting dining out can help bring grocery spending down and keep more meals centered at home. Cooking more meals in the kitchen means grocery ingredients get used up instead of being replaced by restaurant meals. Simple homemade dinners like pasta, soups, or sheet pan meals can replace takeout on busy nights.
22. Shop Early or Late
Shopping early in the day or later in the evening can make grocery trips feel easier to manage and more focused. Many stores also mark down prices later in the day on items like bakery goods, meat, and ready made foods, which can help stretch the grocery budget even further. It also makes it simpler to move through the store with a clear plan and stick to what is on the list.
23. Learn to Preserve
Canning, pickling, and preserving are valuable skills that can extend the shelf life of seasonal produce. Here’s our list of the best food dehydrators for this year. There’s a large food preserving section right on this blog with easy recipes to help get you started.
24. Plant A Garden
Planting a garden is a simple way to bring fresh ingredients right into the kitchen while helping with grocery costs over time. Even small spaces work well with pots for herbs, tomatoes, lettuce, or peppers. Growing a few everyday staples at home means less need to buy them at the store each week.
Not everyone can plant a garden, so if your community offers access to a communal garden, take advantage of it. Community gardens give you an opportunity to grow your own fresh produce at a fraction of the cost of store-bought items. And if you have a balcony, you can always use grow bags for tomatoes, cucumbers and lettuce.
25. Stop Buying Expensive Drinks
Drinking filtered tap water instead of purchasing bottled water, soda, or other beverages can give you a ton of savings. You’ll also reduce plastic waste and promote a healthier hydration habit. Did you know you can make your own milk which can also help save money? All you need is a bag of old fashioned rolled oats and water for a dairy free milk you can whip up anytime.
26. Reduce Food Waste
Reading food labels can help reduce waste and make grocery shopping more efficient. Checking dates like best before and understanding storage instructions helps food get used at the right time instead of being forgotten. Simple habits like placing newer items behind older ones in the fridge can keep everything in rotation. Using what is already in the kitchen before buying more keeps meals organized and helps each grocery trip feel more intentional.
27. Have A Meal Planner Book
Having a meal planner book can make grocery shopping feel more organized and easy to follow each week. Writing down meals, ingredients, and shopping lists in one place keeps everything clear and simple to track. It also helps repeat favorite meals without having to rethink dinner every time.
Thanks for reading and spending time here. I hope these grocery saving tips bring a little ease to your weekly shopping and help make meal planning feel more simple and calm. Small changes can really add up over time and make a big difference in how your kitchen feels day to day.
At Home Freeze Dryers
KitchenAid Mixers
Vitamix Blenders
