Food: We love it, we need it, but it can be so expensive!
With grocery prices constantly rising, shopping these days can be downright stressful and disheartening. What’s more, all the good stuff is the priciest.
Eating a balanced diet shouldn't have to mean breaking the bank. We’ve put together a list of some smart and practical ways to help you confidently navigate the aisles to save money on food so you can say goodbye to sticker shock—and hello to savings!
Make a monthly food budget (and stick to it!)
The first step to savings lies in setting a monthly food budget before you shop. This way you don’t let our culture’s hyper-consumerism get to you and you remain in control of your grocery spending.
Determine how much money you can comfortably spend on food each month and allocate it across your weekly grocery trips. By setting limits, you’ll be more intentional about what you buy and won’t overspend.
Once you set your budget, try to track your grocery expenses throughout the month to ensure you're staying within budget, and adjust your spending up or down if needed. Holidays, special occasions, or any hosting you do will set you a little over budget so try to plan out what you can realistically spend for these ahead of time.
Of course, sticking to your budget doesn’t mean you can’t treat yourself occasionally or grab something yummy and new to try. Just pause to think about if you really want or can afford it before placing it in the cart.
Tip: If you constantly go over budget for food, try cutting back on how many times a week you order takeout, or splurge on extra snacks or fancy drinks. Cooking flavorful, minimalistic meals at home is almost always cheaper than eating out and can help you avoid buying single-use ingredients you won’t reuse or too many specialty items that drive up your bill.
2. Meal plan ahead and make a grocery list
One of the most effective ways to start saving money on food is to plan your meals a week in advance so you don’t overspend in the first place. Meal planning helps you avoid impulse purchases and food waste, ensuring that you only buy what you need for the week.
Take some time every weekend to plan out all or a few meals for the upcoming week, taking stock of ingredients you already have at home. Next, write a detailed grocery list based on what’s needed. It may be tricky at first, but try to stick to the list while shopping to avoid buying items you don't need.
Tip: Choose a few affordable, and nutritious go-to meals you enjoy to have on rotation each week. It’s easy, reliable, and relieves some of the thought process. You can even write a bunch of favorite recipes on notecards and toss them in a bowl to draw a few different ones before weekly shopping runs.
3. Buy in bulk
Buying in bulk is a tried-and-true method for saving money, especially for items you use frequently, such as rice, pasta, canned goods, or spices. Bulk items often come with a lower cost per unit than their pre-packaged counterparts. This is especially true for non-perishable items that you can store for long periods, but is also great for perishable items you go through quickly like fruit, eggs, or even meat.
If you have the space to store bulk items, this can significantly reduce your grocery expenses over time.
Tip: If you have freezer space, maximize it! So many bulk items are freezable, from meat to cheese to bread. Same for pantry space—consider getting a few large food-grade airtight bins to safely store bulk staples like rice, flour, or sugar for easy access in any cool place they can fit, like a pantry, closet, or basement. You can also pick a day to batch-cook your bulk perishable items that expire quickly, eat what you want, and then freeze the rest for easy meals another day.
4. Wait for sales
Another great way to save on groceries is to take advantage of sales. Most grocery stores have regular discounts on various items throughout the month. By paying attention to flyers or store apps, you can plan your shopping around upcoming sales, especially for pricier items like meat or frozen foods.
Get ready to stock up on these items when they go on sale and freeze them if needed to use later. For example, canned and frozen fruits and vegetables are great healthy alternatives to fresh produce, are often more affordable, and frequently go on stock-up-and-save sales due to their great shelf life.
Tip: Sign up for your grocery store's emails or app to receive notifications about sales, clearance items, and discounts. However, try not to get distracted by every sale that comes up and consider if the advertised item is really wanted or needed, not just a killer price.
5. Buy store-brand or generic products
It’s like a shopper’s best-kept secret—buying store-brand or generic products can typically save you a significant amount compared to name-brand items, often without sacrificing quality. Many store brands are made by the same manufacturers as their more expensive counterparts, meaning you’re getting a similar product for a fraction of the price.
From canned goods to bakery items, to pantry staples like oil, flour, and sugar, you can save a lot just by choosing store brands.
Tip: Try switching to store-brand versions of products you use regularly and see if you notice a difference in quality. Often the savings outweigh any minimal changes in taste or texture. If you do notice slight changes, you can try to save pricier versions of items for special occasions or when hosting. For example, buy a store-brand olive oil for cooking and a nicer olive oil to use only when smaller amounts are needed, like dipping bread or drizzling over a dish before serving.
6. Clip coupons and join rewards programs
Clipping coupons may seem old-fashioned, but it’s still a tried-and-true way to cut costs on groceries. Coupon books or flyers are often just inside a store’s entrance for you to grab and peruse as you shop. Many stores also offer digital coupons through their apps, making it easy to search for and load them onto your account before checkout.
Rewards programs are also offered by many grocery stores that give you points or discounts for every purchase and are usually free to sign up for. You can often find members-only discounts, exclusive sales, gas pump savings (if there’s one affiliated with the store), or birthday rewards, which can all add up over time.
Tip: Set aside a small amount of time each week to browse coupon websites or store apps for discounts on items you already plan to buy. Be careful to only clip coupons for items you need or were planning to buy beforehand so you don’t overspend. While it can be tempting to grab all the good deals, the goal is to save and not overconsume.
7. Shop at discount stores
Don’t be afraid to check out your local discount stores for some smart savings. Discount stores, such as Aldi, can often be the key to finding good groceries for cheap. These stores often offer lower prices on many items, largely by offering only essentials, with fewer luxury or specialty items that can supersize your grocery bill.
While you may find that these stores are better for some items than others, shopping discounts can help reduce your overall spending, especially if you prioritize the basics.
Tip: Familiarize yourself with your local discount stores and compare prices on your most frequently purchased items. You may find that some discount stores consistently offer better deals than traditional supermarkets on certain items. Feel free to mix and match your grocery outings, maybe shopping discount for staples, boxed, or frozen items, and then buying produce or specialty ingredients at another store.
Main takeaway
With these smart strategies in your pocket, shopping can go from a stressful to a thoughtful experience where you can reduce your grocery bill without sacrificing nutrition or quality.
Get ready to maximize your food budget while enjoying delicious meals and a more cost-effective lifestyle!
