30 Tips to Reduce the Grocery Bill – How to Save Money on Groceries

Last updated on September 21st, 2024 at 10:28 am

 

Shopping for groceries is interesting but can mess up your wallet when you don’t do it the right way. Prices at the stores change sometimes hence the need to keep in check about your expenditure to reduce the grocery bill.

Research shows that the average grocery price increase every year is about 2% to 3% despite tough economic times when the percentage change gets bigger than expected.

Compared to 2021 and 2022 food prices were high though now the economy is normalizing slowly. True, food prices have gone down but some people are still facing heavy budget costs due increase in the cost of living.

Guess what? When times get tough you need to find ways to survive financially. I mean adopting spending best practices that will save you money no matter where you are living.

Tips to Reduce the Grocery Bill to Save Money

I do shop for groceries whenever I need them despite price increases using some of the techniques listed here. Do you know you can save thousands of dollars today shopping for groceries at the store?

1. Check Shopping Visits

I don’t know how many times you present yourself at the store to purchase groceries, it is no doubt and clear that you may end up buying things not on budget when you frequently move to the grocery store.

Schedule visits to the grocery store to overcome impulse purchases that end up costing you a lot at the end of the month in the budget.

2. Think about Shopping Online

Buying groceries online today is a trend despite some costs that come with it yet we want to save. Many want convenience but it comes at a cost, you can easily run out of cheap options online and then decide to buy expensively.

When you walk into the stores it is easy to access a variety at low cost that has not yet been listed online and a lot of money is saved here.

3. Check the Pantry

During times when cutting expenses has to be prioritized to save always keep an eye on the pantry. This will help us plan for what is available to limit shopping and over-stocking the freezer.

There is no need to buy food and other ingredients that you already have in the kitchen even when it is black Friday. I only stock my pantry when I know that I have to without second guessing about spending.

4. Mind Bulk Purchases

As said, Fridays are tempting to some people hence find themselves shopping unnecessarily. I don’t need to overstock the deep freezer with food that is going to go bad in just a few days even when it is discounted at the store.

Also, when most things look to be discounted people don’t take the time to compare prices and sometimes you may find yourself buying at a higher price yet you are on a budget.

5. Use Cash Money Shopping System

Sounds a bit technical but it isn’t, I mean just moving with hard cash to the grocery store unless otherwise. It works because there is no way you are going to spend more when cash money is done.

Actually, it won’t only work against irresponsible shopping but also will save you time using a credit card when there are network issues at the stores.

6. Meal Plan

One of the best ways to save money on grocery shopping is through meal planning. Planning meals before stepping into the store will keep you on track to shop responsibly.

Look around the kitchen or freezer when planning to shop so that you only consider what is basic and demanding for meal preparations during the week.

With a meal plan in place, you can look around for target offers with discounted prices at different stores to save money.

7. Seasonal Shopping

If you want to save more money on a budget, seasonal shopping is a good practice for everyone. Think about seasonal shopping for some groceries on your list while at the food store.

Produce like fruits and vegetables purchased in season are cheap and quality compared to the off-season. When you are on a budget take advantage of seasons to control grocery costs on your list.

8. Shop Around

Checking different stores for the best price is not a waste of time when you are on a budget. You want to save, right? Then take your time to move around for quality with the best price.

Places like Walmart, Trader Joe’s, and more won’t have the same price tags hence get in for promotional offers to get what suits your budget.

9. Always Stick To The List

Before stepping out to move to the store you need to have a list that will guide you shopping. You don’t have to divert from the list to make unplanned purchases when you are on a budget.

This is one of the best ways that save me from irresponsible purchases whenever am at the grocery store. It is pretty challenging to work it out in the first place but later you can get used to the practice.

10. Avoid Shopping On an Empty Stomach

When I used to go to the food store with an empty stomach I would shop greedy. But after realizing it, then decided that going to do any grocery shopping hungry has to stop.

I don’t know about you but trying it out will reduce your spending on grocery bills over time.

11. Check the Burn Rate

When you buy produce for some time you can tell how long it takes to get finished from your freezer or pantry.

Here you will be able to schedule when to buy cheap to save money on groceries. You will always make scheduled purchases and at the same time avoid shortage.

12. Consider Generic Labels

Over some time you might have been addicted to a brand name but it doesn’t mean you can’t change. Different items serve the same purpose as your premium brand at a low cost.

Since shopping on a budget means saving money, then appropriate low-cost alternatives should be put into consideration at the store.

13. Go Shopping Alone

Buying things not on a list also comes up when you go shopping with some other family members most especially children. I don’t mean completely putting their needs out of your budget for the sake of saving.

Everything you want to buy should be on the list to cut out unplanned spending whenever you are at the grocery store

14. Maintain Your Freezer

To keep groceries safe without going bad for long, you need to store them in the freezer for preservation. Always keep an eye on the condition of the freezer to immediately take action on any breakdown to avoid wastage of stored food.

You can shop enough at discounted prices to use at home for quite some time without worrying about wastage and shortage.

15. Check Unit Costs of Items

Mind about unit costs of groceries whenever you are buying in bulk to ascertain whether the bulk total cost is ideal.

Buying in large quantities at a discount should save you money when you do the math comparing unit prices and bulk total costs at different stores to get the best price.

16. Move to the Grocery Store

You don’t need to use delivery service providers at a cost when you can pick up things by yourself. Delivery services increase grocery costs if you don’t have time to pick up groceries in person.

We are working on a budget to save money, right? Pick things in person or avoid some delivery apps with costly charges.

17. Check Expiration Dates

Some food items at the stores last for short periods compared to others. Groceries that expire in a short period should be consumed first to avoid wastage.

A lot of money can go to waste when you don’t keep an eye on the expiration date of items that you buy for example bread, milk, recipes, stew, and more.

18. Value Addition

Some food items that are not in very good condition are sold at very low cost at places like misfits markets. For things like tomatoes, red pepper, and soya beans add value to them to last for a long time.

You can save for long on certain items without visiting the store using tomato sauce, powdered paper and crushed beans for food.

19. Mostly Focus On Unprocessed Foods

While at the store, focus on mostly unprocessed foods like fruits, vegetables, stew, and chicken cuts they are a lot cheaper than processed. Ready-made food is tempting to buy and costly hence keep yourself in the fruits and vegetable section unless otherwise.

Buying unprocessed food will save you a lot and all you need is to put in some time to prepare your favorite dish at home for less to save.

20. Budget for Sales

Start budgeting for what will save you money at the grocery store on sale after checking through promotional offers for the best price. You will save when you buy things that are on sale since they are discounted.

But besides being on a budget, whatever you buy look at the expiration date because sometimes things are put on sale to dump them on you.

21. Use Curbside Pickup

At times when I don’t want to move into the store, I do shopping online to pick up orders later by myself curbside at the grocery store skipping delivery fees.

Almost all stores offer curbside services and this can be a better way to save money on groceries costs without spending on online deliveries.

22. Skip Eye Level Items

These are items on the shelves with higher prices at eye level focus when you enter the store. However, this is done intentionally by stores to make sales but when on the sides, above eye level and below there are cheaper offers.

Compare eye-level prices with those on the sides, above and below you will see the difference. Sure, many don’t know about this trick and it saves a lot on groceries over time.

23. Get a Backyard Garden

Setting up a garden to grow some food items might seem quite a long process but when you have the time it is worth it. When you grow your own you won’t frequent at the store unless otherwise.

Grow onions, tomatoes, pepper, Irish, green vegetables, and other food items to save money shopping out. Things won’t work out fast but when you give in your time to look after the garden it is a game changer.

24. Use Coupon Apps

Another great way to save money on groceries is using coupon apps for shopping online. Wondering where to start, right?

Coupon apps to save money on groceries include Checkout51, Ibotta, SnipSnap, Coupon.com, and more.

25. Eat Leftover Food

When food left is kept well for the next day it can reduce the overall cost of groceries over some time. Don’t throw away any food left when it can be consumed the following day while you are on a budget.

Here you won’t have much waste on food and at the same time reduce the rate at which groceries get finished in the kitchen.

26. Buy from the Farmers Market

Shop at the farmers market during late hours for the best price to save money on every visit. Most farmers sell cheap in the market when they are closing the day hence it is the right time to get the best offers.

Looking forward to saving more on groceries? Whenever you want fresh food on a budget visit the farmers during late hours.

27. Return Damaged Items

You don’t have to keep quiet when you find out that an item from the store is bad, take it back for a refund. However, it works with proof that you are not the one who brought about the effect.

Some people find themselves spending a lot buying the same item again yet they can be refunded or given another at no cost.

28. Check Receipts

Most people don’t check receipts at the store for any errors that might occur when items are scanned. Sure, at times you may end up paying more than you are supposed to pay for groceries.

When you take some time to check receipts you are most likely to identify errors that may result in overcharging at the store due to system errors.

29. Use Cashback Credit Cards

Still interested in tips to reduce the grocery bill to save money, right? Use credit cards that give cashback whenever you make purchases at the grocery stores in your state.

You need a credit card that will give you the best offer in terms of cashback. Cashback credit cards include Discover It, Blue Cash Everyday, Capital One SavorOne, Chase Freedom Unlimited, and more.

30. Take Your Shopping Bag

In some states carrying your shopping bag can save you money on groceries. Yes, you avoid the charge at the store on a brown paper bag offered.

It’s not a lot of money charged but when you do the math for some time it adds up.

FAQs – Tips to Reduce the Grocery Bill 

1. What Is The Best Way To Save Money On Groceries For People With Busy Schedules?

When you are the type with a busy schedule, using cashback credit cards and coupon apps is most convenient.

2. How Much Money Can I Save On Groceries Every Month?

It depends on the system you are using to save money on groceries for example with a cashback credit card system, money back is calculated according to the number of transactions done in a month.

3. What Are The Best Ways To Save Money On Groceries Without Moving To The Stores?

There are lots of ways to reduce the grocery bill without moving to the store and doing everything from the comfort of your home.

• Checking burn rate
• Considering generic labels
• Maintaining freezer in good condition
• Expiration date check
• Value addition
• Ordering unprocessed foods
• Budgeting for sales
• Setting up a backyard garden
• Using coupon apps
• Cashback credit cards

Conclusion

When you want to save money on groceries you don’t have to apply all the techniques listed here to succeed. Consider only a few that suit you and are appropriate for achieving the intended money saving goal.