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Eating at home is the tried and true way to save money on meals, but the price of groceries was up nearly 12 percent for the year at the end of 2022, according to the Bureau of Labor Statistics. While sharp rises in the cost of kitchen staples like eggs and meat have made food at home more expensive, you're likely still better off buying groceries over takeout.
The right supermarket shopping strategies can help you keep costs down. If you’re feeling sticker shock at the store, here's how to save money on groceries.
1. Check what you already have and make a list
Some shoppers head to the grocery store without taking inventory of what they already have at home. Before you buy one too many loaves of bread or gallons of milk, check your refrigerator and pantry. Snap a picture of what you already have or make a list of what you know you’ll need.
It helps to limit your trips to the store, too, according to Steve and Annette Economides of MoneySmartFamily.com. The less you’re physically at the store, the couple says, the fewer opportunities you have for impulse purchases.
3. Stick to your list
About those impulse buys: Using a grocery list and sticking to it can help fight the urge to spend more than you'd planned. Consider shopping alone so you can get in and out quickly, without kids lobbying for items not on the list or in your budget.
4. Pay attention to prices
Passive shopping won’t cut it in this age of inflation. You should actively assess the prices of the items you buy on a regular basis so you know whento pounce on a deal or pass. This technique is as simple as being mindful about what you’re doing while you shop. Pay attention to prices at more than one local store to learn where deals on certain products are better.
5. Buy the Sunday paper (for coupons)
Subscribing to the Sunday paper is worth your investment, says Kurt Jetta, founder of retail and consumer analytics firm TABS Analytics. He says paper circulars are rife with grocery deals like buy one, get one free. Look in the paper for coupons
that apply to the items you know you'll be buying.
But be leery of promotions that have too many conditions or are difficult to redeem, Jetta says. Offers like "buy one, get one half off" may encourage you to spend more and buy more than you need or can use. Don’t want to spend on the Sunday Post or Times? Check your mail for grocery store coupons.
Online grocery services and subscriptions are convenient, but they can also be costly. Jetta warns that you may not always find the size you’re looking for online and could be forced to trade up to a bigger size for a higher price. Additionally, some grocery orders at Amazon are fulfilled by third-party sellers. These could carry shipping costs, which add to your bill.
» MORE: Is Amazon Prime worth it?
7. Calculate your burn rate
Your burn rate refers to how frequently you use up products, say Steve and Annette Economides. They recommend figuring out how long certain products last you, then stocking up on deals accordingly.
If you have room in your freezer to buy a few extra sale-priced chickens, go for it. But if your favorite bagged chopped salad is on sale and you buy more than you can eat before the expiration date, you’ll end up overspending.
8. Follow your favorite brands
You probably already have a favorite potato chip or a top pick in laundry detergent, so use your brand loyalty to your advantage.
Follow your favorite brands on social media or sign up for their mailing lists. Tide laundry detergent deals and offers are sent directly to the inboxes of email subscribers. Seltzer brand Spindrift offers 10% off your first order when you sign up for its mailing list.
9. Try out generic labels
But just because you like Tide or Spindrift doesn’t mean you shouldn’t be open to trying something else. For some products, you can do without the brand name altogether. Jetta says “value” labels are a more affordable alternative to premium brands.
For instance, if you’re indifferent about the hair product you use, you may try out a budget brand like Suave or a store like Target’s generic version of Head & Shoulders.
10. Use credit cards strategically
Check your credit cards to see if you can earn cash back or other rewards when grocery shopping. You'll need to track details like spending caps, possible annual fees and rotating categories. But rewards credit cards can pay 1% to 6%, which could shave hundreds of dollars a year off your food costs. To reap the best return, pay the card off in full each month rather than carrying a balance. Otherwise, interest charges may eat up your savings.
11. Establish your local supermarket circuit
Split your purchases across multiple stores to pinpoint the best deals at each, and hone your system. For example, you may use Trader Joe’s for good deals on items like ground coffee and frozen prepared meals one week. Then the next week, you’ll go to the local Aldi for discounts on center-store items like boxed cereals and snacks. Grab your meat and produce where you can find it freshest for the best price, and hit the wholesale club once a month for the things you can stock, save and use over time.
12. Consider a wholesale membership
Speaking of wholesale clubs, they sell food in bulk at low costs per unit, which is especially appealing for large families. Consider buying a membership at a store such as Costco, Sam’s Club or BJ’s Wholesale Club if you have room to store large amounts of food, or if you want to stock up on nonperishable necessities like paper towels and toilet paper. Be prepared to spend more at the outset as you invest in large quantities.
And remember, you’ll have to pay an annual fee for the warehouse membership. Before you commit, ensure that you’ll shop there enough to save more on your groceries than you invest in the membership. If you do, check out their gas price perks, too.
13. Look at the price per unit
Take note of how much you’re getting for your money. The price per unit (ounce, pound, gram, etc.) of different packages is often printed on the pricing display near the product. You also can use a unit price calculator to determine the cost per unit. The information is helpful since some stores sell identical products in different sizes.
🤓Nerdy Tip
Be aware of “shrinkflation” — when that jar of peanut butter gets deceptively smaller but stays the same price. If you notice it, pivot to a brand that hasn’t downsized.
Prices can fluctuate within the same store, too. Jetta says produce that’s in season is less expensive since out-of-season fruits and veggies could have additional costs tacked on.
» LEARN: How to save money on groceries in Canada
14. Understand sale cycles
Holidays like Christmas, Easter, Valentine’s Day and Halloween are known for their candy sales. If you want to snag a bargain, shop the clearance section after the holidays are over. Stores will deeply discount their seasonal merchandise, and you can stock up for a low price.
Jetta has an insider tip for consumers who make one large shopping trip per month — go to the supermarket early.
“At many retailers, there are usually better deals the first week of the month,” he says. Jetta notes this phenomenon is a byproduct of the paycheck cycle; stores are likely to compete for traffic when they know their customers have just gotten paid.
