"The first time I noticed an uptick in my grocery bill was in 2021 when a grocery store run for a charcuterie board and toilet paper cost me $70. At the time, the number seemed unfathomable. But now? I’d give anything to go back to the days when my typical grocery store bill was under $100. Sadly, spending anything less feels practically impossible these days as grocery prices continue ticking up. As reported by NerdWallet, food prices are up 31% since 2019, which makes budgeting for groceries an increasingly tight squeeze. But I’m not one to admit defeat easily, and I’ve found a few hacks that not only help me save money on groceries but make them last longer as well. Read on to learn the 14 grocery store hacks I use to save money every week.
1. Always shop with a list
This is likely the most obvious tip on this list, but it’s also the one people overlook most often. I get it—planning out meals for the week and making a corresponding grocery list isn’t anyone’s idea of a good time, but it’s a necessary evil if you’re trying to save money on groceries. If you shop without a list, you might end up spending way more on ingredients that sounded good at the time but don’t actually work together when you go to cook dinner. A little forethought can add up to big savings since you’ll only be buying what you really need.
2. Go to the grocery store solo
Groceries are already expensive, and buying items on a whim that you don’t actually need will only jack your bill up higher. To keep impulse buys to a minimum, try to go to the grocery store by yourself when possible. If you live with a partner or roommate or have kids, bringing them along means one more person who can throw random stuff in the cart on impulse. By making grocery shopping a solo activity, you’re much more likely to stick to the list you came with.
3. Avoid peak times
I often hit the grocery store on Sunday afternoons, and it’s almost always a madhouse. I’m constantly jockeying for space amid all the other customers and then grabbing the first thing I see off the shelf just to get out of the way. Although it may be old habit, grocery shopping during busy times often leads to a higher bill. It’s much easier to shop around for the best-priced option when you’re not fighting crowds just to get to the shelf you need. This might vary depending on where you live, but experiment until you find the day and time when the store is slowest, then make that your new routine.
4. Buy the generic brand
Brand-name products are almost always more expensive than their generic store-brand counterparts, but the ingredients are often similar if not exactly the same. So why pay more for a specific label when you can get the same thing for cheaper? Even if the generic brand only costs a dollar or so less, it all adds up when you’re buying groceries for the whole week.
5. Opt for frozen instead of fresh where possible
If there’s one thing you can always count on finding in my freezer, it’s an assortment of frozen seafood and sweet Italian sausage. Since these are staples in many of my meals, I’ve switched to buying frozen options instead of fresh. On top of helping me save more because it’s less expensive, doing this has also improved the quality of my meals. Frozen seafood is often frozen immediately after it’s caught, and the same goes for fruits and veggies after being harvested. This means that some frozen food can retain its quality, flavor, and nutrients even better than its fresh counterparts, which can take a few days to get to the grocery store.
6. Shop on the new sales day
Although most people do their grocery shopping on the weekend, the best time to shop for groceries is generally on the new sales day. That’s the day of the week when new sales hit the store—and often when markets get the bulk of their weekly deliveries. By shopping on this day, you can shop the sales from the previous week along with the new ones and easily find your essentials still in stock. For many grocery stores, the new sales day is Wednesday, but this isn’t a universal law (my local market starts new sales on Thursdays). So, check the sales flyers or go online to learn which day your go-to grocery store’s new sales day falls on.
7. Buy fresh produce when it’s in season
The health benefits of buying in-season produce have long been touted, but very few people talk about its financial benefits. Seasonal produce tends to be cheaper because there’s an abundant supply of it, and locally grown options are often even more affordable since the price doesn’t account for high transportation costs. Since I live in New England, I’ll stick to buying fresh fruits and veggies during the summer months and opt for frozen fruits and veggies during the rest of the year.
8. Buy breads and desserts that can be frozen
Freshly made bakery treats are a luxury in this economy; they don’t last for very long and often have to be discarded before they’re eaten completely. This is why I love buying bread and desserts that can be frozen, like these brownies from O’Doughs and gluten-free bread from Udi’s. I don’t have to worry about eating them quickly, and they don’t lose their freshness or flavor from being stored in the freezer. Look in the freezer section at your market to see what baked goods are available, and try storing any fresh bread and desserts in the freezer immediately after you get them to extend their lifespan.
9. Buy in bulk
This might sound counterproductive, but buying in bulk is one of the best ways to save money at the grocery store. Making frequent trips to the market adds up fast, so while buying in bulk might increase the amount of a single grocery store run, it’ll save you money in the long run. Plus, it makes it easier to stretch your groceries longer, especially if you’re bulk-buying frozen and canned foods that won’t perish quickly.
10. Look at deals only for what you need, not the whole store
Browsing the aisles, store app, or sales ad for deals or to see what’s new only entices you to buy more, and this, in turn, can lead to accidental overspending. This is why I swear by looking at deals only for what you need. Whether it’s toilet paper, chips, or fruit, I’ll see what’s on sale for each respective section and then make my purchasing decision accordingly.
11. Limit deli meat and artisanal cheese purchases
I love a decadent charcuterie board just as much as the next person, but deli meats and artisanal cheeses are not exactly cost-effective. Not only are they pricey, but they also spoil quickly. But life’s all about balance, so instead of forgoing them completely, I limit the amount I purchase. I keep hard salami, pepperoni, and soppressata stocked up in my fridge, along with some Cabot cheese, since I snack on it regularly, and it doesn’t go to waste. And when the time comes to whip up a charcuterie board or antipasto for a gathering, I’ll allow myself to splurge.
12. Shop with a store rewards card
Stop & Shop is my go-to grocery store, and I would be lost without their rewards card. Not only does it give me access to the best deals, but it also rewards me with points I can redeem at the gas station to save even more money. I typically save anywhere from $30 to $100 on groceries whenever I shop with my rewards card, and I’ll get 30 or 40 cents off per gallon when it comes time to fill my car. Of course, every store is different, but utilizing a rewards card is always a good idea.
13. Opt for whole gallons rather than half
If you regularly use anything like milk, cream, or juice, opting to buy a full gallon rather than a half gallon is the best thing you can do for your wallet. While it’s more expensive, it helps you save in the long run because it lasts longer, and you really get your money’s worth.
14. Stick to a similar grocery list every time
An unexpectedly astronomical grocery bill is one of the worst surprises, which is why I stick to a very similar grocery list every time I shop. While I’ll allow myself to indulge in a treat or two every once in a while, shopping off the same list makes budgeting for my essential food and drink items easier since I already know what I spend whenever I buy groceries. Likewise, it also makes it easier to meal plan because I already know what’s on hand and what’s missing.
Arianna Reardon, Contributing Writer
Arianna is a Rhode Island native, professional blogger, and freelance writer. She’s passionate about helping women develop healthy relationships with money, become financially independent, and invest in themselves for the future. Arianna is a firm believer in going after what you want, taking time to stop and smell the roses, and the importance of a good cocktail.
Jessica Friedhoff, Senior Lifestyle Editor
Jessica Friedhoff is the Senior Lifestyle Editor at The Everygirl, where she oversees the Home & Living category of the site. She writes and edits stories across a broad range of topics including decorating, food, entertaining, travel, and more. With a pulse on the latest trends, she uses her eye for detail and design to create timely, inspiring content for our readers.