15 Money-Saving Tips for Grocery Shopping: How to Cut Your Grocery Bill in Half

When it comes to groceries these days, just like you, I am looking for the best way to save a lot of money and stay on budget while grocery shopping. With rising grocery prices, it’s no surprise we are all feeling the pinch and having a harder time than ever staying on target with our food budget. So, let’s dive into the best grocery shopping money saving tips for so you can cut your grocery bill in half. That would be nice, wouldn’t it?

Money-Saving Tips for Grocery Shopping: How to Cut Your Grocery Bill in Half

Plan Your Meals

The statistics vary a bit but on average meal planning is an easy way to save 25% per week on groceries (did you know our meal planner will pay for itself in a week?). When people ask where to begin with saving money on grocery spending, I always say it’s a good idea to meal plan. Planning your meals in advance can help you avoid buying unnecessary items and wasting food.

Need more tips on how to start meal planning? Start here.

Make A List

Before going shopping, make a list of the items you need to buy and stick to it. This will help you avoid impulse purchases. When you create a shopping list that corresponds to your meal plan, you will save so much money. You all know what it’s like to go into the store without a list, I mean that’s a great way to blow your budget.

I love how our meal planner journal has a rip-out grocery list so not only can you take the list with you easily to the store, but once you rip out this week’s grocery list you can start recording items as you need them onto next week’s grocery list. This simple thing means we forget so many less things when we go to the store. Grab your meal plan notebook here.

Buy Only What You Need

At first glance, this feels silly to say but we all fall prey to cart creep. Do you know what that is? Those cookies look good, they creep into your cart. Avoiding cart creep and those impulse purchases is one of the easiest ways to stay on budget. For me, if I don’t see it, I don’t need it so I avoid stores where I am more tempted. Places like Target and Walmart have items I don’t need until I see them. So, I usually do pick-up orders.

Avoid Extra Runs to the Grocery Store

Meal planning helps with this. However, I know there are times when you forget to add something to the grocery store or something pops up and you need to go. The more often you go to the grocery store, the more money you will spend. Get what you need on your grocery list and go only once a week. Every time you go into the store, you tend to not just buy what you need which adds up! 

Make Smart Substitutions

Last week we had pot roast. I was going to get beef but it was $20 for a 3-pound roast. I swapped it for a 5-pound pork roast that cost under $11.

Buy Generic

Generic or store-brand products are often cheaper than name-brand products and are usually just as good. Trader Joe’s and Aldi are my favorite places to shop because they have the best prices on generic products. Check out my post about 50 of my favorite items to purchase there. Aldi is also great since they have mostly just store-brand products you don’t spend as much time in the store. I love to save time and money.

I do love all things Aldi but here’s a few things to avoid too.

Pro tip: Stores purposefully stock shelves with the most expensive items at eye level so next time you are at the grocery store, look down for less expensive generic brand options to save money.

Shop In-Season Fresh Produce

My kids love strawberries but darn it they are expensive in the winter around here because they are out of season around here. Shop fresh fruits and fresh vegetables that are in-season for the best price on fresh produce. Plus, in-season produce tend to not go bad as fast since they didn’t have to be shipped so far meaning you’ll have less food waste.

When you get home wash up that fresh produce and put it in your fridge, then pull it out with every meal. Your picky eaters will learn to snack on that nutritious food while you are cooking dinner.

While we are on the topic of produce, usually you can get the lowest price on fruits and vegetables by buying them frozen. Frozen produce is often picked at the peak of ripeness so while they are less expensive, it doesn’t mean they have less nutritional value or will be less flavorful. Plus, they last much longer so you’ll waste less.

Buy in Bulk

Buying in bulk can save you money in the long run, especially for items that you use frequently. Items that I like to buy in bulk include non-perishable items including bottled water, paper towels, and household goods. Make sure you place them somewhere so that you can easily see what you have on hand so you don’t keep buying more when you already have it on hand.

Use Coupons and Shop for Sales

Before you meal plan, pull your local grocery store advertisement up on your phone and meal plan based on what’s a good deal and on sale for the best on your grocery bill.

Compare Prices

Compare prices at different stores, and look for sales and discounts. Oftentimes, different stores will price-match their competitor. If you aren’t sure, just take the competitor’s price to customer service and ask. What’s the worst they will say? No, then you’ll know for next time. If not, that might save you from having to shop at different stores.

Look for Items With Close Expiration Dates

Often times, as expiration dates near for things the store will discount them. You can buy ground beef and freeze it and will last until you are ready to use it. Check out this article with best-by-date recommendations for food.

Avoid Pre-Packaged Foods

Pre-packaged foods are often more expensive than buying the ingredients and preparing the food yourself. This also includes buying individually packaged snack items. Depending on the season of life you are in, you might save money by dividing up the snacks in bags at home.

Consider Using Less Meat

I know I always get the stink eye on this one but meat is often what you spend the most money on for your food monthly budget. Can you make the meat the supporting actor of your meal instead of the star of the show. I love adding a can of black beans to ground beef to stretch the meat a little further in dishes like tacos. A little bit of meat goes a long way in pasta dishes and soups too. Decreasing meat consumption will make a considerable difference in your food bill.

Need some more ideas on how to stretch meat and simple meal ideas, check out this article.

Never Shop on an Empty Stomach

Oh my goodness, if you do nothing else from this article this would be a great starting point for saving money on grocery purchases. Do not, I repeat, do not go to the grocery store hungry. Things you do not need will hop into your shopping cart simply because you need to eat.

Also, the less people you take to the store the better chance you will stay on budget. My kids and husband are always asking for extra things that aren’t essentials and can add up in a hurry and bust that budget.

Reduce Restaurant Meals

I love to eat out like the rest of you but we changed our perspective on eating out from a back-up plan to a planned event. Eating out can be a huge extra cost so we reserve eating out for special occasions. Instead of eating out as a last resort when we forget to thaw the meat, we keep plan B types of food on hand when the meal plan goes sideways.

Plan B Foods like frozen pizza, sandwiches or macaroni and cheese are some of our favorite back-up meal options. Skipping eating out even one time a week can have a significant impact on your food budget.

Just Remember When It Comes to Grocery Shopping Money Saving Tips…

Even though food prices are on the rise, you can still eat healthy meals at home on a budget. With a little preparation up front it is possible to get to the end of the month and be on budget. Start small, make one or two small changes and your household budget will thank you. You’ll be motivated to keep going and soon you’ll be an expert in navigating how to save money despite the cost of groceries these days. Need more tips on how to start meal planning? Start here. Follow along for meal planning tips here.

Need Help Getting Started Saving Money and Meal Planning?

Need more help with meal planning? Check out this free Aldi meal plan and printable shopping list and get ready to save time, money, and stress on next week’s meal plan.